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Death's Rose
Petals wilt. Thorns bleed.
In marrying the prince, Elvira would fulfill the last and only duty owed to her late mother. This season marks her debut into society, and she is determined to triumph in winning the prince's heart.
But such a dream proves to be far-fetched when she has always been overshadowed by her charming sister, who commands the attention of every chamber she strides into, leaving Elvira to trail behind as the ghost of her brilliance.
When the debut ball goes terribly, she realizes she has no choice but to seek other ways to secure her goals. In her desperation, Elvira makes a bargain with a cursed man who claims to be trapped within the walls of a library, a wilting rose counting his days.
She breaks his curse; he helps her marry the prince.
But the more time Elvira spends with the caustic, mysterious man, the more she realizes how perilous his secrets may be . . . and that she
might have more to do with his past than she thought.
Worse still, she slowly begins questioning her own desires — are they objects of her passion or merely duty weighing down on her?
How far is Elvira willing to go for a dream that perhaps
never belonged to her?
In marrying the prince, Elvira would fulfill the last and only duty owed to her late mother. This season marks her debut into society, and she is determined to triumph in winning the prince's heart.
But such a dream proves to be far-fetched when she has always been overshadowed by her charming sister, who commands the attention of every chamber she strides into, leaving Elvira to trail behind as the ghost of her brilliance.
When the debut ball goes terribly, she realizes she has no choice but to seek other ways to secure her goals. In her desperation, Elvira makes a bargain with a cursed man who claims to be trapped within the walls of a library, a wilting rose counting his days.
She breaks his curse; he helps her marry the prince.
But the more time Elvira spends with the caustic, mysterious man, the more she realizes how perilous his secrets may be . . . and that she
might have more to do with his past than she thought.
Worse still, she slowly begins questioning her own desires — are they objects of her passion or merely duty weighing down on her?
How far is Elvira willing to go for a dream that perhaps
never belonged to her?
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 25, 2025
Someone give my girl Elvira a backbone or something
first of all, i’m thanking my girl Raya for letting me beta read before anyone else 😈😈😈😈😈 second of all Raya you are not my girl anymore. i hate you.
this book feels like i’m back in the ouabh universe but it’s somehow better? the whole world building was out of this world. the whole concept was so amazingly executed that i keep finding myself at a loss for words but since i am the first reviewer let me try to give this book some justice.
My girl Elvira finds herself debuting and then bam she’s making a deal with the devil ( not the devil just Caius but they’re like the same thing) and WOAH HER WHOLE WORLD GETS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN?????? So many quests , so many unanswered questions, so much tension and so many unravelled secrets.
The main male protagonist Caius is like Jacks from ouabh but even more moody and insufferable (i said what i said , i wanted to throttle that man) but he’s also so interesting and so hot xx
okay i am genuinely at a loss for words i am so perplexed by this book because genuinely it ended on a cliffhanger and im so furious. and i also need this book to skyrocket in popularity in booktok or bookstagram or whenever BECAUSE IT WAS GENUINELY SO GOOD I NEED EVERYONE TO READ IT WHEN IT COMES OUT!!!
first of all, i’m thanking my girl Raya for letting me beta read before anyone else 😈😈😈😈😈 second of all Raya you are not my girl anymore. i hate you.
this book feels like i’m back in the ouabh universe but it’s somehow better? the whole world building was out of this world. the whole concept was so amazingly executed that i keep finding myself at a loss for words but since i am the first reviewer let me try to give this book some justice.
My girl Elvira finds herself debuting and then bam she’s making a deal with the devil ( not the devil just Caius but they’re like the same thing) and WOAH HER WHOLE WORLD GETS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN?????? So many quests , so many unanswered questions, so much tension and so many unravelled secrets.
The main male protagonist Caius is like Jacks from ouabh but even more moody and insufferable (i said what i said , i wanted to throttle that man) but he’s also so interesting and so hot xx
okay i am genuinely at a loss for words i am so perplexed by this book because genuinely it ended on a cliffhanger and im so furious. and i also need this book to skyrocket in popularity in booktok or bookstagram or whenever BECAUSE IT WAS GENUINELY SO GOOD I NEED EVERYONE TO READ IT WHEN IT COMES OUT!!!
May 5, 2026
3.75⭐️
This was an Arc read and it was SO fun and magical and whimsical. I did not see the end coming so I am excited for the next book to continue the story! The time period was one of my favorite parts about the book!! The only thing I had trouble with sometimes was the dialogue, at times it felt disconnected/ incomplete but overall it didn’t take away from the story much.
This was an Arc read and it was SO fun and magical and whimsical. I did not see the end coming so I am excited for the next book to continue the story! The time period was one of my favorite parts about the book!! The only thing I had trouble with sometimes was the dialogue, at times it felt disconnected/ incomplete but overall it didn’t take away from the story much.
December 23, 2025
Raya, thank you so much for this BETA copy! I'm honored to be a part of it 💕
"She'll help him break his curse. He'll help her marry the prince. That's the bargain."
Oh My Gosh, I loved it, I absolutely loved this story!
Death's Rose is an enchanting, magical, and dark story that will truly mesmerize you 🖤 Think of it as Bridgerton meets Beauty and the Beast, plus Once Upon a Broken Heart, with a twist of the Grimm Brothers’ eerie tales 💀 It was an amazing read, I honestly couldn’t put it down and was hooked from the very beginning.
With royalty, dazzling balls and masquerades, a unique magic system, chilling challenges, and a uncertain path toward marriage, you’ll find yourself immersed in this bewitching yet disturbingly magical world.
Written in third person POV, we follow Elvira’s story, the lesser of the Thorn twin sisters (her words, not mine!). She’s tired of being the invisible twin, but there’s nothing she can do to outshine her sister. This love-hate-envy dynamic is devastating, yet so relatable. I loved her character, how she strives to be better, fulfill her duties, and find happiness, even as she slowly loses herself in the process.
Then we meet Caius, the mysterious cursed knight who despises her from the moment they meet but desperately needs her help to break his curse. And so, their epic, unsettling journey begins. But as you might expect, this won’t be an easy task. And as the end draws near, Elvira will have to decide what she truly wants.
I enjoyed everything! The aristocratic hierarchy, the world building, the pacing, the plotline, and the twists. R.I. is an amazing fantasy author! The ending was spectacular, and I’ll be waiting anxiously for the next book 💫📚
These are the amazing tropes:
✨Dark Fantasy Tale
🍃Unique Magic System
🥀Debutante Rivalry
🗡️Curses & Secrets
👑Royalty & Balls
💫Gods & Goddesses
🔥Forced Proximity
🖤Hidden Identity
☠️Chilling Challenges
"She'll help him break his curse. He'll help her marry the prince. That's the bargain."
Oh My Gosh, I loved it, I absolutely loved this story!
Death's Rose is an enchanting, magical, and dark story that will truly mesmerize you 🖤 Think of it as Bridgerton meets Beauty and the Beast, plus Once Upon a Broken Heart, with a twist of the Grimm Brothers’ eerie tales 💀 It was an amazing read, I honestly couldn’t put it down and was hooked from the very beginning.
With royalty, dazzling balls and masquerades, a unique magic system, chilling challenges, and a uncertain path toward marriage, you’ll find yourself immersed in this bewitching yet disturbingly magical world.
Written in third person POV, we follow Elvira’s story, the lesser of the Thorn twin sisters (her words, not mine!). She’s tired of being the invisible twin, but there’s nothing she can do to outshine her sister. This love-hate-envy dynamic is devastating, yet so relatable. I loved her character, how she strives to be better, fulfill her duties, and find happiness, even as she slowly loses herself in the process.
Then we meet Caius, the mysterious cursed knight who despises her from the moment they meet but desperately needs her help to break his curse. And so, their epic, unsettling journey begins. But as you might expect, this won’t be an easy task. And as the end draws near, Elvira will have to decide what she truly wants.
I enjoyed everything! The aristocratic hierarchy, the world building, the pacing, the plotline, and the twists. R.I. is an amazing fantasy author! The ending was spectacular, and I’ll be waiting anxiously for the next book 💫📚
These are the amazing tropes:
✨Dark Fantasy Tale
🍃Unique Magic System
🥀Debutante Rivalry
🗡️Curses & Secrets
👑Royalty & Balls
💫Gods & Goddesses
🔥Forced Proximity
🖤Hidden Identity
☠️Chilling Challenges
December 29, 2025
In short, Death’s Rose is a mash up of pretty much everything I love in a book. The FMC, Elvira, is deeply relatable to me (she spends a lot of this book struggling with being overlooked by everyone around her), the MMC, Caius, made me swoon multiple times and is also wonderfully grumpy and morally grey, the banter is bantering, the setting mixes regency era courts with fantastical fairy tale settings, and the plot feels like an epic quest with riddles and clues and curses.
It’s a slow burn with the most torturous of tension and there is so much character growth happening across the board from the main characters to the side characters who are just as delightful and endearing as Elvira and Caius. You know it’s a good book when you’re just as emotionally attached and invested in the story of a random side character who hasn’t even been particularly nice for most of the book.
I had such an amazing time reading this book and am very much so looking forward to seeing where these characters’ stories take them. Plus the ending? Torturous, and rude, and incredible because I desperately need to know what happens next and how things play out.
It’s a slow burn with the most torturous of tension and there is so much character growth happening across the board from the main characters to the side characters who are just as delightful and endearing as Elvira and Caius. You know it’s a good book when you’re just as emotionally attached and invested in the story of a random side character who hasn’t even been particularly nice for most of the book.
I had such an amazing time reading this book and am very much so looking forward to seeing where these characters’ stories take them. Plus the ending? Torturous, and rude, and incredible because I desperately need to know what happens next and how things play out.
May 3, 2026
Thank you R. I. Aryn for sending me this ARC!
Death’s Rose is the first book in a Romantic Fantasy series and it was such a fascinating story, I enjoyed it a lot and am excited for the next book.
To fulfil her dead mother’s wish, Elvira is willing to do anything to marry the prince. When her social debut doesn’t go according to plan, she makes a bargain with Caius, a mysterious man she meets in a library: she helps him break his curse and he helps her make sure the prince becomes her suitor. But between navigating the ton and the social season’s many balls and completing dangerous magical trials with Caius, she needs to decide what she actually wants and try to ignore her complicated feelings for Caius.
I knew I was going to enjoy this book when I saw the author marketing it as Bridgerton meets OUABH and it was everything I hoped for, I loved these two stories’ and some Beauty and the Beast vibes in this book. The author created a truly fascinating world with interesting magic and I enjoyed discovering its secrets alongside the main characters with many twists along the way. I must admit I didn’t really like Elvira for quite some time because of how childish and naive she seemed to be, but she grew a lot in this book and I enjoyed seeing her character development and am excited to see her again. Caius was a real mystery for most of the book and I had fun with coming up with a lot of theories about him and while I was right about some of it, I was still in shock when things when revealed and they are sure to make the next book even more interesting. There actually wasn’t much romance in this book, but I adore a true slow burn and am excited to see them in the next book, the tension and banter were so great here and I can only imagine how amazing they are going to be together. And I also liked the secondary characters, especially Arden, Caelyn, Darius and Serina and hope we will get more of them in the next book.
Death’s Rose is a really interesting romantasy book, I enjoyed it and recommend it to everyone who likes this kind of stories.
Death’s Rose is the first book in a Romantic Fantasy series and it was such a fascinating story, I enjoyed it a lot and am excited for the next book.
To fulfil her dead mother’s wish, Elvira is willing to do anything to marry the prince. When her social debut doesn’t go according to plan, she makes a bargain with Caius, a mysterious man she meets in a library: she helps him break his curse and he helps her make sure the prince becomes her suitor. But between navigating the ton and the social season’s many balls and completing dangerous magical trials with Caius, she needs to decide what she actually wants and try to ignore her complicated feelings for Caius.
I knew I was going to enjoy this book when I saw the author marketing it as Bridgerton meets OUABH and it was everything I hoped for, I loved these two stories’ and some Beauty and the Beast vibes in this book. The author created a truly fascinating world with interesting magic and I enjoyed discovering its secrets alongside the main characters with many twists along the way. I must admit I didn’t really like Elvira for quite some time because of how childish and naive she seemed to be, but she grew a lot in this book and I enjoyed seeing her character development and am excited to see her again. Caius was a real mystery for most of the book and I had fun with coming up with a lot of theories about him and while I was right about some of it, I was still in shock when things when revealed and they are sure to make the next book even more interesting. There actually wasn’t much romance in this book, but I adore a true slow burn and am excited to see them in the next book, the tension and banter were so great here and I can only imagine how amazing they are going to be together. And I also liked the secondary characters, especially Arden, Caelyn, Darius and Serina and hope we will get more of them in the next book.
Death’s Rose is a really interesting romantasy book, I enjoyed it and recommend it to everyone who likes this kind of stories.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3 ⭐️
I really like the FMC in this book. Her mental journey of learning about herself and what she truly wants was well done and liked that it was the one thing that twinned through every trial in the book. I also really enjoyed the friendship she formed with one of her fellow debs.
With the romance we are looking at a very slow burn. For some reason I hit halfway and thought this would be a series of connected standalones, no. Dare I say as a lover of slow burn that I could have taken a little more movement in the romance. We don't get a huge amount of them really getting to know each other outside of the quests. But the author did nail some tension filled moments.
I did find a couple of issues that impacted my enjoyment though. There’s a series of things that are just too convenient. Like he is cursed to be trapped in the library and yet somehow is constantly outside of the library by way of a loop hole. And the guidebook (but I have a suspicion about that).
Then there's Arden whose presence is never really explained fully and the poor guy is just the world's biggest third wheel. The magic system is also not really explained but I will put that down to us being in Elvira’s head and her not really knowing herself.
The overall plot was fine, it did get confusing at times and then instead of questions being answered we just seemed to be adding them. Like the saints, I assume book 2 will explain that aspect of things more but it was confusing. I found myself wishing the storylines intersected more, the curse and the debutant stuff felt very separate outside of Elvira’s development. I did like the ending though, my jaw actually dropped and I would pick up the next one just to know what happens next.
I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
I really like the FMC in this book. Her mental journey of learning about herself and what she truly wants was well done and liked that it was the one thing that twinned through every trial in the book. I also really enjoyed the friendship she formed with one of her fellow debs.
With the romance we are looking at a very slow burn. For some reason I hit halfway and thought this would be a series of connected standalones, no. Dare I say as a lover of slow burn that I could have taken a little more movement in the romance. We don't get a huge amount of them really getting to know each other outside of the quests. But the author did nail some tension filled moments.
I did find a couple of issues that impacted my enjoyment though. There’s a series of things that are just too convenient. Like he is cursed to be trapped in the library and yet somehow is constantly outside of the library by way of a loop hole. And the guidebook (but I have a suspicion about that).
Then there's Arden whose presence is never really explained fully and the poor guy is just the world's biggest third wheel. The magic system is also not really explained but I will put that down to us being in Elvira’s head and her not really knowing herself.
The overall plot was fine, it did get confusing at times and then instead of questions being answered we just seemed to be adding them. Like the saints, I assume book 2 will explain that aspect of things more but it was confusing. I found myself wishing the storylines intersected more, the curse and the debutant stuff felt very separate outside of Elvira’s development. I did like the ending though, my jaw actually dropped and I would pick up the next one just to know what happens next.
I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
May 2, 2026
A perfect mixture of Bridgeton, The Rose Bargain and Once Upon a Broken Heart!
What a wonderful read! Firstly, the writing in this? How whimsical. It definitely solidified the “fairytale” atmosphere this story has and I enjoyed it. This isn’t my first read from Riar so I knew I was going to love the way this was written but this was just next level!
I really enjoyed the setting of the book, again it’s like I was in the world of Bridgeton but with a fairytale and fantasy twist, it was great. The world building and pacing of the book was perfect, at no point did I feel like something wasn’t explored or touched on enough, literally no stone was left unturned so bravo 👏🏼
I was instantly able to connect with Elvira, she’s intelligent and quite interesting. I found myself wanting her to win, I wanted her to get everything she wanted and more. Her personality really bloomed as the story went on, I felt for her at times, especially in respect of how she feels about her and Aurelia. It tugged on the heart strings. She’s also a little feisty, which I loooove! I’m excited to see how her growth continues.
Caius? Omg. He literally oozes an air of mystery, he’s very hot and cold but this added SO much depth to the dynamic between he and Elvira. Again, his story is equally beautiful and sad. The reveal at the end?! Excuse me, I was not expecting that ONE BIT.
This is a perfectly done YA fantasy! There is depth, courtly intrigue, complex characters and plenty of interesting plot developments throughout. I’m excited to see where this goes because despite the ending being relatively easy to pick up on, I still may have gasped. I’m eager to see how this plays out! Thank you Riar for having me apart of your ARC team!
What a wonderful read! Firstly, the writing in this? How whimsical. It definitely solidified the “fairytale” atmosphere this story has and I enjoyed it. This isn’t my first read from Riar so I knew I was going to love the way this was written but this was just next level!
I really enjoyed the setting of the book, again it’s like I was in the world of Bridgeton but with a fairytale and fantasy twist, it was great. The world building and pacing of the book was perfect, at no point did I feel like something wasn’t explored or touched on enough, literally no stone was left unturned so bravo 👏🏼
I was instantly able to connect with Elvira, she’s intelligent and quite interesting. I found myself wanting her to win, I wanted her to get everything she wanted and more. Her personality really bloomed as the story went on, I felt for her at times, especially in respect of how she feels about her and Aurelia. It tugged on the heart strings. She’s also a little feisty, which I loooove! I’m excited to see how her growth continues.
Caius? Omg. He literally oozes an air of mystery, he’s very hot and cold but this added SO much depth to the dynamic between he and Elvira. Again, his story is equally beautiful and sad. The reveal at the end?! Excuse me, I was not expecting that ONE BIT.
This is a perfectly done YA fantasy! There is depth, courtly intrigue, complex characters and plenty of interesting plot developments throughout. I’m excited to see where this goes because despite the ending being relatively easy to pick up on, I still may have gasped. I’m eager to see how this plays out! Thank you Riar for having me apart of your ARC team!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a story about a girl who has always believed to be stuck in her twin sister's shadow, and to finally step out of it, she'd need to fulfill her late mother's last wish and marry the prince.
Amazingly, while trying to catch his attention, she steps away from her sister and realizes that all she had to do was switch on her own light... ✨
I loved the gothic atmosphere here, but maybe I just need to quit reading fairytales. Death's Rose was much better than OUABH (which in terms of plot and structure was all over the place imho) but I'm still confused about a few things which unfortunately is deeply unsatisfying to me. 😅
However, I really liked Elvira. I get it, as a teen I also wanted to be more like those other girls. Thinking back as an adult my instant reaction is fuck that. Never try being someone you're not just for popularity's sake, it cannot make you truly happy. On her quest to step out of her sister's shadow Elvira steps out of her comfort zone and does impulsive things, even some that might have been deemed improper. But she finds herself, and that's absolutely beautiful and really well done. I love that it helped her stand out of the crowd of debutantes vying for the price's attention. The message here is loud and clear. 💖👏
Caius was a little more frustrating. Yes, some of his behavior made sense in the end, but still. If I'd been in Elvira's stead, I'd have been tempted to pummel him and yelled at him way more than she did. 🙈
Speaking of the end, I really liked it! I suppose it's meant to be a cliffhanger, but leaving a story like this sort of open ended would have worked just fine for me, and is probably the reason why I'll still be thinking about this for a while. 😌
Amazingly, while trying to catch his attention, she steps away from her sister and realizes that all she had to do was switch on her own light... ✨
I loved the gothic atmosphere here, but maybe I just need to quit reading fairytales. Death's Rose was much better than OUABH (which in terms of plot and structure was all over the place imho) but I'm still confused about a few things which unfortunately is deeply unsatisfying to me. 😅
However, I really liked Elvira. I get it, as a teen I also wanted to be more like those other girls. Thinking back as an adult my instant reaction is fuck that. Never try being someone you're not just for popularity's sake, it cannot make you truly happy. On her quest to step out of her sister's shadow Elvira steps out of her comfort zone and does impulsive things, even some that might have been deemed improper. But she finds herself, and that's absolutely beautiful and really well done. I love that it helped her stand out of the crowd of debutantes vying for the price's attention. The message here is loud and clear. 💖👏
Caius was a little more frustrating. Yes, some of his behavior made sense in the end, but still. If I'd been in Elvira's stead, I'd have been tempted to pummel him and yelled at him way more than she did. 🙈
Speaking of the end, I really liked it! I suppose it's meant to be a cliffhanger, but leaving a story like this sort of open ended would have worked just fine for me, and is probably the reason why I'll still be thinking about this for a while. 😌
May 6, 2026
[3.5 ⭐️] Thank you to the author for gifting me this lovely ARC! Death's Rose is a single POV Romantasy novel and is the first in the Raven and Rose Series. It follows Elvira, a socialite who wants nothing more to emerge from the shadow of her twin sister and marry the prince. So much so that she enters into a bargain with the cursed Caius, who seems to loathe everything about her.
This book had so many good things. I loved the writing, the dialogue, the balls and masquerade, the clothing, the court intrigue. I absolutely loved the way the book ended and felt everything Elvira did in those moments. I loved the way Elvira and Caius interacted with each and the underlying yearning between them. But… I spent a lot of the book confused. Caius is cursed to be trapped in the library, but through plot convenience, he can just leave pretty much whenever he wants. The aetheris is never really explained, and neither is Arden. Some of the quests also left me confused because the order of events was weird and I would have to reread sometimes to make sure I actually understood what happened. I also felt that the author did a lot of showing and not telling.
I will definitely be reading the next book in the series because that ending had me and I'm sure the answers to my questions will be there.
3.5 out of 5 stars
0 out of 5 spicy peppers
Memorable line: “Then will I be your Ruin?”
Read this if you like: Romantasy, cliffhanger, deadly curse, fake relationship, forced proximity, hidden identity, royalty falls for commoner magic, quests, Bridgerton and Beauty and the Beast influences
F*ck appears: 0
Spicy chapters: 0
This book had so many good things. I loved the writing, the dialogue, the balls and masquerade, the clothing, the court intrigue. I absolutely loved the way the book ended and felt everything Elvira did in those moments. I loved the way Elvira and Caius interacted with each and the underlying yearning between them. But… I spent a lot of the book confused. Caius is cursed to be trapped in the library, but through plot convenience, he can just leave pretty much whenever he wants. The aetheris is never really explained, and neither is Arden. Some of the quests also left me confused because the order of events was weird and I would have to reread sometimes to make sure I actually understood what happened. I also felt that the author did a lot of showing and not telling.
I will definitely be reading the next book in the series because that ending had me and I'm sure the answers to my questions will be there.
3.5 out of 5 stars
0 out of 5 spicy peppers
Memorable line: “Then will I be your Ruin?”
Read this if you like: Romantasy, cliffhanger, deadly curse, fake relationship, forced proximity, hidden identity, royalty falls for commoner magic, quests, Bridgerton and Beauty and the Beast influences
F*ck appears: 0
Spicy chapters: 0
May 1, 2026
I don’t even know where to start because my soul is still trapped in this regency-fairytale world. Death’s Rose is officially the blueprint for everything i crave in a book. imagine the elegance of Bridgerton mixed with the whimsical, dark magic of Once Upon A Broken Heart... i am actually gone. 🛐🤍
Elvira is such a visceral FMC. watching her struggle with being overlooked while trying to fulfill her duty to her late mother literally broke my heart into pieces. i felt her frustration in every single page. and then there’s Caius... oh my god. he is the ultimate grumpy, morally grey MMC. the banter between them? it was bantering so hard i was legit kicking my legs and giggling like a lunatic. 😭🤎
the plot is like an epic quest filled with riddles, curses, and the most torturous slow burn i have ever experienced. the tension was so thick i could barely breathe. and the way i got emotionally attached to every single side character?? that’s how u know the writing is top tier. 🎞️🥀
AND THAT ENDING?? I AM ACTUALLY UNWELL.
The audacity: Rude.
The feeling: Torturous.
The reality: Absolutely incredible.
I am sitting here with this heavy, exquisite residue on my soul and I honestly don’t know how I’m supposed to wait for the next book. I need answers. I need them now. 🎞️🩸
honestly, if u want a story that feels like a beautiful, cursed dream, YOU NEED TO ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR. a huge thank you to the author for this masterpiece. i’ll be thinking about Elvira and Caius forever. 🫂🥀
Elvira is such a visceral FMC. watching her struggle with being overlooked while trying to fulfill her duty to her late mother literally broke my heart into pieces. i felt her frustration in every single page. and then there’s Caius... oh my god. he is the ultimate grumpy, morally grey MMC. the banter between them? it was bantering so hard i was legit kicking my legs and giggling like a lunatic. 😭🤎
the plot is like an epic quest filled with riddles, curses, and the most torturous slow burn i have ever experienced. the tension was so thick i could barely breathe. and the way i got emotionally attached to every single side character?? that’s how u know the writing is top tier. 🎞️🥀
AND THAT ENDING?? I AM ACTUALLY UNWELL.
The audacity: Rude.
The feeling: Torturous.
The reality: Absolutely incredible.
I am sitting here with this heavy, exquisite residue on my soul and I honestly don’t know how I’m supposed to wait for the next book. I need answers. I need them now. 🎞️🩸
honestly, if u want a story that feels like a beautiful, cursed dream, YOU NEED TO ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR. a huge thank you to the author for this masterpiece. i’ll be thinking about Elvira and Caius forever. 🫂🥀
May 7, 2026
I genuinely had no idea where this book was going - in the best way! I absolutely loved the fairytale references and this book also felt like a puzzle I was trying to solve.
Our FMC, Elvira, has been overlooked her entire life and lives in the shadow of her perfect twin sister. Her mother makes Elvira promise, on her deathbed, that Elvira would marry a prince, and Elvira carries that promise with her every day. She meets our MMC, Caius, after a disastrous debut in society. She agrees to help Caius break the magical curse he's under in exchange for help to marry the prince.
Elvira is so unsure of herself. She truly believes her sister is better than her and she lives as a wallflower. Caius really helps her believe in herself more and helps give her that confidence to not be afraid to stand out. Caius is so deliciously grumpy and mean. He's been trapped in the library for 2 years waiting for Elvira to make this deal with him, and to break the curse they must work together to find Arcana cards. These cards are hidden in magical trials that they must complete. These trials also have some fairytale elements and we learn a lot more about the history of Caius and where he came from.
This is definitely a slow burn (which I LOVE), but then had so much tension. And I did not see what was coming at the end! I would recommend this book to someone who enjoys whimsy, a true slow burn romance, and a good mystery.
Tropes:
Trials/Quests
Regency Romantasy
Enemies to... lovers?
Forced Proximity
Our FMC, Elvira, has been overlooked her entire life and lives in the shadow of her perfect twin sister. Her mother makes Elvira promise, on her deathbed, that Elvira would marry a prince, and Elvira carries that promise with her every day. She meets our MMC, Caius, after a disastrous debut in society. She agrees to help Caius break the magical curse he's under in exchange for help to marry the prince.
Elvira is so unsure of herself. She truly believes her sister is better than her and she lives as a wallflower. Caius really helps her believe in herself more and helps give her that confidence to not be afraid to stand out. Caius is so deliciously grumpy and mean. He's been trapped in the library for 2 years waiting for Elvira to make this deal with him, and to break the curse they must work together to find Arcana cards. These cards are hidden in magical trials that they must complete. These trials also have some fairytale elements and we learn a lot more about the history of Caius and where he came from.
This is definitely a slow burn (which I LOVE), but then had so much tension. And I did not see what was coming at the end! I would recommend this book to someone who enjoys whimsy, a true slow burn romance, and a good mystery.
Tropes:
Trials/Quests
Regency Romantasy
Enemies to... lovers?
Forced Proximity
April 19, 2026
Quote: “All over again, she felt like a phantom amongst a world that had no place for her.”
Death’s Rose follows Elvira who is one of the Thorn twins - she describes herself as a wallflower and constantly being overlooked due to her twin sister. This dynamic was full of love, jealousy and loathing at times. It did grate on me a little bit, it made me dislike Elvira at times as I found her self-pity a bit too overwhelming and boring.
After a miserable start at the debut ball, Elvira hides away in her favourite library only to discover a mysterious man - Caius. He hates her immediately and the reasons unclear at first.
Caius bargains with Elvira to help him break a magical curse in exchange for helping her capture the attention of the prince and other suitors. So, they set out on a quest to find the Arcana cards to begin unravelling the mystery that surrounds the Saints and both Caius and Elvira’s involvement in it all.
I’d describe this story as a mix of Bridgerton vibes with Beauty and the Beast, with a darker and eerie edge. It’s filled with royalty, lavish balls, and masquerades, alongside a really interesting magic system.
I’m giving this 3.5 stars because I found the dialog a little robotic at times. The book does a lot of telling rather than showing but regardless, this is a strong story and I will definitely read the next book to see how this story concludes!
Death’s Rose follows Elvira who is one of the Thorn twins - she describes herself as a wallflower and constantly being overlooked due to her twin sister. This dynamic was full of love, jealousy and loathing at times. It did grate on me a little bit, it made me dislike Elvira at times as I found her self-pity a bit too overwhelming and boring.
After a miserable start at the debut ball, Elvira hides away in her favourite library only to discover a mysterious man - Caius. He hates her immediately and the reasons unclear at first.
Caius bargains with Elvira to help him break a magical curse in exchange for helping her capture the attention of the prince and other suitors. So, they set out on a quest to find the Arcana cards to begin unravelling the mystery that surrounds the Saints and both Caius and Elvira’s involvement in it all.
I’d describe this story as a mix of Bridgerton vibes with Beauty and the Beast, with a darker and eerie edge. It’s filled with royalty, lavish balls, and masquerades, alongside a really interesting magic system.
I’m giving this 3.5 stars because I found the dialog a little robotic at times. The book does a lot of telling rather than showing but regardless, this is a strong story and I will definitely read the next book to see how this story concludes!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a fun read! I know this book hasn't technically been published yet, but can I have book two now? After all that, I need to know what happens next!
Death's Rose definitely gives major Beauty and the Beast vibes. An enchanted rose. A beautiful (and grumpy) beast of a man with curious two toned eyes and a magic that cannot be tamed. A bookish wallflower of a girl with a dream and the power to break the curse. And yet, it's still entirely its own story.
There was a lot to like about this first installment. Elvira, the FMC, starts out as someone who more comfortable in the company of a good book than alongside the nobility. Easily, she gets lost in the crowd. Little by little, as the story progresses, Elvira comes out of her shell. I really enjoyed this progression, mostly because it's her constant bickering and banter with Caius - the MMC - that gives her the confidence to step out of the shadows. I was absolutely living for every interaction between the two of them!
There were a few plot holes that left me with questions (Caius spends way too much time out of the library for someone cursed to be trapped INSIDE the library), but overall I really did enjoy the book. Hopefully book two answers some of my questions.
Thank you to the author for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.
Death's Rose definitely gives major Beauty and the Beast vibes. An enchanted rose. A beautiful (and grumpy) beast of a man with curious two toned eyes and a magic that cannot be tamed. A bookish wallflower of a girl with a dream and the power to break the curse. And yet, it's still entirely its own story.
There was a lot to like about this first installment. Elvira, the FMC, starts out as someone who more comfortable in the company of a good book than alongside the nobility. Easily, she gets lost in the crowd. Little by little, as the story progresses, Elvira comes out of her shell. I really enjoyed this progression, mostly because it's her constant bickering and banter with Caius - the MMC - that gives her the confidence to step out of the shadows. I was absolutely living for every interaction between the two of them!
There were a few plot holes that left me with questions (Caius spends way too much time out of the library for someone cursed to be trapped INSIDE the library), but overall I really did enjoy the book. Hopefully book two answers some of my questions.
Thank you to the author for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.
May 2, 2026
Thank you @riarynauthor for the ARC! It took me some time to really get into the story (it was a little confusing at times) but once I reached 65% I couldn't put it down! It was full of magic, swoon, and twists!
Elvira's debut in the Season is imminent. Only, her twin sister is better at everything. But Elvira promised her dying mother that she'd marry the prince. And that's all she sets her mind to do. And she goes all the way to bond herself in a magical blood bargain to a stranger in exchange for help to secure the prince's hand. Her end of the deal? Help him find five Arcana cards to break his curse. Each quest will take them to a new enchanted realm. And all before the last three petals of his rose fall, or he's stuck in his curse. Will they have enough time?
Favorite quotes out of context:
🥀 "Because of part of this curse is meant to torment us if we ever fall in love."
🌹 "Comfortable? If you're going to sit on me, at least pretend you hate it."
🥀 "Because that is what happens when you burn with so much hatred, the flames turns into a loathing desire!"
Tropes include: 🥀 Romantasy 🐦 Third person, past tense 🥀 Enemies to... bargain-bonded 🐦 Touch her and 💀 🥀 Breaking curses 🐦 Bridgerton x OUABH x Beauty and the Beast 🥀 Quests for Magical Cards 🐦 Slowest of slow burns 👀
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨ / Spice: 🍭
Elvira's debut in the Season is imminent. Only, her twin sister is better at everything. But Elvira promised her dying mother that she'd marry the prince. And that's all she sets her mind to do. And she goes all the way to bond herself in a magical blood bargain to a stranger in exchange for help to secure the prince's hand. Her end of the deal? Help him find five Arcana cards to break his curse. Each quest will take them to a new enchanted realm. And all before the last three petals of his rose fall, or he's stuck in his curse. Will they have enough time?
Favorite quotes out of context:
🥀 "Because of part of this curse is meant to torment us if we ever fall in love."
🌹 "Comfortable? If you're going to sit on me, at least pretend you hate it."
🥀 "Because that is what happens when you burn with so much hatred, the flames turns into a loathing desire!"
Tropes include: 🥀 Romantasy 🐦 Third person, past tense 🥀 Enemies to... bargain-bonded 🐦 Touch her and 💀 🥀 Breaking curses 🐦 Bridgerton x OUABH x Beauty and the Beast 🥀 Quests for Magical Cards 🐦 Slowest of slow burns 👀
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨ / Spice: 🍭
April 20, 2026
Thank you to the author for this eARC!
This one completely pulled me in from the start....dark, magical, and lowkey addictive in a way that made it hard to put down. The atmosphere alone had me hooked, with that slightly eerie, fairytale feel that lingers the whole time and keeps you turning pages.
The world building is honestly stunning. It takes familiar fairytale elements and blends them together so seamlessly, but still manages to feel fresh and unique instead of predictable. I loved how it leaned into those classic vibes while twisting them into something darker and more haunting, it felt both nostalgic and new at the same time.
The characters and their dynamics really added to the story for me, especially with the emotional tension woven throughout. There’s this underlying sense of danger and curiosity that keeps building, and I found myself completely invested in where everything was going.
Overall, this was such an enchanting, beautifully written read that balances magic and darkness so well. If you love fairytale-inspired stories with a darker edge and immersive world building, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
This one completely pulled me in from the start....dark, magical, and lowkey addictive in a way that made it hard to put down. The atmosphere alone had me hooked, with that slightly eerie, fairytale feel that lingers the whole time and keeps you turning pages.
The world building is honestly stunning. It takes familiar fairytale elements and blends them together so seamlessly, but still manages to feel fresh and unique instead of predictable. I loved how it leaned into those classic vibes while twisting them into something darker and more haunting, it felt both nostalgic and new at the same time.
The characters and their dynamics really added to the story for me, especially with the emotional tension woven throughout. There’s this underlying sense of danger and curiosity that keeps building, and I found myself completely invested in where everything was going.
Overall, this was such an enchanting, beautifully written read that balances magic and darkness so well. If you love fairytale-inspired stories with a darker edge and immersive world building, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
April 29, 2026
This book was such a fantastic surprise! I was drawn in by the sharp, playful banter, and the constant undercurrent of tension between Elvira and Caius. There’s a richness and grandeur to the world that leans heavily into fairy tale conventions, but it's written so it's completely believable and whimsical.
One of my favorite aspects was how the metaphors are tied to Elvira’s perspective, especially through the conventions of painting. The imagery helps to place you even further into the story.
The story is packed with secrets, and even in the last pages you're still getting epic reveals. There’s also a really fun contrast between the magical, fairy tale elements, and the social world of debutante gossip, courtship rules, and frivolity. Its such a contrast between life and death heists and riddles and descriptions of the latest ball Elvira is attending that you're stuck in the edge of your seat suggesting what happens next.
One of my favorite aspects was how the metaphors are tied to Elvira’s perspective, especially through the conventions of painting. The imagery helps to place you even further into the story.
The story is packed with secrets, and even in the last pages you're still getting epic reveals. There’s also a really fun contrast between the magical, fairy tale elements, and the social world of debutante gossip, courtship rules, and frivolity. Its such a contrast between life and death heists and riddles and descriptions of the latest ball Elvira is attending that you're stuck in the edge of your seat suggesting what happens next.
April 26, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Thank you for a copy for a review. What first got my interest was the cover. The artwork is stunning!
I overall loved the brigerton vibes mixed with beauty and the beast. The time period in general I’m a fan of. I loved how the FMC clothing was described. They all sound so beautiful. I liked the little stories after each chapter. I enjoyed the main story of the FMC trying to get the prince’s attention, all the ball’s and side characters even the MMCs friend I thought was a well made character. The story was really interesting, but I started getting lost during the quests to find the cards. All the added fairy tales in the story were confusing to me and felt like it didn’t mix well with the overall plot. I felt like there could’ve been more to show/world building in the overall story and less telling.
Thank you for a copy for a review. What first got my interest was the cover. The artwork is stunning!
I overall loved the brigerton vibes mixed with beauty and the beast. The time period in general I’m a fan of. I loved how the FMC clothing was described. They all sound so beautiful. I liked the little stories after each chapter. I enjoyed the main story of the FMC trying to get the prince’s attention, all the ball’s and side characters even the MMCs friend I thought was a well made character. The story was really interesting, but I started getting lost during the quests to find the cards. All the added fairy tales in the story were confusing to me and felt like it didn’t mix well with the overall plot. I felt like there could’ve been more to show/world building in the overall story and less telling.
April 17, 2026
WOW! I loved this! This was such a good combination of books I love and a unique story/plot. The character development and chemistry were off the charts. The quests/trials were so interesting and were fairytale-inspired, which I loved. I also loved the self-love and different kinds of love woven throughout this book. I genuinely have a different perspective on love and the importance of self-love from this book. The cliffhanger was insane, and I need the next book asap. If you love Once Upon a Broken Heart, fairytales (like Beauty and the Beast), and The Rose Bargain, then you will love this book! Thank you so much to R.I. Aryn for the ARC!
April 23, 2026
Absolutely crashing out over this book.
Think a Beauty and the Beast retelling but make it regency. And then make our characters perform trials that go into other fairy tales. While the main story line is also its own fairy tale.
This book (and world) was so unique. Our characters are so endearing, even if they are stubborn and unsure. The adventure they go through together was nothing less than magical!
The writing style kept me engaged, I didn't want to do anything else other than read this book. The story was always moving, everything in here is important!
I'm definitely recommending this book.
Overall: highly recommend
Spice: no spice
Think a Beauty and the Beast retelling but make it regency. And then make our characters perform trials that go into other fairy tales. While the main story line is also its own fairy tale.
This book (and world) was so unique. Our characters are so endearing, even if they are stubborn and unsure. The adventure they go through together was nothing less than magical!
The writing style kept me engaged, I didn't want to do anything else other than read this book. The story was always moving, everything in here is important!
I'm definitely recommending this book.
Overall: highly recommend
Spice: no spice
April 28, 2026
Death's Rose by R.I. Aryn is a book that makes you bleed.
Boy oh boy, this book was crazy. The layers, the mysteries, the writing, was amazing. This book was fast paced and it kept me turning the pages. A mysterious man being trapped in a curse, and a woman who who was unknowingly dragged along.
The confidence of Elvira is nonexisistent and sometimes the arguments between her and Caius were a bit slow, but everything made sense in the end and that cliff hanger. Oh lordie meeeeee, I want the next book yesterday!
If you want a beautiful book full of curses, mysteries, and a morally grey MMC this is the one for you.
Thank you R.I. Aryn for the free book.
Boy oh boy, this book was crazy. The layers, the mysteries, the writing, was amazing. This book was fast paced and it kept me turning the pages. A mysterious man being trapped in a curse, and a woman who who was unknowingly dragged along.
The confidence of Elvira is nonexisistent and sometimes the arguments between her and Caius were a bit slow, but everything made sense in the end and that cliff hanger. Oh lordie meeeeee, I want the next book yesterday!
If you want a beautiful book full of curses, mysteries, and a morally grey MMC this is the one for you.
Thank you R.I. Aryn for the free book.
May 6, 2026
I’m sorry but what was that end??!!
Like a perfect read, one of the best I’ve read in some time and just amazing.
If you want to get into the Romantasy genre I would recommend starting with this.
Beautifully written, and an amazing mix of different worlds.
At no point in this book could you tell what was going to happen next.
And Elvira is impeccably created, you can relate to her (and especially the way she hides in books).
Her character arc, how acquiring confidence makes her a different person completely and how she learns to embrace herself is beautiful!
Spectacular read 5/5 would recommend!
Like a perfect read, one of the best I’ve read in some time and just amazing.
If you want to get into the Romantasy genre I would recommend starting with this.
Beautifully written, and an amazing mix of different worlds.
At no point in this book could you tell what was going to happen next.
And Elvira is impeccably created, you can relate to her (and especially the way she hides in books).
Her character arc, how acquiring confidence makes her a different person completely and how she learns to embrace herself is beautiful!
Spectacular read 5/5 would recommend!
May 12, 2026
You know when you read a series and book 1 feels like it’s laying all the groundwork so book 2 can really shine? That’s how this book felt for me. It wasn’t my favourite, but I have a feeling book 2 will be much stronger.
Some parts felt confusing, and I found myself enjoying the ballroom and courtship scenes way more than the fairytale-style quests. The quests just didn’t fully pull me in since they felt more like retellings than original adventures, but that’s just my preference.
Caius drove me crazy at times with how secretive he was, but by the end it actually made sense why. Elvira still has a lot of growing to do, and I’m hoping we really get to see that development in book 2.
Some parts felt confusing, and I found myself enjoying the ballroom and courtship scenes way more than the fairytale-style quests. The quests just didn’t fully pull me in since they felt more like retellings than original adventures, but that’s just my preference.
Caius drove me crazy at times with how secretive he was, but by the end it actually made sense why. Elvira still has a lot of growing to do, and I’m hoping we really get to see that development in book 2.
April 22, 2026
The story creates longing and a quiet bitterness. It follows Elvira where she is pursuing the prince out of obligation but makes a bargain with the cursed man in the library. Elvira's story stands out because of internal conflict where she tries to find out if she is following her own dream or someone else's dream.
May 13, 2026
In “Death’s Rose” you will find political drama, royalty, gossip, mystery, immortals, fantastical quests and deals made in secret. I was intrigued from the first page and even now at the end find myself awaiting the next book because I cannot fathom what is going on! The author has outdone herself with this one. Bravo!
April 22, 2026
Genuinely I dont even know where to start. The banter, the whole plot, and that CRAZY CLIFFHANGER left me speechless when I finished it.
Caius and Elvira have quickly become one of my FAVORITE bookish ships, and RI im SO excited for book 2!!!
Caius and Elvira have quickly become one of my FAVORITE bookish ships, and RI im SO excited for book 2!!!
May 1, 2026
Such an amazing read!! The plot twists left me shook, caius is a prince and he is the cause of the sickness that killed Elvira’s mom??? And why is Elvira so important to break the curse set by her ancestor??? Can’t wait for book two
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2026
my rating: ✦✦✦✦✦ — 4.15 stars
–✧–
–✧–
i had the pleasure of reading death’s rose while it was still in its beta stages, and even then it did not fail to disappoint! set in a regency era, bridgerton-esque world, it follows our main character, elvira, as she debuts in the season with dreams to marry the prince. however, she lives in the shadow of her twin, who seems to be a step ahead of elvira in everything: looks, charisma, and even aetheris, a unique power given to select few — elvira excluded.
elvira then meets the charming and mysterious caius, who promises to help her gain the prince’s favour after she helps free him of his curse. after sealing the deal, the two then go on breathtaking adventures through illusions, on a quest to seek out arcana cards — and answers as well.
i absolutely loved how death’s rose didn’t just build off of beauty and the beast, but added bits and pieces of different fairytales and fables as well, such as alice’s adventures in wonderland and sleeping beauty, as well as some others. the only thing keeping my review from being 5 stars is that the main character, elvira, is a little bit childish and petulant at times. other than that, though, do read this if you’re a fan of once upon a broken heart by stephanie garber, or lightlark by alex aster! looking forward to reading the sequel ❤︎
a huge thank you to the talented r.i. aryn for letting me read this gem before its release!
–✧–
stats:
spice 🌶️: 0.5/5
emotion 💧: 1.5/5
memorability 💭: 3.5/5
thought-provoking 🧠: 1/5
–✧–
“All over again, she felt like a phantom amongst a world that had no place for her.”
–✧–
i had the pleasure of reading death’s rose while it was still in its beta stages, and even then it did not fail to disappoint! set in a regency era, bridgerton-esque world, it follows our main character, elvira, as she debuts in the season with dreams to marry the prince. however, she lives in the shadow of her twin, who seems to be a step ahead of elvira in everything: looks, charisma, and even aetheris, a unique power given to select few — elvira excluded.
elvira then meets the charming and mysterious caius, who promises to help her gain the prince’s favour after she helps free him of his curse. after sealing the deal, the two then go on breathtaking adventures through illusions, on a quest to seek out arcana cards — and answers as well.
i absolutely loved how death’s rose didn’t just build off of beauty and the beast, but added bits and pieces of different fairytales and fables as well, such as alice’s adventures in wonderland and sleeping beauty, as well as some others. the only thing keeping my review from being 5 stars is that the main character, elvira, is a little bit childish and petulant at times. other than that, though, do read this if you’re a fan of once upon a broken heart by stephanie garber, or lightlark by alex aster! looking forward to reading the sequel ❤︎
a huge thank you to the talented r.i. aryn for letting me read this gem before its release!
–✧–
stats:
spice 🌶️: 0.5/5
emotion 💧: 1.5/5
memorability 💭: 3.5/5
thought-provoking 🧠: 1/5
May 7, 2026
Such a perfect combination of Once upon a broken heart and Bridgeton. And that ending was just cruel- I haven’t wanted a sequel to be out so bad for a long time.
The slow burn in this book is perfect and the tension was on point throughout the book. Overall it was a very fun/ engaging read and I will be eagerly awaiting new of a sequel
The slow burn in this book is perfect and the tension was on point throughout the book. Overall it was a very fun/ engaging read and I will be eagerly awaiting new of a sequel
Review of advance copy received from Autorin bzw. Autor
I received an advance copy of this book at no charge. This is my honest, voluntary review.
I really enjoyed this book! It's dark, mysterious and captivating, with clever twists (some predictable, some not!), quests and quite the cliffhanger (I expected that would happen, but I still gasped!)
It reminded me of Caraval, Once upon a broken heart, The Rose Bargains and The Tales of Arcana Fortune.
Perfect for everyone who likes:
⭐ a wallflower turned diamond of the season FMC
⭐ a broody, mysterious MMC
⭐ bargains, quests, trials
⭐ high stakes
⭐ balls and high society drama
I really enjoyed this book! It's dark, mysterious and captivating, with clever twists (some predictable, some not!), quests and quite the cliffhanger (I expected that would happen, but I still gasped!)
It reminded me of Caraval, Once upon a broken heart, The Rose Bargains and The Tales of Arcana Fortune.
Perfect for everyone who likes:
⭐ a wallflower turned diamond of the season FMC
⭐ a broody, mysterious MMC
⭐ bargains, quests, trials
⭐ high stakes
⭐ balls and high society drama
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews