maineiaczookeeper's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
khaleesimod93's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
As bad as this sounds, I liked this one much better than all the others. This one actually had somewhat of a plot. Not much of one, but still there was something. It was an interesting plot twist with Laurent and Lexius. I loved Laurent through out the story. I'm so glad that Beauty's parents fought for her to be released because honestly I was over it at this point 🤦‍♀️ I just wanted them to all get their happily ever after. Which they did in a way. I'm not sure I want to get into the 4th one. I'm a little iffy right now on the whole series. Mostly because the first two weren't that great. This one was better, but ugh I don't know. This is a hard series for me to fully say whether I liked or not. It's definitely an experience.Â
bigbookgeek's review against another edition
5.0
This was my favorite book in the series (so far)! The book picks up right where the last one left off, and as can be expected, the steamy eroticism never cooled a degree! We are treated to more in depth descriptions of the "pony" slaves, the ultimate submission! The books doesn't try to hide what it is, pure, hardcore. unapologetic erotica!
On a side note, all the negative reviews of this book crack me up! If you hate what you're reading so much, put the damn book down! Why spend time doing things you hate so you can then go online and bitch about it? Life is short, folks!
On a side note, all the negative reviews of this book crack me up! If you hate what you're reading so much, put the damn book down! Why spend time doing things you hate so you can then go online and bitch about it? Life is short, folks!
shahrun's review against another edition
4.0
Finally finished this trilogy this morning. It came up with a few surprises but, ultimatly ended where I guessed it would.
msdeecm's review against another edition
3.0
This review first appeared on Brazen Reads.
There’s a particular scene in the first or second chapter of the book that struck a cord with me when reading this. Laurent is discussing love with Beauty and in a paragraph she nonchalantly declares she no longer cares for the people and insisted she loved with all her heart in the previous books. The Crown Prince, Lady Juliana, Alexi, even Tristan who is still with her but so obviously in love with his master, are dismissed. She then mentions whether these erotic games they have been playing would be any different if played with someone she “was interested in”. This troubled me because, though I should be used to it by now, all these inconsistencies in how the characters feel and act are making reading this series a chore instead of a pleasure.
Regarding the writing, the change from first to third point of view was particularly bothersome in Beauty’s Release. I find that it interfered with the overall flow of the book. There’s also the not-so-pleasant feeling that Laurent does things (his narrative is in the first person) whereas Beauty has things done to her. It is uncertain whether Rice intended this interchange of an active and a passive narrator in order to underline their sexual preferences, since Laurent acts more comfortably as a dominant whereas Beauty is most content in submission. Nevertheless, for me, it was poorly done. As I’ve said before, the series would have been a lot better if whoever was Rice’s editor on this series actually edited her.
The conclusion was a little abrupt for me, though improved and better developed than the endings of the previous two novels. Oddly enough, I even found the ending reasonable. Given the circumstances, the “happily ever after” ending was fitting as no one else would have done as a pairing for these two once they were released in the real world.
A few words for the sex in this one. It is better. At least, I found it marginally more enjoyable than in Beauty’s Punishment. Not having to read pony play makes me happy. There are still elements of humiliation, non-consent and improbability but overall I found it more enjoyable. Maybe I finally got used to how surreal the sex can be in this series, right on time for the series to end.
If I had to say a few words for the entire series overall, I’d say it could be enjoyable, if you don’t think much. If you’re used to dwelling over your reading material, if you see it with a critical eye and try to de-construct it, this series will drive you mad, as it has driven me. If, however, you prefer to focus on the sexy bits and take things at face value, the series can be an enjoyable reading experience. At least, that’s what I’ve been told.
There’s a particular scene in the first or second chapter of the book that struck a cord with me when reading this. Laurent is discussing love with Beauty and in a paragraph she nonchalantly declares she no longer cares for the people and insisted she loved with all her heart in the previous books. The Crown Prince, Lady Juliana, Alexi, even Tristan who is still with her but so obviously in love with his master, are dismissed. She then mentions whether these erotic games they have been playing would be any different if played with someone she “was interested in”. This troubled me because, though I should be used to it by now, all these inconsistencies in how the characters feel and act are making reading this series a chore instead of a pleasure.
Regarding the writing, the change from first to third point of view was particularly bothersome in Beauty’s Release. I find that it interfered with the overall flow of the book. There’s also the not-so-pleasant feeling that Laurent does things (his narrative is in the first person) whereas Beauty has things done to her. It is uncertain whether Rice intended this interchange of an active and a passive narrator in order to underline their sexual preferences, since Laurent acts more comfortably as a dominant whereas Beauty is most content in submission. Nevertheless, for me, it was poorly done. As I’ve said before, the series would have been a lot better if whoever was Rice’s editor on this series actually edited her.
The conclusion was a little abrupt for me, though improved and better developed than the endings of the previous two novels. Oddly enough, I even found the ending reasonable. Given the circumstances, the “happily ever after” ending was fitting as no one else would have done as a pairing for these two once they were released in the real world.
A few words for the sex in this one. It is better. At least, I found it marginally more enjoyable than in Beauty’s Punishment. Not having to read pony play makes me happy. There are still elements of humiliation, non-consent and improbability but overall I found it more enjoyable. Maybe I finally got used to how surreal the sex can be in this series, right on time for the series to end.
If I had to say a few words for the entire series overall, I’d say it could be enjoyable, if you don’t think much. If you’re used to dwelling over your reading material, if you see it with a critical eye and try to de-construct it, this series will drive you mad, as it has driven me. If, however, you prefer to focus on the sexy bits and take things at face value, the series can be an enjoyable reading experience. At least, that’s what I’ve been told.
afilmfatale's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Honestly my favorite one yet but tainted by the mutilation of racial stereotypes. The harem life was a grade waygu spice.Â
catladyreba's review against another edition
2.0
This one seemed like a quicker, easier read than the 2 previous installments, but maybe that was just me getting used to the writing style. I am a little annoyed that Roquelaure (Rice) couldn't leave well enough alone, and published another Beauty book, almost 30 years later (2016) thereby ensuring that this is not the last entry in the series. I get capitalizing on 50 shades fame, but should she have left well enough alone? I'm not sure I will find out because I am on the fence whether or not to read Beauty's Kingdom. This volume served as the final chapter for so many years, I may be content to let it do the same for me.
rainydaywriter's review
4.0
Going into this book, I felt sad that we were leaving the village. And by the end of it, I was still sad that the period in the village had ended. So that says a lot about the quality of book two, or I guess the quality of the experiences of the characters in book two.
The new settings of this book are interesting, and having Laurent be a POV character was cool, but a little less relatable if the reader isn't themselves a switch.
Ultimately another fun romp, again with a ton of non-con, and some new experiences and settings for the characters.
The new settings of this book are interesting, and having Laurent be a POV character was cool, but a little less relatable if the reader isn't themselves a switch.
Ultimately another fun romp, again with a ton of non-con, and some new experiences and settings for the characters.
anouk90's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0