Saturday, 4 January 2025

The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith


Every citizen of England is granted one bargain from their immortal fae queen. High society girls are expected to bargain for qualities that will win them suitors: a rare talent for piano in exchange for one’s happiest childhood memory. A perfect smile for one’s ability to taste.

But Ivy Benton’s debut season arrives with a shocking twist: a competition to secure the heart of the Queen’s fae son, Prince Bram. A prize that could save Ivy’s family from ruin… and free her sister from the bargain that destroyed her.

Yet every glittering fae deal has a rotting heart, and at the centre of this contest is a dark plot that could destroy everything.

In an alternate world, a Fae queen intervenes in the War of the Roses and gets herself crowned Queen of England. Four hundred years later, she's still on the throne, keeping the country as isolated as she can and making Bargains with each subject, trading some part of them for something they want. 

Ivy Benton is about to have her Season. After her sister's disastrous Season two years before, everything rests on her making an acceptable match. A brief interaction with the queen's human stepson gives her hope, before the queen announces that her Fae son is ready to take his first wife. It's the solution to all her problems. If she can make it without being killed by the various plots and secrets in the palace.

This is a lush, beautifully imagined story filled with romance, double crossing and secrets. Ivy finds herself stuck in the middle of a lot of the plans going on in the palace, and with little power and fewer options she has to play along and balance them against each other. The worldbuilding was good, although I would have liked a few more details - how did we reach a perfect copy of Regency England without any iron in the country, for example? But I always want to know the 'why' of things, so that probably won't bother most readers.

This is the first of a duology, and it's the kind where literally every plot line is up in the air at the end of this one. We have answers to some things, but it's only led to more questions and more problems. A reader who finishes this one will definitely want to read the second to find out what happens, and to enjoy more of the beautiful language and intriguing characters.


If you enjoyed this read that seamlessly blends high society intrigue with fantastical elements, here are two recommendations:

Book Recommendation: The Selection by Kiera Cass. Much like The Rose Bargain, this series involves a competition for a prince’s heart, with layers of political intrigue and personal stakes. The blend of romance, rivalry, and worldbuilding makes it a perfect pairing.

TV Recommendation: Bridgerton. While it doesn’t involve fae or bargains, this Regency-era drama is packed with romance, societal expectations, and secrets, evoking a similar tone of high-stakes matchmaking and courtly drama. It’s a great fit for fans of Ivy Benton’s story who enjoy lavish settings and complex relationships.



The Rose Bargain releases on the 13th of February, 2025. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.

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