The Rose Bargain
By: Sasha Peyton Smith
Publication: February 4, 2025 by HarperCollins
400 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)
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Goodreads description--The Cruel Prince meets The Selection in this captivating duology opener brimming with heart-pounding romance, vicious competition, and beautiful, cruel fae, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven, Sasha Peyton Smith.Every citizen of England is granted one bargain from their immortal fae queen.
High society girls are expected to bargain for qualities that will win them suitors: a rare talent for piano in exchange for one’s happiest childhood memory. A perfect smile for one’s ability to taste.
But Ivy Benton’s debut season arrives with a shocking twist: a competition to secure the heart of the Queen’s fae son, Prince Bram. A prize that could save Ivy’s family from ruin… and free her sister from the bargain that destroyed her.
Yet every glittering fae deal has a rotting heart—and at the center of this contest is a dark plot that could destroy everything Ivy knows.
Sweepingly romantic and deceptively enchanting, this alternate history romantasy will enthrall readers of Holly Black, Stephanie Garber, and Adalyn Grace.
Fae fantasy meets historical regency England is basically the idea behind The Rose Bargain. It's an alternate reality kind of historical fiction mixed with fantasy elements. I did enjoy The Selection series even though it wasn't without flaws, but I haven't read The Cruel Prince that the description refers to. All of that said, I thought mixing my two (current) favorite genres would be a definite winner in my book. Unfortunately, things didn't work out so well for me. In order for me to write a DNF review, I have to make it to at least 25%. I decided to DNF at 35%.
While I was reading The Rose Bargain, I felt like the reasons for DNFing were so obvious. The characters are all overdramatic. The writing is a bit extreme. So much of the story and the queen reminded me of Bridgerton. Queen Charlotte and Queen Moryen both find some kind of entertainment at the expense of their subjects. Yet the Princes were confusing as well. The girls that were in competition with Ivy. And Ivy herself. Everyone was too extreme and dramatic.
One example is the first challenge the contestants must participate in is basically a maypole dance until only one is crowned the maypole queen. The last six girls participating advance to the next round, and the ones who fell before are now out of the competition.
-Onlookers gasp and cheer as we twirl, but I can't help but feel that they're just waiting to watch us fall like toy soldiers. This is blood sport.
The maypole dance. Where some girls fall down in the mud. Is equated to blood sport. Dramatic much?
I just couldn't. I rolled my eyes. I signed too much. I shook my head. I was annoyed. And I just didn't want to continue. Is the marriage of these two genres impossible to like? Or was it the execution by Sasha Peyton Smith to blame? I tend to lean toward the later. Regardless, I chose to DNF at 35%. Have you read The Rose Bargain? What did you think? Let me know!
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