The Rose Bargain
"The Rose Bargain" by Sasha Peyton Smith is a captivating young adult romantasy novel that kicks off an anticipated duology. Set in an alternate Victorian London in 1848, the story unfolds in a world where England has been ruled for four centuries by an immortal fae queen, Mor, who seized the throne through cunning deception. This richly imagined setting blends the elegance of Regency-era society with the perilous allure of faerie magic, drawing comparisons to works like "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black and "The Selection" by Kiera Cass, while adding its own darkly enchanting twist.
At the heart of the novel is Ivy Benton, an eighteen-year-old debutante whose family’s fortunes have crumbled following a scandal involving her older sister, Lydia. In this world, every citizen is granted one opportunity to strike a bargain with Queen Mor for their deepest desire—a privilege that comes with unpredictable and often steep costs. High society girls typically bargain for attributes to secure advantageous marriages, such as beauty or talent, sacrificing something like a memory or a physical trait in return. However, Ivy’s priorities shift after witnessing the devastating effects of Lydia’s mysterious bargain, which left her a hollow shell of her former self. Determined to restore her sister and save her family from ruin, Ivy enters a high-stakes competition announced by the queen: a contest to win the hand of Mor’s fae son, Prince Bram.
The competition is no simple courtship. It’s a brutal, fae-orchestrated game filled with vicious trials, where the glittering facade of balls and romance conceals life-threatening challenges. Ivy finds an unexpected ally in Prince Emmett, Bram’s rakish human stepbrother, who offers to help her win Bram’s heart—for a price. As Ivy navigates the treacherous contest, her relationship with Emmett deepens, sparking a forbidden romance that complicates her mission. The narrative weaves together themes of sacrifice, familial duty, and the pursuit of freedom, all underscored by the fae’s capricious cruelty and the mortals’ desperate gambles.
Smith’s world-building is a standout feature, painting a vivid picture of a London steeped in faerie influence, where bargains shape destinies and power dynamics are as fragile as they are ruthless. Ivy is a compelling protagonist—fierce, loyal, and occasionally naive—whose journey is both a personal quest and a rebellion against an oppressive system. The supporting cast, including the other contestants, adds depth, with their own motives and sacrifices illuminating the broader stakes of the fae-ruled society.
The novel’s pacing keeps readers on edge, blending heart-pounding romance with political intrigue and shocking plot twists, particularly a cliffhanger ending that leaves audiences clamoring for the sequel. While the romance between Ivy and Emmett is a highlight, marked by witty banter and palpable chemistry, the story also explores the complex bond between Ivy and Lydia, grounding the fantastical elements in emotional resonance.
"The Rose Bargain," released on February 4, 2025, by HarperCollins, has been praised for its lush prose and imaginative premise, earning accolades from authors like Chloe Gong and Adalyn Grace. It’s a tale of glittering deals with rotting hearts, where love and ambition collide in a world both beautiful and brutal—perfect for fans of historical fantasy with a sharp, romantic edge.
You can buy The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4iO5Kci
At the heart of the novel is Ivy Benton, an eighteen-year-old debutante whose family’s fortunes have crumbled following a scandal involving her older sister, Lydia. In this world, every citizen is granted one opportunity to strike a bargain with Queen Mor for their deepest desire—a privilege that comes with unpredictable and often steep costs. High society girls typically bargain for attributes to secure advantageous marriages, such as beauty or talent, sacrificing something like a memory or a physical trait in return. However, Ivy’s priorities shift after witnessing the devastating effects of Lydia’s mysterious bargain, which left her a hollow shell of her former self. Determined to restore her sister and save her family from ruin, Ivy enters a high-stakes competition announced by the queen: a contest to win the hand of Mor’s fae son, Prince Bram.
The competition is no simple courtship. It’s a brutal, fae-orchestrated game filled with vicious trials, where the glittering facade of balls and romance conceals life-threatening challenges. Ivy finds an unexpected ally in Prince Emmett, Bram’s rakish human stepbrother, who offers to help her win Bram’s heart—for a price. As Ivy navigates the treacherous contest, her relationship with Emmett deepens, sparking a forbidden romance that complicates her mission. The narrative weaves together themes of sacrifice, familial duty, and the pursuit of freedom, all underscored by the fae’s capricious cruelty and the mortals’ desperate gambles.
Smith’s world-building is a standout feature, painting a vivid picture of a London steeped in faerie influence, where bargains shape destinies and power dynamics are as fragile as they are ruthless. Ivy is a compelling protagonist—fierce, loyal, and occasionally naive—whose journey is both a personal quest and a rebellion against an oppressive system. The supporting cast, including the other contestants, adds depth, with their own motives and sacrifices illuminating the broader stakes of the fae-ruled society.
The novel’s pacing keeps readers on edge, blending heart-pounding romance with political intrigue and shocking plot twists, particularly a cliffhanger ending that leaves audiences clamoring for the sequel. While the romance between Ivy and Emmett is a highlight, marked by witty banter and palpable chemistry, the story also explores the complex bond between Ivy and Lydia, grounding the fantastical elements in emotional resonance.
"The Rose Bargain," released on February 4, 2025, by HarperCollins, has been praised for its lush prose and imaginative premise, earning accolades from authors like Chloe Gong and Adalyn Grace. It’s a tale of glittering deals with rotting hearts, where love and ambition collide in a world both beautiful and brutal—perfect for fans of historical fantasy with a sharp, romantic edge.
You can buy The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4iO5Kci
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