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dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Trafficking, Abortion
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Thank you to NetGalley & Forever Publishing for an ALC in exchange for an honest review. Produced by Hachette Audio, Read by Ella Lynch.
I was HOOKED!! The audiobook production was phenomenal, it felt seamless. Ella Lynch knocked it out of the park with her narration. She had consistent voices for different characters - it was uncanny the way she instantly alerted you the second an unsavory character was speaking the split second before the FMC was aware of their presence!
Be prepared, there are a lot of dark themes and really unsavory characters and behavior. The story starts off with a war, capture of the losers, and an auction of them off into magical (and physical) servitude to the victors.
And yet, the way I needed Briony to understand how much Toven was trying to protect her is was agony! I was talking to myself aloud so often while listening!
I loved the magic system that was developed in the story, while the themes were dark, the story still had a thread of hope wound through it. I can’t wait to see Briony come into her power and see where this story takes us in this trilogy.
I was HOOKED!! The audiobook production was phenomenal, it felt seamless. Ella Lynch knocked it out of the park with her narration. She had consistent voices for different characters - it was uncanny the way she instantly alerted you the second an unsavory character was speaking the split second before the FMC was aware of their presence!
Be prepared, there are a lot of dark themes and really unsavory characters and behavior. The story starts off with a war, capture of the losers, and an auction of them off into magical (and physical) servitude to the victors.
And yet, the way I needed Briony to understand how much Toven was trying to protect her is was agony! I was talking to myself aloud so often while listening!
I loved the magic system that was developed in the story, while the themes were dark, the story still had a thread of hope wound through it. I can’t wait to see Briony come into her power and see where this story takes us in this trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racism, Slavery, Trafficking, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
After Princess Briony's brother, King Rory Rosewood is killed in battle, her life transforms overnight when she is captured by the enemy and sold to the highest bidder; her childhood rival, Toven Hearst.
This is a traditional adaptation of a fanfic by Julie Soto and although I have not read the FF, I really enjoyed Rose in Chains. The audiobook brought the characters to life.
What to expect:
- Dark Romantasy
-touch her and die
-enemies to lovers
-slowburn romance
-morally grey MMC
The world building is immense and easy to follow, with a new magic system which is not overly complex, mind magic versus heart magic and the strengths of both and how they influence the practitioner. Although Dragon influence is mentioned it is not central to the plot (yet).
Briony is a fierce FMC. The underdog in the story who is worth so much more than what she gets, constantly sidelined or estimated by her loved ones, she however leads with empathy and compassion for others and readers will root for her from the very beginning.
Toven is our true morally grey MMC to the point of *chefs kss*. Working within enemy lines, Julie Soto is skilled in her writing ability in that although Briony remains unawares and feels the pull between them is one-sided, readers will be observing and reading all that is unsaid between the protagonists and how it really isn't until the very end that Toven's mask starts to fall and we find out how he really feels. Eep!
Every single moment in this book felt like living on a knife-edge; this is a dark romantasy so please check out trigger warnings (sexual assault/harassment/r*pe/violence) but also the plot was unpredictable, suspenseful and chemistry between the protagonists was charged so I was really holding my breath alot during this read. This is a *very* slow-burn romance but I still loved reading how the relationship changes over time - again, its those nuanced moments where smaller gestures have greater meaning and I loved Toven and Briony together.
Special mention also to Selina Hearst (given what Rose in Chains is based on it was nice to see parallels were not consistent the whole way through and Julie Soto has formed her own world here where we had an anti-villain/supportive and kind maternal presence in Briony's life).
Some of the content did make for an uncomfortable listening experience (and I'm a sucker for multiple narrators where there are male and female characters) else Ella Lynch was phenomenal in narrating the different parts and I could not put this book down. Please be sure to check trigger warnings. I flew through this read and already can't wait for the next book to be published! In the meantime, I'll have to re-read all of Julie Soto's other works!
Thank you @HachetteAudio @Forever and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest unedited review.
This is a traditional adaptation of a fanfic by Julie Soto and although I have not read the FF, I really enjoyed Rose in Chains. The audiobook brought the characters to life.
What to expect:
- Dark Romantasy
-touch her and die
-enemies to lovers
-slowburn romance
-morally grey MMC
The world building is immense and easy to follow, with a new magic system which is not overly complex, mind magic versus heart magic and the strengths of both and how they influence the practitioner. Although Dragon influence is mentioned it is not central to the plot (yet).
Briony is a fierce FMC. The underdog in the story who is worth so much more than what she gets, constantly sidelined or estimated by her loved ones, she however leads with empathy and compassion for others and readers will root for her from the very beginning.
Toven is our true morally grey MMC to the point of *chefs kss*. Working within enemy lines, Julie Soto is skilled in her writing ability in that although Briony remains unawares and feels the pull between them is one-sided, readers will be observing and reading all that is unsaid between the protagonists and how it really isn't until the very end that Toven's mask starts to fall and we find out how he really feels. Eep!
Every single moment in this book felt like living on a knife-edge; this is a dark romantasy so please check out trigger warnings (sexual assault/harassment/r*pe/violence) but also the plot was unpredictable, suspenseful and chemistry between the protagonists was charged so I was really holding my breath alot during this read. This is a *very* slow-burn romance but I still loved reading how the relationship changes over time - again, its those nuanced moments where smaller gestures have greater meaning and I loved Toven and Briony together.
Special mention also to Selina Hearst (given what Rose in Chains is based on it was nice to see parallels were not consistent the whole way through and Julie Soto has formed her own world here where we had an anti-villain/supportive and kind maternal presence in Briony's life).
Some of the content did make for an uncomfortable listening experience (and I'm a sucker for multiple narrators where there are male and female characters) else Ella Lynch was phenomenal in narrating the different parts and I could not put this book down. Please be sure to check trigger warnings. I flew through this read and already can't wait for the next book to be published! In the meantime, I'll have to re-read all of Julie Soto's other works!
Thank you @HachetteAudio @Forever and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest unedited review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Sexual harassment
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, War
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was a rollercoaster. You go back and forth between past and present events. Navigating Briony's journey in this new world. Who can she trust? Who SHOULD she trust? The end?!? 🤯
I've never read anything by Julie Soto before and I enjoyed her storytelling. The world building was amazing. This is book one of three and I cannot believe I have to wait for the conclusion. Truly a remarkable start to what I think will be an incredible trilogy.
Enemies to lovers
Magical prophesies
War between two magical groups
Dark themes throughout
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ARC.
I've never read anything by Julie Soto before and I enjoyed her storytelling. The world building was amazing. This is book one of three and I cannot believe I have to wait for the conclusion. Truly a remarkable start to what I think will be an incredible trilogy.
Enemies to lovers
Magical prophesies
War between two magical groups
Dark themes throughout
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Death of parent
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, War
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Rose in Chains by Julie Soto was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and this audiobook narrated by Ella Lynch was done so well. Her voice was able to really transport me into the world of Briony Rosewood and Toven Hearst. When I finished it in 5 days, I was surprised at how the book had a lingering effect on my thoughts.
Note: Please take the time to listen/read the content warnings. This book is not meant for children and is marketed as New Adult.
As a reader of the original fanfiction that Julie Soto posted on Ao3, I made sure to separate the two works in my mind. Although there are similar story beats, the world she built is pretty well thought out. With the use of a non-linear timeline, it does help build out a map of the world if you are just listening to the book. While I wish I could physically see the map, the descriptions of the places and how the seasons were still gave enough context clues of how far north one might be.
Continuing on to the characters, Briony's flaws and motivations were really easy to pick out. Toven, on the other hand, is kind of a grey area. I would not really classify this as a full enemies-to-lovers, but it still has some semblance of that. All of the surrounding characters give extra life to the story and help flesh out the overall threat to Briony's world. I do wish she was given just a bit more interaction with certain characters to really drive home the importance they may have in any future plots.
The reasons for the context warning are pretty evident just a few chapters in. While not as intense as some other books readers may be experienced with, it is still a rough subject matter. Is it necessary to the story? Yes. It actually is a major plot point and is not really something that can be skipped.
Finally, when the epilogue happened, I was surprised and look forward to all future books set in this universe!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Hachette Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Torture, Classism
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
🎧 Title: Rose in Chains- The Evermore Trilogy #1-3
✍🏾 Author: Julie Soto- an auto-buy author for me
📅Publication date: 7-8-25 | Read: 6-27-25
🗣️Narrator: Ella Lynch voices all the characters with standouts from Briony and Toven. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.
🏃🏾♀️➡️Run Time: 15:35
Genre:
*Fantasy
*Dark Romance
*Adult Fic
Tropes:
*Dramione fanfic-The Auction
*enemies to lovers/rivals
*slow burn romance
*flashbacks
*forced proximity
*magic school-mind magic and heart magic/golden heartsprings
*mutual pining
*royal romance
*a dragon
*the chosen one
👆🏾POV: 3rd person
⚠️TW: slavery/human auction, virgin h, SA/SH, war, abortion, forced sterilization, mind attacks, death of loved ones
🌎 Setting: Evermore-Claremore Castle and Bomard
Summary: Rory is set to become King of the Eversuns but must first defeat Bomard led by Queen Mallow. When his castle is attacked, his twin sister Princess Briony and several others are taken prisoner-the women forced to become slaves to Bomard. Briony is given to her archenemy Toven as a heartspring. She is tattooed and chained to stop her magic and let everyone know she belonged to him.
👩🏾 Heroine: Briony Rosewood-25, Princess of Evermore turned prisoner
👨🏾 Hero: Toven Hearst-25, his family controls Heart Magic in Bomard, Vespa-his fox familiar
🎭 Other Characters:
* Rory Rosewood-Briony's twin, heir-apparent to King Evermore per a "chosen one" prophecy
* Cordelia-Briony's BFF/ in love w/ Rory
* Veronika Mallow-Queen of the Bomardi, bonded to a dragon. A mind reader who wants to end the Rosewood line.
* Lag Reighven+ Gaines- evil handlers
* Serena + Orion Hearst-Toven's parents
* Liam + Finn + Colin-Toven's friends
* Larissa Gaines-from Bomard/Briony's rival who becomes enslaved because of her father's cruelty
🤔 My Thoughts: This was a great beginning of a new romantasy series. The mutual pining, the betrayal, and war politics all combine for a Dramione/Handmaid's Tale/Fourth Wing dark romance. It ended in a surprise and cliffhanger that I can't wait to devour.
Rating: 5/5 ✨
Spice level 1/5 🌶️ most unwanted encounters, kiss/make out between H/h
🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Julie Soto for this ALC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
✍🏾 Author: Julie Soto- an auto-buy author for me
📅Publication date: 7-8-25 | Read: 6-27-25
🗣️Narrator: Ella Lynch voices all the characters with standouts from Briony and Toven. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.
🏃🏾♀️➡️Run Time: 15:35
Genre:
*Fantasy
*Dark Romance
*Adult Fic
Tropes:
*Dramione fanfic-The Auction
*enemies to lovers/rivals
*slow burn romance
*flashbacks
*forced proximity
*magic school-mind magic and heart magic/golden heartsprings
*mutual pining
*royal romance
*a dragon
*the chosen one
👆🏾POV: 3rd person
⚠️TW: slavery/human auction, virgin h, SA/SH, war, abortion, forced sterilization, mind attacks, death of loved ones
🌎 Setting: Evermore-Claremore Castle and Bomard
Summary: Rory is set to become King of the Eversuns but must first defeat Bomard led by Queen Mallow. When his castle is attacked, his twin sister Princess Briony and several others are taken prisoner-the women forced to become slaves to Bomard. Briony is given to her archenemy Toven as a heartspring. She is tattooed and chained to stop her magic and let everyone know she belonged to him.
👩🏾 Heroine: Briony Rosewood-25, Princess of Evermore turned prisoner
👨🏾 Hero: Toven Hearst-25, his family controls Heart Magic in Bomard, Vespa-his fox familiar
🎭 Other Characters:
* Rory Rosewood-Briony's twin, heir-apparent to King Evermore per a "chosen one" prophecy
* Cordelia-Briony's BFF/ in love w/ Rory
* Veronika Mallow-Queen of the Bomardi, bonded to a dragon. A mind reader who wants to end the Rosewood line.
* Lag Reighven+ Gaines- evil handlers
* Serena + Orion Hearst-Toven's parents
* Liam + Finn + Colin-Toven's friends
* Larissa Gaines-from Bomard/Briony's rival who becomes enslaved because of her father's cruelty
🤔 My Thoughts: This was a great beginning of a new romantasy series. The mutual pining, the betrayal, and war politics all combine for a Dramione/Handmaid's Tale/Fourth Wing dark romance. It ended in a surprise and cliffhanger that I can't wait to devour.
Rating: 5/5 ✨
Spice level 1/5 🌶️ most unwanted encounters, kiss/make out between H/h
🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Julie Soto for this ALC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Trafficking, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, War
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, Death of parent, Murder, War, Classism
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I‘m so grateful that I got to listen to this book before its release date! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher!!
Julie Soto is one of my favorite authors, I‘ve loved all her books and Rose in Chains is no exception. This was way darker than I expected it to be, the stakes are freaking high in this, its so sad to see what all these women have to go through just because of some disgusting people. I felt so much all of them because of the shit they have to endure!
The magic is also so interesting and I already can not wait to get my hands on the next book to see how the magic, the world, this story and the characters continue!! Hopefully we‘ll get to know why some specific people act the way they do! I can‘t wait to read more about Briony & Toven, all the others and their world!
Thank you Julie, for dipping your toes into so many different genres and continuing to be one of my favorites!
Julie Soto is one of my favorite authors, I‘ve loved all her books and Rose in Chains is no exception. This was way darker than I expected it to be, the stakes are freaking high in this, its so sad to see what all these women have to go through just because of some disgusting people. I felt so much all of them because of the shit they have to endure!
The magic is also so interesting and I already can not wait to get my hands on the next book to see how the magic, the world, this story and the characters continue!! Hopefully we‘ll get to know why some specific people act the way they do! I can‘t wait to read more about Briony & Toven, all the others and their world!
Thank you Julie, for dipping your toes into so many different genres and continuing to be one of my favorites!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Murder