Title: Rose In Chains (The Evermore Trilogy #1)
Author: Julie Soto
Pub. Date: July 8th 2025
Genre: Romantasy
Format: eARC
Publisher: Forever
Pages: 464
GOODREADS | BARNES & NOBLE | LIBROFM | AMAZON
☆☆DRC PROVIDED BY PUBLISHER IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW☆☆
Rose In Chains introduces us to Rory and Briory Rosewood who are the royal son and daughter in the Eversun Kingdom as they are overtaken in war by the neighboring kingdom of Bomard and the dark forces they’ve teamed up with. It has long been prophesied that a Eversun heir would one day defeat such forces and restore peace by uniting both kingdoms, to many that heir is believed to be Rory Rosewood. That is until word gets back that Rory has been killed in the battlefield leaving Briony Rosewood as the sole Rosewood alive and as such her value has dangerously skyrocketed. Bomard is on the move rounding up survivors to auction off for sale and Briony is valued at the highest price. It is understood that the women who are sold are being sexually assaulted and raped while in captivity by Bomardian men while their Mind Magic is suppressed. Briony sees herself in the middle of an intense bidding war that results in her being sold to high ranking officer Toven Hearst. Long time academic rival and object of her infatuation Toven who has never given Rory anything but a hard time. It’s also worth noting his family lineage as he is a member of one of the notoriously ruthless Heart Magic wielding families in Bomard. Briony has already encountered degradation and assault while waiting to be sold when Toven wins his bid for her purchase, not sure if she’s leaving one bad situation to one that is much worse. Nevertheless she is determined to play the game in order to find answers and save her people.
Truth be told I DEVOURED This book in two sittings! there were so many elements I enjoyed here like the Mind vs. Heart magic, possible familiars, amplification of magic through bonding, school setting, and more that were introduced but not quite fully explored. The element of danger is ever present which honestly is the reason I stayed flipping pages, I feared for Briony in captivity up until the very end. She was the prize that all these powerful men from Bomard were looking to buy for their self gratification, they looked forward to humiliating and degrading the daughter of Eversun royalty. I was hoping to see some grit begin to form as a result of what she was enduring while also keeping in mind that Toven (her crush) buying her is supposed to be seen as the best option for her. Still, there are certain traits I look for in a female MC that Briony absolutely embodied (studious and strategic) but instead comes across as very subdued in this first book. We see this early on before she’s taken captive, Eversun only allows the male heir to inherit the throne which is very different than Bomard where females can inherit. From the very beginning we see Briony temper her Mind Magic while using it instead to help further along her brother’s academic journey, allowing him to be seen as the powerful and gifted one. He is after all believed to be the prophesied king. This plays a part in her connection with Toven who has long suspected she covers for Rory, his disapproval comes out instead as disdain for her. I kept waiting for a conversation to be had but that never happened so while their connection is angsty, it also could’ve gained more depth if they’d at least shared their perspectives. What I LOVED? the number of morally ambiguous side characters (mostly feminine) that added the intrigue and complexity I was hoping for. I have so many questions on Larissa Gaines’ story that I’m hoping we get more character exploration in the sequel. Our villain Veronika Mallow and her familiar are also a mystery that genuinely spiked my interest as well as Toven’s parents. All this to say that I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in hopes we get answers, expansion/exploration of Heart and Mind Magic, and more depth between Toven and Briony. I’d also love to see some sweet revenge doled out for the pain inflicted on the women being held/sold.
***Rose In Chains leans more towards dark Romantasy, please take care to look into content warnings as there are many heavy themes depicted (some insinuated & others are on the page)***
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