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fmcfranny's review
5.0
I enjoyed this spin on the classic tale. It wove magic and mystery with understanding, patience, and love together. And as true love implies looks did not matter one iota, in the beginning, nor the end.
pause_theframe's review
4.0
I am new to Aguirre’s books, and thus completely new to her style, but I really liked the sound of this unique take on a Beauty & the Beast retelling, so I had to dive in. I must say, it is by far the best Beauty & the Beast retelling I have experienced, to date.
It is unique and more gothic than any I’ve read before. I loved that, and was also completely pulled in by the fact that this gave a nod to the tale, but wasn’t completely hand-in-hand with it, as it told its own story, but just kept enough of the hints around to really let you know it was a tribute. I loved that. It was dark, mysterious, sexy and very much a folklore styling, which was wonderful.
The characters were exciting to get to know, as they were also mysterious and very curious. I loved unfolding the layers of their stories and lives, as we got to know the world round them. It was all very detailed, making the tale so beautiful.
Overall, I am very impressed and definitely recommend this wonderful retelling!
It is unique and more gothic than any I’ve read before. I loved that, and was also completely pulled in by the fact that this gave a nod to the tale, but wasn’t completely hand-in-hand with it, as it told its own story, but just kept enough of the hints around to really let you know it was a tribute. I loved that. It was dark, mysterious, sexy and very much a folklore styling, which was wonderful.
The characters were exciting to get to know, as they were also mysterious and very curious. I loved unfolding the layers of their stories and lives, as we got to know the world round them. It was all very detailed, making the tale so beautiful.
Overall, I am very impressed and definitely recommend this wonderful retelling!
amy_in_the_city's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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? No
4.0
What a delightful Beauty and the Beast retelling! This had one of my favorite tropes. I'm not sure of the official name for it, but I'll call it "love is blind." It's where a character falls in love with someone without ever seeing them first. The sexual tension in this book was off the charts, and I was here for these two touch-starved MMCs falling for each other.
I loved how much focus there was on consent in this book. They both checked in to see if it was OK before they did anything, and I liked that Amarrah respected Njal's boundaries regarding not looking at him or visiting the forbidden wing of the keep.
I did feel like they fell in love too quickly and I would have liked to see them get to know each other better before they declared their love. It kind of felt like their love was mostly based on shared loneliness, pity (on Amarrah's part), and gratitude (on Njal's part). Some of the dialogue felt clunky too.
I still really enjoyed this book though and was rooting for the main characters. I really liked Amarrah as a main character and how she took initiative to figure out how to save Njal.
I loved how much focus there was on consent in this book. They both checked in to see if it was OK before they did anything, and I liked that Amarrah respected Njal's boundaries regarding not looking at him or visiting the forbidden wing of the keep.
I did feel like they fell in love too quickly and I would have liked to see them get to know each other better before they declared their love. It kind of felt like their love was mostly based on shared loneliness, pity (on Amarrah's part), and gratitude (on Njal's part). Some of the dialogue felt clunky too.
I still really enjoyed this book though and was rooting for the main characters. I really liked Amarrah as a main character and how she took initiative to figure out how to save Njal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Violence, Alcohol, Animal death, Physical abuse, Body horror, Confinement, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Torture, Grief, Pandemic/Epidemic, Abandonment, Child abuse, Death, Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, and Self harm
Minor: Pregnancy, Pedophilia, and Death of parent
fi_c's review
4.0
**Most of my reviews contain detailed Content Notes (including CW/TW) sections, which may include spoilers. I have tried to mark them appropriately, but please use caution.**
4/5
Audio (Megan Green)
4/5
Audio (Megan Green)
Summary: Beauty and the Beast retelling where a young woman used to serving as the backbone of her father’s new family after the death of her mother offers herself as part of her struggling village’s tribute to the mysterious monster of a nearby castle - before finding things are not at all as they might have seemed.
Stats: HR/Fantasy, M/F, open door, stand alone.
Notes: I enjoyed this - especially the open and affirmative approach to sex. The plot dragged and raced a bit, but I thought it was well done over all.
OTT and Spoilery Content Notes:
christinaskina's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-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? Yes
3.0
This is a decent retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The spice was moderate and enjoyable, but the romance was a bit forced to me? Mostly in that I felt it was told rather than shown and the pacing was a bit off. Speaking of pacing, it is a short book but somehow feels slow, with some plot threads that aren't the strongest.
smuttymcbookface's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
This was a beautiful retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The building of the romance was slow and sweet, even if desire was there from near the outset.
Ammarah is patient and understanding. She never takes what's not offered, and even at the start when Njål doesn't want her to see him, she's willing to wait.
Ammarah is patient and understanding. She never takes what's not offered, and even at the start when Njål doesn't want her to see him, she's willing to wait.
I smile as I settle into my chair. He’s trusting me not to break our compact. It would be so easy to peer through my lashes and see what he’s hiding. But I won’t. Not because I lack curiosity where Njål is concerned, but I don’t want to steal from him. Not his trust, not his truths. I will accept only what’s freely given. And right now, he’s offering his voice.
The magic and mystery was beautifully developed, wrapped up in a world of domestic normality. I love that Ammarah both stood her ground and expected respect without forceful demands. She was pure strength in this book; a refuse for Njål who had never been given kindness nor respect.
One of my favourite things in this book is how Njål openly expressed his feelings and never pulls away. There are no major misunderstandings nor third act breakups, just expressions of simple happiness and love.
“Have you fantasized about me?” “Constantly. But the reality of you far surpasses my dreams.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, and Sexual content
Moderate: Murder, Death, and Blood
Minor: Sexual violence
thekeytotheancientlore's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.75
kerrythefire's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.25
It'll take a lot for me to not read a Beauty & the Beast retellings/reimagining. This one was just ok for me.
It was a little slow and yet the plot points felt a little fast at times... Like they were just dropped in, but not really built up to. I think it made the pacing a little off for me.
The narrator's voice may have contributed to the slow feeling too. She had a pretty gentle, soft and fluid narration which felt tonally lighter than what I think the story needed. Certainly it took the edge off the major conflict or sinister plot points... which also maybe is what made them feel just dropped in.
Something just wasn't fully hitting for me, but it was an enjoyable enough background listen.
It was a little slow and yet the plot points felt a little fast at times... Like they were just dropped in, but not really built up to. I think it made the pacing a little off for me.
The narrator's voice may have contributed to the slow feeling too. She had a pretty gentle, soft and fluid narration which felt tonally lighter than what I think the story needed. Certainly it took the edge off the major conflict or sinister plot points... which also maybe is what made them feel just dropped in.
Something just wasn't fully hitting for me, but it was an enjoyable enough background listen.
angliareadsx's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
this is literally perfect
tani's review against another edition
3.0
Probably more like a 3.5, but given how much I struggled to get into this, I can't quite round it up to 4 stars.
This is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, so I thought it would be a sure winner. Amarrah lives in a town in the shadow of Bitterburn, a cursed castle inhabited by a fearsome Beast. Every year, her village sends tribute to the castle, but this year, the growing season was too short to supply the usual amount. Unwanted by her family and recently bereaved of her beloved, Amarrah decides that she will make up the difference, and travels to Bitterburn.
The beginning of this was extremely slow for me. Between the death of her fiancée and the renewed realization of just how little her family cares for her, she doesn't feel she has much reason to live or maintain hope. She goes through the motions of adjusting to her new life, but there's a certain lack of spark to her that keeps the story dragging. Even when she meets Njål, the feared Beast, her reactions are just extremely understated. In some ways, that's good because it allows her to grow accustomed to him without the overwhelming fear that another person might have experienced. However, it takes away from the interest of the story, at least for me. I had a terrible time getting into the story, and I think that's at least part of it. (Part of it was also me, but such is life.)
The romance was also a hard sell for me initially. I really prefer a slow burn romance, but it felt like shortly into the story, it was already a forgone conclusion that Amarrah and Njål would have sex. There was not a lot of hesitation, and I was really disappointed in that. Again, I think this was a reflection of Amarrah's state of mind. I just know it really killed any romantic tension for me, and I seriously considered dropping the book, even though Aguirre has written some of my favorite romances in recent years.
However, I decided to keep going, and in the end, I was glad I did so. The book definitely did pick up. I got drawn into the romance after all, mostly by Njål, who was extremely sweet. The plot also picks up significantly in the second half, as Amarrah starts to discover a purpose to her life again. I really enjoyed watching her come into her powers and unravel the mystery of Bitterburn. The additions of Agatha and Bart were also a priceless treasure, as they provided some needed lightness to the story. Amarrah's emotional reactions also grew more engaging as she recovered from her own trauma, and seeing her claim her place in the world was a true pleasure. I definitely enjoyed the second half of the book quite a bit, and it made up for the slow start quite a bit, though not entirely. I will certainly check out the second book in the series when it comes out later this year.
This is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, so I thought it would be a sure winner. Amarrah lives in a town in the shadow of Bitterburn, a cursed castle inhabited by a fearsome Beast. Every year, her village sends tribute to the castle, but this year, the growing season was too short to supply the usual amount. Unwanted by her family and recently bereaved of her beloved, Amarrah decides that she will make up the difference, and travels to Bitterburn.
The beginning of this was extremely slow for me. Between the death of her fiancée and the renewed realization of just how little her family cares for her, she doesn't feel she has much reason to live or maintain hope. She goes through the motions of adjusting to her new life, but there's a certain lack of spark to her that keeps the story dragging. Even when she meets Njål, the feared Beast, her reactions are just extremely understated. In some ways, that's good because it allows her to grow accustomed to him without the overwhelming fear that another person might have experienced. However, it takes away from the interest of the story, at least for me. I had a terrible time getting into the story, and I think that's at least part of it. (Part of it was also me, but such is life.)
The romance was also a hard sell for me initially. I really prefer a slow burn romance, but it felt like shortly into the story, it was already a forgone conclusion that Amarrah and Njål would have sex. There was not a lot of hesitation, and I was really disappointed in that. Again, I think this was a reflection of Amarrah's state of mind. I just know it really killed any romantic tension for me, and I seriously considered dropping the book, even though Aguirre has written some of my favorite romances in recent years.
However, I decided to keep going, and in the end, I was glad I did so. The book definitely did pick up. I got drawn into the romance after all, mostly by Njål, who was extremely sweet. The plot also picks up significantly in the second half, as Amarrah starts to discover a purpose to her life again. I really enjoyed watching her come into her powers and unravel the mystery of Bitterburn. The additions of Agatha and Bart were also a priceless treasure, as they provided some needed lightness to the story. Amarrah's emotional reactions also grew more engaging as she recovered from her own trauma, and seeing her claim her place in the world was a true pleasure. I definitely enjoyed the second half of the book quite a bit, and it made up for the slow start quite a bit, though not entirely. I will certainly check out the second book in the series when it comes out later this year.