Scan barcode
kreadsromance1's review against another edition
1.0
Buckle up, this is going to be a wild ride.
Main pairing: Gwen/Dragon (Bernard)
Favourite character: Dragon (Bernard)
Villain(s) The whole bloody village.
Character rating: 4/10
Plot rating: 1/10
Setting rating: 1/10
Overall rating: 2/10
Pros: This is a beauty and the beast retelling, and what was interesting about this interpretation is that it didn't end where most versions do - the second half of the book is set after the "prince" returns and supposedly has his happily ever after.
Bernard, despite being out for revenge and consumed by anger, is a likeable, relatable character whose motivations are understandable and whose background is well formed. He is the only reason the character rating isn't 1/10.
Gwen is a plus size heroine, which I appreciate for the sake of diversity.
HOWEVER...
Cons: I have two. A4. pages. of complaints. I will endeavour to choose the most egregious. Spoilers abound in this section so read with caution.
Yes, the heroine is plus size. But the way the author treats her is appalling. When Gwendolyn doesn’t dive straight into one meal the author describes it as “the first time in her life that food failed to hold her interest.” I mean, really?
Throughout the book there is a pretty clear message that having sex is bad; which while you might expect some expression of that in a historical fiction, you would generally not expect the author to declare that one of the characters has had enough sex that she “has given herself away until there’s nothing left of who she might have been.” Combine that with Gwen being essentially "the only virgin in the village" and the whole thing had me wincing.
Everyone seems to be ok with the village not defending the laird they are sworn to fight for; intentionally leaving a young girl to die; and then when she survives and reappears, planning to burn her at the stake. Because those are things normal townspeople definitely do.
There is a disturbing little comment at one point that 15 year old Bernard “didn’t know whether [Gwen] needed to be spanked or kissed,” when she was 9 and fell out of a tree onto him.
So it’s been revealed that Gwen believed herself responsible for the death of Bernard’s family, her father actually IS responsible for the death of Bernard’s family. And Bernard has never actually mistreated Gwen or been cruel to her. He grants mercy to her father. And she responds to the suggestion she marry him by saying “how could you ask such a thing of me? He’s a cold-hearted, unforgiving ogre without an ounce of mercy or compassion in his arrogant soul!”
One of the wonderful townspeople who are paragons of virtue decides that Gwen and Bernard’s wedding is the perfect opportunity to go and dig up Gwen’s mother’s grave that has £1,000 of gold in. Nobody really cares.
Oh and to make sure she is taken care of, he has kindly arranged the grave robbing of her mother’s tomb so she can have the blood money her father got for betraying Bernard’s family.
So she goes to London, tells him she wants a divorce, sleeps with him, leaves him while he sleeps to return to Scotland leaving him a note saying if he ever wants to spend the night with her again it’ll cost more than £1000 and then has the GALL to sit in Scotland panicking because he hadn’t come running after her.
Final opinion: There are so many moments that made me throw my hands up in despair at this novel, and I really only finished it out of spite and because I refuse to be beaten by this book. Which is such a shame, because I was genuinely excited to read this one, and I can overlook a lot of faults in literature I enjoy... but not in this book. Good luck.
Genre: Historical romance set around Jacobian Scotland, a non-magical retelling of Beauty and the Beast with some sex scenes and a lot of nonsensical plot choices.
Spoiler
Main pairing: Gwen/Dragon (Bernard)
Favourite character: Dragon (Bernard)
Villain(s) The whole bloody village.
Character rating: 4/10
Plot rating: 1/10
Setting rating: 1/10
Overall rating: 2/10
Pros: This is a beauty and the beast retelling, and what was interesting about this interpretation is that it didn't end where most versions do - the second half of the book is set after the "prince" returns and supposedly has his happily ever after.
Bernard, despite being out for revenge and consumed by anger, is a likeable, relatable character whose motivations are understandable and whose background is well formed. He is the only reason the character rating isn't 1/10.
Gwen is a plus size heroine, which I appreciate for the sake of diversity.
HOWEVER...
Cons: I have two. A4. pages. of complaints. I will endeavour to choose the most egregious. Spoilers abound in this section so read with caution.
Yes, the heroine is plus size. But the way the author treats her is appalling. When Gwendolyn doesn’t dive straight into one meal the author describes it as “the first time in her life that food failed to hold her interest.” I mean, really?
Throughout the book there is a pretty clear message that having sex is bad; which while you might expect some expression of that in a historical fiction, you would generally not expect the author to declare that one of the characters has had enough sex that she “has given herself away until there’s nothing left of who she might have been.” Combine that with Gwen being essentially "the only virgin in the village" and the whole thing had me wincing.
Everyone seems to be ok with the village not defending the laird they are sworn to fight for; intentionally leaving a young girl to die; and then when she survives and reappears, planning to burn her at the stake. Because those are things normal townspeople definitely do.
There is a disturbing little comment at one point that 15 year old Bernard “didn’t know whether [Gwen] needed to be spanked or kissed,” when she was 9 and fell out of a tree onto him.
So it’s been revealed that Gwen believed herself responsible for the death of Bernard’s family, her father actually IS responsible for the death of Bernard’s family. And Bernard has never actually mistreated Gwen or been cruel to her. He grants mercy to her father. And she responds to the suggestion she marry him by saying “how could you ask such a thing of me? He’s a cold-hearted, unforgiving ogre without an ounce of mercy or compassion in his arrogant soul!”
One of the wonderful townspeople who are paragons of virtue decides that Gwen and Bernard’s wedding is the perfect opportunity to go and dig up Gwen’s mother’s grave that has £1,000 of gold in. Nobody really cares.
Oh and to make sure she is taken care of, he has kindly arranged the grave robbing of her mother’s tomb so she can have the blood money her father got for betraying Bernard’s family.
So she goes to London, tells him she wants a divorce, sleeps with him, leaves him while he sleeps to return to Scotland leaving him a note saying if he ever wants to spend the night with her again it’ll cost more than £1000 and then has the GALL to sit in Scotland panicking because he hadn’t come running after her.
Final opinion: There are so many moments that made me throw my hands up in despair at this novel, and I really only finished it out of spite and because I refuse to be beaten by this book. Which is such a shame, because I was genuinely excited to read this one, and I can overlook a lot of faults in literature I enjoy... but not in this book. Good luck.
richelleb's review against another edition
5.0
This is probably my favorite romance ever. I think I can identify with the heroine.
dotts's review against another edition
1.0
This book started out very strong, very interesting. A truly delightful prologue followed by several really enjoyable chapters. Both the "Dragon" and Gwen were likeable and endearing. Unfortunately, I became bored around halfway through. It felt like a great story just turned elastic and was stretching on and on and on...
I really wanted to see the happily ever after that I'm sure must be at the end, but I really don't see the point of punishing myself for another ten plus chapters to get to something I can probably guess. I tried skimming, but it didn't help so this one is a DNF for me.
I really wanted to see the happily ever after that I'm sure must be at the end, but I really don't see the point of punishing myself for another ten plus chapters to get to something I can probably guess. I tried skimming, but it didn't help so this one is a DNF for me.
truly's review against another edition
4.0
a quick & fun read with some new favorite characters i’ve ever come across
daniliz11's review against another edition
3.0
I was really enjoying this book up until the last 20-30%. It started taking some weird turns, I didn’t love the choices and actions of either character, and I started just waiting for it to end. The rest of the book was a solid historical romance, but the end just soured it a bit for me.
ashleyjackson's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
cstaude's review against another edition
3.0
Light, fun, and romantic. This was one of my “break reads” - a book I read when I need a breather between reading heavier things.
shelbyday's review against another edition
3.0
I read this YEARS ago and really enjoyed it. I love Beauty and the Beast, and dragons, and virgin sacrifices. Teresa Medeiros is an excellent writer. And I still love this sweet little story. For newer more recent readers, I can see that they may not like it as much as the heroine falls in love with a guy who is holding her captive. However, if you go in with the perspective that this is fictional and meant to be a fun read, I think the story is still great. I definitely recommend it.
.......Spoilers below....
.
.
.
.
.
.
Gwen was 9 years old when the Laird’s 15-yr-old son stood up to a village bully for her. She then promptly falls out of a tree and lands on him. That very night their castle is attacked, and the whole family is seemingly murdered after being betrayed by a clansman for 1000 gold pieces. Fast forward years later and a “dragon” is demanding food and payment as part of a curse. The village decides to give Gwen as a virgin sacrifice instead. Her captor locks her in a room making her as comfy as possible and always hides in the shadows. Hmmm. Guess who it is? Gwen’s father turns out to be the traitor and the gold is buried on top of her mother’s grave. Gwen is forced to marry Bernard and then he runs away to London only to have her go to him and fight for him to come home. At times the way things play out is unbelievable, but it is a work of fiction and a sweet little story.
.......Spoilers below....
.
.
.
.
.
.
Gwen was 9 years old when the Laird’s 15-yr-old son stood up to a village bully for her. She then promptly falls out of a tree and lands on him. That very night their castle is attacked, and the whole family is seemingly murdered after being betrayed by a clansman for 1000 gold pieces. Fast forward years later and a “dragon” is demanding food and payment as part of a curse. The village decides to give Gwen as a virgin sacrifice instead. Her captor locks her in a room making her as comfy as possible and always hides in the shadows. Hmmm. Guess who it is? Gwen’s father turns out to be the traitor and the gold is buried on top of her mother’s grave. Gwen is forced to marry Bernard and then he runs away to London only to have her go to him and fight for him to come home. At times the way things play out is unbelievable, but it is a work of fiction and a sweet little story.
lunalibro's review against another edition
3.0
Actual Rating: 2.5-3/5
Beauty and the Beast is my all-time favorite fairytale and after watching the live action film I've been craving to read any good retelling. I was pretty excited for this book. I was so looking forward to an actual dragon shapeshifter but I was soooooo wrong. The story and characters didn't WOW me. I did enjoy the banter and the surprise twists. Though at one point when Gwendolyn revealed her big secret I was anticipating some MAJOR drama and I felt super excited about it, wondering how the characters will go about this moral dilemma only to be let down again. The sequence of actions after that felt very rushed which left me confused. Another thing that bothered me was the "Beast" wasn't really beastly(?) My overall opinion is very "meh"
Final Thoughts: Read/PASS
Beauty and the Beast is my all-time favorite fairytale and after watching the live action film I've been craving to read any good retelling. I was pretty excited for this book. I was so looking forward to an actual dragon shapeshifter but I was soooooo wrong. The story and characters didn't WOW me. I did enjoy the banter and the surprise twists. Though at one point when Gwendolyn revealed her big secret I was anticipating some MAJOR drama and I felt super excited about it, wondering how the characters will go about this moral dilemma only to be let down again. The sequence of actions after that felt very rushed which left me confused. Another thing that bothered me was the "Beast" wasn't really beastly(?) My overall opinion is very "meh"
Final Thoughts: Read/PASS