Rose in Chains (Deluxe Limited Edition) (The Evermore Trilogy, 1)

This book had no business being SO. GOOD.

I took off a star because I know that this book is the formally published version of a fanfiction. It was also marketed as such, and I do feel like that is the stealing of intellectual property which is inherently wrong- no matter how problematic the original writer is.

As someone who is unfamiliar with the original work, from an objective point of view, this book was extremely well written. It was propulsive and gripping. The subject matter was incredibly dark, much more so than I thought it would be. A lot of it was hard to read and disturbing, but i can see how this trilogy will develop into an amazing story. The ending had me absolutely floored, and I can not wait for book 2.

Tried a few times but just couldn’t not get into it. The plot was hard to follow and the jumping timelines didn’t help. I know a lot of folks love it, so it may just be a matter of preference but I will respectfully say this was just not for me.

Michal Becca

"Rose in Chains" is an enemies-to-lovers romance set in a world where the 'bad guys' have won, leading to women being auctioned off as spoils of war. Initially, the pacing and numerous characters can be overwhelming, but the story gains depth through flashbacks that enhance character development. The protagonist, Briony, is compelling, and the slow-burning romance has significant potential. While the first book lays the foundation for a trilogy, it ultimately captivates readers and leaves them eager for more. Be aware that the book contains content warnings, addressing sensitive topics such as captivity and the buying and selling of women, along with themes of off-page rape and abuse. Though the romance is minimal in explicit scenes, the dark backdrop may be unsettling for some. This story may appeal to readers who enjoy darker romantic elements and is inspired by fan fiction, adding to its appeal.

3.5 ⭐️ I did enjoy this book but it wasn’t an amazing read for me. Disklikes: I felt like the magic system didn’t make much sense to me and it was hard to keep up with the characters as there were a lot of them. While a I love an enemies to lovers, and forbidden romance, I don’t love it when the fmc is oblivious for the entirety of the book. Briony is meant to be smart and the girl STRUGGLED to put the pieces together, even though they were right in her face. There’s only so much self deprecation I can handle. Likes: Once I looked past the magic system I thought the world building was good. I also really enjoyed the mmc, but wish we got more from him. The tension started to build towards the end, we love a good slow burn! The book started to pick up towards the end and definitely left wanting for more. Over all it was a good book! I understand this this one is the world building, introductory book so I look forward to the next one!