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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Rape
Rose in Chains by Julie Soto was one of my most anticipated reads this year, and it was such a thrill to get an early copy. In the end, I had mixed feelings about this book.
The dark, complicated romance of this definitely appealed to me. I loved the plot concept and the idea of the Heartsprings as magical wells. Soto has a knack for writing romantic tension, and I enjoyed the complex nature of Briony and Toven's history up against their present challenges.
I did find the world building overall lacking, the naming choices awkward and inconsistent, and the characters lacking depth. Knowing this is going to be a trilogy, I was looking for some richness to really sink my teeth into. Instead, it feels a bit superficial. The male love interest, Toven, lacks any real depth or personality at this point, which made it challenging to be truly invested in the developing relationship.
In the end, this was a very average read for me. I'm curious about what happens next in Briony's story and I think there's potential for interest, but the world of Evermore (and Moreland--yikes.) felt underdeveloped. I'm eager to read the next in the series and hopeful that as the world grows that it will become something more unique and engaging.
The dark, complicated romance of this definitely appealed to me. I loved the plot concept and the idea of the Heartsprings as magical wells. Soto has a knack for writing romantic tension, and I enjoyed the complex nature of Briony and Toven's history up against their present challenges.
I did find the world building overall lacking, the naming choices awkward and inconsistent, and the characters lacking depth. Knowing this is going to be a trilogy, I was looking for some richness to really sink my teeth into. Instead, it feels a bit superficial. The male love interest, Toven, lacks any real depth or personality at this point, which made it challenging to be truly invested in the developing relationship.
In the end, this was a very average read for me. I'm curious about what happens next in Briony's story and I think there's potential for interest, but the world of Evermore (and Moreland--yikes.) felt underdeveloped. I'm eager to read the next in the series and hopeful that as the world grows that it will become something more unique and engaging.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Possible triggers: Abusive Relationship, Assault, Attempted Murder, Attempted Rape, Bullying, Death, Decapitation, Depression, Drug Use, Emotional Abuse, Gore, Grief, Hostages, Misogyny, Murder, Physical Abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Slavery, Torture, Violence, War
Overall star rating (out of 5⭐️): 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level (out of 5🌶️): 2 🌶️🌶️ (explicit scenes with lots of hints)
Content review: this was so good! It was easy to follow the story and I enjoyed the two timelines/ jump back in time. The two main characters have such good chemistry! And I enjoyed the ‘hiding secrets/not openly communicating’ (usually pisses me off because there is no solid reason for it) but here it makes sense with the mind reading! Well done! Just a so entertaining!
Narrator review: the narrator did a splendid job. No complaints! 4 out of 5 stars
Tags: dark vibes, dragons, fantasy, forced proximity, good banter, great storyline, magic, morally grey mmc, multiple timelines, parallel world/universe/portals, political intrigue, prophecy, romantasy, slow burn
Tropes: enemy to lovers, he falls first and harder
❤️ Love interest: Toven x Briony
adventurous
dark
tense
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
So, I think this is a case of chosen marketing actually hurting a book. It doesn't really matter how hard one tries, it's going to influence how one reads a book, considering that is what it was created to do. Soto's story is irrevocably intertwined with Harry Potter in my mind to its detriment.
The plot itself is okay, a 3 star at most, but I enjoyed parts of it. The problem lies in that because I was beat over the head that this was originally a Dramoine fanfic, I spent a lot of my reading time trying to decipher which characters were the basis for the ones here. Obviously Evermore is Hogwarts, but what about everywhere else? These little things stacked up over the course of the story and, thanks to this as well as my ADHD, I couldn't fall into the narrative the way I usually do, the way I want and need to.
I absolutely will say that Ella Lynch narrated her heart out and was the bright light in an otherwise lackluster experience. I have since read another book by Julie Soto, and it's not her writing style that was the problem, as I really enjoyed that one.
2⭐
Thank you to Netgalley, Forever Publishing, and Hachette Audio for providing me with a copy of the audio book for the purposes of this review. My opinions are, as always honest and my own.
The plot itself is okay, a 3 star at most, but I enjoyed parts of it. The problem lies in that because I was beat over the head that this was originally a Dramoine fanfic, I spent a lot of my reading time trying to decipher which characters were the basis for the ones here. Obviously Evermore is Hogwarts, but what about everywhere else? These little things stacked up over the course of the story and, thanks to this as well as my ADHD, I couldn't fall into the narrative the way I usually do, the way I want and need to.
I absolutely will say that Ella Lynch narrated her heart out and was the bright light in an otherwise lackluster experience. I have since read another book by Julie Soto, and it's not her writing style that was the problem, as I really enjoyed that one.
2⭐
Thank you to Netgalley, Forever Publishing, and Hachette Audio for providing me with a copy of the audio book for the purposes of this review. My opinions are, as always honest and my own.
Just finished my first of the three Dramione fanfics turned independent books I plan on reading this fall! I can say I really enjoyed the tension between Briony and Toven in the book, and I enjoyed the overall plot of the present timeline as well.
However… there were quite a few things that I didn’t particularly like. For instance, I could almost feel the strain in the author distinguishing the worldbuilding and magic system away from the established world in the original source material. This resulted in, what I feel like, was a somewhat confusing system and dynamic between the Line and the world’s royal family, the Eversuns? Why do both exist and who takes precedence? Why is there conflict between these groups in the first place..? Also, who is Mallow anyway?
There were also a TON of names to remember throughout the book, but I’ll say the author did provide a helpful reference point for this problem at the start of the book. I also didn’t love the flashbacks in the book because they seemed to serve no real purpose in advancing the storyline or character relationships (mostly because the character’s internal monologue already tells details of these prior events before they occur in flashback). Additionally, not much actually happens in the book itself as a lot of the battle occurs prior to the first chapter, with the storyline focusing on Briony living in the Hearst Manor and attending like three scary parties.
Overall, interesting character and relationship dynamics but some apparent struggle in creating an interesting, independent world and magic system. I think it’s worth a read, especially if you’re familiar with the Harry Potter books. (I have not and that may be a central problem with my understanding of the book.)
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Trafficking, Abortion, Murder, Sexual harassment, War