Immortal Rose
Historical Fantasy, Romance
Avon
August 18, 2026
496
From Alexandra Bracken, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lore, comes a stunningly original adult fantasy. Set in a sumptuous world ruled by magical perfume, this achingly romantic, slow-burn love story will shatter your heart and leave you breathless. Members of the ancient Rosebourne family have a strange gift born of a fairy ancestor: the ability to infuse fragrance with magic capable of manipulating mind, body, and emotion. When a shocking murder leaves the kingdom of Albion vulnerable to a coup, royal spymaster Hugh Thornton seeks the one person who can help: Viola Lockwood, the last living Rosebourne and secret heir to a fraught legacy. Livid at the silver-eyed aristocrat who had her thrown in jail to force her compliance, Viola nevertheless comes to an agreement with him. In exchange for crafting Immortal Rose, the singular perfume capable of saving Albion, illegitimate Viola can seize the life—and fortune—that should have been hers. As Hugh and Viola race to find the perfume’s lost fairy ingredient, hidden deep in Albion’s dark underbelly, neither can deny the scorching attraction building between them—especially as the attempts on Viola’s life grow increasingly brazen. But a terrible truth lurks in the heart notes of their kingdom—and while every bargain has a cost, Immortal Rose may demand more than Hugh and Viola can ever pay.
Fairy magic, bottled up in fragrance comes at a high cost.
This story was intriguing from the moment I realized it tied magic to perfumes. I’ve read several stories about magical fae being banished by a hateful king, but I can’t recall their magic ever being tied to scents. It was to me, a unique magic system.
People of “high society” with money can brazenly wear magical perfume. Everyone knows that there’s one man selling perfumes that promise beauty, luck, love, etc. and he is loved and valued. Yet, the fae people who hold the gift for such perfumes are imprisoned, or worse. This is how Viola ends up caught in a bargain for her life. A more affluent life if she’s successful in creating the Immortal Rose perfume.
Viola and Hugh might be a slow burn, but their attraction sizzles.
Hugh is definitely Viola’s enemy to start. She’s a tough character who has lived in squalor and always had to scrape by with very little while hiding her fae heritage. Hugh is partly to blame for her capture and mistreatment in jail. He’ll spend plenty of time making that up to her, and she doesn’t make it easy for him. I’m glad that Bracken made Hugh work for it, and that Viola didn’t give in to attraction too soon after seeing his caring side.
If I have any complaints about Immortal Rose, it is that the ending left me in a rage!
Without giving to much away, I did NOT see the cliffhanger coming. I fully expected this story to have its own resolution. Ending with a jaw drop, and no clue as to what can come next gave me the impatient rage of a reader who needs more. I need answers! When will we have answers?!
Immortal Rose is perfect for readers who love magic, romance, and mystery.
Kristin lives in the PNW with her husband, and three kids. She loves to read YA fiction, fantasy, and romance. She enjoys a few side-hustles, including creating bookreels/booktoks for authors. The only shows she watches are re-runs, and if she’s not reading a book, she’s listening to one.
