The Rose Bargain carried me away. It’s the most recent book that totally took me on an adventure. There’s the right amount of deadly consequences, edge, and swoon. It’s this perfect mashup of Bridgerton meets the deadly Fae. Keep reading this book review of The Rose Bargain for my full thoughts.
Summary
Every citizen of England is granted one bargain from their immortal fae queen.
High society girls are expected to bargain for qualities that will win them suitors: a rare talent for piano in exchange for one’s happiest childhood memory. A perfect smile for one’s ability to taste.
But Ivy Benton’s debut season arrives with a shocking twist: a competition to secure the heart of the Queen’s fae son, Prince Bram. A prize that could save Ivy’s family from ruin… and free her sister from the bargain that destroyed her.
Yet every glittering fae deal has a rotting heart—and at the center of this contest is a dark plot that could destroy everything Ivy knows.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Rose Bargain defied expectations at every turn. On one hand, there’s this deadly trial which is only heightened by the presence of the Fae. These aren’t the ethereal kindhearted beings you might expect. This is Fae with a capital F, the type who view humans as playthings. They’re cruel and faced with eternity they chase entertainment above all else with humanity paying the cost. It’s like having a selection process for the next Queen, but is run by a cruel and callous ringmaster who only cares about the spectacle. On the other hand, we have a story about a romance which may be doomed from the start.
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There’s tension and angst and we love it even more so because the reason it’s doomed is for the entire good of the land. It’s the only way they have a chance at being free of the Fae. We love a doomed, yet noble, tragic love story. But what I didn’t expect was that The Rose Bargain features chapters from other characters specifically the other contestants. This gave the book not only a more three dimensional feeling, but allows us to see that in this sexist world of marriages as tickets to security and the Fae, no one is safe. Everyone has skin in the game.
If you’re looking for something with the right amount of swoons and teeth, then you have to pick up The Rose Bargain. It captivated me and thrilled me. Find The Rose Bargain on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.