(Loved this audiobook)

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.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Hachette Audio for allowing me to listen to this ALC.
The war is lost, the hero is dead, and Briony Rosewood has been captured by the enemy. Stripped of her powers, she’s sold at auction to Toven Hearst, her old crush and a member of a ruthless magical family. But even in a world ruled by darkness, sparks of hope still flicker in unexpected places.
Narration:
Listening Speed: 1X then 1.5
Narrator: Ella Lynch
Feedback: This was my first time listening to this narrator, and unfortunately, her style just didn’t work for me. Her voice felt overly dramatic and a bit too wistful for my taste, which made it hard to connect with the story. I found myself focusing more on the narration than the plot, which took away from the immersive experience I usually look for in an audiobook.

Rose in Chains by Julie Soto follows Briony, a princess who is captured and sold, after the death of her twin brother and the fall of her kingdom. This book had me hooked from the beginning, from the writing to the characters and their dynamics between each other, I found it hard to take a break from this book. The narrator did an amazing job bringing all the characters to life, making it easy to just get lost in the story. The main problem I had with this was the amount of characters we were bombarded with in the beginning, that eventually made sense as the story continued, but also the fact that I’m have to wait who knows how long until book two to release. The ending had me speechless!!! I appreciate the opportunity to listen to this book before this release, thank you.

Dark, luscious, disturbing - Julie Soto does it again. She’s woven another story that had me completely immersed in a world that is brutal. There’s a manga-like element to this world that is a nightmare, where sensuality and innocence are only a dream that are stolen by those hungry for power. I had already pre-ordered a copy of the book that I’m looking forward to receiving on publication day so I can read what I was able to listen to with this ARC. The narrator does a fine job of bringing life to the characters.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to Julie Soto’s new book.

**Thanks to Hachette Audio for the ALC!**

I stayed up way too late devouring this one. I’m not even a huge audiobook listener, but Ella Lynch’s narration paired with Julie Soto’s writing was *chef’s kiss*.

This is a dark romantasy, and the trigger warnings listed upfront are absolutely warranted. But wow… I ate 👏 it 👏 up 👏.

Julie Soto nails the world-building, and the flashbacks are executed so smoothly. I was especially impressed with how naturally she wove in past plot points without making it feel forced.

Briony is one of the strongest, most loyal FMCs I’ve read in a while. Her love for her country, family, and friends really shines. The romance is a *slowww burn* (normally not my jam), but the payoff and emotional tension made it worth every second.

There’s a bit of a taboo edge to the pairing, but it’s handled thoughtfully — the emotional groundwork was laid so well that the relationship felt earned and layered.

Final thoughts: I’m obsessed. Book two, I’m ready.
Please send help (and snacks) while I wait.

I absolutely devoured this book. I'm not normally a huge audiobook person because I tend to get distracted really easily but this narrator and the production done to this book kept me hooked the entire time! The narrator did a fantastic job keeping me engaged and helping me to feel what the characters were feeling in moments of stress, turmoil and happiness. As for the actual book content itself this book has the perfect amount of political intrigue, plotting, scheming, and world building in order to follow along while also not being bored with lulls in the pacing. The tension between our main characters was palpable and I love the slow burn that we got. The romance did not overshadow the actual plot of the book and very much felt like a subplot. There are definitely some heavier topics in this book so definitely check your trigger warnings before reading. I am already anticipating book 2.

WOW. The narrator of this book was PHENOMENAL. I knew that Julie Soto was a phenomenal writer but having read all of her books in the last 6 months I don’t believe there is a single genre that she can’t write. I absolutely devoured this book.

Thank you so munch to Hatchette Audio and Netgalley for the ALC of this book. I absolutely loved it.

LISTEN….. if you’re a dramione fan, you’ll love this. It is the same yearning vibes of dramione fanfic (obvi), and I was sat for it all

I really enjoyed the magical elements added to this like how there is heart and mind magic as well as familiars. I’m really excited to learn more about the magic system in the next few books as well. I also really like the different areas/people and how they go to war/interact with one another. I felt like the world building wasn’t too complex but was complex enough to feel like a complete world.

I’m sure no one is surprised, but I LOVED Briony and Toven. I love their banter, I love the yearning, I love the touch her and die. I love it all. But again, we’re not surprised, because I love dramione.

Okay, dramione aside, I do think this book still stands on its own. I admit there are parts of it in the middle that may be more fan service than not, but I do still think that this book, with its dramione origins aside, is still a great first installment to a romantasy series about a princess who gets essentially kidnapped and given to the enemy.

The ending, in my opinion, was excellent. I found myself truly caring about all the characters in the book and not wanting anything bad to happen to them. The ending was exciting/leaving me wanting more without being too cliffhanger-y. Needless to say, I am very excited about the second book.

Now, I did listen to this instead of reading it physically, and I have to say I really enjoyed the narrator. I don’t think I could read the book now without imagining Briony sounding like Ella Lynch. Her ability to put emotion into her storytelling immersed me into the story, and I found myself not wanting to stop (evident as I listened to it in 2 days!).

All in all, I definitely recommend this book if you enjoy dramione fan fiction but also still recommend it for those that are just looking for a fun new romantasy series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of the audiobook.

This dark romantasy begins at the end of a war in which the enemy has won and killed the young king who had been prophesied to save his kingdom. His sister and other important figures of this conquered land are captured, stripped of their magic, and either killed or sold as slaves to the highest bidder. The princess sells for the highest price but is surprised to find her prison to be more of a refuge wherein she must learn new ways to keep fighting for her people and their freedom. Soto does a pretty good job at introducing her world, though some aspects are still confusing to me, especially about the magic system, but it wasn’t so confusing that I couldn’t still follow the story. This first book is clearly meant to set up the rest of the trilogy and ends in a cliffhanger, but I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series. The main characters are likable and there’s a lot of yearning between the romantic leads as well for those that enjoy a slow burn. The plot is very dark though, so check the trigger warnings at the front of the book before reading.

I did receive the audiobook arc, and it was well done for the most part. There were a couple choices with voices for other characters that I personally did not like, but that may have just been me.

This is the kind of story that drops you right in the middle of the action and never lets up. It’s an absolute marvel what Julie Soto has accomplished here. She brought to life a dark fantasy world that stirred so many emotions and made you viscerally feel like you were the characters.

The back-and-forth between the school timeline and the present was essential—not only for building the romance but also for deepening the betrayal by her Bomardi peers. The tension, the slow burn—it was all done so well. The twists, the mystery, the cliffhanger, the supportive parents—I just can’t say enough good things about this book.

That said, I do want to caution readers: please read the trigger warnings. This is a dark romantasy with some very difficult moments.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for providing me with the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I already knew Rose in Chains was going to be amazing—I devoured the e-ARC and have been obsessed with this story ever since—but the audiobook? It blew me away. I’m talking full-body chills, heart racing, completely-ignored-my-to-do-list levels of captivated. I consumed the entire thing in one day because I simply couldn’t stop listening.

Julie Soto's haunting post-war fantasy world comes alive in this format. The audiobook does such a phenomenal job amplifying the emotion, the tension, and the desperate hope that threads through every chapter. The narrator (or narrators, if it was a full cast) brought Briony’s pain, strength, and slow-burning resilience to life so vividly it felt like I was right there in the wreckage of Evermore, chained at the mercy of fate alongside her.

The chemistry between Briony and Toven crackles, but what really stood out in audio was the nuance—every shift in tone, every quiet defiance, every moment of vulnerability is magnified in a way that makes your heart ache. The sound design and pacing were also on point. Never rushed, never dragging—just pure, immersive storytelling at its best.

If you’ve read the book, the audiobook is a must. And if you haven’t? Start with the audio and prepare to lose yourself completely. This is one of those rare experiences where the story grips you by the soul and doesn’t let go. Julie Soto, I bow to your dark and beautiful mind

First off, I have not read The Auction, but I really enjoyed the magic system in this book. It felt really unique to me. I also really enjoyed the opening and the ending of the book (it does end in a cliffhanger...). I also really loved the flashback scenes, along with the progression of Briony and Toven's relationship.

I did feel a little lull in the middle of the book, but the beginning was fantastic and the ending made it worth it. With the audiobook, I felt the narration was wonderfully done.

*Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Where to begin with this one?! I loved it so much. I got an ALC from NetGalley and Hachette Audio, thank you so much to both for letting me listen early 🫶🏼, and the story was so immersive. The Narrator did a good job with all the different voices she had to do, I was never confused on who was speaking.

The story itself was very interesting with a different type of magic system that seemed pretty complex, with still so much more to learn about it! I loved the world building and learning about all the politics. Tovan and Briory have the slowest slow burn and I'm here for it! I enjoy a good slow burn and this was perfect!

The way the book left off has me wanting book two out already even though this one isn't even out yet!! Going to have physically read this one once it's released ASAP!!

I straight up *devoured* this audiobook. I listened to it in 2 days and it was such a wild ride. Julie Soto absolutely knows how to write yearning, and this was the slowest of burns.

The plot went places I did not expect and I'm excited to read the rest of the trilogy. There were multiple spots where I had to pause and take a minute to think about what just happened before being able to move on. The supporting characters really made this story more than just another dark romance. The epilogue especially was such a good little teaser for where the rest of the series can/will go.

The narrator did a fantastic job. She really made it clear through her tone who each character was, especially the sniveling rat ones.

Thank you Hachette Audio and NetGalley for this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.

So, this was a DNF for me fairly early on. As someone who grew up on Harry Potter and is familiar with the world of fanfiction, I went into Rose in Chains knowing it originated as a Dramione (Draco + Hermione) fanfic—which is totally fine in itself. However, it was so transparently those characters that it really took me out of the experience. If you’re going to create a new world and new characters, you have to fully commit—not just change the names and settings while leaving the personalities and dynamics basically intact. The similarities were distracting and made it hard for me to immerse myself in the story. The writing itself was okay—serviceable, but at times choppy and uneven. Additionally, the heavier, darker themes in the plot aren’t adequately reflected in the blurb or the cover, which could mislead readers who are expecting something lighter or more traditional in tone. I did appreciate the content warning at the beginning, though.

On the plus side, the audiobook narration was a high point. The narrator has a warm, engaging voice that suited the tone of the book well, and I found her delivery easy to listen to throughout. I’d definitely be open to listening to other books she narrates in the future. Unfortunately, strong narration couldn’t fully save the story for me, but fans of reimagined romance with a dark edge might still find something here to enjoy—especially if they’re not as tied to the original inspiration as I am.

Julie Soto the writer that you are!!! I am absolutely obsessed y'all. I ate this book up. Books where a FMC gets captured can be tricky to pull off so I was very impressed with how Julie Soto balanced the power dynamics in the book. The book has a dark setting and our hero is definitely morally grey but never so much that I felt like she was being taken advantage of. I adore an academic rivals to lovers story and Rose in Chains is no exception. The silly school pranks and the banter was so fun to read about. The chemistry was sizzling all book. Watching Toven navigate the complicated political landscape of this world while still trying to do the right thing was so fun. The slow burn made the relationship development we got in this book so much more satisfying. And that ending???? I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the sequel.

The narrator's British accent was lovely to listen to as I binged this in a day. I quite enjoyed the stiff voice they gave Toven. I could hear the restraint in their delivery and that upped the tension for me. If you also love audios like me, this is one to check out.

Briony and Tovon have the angst down pat. It’s almost suffocating at first! I really enjoyed the world and magic building of this. It’s a nice set up for the trilogy. The ending felt a little muddled for me but maybe in book two or a reread of the last few chapters would clear it up. It does end on a cliffhanger. It’s a well rounded fantasy. I did not read the fanfic prior to reading this.

This. Book. Ate. And. Left. No. Crumbs.

Rose and Chains was everything I wanted and more..darkly romantic, unhinged in the best way, and painfully addictive. I was hanging on every single word like my life depended on it. The plot? Twisty and rich. The romance? Tension-filled and utterly feral. The writing? Poetic but punchy.

Also, let’s talk about the audiobook for a second. The narrator’s British accent?? CHEF’S KISS. I felt like I was being personally seduced by each chapter. Like hello?? That alone deserves a bonus star.

I finished this with heart palpitations and a thousand emotions, and I will absolutely be spiraling until the next book drops.

If you love morally gray characters, slow burns that hurt so good, and high-stakes romance that feels like war and worship all in one, this is your next obsession.

While listening to this audiobook recording of Rose in Chains, I couldn’t believe that this was Julie Soto’s first attempt at a romantic fantasy. The slow- (I’m talking GLACIAL SPEED) burn, enemies-to-lovers romance was phenomenal with appropriately spaced out flashbacks and delicious tension. The magic system is thoroughly developed and doesn’t feel like an after thought; it actually is integral to the plot and character interactions. The voice actor was also fantastic and had great range and variety, immersing me more fully in the story. I will be grabbing the second book at soon as it comes out!

Rose in Chains is a captivating start to a promising trilogy. The setting is richly detailed, with immersive descriptions that bring every corner of the world to life. It is clear that a great deal of care and thought went into building a world that feels both grounded and magical.

The stakes feel perfectly balanced for the beginning of a larger story. Graphic subjects are handled with restraint and purpose, adding emotional weight without overwhelming the narrative. This is a strong, beautifully written beginning that leaves me eager for the next installment.