Review: The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

Posted February 3, 2025 by Lillian in Reviews / 2 Comments

I received this book via the publisher HarperCollins. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Review: The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton SmithThe Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith
Series: Untitled #1
Published by HarperCollins on 2025-02-04
Age Range: 13+
Length: 400 pages
Reviewing eARC from the publisher HarperCollins
Rating:
Reading Challenges: 2025 New Release Challenge

Vying for the hand of one brother.
Falling in love with the other.

A new Victorian-inspired romantasy, perfect for fans of Bridgerton, The Selection, and The Cruel Prince.

“If you’re looking for the next YA sensation, here it is.” —Adalyn Grace, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Belladonna

London, 1848—For four hundred years, England has been under the control of an immortal fae queen who tricked her way onto the throne. To maintain an illusion of benevolence, Queen Mor grants each of her subjects one opportunity to bargain for their deepest desire.

As Ivy Benton prepares to make her debut, she knows that not even a deal with the queen could fix what has gone wrong: Her family’s social standing is in shambles, her sister is a shadow of her former self, and Ivy’s marriage prospects are nonexistent. So when the queen announces a competition for Prince Bram’s hand, Ivy is the first to sign her name in blood. What a bargain can’t fix, a crown certainly could.

Ivy soon finds herself a surprising front-runner—with the help of an unexpected ally: Prince Bram’s brother, the rakish Prince Emmett, who promises to help Ivy win his brother’s heart…for a price. But as the season sweeps Ivy away, with glittering balls veiling the queen’s increasingly vicious trials, Ivy realizes there’s more at stake than just a wedding. Because all faerie bargains come with a cost, and Ivy may have discovered hers too late.

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven comes atale that will leave readers eager to bargain for a sequel.

Tense read! The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith is the first in a YA fantasy duology being compared to The Selection and The Cruel Prince, two of my personal favorites. Ivy Benton’s debut is on the horizon in this alternate history set in 1840s London, and with her debut, she will be given the opportunity to make a bargain with Queen Mor, the fairy queen of England. Mor’s bargains are not always fair, but usually take something small in return, like a pinky finger or a molar. The bargainers feel like this is a small price to pay in return for a perfect smile, a nose job, or painting skills. But Ivy disagrees. After seeing her sister lose portions of her memory in her own bargain, Ivy has decided there is only one thing she wants: her sister back. But during her debut, Queen Mor announces a competition to marry her son, Prince Bram. A marriage to the prince could solve all of Ivy’s problems or dig a hole she can’t get out of.

I really enjoyed this book! Ivy is an interesting character. She is jaded and a little bitter at the lot she’s cast in life. The story opens with her sister missing for several months. Her family’s reputation has fallen, and her mother announces they will lose everything if Ivy doesn’t make a good marriage match this season. Learning about the competition to marry Prince Bram feels like the perfect escape. Hopefully, she’s picked, and even if she is not, she could fix her family’s reputation at least. Ivy is smart, resourceful, and a little naive.

Smith blends history with fantasy seamlessly, creating a world both familiar and fantastical. I loved this aspect! It really drew me into the story to see these high-society girls drawn into the world of the fae. The magic is there, but takes a back seat to the competition brewing among Ivy and the five other girls vying for Bram’s hand. The competition is very reminiscent of The Selection with the exception that they aren’t really competing so much as getting to know Bram so he can choose one of them as his bride. The romance aspect of this book also takes a backseat. Instead the focus is mostly on Ivy and Bram’s step-brother who is working to overthrow the queen. There is mystery surrounding the Queen and her bargains and the otherworld. I liked the added tension it brings.

Overall, I really liked The Rose Bargain. Ivy is an easy character to follow and like. I loved the action and bits of adventure that come with this dark fantasy and with fae in general. Smith blends the real world setting with her fantastical one with care. I could easily insert myself into the world. If you are a fan of YA fantasy, dark fantasy, fae or romance, I highly recommend it.

About Sasha Peyton Smith

Author Sasha Peyton Smith

SASHA PEYTON SMITH is the New York Times best-selling author of fantasy novels for young adults including  The Witch Haven  and  The Rose Bargain. Her work has been translated into more than a dozen languages world-wide. She lives in a 100-year-old house in the mountains of Utah, with her husband and (allegedly) two ghosts, though she has yet to see them.

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2 responses to “Review: The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

  1. Oooh nice! Speculation is that this will be the FL book this month! It sounds intriguing and I love a good book involving devious fae! I’m worried though that it might not have enough magical feel though. I guess I’ll have to wait and see! Lovely review!

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