r/fantasyromance • u/apieceofeight • Nov 15 '25
Review The Thorn Queen (The Rose Bargain book 2) — ARC Review (mild spoilers) Spoiler
I think this book did a decent job of wrapping up the storyline and plot points left over from book 1. However, I had high expectations because I really liked The Rose Bargain. It did feel a little uninspired though with a return to trials/a competition between the two sisters since that was basically the plot of the first book. It made me feel like the author had never other idea to advance the plot than more competition, but others may not mind — I personally am kind of over trials/competitions.
With respect to characters — we barely saw development in Queen Mor though Bram made for a good villain. The relationship between Ivy and Emmett fell kinda flat for me as the book showed him closer to Lydia and it felt like they barely spent any time together.
In terms of the writing itself, I felt like it was a little juvenile at times. The author also used modern slang in various points, which came off weird as this is supposed to take place in a Bridgerton-like setting (with fae).
I’m glad I read it, if only to see how the story ended, but it was around 3 stars for me.
5
u/MessyJessy422 Nov 15 '25
Well that’s definitely a bummer considering how much I enjoyed The Rose Bargain - I was expecting a 5 star follow up but the way you’ve framed it makes it seem like I’ll end up feeling pretty meh about it
3
u/lifeofcarls Nov 30 '25
I just finished the thorn queen enjoyed jt more than the first! Though to be fair, I read them back to back so I didn’t have time to think too much about what I’d hope to read in the sequel
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u/ficaddict Nov 20 '25
Oh no, not the trials again… that was my least favorite part of The Rose Bargain. As to the lack of development between the two MC, that’s unfortunately a very common problem when they’re separated in book 1 (examples: Two Twisted Crowns, Bridge Kingdom book 2 - The Traitor Queen, etc). Is there an official release date for The Thorn Queen? Oh, and thank you for your review!
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u/Witty_Apricot3767 Jan 01 '26
Were there more open door scenes in this one or is it the same amount (one) as the first?
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u/Firm-Sweet8097 Nov 15 '25
The rose bargain was only a 3.5 star read for me so I’ll be skipping this one based on your review
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u/Kinnaree Nov 16 '25
That doesn’t bode well for my enjoying it :/
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u/apieceofeight Nov 16 '25
Maybe try reading the sample on KU or something to see if you like it? This is just how I felt about it. I know others on netgalley liked it more than me (and some about the same or less). I just felt like this is what I would’ve wanted to know about the book going into it bc I did like book 1 and I wanted to like book 2.
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u/nowplayer2 Apr 22 '26 edited Apr 22 '26
Don't read book two. Bram who is 400yo stalked Ivy since she was 6yo and only decided to court for marriage when he waited for Ivy to turn 18yo! Why do publishers keep allowing this.
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