Review: The Rose Bargain - Sasha Peyton Smith

Review: The Rose Bargain - Book #1 Rose Bargain Duology - Sasha Peyton Smith - February 2025

I'll be honest—when I picked up The Rose Bargain, I was skeptical. As someone who typically steers clear of romantasy and fantasy in general, I expected to struggle through another overwrought magical romance. Instead, Sasha Peyton Smith delivered something unexpectedly engaging that reminded me why I fell in love with dystopian fiction during the mid-2000s boom of series like Divergent and The Chemical Garden.

The premise immediately hooked me: an Immortal Queen who once saved King Edward's kingdom, only to usurp his throne and rule with an iron fist for decades. Every year, she offers eighteen-year-olds "Rose Bargains"—the chance to gain something precious in exchange for a devastating sacrifice, whether physical or emotional. It's a brilliantly dark concept that feels fresh despite drawing from familiar fairy tale elements.

Our protagonist Ivy wants nothing to do with these bargains, yet finds herself thrust into a competition to become the bride of Bram, the Queen's son. What I loved most about Ivy was her genuine motivation—she's not driven by romance or power, but by her desperate desire to save her sister Lydia, who has been trapped in depression since making her own bargain years ago. This emotional core kept me invested even when the romantic elements felt predictable.

Sasha Peyton Smith crafts a world that perfectly balances the grandeur I associate with A Court of Thorns and Roses with the competitive, dystopian atmosphere reminiscent of Kiera Cass's Selection series. The writing is accessible without being simplistic, making this an ideal entry point for fantasy-hesitant readers like myself. The pacing kept me turning pages, building toward revelations that genuinely surprised me.

The book's greatest strength lies in its moral complexity. Just when you think you understand the players, Sasha Peyton Smith pulls the rug out from under you. That ending twist? I absolutely didn't see it coming, and it completely recontextualizes everything that came before. Without spoiling anything, let's just say that sometimes the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and the real monsters aren't always who you expect.

I also have to mention the gorgeous cover art—it perfectly captures the book's blend of beauty and danger, and I'm already anticipating what the sequel's cover will look like.

The Rose Bargain succeeded where many romantasy novels have failed me. It respects its fantasy elements without drowning in world-building exposition, develops its romance organically rather than forcing insta-love, and most importantly, remembers that compelling characters drive the best stories. Sasha Peyton Smith has created something that feels both familiar and fresh, honoring the genres it draws from while carving out its own identity.

For readers looking to dip their toes into romantasy waters, this is your perfect starting point. It's substantial enough to satisfy genre fans while remaining accessible to newcomers. Another successful book cleared from my ever-growing TBR pile, and I'm genuinely excited to see where Sasha Peyton Smith takes us next.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4lCBItH