ponds's review
4.0
Look, I found out about this book because I saw a hilarious TikTok the author made about how her entire family found out about it, including her old tíos, and so naturally I had to read it. And I'm so glad I did! I've been in a reading slump for MONTHS and this is the first thing that's grasped my interest long enough.
I'm deducting a star because it could definitely have been better edited (I spotted a lot of small mistakes) and the pacing felt a little off to me in some parts, but otherwise it was a lovely read and I definitely look forward to the sequel!
I'm deducting a star because it could definitely have been better edited (I spotted a lot of small mistakes) and the pacing felt a little off to me in some parts, but otherwise it was a lovely read and I definitely look forward to the sequel!
brittanisavery's review
4.0
Great beginning but couldn't stick the landing
I received a free physical copy of the book in exchange for an honest review, but that has not changed my opinion about the book at all. Just wanted to give a heads-up.
Before reading the book, I briefly looked at the Wikipedia page of the fairytale on which this book is inspired, East of the Sun, West of the Moon. It was new to me. I was looking forward to see where the author took it since it was a bit different from the classic Beauty and the Beast.
I enjoyed how the main two characters were quickly established in the beginning of the book. Peytra, being a talented artist with wood, had a playful and family-oriented personality but was still fueled with the desire to be recognized for her work. The Duke was a very mysterious and somewhat intimidating figure, being covered from head to toe in dark clothing and wearing a mask. However, Peytra as well as the reader was able to see glimpses of a man who was interested in art and literature and wanting to do his best as a duke and leader. They took time to find out more about each other and it was a slow build on their relationship, which I thought worked well.
The minor characters added just the right amount of variety to the cast. While in the start they may have seemed stereotypical (the all-business accountant, the fuzzy cook, the womanizer, etc.), there was enough revealed to make them fully fleshed out characters. The interactions between Peytra and the rest of the castle staff were some of my favorites.
Yet, toward the middle/end of the book, I felt a shift in the tone. Peytra and the Duke were no longer going slow but full speed ahead. It took me out of the story just a bit when it was said that only some months had passed since her time in the castle. Maybe I'm just old-fashioned or a pessimist when it comes to love, but I just can't see myself falling in real, true, and lasting love in just a few months.
I also felt the end of the book focused more on the explicit sex scenes (which I skipped over, just not cup of tea—no fault of the author). The finale of the book felt rushed and sudden, introducing things only barely mentioned and then leaving it on a cliff-hanger. I realize that this is the first in a series and more will be explained in the coming book(s). Still, I wished a bit more time was taken to give this book a satisfying ending.
In addition, there are some strange formatting issues, missed typos, and confusing point-of-view switches. Sometimes, the point-of-view switched in the middle of a paragraph and left me quite unsure of who was speaking/thinking or even what was going on. There were some passages that I had to re-read to get a clearer picture of the current happenings.
Overall, I liked the step up and the characters had fun personalities. The middle and end fell flat for me, seemingly having less of what I got me hooked in the first place. I would give it 3.5 stars.
I received a free physical copy of the book in exchange for an honest review, but that has not changed my opinion about the book at all. Just wanted to give a heads-up.
Before reading the book, I briefly looked at the Wikipedia page of the fairytale on which this book is inspired, East of the Sun, West of the Moon. It was new to me. I was looking forward to see where the author took it since it was a bit different from the classic Beauty and the Beast.
I enjoyed how the main two characters were quickly established in the beginning of the book. Peytra, being a talented artist with wood, had a playful and family-oriented personality but was still fueled with the desire to be recognized for her work. The Duke was a very mysterious and somewhat intimidating figure, being covered from head to toe in dark clothing and wearing a mask. However, Peytra as well as the reader was able to see glimpses of a man who was interested in art and literature and wanting to do his best as a duke and leader. They took time to find out more about each other and it was a slow build on their relationship, which I thought worked well.
The minor characters added just the right amount of variety to the cast. While in the start they may have seemed stereotypical (the all-business accountant, the fuzzy cook, the womanizer, etc.), there was enough revealed to make them fully fleshed out characters. The interactions between Peytra and the rest of the castle staff were some of my favorites.
Yet, toward the middle/end of the book, I felt a shift in the tone. Peytra and the Duke were no longer going slow but full speed ahead. It took me out of the story just a bit when it was said that only some months had passed since her time in the castle. Maybe I'm just old-fashioned or a pessimist when it comes to love, but I just can't see myself falling in real, true, and lasting love in just a few months.
I also felt the end of the book focused more on the explicit sex scenes (which I skipped over, just not cup of tea—no fault of the author). The finale of the book felt rushed and sudden, introducing things only barely mentioned and then leaving it on a cliff-hanger. I realize that this is the first in a series and more will be explained in the coming book(s). Still, I wished a bit more time was taken to give this book a satisfying ending.
In addition, there are some strange formatting issues, missed typos, and confusing point-of-view switches. Sometimes, the point-of-view switched in the middle of a paragraph and left me quite unsure of who was speaking/thinking or even what was going on. There were some passages that I had to re-read to get a clearer picture of the current happenings.
Overall, I liked the step up and the characters had fun personalities. The middle and end fell flat for me, seemingly having less of what I got me hooked in the first place. I would give it 3.5 stars.
zellapaige's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
I read smut cause I want happy things in my life. Smut and world building are good. Everything else sucks. This is not happy. I just if you want smut that ends in a peril filled cliffhanger you might enjoy this though.
tiffanymichellebrown's review
4.0
Talented, independent Peytra Sike is itching for the opportunity to prove herself as a serious sculptor, and her chance comes when the masked duke, Jors Ameros, commissions her to carve the mantels in his castle. Peytra accepts the commission and joins the duke on his estate, where she befriends his kind and bubbly waitstaff and sets to work on her job. Little does she know, while she's there, she just might learn the mystery behind the duke's masked appearance...and she may also lose her heart.
This retelling of Beauty and the Beast is ideal for readers who like their heroines strong and determined and their love stories ones of both respect and fiery passion. I love the romance that blooms between Peytra and Jors. It felt extremely genuine. Also, since the duke refuses to be seen without his mask, there is ample use of blindfolds, and let me tell you...it's nice.
Fair warning, this book ends on a cliffhanger, but you better believe you'll be excited for the next installment. Personally, I can't wait to see what this tale has in store for Peytra and Jors. Four stars!
This retelling of Beauty and the Beast is ideal for readers who like their heroines strong and determined and their love stories ones of both respect and fiery passion. I love the romance that blooms between Peytra and Jors. It felt extremely genuine. Also, since the duke refuses to be seen without his mask, there is ample use of blindfolds, and let me tell you...it's nice.
Fair warning, this book ends on a cliffhanger, but you better believe you'll be excited for the next installment. Personally, I can't wait to see what this tale has in store for Peytra and Jors. Four stars!
_away_with_the_fairies_'s review
5.0
WARNING! You will not put this book down...
I may have binge read this book in 2 nights... I also may have not slept much in the quest to get to the end and find out Jors' secret...
Honestly, Laura writes incredibly well - I was hooked from the first page and really enjoyed it.
I have to say, I didn't know where the fantasy element was originally, but then as you learn more about what happened to Jors and about his Mother you do believe that there is so much more to the story than what you're being told. IT DROVE ME MAD! I wanted to know the secret so badly and although I kind of worked it out, nothing is really confirmed. Mainly because Laura is evil and mean and LEFT US ON THE BIGGEST CLIFF HANGER EVER!!
How could you do this to us?! I need the next book and I need it now!
The love story between Jors and Peytra is beautiful and I adore that she completely falls for him having not seen him and not caring that he may be horribly disfigured due his past. This is true love -falling in love with someone because of who they are and how they make you feel and not what they look like.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I know you all will too!
Also, Laura, if you read this - I'm still mad over the cliff hanger …
I may have binge read this book in 2 nights... I also may have not slept much in the quest to get to the end and find out Jors' secret...
Honestly, Laura writes incredibly well - I was hooked from the first page and really enjoyed it.
I have to say, I didn't know where the fantasy element was originally, but then as you learn more about what happened to Jors and about his Mother you do believe that there is so much more to the story than what you're being told. IT DROVE ME MAD! I wanted to know the secret so badly and although I kind of worked it out, nothing is really confirmed. Mainly because Laura is evil and mean and LEFT US ON THE BIGGEST CLIFF HANGER EVER!!
How could you do this to us?! I need the next book and I need it now!
The love story between Jors and Peytra is beautiful and I adore that she completely falls for him having not seen him and not caring that he may be horribly disfigured due his past. This is true love -falling in love with someone because of who they are and how they make you feel and not what they look like.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I know you all will too!
Also, Laura, if you read this - I'm still mad over the cliff hanger …
margaretadelle's review against another edition
4.0
I was a huge fan of the author's short story work, so I was thrilled when she gave me a copy of this book for review. Although admittedly, it's a much different style from her previous work.
While I'm not the biggest fan of most Beauty and the Beast retellings, the East of the Sun, West of the Moon adaptation is a personal favorite. And this story does the original justice, while improving on some aspects. For example, Peytra goes with the Duke for a position she earned with her own skill, as opposed to being "given" by her father for her beauty. And there are plenty of queer side characters that the original surely did not have (despite queer people most definitely existing back then.)
I liked that there were aspects of sexism embedded in the society that were a key part of the themes, without being cartoonishly overt. And the mystery of the Duke's curse is never fully explained, up through the end. But that makes it more interesting. It definitely sets up the sequel fairly well. Admittedly, it's pretty easy to guess when the curse will be triggered, but that comes more from knowing the original story than any fault in the book specifically.
The reason I gave it a 4 star instead of a 5 has more to do with artistic style than lack of ability. While it is a retelling, it does maintain a level of that old fairytale style. For example, an overview of what's going on, rather than a play by play of what's happening in the scene. But if you enjoy that kind of classic fairytale style, I'm sure you'll appreciate this one.
Overall, I definitely prefer the author's horror and sci-fi work more, but this is a great pick for the fantasy fans out there.
While I'm not the biggest fan of most Beauty and the Beast retellings, the East of the Sun, West of the Moon adaptation is a personal favorite. And this story does the original justice, while improving on some aspects. For example, Peytra goes with the Duke for a position she earned with her own skill, as opposed to being "given" by her father for her beauty. And there are plenty of queer side characters that the original surely did not have (despite queer people most definitely existing back then.)
I liked that there were aspects of sexism embedded in the society that were a key part of the themes, without being cartoonishly overt. And the mystery of the Duke's curse is never fully explained, up through the end. But that makes it more interesting. It definitely sets up the sequel fairly well. Admittedly, it's pretty easy to guess when the curse will be triggered, but that comes more from knowing the original story than any fault in the book specifically.
The reason I gave it a 4 star instead of a 5 has more to do with artistic style than lack of ability. While it is a retelling, it does maintain a level of that old fairytale style. For example, an overview of what's going on, rather than a play by play of what's happening in the scene. But if you enjoy that kind of classic fairytale style, I'm sure you'll appreciate this one.
Overall, I definitely prefer the author's horror and sci-fi work more, but this is a great pick for the fantasy fans out there.
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