Immortal Rose by Alexandra Bracken
Alexandra Bracken returns to the fantasy genre, this time with a stunning adult debut.
Immortal Rose is the breathtaking first installment in an all-new adult fantasy duology from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lore, and to say that I loved this book is an understatement.
In Immortal Rose, Bracken delivers a heartpounding tale set in a Regency-inspired world, filled to the brim with magic, banter, found family, slow-burn romance, political scheming, and plenty of plot twists.
Viola Lockwood is the last living member of the house of Rosebourne, an ancient family born with the gifts of fairy magic from their ancestors. That magic allows them the ability to infuse perfumes with all manner of magic, from deadly poisons to truth-telling fragrances and beauty-enhancing blends. Unfortunately, Viola’s existence until now has been a secret, her and her mother disinherited by her grandfather and removed from the family legacy.
When the kingdom of Albion falls into grave danger, Viola is found by Hugh Thornton, Earl of Foxcourt and haughty aristocrat and spymaster. Forced to comply with his plans after he has her thrown into Fairgate prison, Viola finds herself begrudgingly working with the Earl to craft Immortal Rose, the only perfume able to save Albion — and in doing so, it will earn Viola the life, title, and fortune she so craves.
Immediately at odds, Viola and Hugh clash at every turn, each determined to complete the task ahead their way, and yet as the growing shadows in the kingdom close in on every side, they can’t help but recognize the growing attraction between them. Each is hiding painful and powerful secrets, each afraid to be truly seen by the other, and yet they must let each other in in order to live to see this through.
A Slow-Burn Romance Worth the Yearning
Immortal Rose is the slow-burn romantasy novel I’ve been needing. Bracken’s writing style is both sophisticated and grounded, layering a gorgeous magic system and detailed world-building against a cast of characters that you’re sure to fall in love with. Hugh and Viola are an exhilarating duo — their banter, their chemistry, their teetering on the edge of the cliff as we wait for them to plummet into the inevitable passion stirring between them. The yearning? The recognition of each other’s pain? These are two characters who learn to truly see one another, with all their darkness, with all their past, and still dive in with both feet.
The supporting cast is equally as delightful, from Hugh’s household to Viola’s friends. The found family that has been built inside the walls of Foxcourt’s estate will absolutely touch your heart, and with each reveal, it only endears you more to the bonds that these characters have developed.
Magic and an Epic Cliff-Hanger
Through it all, Bracken expertly intermingles political machinations, blackmail, and dark dealings, fleshing out a plot that will have you on the edge of your seat until the final pages, which, to my utter joy and heartbreak, hit us with an incredibly epic cliff-hanger. The suspense, the twists and turns — Immortal Rose hits every note just right, from the top notes to the base and heart notes and everything in between.
If you love a book filled with stellar plot twists, breathtaking perfume-based magic, a gorgeous Regency-inspired world, a powerful female lead and an equally stunning male counterpart, slow-burn romance and found family, then Immortal Rose is for you!
About Alexandra Bracken:
Alexandra Bracken was born in Phoenix, Arizona. The daughter of a Star Wars collector, she grew up going to an endless string of Star Wars conventions and toy fairs, which helped spark her imagination and a deep love of reading. After graduating high school, she attended The College of William & Mary in Virginia, where she double majored in English and History. She sold her first book, Brightly Woven, as a senior in college, and later moved to New York City to work in children’s book publishing, first as an editorial assistant, then in marketing. After six years, she took the plunge and decided to write full time. She now lives in Arizona with her tiny pup, Tennyson, in a house that’s constantly overflowing with books.
Alex is a #1 New York Times, USA TODAY, and internationally bestselling author. Her work has been adapted for feature film and is available across the world in over 20 languages.
