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bookfortbuilder's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Gore, Torture, Ableism, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Violence, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Death, Blood, War, Physical abuse, Slavery, Cancer, and Injury/Injury detail
aureolyn's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Torture, Blood, Gore, Violence, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Kidnapping, and War
Minor: Abandonment, Grief, and Gun violence
jillie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The last few chapters were unsatisfying for me & the epilogue flipped things in a way I did not like. I won’t be continuing the series (I had decided that before even reading this, based on what others have said about the next 2), and I wish I hadn’t read the epilogue. I really dislike where it appears the story goes next.
Now that that’s out of the way, the good!
Character Work:
I could gush about these characters for so long! Harper and Rhen were very good leads. Kemmerer did so much with their storylines and their growth throughout this story. The side characters were rich & added depth to the world. I genuinely don’t think I will forget these two mains anytime soon. We got to know them very well & I just loved them.
World Building:
I really felt like I was in this kingdom. While the world isn’t large, I did feel it was detailed well enough to have a great grasp of it without being too bogged down with super intricate world building. We also got a good feel for how the kingdom was before our story starts.
Romance:
Ugh, the yearning! I loved reading these two open up to each other & learn to trust. I wanted a little bit more from their relationship in the end, but their growth to friends and more was really sweet to read.
Writing:
Not much to say here except that I greatly enjoyed it. It was emotional & I was impressed with how Kemmerer was able to convey things without pages of explanation. She puts you into the world and minds of the characters so well! I felt like I was experiencing it.
The Villain:
What I was most impressed with here was that the villain was truly terrifying. That can be hard to accomplish when you know the main character isn’t going to die. But this “big bad” was scary enough even without that threat & had plenty of torture to go around.
Overall- It’s the best Beauty & the Beast retelling I’ve read so far. loved the first 95% of it or so way more than I expected. I do wish it had stuck the landing for me (& I also wish I didn’t know certain things about where the story goes). However, I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy.
January 2024
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Torture
Moderate: Vomit, Kidnapping, and War
cdoubet'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
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Cursing, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, War, Genocide, Death, Physical abuse, Confinement, Grief, Medical content, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Torture, Murder, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Animal death, Body horror, Cancer, and Kidnapping
Minor: Vomit, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Gun violence, Infidelity, and Suicidal thoughts
onefineelephant'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
4.5
Graphic: Kidnapping, War, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, Gore, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Medical content, Murder, and Torture
Moderate: Body horror and Child death
Minor: Abandonment, Ableism, Gun violence, Rape, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Drug abuse, Cancer, Cannibalism, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Terminal illness
luna_lovelace's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
I love Harper, she is such a courageous character that truly cares about people and goes through great lengths to help others. I also love Grey, he's loyal and
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Chronic illness, Confinement, and Death of parent
Minor: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and War
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
kylieqrada'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
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Cancer, and War
Minor: Suicide attempt
jackiepreston's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Blood, War, Death, Murder, Death of parent, Gore, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
kcmg710'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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Body shaming, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Suicide attempt, War, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Gore, Grief, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Murder, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Vomit