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hiddeninfantasy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
bzliz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The timeline gets a little fuzzy along the way, particularly in regards to “real world” times.
The side characters like Harper’s family lack depth. They serve very few purposes and have little to contribute beyond a rotation of stock phrases about protecting someone close to them.
Readers who like the vibes of training montages and fake royalty will enjoy this.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Blood, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit and War
jessreadreceipts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Minor: Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
supernova7's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Ableism, Blood, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Gore, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
amykwrites's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Cursing, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
karelidz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I'm not sure what was missing for me to give it 5 stars, but 4.8 just seems right.
I went into it just knowing that it was a beauty and the beast retelling, and that was all I needed to know.
I enjoyed every second of this book, I was a quarter of the way in and I already didn't want it to end. From the first chapter I immediately liked Rhen and his suicidal tendencies 😂.
I'm always a bit skeptical when a book has more than 1 pov because for me it tends to feel "choppy" or it doesn't retain my attention as much but I feel like this book made the shifts between pov's so seamlessly, you started right where you left off, and you didn't miss a single second in between.
I don't think I have any complaints; you ultimately know how the story is going to end, but it was still entertaining enough that it held my attention and I wanted to know what was gonna happen next.
I loved it, I loved the characters, I loved the story... Ugh it was just so good.
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Suicide attempt, and War
Minor: Death of parent
sirkeili's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I found Harper to be both intriguing, but also sometimes frustrating when she takes things too literally. She grows a lot during book, but I still found most of her troubles could be solved by trusting Rhen and Grey a lot more than she initially did (even when they proved they meant no ill will).
I think Grey was my favourite, as he seemed the most well rounded and intruguing character. His abilities, attitude and mysterious past seem to all line up in a way that I wanted to follow along with him and see his side of the story. He has so much to tell, and yet so much to unravel about himself as well. Despite the rough and scatter hand of cards he's been given, Grey still shows an innate softness and care for those he holds close.
Harper has all the aspects of a great heroine, but I feel the author hinges everything on her disability, and yet its rarely addressed in the novel. It's almost as though it's just for the ✨ d r a m a ✨ and the "I'm not like other girls" trope (ugh), and not to really showcase how exceptional Harper is despite - and because- of it. I think if there was substance and heart going into developing her character more, Harper could really shine as bright as I know she can. She has a spark big enough to even set Emberfall ablaze, truly.
If you need a softer, yet still slightly gritty retelling, this is a solid one. Very spunky, goofy and generally easy-going-ish book.
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Confinement, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Stalking
Minor: Child death, Cursing, Misogyny, Sexism, and Classism
mmage's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Domestic abuse
journeythroughthechapters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I honestly really enjoyed this. I knew I would because beauty and the beast is one of my favourite Disney movies but still.
I loved the dual perspective, I think it added an dimension to the story that helped to explore all the main characters.
I loved Harper she is officially one of my favourite badass female characters. She has such strength and tenacity that I am in awe of. She has cerebral palsy and this does not hinder her in anyway whatsoever and no one treats her differently for it which I loved.
The only complaint I have is what was with that ending. You can't just leave it there. I need more. Hahaha. But seriously no work is flawless and no book is perfect but this was perfect to me. It had me laughing. It had me awwwwing. It had me gasping. Generally if a book can get a verbal reaction out of me it's a 5 star.
Be warned though, it was quite dark which I wasn't expecting. But I read fantasy so it was fine for me. But if you're new to fantasy shit gets real. Let's just say that.
Representation
Cerebral Palsy (Main Character), Gay (Side Character), POC (Side Character), Physical Disability (Side Character)
Content Warning
Blood, Suicidal Thoughts, Violence, War, Decapitation, Animal Death (mention), Death of a loved one
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, and War
Minor: Animal death
alexiab's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I’m genuinely VERY surprised by this book. The idea of another BATB retelling interested me but didn’t overly excite me, but this story went several directions that I was not expecting at all and I was genuinely very impressed.
I love this approach to the curse/what Harper knows about said curse, and addressing how a leading lady tries to figure out her feelings when she knows she’s supposed to fall in love with someone who abducted her. Overall I think Harper’s mixed emotions about the conflict/Rhen were really well done.
The climax was also super exciting and very well done. It just kept coming and kept coming. I like a book with *good* conflict and I think this delivered.
If this was supposed to be a love triangle I think that definitely fell flat. Grey was a pretty monotone, uninteresting character for the most part, and his unyielding oath felt like it removed a lot of personality from him. I dunno man “loyal to a fault” isn’t really a personality trait.
Also not a fan of Jake. Harper spent so long worried about this dude just for him to act like a Jack ass for most of his scenes. But shout out to Noah the exhausted gay and Rhen the broodiest son of a bitch I’ve ever seen.
Graphic: Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Blood