Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
This is one of those books that you don’t realize how beautifully everything was set up until it all comes together.
To the comparisons being made to the Folk of the Air, that is apropos. These are far more traditional fae folk than most of what’s popular today, one of the epigraphs is even from Yeats.
The book feels slightly off kilter the entire time you’re reading, like you never know where you stand, and given the subject matter that seems right.
Set in a NOT Victorian 1840s (Faerie Queen Mor has ruled England since the War of the Roses), every citizen is offered a bargain, for a cost.
But as with any dealing with faeries, nothing can be taken at face value.
What starts as a bridal competition for the hand of the faerie prince becomes much more, with much at stake.
I am not typically one for love triangles but the balancing act, and the reasons for it, held my attention.
Prepare for games you aren’t even aware you’re playing, buckle up, and enjoy the ride.
Absolutely looking forward to the sequel.
To the comparisons being made to the Folk of the Air, that is apropos. These are far more traditional fae folk than most of what’s popular today, one of the epigraphs is even from Yeats.
The book feels slightly off kilter the entire time you’re reading, like you never know where you stand, and given the subject matter that seems right.
Set in a NOT Victorian 1840s (Faerie Queen Mor has ruled England since the War of the Roses), every citizen is offered a bargain, for a cost.
But as with any dealing with faeries, nothing can be taken at face value.
What starts as a bridal competition for the hand of the faerie prince becomes much more, with much at stake.
I am not typically one for love triangles but the balancing act, and the reasons for it, held my attention.
Prepare for games you aren’t even aware you’re playing, buckle up, and enjoy the ride.
Absolutely looking forward to the sequel.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well, this was a bit of a mess, wasn't it? A fun mess, but a mess nonetheless. I'm done rhyming for the rest of this review, I promise.
Okay! Starting with the positives, the premise of this was actually highly entertaining. Set in an alternate version of London in the 18-somethings, The Rose Bargain starts off with a fae queen on the throne. And when the year's crop of 18 year-olds are getting ready for their debut into society, said queen announces her son will marry this year, and the girls can decide to compete for the honor of being his bride. This competition comes with some trials and tribulations of the extra mean variety (because: fae), and I could've had a really good time following along, had the rest of it not been so... Mediocre. Sorry.
I think the thing that bugged me most of all is that nothing in this story felt like it had any weight to it at all. Especially the relationships, both platonic and romantic, felt like they were built on nothing but air, and I had a lot of trouble buying into the gravity of them that the author clearly did try to sell us readers. This really is the most clear example of "telling, not showing" that I have come across in a while, and it was such a shame, because if she had managed to root down both the plot and the characters a little more, this could've been fantastic.
Instead, we get wishy washy female friendships, a very limp love triangle that felt like nonsense on both sides, and a lot of things turning on a dime whenever the author seemed to feel like it. I feel like she attempted to pad this out by introducing random points of view here and there for backstory, but this too just felt very messy and flimsy to me.
So yes, I had fun with the premise and I finished the book, but that really is all the positive I can say about it and I can't rate it any higher than 2.5 stars. And in case it wasn't clear, I will not be continuing on in the series.
Okay! Starting with the positives, the premise of this was actually highly entertaining. Set in an alternate version of London in the 18-somethings, The Rose Bargain starts off with a fae queen on the throne. And when the year's crop of 18 year-olds are getting ready for their debut into society, said queen announces her son will marry this year, and the girls can decide to compete for the honor of being his bride. This competition comes with some trials and tribulations of the extra mean variety (because: fae), and I could've had a really good time following along, had the rest of it not been so... Mediocre. Sorry.
I think the thing that bugged me most of all is that nothing in this story felt like it had any weight to it at all. Especially the relationships, both platonic and romantic, felt like they were built on nothing but air, and I had a lot of trouble buying into the gravity of them that the author clearly did try to sell us readers. This really is the most clear example of "telling, not showing" that I have come across in a while, and it was such a shame, because if she had managed to root down both the plot and the characters a little more, this could've been fantastic.
Instead, we get wishy washy female friendships, a very limp love triangle that felt like nonsense on both sides, and a lot of things turning on a dime whenever the author seemed to feel like it. I feel like she attempted to pad this out by introducing random points of view here and there for backstory, but this too just felt very messy and flimsy to me.
So yes, I had fun with the premise and I finished the book, but that really is all the positive I can say about it and I can't rate it any higher than 2.5 stars. And in case it wasn't clear, I will not be continuing on in the series.
This was good! Not life changing. Had a weird spice scene for a YA book about 18 year olds. Idk, I find it strange for 18 year olds in the 1800s to be so promiscuous. Took me out of the story because everything else about the characters was so naive.
I’d be interested in book 2! Bring on the evil fae!
I’d be interested in book 2! Bring on the evil fae!
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
fast-paced
Vaya libro, no sé si está mal traducido o mal escrito pero me he castigado a mi misma leyendo esto. Me lo he acabado para saber que pasaba pero ni siquiera me interesa una segunda parte
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
gosh there was so much potential for this to be so much more than it was. some plot elements made no sense, the end felt rushed, and some of the characters and their decisions really had me puzzled and felt out of place. the ending also has me confused...will there be a sequel? the saving grace was how whimsy the world is. I just wanted...more :/
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
This was a fun, sort of creepy read. Will definitely read the next one.