redmars's review against another edition
DNF 71%
When you are reading a book and two things happen that’s a big sign that you are not enjoying it.
1. It takes you almost a week to read a 300 page book where it usually takes you 2-3 days at best.
2. You are 70% in and you want to stop but since you are almost at the finish line, you keep on moving.
I found myself doing that with this book
It's honestly was a decent book until Gideon confession which he seems very controlling and not respecting Raven wishes at all. I have been on A Beauty and the Beast retelling kick lately and this one disappointed me. While Raven was a decent main character and I liked her friends, the romance part of it fell flat since it really wasn't a turning point with their feelings. You could say the west wing part was is some similar to the Disney version of BATB but it felt it jarring how he was a compete asshole to her and than all of sudden nice. Also Gideon seem like he should have been older than 19. I did like the Southern Gothic feel since I was born and raise in the south but that wasn't enough to save this book. I really was looking forward into finishing and reading the second one but that is not happening.
When you are reading a book and two things happen that’s a big sign that you are not enjoying it.
1. It takes you almost a week to read a 300 page book where it usually takes you 2-3 days at best.
2. You are 70% in and you want to stop but since you are almost at the finish line, you keep on moving.
I found myself doing that with this book
It's honestly was a decent book until Gideon confession which he seems very controlling and not respecting Raven wishes at all. I have been on A Beauty and the Beast retelling kick lately and this one disappointed me. While Raven was a decent main character and I liked her friends, the romance part of it fell flat since it really wasn't a turning point with their feelings. You could say the west wing part was is some similar to the Disney version of BATB but it felt it jarring how he was a compete asshole to her and than all of sudden nice. Also Gideon seem like he should have been older than 19. I did like the Southern Gothic feel since I was born and raise in the south but that wasn't enough to save this book. I really was looking forward into finishing and reading the second one but that is not happening.
jlove731's review against another edition
5.0
The first thing I thought when I finished this book was 'dang, I would love to see this as a movie'. The Artisans has such an awesome and haunting concept to it plus I just adore all of the characters. It's truly an eerie and unforgettable book with a slightly sexy twist and I loved it.
At first when we meet Raven, I almost thought this book was a historical fiction because it came off so gothic-era-esque, but you later find out that it's definitely not and gothic is just her style, which was a striking characteristic about her. With Rae, I feel so sorry for her throughout this book...she hasn't had the easiest life nor does it become any easier for her. I admired her strength though and was happy for how the book ended for her.
With our lead boy, Jack or shall I say Gideon Maddox, I had an opposite feeling for him. I actually had to grow to love this boy. At first he starts out so arrogant, so mysterious, and it kind of irked me. As the story plays out though, you begin to see that he does have a heart and is put in just as bad of a situation as Raven. Plus, Jack is freaken sexy and I LOVE the fact that he has blonde curls...total win! Watching him and Raven break each other's walls, totally made me love them.
The other characters in the book are just as awesome! My favorite probably being Cole, who I loved right off the bat. Cole is hot and French and I just really liked his role through out the book. Dane and Mags were so cute together and amazing best friends for Raven. Finally, Jenny...aka best house keeper ever!
Overall this story was one I totally loved! The concept and world building of The Artisans was just so unique and creepy that it kind of blew my mind with how different it is. Plus, with my love of photography...it easily captured my attention. What was also cool about this book is that it has paranormal, magic, romance, and basically a lot of awesome elements wrapped into one. Fantastic story line, loved it!
Find this review at Shortie Says
*ARC provided by Month 9 Books for an honest early review
At first when we meet Raven, I almost thought this book was a historical fiction because it came off so gothic-era-esque, but you later find out that it's definitely not and gothic is just her style, which was a striking characteristic about her. With Rae, I feel so sorry for her throughout this book...she hasn't had the easiest life nor does it become any easier for her. I admired her strength though and was happy for how the book ended for her.
With our lead boy, Jack or shall I say Gideon Maddox, I had an opposite feeling for him. I actually had to grow to love this boy. At first he starts out so arrogant, so mysterious, and it kind of irked me. As the story plays out though, you begin to see that he does have a heart and is put in just as bad of a situation as Raven. Plus, Jack is freaken sexy and I LOVE the fact that he has blonde curls...total win! Watching him and Raven break each other's walls, totally made me love them.
The other characters in the book are just as awesome! My favorite probably being Cole, who I loved right off the bat. Cole is hot and French and I just really liked his role through out the book. Dane and Mags were so cute together and amazing best friends for Raven. Finally, Jenny...aka best house keeper ever!
Overall this story was one I totally loved! The concept and world building of The Artisans was just so unique and creepy that it kind of blew my mind with how different it is. Plus, with my love of photography...it easily captured my attention. What was also cool about this book is that it has paranormal, magic, romance, and basically a lot of awesome elements wrapped into one. Fantastic story line, loved it!
Find this review at Shortie Says
*ARC provided by Month 9 Books for an honest early review
codyleigh's review against another edition
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!
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
WHERE IS THIS BOOK?!
I need to pre-order it right now, but it's nowhere to be found! Arghhh, gimme!
Literary-ly Obsessed
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!
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
WHERE IS THIS BOOK?!
I need to pre-order it right now, but it's nowhere to be found! Arghhh, gimme!
Literary-ly Obsessed
percys_panda_pillow_pet's review against another edition
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
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
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