Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 25/04/2025
Published by: Electric Monkey
ISBN: 9780008657505
‘The Rose Bargain’ was an entertaining read, but I wished for a grittier take on the storyline and less romantic angst.
Cover:
Writing:
Storyline:
Main character(s):
Secondary characters:
Romance:
Narration & Audio:
The story has a strong start with the introduction of the main character, Ivy, and the alternate historical London setting. Tension then quickly rises as the competition to win the heart of the Queen’s son unfolds, starting with a brutal contest that sets the tone for what could be a dark and thrilling tale. However, despite a few betrayals and painful challenges, the focus of the narrative on the budding friendships and romance caused the story to lose momentum midway. It was only towards the end that the story picked up again with surprising reveals that left me curious about the next book, especially after that cliffhanger!
I like her so much more when she’s not around.
Ivy is a caring and likeable main character, though her naïveté and relatively simple character arc keep the story firmly in the Young Adult (YA) territory. Her competitors had potential, especially with the glimpses into their motives and backstories, but they ultimately didn’t leave a lasting impression due to their limited roles. The princes, Emmett and Bram, were the standout secondary characters to me, as their dynamic with Ivy was a central part of the storyline.
the thing about love is that you don’t realise you’re in it until it’s too late.
I cringed at the love triangle that emerged. While the romantic angst and historical setting will appeal to fans of Bridgerton, it wasn’t my cup of tea and got surprisingly spicy for YA. The main romance involves a predictable and rushed enemies-to-lovers cliché, but I still enjoyed the banter and cute interactions between the characters. In contrast, I was not unconvinced by the secondary romance, as the characters had very little chemistry. I was far more taken by the worldbuilding in this book, with its fresh take on fae bargains and the glimpse we get of the fae realm. The audiobook narration by Emily Mount, James Meunier, and Shiromi Arserio enhanced the listening experience, though their delivery occasionally felt inconsistent.
Discussion Questions (Contains spoilers!):
Q: Which part of the storyline took you by surprise the most?
For me, it was the announcement that the girls competing for Prince Bren’s heart would be cut down from 24 to 6. This bold, cutthroat move instantly ramped up the tension and captured my attention, especially considering what the girls had just agreed to in order to compete.
Q: Have you ever wandered through a maze?
Not yet, but it’s definitely on my bucket list since it seems like such a fun challenge. I fully expect to get frustrated if I end up in a complicated maze, but my competitive spirit would not allow me to quit easily and it can’t possibly be as bad as the Queen’s treacherous Maze game in this book!
Q: Which of the Queen’s games did you think was the most terrible?
The game with six different stations where the girls experience painwith every misstep. The pressure to avoid mistakes would be overwhelming and likely increase the chance of making them. The different stations also increase the chance of struggling with at least one, which would result in a lot of pain. On top of this, the different punishments for each station would make it even harder to adapt to the game.
Q: Do you have any similar book recommendations?
A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang has a similar vibe, as it is a YA historical romantasy that involves seducing a king and has a love triangle.
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Q: Which of the competitors did you connect with or like most?
Q: Before the final reveals, were you Team Emmett or Bram?
Q: If you had to choose one of the bargains from the story, which would it be?
Q: Are you a fan of love triangles?
Q: Do you bake or enjoy baking?
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
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