Packed with an exhilarating mix of unexpected twists, romance, dark bargains, and Victorian society drama, Sasha Peyton Smith’s The Rose Bargain will captivate readers eager to escape into a world where nothing is quite as it seems.
Set in Victorian London, The Rose Bargain — released Feb. 4 — is the first volume in a two-part romantic fantasy series. The story follows the witty, unpolished Lady Ivy Benton as she aims to restore her family’s reputation. Her plan: Win the hand of Prince Bram, the son of the formidable Fae Queen Moryen.
A nod to the debutantes of the 1800s, “Rose Bargains” offer young women the opportunity to enhance their marriageability when they turn eighteen. Lydia Benton – Ivy’s older sister – fails to secure a husband after two years, sending their family’s reputation into a tailspin. As the next in line, Ivy is left to pick up the pieces of their shattered pride.
In the spirit of YA fantasy, The Rose Bargain delivers a chilling twist: In this magical world, bargains for beauty, talent, and intelligence come with a dark price: To have a successful season, young women are forced to trade something they hold dear – favorite memories, an ability to lie, and even body parts.
These dark undertones befit the twisted world where the price of success could leave someone worse off than before.
But the novel’s Victorian-infused atmosphere is also roses and perfume, polished smiles, and rigid decorum.
Initially, Ivy acts as an “ideal Victorian woman”: self-sacrificing, innocent, and bound by the expectations of her family and London high society. The Rose Bargain accurately reflects the constraints faced by young aristocratic women in 19th century Britain, highlighting the pressure to secure their future through marriage
Ivy finds herself caught in a page-turning love triangle between England’s two most eligible bachelors: the (seemingly) chivalrous and sweet Fae Prince Bram, and his human brother, the (actually) careless and sullen Prince Emmett. The forbidden romance adds intrigue. With the help of Emmett, Ivy’s ambition to marry Bram for her family’s sake morphs into something bigger: unseating Queen Mor.
Or, an end to bargains.
The calculating and charismatic characters give high-class London a surprisingly modern spin that makes the story more relatable. As the story unfolds, readers will consider their own world, thinking about what’s vibrating under the surface as they pass other students in the halls or share glances with strangers in the quad. Much like the unspoken competition for power, popularity, or status within high school cliques, tensions can rise as people contend for dominance. Add a love triangle, unspoken feelings, and the inherent drama of high school relationships, and there is sure to be angst and conflict.
However, while romance undeniably drives the novel, an equally vital part is the relationship between the six women vying for royalty.
Unlike similar “romantasies,” such as The Selection (Kiera Cass) and The Cruel Prince (Holly Black), where the hero has more female enemies than she does friends, The Rose Bargain strays from the stereotype, instead showcasing messy, yet positive, friendships between the women. Smith promotes supportive friendships amidst a competitive environment.
The greatest strength of the novel, however, is that its female characters are well-developed and dynamic, each with their own personalities, from the sensitive and naive Olive Lisonbee, to the perfect Marion Thorne, to the fiercely independent Emmy Ito. Though Ivy is the primary narrator, each woman’s perspective is shared, bringing their ulterior motives to light, and amplifying their internal conflicts – despite their voices being silenced.
These women aren’t just preparing for their social season – they are sacrificing their bodies, minds, and identities in service to their family position, often by showcasing their musical and artistic talents. In true fictional fashion, Smith exaggerates these Victorian norms, depicting the girls as they bleed and faint from exhaustion during Queen Mor’s horrifying “lessons.”
Sasha Peyton Smith’s The Rose Bargain is an addictive, fast-paced read, pulling readers into a multi-dimensional world, where every choice is weighed by sacrifice. The twists and turns of romance, competition, and magic makes The Rose Bargain a must-read for romantasy lovers in need of an entertaining book to pore over.
