It’s just so good. I’ve the OG source material and this is still so good. No matter what anyone says, Julie Soto can write a book. This is one of my most anticipated books this year and it did not disappoint.

I went into this book pretty blind (I knew it was a popular dramione fanfic and that it had a royalty element, and I love Julie Soto and will read anything she writes.) I did not know this book would be so dark, so it was a little bit of a shock to me. I typically avoid dark fantasy because it makes me really angry and when I get angry I cry, so I just generally don't gravitate towards it. I will admit that if this were not an arc I might have DNF'd at 25% because of the human trafficking (very important theme that I thought was done well, but it filled me with so much rage and injustice I had to take a break) I'm super happy I didn't DNF though, because this ended up being a really good book. I could definitely tell that it was Harry Potter fan fiction, and I could also tell who all the characters were in the Harry Potter world, but I didn't really mind because I knew what I was reading.

I had some slight issues with the pacing in the first 50%. I was always engaged, but I felt like there was a lot of start and stop, and the story didn't flow very well. It was a little frustrating, but definitely picked up in pace halfway through.

I truly did not know how I was going to feel about this relationship, because even though I know I would like Dramione fanfic and the dynamic, I was a gay teen in the marauders fandom at 14 so I hated Dramione and I haven't been able to shake that. However, I really enjoyed this relationship and didn't have any weird moments thinking about how it was Dramione. Actually, Briony and Toven were the only characters that I really didn't pick up on the Harry Potter-ness with. I appreciated Briony's quiet strength and determination, and I loved Toven's reserved nature and subtle yearning behavior. I do wish there were more banter and communication in general, but this is a slow burn, so I understand. I'm excited to see more in the next book and I think this relationship has been set up really well.

As for the magic and politics, I also really appreciated how it didn't feel like an absolute copycat of Harry Potter. There were definite similarities, but I loved the heart magic vs. mind magic distinction (and especially the ways that it's shown that they can be used in tandem). I found the villain, Mallow, to be very successfully evil and cruel and she truly filled me with rage. I was a huge fan of how the rise of fascism was depicted, and how the warning signs are so important to notice because they become so obvious in hindsight. It hit especially hard knowing that collective prejudice and hatred allowed an incomptent and not very powerful magician to rise to the top and immediately commit horrifying crimes with little to no pushback. Hopefully people read this book with their brains turned on! I also really loved (and hated) the depiction of how easily men become so willing to own and rape women, even ones who were once their peers or even friends. While the most evil and cruel of these men are brutish and were loudly misogynistic and crude towards women, some of them also embody the "nice guy" stereotype, who just wants your love (even if you're not willing to give it - he'll take it).

A recent book scandal involving a master/slave dynamic made me think while I was reading this book, because there is a similar element here with Briony being owned by Toven. However there isn't an abuse of power dynamics, and there is no room for dubious consent because there is very little romance and intimacy happening in this book. I suspect the next book will have a lot more romance and intimacy without the weird power dynamics. Another important detail is that Briony's autonomy isn't stripped from her by the Hearst's and Toven makes it explicitly clear that he will not steal from her body.

I won't spoil any plot twists, but I was able to guess most of them, but the details of some of them did shock me. I'm so ready for the next book and might even do a reread once this book comes out!

oh absolutely. im obsessed, i LOVED this fic and loved the way it was translated into being a traditionally published piece of ART

Really enjoyed the first installment of this series. The writing style was easy to read with flashbacks helping to build the world of Briony and Toven. Having previously read “The Auction”, the fanfiction that this book is a rewrite of, I had some doubts. This book was just as compelling as the original. Looking forward to the next two. Be mindful of the warnings!

absolutely incredible. no notes. im a HUGE dramione girlie and i read the auction years ago and the lil nods throughout this for it were... perfection honestly. i am so beyond excited for the rest of the story (like pls i need it more than AIR)

Julie Soto is a storytelling powerhouse! Rose in Chains is gripping, tense and glowing with magic. Be prepared to be a lotta bit disappointed that you can't get the other two parts of this trilogy yet.

Briony's Rosewood's family and kingdom may have been dealt a shattering blow in the war that was prophesied to end all wars, but the prophecy was wrong. Scared, captured and stripped of her magic, Briony has never felt more alone and isolated. Although the rose of the kingdom is literally in chains, she finds that she might not be as alone or helpless as she thought. And maybe, the war just isn't over yet.

Thank you Netgalley and Forever for an early read for honest feedback.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Julie Soto, NetGalley, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an eARC of Rose in Chains in exchange for an honest review!

WOW- I tore through this book, I could NOT put it down! This is a book where checking the trigger warnings is going to be very important, the content covered multiple heavy topics. This book absolutely was setting up for the remainder of the series (I believe it’s supposed to be a trilogy?), so it was a tad slow with the world building, providing background information, and setting up the main plot. I personally really enjoyed that- but I know not everyone does! Briony is such a smart and capable FMC, but because she spent all of her time making her brother look good while growing up, everyone seems to underestimate her. She is just the future kings twin sister who is often times an afterthought in regards to her brother Rory. I look forward to seeing how she continues to reflect on growing up in Rory’s shadow as she begins to own her power in the fight to regain the freedom of Evermore. This book didn’t reveal much in regards to Toven, and I honestly can’t wait to see more of him. I hope that in future books we even begin to get his POV, but clearly everything he has done seems to be for Briony even if the specifics haven’t been revealed yet. I don’t want to be too detailed in my review because I don’t want to include any spoilers for a book that’s not out, but I’d definitely say if you’re okay with the trigger warnings this is a must read! The ending?! Diabolical. I NEED more haha, I will eagerly be waiting for the next book!

julie soto’s dramione fanfic - the auction - as a whole book….

and the way i. ate. it. up.

JULIE, I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS?? how do i set a meeting up. i must discuss. i must know. please don’t leave us hanging like this.

this book fed my inner penchant for dark romantasy. at first it was giving off tame haunting adeline vibes and then it simmered - but THE PLOT? completely its own and nothing i’ve ever read before.

i mean.. the whole premise of auctioning off magicians for the sole purpose of draining their power and using them both mentally and physically (and yes - sexually) is certifiably i n s a n e. and yet here we are.

TOVEN HEARST, WHAT ARE YOU HIDING? the respect i have for this dark, dark man. i have a thing for morally grey gentleman… (sue me). but i truly can’t wait for his restraint to break.

briony girl, i’m ready for your villian era. mind you, briony spends A LOT of the book in captivity, which got dull at some points.. but its all for the character build up, right? i have no qualms about it. i just know she’s about to be a real baddie.

SCREAMING. CRYING. BEGGING FOR BOOK 2 PLEASE 😭😭

HELLO YEARNINGGGG

i loveeee how strong this book stands on its own with a new world & magic system but still holds faithfully true to one of my holy grail dramione fics. i loved how the dynamics between the characters was formed through the dual timelines, the flashbacks giving the perfect amount of context while still leaving just enough in the dark to build intrigue as we caught up to the present. the main characters have soooo much tension, i was leaning forward and holding my breath the more they interacted and were forced into proximity together.

would love to see the world developed a little more in depth & description to be able to fully immerse myself into the story but i will be sat here cutely on my knees waiting not so patiently for book two 🤲🏻🧎🏻‍♀️

many thanks to forever pub for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts 💌

Words can literally not properly convey my absolute love and obsession for Rose in Chains.

I was hooked from the very beginning and read it all in a single evening, I literally could not put it down. Soto manages to create such a vibrant world and I honestly don't know how I'm going to be able to wait for book 2 (and 3, let's be real).

The relationship between Briony and her brother is so realistic and infuriating - we watch Briony constantly try to make herself "less" in order to allow her brother to be the shining star for their father (at their father's request). She loves him and does it willingly, but at what cost? He doesn't seem to fully grasp what she's doing for him (hello, every man ever) and it's equally angering and understandable.

Toven Hearst. I have so many thoughts but honestly, he is going to be the internet's next top book boyfriend without a doubt. He is everything that romantasy readers love nowadays - attractive, rich, former enemy, etc.

The flashback scenes are done really artfully and placed in really well thought out moments. It's nice to be able to catch glimpses of these characters before the war really took over - to see how they interacted with their friends and enemies. I honestly wouldn't mind getting entire prequel novellas dedicated to their times at school prior to the war.

I have, like many others, read the original fanfiction version of Rose in Chains but honestly while there are obviously scenes taken from it, this feels like a completely different world and story. I don't think I would ever have guessed its origins if I had gone in blind. I am really impressed at Julie's ability to take one story and turn it into something else entirely while still preserving the emotional aspects that we all loved.

I truly don't know what I'm going to do with myself from now until book 2 comes out. I guess just reread it over and over? I haven't had a book put me into this kind of post-read book slump in a VERY long time.

Rose in the Dark is a five-star read—no question about it.

Set between two rival nations with clashing ideologies on magic—one brutally patriarchal, the other slightly less so (but still deeply flawed)—this story grips you from the very first page. It’s a world where power is political, magic is weaponized, and survival depends on playing the game better than your enemies.

Our heroine, a princess trained to appear lesser in a world that fears powerful women, is anything but. She’s sharp, formidable, and utterly magnetic. I was instantly invested in her journey, her resilience, and her fire. One line that stuck with me: “They could strip her of her name, her station, and her voice—but never her power.” That perfectly sums up her strength.

Yes, this story has roots in Dramione fanfiction (specifically The Auction), but you don’t need to know a single detail about the Harry Potter universe to dive into this rich, reimagined world. Julie Soto has crafted something wholly her own—and it’s phenomenal.


FYI.....that ending....yes yes and yes. I NEED more 🥰

Thank you for the ARC. I’m already planning to buy the physical copy.

This book absolutely ruined my life — in the best way possible. I couldn’t think about anything else, didn’t want to do anything else besides read it. I even skipped dinner a few times, which, frankly, should’ve prompted a wellness check.

As a longtime fangirl of Julie Soto’s fanfiction (her fics have genuinely become my personality), I was thrilled — like shrieking, crying thrilled — to receive an ARC of Rose in Chains. And let me just say: believe the hype. I have a hard time trusting arc reviewers sometimes, but please trust me: this book is worth the wait and worth its weight in gold.

Rose in Chains is a dark, romantic fantasy following a badass FMC (think, Hermoine) who’s been imprisoned by an infamous war criminal with mysterious motives (ahem, Draco). As she navigates a world of magic, rebellion, and uneasy alliances, secrets begin to unravel — about her captor, about the war, and about herself.

I’ll be honest — I had some nerves going into this. When one of your god-tier fics gets published, it’s natural to worry if it’ll translate. But Julie absolutely nailed it. The level of detail, the rich worldbuilding, the depth of the characters — it was everything I crave in a romantasy. She honored the heart of the original story while elevating it into something that will stay with me for a long time.

I'm so thankful that this will be a trilogy because it means I don’t have to say goodbye to these characters (and this slow-burn delicious agony) just yet.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC. I am already counting down the days until book two!

From the moment I saw Rose in Chains announced, it instantly became one of my most anticipated reads of the year—and Julie Soto absolutely delivered. She has long been an auto-read author for me, and with this latest novel, she reaffirms why she holds that coveted place on my shelf. I devoured this story in just 36 hours, pulled out of a reading slump by its intensity, only to fall right back in when I turned the final page.

At its heart, Rose in Chains is a dark fantasy romance that masterfully blends enemies-to-lovers tension, forced proximity, and rich world-building. Briony is a compelling protagonist: immensely powerful yet shaped by years of being diminished in a patriarchal society so her twin brother, Rory—the rightful heir—could shine. Her innocence and internal conflict add depth to her character, especially as she navigates the twisted mind games of Toven, the enigmatic, morally gray "bad boy" who radiates danger but hints at something far more complex. His manipulation is a game of 5D chess, while Briony is simply trying to survive the board.

Originally inspired by a Draco x Hermione fanfiction, Soto’s story has blossomed into something wholly its own. The parallels are clear but cleverly reimagined: instead of Death Eaters and Muggleborns, we have two kingdoms—Bomardi and Eversun—divided by the source of their magic. Instead of Voldy, we get an enigmatic female ruler whose calculated rise to power is chilling and brilliant. The stakes are high: after Bomardi's victory in war, they turn to siphon magic from the captured Eversuns—human prisoners auctioned off like commodities. Yet, nothing is quite what it seems. With all events seen through Briony’s limited third-person perspective, the reader is swept into a web of secrets, unreliable truths, and constant intrigue.

This is not a light or whimsical romance—it comes with trigger warnings and explores dark, intense themes—but for those drawn to morally complex worlds and slow-burning, tension-filled connections, it’s an enthralling experience.

I am so excited I was able to get an early eARC thanks to Forever Publishing and Netgalley. But now I don't know what to do with myself because book 1 isn't even out yet and I already want book 2.

I mean... wow. I stayed up until 4 am reading this and literally could not put it down. It's the next day and I'm STILL spiraling.

I am so impressed with Julie. Not only did she take an entire beloved fanfiction and turn it into something unique, but the way that everything happens, the changes, the ending of book 1, everything was evidently done with so much care and love from her. I cannot stress to anyone enough how incredible this book is and I am so so thankful to have gotten an opportunity to read it before release.

You can easily read this without having read her Dramione fanfic, but I really loved getting to experience this story again as if it was the first time. I've read Julie's other 2 published books and fell in love with her and her writing so I knew this story was going to become my entire personality. I ADORED Briony and Toven in this, he is so serious and standoffish yet so gentle and understanding and they seem like polar opposites but MAN, is there an intense attraction between those two. Getting those flashback chapters was AMAZING, it gave so much backstory + the little tidbits of their banter before things went to shit was satisfying to read. I loved reading their previous interactions and how they shaped who and how they are towards each other in the present. I am genuinely smitten with Toven and I cannot WAIT to see how their romance develops in the next book, I'm already foaming at the mouth for a book 2 announcement ♥

Julie, as always, you are incredible, and my favorite author, and I will buy/read anything and everything you put out into the world, even your grocery list at this point.

This book will sit with me for a very long time. What a LITERAL masterpiece it was ♥

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1.5 🌶️ (I can tell this will increase in the sequel)

Thank you so so SO much to Julie Soto and to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this e-ARC copy!!!

HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No star rating is high enough to do this book justice. Julie truly defies what it means to simply write genre. She has such versatility as a writer that astounds me with every new work she puts out, and this book only magnifies that idea.

Julie's storytelling abilities and world building are pretty damn spectacular. I love the way the story unfolded and the way it weaved in and out of the present to give glimpses of context to what we saw. Julie did an incredible job empowering her characters in the face of their circumstances in such a delicate way that I genuinely appreciated so, so much. I’m not quite ready to leave the world she created yet 🥹 I can’t wait for what’s next!!!

I loved this book! Even more than I expected!

J. Soto's writing just does something to you - you get so hooked, completely consumed by the story and addicited to it all.

The plot was heavy, so many characters, so many things happened, and yet you feel like you're just there with them, going through the same pain (or happiness). And it's a veeeeeery slow burn, so be prepared for all the deliciousness of it.

Brilliant writing, captivating plot, amazing characters (whom I can't stop thinking about), I cannot wait till the next book comes out!

thank you to netgalley, julie soto, and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review ✨ before i continue, PLEASE read the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book.

3.75⭐️ while parts of this book were incredible, i, overall, was left w wanting more.

pros: now let me preface with the fact that i was UNABLE to put this book down (i’m not kidding i think i’ve slept like 6 hours in the last 2.5 days). it was unbelievably addicting and i couldn’t get enough of it. i am proud to say that i’ve officially read all of julie soto’s published books, and i can confidently say that she has such a magical talent and her writing is incredibly entertaining. in this story specifically, i truly loved the characters (well mostly, but i’ll get to that) and their development throughout this story. the Hearst family has my heart, and i’d give anything to get inside their heads to know what’s going on. our main character is such a badass, and i can’t wait to see what her character turns into in the next book. lastly, the epilogue has me gagged! i was not expecting that!

cons: however, there were points that i wished the world building was stronger. the magic system was a little difficult to grasp at some parts, and i’m still unclear about all the different rituals and bonds. now, this is going to be a hot take but toven gave me SO LITTLE that i was greatly upset with him by the end. i felt like his character lacked so much depth in comparison to everyone else, and it was so disappointing. HOWEVER, i understand that he is a man of secrets and i’m not privy to those yet (but i stg julie please please give me more). lastly, i do want to address that there were parts of this book that were difficult to read (again PLS CHECK YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS). especially concerning the topic of women, there were times that i as a reader was very uncomfortable. now, this isn’t necessarily a con and i know it was supposed to make the reader uncomfortable, but this is more just a preface that the first half of the book deals w some pretty heavy stuff. however, the female rage is going to be SO good!

i know this book is a rewritten version of the dramoine fanfic ‘the auction,’ but overall i think julie did a good job creating her own story from her fanfic. were there areas of the book that i would’ve enjoyed more? sure. but, will i be reading book two? ABSOLUTELY. okay, that’s the end of my rant, thank you for reading my ted talk.

There aren’t enough stars in the sky to rate how much I love this book.

I’m completely undone by it. It pulled me in and refused to let go. I’m still thinking about it, feeling it, aching for more. Julie Soto’s storytelling is pure magic, and the way she weaves dark fantasy with raw, emotional romance left me breathless.

Toven. Oh my heart. He’s the kind of character who ruins you for all others. With his bad boy energy, sharp tongue, and quiet vulnerability, I was instantly obsessed. He pretends not to care, but the truth is he feels so deeply. That hidden softness behind his rough exterior? It wrecked me. I love him more than I should probably admit.

And Briony… what a beautifully strong, broken, determined force of a woman. Watching her fight so hard, even when everything in her screamed to give up, was heartbreaking and empowering. And then seeing her slowly, painfully realize her feelings for Toven never really went away? My heart couldn’t take it. Their connection is electric, messy, and completely consuming.

The dark romance elements were stunning, emotionally intense and unapologetically raw. The stakes were real, the pain was sharp, and it made every moment of hope and tenderness feel like a hard-won treasure.

And the side characters? The depth. Some of them I absolutely despised. Julie made me feel every ounce of loathing I was supposed to. But others I fell completely in love with, and they added so much richness and heartbreak to the story. Every single character mattered, and it made the whole world feel so alive.

I would give this book infinite stars if I could. I’m already dreading the wait for the next one because I need to know what happens next. I need more of these characters, this world, this story that has completely carved itself into my soul.

GAHHHH the ending destroyed me and I am absolutely in need of the second book now!!! Julie’s writing is so GOOD

This romantasy was thrilling, captivating and hard to put down!! I really loved the character development of both Toven and Briony. The way Toven has soooo many layers and just slowly started showing himself to her was top tier. The tension and slow burn was done WELL. You could take away the romance intertwined, leave the fantasy/plot and it would still be a really solid read. The only reason I knocked it down a star was because I just needed a BIT more clarity on Toven and Briony. I also felt it was a bit slow the first 30% with a lot of thrown in world building at a fast pace.

I was not aware of some of trigger warnings contained in this book, especially related to SA so plz look into those first 🫶🏻

I will never be over this book! I absolutely devoured this read in one sitting. No lie. I was immediately sucked into the world that Julie Soto has created in Rose in Chains. I love the mortal enemies to lovers trope already, but this book really explored it. Toven and Briony are literally everything 😭 The way they interact has me so weak. I love how both are so deeply set in their ways but are equally challenged by one another. Briony’s character development from the Eversun Princess to independent badass is next level. This is a true queen right here. She is so much more than just the princess of the Eversuns.
Toven js EVERYTHING. He is so much more than what meets the eye. Also definition of he fell first and it has me SCREAMING. We love our traumatized king. I just love how deep his character is and how we see him shed layer after layer throughout this book.
I will say, this is one of the most intriguing magic systems I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The whole linking between mind and blood magic is so interesting to me. Instead of politics and wars being based on race it is based on abilities. The politics in this world are so complex and twisted but I love it.
This book does contain dark themes so beware when going into this, but I feel like the darkness adds to the intrigue. Women being sold against their will to their enemies and an increase of war and rebellion create a perfect backdrop to the challenging story of Briony and Toven’s character arcs