kelseybea's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rachel_loves_2_read's review against another edition
5.0
Delightful
I really liked Aden’s story. The overall series mystery didn’t get very far but I imagine we learn more in later books.
I really liked Aden’s story. The overall series mystery didn’t get very far but I imagine we learn more in later books.
booknerdlyn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jenbsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this a lot. A twist on the "Beauty and the Beast" story, and a follow-up to the first book, where we saw Aden get turned into the beast. The scene happens again here, as we are introduced to Isabel (belle) and how she experienced that night, before the POV then continues to shift between her and Aden. There wasn't much continuation from our "Cinderella" characters, although they make a small appearance.
I really liked some of the little twists - that it was actually Belle's "castle" and library that the beast comes into. The beast is still a prince, although that really isn't a secret. Events are initiated because of Isabelle's father (although he doesn't "give" her to the beast as in some tellings). No magic characters, but there is a rose. There is the scene with the spurned love interest leading the village men to go get the beast.
Unlike book 1, which really set up book 2 ... there was no obvious set-up for book three (I looked it up, and it's Erich's story, with a "Little Mermaid" twist). Looks like the eldest brother doesn't get his love story until book 5.
Borrowed with KindleUnlimited. Text only. No audio available. It took me a little while to get through, as I don't have as much "eye" time for reading as "ear" time, and I kept falling asleep when reading (not at ALL because it was bad, just because I was so tired!)
I really liked some of the little twists - that it was actually Belle's "castle" and library that the beast comes into. The beast is still a prince, although that really isn't a secret. Events are initiated because of Isabelle's father (although he doesn't "give" her to the beast as in some tellings). No magic characters, but there is a rose. There is the scene with the spurned love interest leading the village men to go get the beast.
Unlike book 1, which really set up book 2 ... there was no obvious set-up for book three (I looked it up, and it's Erich's story, with a "Little Mermaid" twist). Looks like the eldest brother doesn't get his love story until book 5.
Borrowed with KindleUnlimited. Text only. No audio available. It took me a little while to get through, as I don't have as much "eye" time for reading as "ear" time, and I kept falling asleep when reading (not at ALL because it was bad, just because I was so tired!)
books2graham's review against another edition
4.0
Though I liked the first book better, this was still a light and fluffy read. Aden was a loveable character, though I don't know that I could say the same about his love interest. The romance felt a little forced/drawn out, but eventually it all came together and made up a decent ending.
constant2m's review against another edition
5.0
Emily is magical. When I first began reading this story, I was rather annoyed with Isa (Beauty). She had a chip on her shoulder which she took out on pretty much everyone. Understandable, since her intelligence was as great as her beauty, but it also meant the love story made so much more sense than any version of this story I've read before. While Disney has Beauty and the Beast falling in love over a song, there were a lot more misunderstandings as well as a struggle to learn to trust each other in this version. Also, despite a few angry moments, Aden (the Beast) truly is a sweetheart.
But seriously, making Gaston a scholar who values Beauty for her physical appearance as well as for her father's library and connections is genius! Making Beauty a feminist who is disgruntled with the world in which only male scholars get to sit for exams, so much better than someone who only daydreams about books (although that wasn't lost in the story either). The characters were fantastic and strangely believable (for a fairy tale). In fact, Emily writes the perfect balance of fairy tale and modernity which makes the magic surprisingly even more magical.
I received a free ARC from the author and have reviewed it willingly.
But seriously, making Gaston a scholar who values Beauty for her physical appearance as well as for her father's library and connections is genius! Making Beauty a feminist who is disgruntled with the world in which only male scholars get to sit for exams, so much better than someone who only daydreams about books (although that wasn't lost in the story either). The characters were fantastic and strangely believable (for a fairy tale). In fact, Emily writes the perfect balance of fairy tale and modernity which makes the magic surprisingly even more magical.
I received a free ARC from the author and have reviewed it willingly.
cindeereads's review against another edition
5.0
A Great Beauty and the Beast Retelling
I loved this book very much it was just as good as the last book. I loved the characters especially Aden he is a misunderstood character since he was cursed into the form of a beast though as Isa gets to know him she falls for and regrets how she treating how she did at the start. I loved the slow burn romance it was interesting and took to the end for that romance to have a great ending. I loved the plot it started with Aden getting cursed a storm hitting and Aden ending up somewhere he shouldn't be things lead to one thing or another the curse is broken and there is a happy ending.
I loved this book very much it was just as good as the last book. I loved the characters especially Aden he is a misunderstood character since he was cursed into the form of a beast though as Isa gets to know him she falls for and regrets how she treating how she did at the start. I loved the slow burn romance it was interesting and took to the end for that romance to have a great ending. I loved the plot it started with Aden getting cursed a storm hitting and Aden ending up somewhere he shouldn't be things lead to one thing or another the curse is broken and there is a happy ending.
fuzzyfairy's review
4.0
Finish on lunch break so can't say much lol
Was good, not as good or polished or descriptive as the first. Pacing was off in the first half. Took a long time to intersect the two characters. Once they were together tho, good chest burns. Nice ending.
Probs have more things to say but i have 40 seconds left hahaha
Was good, not as good or polished or descriptive as the first. Pacing was off in the first half. Took a long time to intersect the two characters. Once they were together tho, good chest burns. Nice ending.
Probs have more things to say but i have 40 seconds left hahaha