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janeeyre_914716's review against another edition
5.0
"This was a human woman. Not a human woman general who studied the tactics of war and secrecy. This was just a woman, a small one who had tucked herself into some nook of his home where they could not sniff her out. He had never been bested by another creature before...The Dread were the most terrifying beasts in the land. Humans trembled at the mere mention of his forces, and yet this woman had managed to not only evade him, but send a wave of uncertainty throughout the ranks."
This was totally wickedly amazing! Especially for my first Emma Hamm book. This was one of those that was a late night reading before bed on my backlit kindle but I can't remember when it picked up for me to the point I couldn't put it down and just devoured it even though I was devouring another one I'm currently reading but this one got my attention big time at some point and I found myself finishing it first before my other one I was way into.
I have to say though this retelling was well done and being actually close to the true Beauty and the Beast story was perfect! I did read or skim to see if Amicia was in the other two books in this trilogy and when I didn't see her name in them and the more I read this one, the more I wondered how Emma Hamm was going to lead into the next books or at least set them up. And oh boy did she build that up perfectly and I loved the twist to it and now excited to pick up the next book when I get a chance. The end was a great way to end this one and I saw some had issues with the King of the Dread trying to kill Amicia earlier by throwing her off a balcony but she survived despite a few broken ribs and broken leg and cut arm and all and then he decided to keep her alive but there was a particular reason as to why he kept her alive afterwards and it ended up being well written. I see that as a possible equivalent but more exciting to the wolves attacking Belle in the original Beauty and the Beast and yet, in that story, if you think about it, the Beast could've left her to the wolves and let her die but he didn't and ended up saving her for some reason he probably didn't know what and the rest is history. It was definitely different from other retellings of this timeless story I've read that I love and is my absolute favorite story so Emma Hamm nailed this one for me and that's saying a lot. This is so far my third favorite Beauty and the Beast retelling.
Top 3 Beauty and the Beast retellings I've read/remembered:
1- [b:Cruel Beauty|15839984|Cruel Beauty|Rosamund Hodge|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1371652590l/15839984._SY75_.jpg|21580669]
2- [b:Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast|41424|Beauty A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast|Robin McKinley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1294192311l/41424._SY75_.jpg|2321285]
3- [b:Gilded Rose|50883711|Gilded Rose (Celestials #1)|Emma Hamm|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1567807065l/50883711._SX50_SY75_.jpg|73269767]
This was totally wickedly amazing! Especially for my first Emma Hamm book. This was one of those that was a late night reading before bed on my backlit kindle but I can't remember when it picked up for me to the point I couldn't put it down and just devoured it even though I was devouring another one I'm currently reading but this one got my attention big time at some point and I found myself finishing it first before my other one I was way into.
I have to say though this retelling was well done and being actually close to the true Beauty and the Beast story was perfect! I did read or skim to see if Amicia was in the other two books in this trilogy and when I didn't see her name in them and the more I read this one, the more I wondered how Emma Hamm was going to lead into the next books or at least set them up. And oh boy did she build that up perfectly and I loved the twist to it and now excited to pick up the next book when I get a chance. The end was a great way to end this one and I saw some had issues with the King of the Dread trying to kill Amicia earlier by throwing her off a balcony but she survived despite a few broken ribs and broken leg and cut arm and all and then he decided to keep her alive but there was a particular reason as to why he kept her alive afterwards and it ended up being well written. I see that as a possible equivalent but more exciting to the wolves attacking Belle in the original Beauty and the Beast and yet, in that story, if you think about it, the Beast could've left her to the wolves and let her die but he didn't and ended up saving her for some reason he probably didn't know what and the rest is history. It was definitely different from other retellings of this timeless story I've read that I love and is my absolute favorite story so Emma Hamm nailed this one for me and that's saying a lot. This is so far my third favorite Beauty and the Beast retelling.
Top 3 Beauty and the Beast retellings I've read/remembered:
1- [b:Cruel Beauty|15839984|Cruel Beauty|Rosamund Hodge|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1371652590l/15839984._SY75_.jpg|21580669]
2- [b:Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast|41424|Beauty A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast|Robin McKinley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1294192311l/41424._SY75_.jpg|2321285]
3- [b:Gilded Rose|50883711|Gilded Rose (Celestials #1)|Emma Hamm|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1567807065l/50883711._SX50_SY75_.jpg|73269767]
bibliophilebindings's review against another edition
5.0
*I received this book after telling the author I would love to Beta Read her book, which was in response to her newsletter. *
I didn't know what to expect from this book. Just before starting it, I had finished another Beauty and the Beast retelling ( A Curse So Dark and Lonely )that had quickly made it to the top of my list of favorite retellings. I didn't expect this book to be as great as that, but it was! Gilded Rose: A Beauty and the Beast Retelling quickly made it to the top of my list and is now one of my favorite retellings.
The Beast is one of a kind in my eyes. He seemed more demonic and I honestly loved that. It made me think of Persephone and Hades. I hadn't read a book where the beast was portrayed this way, and it left me wondering how on earth the author was going to have Amicia fall in love with someone like that.
The first chapter did a great job at setting up the story and getting it on its feet. The second chapter is what really pulled me in and got me hooked. It kept me wondering what was going to happen and how. It pulls the story to where it needs to be, out of slight background for the rest of the story and into where the story will be going.
There are so many relatable things for readers. I couldn't help but highlight quotes that I enjoyed and things that made me laugh. It definitely brought me to love the book more and feel a connection with it.
Amicia and the Beast (and a couple of other characters you will get to know) hold a special place in my heart now. Even one of the characters close to the Beast we aren't supposed to like. They are all unique and have a special trait that really sticks out, and I find that to be very realistic. Although we are made up of many personality traits, we usually have one that sticks out no matter what and kind of governs the rest.
Do not underestimate this book. It got me to tear up and ripped my heart out. I didn't expect it before reading it, and I surely didn't expect it while reading. I also didn't expect it to end the way it did. I was really sad to see that I was nearing the end because I wasn't ready for the story to end. Thank God there is room left for another book! Keeping my hopes up :)
I cannot wait for this book to get into more hands, and to have a hard copy in mine. I absolutely enjoyed reading this and would recommend it to anyone who wants to read a good fantasy romance/retelling that is original.
I didn't know what to expect from this book. Just before starting it, I had finished another Beauty and the Beast retelling ( A Curse So Dark and Lonely )that had quickly made it to the top of my list of favorite retellings. I didn't expect this book to be as great as that, but it was! Gilded Rose: A Beauty and the Beast Retelling quickly made it to the top of my list and is now one of my favorite retellings.
The Beast is one of a kind in my eyes. He seemed more demonic and I honestly loved that. It made me think of Persephone and Hades. I hadn't read a book where the beast was portrayed this way, and it left me wondering how on earth the author was going to have Amicia fall in love with someone like that.
The first chapter did a great job at setting up the story and getting it on its feet. The second chapter is what really pulled me in and got me hooked. It kept me wondering what was going to happen and how. It pulls the story to where it needs to be, out of slight background for the rest of the story and into where the story will be going.
There are so many relatable things for readers. I couldn't help but highlight quotes that I enjoyed and things that made me laugh. It definitely brought me to love the book more and feel a connection with it.
Amicia and the Beast (and a couple of other characters you will get to know) hold a special place in my heart now. Even one of the characters close to the Beast we aren't supposed to like. They are all unique and have a special trait that really sticks out, and I find that to be very realistic. Although we are made up of many personality traits, we usually have one that sticks out no matter what and kind of governs the rest.
Do not underestimate this book. It got me to tear up and ripped my heart out. I didn't expect it before reading it, and I surely didn't expect it while reading. I also didn't expect it to end the way it did. I was really sad to see that I was nearing the end because I wasn't ready for the story to end. Thank God there is room left for another book! Keeping my hopes up :)
I cannot wait for this book to get into more hands, and to have a hard copy in mine. I absolutely enjoyed reading this and would recommend it to anyone who wants to read a good fantasy romance/retelling that is original.
illborrowthisone's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this fun take on the Beauty and the Beast retelling. Reading these won't ever get old.
kit10zero4's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating retelling of Beauty and the Beast with nods to the classic fairytale and the Disney version. What sets is apart from other BatB retellings is Hamm's own lore and character development. While I thoroughly enjoyed her clues to the old tales, her new spin on things were the main attraction. Looking forward to the next book!
serebdipityofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Retelling de “la Bella y la Bestia”
Me ha encantado la historia. Amicia es una joven que se ve envuelta en una situación en la que su vida corre peligro. “The Dreads” o, como yo los traduzco, “Los Terrores” son monstruos alados con un fin común: de la mano de su rey deben tomar todo un reino y convertir a su gente a su imagen y semejanza pero la muchacha escapa a ese destino, y sin saberlo, se mete directamente en la boca del lobo.
Creo que hay muchas similitudes en cuanto a la versión original, pero también he de decir que no me ha resultado ningún plagio.
Las figuras más importantes en la historia me han parecido geniales. Pero desde luego, mi favorita ha sido la protagonista.
He amado de principio a fin como ella iba ganando esa fuerza, fortaleza para enfrentarse a todo lo que le ha venido por delante.
En mi opinión, no es un libro que te cambie la vida, pero si es uno con el que disfrutas la aventura, la lectura es súper amena y deja retazos importantes… No solo para la historia, sino que deja enseñanzas que bien pueden moldearse a la vida cotidiana de uno mismo.
Es un buen comienzo de trilogía, y estoy deseando comenzar el segundo porque tiene pinta de que me va a gustar muchísimo también.
Si he de ponerle algún pero, sería en todo caso por el final. Creo que ha sido, aunque bonito, un tanto precipitado. En tan solo un capítulo, a lo sumo dos, se ha resulto todo y las explicaciones finales han sido muy rápidas… y después de toda la trama, hubiese agradecido más extensión por esa parte. Igualmente, supongo -y quiero estar en lo correcto-, que en el siguiente libro se explicarán más cositas aunque sean de otros personajes.
Me ha encantado la historia. Amicia es una joven que se ve envuelta en una situación en la que su vida corre peligro. “The Dreads” o, como yo los traduzco, “Los Terrores” son monstruos alados con un fin común: de la mano de su rey deben tomar todo un reino y convertir a su gente a su imagen y semejanza pero la muchacha escapa a ese destino, y sin saberlo, se mete directamente en la boca del lobo.
Creo que hay muchas similitudes en cuanto a la versión original, pero también he de decir que no me ha resultado ningún plagio.
Las figuras más importantes en la historia me han parecido geniales. Pero desde luego, mi favorita ha sido la protagonista.
He amado de principio a fin como ella iba ganando esa fuerza, fortaleza para enfrentarse a todo lo que le ha venido por delante.
En mi opinión, no es un libro que te cambie la vida, pero si es uno con el que disfrutas la aventura, la lectura es súper amena y deja retazos importantes… No solo para la historia, sino que deja enseñanzas que bien pueden moldearse a la vida cotidiana de uno mismo.
Es un buen comienzo de trilogía, y estoy deseando comenzar el segundo porque tiene pinta de que me va a gustar muchísimo también.
Si he de ponerle algún pero, sería en todo caso por el final. Creo que ha sido, aunque bonito, un tanto precipitado. En tan solo un capítulo, a lo sumo dos, se ha resulto todo y las explicaciones finales han sido muy rápidas… y después de toda la trama, hubiese agradecido más extensión por esa parte. Igualmente, supongo -y quiero estar en lo correcto-, que en el siguiente libro se explicarán más cositas aunque sean de otros personajes.
claudiasousa06's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved this book! Definitely one of my favourite books from Emma Hamm.
I think the way she chose to do this retelling is actually very original. Her inspiration for this really made this book stand out against other Beauty and the Beast retellings.
I’m looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
I think the way she chose to do this retelling is actually very original. Her inspiration for this really made this book stand out against other Beauty and the Beast retellings.
I’m looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
petrichor_pages's review against another edition
1.0
This was my second try at an Emma Hamm novel. I'm not sure what it is about her writing that doesn't work for me, but there's something that just feels off for me. I wish I enjoyed it more because Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairytale retelling.
Spoiler
It might have been how dark the book was at times? I mean the dude throws her off a building at one point and she nearly dies. I don't know, some of it just pretty dark and I think I like my BatB retellings with a little less death?sookie458's review against another edition
1.0
I felt physical pain while pushing myself to finish this book.
shadereads's review against another edition
The story started too late. I didn't care for the main character or her conflict. Her father died in front of her and I felt nothing. Got to chapter four and just wasn't hooked in any way, so I decided to put it down and find something else that might interest me better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury