Book: Immortal Rose by Alexandra Bracken
Reviewed by thebookishkiwikaz
Rating: 5/5
From the moment I started reading, I was completely immersed in this unique regency romantasy. The scent and perfume-based magic system was unlike anything I've read before, weaving together emotion, memory, and magic in such a vivid way that I felt like I could almost smell every fragrance alongside the characters.
Viola Lockwood was a wonderful FMC. Stubborn, fiercely independent, and prone to making life difficult for herself, she felt incredibly real. I loved watching her navigate grief, personal growth, and the challenges of a world that constantly underestimated her. Her vulnerabilities balanced her strength beautifully and made her easy to root for.
And then there's Hugh.
This man yearns. Beneath his reserved exterior is someone fiercely loyal, protective, and utterly gone for Viola, even if he'd rather suffer in silence than admit it. The tension, the longing, the jealousy, the stolen moments... I ate it all up. He gave me major Mr. Darcy vibes, and honestly, I could have happily read another 200 pages from his perspective alone.
The dual POVs added so much depth to the story, while the political intrigue and mystery kept me turning pages late into the night. I never quite knew where the story was heading, and the twists genuinely caught me by surprise.
What impressed me most was how original everything felt. Perfume magic could have been a gimmick, but instead it became the foundation of a rich, immersive, and beautifully crafted world filled with found family, secrets, assassins, fae magic, and forbidden feelings.
And that ending? I did not see it coming. The cliffhanger left my jaw on the floor and me desperately needing book two.
Overall, I was captivated, enthralled, and completely obsessed. Immortal Rose is an unforgettable blend of romance, mystery, magic, and political intrigue that lingers long after the final page, much like the perfect perfume.