laurenmidna's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book, but I wasn't really blown away. I wanted to love it. I'm an absolute sucker for Beauty and the Beast retellings (hello, ACOTAR), but this one didn't really do it for me.
I think one of my biggest issues here was the romance between our Belle and Beast. Despite the clear setup that they're going to fall for each other, they just kind of...don't. There's not much chemistry between them throughout the book in my opinion. They spend most of the time wary of each other. Instead, Harper seems much more connected to Grey, the captain of the guard.
I also really didn't like the villain, Lilith (yes, her name is actually Lilith). She's very predictable and one-dimensional, to the point of being cheesy. The real villain never was her, but the issues that Rhen and his kingdom faced. She seemed more like a façade of a conflict, instead.
I liked Harper. I wished she had more back-story, because it took quite a while for me to feel like I knew her. But she was fun, spunky, and I really enjoyed the representation with Cerebral Palsy. I don't think I'll continue the series, but I'm glad that I gave it a shot.
I think one of my biggest issues here was the romance between our Belle and Beast. Despite the clear setup that they're going to fall for each other, they just kind of...don't. There's not much chemistry between them throughout the book in my opinion. They spend most of the time wary of each other. Instead, Harper seems much more connected to Grey, the captain of the guard.
I also really didn't like the villain, Lilith (yes, her name is actually Lilith). She's very predictable and one-dimensional, to the point of being cheesy. The real villain never was her, but the issues that Rhen and his kingdom faced. She seemed more like a façade of a conflict, instead.
I liked Harper. I wished she had more back-story, because it took quite a while for me to feel like I knew her. But she was fun, spunky, and I really enjoyed the representation with Cerebral Palsy. I don't think I'll continue the series, but I'm glad that I gave it a shot.
kalinovak17's review against another edition
4.0
Well that took a long time to finish. I had less than 100 pages to finish when I stopped reading it 2 years ago. I’m excited to read the next book in the series!
kickstand's review against another edition
5.0
My review of this seems to have disappeared. Anyway, I loved this book. Such an amazing Beauty and the Beast retelling. Will definitely be reading its sequel.
darkndani's review against another edition
4.0
I was shocked at how much I enjoyed this book. I put off reading it for so long because of the fairytale retelling story. But I was hooked from the first line! I would have to force myself to put this book down.
The multiple POV was nice, however I wish we had more than one of Grey’s POV. After the ending though I believe the second book will have more POVs, so I am looking forward to that.
I would describe this book as a fast paced, dark and realistic beauty and the beast. Very much a what would happen if beauty and the beast were real, while still being a fantasy book.
Harper was an amazing main character who was strong and brave yet had realistic flaws. Rhen acted exactly how a prince cursed for 300 years would have acted. And Grey was the stereotypical loyal guard who had lots of growth and I loved so much.
The multiple POV was nice, however I wish we had more than one of Grey’s POV. After the ending though I believe the second book will have more POVs, so I am looking forward to that.
I would describe this book as a fast paced, dark and realistic beauty and the beast. Very much a what would happen if beauty and the beast were real, while still being a fantasy book.
Harper was an amazing main character who was strong and brave yet had realistic flaws. Rhen acted exactly how a prince cursed for 300 years would have acted. And Grey was the stereotypical loyal guard who had lots of growth and I loved so much.
caitlyn0407's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
laceydbell's review against another edition
5.0
It was exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it. I LOVED this. Found it addicting and was completely satisfied with the ending. Definitely read for book two!
achaperonwrites's review against another edition
5.0
“I am always surprised to discover that when the world seems darkest, there exists the greatest opportunity for light.”
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sri_savita's review against another edition
4.0
This definitely kept my interest (finished it in one day), but not a whole lot happens plot-wise - I mean in terms of the secondary military plot - which I was more interested in lol. Even though I know this is based on Beauty and the Beast, the romance still moved too quickly for me to believable, and at times I do think .
I liked Rhen, Harper, and Grey well enough but some events near the end were kind of cheesy. I liked the gritty darkness of this story and it was super eerie in the beginning with the castle I kind of wish it had maintained that insidious air of suspense and mystery, but it definitely feels like a YA read. Not really a fault of the story, just my expectations, and perhaps I'm not the right audience for it.
Started the second book already, and I know people have mixed feelings on that one.
Spoiler
Harper had more genuine chemistry with Grey and I hate the love triangle tropeI liked Rhen, Harper, and Grey well enough but some events near the end were kind of cheesy. I liked the gritty darkness of this story and it was super eerie in the beginning with the castle
Spoiler
and the room with Rhen's blood,Started the second book already, and I know people have mixed feelings on that one.
brendalymari's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0