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adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I picked this up to read a day and a half ago, because I randomly read about the issue re: the author attending (and then not attending) an event for romantasy authors. Something about how this published fic was originally HP fanfic for Dramione and people didn't want to support the author and her novel because of the HP association.
I would say in this case it worked in her favor because it got me looking into her novel, and it turns out it was just what I needed to read and pull me out of a reading slump. It's not the best or original, sure, but it engaged me and I enjoyed reading it, so I would say it's somewhere between a 3.0 and 3.5 for me.
I'm curious why / how the Hearsts are powerful, what's Mallow's story (I just wish she wasn't Mallow because part of me keeps thinking of the word marshmallow lmao sorry), what's the dragon about and how does it come to play with mind magic and heart magic, if Toven and Briony are about to be a power couple with their talented magical energy and deprived will-they-or-won't-they sexual tension lol. The cliffhanger ending has me hooked too... only I have to wait til December 2026?!
I would say in this case it worked in her favor because it got me looking into her novel, and it turns out it was just what I needed to read and pull me out of a reading slump. It's not the best or original, sure, but it engaged me and I enjoyed reading it, so I would say it's somewhere between a 3.0 and 3.5 for me.
I'm curious why / how the Hearsts are powerful, what's Mallow's story (I just wish she wasn't Mallow because part of me keeps thinking of the word marshmallow lmao sorry), what's the dragon about and how does it come to play with mind magic and heart magic, if Toven and Briony are about to be a power couple with their talented magical energy and deprived will-they-or-won't-they sexual tension lol. The cliffhanger ending has me hooked too... only I have to wait til December 2026?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Infertility, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, War
Moderate: Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma
Minor: Death, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
emotional
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
This was a really pleasant surprise, I had a lot of fun reading this!
Having read the fic, I was already familiar with most of the plot, but I genuinely had a good time spotting all the changes she had to make.
In this version, our mcs were just as messy, but our fmc was a quite bit sassier, which led to their banter being even spicier. I didn’t even think that was possible, but my god! I also thoroughly enjoyed the way their years of rivalry and yearning were effortlessly told over the dual timeline.
But the change that really stood out to me was the familial connection between Briony and Rory. It was an unexpected twist, but I think it was the perfect way to maintain their bond & friendship without resorting to years of exposition. It felt so authentic to the og characters that it didn’t feel like too much of a leap for them.
I could have given this a higher rating, but the magic system was a bit confusing at times, and some of the names, like Briony, Hearst, and Biltmore, gave me the ick.
Even having read the fic, Rose in Chains ends in a spot that has me itching for the next one! So, I am going to need that second book asap because that ending! Is our FMC going to get a dragon?!?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical trauma, Murder, Sexual harassment, War
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I usually love a good slow burn romance, but wow—this one really puts the slow in slow burn. I went in with high expectations for the romance, and honestly, I ended up pretty disappointed. There just wasn’t much of it, and I didn’t even feel that typical yearning or tension you’d expect. It started off strong, but then… not a whole lot happened for a while.
There were also a lot of characters mentioned briefly, and I had a hard time keeping track of who was actually important. The world felt like it was already fully built before we got there, but not enough was explained for me to feel fully immersed. That said, we did get flashbacks every now and then—however, I’m not sure how I felt about them. For me, they didn’t really add to the worldbuilding and mostly just felt like filler chapters.
Definitely check the content warnings before reading. It’s not super graphic, but it does touch on some heavy topics like captivity, trafficking, off-page rape and abuse, plus focus on virginity and fertility.
I listened to the audiobook and truly enjoyed the narration—honestly, I think that’s what kept me going. I’m not sure I would’ve enjoyed the physical copy as much, even though the story itself didn’t totally land for me.
Overall, I did like the concept, and I think I might’ve appreciated it more if I’d gone in with different expectations. Even though I saw the big cliffhanger coming, I’m still curious enough to keep reading and see what happens next.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Sexual harassment
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you @hachetteaudio for the complimentary audiobook!
#𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚜𝚢 𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜 • #𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚜
♡₊˚⊹ Top tier romantasy: loved the writing, felt invested in the leads. This takes obvious inspiration the handmaids tale, so do mind the trigger warnings. although it’s low spice, there’s lots of slow burning tension.
I will comment for those wondering how close this is to the original fanfic, that as someone who hadn’t read the auction, I wouldn’t have known this was based on dramione had I not been told. The world has been changed significantly to the point that this felt more like a new romantasy world, not at all related to muggles or even the magic system.
Cons: Because the world is so changed, side characters would benefit from additional development. It was hard to logic out their motivations. Finally, the ending is very abrupt and to be continued... in book 2.
▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။|• 🎧 Great narration by Ella Lynch on audio! Easy to follow and love her accent.
#𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚜𝚢 𝚜𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜 • #𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚜
♡₊˚⊹ Top tier romantasy: loved the writing, felt invested in the leads. This takes obvious inspiration the handmaids tale, so do mind the trigger warnings. although it’s low spice, there’s lots of slow burning tension.
I will comment for those wondering how close this is to the original fanfic, that as someone who hadn’t read the auction, I wouldn’t have known this was based on dramione had I not been told. The world has been changed significantly to the point that this felt more like a new romantasy world, not at all related to muggles or even the magic system.
Cons: Because the world is so changed, side characters would benefit from additional development. It was hard to logic out their motivations. Finally, the ending is very abrupt and to be continued... in book 2.
▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။|• 🎧 Great narration by Ella Lynch on audio! Easy to follow and love her accent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infertility, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Blood, Grief, Alcohol
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Julie Soto’s writing is fantastic. The narrator did a fantastic job. This book just was not for me. It was too dark. I received the book as an early audio copy and wanted to make sure I read and reviewed. I honestly couldn’t stop comparing this to the source material- the narrator also sounded like the original if you catch my drift.
If you like dark romance, you’ll probably like this. I won’t be completing the series.
If you like dark romance, you’ll probably like this. I won’t be completing the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual harassment
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Apparently this is based off of FanFic, but it’s better than most of the recent “romantasy” titles that I’ve read. I’ll definitely read the next books in the series!
Make sure to check out the content warnings because this book has a lot going on.
Make sure to check out the content warnings because this book has a lot going on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Infertility, Misogyny, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Rape, Sexual content
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
4.5⭐️
As a huuuuuuge fan of “The Auction” and “The Rights & Wrongs” series….
I fucking loved this. It’s completely separated from the-bitch-who-must-not-be-named. Soto’s magic system is unique and very interesting! I loved her mind and heart magic descriptions, especially the mind magic. The needle and thread is such a great concept.
The name changes are a little funny to me. They’re just a little bit close to the originals that it made me giggle (ex. Briony - Hermione, Rory - Harry). Briony and Toven are my babies😩🫶🏻 they’re misunderstood, they’re broken and traumatized, they just want to love each other without getting killed or worse. I am a huge Dramione shipper, so Briony & Toven are my loves.
Now speaking on Dramione…
I said this before, but I really feel like HarperCollins and Julie Soto could’ve marketed this book COMPLETELY organic, without the mention of the JKR bitch’s characters. I have no hate at all for Julie Soto, as some people are saying she shouldn’t have written and published this book. But she made the story, the characters, and everything her own. She had influences. Doesn’t everyone have influences?
Overall, I absolutely devoured this book!!! Waiting another year for the 2nd is going to torture me😩 I maaaay have to read my downloaded copy of “The Auction” to get my fix😏
(I have to nerd out for a second: Nikita Jobson did the artwork😭 Her “Golden Girl” art is just beautiful that I was so excited to see she did the cover for Rose in Chains!!!)
(Nerd out pt 2: “For the Saturday Girls…” Julie, are you fucking kidding me? I almost cried seeing that dedication😭😭)
As a huuuuuuge fan of “The Auction” and “The Rights & Wrongs” series….
I fucking loved this. It’s completely separated from the-bitch-who-must-not-be-named. Soto’s magic system is unique and very interesting! I loved her mind and heart magic descriptions, especially the mind magic. The needle and thread is such a great concept.
The name changes are a little funny to me. They’re just a little bit close to the originals that it made me giggle (ex. Briony - Hermione, Rory - Harry). Briony and Toven are my babies😩🫶🏻 they’re misunderstood, they’re broken and traumatized, they just want to love each other without getting killed or worse. I am a huge Dramione shipper, so Briony & Toven are my loves.
Now speaking on Dramione…
I said this before, but I really feel like HarperCollins and Julie Soto could’ve marketed this book COMPLETELY organic, without the mention of the JKR bitch’s characters. I have no hate at all for Julie Soto, as some people are saying she shouldn’t have written and published this book. But she made the story, the characters, and everything her own. She had influences. Doesn’t everyone have influences?
Overall, I absolutely devoured this book!!! Waiting another year for the 2nd is going to torture me😩 I maaaay have to read my downloaded copy of “The Auction” to get my fix😏
(I have to nerd out for a second: Nikita Jobson did the artwork😭 Her “Golden Girl” art is just beautiful that I was so excited to see she did the cover for Rose in Chains!!!)
(Nerd out pt 2: “For the Saturday Girls…” Julie, are you fucking kidding me? I almost cried seeing that dedication😭😭)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment
Minor: Body horror, Infertility, Pregnancy