Both lush and dangerous, like flower petals tipped with poison. With twists, secrets, and stolen kisses, I was riveted through every page—The Rose Bargain is a masterful and enchanting entry into the canon of romantic fantasy.” — Ava Reid, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning
"A deliciously dark and romantic fantasy. Full of clever surprises, twisted secrets, and bad decisions. Like the dangerous fairy bargains inside of its pages, The Rose Bargain delivers on its promises in heart-pounding and unexpected ways. I absolutely devoured this book!” — Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Once Upon A Broken Heart
“If Bridgerton and The Cruel Prince had a love child, it’d be this book. The Rose Bargain is a fantastically fun and addictive start of a new series that is sure to send readers into a frenzy. With sharp prose and an irresistible plot, I devoured this book like it was candy. If you’re looking for the next YA sensation, here it is.” — Adalyn Grace, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Belladonna series
"Magic-infused alternate history at its finest. The Rose Bargain is the most beguiling drama unfolding beneath the sheen of a gorgeous, glittering world—and entirely unputdownable until the fiery end." — Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights
“Sasha Peyton Smith expertly weaves the rich details and deceptive beauty of a fairytale into regency England, with lush world-building, breathless romance, and a playful yet twisty plot. Reading The Rose Bargain feels like biting into the perfect piece of fairy fruit—dark and deliciously sweet. An instant classic.” — Shelby Mahurin, New York Times bestselling author of The Scarlet Veil and Serpent & Dove series
"Bloody and beguiling, with magic both enchanting and perilous, this story kept my heart in my throat and the pages turning at breakneck speed. With twists and turns, a forbidden romance, and a complex sisterly bond, this captivating tale swept me off my feet." — Isabel Ibañez, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
"One of my favorite romantasy's of the year! With enchanting characters, dark and deceptive fae games, and a smoldering romance that delivers on all your fantasy romance cravings, The Rose Bargain is sure to be the next big thing. Without a doubt, my bargain with the fae queen would be for the sequel immediately." — Kerri Maniscalco, #1 NYT Bestselling author of the Kingdom of the Wicked series
"The Rose Bargain is an absolute confection for fans of historical fantasy—and anyone who delights in the competitive drama of “The Bachelor.” It will enthrall you with its cruel beauty and lush violence; I loved every minute of it." — Allison Saft, New York Times bestselling author of A Fragile Enchantment
“Sasha Peyton Smith has penned a novel that is gorgeously rendered and utterly enchanting from start to finish. The Rose Bargain is a story teeming with perilously high stakes, truly vicious bargains, and romance that left my heart thundering in my chest more than once. Readers who love classic fantasy done right will be charmed by Ivy’s relentlessly fierce heart and Smith’s whimsical prose.” — Ayana Gray, New York Times bestselling author
“Prepare to meet your next obsession. The Rose Bargain is compulsively readable and deliciously fun, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The ending will leave readers breathless, wanting to make bargains of their own for the next installment. I thoroughly enjoyed it.” — Rachel Griffin, New York Times bestselling author of Bring Me Your Midnight
“This fast-paced romantasy with an abrupt cliffhanger ending has a depth that sets the stage for a wild series to come…. Familial duty unfolds into an exploration of desires and self-sacrifice in this promising series opener.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“A simmering romantic plot is sharpened by searing comparisons of girlhood and war… Smith (The Witch Hunt) delves beyond familiar palace intrigue and mystical romance to explore themes of classism, complex family dynamics, gender disparity, and the unbreakable bond of sisterhood in this compelling fantasy.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Kiera Cass’s The Selection meets Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince in the Regency era. A deliciously heart-wrenching romantasy.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“The perfect blend of romance and fantasy, set in a vivid and reimagined 1840s England… Smith’s intense storytelling and exceptional character work lead to Ivy’s role as a fierce protagonist with wit and determination that shine.” — Booklist (starred review)
Praise for Sasha Peyton Smith: "Smith opens a trick door between bruising history and glittering fantasy, to a place that will leave you drunk on secrets and dreaming of magic (and murder). The Witch Haven is spectacular, singular, and spellbinding." — Casey McQuiston, New York Times bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue
"A beautiful story filled with sisterhood, mystery, and interesting magic. This book will keep you turning the page with immersive prose and clever, memorable characters. I will be dreaming about this story for a long time." — Adrienne Young, New York Times bestselling author of Sky in the Deep
"A positively spellbinding debut. Smith has crafted a delectably immersive mystery packed with magic, enchantment, and an absolute powerhouse cast of women." — Adalyn Grace, New York Times bestselling author of All the Stars and Teeth
“One of the best new books of 2021.” — Popsugar
“…A fast-paced adventure that mixes one part murder investigation with two parts historical drama and a dash of romance, then puts it all in a magical boarding school full of young witches…the end result [gives] us a story that is like almost nothing else in YA fantasy right now.” — Culturess
★ 11/11/2024
Teenage Ivy wasn’t supposed to be the family breadwinner; that was her older sister Lydia’s job. But Lydia hasn’t been the same since the night she briefly vanished, an unexplained incident Ivy is certain was caused by the mysterious bargain Lydia made with faerie Queen Moryen, something all girls must do when they come of age in Ivy’s alternate Victorian London home. Shadowed by her sister’s tarnished reputation, it’s up to Ivy to find a wealthy husband and save her family from ruin. When Queen Moryen announces that the prince is seeking a bride, Ivy enters the competition to win his hand, but she isn’t the only debutante desperate for the match. Now Ivy must use her wits and form unlikely alliances if she hopes to survive this dangerous game. A simmering romantic plot is sharpened by searing comparisons of girlhood and war—a Maypole dance is a blood sport and readying for a ball is preparing for battle. Smith (The Witch Hunt) delves beyond familiar palace intrigue and mystical romance to explore themes of classism, complex family dynamics, gender disparity, and the unbreakable bond of sisterhood in this compelling fantasy. Major characters cue as white. Ages 13–up. Agent: Hillary Jacobson, CAA. (Feb.)
★ 02/01/2025
Gr 8 Up—Kiera Cass's The Selection meets Holly Black's The Cruel Prince in the Regency era, where every debutante's presentation to the fae Queen of England is a chance to make a magic bargain—if they're willing to pay the price. Ivy has been desperate to unmake her sister's bargain since Lydia returned with bloody feet and no memory of where she'd been. When the queen informs Ivy that bargains can't be undone, she leaves without one. The queen announces that Prince Bram must choose a wife this season and all the debutantes of the year are invited to compete for his hand. Ivy signs up in a heartbeat, certain a season of guaranteed invitations can help pull her family back into society. The debutantes soon find that competing to marry a fae is far more vicious than they imagined, binding them together despite the competition. Ivy accepts help from Bram's younger brother Emmett to get closer to him, only to find herself falling for the wrong prince. She is thrown from the frying pan into the fire when she discovers a coup in the palace—and that she is at the heart of it. Smith crafts an alternate history that is at turns magical and violent, where a magic wish nearly always ruins its receiver. The five competitors are offered brief point-of-view scenes, highlighting the nuances in their characters and fleshing out ever-rising stakes. Main protagonists are white, with diversity in race and sexual orientation among the secondary cast. VERDICT A deliciously heart-wrenching romantasy.—Emmy Neal
Narrator Emily Mount mesmerizes listeners in this captivating fantasy-romance. England is ruled by an immortal fae queen who graciously grants each citizen one bargain. This year, the high-society girls are encouraged to bargain for qualities that will land them suitors. When Ivy Benton's debut season arrives, she plans to win the heart of the fae queen's son. Mount's ethereal voice seamlessly delivers an expressive performance showcasing Ivy's grace, longing, and determination. Shiromi Arserio's enchanting voice captures the additional high-society ladies' points of view, while James Meunier's concerned tone matches Emmett's desperation and love for Ivy. Listeners will enjoy getting lost in this magical romantasy. J.J.M. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine
★ 2024-11-09
Ivy expected a quiet unmarried life, but now her family’s fate rests on her ability to find a husband.
Living under the reign of Queen Moryen, an immortal faerie from the Otherworld, 18-year-old Ivy Benton, the second daughter of the Marquess of Townshend, is tasked with repairing her family’s reputation following the disastrous scandal of her sister Lydia’s disappearance. It’s the start of the 1848 season in London, and the new debutantes are being presented to the queen. They’ll make Rose Bargains, trading something they value—a memory, a body part—in exchange for an attribute that will make them “beautiful, fragile, sweet—perfect English roses” who will capture a suitor’s heart. But this season is different: Queen Mor announces that her son, charming Prince Bram, will choose a wife. Any girl may attempt to win Bram over, but those he rejects may never marry another. Ivy, who has “porcelain skin” and “blond curls,” decides to compete for the prince’s hand—but the mysterious Prince Emmett, the human son of Queen Mor’s husband, surprises her by proposing an unexpected plan that would forever upend London’s system of power. Sections from the perspectives of other girls competing for Bram’s hand provide alternate views of the competition and contribute diverse feminist viewpoints. This fast-paced romantasy with a sudden cliffhanger ending has a depth that sets the stage for a wild series to come.
Familial duty unfolds into an exploration of desires and self-sacrifice in this promising series opener.(Fantasy. 14-adult)
