Scan barcode
amykwrites's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
lotte5322's review against another edition
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Physical abuse, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
rensreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
*clenches fist*
i have no idea where to begin with my love for this story. it was heartbreaking, tragic, funny, and full of so much promise.
though to be fair, i think that plot twist at the end was completely unnecessary and this could’ve just been a standalone. but that’s just my opinion and it might change after i read the sequel. i suppose we’ll see in time.
i adore absolutely everything about harper. she’s so badass. i hope if i ever end up in her position i too can do what she has. wishful thinking though heh
rhen, oh that man. and scary gray!!!! gods they were the best thing to come from this book. zo too! i just loved their dynamic so much. gray’s undying loyalty was just the absolute best. i love him so much. and rhen was so tortured but so unwilling to let anyone else shoulder his hurts. that’s the kind of love interest i would give up everything for.
100% a 5 star read for me!
i have no idea where to begin with my love for this story. it was heartbreaking, tragic, funny, and full of so much promise.
though to be fair, i think that plot twist at the end was completely unnecessary and this could’ve just been a standalone. but that’s just my opinion and it might change after i read the sequel. i suppose we’ll see in time.
i adore absolutely everything about harper. she’s so badass. i hope if i ever end up in her position i too can do what she has. wishful thinking though heh
rhen, oh that man. and scary gray!!!! gods they were the best thing to come from this book. zo too! i just loved their dynamic so much. gray’s undying loyalty was just the absolute best. i love him so much. and rhen was so tortured but so unwilling to let anyone else shoulder his hurts. that’s the kind of love interest i would give up everything for.
100% a 5 star read for me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Violence, Blood, and Medical content
Moderate: Infidelity, Torture, Medical trauma, and War
Minor: Ableism and Abandonment
loverofbooks123's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
If I had to use a single word to describe this book it would be enthralling. This has become one of the best books I have ever read. Since it was a Beauty and the Beast retelling, I was a little skeptical about reading it but it was far better than the original.
Harper, the main character, was a delight to read. She was very different from any other female characters I have read. I have come across smart, independent and fiery heroines but Harper really made me admire her not only because of her qualities but also her flaws.She doesn't have anyone pity her for her cerebral palsy and is eager to learn new skills - not to mention her outstanding capabilities of an equestrian. Her emotions and practicality are so amazingly balanced. Her sheer determination to save the people of Emberfall from the curse was truly commendable. I expected the book to end with both of the main leads falling in love, the curse lifting off and everyone gets a happily ever after. But I was glad when she said she wanted time to sort out her feelings. It was the best ending one could hope for instead of having the book end with yet another case of Stockholm syndrome.
Rhen, the hero and the Beast of our story, might be the best YA male lead I've read in a while. His character is so complex. Like he was an arrogant prince but as Grey says, never cruel. The way he's come to change his ways after being cursed was some major character development.
Grey, Freya, Jamison - there's isn't a character you'd hate except of course Lilith.
Truly, a refreshing take on a classic fairytale.
Harper, the main character, was a delight to read. She was very different from any other female characters I have read. I have come across smart, independent and fiery heroines but Harper really made me admire her not only because of her qualities but also her flaws.
Rhen, the hero and the Beast of our story, might be the best YA male lead I've read in a while. His character is so complex. Like he was an arrogant prince but as Grey says, never cruel. The way he's come to change his ways after being cursed was some major character development.
Grey, Freya, Jamison - there's isn't a character you'd hate except of course Lilith.
Truly, a refreshing take on a classic fairytale.
Content Warnings
Minor: Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Abandonment
durrareadsstuff's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
WOW it's been so long since I've felt this way about a book and for that I say thank you, thank you, thank you. I can't stop thinking about this book. It exceeded all my expectations and the hype I saw on instagram. To be honest, I was quite skeptical about this book cause I'm not too big a fan of beauty and the beast, so I had pretty low expectations going into this, but I loved it so much!!
First of all, I LOVE Brigid Kemmerer's writing style. It's utterly mind-blowing. I mean, just look at this:
First of all, I LOVE Brigid Kemmerer's writing style. It's utterly mind-blowing. I mean, just look at this:
Hope blooms in my chest anyway, a tiny bud giving way to the first light of spring, petals daring to open to reveal the colour inside.
HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH THAT?? And the way she so effortlessly alternates between the "modern" and "old" povs like Harper vs. Rhen was just amazing. The way you can tell who's speaking even if she didn't put the name in there. I think that's really well done.
In terms of the characters, I loved them all. I like how Brigid didn't make having cerebral palsy as Harper's dominating personality trait. I love how Harper acknowledges it and isn't ashamed of it and doesn't let it get in her away and she's just so strong and smart. And another thing I find sort of refreshing is that Harper isn't a "natural" badass you know? Like she's not like Inej or Aelin or Zoya who, when we read their stories, they're already "men-killers" and super skilled assassins, but in this case, Harper is still in her learning phase and she's so resilient and I just love that.
In terms of the characters, I loved them all. I like how Brigid didn't make having cerebral palsy as Harper's dominating personality trait. I love how Harper acknowledges it and isn't ashamed of it and doesn't let it get in her away and she's just so strong and smart. And another thing I find sort of refreshing is that Harper isn't a "natural" badass you know? Like she's not like Inej or Aelin or Zoya who, when we read their stories, they're already "men-killers" and super skilled assassins, but in this case, Harper is still in her learning phase and she's so resilient and I just love that.
They believe her limp is the result of a war injury, but Harper is quick to correct them.
"I was born this way," she'll snap, "and I'm going to die this way, so teach me to work around it."
I also loved Rhen's character. I like how he seems like a self-indulgent arrogant prince in the beginning and we get to see him shed his layers. I love how he cares so much about his people and tries time and again to sacrifice himself to save them. His story is so, so sad and he's had to go through all that grief and pain and confusion all alone. Grey was such a good friend/loyal commander. I think he's my favourite character.
Also something worth noting - how both Rhen and Harper were scared to fall in love with each other cause neither of them could tell if it was for real. I MEAN--bye I'll be staring at the ceiling for the next few hours.
Some of the themes covered in this book are
- cerebral palsy
- abandonment (Harper's father)
- guilt
- grief
Some of the political intrigue was lost on me, but that's just a me-thing. I think this book was so close to perfection but for some reason I just can't give it a 5 star. But yeah, awesome read.
Also something worth noting - how both Rhen and Harper were scared to fall in love with each other cause neither of them could tell if it was for real. I MEAN--bye I'll be staring at the ceiling for the next few hours.
Some of the themes covered in this book are
- cerebral palsy
- abandonment (Harper's father)
- guilt
- grief
Some of the political intrigue was lost on me, but that's just a me-thing. I think this book was so close to perfection but for some reason I just can't give it a 5 star. But yeah, awesome read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Sexual content
ryo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The first book, for me, lacks something—unpredictability, I guess. It was kinda boring and predictable and I was hoping that the antagonist's side will be explained more, but it wasn't. But its an easy read, and there was a cerebral palsy represenation, so there's that. I dont hate it, but I dont love this either. Im rating it 4 out of 5. I would still recommend this though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, and Abandonment