readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
The Belles isn’t particularly satisfying, and while that sounds like a bad thing, I assure you it’s actually the recipe for a killer start to a YA fantasy series. Dhonielle Clayton has developed a world in which the most compelling questions have yet to be answered and the real meat of the story is just getting started. I’m gonna need that sequel, stat!
There’s a ton of worldbuilding here, but it’s all on the surface. For most of this first book, Clayton is showing us the world of the Belles as it wants to appear, not as it really is. Narrator Camellia wants—or thinks she wants—to be the royal family’s favorite Belle, using her mysterious powers to transform and beautify the VIPs of Orléans. That’s what she and the other Belles have been trained their entire lives to do—change skin color, mold facial features, and generally make everyone in Orléans an object of beauty. Those who can afford to pay, anyway. Without regular treatments from the Belles, the citizens revert back to their natural state, gray and coarse and unsightly. As times goes on, Camellia starts to see under the glitz and glamour, and the true face of her home is an ugly one. Belles may not be the privileged divas she thought they were. On top of that, there’s a power-hungry princess who grows more reckless and cruel by the day, and a ticking clock of succession that could put her on the throne.
Even though I wouldn’t go back to being a teenager for any amount of chocolate, I got a little wistful thinking about how much my teenage self would have loved Clayton’s critique of superficial beauty standards. Don’t skip the author’s note at the end, either, as she explains her inspiration for the story in a really honest way that made me love the book even more. And now I’m off to stare at the beautiful cover while I wait for book two.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
There’s a ton of worldbuilding here, but it’s all on the surface. For most of this first book, Clayton is showing us the world of the Belles as it wants to appear, not as it really is. Narrator Camellia wants—or thinks she wants—to be the royal family’s favorite Belle, using her mysterious powers to transform and beautify the VIPs of Orléans. That’s what she and the other Belles have been trained their entire lives to do—change skin color, mold facial features, and generally make everyone in Orléans an object of beauty. Those who can afford to pay, anyway. Without regular treatments from the Belles, the citizens revert back to their natural state, gray and coarse and unsightly. As times goes on, Camellia starts to see under the glitz and glamour, and the true face of her home is an ugly one. Belles may not be the privileged divas she thought they were. On top of that, there’s a power-hungry princess who grows more reckless and cruel by the day, and a ticking clock of succession that could put her on the throne.
Even though I wouldn’t go back to being a teenager for any amount of chocolate, I got a little wistful thinking about how much my teenage self would have loved Clayton’s critique of superficial beauty standards. Don’t skip the author’s note at the end, either, as she explains her inspiration for the story in a really honest way that made me love the book even more. And now I’m off to stare at the beautiful cover while I wait for book two.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
kappareads's review against another edition
DNF at pg 232/53%
This is a book I want to go back to, but I just don't understand the hype. I feel I don't know the characters
This is a book I want to go back to, but I just don't understand the hype. I feel I don't know the characters
kpeerman1's review against another edition
3.0
I can honestly appreciate an author who creates a new world for readers to explore. The Belles has a Hunger Games feel to it but focuses more on citizens starving for beauty rather than just... starving. There were things that I figured out early on before it was revealed in the text, so it wasn't terribly ground-breaking; but, her writing was exciting and it kept me hooked.
I'm not sure I would reread this book but I will probably continue reading the series.
I'm not sure I would reread this book but I will probably continue reading the series.
gwenhwyfar82's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
chucks_library's review
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Belles follows Camellia who is one of six Belles who can manipulate beauty. Camellia really wants to be chosen as the favourite and work with the royal family, but when she gets her wish things are not as the first appear.
I found this book very engaging and the world building was effortlessly described by Clayton who immerses you in this world almost immediately. I thought our main character was well fleshed out and an interesting POV for this magical world. I devoured this book and couldn't wait to find out what was happening and I am delighted there are 2 more books in the series to continue with. I think this is a very thoughtful exploration into beauty standards and altering yourself for beauty purposes. This book is filled with intrigue, darkness and violence, which is masterfully written in a way that doesn't feel too heavy. I think if you want a different take on fantasy/dystopia pick this up.
I found this book very engaging and the world building was effortlessly described by Clayton who immerses you in this world almost immediately. I thought our main character was well fleshed out and an interesting POV for this magical world. I devoured this book and couldn't wait to find out what was happening and I am delighted there are 2 more books in the series to continue with. I think this is a very thoughtful exploration into beauty standards and altering yourself for beauty purposes. This book is filled with intrigue, darkness and violence, which is masterfully written in a way that doesn't feel too heavy. I think if you want a different take on fantasy/dystopia pick this up.
ffilippa's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars
Well, I'm really happy I read this novel. I hadn't planned to do so. I really liked The Belles and I liked that it was a little darker than I had initially thought. I liked the characters, the world, and the beauty concept. But I found things as the language a little too adorned, and the writing a little too repetitive, but that's it I believe... I didn't LOVE any characters, but Camille was as good as any MC. I liked to follow the story from her perspective. Oh, but I liked her bodyguard though! I was really surprised by the outcome of the romance, and the end as a whole really did surprise me. Sort of cliffhanger-y, but not really. I will definitely read the next book, but I really hope it'll be no more than a trilogy. Hopefully a duology.
Well, I'm really happy I read this novel. I hadn't planned to do so. I really liked The Belles and I liked that it was a little darker than I had initially thought. I liked the characters, the world, and the beauty concept. But I found things as the language a little too adorned, and the writing a little too repetitive, but that's it I believe... I didn't LOVE any characters, but Camille was as good as any MC. I liked to follow the story from her perspective. Oh, but I liked her bodyguard though! I was really surprised by the outcome of the romance, and the end as a whole really did surprise me. Sort of cliffhanger-y, but not really. I will definitely read the next book, but I really hope it'll be no more than a trilogy. Hopefully a duology.
marshmallowbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This book felt like a fantasy young adult novel that I used to love to read. For a while I had tried to read other things that I though fell in the same category, but they didn't feel the same as they did when I was an actual teen, to the point that I figured I had outgrown the genre. Perhaps not so after all. It was fun to return and find something I enjoyed so much.
The citizens of Orleans are not born looking like the humans we know today – instead they have gray wrinkly skin, red eyes, and straw-like hair. But the Belles can change all of that. Fantasy. Magic. Intrigue. This book had it all.Fantasy. The background was covered thoroughly enough for me to understand the world and its unique characteristics, but not so awkwardly that I felt like it weighed down the story or became otherwise cumbersome.
Snaps to the audio narrator who pulled off both female and male voices very well, in addition to covering a wide range of accents (French, American, British, even Irish).
The citizens of Orleans are not born looking like the humans we know today – instead they have gray wrinkly skin, red eyes, and straw-like hair. But the Belles can change all of that. Fantasy. Magic. Intrigue. This book had it all.Fantasy. The background was covered thoroughly enough for me to understand the world and its unique characteristics, but not so awkwardly that I felt like it weighed down the story or became otherwise cumbersome.
Snaps to the audio narrator who pulled off both female and male voices very well, in addition to covering a wide range of accents (French, American, British, even Irish).
roseybot's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this world and most of the time I was fine with Camila. The reason I rated this at a three is the romance DROVE ME CRAZY. I started skipping sections with Gus. He IRRITATED ME so much.
candi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0