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bookfortbuilder's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
dark
sad
4.0
I really enjoyed this one. A darker retelling of Beauty and the Beast which is my favorite Disney Princess movie. Back then, I didn’t really know how to explain to others why it was my favorite or why I liked it so much but now that I’m older, I understand it wasn’t Belle but the Beast that I was connecting and relating to. Growing up was rough and I still don’t really think anyone could learn to love me cause I don’t even love me. But I digress, some things I liked in this retelling were how it fills in some plot holes on the Beast’s background and family. I think it’s also an interesting concept of how he doesn’t immediately turn into a beast and when he does, he loses himself—only to wake up to the cruel reality of what he has done as the beast. It’s so dark and so lonely! I didn’t really like the reveal at the end though and I’m not sure if I want to start the next book. I also didn’t realize until the end that the mc was a literal child and I’m a little uncomfortable about it:/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Blood, Gore, Violence, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Kidnapping, and War
Minor: Abandonment, Grief, and Gun violence
prashiie's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
“I am always surprised to discover that when the world seems darkest, there exists the greatest opportunity for light.”
A retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but in this story the prince is cursed to find his love before the end of the season and turns into a beast. If he doesn’t, the season starts again. An endless loop. The female main character is a girl from D.C. who tries to save a woman from getting kidnapped and gets kidnapped herself in the process. She’s described to have cerebral palsy and at first I didn’t know what to expect. I don’t know much about cerebral palsy but I was surprised to find out more about it. I didn’t realise that people with this condition still can do a lot.
I have a lot of thoughts on Harper, but it was funny when she explains to the people of Emberfall that she’s from D.C. and the kingdom of Disi is born, lol. Other than that, Harper was exhausting and annoying, mainly because of her short-sightedness and impulsiveness.
“I don't know what's happening to my mother or my brother, but the unknown can't compete with what she's doing right in front of me.”
AND she doesn’t trust Rhen’s judgement on his OWN kingdom. Harper who had been there for one day already knows Emberfall and its people better than Rhen. And when he says that, he’s patronising her. Great. And the moment she slaps Rhen… not cool.
“She has been here one day and I am already exhausted.”
Same…. But I guess her impulsiveness, even though it was annoying, was what Emberfall needed.
My favourite character was definitely Rhen, surprise surprise! The curse has made him hopeless, but it also did a lot for his personal development. He became a better version of himself–merciful, understanding, and patient. He’s great!
“True love is not about romance. True love requires sacrifice. A willingness to place another's life above your own.”
AND GREY IS THE ACTUAL HEIR TO THE THRONE?! I hope this doesn’t turn into a tiresome love triangle, but it probably will.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Kidnapping, Death, Violence, Murder, Suicide, Grief, Cancer, Self harm, Abandonment, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, War, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, and Ableism
Moderate: Death of parent
cdoubet's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
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
jelkebooks's review
adventurous
dark
tense
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
3.0
originally read in 2018 - original rating 5 stars
REREAD 2024
Honestly, I don't know what got into me in 2018 to give this book a 5 star rating. I mean, not that this is a bad book, it really isn't, I just don't think it's anywhere near 5 star material. In fact rereading my review from back then I do agree with it, which makes me even more baffled that it was a five star back then. But yeah, we're here now, with a three star, but a high three star.
My main issue with this book was Harper, I really did not like her for most of this book. She's just a type of female main character in YA that I can't stand: stupid, defiant for defiance sake instead of actual understandable reasons, and no sense of self preservation despite the author set on convincing us that she's the most badass person to have ever badassed. That's a very common female main character in YA, especially back in the day but I absolutely can't stand it. To be completely honest, Harper isn't the worst example of this type of character I've read. Her defiance at the start does make a bit of sense if it wasn't for good reasons, because of the kidnapping to another world and not being able to go home. I also think that by the end of this book she does show quite a bit of growth, and I'm excited to see her develop even more in the rest of the series.
I did really like Rhen, look he's also a very typical male main character in YA, but he does fit in an archetype I actually really love. Come on, the spoiled prince who no one thinks is going to be a good leader, but is actually realy concerned for his people and would make for a more better king than his brutal father (okay, we don't know much about his dad, but I'm just talking about the archetype, not Rhen in particular). I EAT IT UP EVERY SINGLE TIME. I definitely preffered the chapters in his POV over Harper's, but he is a bit one dimensional. I just didn't LOVE him. Who I did love was Grey. He is an incredibly interesting character, and I wish we would have gotten his POV throughout this book as well.
I did quite like the plot of this book. I thought it was entertaining, but it was a bit slow at times. It does get very tense and action packed towards the end, and it had me on the edge of my seat. It's just in the middle that it can drag a little bit. I did really like the world as well, and I am incredibly intrigued to keep reading. So hopefully I'll get to the sequel very soon!
REREAD 2024
Honestly, I don't know what got into me in 2018 to give this book a 5 star rating. I mean, not that this is a bad book, it really isn't, I just don't think it's anywhere near 5 star material. In fact rereading my review from back then I do agree with it, which makes me even more baffled that it was a five star back then. But yeah, we're here now, with a three star, but a high three star.
My main issue with this book was Harper, I really did not like her for most of this book. She's just a type of female main character in YA that I can't stand: stupid, defiant for defiance sake instead of actual understandable reasons, and no sense of self preservation despite the author set on convincing us that she's the most badass person to have ever badassed. That's a very common female main character in YA, especially back in the day but I absolutely can't stand it. To be completely honest, Harper isn't the worst example of this type of character I've read. Her defiance at the start does make a bit of sense if it wasn't for good reasons, because of the kidnapping to another world and not being able to go home. I also think that by the end of this book she does show quite a bit of growth, and I'm excited to see her develop even more in the rest of the series.
I did really like Rhen, look he's also a very typical male main character in YA, but he does fit in an archetype I actually really love. Come on, the spoiled prince who no one thinks is going to be a good leader, but is actually realy concerned for his people and would make for a more better king than his brutal father (okay, we don't know much about his dad, but I'm just talking about the archetype, not Rhen in particular). I EAT IT UP EVERY SINGLE TIME. I definitely preffered the chapters in his POV over Harper's, but he is a bit one dimensional. I just didn't LOVE him. Who I did love was Grey. He is an incredibly interesting character, and I wish we would have gotten his POV throughout this book as well.
I did quite like the plot of this book. I thought it was entertaining, but it was a bit slow at times. It does get very tense and action packed towards the end, and it had me on the edge of my seat. It's just in the middle that it can drag a little bit. I did really like the world as well, and I am incredibly intrigued to keep reading. So hopefully I'll get to the sequel very soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Torture
Moderate: Cancer and Grief
Minor: Death of parent and Alcohol
onefineelephant's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
9/10. I really enjoyed this book. Not gonna lie, the beginning was pretty confusing and I was worried that it was gonna stay that way. However, after only like 3 (short) chapters, it got really good. I love the alternating POV. My only slight critique of this book was that there was A LOT going on. There were multiple complicated plot points and a lot of side characters but overall, I think the author did a nice job of having a lot going on but only enough that it advanced the story in an organic way. Also, the romance was nice, though I wish the characters were aged up just a couple years (not in a weird way, 16/17/18 just seems really young to be for the maturity levels of these characters). I am always a sucker for the "he fell first" and "he fell harder" tropes. Also, as a disabled person, I appreciated how the fmc's disability was incorporated and acknowledged. Definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
Let me just start off with the appreciation when representing people with cerebral palsy. FMC never once used it as an excuse but something that she works around because it's a part of her.
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 andwas the first to gain Harper's trust, which says a lot because he did technically kidnap her. The book did end with a pretty heavy cliffhanger, is Lilith still alive? What actually broke the spell? What are Grey's true feelings for the FMC? I can't wait to read the next book in the series, very lovable characters that makes me root for them!
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Chronic illness, Confinement, and Death of parent
Minor: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and War
sunnyrees's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
i was a bit hesitant to read this book after finding out it’s a beauty and the beast retelling because that meant i already know how the story would go. but this was so beautifully written and i loved the story! if you’re looking for a romantasy read w high stakes, i’d definitely recommend this one!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Suicide
kylieqrada's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
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
3.5
I really feel like this was a case of right place, right time. I needed something silly, fun, entertaining, and basic AF and that is what I got. I don't know that I would recommend it, but I enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Cancer, and War
Minor: Suicide attempt
jackiepreston's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, War, Death, Murder, Death of parent, Gore, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence