A lesser-known Brothers Grimm fairytale gets new life breathed into it in the first book of The Bard’s Bargain Series.

Cast out from high society for being too picky, Princess Alexandra must spend a year living the life of a commoner to take her rightful place on the throne. Thinking it would be an easy year, Alexandra learns quickly how difficult her kingdom has to work for her cushy lifestyle. Fortunately, she grows close to a young bard named Tom. Tom teaches her to joys of a simple life and the joys of….other things..ifykyk.

With the year drawing to a close, Alexandra must make a choice, Tom or her kingdom.

The original Grimm’s fairytales are noted for their dark tone and the same vibe follows into this re-imagining of the story. Vanessa Green does a wonderful job of creating Princess Alexandra, an overall unpleasant character and transforming her into a beloved character worthy of the attention of dashing young Tom. This book debutes the series and leaves the reader anticipating the next phase of Alexandra’s adventure.

Vanessa Green's novel, The Bard's Bargain, is a mesmerizing blend of fantasy, adventure, and passionate romance that kept me spellbound from the very first page. A retelling of the story of King Thrushbeard, I couldn't put it down and finished this captivating tale in one day.

Set in a vividly imagined world where magic and music intertwine, this book weaves a tale of love, introspection, sacrifice, and the power of storytelling that will resonate with readers. It is a captivating romantasy with a slow burn leading to a nice level of spice and passion.

The story follows the journey of Alexandria, a spoiled, self-centered princess, as she embarks on a quest to save her kingdom from an unlikely betrayal and unknowingly, her own selfishness which threatens to destroy everything she holds dear. Joining her on this journey is a talented bard with a mysterious past, Tom. He is kind but very poor and from the enemy Kingdom of Norwen whom she must live with for a year to complete her mission. It is with Tom, that Alexandria learns to navigate treacherous landscapes filled with dangers, secrets, and unexpected allies, all while grappling with the consequences of a fateful bargain that could cost her everything she loves or possibly gain more than she ever bargained for?? I shall not tell!

One of the highlights of The Bard's Bargain is Green's rich and evocative prose, which brings the world of the story to life with vivid detail and lyrical beauty. From the bustling markets outside of the castle grounds to the quaint cottages of poor farm life, each setting is rendered with such depth and authenticity that it feels as though you could step right into the pages and join the characters on their journey.

Speaking of characters, Alexandra and Tom are characters with a love story worth rooting for - vulnerable and deeply human. Alexandra's relationships with the other characters in the story - are complex and nuanced, adding depth and emotional resonance to the narrative.

But it's not just the characters and world-building that make The Bard's Bargain such a compelling read. Green also weaves together a taut and suspenseful plot that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end. Each twist and turn in the story is expertly crafted to keep you guessing, while the pacing is brisk and engaging, ensuring that there's never a dull moment.

At its heart, The Bard's Bargain is a story about the power of self-sacrifice and love in its truest form - to inspire, heal, and transform kingdoms. Through Alexandra's journey, Green explores themes of identity, destiny, and the choices we make that shape our lives, all wrapped up in a thrilling and magical adventure that will leave you breathless.

In conclusion, The Bard's Bargain is a must-read for fans of romantasy and adventure alike. With its compelling characters, immersive world-building, and gripping storyline, Vanessa Green has crafted a tale that is sure to enchant and delight adult readers. I cannot recommend this book highly enough - it truly deserves every one of its five stars.

A big thank to #netgalley and #vanessgreen for the digital ARC in exchange for my own opinion. I look forward to owning a hard copy of this book for my collection.

The Bards Bargain was a retelling of King Thrushbeard, and I enjoyed it. It doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of medieval type living in any way. Mostly the story focuses on personal growth and learning self sacrifice. Humility. Hard work. All things Princess Alexandra lacks. Tom helps her along the way and they learn to lean on each other. The extreme feelings of cold to hot- back and forth they had threw me and I struggled with their connection. A slow paced story, it bounces from hardship to hardship more than a driven plot (I’m not counting the bargain-to me it’s WHY the story is, not WHERE it’s going). I guess I just kept waiting for the plot to thicken but it never happened.
Overall it was a nice retelling!

3.75 ⭐️ This book required a little more patience for me because at first I couldn't connect with the characters and the story but then it clicked and I read it all in one go. I really liked the romance between them (um… hello?? I wasn't expecting it to be spicy 👀) but I mainly liked Alexandra as the main character. Her journey was super interesting to follow and in the end I ended up wanting more.

Went out of my comfort zone with this read and it was surprisingly pleasant. I really liked the fairytale-esque vibe and was pleased with the pacing of this story. I do feel like the story lacked depth. Wasn't terrible,but was amazing

Thank you to NetGalley for a free ebook.
I picked up this book because I'm a sucker for fairytales.
Initially I struggled to get into the story because the female protagonist is annoying. She's a spoiled brat and vapid. But that was the point. Once I reached the plot point mentioned in the book blurb, I found the story much more compelling.
This world is much more complex than a simple spoiled princess living in poverty for a year. Yes, I enjoyed the basic fairytale premise, but ultimately what convinced me to want this book are the clear signs of this world evolving into something more political and dire. The epilogue suggests to me that there will be a sequel and if so, it will expand this world well beyond the basic fairytale retelling that it is so far. I'm really hoping that is the case...otherwise this will be forgettable.

This was such a wonderful and enjoyable read!!!! I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

well this was absolutely beautiful! lush and captivating, i was instantly drawn into this story and i loved every second. the atmosphere was atmosphering i must say, this was def a fall read and i read it in the summer lol. in dire need of a reread asap

I only got 25% of the way through The Bard’s Bargain. Not only was Alexandra desperately unlikeable character, I actually felt awful for Tom as her mother has foisted Alexandra upon him in the name of peace between kingdoms.
Had the pacing been quicker, the characters of Alexandra and her mother more likable and less akin to villainy, I believe that I would have stuck through further within the story.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC of The Bard's Bargain in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.**
☆This review is live on Goodreads as of 7/23/2024.☆

3.8⭐️ rounded to 4
3🌶

Firstly, this book has an interesting premise and a lot of potential! Alexandra, the main character, is kind of hard to love as a reader. She does get better towards the 65% mark, and it is integral to the story! Because this was an ARCA, formatting was a little weird and there were some spelling issues, but it wasn't a big deal.
I really liked how Tom and Alexandra worked together to make a life for themselves and that they found each other again. I'm intrigued to see where book 2 goes!

The character growth was the best thing about it. I managed to finish it but it took forever to get into it and they didn’t last long.

Fairytale retellings can be fun and interesting but this didn’t really work for me. The love interest was kind of eh to me.

Cute little fairytale read! It's light and not to stressful, but also not anything crazy. Great in between book series book.

I really liked this book! I really felt the emotional and moral arc the main character went through. I thing the first 75% of the book felt like a lot of build up while the last 25% were a lot of plot points coming together without as much drama as the first part of the book seemed to promise, and then it felt like two separate spin off sequels were hinted at in the last like ten pages. Pacing we a little hit or miss for me but the characters felt fleshed out, and the imagery was really strong.

As I try to write a review about a month after finishing this book, I find myself unable to recall anything about it. The only things I remember are that 1. the heroine was insufferable at the beginning, and 2. I had fun and enjoyed the read. I do love me some old-tale retelling, and this was no exception. Very wholesome and romantic!

I really enjoyed this book, I had no idea what I was getting into when I started it but thew cover was beautiful and drew me in. I really enjoyed that this was a retelling of a lesser known tale. This book combines historic elements, fantasy and romance. The role that magic is mixed with music was really fun, and the world building really drew me in. This book deals with the realities of growing up and the consequences you must face to the choices we make. Overall a very enjoyable read.

Vanessa Green's "The Bard's Bargain" weaves a captivating tale that seamlessly blends elements of fantasy, romance, and intrigue. Set in a richly imagined medieval world where magic and music hold tangible power, the story follows the journey of Elara, a talented bard seeking to restore her family's honor and save her kingdom from a looming threat.

From the outset, Green paints a vivid picture of a society where bards are not just entertainers but wielders of mystical abilities that can sway hearts and minds. Elara, with her exceptional musical prowess and determination, becomes embroiled in a dangerous game of politics and power. As she navigates courtly intrigue and uncovers long-hidden secrets, Elara must confront difficult choices that challenge her beliefs and allegiances.

The strength of "The Bard's Bargain" lies in Green's skillful world-building and character development. Each character, from the enigmatic prince to the cunning advisor, feels multi-dimensional and integral to the story's progression. Elara herself is a compelling protagonist, driven by her love for music and her desire to protect those she cares about.

The narrative unfolds at a steady pace, balancing moments of tension with quieter, introspective scenes that deepen the reader's understanding of the characters' motivations and struggles. Green's prose is elegant yet accessible, making it easy to immerse oneself in the story's twists and turns.

Moreover, the novel explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the power of art in a way that feels both timeless and relevant. As Elara confronts the consequences of her choices, readers are invited to ponder the true cost of ambition and the nature of true heroism.

Overall, "The Bard's Bargain" is a delightful read for fans of fantasy and romantic intrigue alike. Vanessa Green's debut novel showcases her talent for storytelling and leaves readers eagerly anticipating her next literary offering.

The Bard’s Bargain is a retelling of Thrushbeard.
After spurning all her suitors, the queen sends our FMC to live with the lowliest commoner for one year. I loved the way the author used my favorite enemies to lovers and only one bed tropes. It gave our characters plenty of opportunity for entertaining banter and building tension between them. My only complaint is that the pacing was uneven, but other than that it’s worth reading of you enjoy retellings (or romantic fantasy.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving this ARC, and this doesn’t influence my review. Tbh this was an DNF for me

"The Bard's Bargain" by Vanessa Green is a captivating novel that blends historical charm with intricate character development. Set in a picturesque medieval town, the story follows a talented bard who strikes an unusual deal to save his loved ones. Green's ability to weave rich historical details with engaging, multi-dimensional characters makes this a compelling read. The dynamic between the bard and other characters, filled with tension and deep history, echoes themes you appreciate, such as in Lauren Asher's works. This novel's enchanting setting and complex relationships are sure to resonate with your literary preferences.

Honestly, went in blind and I guess that helps that this wasnt my cup of tea but I can see how it would be for others. This is a retelling of Grimms King Thrushbeard where a prideful spoiled princess is forced to live under the guise of the poor in order to become Queen....and that's just about what sold me on not liking it. I just dont find that kind of plotline entertaining especially in the climate of our world and that is all I am saying on that point.
The literary reasons why it is not my cup is the pacing, the overall character arc and the discrepancy between reading like a YA but is actually New Adult.
So the breakdown:
The pacing was very wishy washy, one moment it is completely dragging and I pulling at myself to carry on, the next I am so beyond confused on how we got to this point. This also leads into the fact that the book reads kind of like a YA Fantasy but less on the fantasy and then throw in some spice which felt like it wasn't necessary to show the connection if the book reads like a YA. It had little adult tones and then bam spice which kind of threw me a bit. The last reason of our main girl...this ties more into the plotline but even by the end of where we are supposed to be seeing growth it feels very "at face value" and does not feel sincere that she learned anything.