Reviews

The Artisans by Julie Reece

fennecsgirl's review against another edition

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4.0

Really enjoyed this book. Many unexpected twists.

codyleigh's review against another edition

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4.0

‘Raven must choose between Gideon Maddox, the monster the world believes him to be, or the one she can allow herself to fall in love with.’

STOP, JUST STOP, My heart can’t take this!

I have been searching no end for this book since Wendy Higgins recommended it and this woman is never wrong, she is always on point when it comes to a good romance and she doesn’t disappoint with The Artisans. I seem to be all about re-telling’s lately and The Beauty and the Beast story never gets old, no matter how much you originate from the classic or keep it simple, I always end up invested in the story.

The book begins with Raven our gothic protagonist who dreams of being a top fashion designer, she lives with her dead-beat step-dad. After her mother died her father spends all his time drinking and gambling, it soon cost them their home and now they live in her father’s workshop. Disaster strikes when Raven’s father burns down a Maddox run business. The Maddox’s are a notorious family whom people never cross. They demand compensation for the damages and Raven knows her family has nothing to give so she goes to the meeting and like a lamb to slaughter, she offers to take her father’s place and pay any price…

Raven is surprised to learn that Gideon Maddox does not money in return but instead her. He demands that Raven must live with him for a year and steal her designs for his own failing fashion label. Raven has no other choice but to accept these absurd demands if it means her father can go without punishment.

For starters I adored that Raven was a goth girl, to me this was totally refreshing and complemented well with her badass attitude but ultimately her love for her step-father even though he has done nothing to help her life really does makes you feel for her. Then there’s the love interest Gideon… The ‘beast’ well he’s drop dead gorgeous so that obviously doesn’t fit the description but trust me his personality does. He’s so arrogant and dominating and is clearly used to getting his own way, Alass he’s a little bit of an asshole but I LOVED to HATE HIM… at first obvs, you soon fall in love with him after a whole lot of angst and gorgeous sexual tension.

The story is filled with mystery as Raven is soon taunted by evil ghosts and magic coming from the house. Raven sets out to find out what secrets Gideon is hiding with her obese cat Edgar. I’m a complete sucker for stories with animals!

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The thing to remember with this story is a ROMANCE even with all the paranormal twists aside, so it was a bit predictable but this is no way affected the story for me. If you prefer a bit more action and drama to your books this may not be for you but for fellow lovers of a tortured romance and a little mystery this is perfect!

This was my first Reece novel and I truly loved it and I can’t wait to read more of her work as she truly seems like my type of author when she says…
“I love strong heroines, sweeping tales of mystery and epic adventure… which must include a hot guy.’

Amen to that!

BEFORE READING

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WHERE IS THIS BOOK?!
I need to pre-order it right now, but it's nowhere to be found! Arghhh, gimme!

Literary-ly Obsessed

lostandfoundinbooks's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

3.0

percys_panda_pillow_pet's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

drchavez's review against another edition

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5.0

While I really enjoyed the plot and most of the characters in this gothic retelling of Beauty and the Beast, I have to only give three stars simply because of the character Gideon, the "beast." His controlling and manipulative personality wasn't admirable to me, and I cannot wrap my head around a woman as strong as Raven falling for a man like him. Obviously, being the beast of the story, he was supposed to be unlikable in the beginning, but he doesn't really change in the end, he just has these uncharacteristic moments of compassion and kindness. That being said, I loved the mystery and horror elements of this book, and Reece's writing style and witty dialogue is amazing. All in all, I enjoyed reading the book and it kept my attention, so I can't really complain.

storybookvillain's review against another edition

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5.0

this book was so good you guys... it is so much more than I was expecting, the setting was creepy and beautiful, I am in love with all the characters and had a beauty and the beast feel that I loved it was atmospheric and I loved the fashion aspects guys read ittttt

thirty37seven's review against another edition

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1.0

I'm far from a literary critic or anything like that but there was something about the writing in this that just felt corny or juvenile at times. I mean it is a YA book but I could really feel it in this one. I don't know, maybe it was just the mood I was in when I read it.

You probably need context for these but in essence: Cole, "a hot ghost boy", likes to float into our lovely female protagonists conversations with her current love interest and flirt with her, unbeknownst to said love interest. Which is fine, I guess, but this story has enough going on that it really doesn't need this.

"Why are you whispering?" Gideon demands.

"I don't know." When Cole rubs his chin, a cocky smirk appears. I giggle. I can't help it.

You want me . . . admit it. Just wait until I have my body back.

I blush.

No. Just no. Just shut the fuck up right now Cole. And "I blush." I want to smack the shit out of you Raven. The fucker has probably been watching you shower and sleep, does that make you blush? Idiot. You're a goddamn idiot.

He's right, you know. Cole appears on my left. You are beautiful.

Ignoring how absolutely corny it is, Cole is an complete dick for blatantly hitting on Raven right in front of Gideon but Gideon can't see him or hear what he's saying. I don't know, I just think it's a bitch move is all. You could argue that Cole is a ghost because of Gideon (But not really because it was Gideon's father.) but it doesn't matter to me because I just hate ghost boy, there's something about him that pisses me off. Maybe because he's the "other" guy, you know, the one that never gets the girl and wastes all our time with his whiny "you should choose me" bullshit in the inevitable sequel? Jacob. He's the fucking Jacob of this story. The world doesn't need anymore Jacobs.

Gideon isn't much better though.
"It's all right. I can wait. Just tell me who you belong to?"

"You." I say, without hesitation.

Belong? Jesus. So she can't tell him that she loves him but she can say without hesitation that she belongs to him? Is this some sort of kinky shit? It is isn't it.

I found it very easy to hate all these people.
Don't even get me started on the magical camera that traps peoples souls or some shit.

ckbove's review against another edition

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5.0

I absolutely loved this story!
I not only loved the location and setting of the story, I loved the character arcs as well. And to top it all off, I thought it was very fresh and very intriguing to have the “ghost” aspect. I’m not one for horror, but I love a good ghost story, and this hit the mark.
Would highly recommend to people who love Beauty and the Beast retellings and love a good ghost story as well.

pauh94's review against another edition

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1.0

Nope

megatza's review against another edition

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2.0

This was interesting, because I didn't think it was a good book - plot inconsistencies, unanswered questions - but I still enjoyed reading it for the most part.