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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is a perfect example of repurposed fanfiction not standing on its own without the IP to support it. I don’t shy away from books that originally were fanfictions but this is the first one where it felt so obvious that it was missing a lot of context. The story outside of the romance was decent at best. Having the story unfold in present day with several flashbacks seemingly every other chapter felt like a poor way to create this world; I feel that if the story was told more chronologically with the war being lost in the middle or even at 30% would’ve made me care more about what was happened. I’m also not one to guest plot twist most of the time, but my God was the plot twist at the end so glaringly obvious from literal page one. The magic- why are these characters magical? Are they magical creatures or witches or something else? Maybe this was explained but I couldn’t tell you and I just finished this book. I can excuse the slog of world building and set up in this book if pivotal things like the romance, the characters, and the eventual rebellion we’re properly laid out. However, the romance is where I take great issue with.
You are warned on the back of the book that the main character gets sold as a magical slave to her seemingly childhood nemesis (even through all the flashbacks it’s really not clear why they didn’t get along, except we know that Briorny was attracted to him several years before this story takes place). I also understand that this is supposed to be considered dark romance, however, this book is why that genre and romantasy as a whole get a bad rep. Toven being a good slave owner does not constitute a valid reason why she should’ve developed feelings for him outside of Stockholm syndrome. Out of nowhere, the FMC starts to develop feelings that are mostly based in lust. It would’ve been nice if there could’ve been conversations about how since he has a position of power over her and literally owns her as property that their relationship wouldn’t work out until that was corrected, but instead the romance is completely forced for the sake of the genre. I will NEVER root for a captor/captive romance without a lot of romance and the captor actively working towards the rebellion and/or working to set the captive free. Briorny as a main character was also extremely flat and did nothing to show that she’s actually someone to root for.
You are warned on the back of the book that the main character gets sold as a magical slave to her seemingly childhood nemesis (even through all the flashbacks it’s really not clear why they didn’t get along, except we know that Briorny was attracted to him several years before this story takes place). I also understand that this is supposed to be considered dark romance, however, this book is why that genre and romantasy as a whole get a bad rep. Toven being a good slave owner does not constitute a valid reason why she should’ve developed feelings for him outside of Stockholm syndrome. Out of nowhere, the FMC starts to develop feelings that are mostly based in lust. It would’ve been nice if there could’ve been conversations about how since he has a position of power over her and literally owns her as property that their relationship wouldn’t work out until that was corrected, but instead the romance is completely forced for the sake of the genre. I will NEVER root for a captor/captive romance without a lot of romance and the captor actively working towards the rebellion and/or working to set the captive free. Briorny as a main character was also extremely flat and did nothing to show that she’s actually someone to root for.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, War
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-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:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ For the first 60% of this book, I could not put it down. If it weren’t for the whole “being an adult with responsibilities” thing, I probably would’ve finished it in a single day. That’s 400 pages, like I zoomed thought this book.
I absolutely loved the angst and the slow burn between Briony (though let’s be real, I just call her Bri because that name does not roll off the tongue easily) and Toven. And when I say slow burn, I mean sloooooow. I know spice levels are super subjective, but while I’ve seen people rate this anywhere from a 2 to a 4, I’d personally give it a solid 0.5. That said, the tension, the yearning, and the emotional buildup are 100% there and absolutely keep you turning the page. The payoff is shaping up to be so worth it.
It’s also worth mentioning that this is a dark romantasy. If you’ve read Manacled, imagine that, but maybe 20% more tame. I’m not sure which came first, Manacled or The Auction, but they definitely share some similarities in their dark themes, at least in my opinion.
I thoroughly enjoyed Rose in Chains and I’m genuinely excited to see where things go next. I never got around to reading The Auction on AO3, so I’m curious to see how the story unfolds from here!
I absolutely loved the angst and the slow burn between Briony (though let’s be real, I just call her Bri because that name does not roll off the tongue easily) and Toven. And when I say slow burn, I mean sloooooow. I know spice levels are super subjective, but while I’ve seen people rate this anywhere from a 2 to a 4, I’d personally give it a solid 0.5. That said, the tension, the yearning, and the emotional buildup are 100% there and absolutely keep you turning the page. The payoff is shaping up to be so worth it.
It’s also worth mentioning that this is a dark romantasy. If you’ve read Manacled, imagine that, but maybe 20% more tame. I’m not sure which came first, Manacled or The Auction, but they definitely share some similarities in their dark themes, at least in my opinion.
I thoroughly enjoyed Rose in Chains and I’m genuinely excited to see where things go next. I never got around to reading The Auction on AO3, so I’m curious to see how the story unfolds from here!
For what it’s worth I didn’t read the auction, but this was boring and there were way too many characters to try and keep track of