The Rose Bargain out now from HarperCollins; 400 pages
Content Warning: Violence, foul language, blood, death, sexual content
About the Author: “Sasha Peyton Smith is the New York Times best-selling author of fantasy novels for young adults including The Witch Haven and The Rose Bargain. Her work has been translated into more than a dozen languages world-wide. She lives in a 100-year-old house in the mountains of Utah, with her husband and (allegedly) two ghosts, though she has yet to see them” (Bio from author’s website).
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Ever since she was a child, Ivy Benton has been enamored with the Others—faeries from another world who torment humans by making binding bargains with them. England is ruled by Queen Mor, an Other who made a bargain to take the throne hundreds of years prior. Now, bored of her eternal life, Queen Mor entertains herself by making bargains with her subjects. When Ivy turns eighteen and prepares to enter society and make her bargain with the Other Queen, she has little hope of finding a husband thanks to a recent scandal involving her sister, Lydia. When she arrives at Kensington Palace to make her bargain, the Queen announces that her son, Prince Bram, will take a wife that season. With nothing to lose and no other prospects, Ivy agrees to compete for the Prince’s hand and moves into a cottage with five other girls. Determined to become the princess and provide for her family, Ivy must complete the Queen’s trials and win the heart of Prince Bram—all while planning a coup with Prince Emmett, Bram’s bold and handsome human brother.
Taking place during the Regency era in England, The Rose Bargain is a captivating blend of historical fiction, romance, and fantasy. There are several layers to the story, carefully woven together to fill gaps and keep the reader interested. What I loved most about this story is that Smith left no stone unturned. As Ivy undergoes the trials along with the other girls, the reader gets exclusive access into each of their minds, learning their deepest secrets and fears, which later pertain to the Queen’s tests. I was content with all of the characters; however, I believe that Lydia deserved more attention. Her role by the end of the story felt out of place, and I wish the reader was given more chapters from her point of view. Despite this minor detail, I couldn’t seem to put this novel down. Perfect for fans of Bridgerton and A Court of Thorns and Roses, I immediately recommended it to my closest friends after only reading half of the book. The Rose Bargain is full of instances that will make your heart ache, but the friendship and romance within are worth the trouble.
Callie Andrews, Pine Reads Review Writer, Social Media, and Web