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paperbacksandsnacks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I asked my husband to pick my next book for me and this is what he chose and I’m actually super glad he did. I really enjoyed it.
This beauty and the beast fairytale retelling was just different enough to be engaging whilst still holding true to the classic. The modern day parallel universe vibe was fun for sure! I loved the characters and felt attached to all of them, but I think I was rooting for the wrong love interest (sorry not sorry).
It had a nice level of representation for disabled people, and the LGBTQ community without being super obvious about it. It didn’t feel like a plot point or that is was there for the sake of meeting a diversity request. Just added to the story in a great and subtle way.
I am super intrigued to see where this series goes next. I have a lot of questions and I am invested so that’s a positive sign. I would say maybe slightly longer than it needed to be. Perhaps a bit of a frustrating ending too, but I do see the point of it as it’s building up to the next book. But maybe something to note. I also felt like this was mostly YA but then some moments felt a bit unnecessary for this particular series. Maybe that’s just me being super fussy.
Overall, an enjoyable fairytale retelling and I am looking forward to the next.
Graphic: Cancer, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
ameydireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Death, Gore, Self harm, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent
cdoubet'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
4.25
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Body horror, Cancer, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Sexual harassment
onefineelephant's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror and Child death
Minor: Ableism, Cancer, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment
luna_lovelace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I love Harper, she is such a courageous character that truly cares about people and goes through great lengths to help others. I also love Grey, he's loyal and
Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Kidnapping, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
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
jackiepreston'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
kcmg710's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Minor: Sexual assault, Vomit, and Sexual harassment
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
qrschulte's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Things I loved:
- a protagonist with a disability who is affected by their disability but not defined by it. So refreshing that she was a fully realized person
- the Rhen narrator. Honestly, the book might have been better with just him narrating the whole thing.
- believable reasoning for why someone from our world could ride a fucking horse
Things I did not love:
- How whiny the Harper narrator made her sound sometimes. It made it a lot less believable it was the same character between the narrators.
- The monster narration (so fucking creepy/scary). Could have done without that.
- The parts where it was said Harper was “not like other girls” *cue vomiting*
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, Self harm, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Child death, Gun violence, and Infidelity