This was super fun and fresh romantasy, I really enjoyed briony as a character and felt the magic system and world was really unique. The premise was very good but also dark - women being auctioned essentially as slaves for magic. I did feel the character development and world building was a bit lacking and took me a bit to get into. But overall good read and excited for next book!!

2025 is truly the year of published fanfiction. Adapting fanfiction into fullblown original works comes with its own set of challenges and unfortunately, 'Rose in Chains' didn't quite master all of these.

The premise seemed really great but upon closer inspection there are several weak points to the novel. The worldbuilding was a little lazy for my taste, very basic-fantasy-setting. The characters weren't fleshed out enough (in fanfiction this is fine because the reader can refer back to the original works, which they're familiar with, but in adapted fanfiction this element falls away, leaving the project a little wonky). Despite these weaknesses I enjoyed the beginning of the novel, up until the 30-40% mark. Then it became quite boring and I had to force myself to finish the novel at all. 3/5

Let me tell you, Rose in Chains is one of the most bingeable books I’ve read in a long time. I should have known better than to doubt Julie Soto because I’ve loved everything she’s written, but this one had me hooked from the very first page. I finished it in a single sitting because I simply couldn’t put it down.

The story follows Briony Rosewood, princess of the Eversuns, who loses her twin brother and sees her kingdom fall into enemy hands. She’s then sold in a brutal bidding war to none other than her rival.

I didn’t expect this book to be SO DARK. Themes like human trafficking and sexual assault caught me off guard. I’ve read a fair amount of romantasy and dark romance, but this still managed to surprise me with how intense it got.

The pacing was fantastic. Julie Soto throws you right into the action and lets you figure things out as you go. The dual timeline structure worked really well. It gave us just enough context without any info-dumping and helped deepen our connection with the characters.

The slow burn romance is very slow. I waited forever for a single kiss, but honestly, it made the payoff so much sweeter. The chemistry between Briony and Toven is intense. Toven is your classic morally grey antihero, and every argument and clash between them only built the tension. I was completely invested in their dynamic.

If I had one critique, it’s that the plot was a bit predictable. It didn’t ruin the experience, but I was hoping for a twist that never came. Still, I was too hooked to care much.

I also hope the female villain gets more development in the sequel. Right now, she feels evil just for the sake of being evil, but the final chapter hints that more is coming. That POV switch at the end was such a good move, and I’m excited to see how that plays out in Book 2.

All in all, this was dark, addictive, and emotional with just the right amount of spice. I already know I’ll be counting down the days until the sequel.

Thank you (Seriously, thank you!!) NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The war is lost. The hero is dead. And Briony Rosewood—twin sister of the fallen heir—is captured, stripped of her magic, and sold at auction. The highest bidder? Toven Hearst, a high-ranking enemy officer and someone Briony was once quietly intrigued by (annoyingly so). Now trapped in enemy territory and forced into a brutal new role, Briony has to figure out how to survive—and who she can trust—without losing herself in the process.

I tore through this in a single sitting. Like, cancelled my evening plans levels of hooked. If you liked <i> The Auction </i> fanfic? You’re going to love this—it’s a near-direct adaptation, but with fully fleshed-out world building and political context. If you didn’t like <i> The Auction</i>, this one probably isn’t for you.

The magic system and lore are easy to follow, and I was obsessed with the slow reveal of Briony and Toven’s shared history. That dual timeline?? So satisfying. I love when a book lets you stew in the tension before giving you the payoff.

And Briony? Fully obsessed with her. Raised in a patriarchal world where she’s constantly sidelined despite being the smartest person in the room, she’s sharp, calculating, and deeply human. Her relationships with other women in the story are some of the strongest and most emotionally resonant moments—and a much-needed contrast to how bleak everything else is.

🖤 Tropes You’ll Find:

🥀 dark romantasy

🥀 he falls first

🥀 forced proximity

🥀 slow burn (capital-S Slow)

This is for readers who love tension-heavy, morally grey stories with power struggles, survival, and forbidden connection. I can. not. wait. for book two.

⚠️ Content Warnings: This is a very dark romantasy. It contains violence, sexual assault, slavery, war, rape, abortion, and death. Please check full trigger warnings before reading.

so um, for my impatient ass, book two when???? i am in need of it DESPERATELY!!!!! that ending had me jaw dropped and kicking my feet because shit is about to get REAL. i will say that this book is incredibly dark so please CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS before reading this book <3

i truly truly LOVED the world building, politics and the magic system that was set up in this world, and i cannot wait to learn more!!! not to mention, the hearsts’ have me intrigued regarding their true allegiance and intentions— i can’t wait to see where the story takes us in book two.

now can we talk about the romance between briony and toven? it is a slow burn—emphasis on slow— in the true sense of the word and i LOVED IT!!!! i can already tell that toven is going to serve with the yearning 😩😩😩

personally i also LOVED the flashbacks, and the last one where we see briony show some bitterness towards cordelia and rory has me 👀 for once, i actually want to see more flashbacks following on from that. i do hope we can see some tensions going forward in briony and rory’s relationship— the source of it i think is fairly obvious from the flashbacks to their school years.

“my heartspring” is the new “my wife” 😮‍💨
seriously when are book 2 & 3 coming!?

Thank you Forever Publishing, Hachette Audio, Harper Collins UK, for the ARC ALC. All opinions are my own.

✦ tropes & stuff:
💥 enemies to lovers
👑 rival kingdoms
A dual timeline?
💫 magic - heart & mind
🔗 forced proximity
🐢 slow burn
💞 single 3rd person pov

•┈••✦ review ✦••┈•

🎧 audio+ebook | ⭐️: 5 | 🌶️: 3 |

I was IMMEDIATELY hooked from the first chapter, and never wanted to put this down - the story just kept moving the whole time, and the characters had me completely invested & intrigued.

I LOVED the flashback chapters, I feel they added a much-needed balance & lightness to the story.

I was worried going in about the darkness in this one.
For me, personally, those parts were uncomfortable but passed quickly, and they made sense for the story.

It’s hard to say too much reviewing a fantasy book without giving spoilers!
As for the romance, I LOVED their dynamic, past & present, and how Toven has ALWAYS looked out for Briony - I can’t wait to learn more about their connection.

🎧 audiobook thoughts:
Ella Lynch did a wonderful job, and I loved her accent! It would have been more enjoyable, however, with a male narrator as well (it IS single POV, but another voice would have better enhanced the story).

This dark, intense romance swept me in from the first page. Julie Soto’s writing pulls you into a tangled world of danger, desire, and secrets. The chemistry between the characters is electric, and the story keeps you on edge with its twists and emotional depth.

It’s a gritty, gripping read that’s not for the faint-hearted—but I loved how it explores vulnerability and strength so rawly. Definitely recommended if you’re into dark romance with real feels.

Looking forward to more from Julie Soto!

4.25⭐️

I knew I was going to love this and to no one’s surprise I did.

The Auction is one of my top 3 Dramione fanfics of all time, so Rose in Chains was easily one of my most anticipated releases this year. Thankfully, it did not disappoint.

I’ll admit I was a little nervous going in. I worried that too much would be changed and that it might lose the essence of what made the original so addictive but I didn’t need to. This version stays remarkably true to the fanfic, with only a few minor tweaks.

I’m now desperate for the next instalment, how am I supposed to wait a whole year?! I’m so intrigued to see how the story is going to progress over the next two books.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I've always enjoyed Julie Soto's work, but this one disappointed me since, in addition to being predictable, the MCs lack chemistry.

I don't know what is in this book but I devoured it! This is DARK, disturbing, messy, tense and so damn good. Rose in Chains has true enemies-to-lovers action, slow burn tension that was kiiiiiiilling me, strong characters, high stakes and devastating consequences. There are villains you truly hate, an interesting magic system and at times, settings that make your skin crawl. I was eating up the dual timelines and loved all the little details that give us a look into the hierarchies, the relationships and the true nature of these characters. The writing, the pacing, the character work - I couldn't get enough!

Even though I loved it, I will say I don't think this book is going to be for everyone. There are a lot of dark themes explored on page, and the book has strong trigger warnings that I suggest you check out. Some scenes are heavy, but they set the tone for the world and make it clear what the stakes are for Briony and her friends.

However, if you don't mind some darkness in your romantasy, I think you'll quickly find yourself consumed by this book and especially by Toven and Briony. I'm already manifesting book two landing in my lap.

I've read few books by Julie Soto, so I was thrilled to get this ARC. Just remember to read the trigger warnings for this one. A romantasy book that it's been turned into a book series, this story embarks us on a political drama in a striking magical world in which mind and heart magicians reside. It has a dual timeline where it shows what happens in the present and the past, before the war began. Although in some moments the back-and-forth of the flashbacks can be tedious, I think they are essential to give more context about the war between the Evesun and the Bomards as well as to get a more in-depth understanding of Toven and Briony's relationship. One of the aspects of this book that I liked is that it not only focuses on romance, but also on other characters and their backstories that give the plot more authenticity. I would describe the romance subplot as a forced proximity with a touch of enemies to lovers who are secretly pining for each other. There was some tension and unwavering connection despite the circumstances in which they found themselves. The magic system was quite interesting, even distinctive of those I have read. With the world-building, I think the way it was explained throughout the book was accurate and easy to understand. The plot was a bit dark and intense at some points, hence the content warnings. It had serious and heavy themes that not everyone could write delicately. The writing was immersive, and endearing, and the way everything is intertwined in the plot was magnificent. Without wanting to get into the controversy, I'm aware of the inspiration behind this book. However, I think that the author of Rose in Chains was able to transform, mold and craft something beyond that and make it her own.



Thanks Netgalley for this ARC

Rose In Chains
Julie Soto

This was my first Dramione coded book and likely won’t be the last!

The war is over, the dark forces have won and the hero who was supposed to save them is dead. Captured by the enemy, Briony Rosewood has her life irrevocably changed. With the dark forces of Bomard winning, her people, the Eversuns face imminent servitude, imprisonment or death.

Stripped of her mind magic and freedom, Briony and other survivors are auctioned off, set for unspeakable hardships. Yet despite the horrors of her new world and the role she must learn to play within it, all is not lost. Help- and hope - may yet arise in the most unlikely of places.

‘And irritation flashed in her briefly before she realised she was feeling jealous of a fox.’

This was amazing! Unbeknownst to me this wasn’t a standalone novel, and to say I’m hanging by a thread here waiting for book two is accurate. I devoured this book and its world and oh my god the tension between Toven and Briony was unreal. I want more!!!

‘There was a saying in Evermore; the demon who has shaken your hand is better than the one who hasn’t.’

(Review posted 4th July 2025)

“Briony thought it was strange that she didn’t feel it when her brother died.”

This story is very dark at times so please check tw before reading.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this but I ended up really enjoying it. It shows us what could happen if the chosen one is killed and the villain wins the war & what that would mean for those who opposed the villain.

This has a slow burn forbidden love romance where they are on opposite sides of the war.
I loved the slow build up, their chemistry & there’s so much tension & angst. We also get flashbacks to the time before the war when they were teens which was really interesting to see their dynamic.

It was interesting to read about Toven & how he treats Bryony & does his best to protect her from enslavement and being treated the horrific way the other women are treated. But also keeps up appearances to make sure that no one suspects he is actually protecting her.
Bryony was also a really interesting character as she has to deal with her people being enslaved and her being trapped in Toven’s home. She’s unable to protect her people or even know what is happening to them & I liked how she tried to find ways to try to help despite her situation.

There’s lots of political intrigue & a secret rebellion we get hints of & how even though Bryony’s people have been enslaved they still find ways to fight for their freedom.

While this does have a slow build up, I really enjoyed it. It’s also quite character driven as we don’t get to see a lot of the world beyond what Bryony sees but the ending does indicate we will get to see a lot more in the sequel which I’m looking forward to.

Quite an enjoyable read. I could not put it down.
I really liked that there was a dual timeline or should I say the present with flashbacks but it lends to understanding the main characters better, seeing that they did have a history before the present timeline.
The magic system was unique but it seemed a bit underdeveloped and I wish we got more information about it.

Rose in Chains was incredible! As I was reading it, I felt it resembled Manacled an awful lot, I had a quick Google and it turns out that it started off as a Dramione fanfic!

I loved the world and the characters, the plot was full of twists and the enemies-to-lovers was perfection. The darker side of things is written very well and it didn't feel completely hopeless.

I can't wait to see where this series goes, I hope the next book is out soon!

A 5 star read! Absolutely needed a fantasy to fall into that had a great magic system but the world building wasn’t insanely complex (yet). Also Toven is *chefs kiss* Gimme moreeeee of hard on the outside, soft on the inside, and “don’t touch her” vibes 😌 looooved this.

I am absolutely speechless after reading this book. I actually shouted at my partner for interrupting me near the end of it.

This book is so beautifully written, I felt fully immersed in this magical world and enjoyed the political aspects between the two magical countries.

The chemistry and slow burn between Briony and Toven will have you gripping the book in frustration, it's so delicious. Flipping between past and present, we see their relationship through the years, before the war.

I loved the two elements of magic - heart magic and mind magic. How this caused the divide between them. Perfectly highlighting how those desperate for power can easily manipulate people through their differences. Quite apt for the current times.

What I found particularly interesting was the way Briony was forced to keep herself small. To hide her power and elevate her twin brother instead.

This book originally derived from the HP fan fiction The Auction (which I have not yet read), however while reading this I did not feel a trace of HP. I wouldn't have guessed it's fanfic roots if I didn't know.

As book one in a trilogy it does leave you wanting more of this incredible story. I am desperate for the next installment.

This is a dark romantasy so please check the trigger warnings as this book won't be for everyone.

Thank you to Magpie, Harper Fiction for this advanced copy.

Blog post will be up once I find the words to do this the justice it deserves.

A dark fantasy with an intriguing magic system and a powerful and determined main character in Briony. It was interesting to see how this world tried to make its women small and how the women resist this. I was empowered by the women and their small rebellions and the possibility of what they might achieve in a suffocating patriarchal society. This book is wonderfully written and I like that Briony is not the damsel in distress, she is not the naive virgin, she instead is strong and defiant and willing to fight for herself and her people. Were there scenes in this book that made me very uncomfortable? Yes, and that’s intentional but it also made it hard to read at times. However, it was definitely worth it and I’m interested to see more in the series!

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

I read this book at the beginning of March (almost as soon as I’d been approved for the e-arc!) and the second I finished, I wanted to read it all over again. Since then, I’ve thought about this book a lot, trying to find the words for my review and every single time i’ve seen anything posted about it I’ve had an urge to pick it up again.

It absolutely isn’t a surprise to me that I loved this so much (having read Julie Soto’s romance novels as well as her fanfiction, I knew how fabulous her writing style is and how much I gel with it) but I don’t think i’ve ever really read a book and felt like I need to experience it again immediately which speaks volumes about just how much I loved this and how it’s cemented itself, and further cemented Julie, as a favourite💜

I think it’s important to note that while I absolutely recommend this, it is a 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗸 romantasy meaning it won’t be for everyone- please check the content warnings before reading💜

So now some more specific thoughts…Rose in Chains is a beautifully written series opener with a unique magic system and an intricate, devastating world fuelled by political conflict, prophecy and, despite everything, hope. The characters are complex and multi-layered, some are VERY morally grey, with their own secrets and agendas that unravel as the story progresses, both in Bryony’s present, a brutal and broken place where she is a thing to be possessed , and through chapters that flashback to the years leading up to this. Not only did this give a deeper insight into how events played out and give context to many of the motivations and actions of the characters, especially the MMC, Toven.

For me, this duality, the pacing and the emotional whiplash of past vs present is what elevated this book to another level because it was so so effective. It kept me desperate for more, desperate for Bryony to uncover and unravel some of the secrets/subtext that we as readers are privy too and for this to click into place for her. I really couldn’t put this down, it had me absolutely hooked (and that’s despite me having read The Auction and knowing what to expect in terms of plot development/reveals) and I just don’t think I can ever properly put in to words just how much this book changed my brain chemistry and the strong feelings it evokes! Julie Soto, you are phenomenal!

There was so much to this novel that I had problems trying to figure it out. I loved the idea of the two different types of magic and the different political situations but the lines of progression confused me. The different time lines were interesting in trying to give context. Hopefully the romance will get going a bit more in the next on. Shows potential.