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bzliz's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
This Beauty and the Beast retelling has some pretty strong “not like the other girls” elements but that is to be expected when the prince must find love to break a curse. Our heroine Harper makes it clear from the start that’s not going to work with her. In some ways she feels more real than many YA protagonists with her appropriately horrified reactions to terrible acts but she also throws herself into danger to help and/or protect her companions.
The timeline gets a little fuzzy along the way, particularly in regards to “real world” times.
The side characters like Harper’s family lack depth. They serve very few purposes and have little to contribute beyond a rotation of stock phrases about protecting someone close to them.
Readers who like the vibes of training montages and fake royalty will enjoy this.
The timeline gets a little fuzzy along the way, particularly in regards to “real world” times.
The side characters like Harper’s family lack depth. They serve very few purposes and have little to contribute beyond a rotation of stock phrases about protecting someone close to them.
Readers who like the vibes of training montages and fake royalty will enjoy this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: War and Vomit
spirytmc's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Gun violence, Violence, Cancer, and Death
sleepysadpoet's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
It wasn't until I was over halfway through that I learned this was a retelling of the beauty and the beast--despite it literally being on the cover. I know, I'm the worst.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Cancer, Ableism, Violence, Alcohol, and Death of parent
katiemahladyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Chronic illness
sirkeili's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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
This book is a good retelling of Beauty and the Beast, especially with the monster being something brief and yet uncontrollable for the male lead. I have not seen the retellings depicted this way, and it was heartbreaking to watch him slowly lose hope after knowing what comes next.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
emi_bernstein's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Chronic illness
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: Chronic illness, Blood, Violence, Body horror, and Medical content
Moderate: Torture, War, Infidelity, and Medical trauma
Minor: Ableism and Abandonment
rettasbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
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
megamind169's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Torture, Chronic illness, and Sexual assault
Minor: Suicide attempt
readwithde's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.25
This may be my favorite Beauty and the Beast retelling.
First, I love having any character, but especially a MC with a chronic disease or disability. It was handled so well in the narrative; it never felt like a plot point or focus, but simply part of Harper.
Second, I really liked the way the romance between Rhen and Harper played out. The friendship and trust is built first, then the romance begins to bloom. I liked that there was initial attraction, but it was a true slow burn. Normally I'm impatient about that, but it felt so organic and well-developed.
I'm less of a fan of the love triangle with Grey. At first, it felt like he was a brother figure to both, especially when Harper compared him to Jake a few times. Honestly, I would ship him with Rhen over Harper. I do like how Grey's narrative turned out, for the most part. Being a "halfling" human and magic user, and perhaps heir to the throne, was a big revelation, and I'm glad we saw him struggling with that in the epilogue.
I was most excited about how the kingdom and the people reacted to Rhen and his decision to start doing something for them. It helped build up the story to be worth a trilogy instead of a single book.
Even though it's off-brand for me, I like the semi-vague ending of whether or not Harper loves Rhen, whether she broke the curse or if Grey did. While there's still a clean ending, a resolution, it gives room for more play in the series without stirring up extra (i.e. unnecessary) drama.
Overall, I really liked it, and I'm excited to read more in the series.
First, I love having any character, but especially a MC with a chronic disease or disability. It was handled so well in the narrative; it never felt like a plot point or focus, but simply part of Harper.
Second, I really liked the way the romance between Rhen and Harper played out. The friendship and trust is built first, then the romance begins to bloom. I liked that there was initial attraction, but it was a true slow burn. Normally I'm impatient about that, but it felt so organic and well-developed.
I'm less of a fan of the
I was most excited about how the kingdom and the people reacted to Rhen and his decision to start doing something for them. It helped build up the story to be worth a trilogy instead of a single book.
Even though it's off-brand for me, I like the semi-vague ending
Overall, I really liked it, and I'm excited to read more in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and War
Minor: Animal death, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Torture