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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Owner/slave/human trafficking trope
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So, this is the first in a row of fanfictions-turned-books line up. I've only read Manacled (original) before and I had no idea what The Auction is about. First of all, it is a complete copy of Manacled - just worse at everything. Idk how this is allowed in publishing? It is like the exact same plot, and even fanfics should be a bit more original.
Secondly, this is a book for fetishes and I don't say that often. But the weird and unjustified focus on virginity, pregnancy, captivity, mind control, etc. and in such an unappealing way... Manacled at least had a plausible explanation for most of the atrocities that happen there. Rose In Chain, on the other hand, fails to deliver a convincing storyline and characters. BRIONY. Girl, you are not smart at all. You can't even see the obvious in front of your eyes. And who the fuck cares who uses the meditation chamber, what a strange thing to fixate on for half of a book. TOVEN. Do you even have a personality besides being cruel and reserved? And I suppose, secretly in love? Any aspirations, hobbies, anything? No? Thought so. Magic system is crap. It had potential but as the plot progresses it starts making less and less sense and breaking its own rules. The whole meditating and shielding your mind bullshit - did Briony even try? Because it felt like she spent like 5 mins practising and was already mastering it. As many already said, this book was only written for the romance to work, but I honestly could not care less for them to get together (or not). The whole relationship felt weird and abusive, Briony definitely suffering from Stockholm Syndrome and some weird past fixation on a bully. And it wasn't even in a cool Dramione way, it was just desperate. Like how she has stayed in the house for so long, seen the entire family risk their safety for her well being and not for once she asked herself if perhaps Toven has feelings for her or something? Did she think he is not raping and beating her out of the good of his pure heart? Like girl, he is a n*zi. Even if not really, as far as you know, he is going on missions, killing people, going along with the regime. Where is your self perseverance, Briony? Or like critical thinking? Idk, honestly, this book was my 5 star expectation but the more I got into it, the more it pissed me off. And the fact that so many people would have had read this one first before Alchemised (which may also be a crap, but at least it was the OG storyline). Anyways, better watch Handmaid's Tale instead of reading Rose In Chains. Half of the plot is from there anyways and the other is Manacled. Only that characters are dumb.
Secondly, this is a book for fetishes and I don't say that often. But the weird and unjustified focus on virginity, pregnancy, captivity, mind control, etc. and in such an unappealing way... Manacled at least had a plausible explanation for most of the atrocities that happen there. Rose In Chain, on the other hand, fails to deliver a convincing storyline and characters. BRIONY. Girl, you are not smart at all. You can't even see the obvious in front of your eyes. And who the fuck cares who uses the meditation chamber, what a strange thing to fixate on for half of a book. TOVEN. Do you even have a personality besides being cruel and reserved? And I suppose, secretly in love? Any aspirations, hobbies, anything? No? Thought so. Magic system is crap. It had potential but as the plot progresses it starts making less and less sense and breaking its own rules. The whole meditating and shielding your mind bullshit - did Briony even try? Because it felt like she spent like 5 mins practising and was already mastering it. As many already said, this book was only written for the romance to work, but I honestly could not care less for them to get together (or not). The whole relationship felt weird and abusive, Briony definitely suffering from Stockholm Syndrome and some weird past fixation on a bully. And it wasn't even in a cool Dramione way, it was just desperate. Like how she has stayed in the house for so long, seen the entire family risk their safety for her well being and not for once she asked herself if perhaps Toven has feelings for her or something? Did she think he is not raping and beating her out of the good of his pure heart? Like girl, he is a n*zi. Even if not really, as far as you know, he is going on missions, killing people, going along with the regime. Where is your self perseverance, Briony? Or like critical thinking? Idk, honestly, this book was my 5 star expectation but the more I got into it, the more it pissed me off. And the fact that so many people would have had read this one first before Alchemised (which may also be a crap, but at least it was the OG storyline). Anyways, better watch Handmaid's Tale instead of reading Rose In Chains. Half of the plot is from there anyways and the other is Manacled. Only that characters are dumb.
Slow burn. Lots of mind magic at play. The family she was taken into a really double agents deep undercover. Her brother she believed was dead is actually alive and kept hidden by a dragon.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
If fanfics are going to be republished, this is how to do it.
The reworking of this story worked so well! It was very reminiscent to the original, but with enough new elements that it didn't feel like the author just hit find and replace on all the character names.
I actually found myself liking the backstory of Briony and Toven way more in this than the original too.
The only reason this isn't a 5 star read for me is because I've quite literally already read this and there wasn't anything different enough to blow me away, but for people who have never read the original, I think this will easily be a 5 star read from them.
The names of the two main characters also kill me. That's the one thing I wish Julie Soto spent more time on because Briony and Toven just aren't working for me.
The reworking of this story worked so well! It was very reminiscent to the original, but with enough new elements that it didn't feel like the author just hit find and replace on all the character names.
I actually found myself liking the backstory of Briony and Toven way more in this than the original too.
The only reason this isn't a 5 star read for me is because I've quite literally already read this and there wasn't anything different enough to blow me away, but for people who have never read the original, I think this will easily be a 5 star read from them.
The names of the two main characters also kill me. That's the one thing I wish Julie Soto spent more time on because Briony and Toven just aren't working for me.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No