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.

Rose In Chains has been one of those books I've heard amazing things about, the excitement levels have been sky high and I jumped on the bandwagon after learning this is a fanfic turned trad. I regret nothing, this book is INCREDIBLE.

Julie Soto writes like a dream, her storytelling is captivating and enjoyable to read, and the plot is well thought out and considered.

You could piece together the characters from the original fanfic, but this story is definitely still it's own. A stand out from this book for me was the magic. Heart and mind magic divide the character's world, each believing their type of magic to be superior. The methods of gaining additional magic are questionable, which feeds into the plotline.

Rose in Chains is not for the faint hearted though, check all the triggers and be ready for some powerful scenes scattered throughout.

Rose in Chains was my first read from this author—and wow, it definitely won’t be my last. I’m obsessed! I went in with high hopes, and this book totally delivered.

Heads up: the story dives into some dark and graphic territory, so I’d recommend checking the trigger warnings before diving in.

From the very first page, I was hooked. The world-building is unique, the magic system is fascinating, and the short chapters + dual timelines ? Chef’s kiss.
I was flipping pages past midnight—putting this book down was not an option.

The writing is smooth and easy to follow, which really helped me get into the flow of the story, especially with so many characters and layers to the world. It made everything click in such a satisfying way.

Now let’s talk characters—Briony and Toven completely stole my heart. Briony’s strength, resilience, and sheer willpower during the auction scenes? Absolutely inspiring. She didn’t just survive—she came out stronger, and I was rooting for her every step of the way.

And then there’s Toven. My mysterious, morally grey guy. I have so many questions about him—what’s his and his family real agenda? What’s going on behind that cold, savage exterior? I need his POV in the next book!!!

As for the romance… the slow burn is everything. Every little interaction had me grinning and blushing. I was fully invested in Briony and Toven’s dynamic, and those almost-confession moments ? Torture in the best way.
After that ending, I’m dying to see where their story goes next!

Overall, Rose in Chains is a total page-turner—dark, addictive, and full of everything I love in a romantasy.
With such a strong start, I’ve got a feeling this series is going to become one of my favorites.

If you’re into enemies-to-lovers, morally grey love interests, court intrigue, prophecies, “touch her and die” vibes, and a unique magic system, this one’s a must read!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: explicit sexual content, mentions of non-consensual sex, sexual assault, sexual assault of a POV character, buying and selling of humans into captivity, forced sterilization, forced termination of a pregnancy, minor character deaths, suspense and violence, torture and gore

I love Julie Soto, but this book is a hot mess.
Close to nothing happens, and what does happen either doesn't make a lick of sense or is so predictable it made me want to throw my Kindle out the window. Everyone is stupid. No one can have an actual adult conversation. The banter/tension is so forced that it had me rolling my eyes. The FMC and MMC have about the same chemistry as I do with commuting to the office on a Monday. The sexual violence, although clearly listed in the CW (which I do appreciate), adds little to the plot (what plot, though?).
Rose in Chains feels entirely too long for a book spent mostly inside a random house with random characters I feel nothing for because the author relies too much on the reader drawing parallels to that one series the original fic was based on to develop.
I tandem read the epub and audio, and while I think the narrator did a good job, I don't think she was the best fit for the story.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC and ALC.

Sobs into review

This book has altered my brain and made me want to descend into hell. Julie has absolutely killed it with this! The world building, how dark and twisted the magic system is. I found it so interesting to understand those who use mind vs heart magic.

But it’s also dark and I would strongly recommend everyone checks the tags. I felt so uneasy throughout. Briony is the princess and the only living member of her family & magic. Toven’s story is slowly peeled back with flash backs. I won’t spoil anything but I was hooked!!
The ending had me checking my kindle hadn’t combusted because what DO YOU MEAN?! I need book 2 !! Harper Collins please!

DARK! ADDICTIVE! And all I can think about!!!

Fantasy is not my first choice when it comes to choosing a book to read, but I have really loved Soto's contemporaries and thought I'd give this one a try- I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, especially as a non-dramione-fanfic/non-hp person.
The world build-up, and the way the plot was revealed piece by piece made it quite easy to follow, which, as a person who has a hard time imagining things, was great.
One small frustration is Briony's obliviousness <spoiler>to Toven's affection</spoiler>.
I would classify Rose in Chains as a starter, as in, where you get all the rules, characters, and basic plot. I'd love to read the next to see how it all turns out!

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Rose in Chains is the forbidden love story I needed! I was captivated, entranced and absorbed! I did not want to stop reading!
Proceed with caution though, do check trigger warnings, this is definitely dark and twisty, but done well. The political intrigue and rebellion gave glimmers of hope in the cruel post war world. Our main characters are full of angst and longing, the chemistry and frustration is highly entertaining. I loved the flashbacks, this gave context and background always adding to the plot rather than taking us off course. I also enjoyed a lot of the side characters, although the main focus is on two people there are plenty of other people in the story that add to the narrative. As this series progresses I’m sure there will be plenty of mind magic tricks and trauma awaiting. I absolutely cannot wait for more. If you like your romantasy brimming with tension and lust this is a must read! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

Ok I absolutely loved this one so much. I read it in a few days and I could not put it down! I was hooked and whilst I was confused at first magic system, once I got my heard around it and the place names etc, I was obsessed.

Toven and Briony were great characters and I loved the tension built between them. I found the relationship between Briony and Mrs Hearst also really good, and felt real, despite the circumstances,

I’ve been left with a lot of questions and I need book 2 desperately!

I almost want to reread this and highlight more and more of it.

THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE HOW MUCH I ADORED THIS BOOK!

As someone who hasn’t read The Auction on Ao3 I was going into this a bit blindly, however having read and loved Julie Soto’s previous books I was already very excited! And it did not disappoint !

The plot, the heartbreak, the angst and tension is just so gripping I had to finish it in a few days! I just had to know but now that I’ve finished it, I have so many more questions!

What I loved most about it is the plot isn’t only revolving around Toven and Briony, it’s so much bigger than that. I do love that there’s quite some mystery to solve as well, the revolution is obviously the main part of the book however there’s so much else going on that sometimes I forgot there was a war going on, but I was quite glad for that!
The I was a bit shocked at the way they treat their women, especially the ones that don’t have any power, I know it’s a dark fantasy and it shows so do make sure to check the TW before you dive deep into it!

I can’t believe I have to wait for the next one, I need it in my hands now!

I was extremely lucky to receive an early copy of this book, thank you Netgalley and Harper Collins!!

At this point, I'll read anything Julie Soto writes. She has killed it in every genre she's done so far and I'm obsessed with her writing.

And I'm obsessed with this book!

I wouldn't describe this book as fast paced - Julie Soto manages to create tension, allowing the plot to unfold with what I would describe as easy to follow world building with some flashbacks thrown in. For someone who is not the biggest fan of flashbacks, these were nicely done and helped us to understand Toven and Briony's relationship throughout the years, along with the deteriorating relations between the two Kingdoms.

Rose in Chains manages to intertwine political intrigue and a simmering rebellion whilst teasing us with a slow-burn of an enemies-to-not-quite lovers romance.

I was concerned I wouldn't enjoy the darker aspects of the novel but Julie Soto really handles it well and I absolutely adore Toven. I am dying at how dense Briony is... think everyone can see the man is obsessed with her whilst she just remains confused.

Can't wait for book 2, I have so many questions! I need more Toven and I need to see the women in this book get their revenge after the shit the men put them through.

The first half of the book is rather forgettable, filled with numerous names, a vague and unclear world-building, repetitive elements, and little substance. However, once the dramione (we are here for it) dynamic starts to take shape, things begin to improve. I found the second half to be genuinely engaging, with strong chemistry between the characters (though the protagonist, Briony, is not particularly likeable). The plot starts to gain momentum, the auction sequence becomes more meaningful, and the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. The ending piqued my curiosity about continuing the series, something I intend to do as soon as Ms. Soto, Julie, provides the next installment (thank you).

A great read!

This felt like the start to a great series, solid characters, really thorough world building and great pacing. Cannot wait for the next. I would definitely say to read the trigger warnings as in places this book can cover dark topics.

Thank you for the arc!

So… I requested this book with absolutely no expectations, mostly because I haven’t posted in forever and my socials are not exactly bursting with engagement lately (hello, algorithm darkness, my old friend). But apparently someone up there decided to throw me a bone, because not only did I get the ARC… I also got the ALC. A dual read. A gift. A blessing. A reason to live. Thank you, universe.

When I say this was one of my most anticipated romantasy reads of the year, I truly mean it. Now that I've finished it, I’m not sure what to do with my life. If Harry Potter and The Handmaid’s Tale had a deeply angsty magical baby, it would be The Rose in Chains. The fact that this book has strong Dramione fanfiction vibes made me absolutely feral. Now, I’m on a mission to find out if it was inspired by a fanfic so I can hunt it down and devour it immediately. Thank you for the emotional damage, Julie!

The war is over, the dark forces have won, and the hero who was supposed to save them is dead.

Captured as her castle is overrun by the enemy, Briony Rosewood knows that the world as she knows it is changed forever. The dark forces of Bomard have won and her people, the Eversuns, face imminent servitude, imprisonment or death. Her brother, fated to be heir twice over and unite the warring kingdoms, is dead.

Stripped of her Mind Magic and her freedom, Briony and the other survivors are quickly auctioned off to the highest bidders in an auction – and as the heir-apparent’s sister, she fetches the highest price.

After a fierce bidding war, she’s sold to none other than Toven, a high-ranking Bomardsun – and her long-time and ill-fated infatuation. Scion of a family known for their cruel control of Heart Magic, the Hearsts are ruthlessly ambitious, and Briony knows they will use her however they can to further their own interests.

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…

I was nervous going in, because the trigger warnings had me sweating, but while the world is dark and harsh, the author strikes a good balance. Yes, the trauma and oppression are real, especially for women, but it never felt overwhelming or gratuitous. Instead, it added depth to the stakes and tension of the worldbuilding. Still check your TW before starting this book.

Now let’s talk about the slow burn, because WOW, this was one of the slowest I’ve read in a while. That said, I am a sucker for romances where the feelings unfold in subtle moments, quiet sacrifices, and those tiny flashes of softness that make you scream internally. I’m still waiting for my (view spoiler) And I didn’t know this was a series, so now I’m spiraling because I need book two, and it does. not. exist. yet.

Thank you to Hachette Audio, HarperCollins UK, NetGalley, and especially to Julie Soto for giving me all the feels and then casually handing me detachment anxiety once I finished the book. I forgive you… sort of.

I enjoyed this way more than I expected!

I will say I’ve never ventured into the world of ‘Dramoine’ and I’m not even much of a HP fan, so was a bit unsure whether this would be my vibe, knowing it is loosely based on a fanfic.

But I was VERY pleasantly surprised with this one! It was my sort of dark romantasy, and really set up a solid world! And the romance, whilst being the slowest of burns, was rather delicious!

✨⛓️‍💥✨⛓️‍💥

Premise:
Bomard and Evermore are at war. And when the Eversun heir is killed in battle, his sister, Princess Briony Rosewood, is sent to be auctioned along with the other Eversun captives.

Briony seems fated to a life being drained of her magic and violated by a lecherous Bomardi creep. Until Toven Hearst, high ranking Bomardi heir and her old school rival, purchases her.

Despite her captivity, Briony realises she may still have allies out there, and must play the part of captive, until the rebellion can begin!

✨⛓️‍💥✨⛓️‍💥

Themes / Tropes : Princess Sold in Captivity ; Rivals to Lovers ; Politics and Rebellion ; Slow burn ; Non-Con themes (Not between the MCs) ; Morally Grey MMC ; Fake Relationship ; Forced Proximity ; Jealous / Possessive ; Forbidden Magic.

✨⛓️‍💥✨⛓️‍💥

This book definitely feels like the initial set up book, with lots of good things to come down the line. I liked seeing the past interactions between Briony and Toven and understanding their complicated history.

It is definitely a SLOW burn! Which I love (bring on the torture). And whilst it’s sexually explicit, not much actually happens between the two in this book (other than in Toven’s mind!) But the chemistry and tension between the two is fantastic and I loved the practice at being cosy together (*chefs kiss*).

The world is interesting as well. I can definitely see the parallels to the HP world but it feels far enough removed for me! I liked the magic system and the forbidden magic elements.

And whilst the book is very focused on the two MCs, there’s lots of interesting side characters and I’m intrigued to see more of them in the next book. Especially as a lot of characters’ have uncertain loyalties!! I love some political drama!

The only thing I would say, is the book is a lot of build up, and perhaps not so much plot driven. The ending had me feeling like more was needed. Hence why I say it’s a good set up book. But I definitely am excited to see what happens in book two!

Rose in Chains by Julie Soto is one ofmy favorite books I've read this week! Such a good story... the characters are something out of this world! So so well written too.

First things first, the trigger warnings at the start of this book are accurate and shouldn't be ignored or skipped over. The first 25% of the book are particularly intense and a lot of the trigger warnings happen within that, although there are continued instances of sexual assault/coercion.

While some of the cruelty displayed by characters did feel unnecessary, much of it does serve a purpose and is done well.

While I started out being unsure that the book would be for me, I found myself continuing to turn pages and really caring about what happened to Briony and Toven. The jumping to the past and the present helped to develop these characters a lot more, as well as provide a basis for the decisions that Toven makes when it comes to Briony. She seems a bit dense at points, however, when the answers she's seeking are so obvious.

I enjoyed the magic systems and found that the explanation of them and their history really helped with the world building. There is always a reason for how certain magic works in a certain way, which makes it feel real.

After an all-guns-blazing start to the book, I did find it started to lag a bit towards the end. However, the final few chapters picked things up again and have left me excited for the next book.