nyashatarlia's review against another edition
4.0
When reading please acknowledge my grammar is not the best as I am dyslexic.
I read “the beauty within” about beast (from beauty and the beast) and I loved it. My next favourite Disney character/ movie after Beauty and the Beast is 101 Dalmatians, so I had to read this as I have a secret obsession with Cruella De’vil.
Just after 1 chapter I can tell Cruella was the product of her toxic mother. You could just see the cold love Cruella felt from her mother was going to shape her as a person, especially without her fathers warmth.
The way the writer slowly made her show Cruella traces until she was truly the Cruella De’vil we all know was perfect, especially when she put on that fur coat and gave the head teacher a piece of her mind with a classy attitude! I was so excited!!
The twist from the original story are so good, such as Cruella being the original owner of Perdi; how Cruella and Anita were best friend.
Although the final chapter of it seemed abit rushed together, and wasn’t the best, I still really enjoying this story.
I read “the beauty within” about beast (from beauty and the beast) and I loved it. My next favourite Disney character/ movie after Beauty and the Beast is 101 Dalmatians, so I had to read this as I have a secret obsession with Cruella De’vil.
Just after 1 chapter I can tell Cruella was the product of her toxic mother. You could just see the cold love Cruella felt from her mother was going to shape her as a person, especially without her fathers warmth.
The way the writer slowly made her show Cruella traces until she was truly the Cruella De’vil we all know was perfect, especially when she put on that fur coat and gave the head teacher a piece of her mind with a classy attitude! I was so excited!!
The twist from the original story are so good, such as Cruella being the original owner of Perdi; how Cruella and Anita were best friend.
Although the final chapter of it seemed abit rushed together, and wasn’t the best, I still really enjoying this story.
bookdinosaur20's review against another edition
4.0
I’m in the love with the villains series and this book is no exception. The story of Cruella is not one we hear often and it was very interesting to see how she went crazy. You got to see her grow up, her friendship with Anita, and how she was once married! While what Cruella wanted to do to the puppies was evil, I don’t think Cruella is evil herself. Just a bunch of bad choices and a horrible parent that added up to a downward spiral. Enough to make anyone go off their rocker! Can’t wait to see if there is going to be more!
schottjm's review against another edition
4.0
There were several plot points in here that had great possibility but never reached fruition. One, involving a pair of earrings, might be a nod to the next book in the series, but who knows? Still, an entertaining read, even if it puts the main overarching story on pause. Three and a half stars, rounded up.
twiinklex's review against another edition
4.0
✨ "I was living the grandest life I could wish for. I was married to the love of my life; my mother was safely tucked away in my childhood home; I was rich, beautiful, and happy. I was Lady Cruella De Vil. But of course, isn't it always the case that the higher you fly, the farther you fall? And I would indeed fall, farther than I could have possibly imagined."
A very cool and interesting origin story of Cruella De Vil! This book focuses on her childhood and how the iconic villain came to be. The story was engaging and definitely made me feel sympathetic towards her.
I found this to be significantly better than the other books in the series. For once, it was a legit origin story instead of deviating from canon. No talk about politics and battles and 'The Odd Sisters' in a shared magical universe.
And unlike its predecessors, this book can be read as a standalone (there are very mild references to the magical realm but nothing hard to understand) which definitely added to my enjoyment. I also loved how this book focused on a tale that doesn't involve a Disney princess.
I don't usually comment on book covers but I feel that this one was poorly designed. The title is in black font and hence illegible. The taglines, author and cover blurb are in red font and thus hard to read against a black background. Strange choice of colours.
shalanna's review against another edition
5.0
This is what I expected when I started reading the Villains series...a book from the perspective of the Villain, told by the Villain! Why it took to book 7 to finally get that, I don't know, but I definitely liked this better than most of the books in the series.
I read the kindle version, as well as listened to the audiobook. I really enjoyed the narrator of the audio, who truly embodied Cruella and sounded just like her! Interesting perspective. I almost felt sorry for Cruella at points.
I read the kindle version, as well as listened to the audiobook. I really enjoyed the narrator of the audio, who truly embodied Cruella and sounded just like her! Interesting perspective. I almost felt sorry for Cruella at points.
lizzieg22's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Suicide
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Emotional abuse
zoemelissareads's review against another edition
4.0
I actually really liked that this one in the series didn't relate to The Odd Sisters. Not that I don't like them but I got to know more of Cruela. It was nice to have a back story to the such cruel woman. The book was really well written, although the ending felt a little rushed. I loved how it would go from 1st to 3rd person but the character Cruela annoyed me so much how she couldn't tell that her mother was the evil one and not the rest of the people in her life I will never understand. I feel sorry for Cruela though, she's lost so much and is driving herself insane all encouraged by her mother. I wished so badly for an alternative happy ending in this book where Cruela would still be best friends with Anita!
debzemanlms's review against another edition
4.0
A great graphic novel that gives the reader some insight as to how Cruelle de Vil came to be a viscious, lonely, bitter old woman. As you read the story, you feel for her. She's a lonely little girl, ignored by her mother, mourning the loss of her father. Was it the earrings? or was it because of the lack of affection from her mother that turned her into the villainess readers have come to know. Beautifully drawn, keeping to the red, black, white and grey scheme, this story will grab the reader and not let them go. Only downside was that it felt as if there were too many words for each panel. Other than that, it was enjoyable.
rissreviews_xx's review against another edition
3.0
Serena Valentino is a talented author and she never disappoints.