Rose in Chains (Deluxe Limited Edition) by Julie Soto

Rose in Chains: A Dark Romantasy that PUNCHES You in the Feels

Rose in Chains by Julie Soto is one of those books that yanks you by the lapels and refuses to let go. It’s a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers novel — a romantasy — chock-full of political drama, magical systems and gut-wrenching emotions. If you love stories that have you screaming “just kiss already!” and even puzzling the morality of power and survival, this one’s gonna be your jam.

The Setup: When the World Falls Apart

The story starts off with a bang—literally. The world of Evermore has only recently been ravaged by a cruel war courtesy of the dark forces of Bomard. The so-called hero, Prince Rory Rosewood, is dead, and his twin sister, Princess Briony Rosewood, is imprisoned as her castle is reduced to rubble. Things are already off to a bad beginning.

Briony, an otherwise powerful Mind Magic practitioner, had her abilities stripped and auctioned off like yesterday's garbage. She was sold to the highest bidder: Toven Hearst, an upper-echelon Bomardsun and scion of a rather criminal family that's all about wielding Heart Magic with brutal force. And guess who? He's also her former academic rival and secret crush. How humiliating is that?

Deep-Cutting Magic

Soto builds an awesome magic system that's more than the sum of its flashy spells:

Mind Magic: Used by the Eversuns, it's discipline, brains, and meditation.
Heart Magic: Dedicated to by the Bomardi, it's feeling, flesh, and typically exploitative.

The concept of heartsprings—magical bonds that are coercive or consensual—is a grand metaphor for control, power, and emotional manipulation. It's not just rad world-building; it's also an investigation into how relationships can be warped by imbalance.

Briony: From Princess to Power Player

Briony's transformation is the heart of the book. She starts out vulnerable, scared, and totally out of her element. Instead of being transformed overnight into a warrior by having a switch flipped, Soto lets her grow up through pain, strategy, and grit. She is smart, clever, and knows how to play for keeps.

She's not just getting by—she's scheming. Whether she's battling magical cocktails that are designed to confuse her or going head-to-head in palace games, Briony proves she's not a nice face in shackles.

Toven Hearst: The Walking Red Flag You Can't Help But Love

Toven is the definition of morally gray. He’s got the brooding vibe, the tragic backstory, and the emotional walls that scream “I’m not good for you, but I’ll die for you.” He’s torn between duty to his cruel family and his feelings for Briony, which makes every interaction between them feel like a ticking time bomb.

Their relationship is messy, complicated, and full of tension. It’s not insta-love—it’s slow, painful, and earned. And when they finally kiss? You’ll want to throw the book across the room and scream “FINALLY!”

Political Drama and Big Bad Villains

The evil mastermind, Veronika Mallow, is plain terrifying. She's bonded to the final dragon (of course) and rules over Bomard with an iron fist. Her crackdown on Mind Magic users is horrific, and her entrances are replete with menace.

The political backdrop isn't window dressing—it's woven into every decision Briony makes. Her survival is tied to her people, and Soto won't let you ignore it.

Survival Is a Performance

One of the most intense scenes is happening at Biltmore Palace, where Briony has to play a role she does not want to. She lives among her enemies, trying to keep up with other surviving members of Eversun, and fending off magical manipulation all around her.

It's Game of Thrones meets Mean Girls, but with more magic and far higher stakes. Every smile is calculated, every line a knife, and Briony's skill at playing the part is what keeps her alive.

Hurt So Good Romance

The slow-burning romance between Toven and Briony is a masterclass. There is history, betrayal, longing, and just so much "should we or shouldn't we?" The chemistry is palpable, but Soto never lets it get in the way of allowing it to overpower the story.

Flashbacks reveal Toven's had a crush on Briony for years, yet wasn't free to act because of family duty. Now that he's got her (shudder), things become very ugly very fast. Instead of pining over the power imbalance, however, Soto owns it, forcing both characters to confront what love really is when trust is breached.

Writing Style: Lyrical but Punchy

Soto's prose is gorgeous but not over-the-top. She knows when to whap you on the head with a line of poetry and when to give you a snappy one-liner. The pacing is sound, with some political material occurring a bit too quickly and some of the romantic interludes lingering longer than they should. But overall? Page-turner.

Themes That Resonate

Power and Consent: Explored by means of magic, sex life, and politics.
Survival and Identity: Briony's tale is one of regaining who she is.
Love and Betrayal: Nothing happens easily, and trust must be regained.
Hope in Darkness: Briony somehow finds a way to resist even when chained.

The Ending: Buckle Up

Spoiler alert: Briony finally kisses Toven (cue fireworks), but then finds out he’s been keeping a massive secret—her brother Rory might still be alive. That golden heartspring bond between them? It’s not just symbolic—it’s magical and game-changing.

The book ends with Briony caught between love and betrayal, power and vulnerability. She’s stronger than ever, but the road ahead is full of twists. And yes, you’ll be dying for book two.

Final Thoughts: Is it the Hype?

Heck yes. Rose in Chains is a dark, emotional rollercoaster that blends fantasy, romance, and political drama like a boss. It's perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince, From Blood and Ash, and The Bridge Kingdom. If you're a fan of morally ambiguous characters, high-stakes drama, and romance that makes you scream into your pillow, this book's a must-read.

Rose in Chains (Deluxe Limited Edition) by Julie Soto | Book Review & Download