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kaitie_reads'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
4.0
Definitely very *YA*, but I was immersed in the story and characters throughout. As a beauty and the beast retelling, it's not a new concept, but I liked the spin on it that the author added into this retelling. Harper is a great FMC, I love how strong and self-assured she is throughout the story.
I could've done with like 1000 less "my lady's," and Rhen's character falls a little flat.
As a teenager, I would've been all over this. I just felt at times it was a bit *too young* for me personally as a reader.
I am looking forward to reading the sequel and seeing where the story goes.
Moderate: Murder, Blood, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Pedophilia
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Death, Suicide attempt, Grief, Blood, Body horror, Ableism, Death of parent, War, Medical content, Chronic illness, Alcohol, and Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual harassment and Pedophilia
katievallin'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
4.5
Graphic: Cancer, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Violence, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Physical abuse, Stalking, Alcohol, Gore, War, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
Minor: Child death, Vomit, Abandonment, Pedophilia, Infidelity, Rape, and Ableism
clairewithane's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, and Pedophilia
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
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
rettasbookshelf's review
- 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
Moderate: Blood, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Terminal illness, Violence, and War
Minor: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
theespressoedition'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? It's complicated
5.0
How am I supposed to move on after reading this book? I suppose by picking up the sequel, right? But my gosh, I haven't had a true book hangover in ages and this one accomplished that in no time. I sat down with it and read about 25% at once. I wasn't able to pick it up the following day because I was busy, so when I grabbed it the day after that, I devoured it. It was one of those walking, eating, bathing, and changing while reading kind of occurrences until I had completed it. When I set it down, I felt like I didn't know what to do with myself. It was so incredible!
I'm all about a good retelling. I'll admit that I haven't read many of them, but it seems that when I do, it's a Beauty and the Beast retelling. So I sometimes feel like I've read every version of that fairytale. However, this one takes the cake by a landslide. I wondered from the get-go how Harper would respond to Rhen, what might happen to Jake back home, if Grey was a good guy or a bad guy, and if the "creature" would show up at an inconvenient time.
It was so satisfying. Not because everything went according to plan, but because it all went exactly as I wanted it to (that sounds like it might be the same thing, but I'm actually a fan of chaos in books). It was creative and adventurous and I loved nearly every moment of it. I think the literal only thing I didn't love was the endless inner dialogue that Rhen kept having about how terrible he was as a monster. Yes, we get it, you killed people because you are cursed, but like... move forward? Not that I expected him to just get over the fact that he literally murdered his entire family and then some, but I just wanted him to stop beating himself up and find a way to act. I love that Harper initiated that and brought about change in the village.
"I am always surprised to discover that when the world seems darkest, there exists the greatest opportunity for light."
Grey's character was certainly my favorite throughout the entire story
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Pedophilia and Terminal illness
sapphicread's review
- 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? No
3.5
Moderate: Violence and Blood
Minor: Pedophilia and Terminal illness
laurennicold's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Pedophilia and Sexual assault
Two brief mentions of pedophilia (one a threatened assault, the other an inquiry from a middle aged man about marrying a fourteen year old). Brief threat of sexual assault – in context,