The Rose Bargain

The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith is a fantastic journey into abject, psychological horror. This book was presented as a YA Romance, but while it has romantic elements, I assert it is a slow-burning thriller.

During the War of the Roses in the 1480s, the would-be king strikes a deal with the Fae Queen Mor to rule. She tricks him and rules as an eternal tyrant instead. Coming in at 400 pages, this book takes you on a journey through The Season amongst the ton in 1860s Great Britain, where every British subject can make a bargain for a boon for a price. The debutantes have a parade, and all ask for their boon on the first day of The Season.

Ivy Benton’s sister cannot remember her bargain, or where she’s been for months, much to the shame and fall from grace of her family. Now, it’s Ivy’s turn, and she’s determined to find a way to save her sister and their reputations. She stumbles into a plot to unseat the queen and undo everyone’s bargains in the process.

On the first day of The Season, the queen announces that her newly returned son, the Fae prince, will marry this season, and he will select his bride from among the debutantes. 26 girls sign up for the chance, but are quickly wittled down to six. Oh, and the ones who stepped up for a chance to marry the prince, can never marry for the rest of their days. The story starts out slow, mundane even, but the bloodthirsty Fae queen is bored and wants to play with the girls.

5/5 Stars