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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Ooo this book had me hooked from the very beginning! I love faerie stories that lean into their manipulative, malicious, gruesome nature.
For a cover as pretty as this one, the plot can get dark and bloody at times. There's a danger that hovers over everything, even in the happiest moments. The world was built well and differed just enough from our history to make it easy to sink into it. It had a cinematic feel to it -- I had no trouble picturing each detail.
The characters are brilliant. They're so distinct and interesting. They're all victims of the time (mid-1800s), of their gender & societally expected roles, of their family history & reputation. The dynamics were fantastic. Everything was so perfect and woven so tightly that I didn't question things like I typically do. The twist surprised me a bit. And while I don't normally go for love triangles, it really worked here. It was believable and functional and felt true.
I cannot wait for book 2. I'm ravenous, I need to know what happens next. I'll be crowing about this book for a long time!
Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
For a cover as pretty as this one, the plot can get dark and bloody at times. There's a danger that hovers over everything, even in the happiest moments. The world was built well and differed just enough from our history to make it easy to sink into it. It had a cinematic feel to it -- I had no trouble picturing each detail.
The characters are brilliant. They're so distinct and interesting. They're all victims of the time (mid-1800s), of their gender & societally expected roles, of their family history & reputation. The dynamics were fantastic. Everything was so perfect and woven so tightly that I didn't question things like I typically do. The twist surprised me a bit. And while I don't normally go for love triangles, it really worked here. It was believable and functional and felt true.
I cannot wait for book 2. I'm ravenous, I need to know what happens next. I'll be crowing about this book for a long time!
Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I felt like this was a pretty solid YA romantasy. I love both regency romance and games and trials fantasy, so this was an interesting combination of the two. I did find the characters to be a bit two dimensional - it would have been nice to be more invested in who they were versus focusing on who they weren’t by comparison - but overall still felt invested in the FMC’s journey and found the story easy to devour. Read this in a day on vacation and am intrigued enough to see where book 2 goes!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Bridgerton with games and trials, fae bargains, two princes, and treason.
Loved this book, loved the dialogue and all of the characters. Loved the structure of the story which I have to admit is rare. The chapters from other characters' perspectives were delightful every time I hit them.
This book went for the jugular a few times and one major scene had me tearing up.
Ngl I thought this was a standalone so haha jokes on me but I'll be reading the next book as soon as possible.
Loved this book, loved the dialogue and all of the characters. Loved the structure of the story which I have to admit is rare. The chapters from other characters' perspectives were delightful every time I hit them.
This book went for the jugular a few times and one major scene had me tearing up.
Ngl I thought this was a standalone so haha jokes on me but I'll be reading the next book as soon as possible.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A very enjoyable listen. I loved the vignettes of each of the girls that brought depth to such a large cast of characters. The twists were pretty easy to anticipate but getting there was still a good time. I enjoyed the historical fiction setting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Rose Bargain scratched the same itch that Heartless Hunter and The Selection did for me—it has that same magical, enchanted, easy-to-devour vibe. This was fully giving Bridgerton meets The Bachelor, but with fae bargains, deadly court politics, and magical trials. I was living for the chaos and couldn’t put it down by the end. Easily a 5-star read!
Props to the avalanche of plot twists that came out swinging in the last 20% and totally changed the game heading into the finale of the duology. Some characters yanked the rug out from under me (rude, but iconic), and I couldn’t even be mad because—that’s showbiz, baby!
I loved the glimpses into other characters’ POVs scattered between Ivy’s chapters—they added depth in a really easy way. Also the female friendship? Chef’s kiss. Watching that camaraderie grow from suspicion and competition into full-blown, ride-or-die allyship was one of my favorite parts.
That cliffhanger was brutal, and unless I missed something, there’s no news yet about book 2. I will simply pass away. Sasha Peyton Smith, I’m begging—drop a morsel about the sequel, girlie pop! I’m dying to hear how this one ends.
**SPOILER**
PS: Greer. No body, no crime. I’m holding out hope.
Props to the avalanche of plot twists that came out swinging in the last 20% and totally changed the game heading into the finale of the duology. Some characters yanked the rug out from under me (rude, but iconic), and I couldn’t even be mad because—that’s showbiz, baby!
I loved the glimpses into other characters’ POVs scattered between Ivy’s chapters—they added depth in a really easy way. Also the female friendship? Chef’s kiss. Watching that camaraderie grow from suspicion and competition into full-blown, ride-or-die allyship was one of my favorite parts.
That cliffhanger was brutal, and unless I missed something, there’s no news yet about book 2. I will simply pass away. Sasha Peyton Smith, I’m begging—drop a morsel about the sequel, girlie pop! I’m dying to hear how this one ends.
**SPOILER**
PS: Greer. No body, no crime. I’m holding out hope.