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slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This book sealed the deal. Julie Soto is NOT for me.
Rose In Chains is a reworked adaptation of a Harry Potter fan fiction originally published as The Auction. However, even with the agonizingly slow narrative pacing and lackluster attempts at exposition and character development, it does not stand on its own. The world described on page is odd. Not quite historical but certainly not modern. Is this a normal convention for “romantasy”? Rose In Chains is still relying on its readers to know the “Dramione” vibe. This book has triggering content, so I hope the print version includes a list. They were not in the audio.
The characters are flat. The world building is lacking. And most importantly, the relationship between Bryony and Tolvin is non existent. There’s no chemistry, no banter, no insight into why they should or do care about each other except that they’re “hot.” And for a story that moves so slowly, this book is LONG. The audiobook is 15+ hours. The narrator does a decent job with the performance, but at times it came across as monotone.
Thank you to Hachette Audio for the ALC.
Rose In Chains is a reworked adaptation of a Harry Potter fan fiction originally published as The Auction. However, even with the agonizingly slow narrative pacing and lackluster attempts at exposition and character development, it does not stand on its own. The world described on page is odd. Not quite historical but certainly not modern. Is this a normal convention for “romantasy”? Rose In Chains is still relying on its readers to know the “Dramione” vibe. This book has triggering content, so I hope the print version includes a list. They were not in the audio.
The characters are flat. The world building is lacking. And most importantly, the relationship between Bryony and Tolvin is non existent. There’s no chemistry, no banter, no insight into why they should or do care about each other except that they’re “hot.” And for a story that moves so slowly, this book is LONG. The audiobook is 15+ hours. The narrator does a decent job with the performance, but at times it came across as monotone.
Thank you to Hachette Audio for the ALC.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Slavery, Trafficking, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
I am absolutely speechless, this book consumed me right from the first page! I read this book in just one day, I honestly could not put it down!
We follow Briony's (princess of Evermore) life/journey after the death of her father. The horrors, challenges and relationships she experiences through the 4 years afterwards and how She and her Twin brother are fighting to keep Evermore out of Veronika Mallows control. The Bermardi (heart magic) are trying to control and wipe out the Eversuns (mind magic).
This book contains spoiler warnings and I would say to make sure you read these before you start, this book can be very dark and triggering for some.
The twists and turns of this book kept me on the edge of my seat. When I finished i absolutely gasped and need book 2 and 3 right now!
The worldbuilding is absolutely fantastic, the character development is absolutely insane. I have a love for so so many characters and not just the FMC and MMC and even those who are on the 'wron side' which I feel is so rare nowadays!
I feel like this series is going to go down like Forth Wing and Acotar and become a staple Fantasy/Romantasy Read!
I'd also like to add in that I attended the Launch Day event for Rose in Chains and Julie Soto is absolutely hilarious, an amazing sense of humour, so lovely and I could honestly listen to her talk about Rose in Chain - and her love for interview with a Vampire for hours!!
We follow Briony's (princess of Evermore) life/journey after the death of her father. The horrors, challenges and relationships she experiences through the 4 years afterwards and how She and her Twin brother are fighting to keep Evermore out of Veronika Mallows control. The Bermardi (heart magic) are trying to control and wipe out the Eversuns (mind magic).
This book contains spoiler warnings and I would say to make sure you read these before you start, this book can be very dark and triggering for some.
The twists and turns of this book kept me on the edge of my seat. When I finished i absolutely gasped and need book 2 and 3 right now!
The worldbuilding is absolutely fantastic, the character development is absolutely insane. I have a love for so so many characters and not just the FMC and MMC and even those who are on the 'wron side' which I feel is so rare nowadays!
I feel like this series is going to go down like Forth Wing and Acotar and become a staple Fantasy/Romantasy Read!
I'd also like to add in that I attended the Launch Day event for Rose in Chains and Julie Soto is absolutely hilarious, an amazing sense of humour, so lovely and I could honestly listen to her talk about Rose in Chain - and her love for interview with a Vampire for hours!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, Medical trauma, Abortion
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, War
Minor: Death, Abortion, Death of parent
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
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Upon finishing this ALC, it has come to my attention that the publisher is actively using this work’s original ties to a toxic and problematic author as part of its marketing strategy. I was hoping that Rose in Chains would be able to stand alone with its own story, magic system, and characters (and it absolutely can, but they’re choosing not to). I stand with the trans community, and I cannot in good faith recommend this book. I received this free advance audiobook from Hachette Audio via NetGalley in exchange for my thoughts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Trafficking
Moderate: Infertility, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent, Pregnancy
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Murder, War
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking
Minor: Infertility, Abortion, Pregnancy
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Death of parent, Colonisation
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
Calling it now, this is going to be one of the biggest romantasy releases of the year!
After the fall of her kingdom, Princess Briony Rosewood is at the mercy of her adversary Toven Hearst and his family while the world as she knows it crumbles around her.
The flashbacks to their shared past helped shape the slowwwwwwest burn of all time while also keeping the reader engaged and excited for the next chapter.
The narrator Ella Lynch did a beautiful job capturing the emotions of the story and I absolutely loved her portrayal of Briony. The male voices she did genuinely creeped me out at times. 10/10 delivery!
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC.
After the fall of her kingdom, Princess Briony Rosewood is at the mercy of her adversary Toven Hearst and his family while the world as she knows it crumbles around her.
The flashbacks to their shared past helped shape the slowwwwwwest burn of all time while also keeping the reader engaged and excited for the next chapter.
The narrator Ella Lynch did a beautiful job capturing the emotions of the story and I absolutely loved her portrayal of Briony. The male voices she did genuinely creeped me out at times. 10/10 delivery!
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the ALC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Trafficking, Murder, War