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diana_raquel'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? Yes
4.5
As I said in other reviews, Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairy tales. Therefore, I'm always looking for retellings of this fairy tale. But I'm always very cautious because not everything that is marketed as a retelling is really a retelling or they are but they are really bad books. And so, I was reticent in starting this trilogy, especially because is a hyped one. It seems that, in social media, everyone and their mother loves this trilogy.
Nonetheless, I decided to read it. And I ended up loving it! The bones of the original fairy tale are there, but it also can stand up as its own story. The characters are interesting and well-written (and there is disability representation, which is a positive point). The story is well-structured and the pacing is just right. I loved it! Its probably one of my favorite books of 2023.
Overall, it's a solid story that I recommend if you're looking for retellings that can be their own story.
Graphic: Suicide attempt, War, Kidnapping, Torture, Murder, Chronic illness, Confinement, Violence, Blood, Death, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Ableism, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexual harassment, and Misogyny
Minor: Alcohol
a_wren_that_reads'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Death of parent, Death, War, Blood, Violence, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Gun violence and Ableism
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: Chronic illness, Gore, Kidnapping, Genocide, War, Alcohol, Murder, Cancer, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Body horror, Death of parent, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Trafficking, Violence, Ableism, Blood, Gun violence, and Suicidal thoughts
imbored_soillread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death of parent, Medical content, Ableism, Alcohol, Blood, Cancer, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual harassment
librarianheaven's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Gore, Blood, War, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Cancer, and Alcohol
Minor: Ableism
sleepysadpoet's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I've yet to read any fantasy-esque books with a disabled main character, and I really appreciated that representation. Harper has cerebral palsy and a bit of a limp as a result. I don't have cp, but I have a limp from other conditions, and it was pretty cool seeing a badass mc that has a limp. Admittedly in the beginning I didn't like Grey or Rhen, but they grew on me. This book was really good, and the whole series was on the buy 2 get the 3rd free table at books-a-million, and I'm glad I got the whole series because I'm about to sit my happy ass down and read the second one until I fall asleep tonight.
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Cancer, Ableism, Violence, Alcohol, and Death of parent
supernova7's review
- 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: Suicide attempt, Blood, and Ableism
Minor: Suicide, Gore, Pedophilia, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, War, and Suicidal thoughts
amykwrites's review
- 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: Emotional abuse, Ableism, Blood, Cancer, Gore, Kidnapping, Violence, Body shaming, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, and War
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Animal death, Infidelity, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism, Confinement, Cursing, Murder, and Torture
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: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Torture, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, War, Blood, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Stalking, Terminal illness, Ableism, Bullying, Confinement, Gun violence, and Medical content
Minor: Child death, Cursing, Classism, Misogyny, and Sexism
saturnsreads'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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Death, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, and War
Minor: Ableism, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, and Vomit