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kaitie_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Definitely very *YA*, but I was immersed in the story and characters throughout. As a beauty and the beast retelling, it's not a new concept, but I liked the spin on it that the author added into this retelling. Harper is a great FMC, I love how strong and self-assured she is throughout the story.
I could've done with like 1000 less "my lady's," and Rhen's character falls a little flat.
As a teenager, I would've been all over this. I just felt at times it was a bit *too young* for me personally as a reader.
I am looking forward to reading the sequel and seeing where the story goes.
Moderate: Blood, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Minor: Pedophilia
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pedophilia and Sexual harassment
katievallin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Ableism, Child death, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Vomit, and Abandonment
clairewithane's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Minor: Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual violence
supernova7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Ableism, Blood, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Gore, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
saturnsreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death, Torture, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Ableism, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Vomit, and Gaslighting
rettasbookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
theespressoedition's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
How am I supposed to move on after reading this book? I suppose by picking up the sequel, right? But my gosh, I haven't had a true book hangover in ages and this one accomplished that in no time. I sat down with it and read about 25% at once. I wasn't able to pick it up the following day because I was busy, so when I grabbed it the day after that, I devoured it. It was one of those walking, eating, bathing, and changing while reading kind of occurrences until I had completed it. When I set it down, I felt like I didn't know what to do with myself. It was so incredible!
I'm all about a good retelling. I'll admit that I haven't read many of them, but it seems that when I do, it's a Beauty and the Beast retelling. So I sometimes feel like I've read every version of that fairytale. However, this one takes the cake by a landslide. I wondered from the get-go how Harper would respond to Rhen, what might happen to Jake back home, if Grey was a good guy or a bad guy, and if the "creature" would show up at an inconvenient time.
It was so satisfying. Not because everything went according to plan, but because it all went exactly as I wanted it to (that sounds like it might be the same thing, but I'm actually a fan of chaos in books). It was creative and adventurous and I loved nearly every moment of it. I think the literal only thing I didn't love was the endless inner dialogue that Rhen kept having about how terrible he was as a monster. Yes, we get it, you killed people because you are cursed, but like... move forward? Not that I expected him to just get over the fact that he literally murdered his entire family and then some, but I just wanted him to stop beating himself up and find a way to act. I love that Harper initiated that and brought about change in the village.
"I am always surprised to discover that when the world seems darkest, there exists the greatest opportunity for light."
Grey's character was certainly my favorite throughout the entire story
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Pedophilia and Terminal illness
sapphicread's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Moderate: Violence and Blood
Minor: Pedophilia and Terminal illness
laurennicold's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Pedophilia and Sexual assault
Two brief mentions of pedophilia (one a threatened assault, the other an inquiry from a middle aged man about marrying a fourteen year old). Brief threat of sexual assault – in context,