k_winchester's review
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was cute, though I didn't end up loving it as much as I was hoping. I loved the concept, and there were lots of little things I enjoyed. Honestly surprised but how many mature or healthy conversations were had between many of the characters and things didn't devolve into typical chick flick/sitcom misunderstanding angst which I frequently expected when certain moments arose and I kept getting pleasantly surprised by how the characters handled many of those.
That being said, I feel like the pacing was kinda weird - a lot of Grey and Jaya's thoughts/internal narratives felt verrry repetitive, and the ending felt weirdly rushed for all the build up (and Grey's speech on the phone - without being spoilery - while good and warranted, also completely came out of nowhere. A lot if Grey's white boy brooding angst and both of thier repetitive musings could've been used to build some foundation for that speech).
As well, given that Jaya's entire focus/drive is supposed to be her sister, Isha is baaaarely in the book. I get the focus of this story is supposed to be Grey and Jaya, but aside from basically chapter 1 and the very last chapter, the sister relationship which is supposed to be SO important (to the point that Jaya is molding her life around protecting/avenging/steering/etc her) is non existent. We get a lot if Jaya thinking about how important her sister while basically never seeing them interact, which just feels very weird.
Overall though, a solid 3.5 stars - it really was cute and light hearted.
That being said, I feel like the pacing was kinda weird - a lot of Grey and Jaya's thoughts/internal narratives felt verrry repetitive, and the ending felt weirdly rushed for all the build up (and Grey's speech on the phone - without being spoilery - while good and warranted, also completely came out of nowhere. A lot if Grey's white boy brooding angst and both of thier repetitive musings could've been used to build some foundation for that speech).
As well, given that Jaya's entire focus/drive is supposed to be her sister, Isha is baaaarely in the book. I get the focus of this story is supposed to be Grey and Jaya, but aside from basically chapter 1 and the very last chapter, the sister relationship which is supposed to be SO important (to the point that Jaya is molding her life around protecting/avenging/steering/etc her) is non existent. We get a lot if Jaya thinking about how important her sister while basically never seeing them interact, which just feels very weird.
Overall though, a solid 3.5 stars - it really was cute and light hearted.
forsakenfates's review
2.0
CAWPILE Breakdown:
Characters: 7
Atmosphere: 2
Writing: 6
Plot: 4
Intrigue: 4
Logic: 5
Enjoyment: 4
This was a massive disappointment. I think I will be sticking to Sandhya Menon's contemporary romances from now on not these weird delves into alternate worlds with royalty.
Characters: 7
Atmosphere: 2
Writing: 6
Plot: 4
Intrigue: 4
Logic: 5
Enjoyment: 4
This was a massive disappointment. I think I will be sticking to Sandhya Menon's contemporary romances from now on not these weird delves into alternate worlds with royalty.
girlreading's review against another edition
4.0
A super fun, Beauty and the Beast retelling that goes beyond the classic tale.
I brilliantly explores familial pressures and expectations, stereotypes placed upon women, friendship and sisterhood, all while featuring the slowest of slow burn romances (love that for me) and weaves elements of the original story throughout in a brilliantly clever way.
Whilst I didn't love this quite as much as her previous books (although, to be completely honest, I think this was more down to my reading slump than anything) Sandhya Menon has once again proved she can do no wrong and is the Queen of YA.
I brilliantly explores familial pressures and expectations, stereotypes placed upon women, friendship and sisterhood, all while featuring the slowest of slow burn romances (love that for me) and weaves elements of the original story throughout in a brilliantly clever way.
Whilst I didn't love this quite as much as her previous books (although, to be completely honest, I think this was more down to my reading slump than anything) Sandhya Menon has once again proved she can do no wrong and is the Queen of YA.
nlfrey's review against another edition
5.0
It's hard to find fairytale retellings that are good. Especially "modern day" retellings.
This is one of the good ones.
It's easy to see the original "Beauty and the Beast" storyline, but there's enough fresh material to keep you turning the pages and the story moving forward at a good pace.
Fun read!
This is one of the good ones.
It's easy to see the original "Beauty and the Beast" storyline, but there's enough fresh material to keep you turning the pages and the story moving forward at a good pace.
Fun read!
witchinmyguy's review against another edition
When I first saw this premise I thought - well, this will either be a disaster or an absolute delight. Turned out there was another option: 100% middling.
mercemr's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ethrone's review against another edition
- dnf @ 30%
- read for asian readathon 2020!
- i'm very sad this one isn't vibing with me as i loved when dimple met rishi and was hoping for a great new series set at a boarding school with rival families and a curse etc
- unfortunately i think this one just isn't for me
- it felt very "high school" and that's fine that it did, this book will be great for the target audience but that just isn't me
- there were many things that felt contradictory as well, such as jaya's protectiveness over her younger sister isha but at the same time she would get really upset that isha didn't feel any obligation to be a perfect royal–jaya says she wants her sister to be able to live her life but then gets mad at her for the silliest shit :/
- also didn't really understand why grey was like that....let's just say if my dad abandoned me at a boarding school after being like you're a plague son! i'd be like LOL FUCK YOU and would proceed not to give a shit about anything that man said???? and yet he really thought he killed his own mom just cuz his dad said that???? idk man there were so many things about it that didn't make sense
- read for asian readathon 2020!
- i'm very sad this one isn't vibing with me as i loved when dimple met rishi and was hoping for a great new series set at a boarding school with rival families and a curse etc
- unfortunately i think this one just isn't for me
- it felt very "high school" and that's fine that it did, this book will be great for the target audience but that just isn't me
- there were many things that felt contradictory as well, such as jaya's protectiveness over her younger sister isha but at the same time she would get really upset that isha didn't feel any obligation to be a perfect royal–jaya says she wants her sister to be able to live her life but then gets mad at her for the silliest shit :/
- also didn't really understand why grey was like that....let's just say if my dad abandoned me at a boarding school after being like you're a plague son! i'd be like LOL FUCK YOU and would proceed not to give a shit about anything that man said???? and yet he really thought he killed his own mom just cuz his dad said that???? idk man there were so many things about it that didn't make sense