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ellieg2604's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
2.75
I wouldn't recommend to read this series. It really didn't stick out to me, and I didn't find it that captivating.
brianne_k's review
3.0
I'm torn on this one, I did enjoy it.. but the writing was disjointed and jumpy. But I liked the Beauty and The Beast retelling mixed with Greek Mythology, that was very interesting to me. I was iffy on Nyx, but I did love the House and Ignifex.
haileereads's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Stars - I would describe this book as Greek mythology meets Rumplestiltskin and maybe a little Beauty and the Beast. It was super interesting. I took off a half a star but I definitely got a little lost at the end there but overall I really liked the book!
kimal2028's review
5.0
This book redefined fantasy for me. The setting everywhere gave off such a strong vibe that it was impossible to think of it of anything other than fantasy.
There were a bit of large leaps that didn't really make sense like the fact that she fell in love with a guy's face and loved two different guys, but no matter! I loved the book because of the writing and just how well it was written.
There were a bit of large leaps that didn't really make sense like the fact that she fell in love with a guy's face and loved two different guys, but no matter! I loved the book because of the writing and just how well it was written.
amebco's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
4.0
renuked's review
4.0
This was a really weird book. It was a huge mess of Greek mythology, Beauty and the Beast, Rumplestiltskin ("guess me name"), and Bluebeard (the guy with the dead wives). So yeah. It's fair to say I was really confused, and I am absolutely positive that there are going to be plenty of negative reviews. So if you aren't a fan of swirly, lopsided, crazy books - don't read this. However, if you love lyrical language, strange new worlds, a gothic feel, characters that don't always make sense and a plot that could rival real life - this is the book for you.
It reminds me a bit of the Night Circus. It's a little bizarre but so beautifully written I couldn't really pull myself away. Their relationship is strange too. It's borderline abusive, but they fit together. Ignifex and Nyx. Two rather horrible people. You can't love them, but you can. Neither of them is very nice, or even relatable. They make awful decisions throughout the book, but their complex appeal is very real. I love me some layered characters.
The overall setting is...very unclear. I wasn't too sure about their world, but I think I loved it? I know I loved Ignifex's warped castle. It was eerie, abandoned, colorful, and twisty - it mirrored the novel itself. Yes, it was (again) very confusing. But - it was all about the writing. The lines that flowed off the page. The descriptions and the danger. Emotions and the supernatural spiraling off the page with a dark fairy tale approach. It was noir fantasy. This book makes it's own genre.
The romance is definitely not for everyone. Let me say one more time - they are not a pretty couple. Ignifex and Nyx do not "bring out the best" in each other. They bring out the real in each other. At some times, that even means the worst comes out. But they are one of the most honest pairs. It's raw and strange and consuming. I couldn't put the book down.
Overall, I was sucked in and couldn't get out until the last words were over. The ending was not my favorite ending, and the book was hugely flawed - but in just the right way. Cruel Beauty is the perfect title. It was complex, the characters were strange, and much was unclear - but I do know that people looking for something darker, and a little twisted will love it.
It reminds me a bit of the Night Circus. It's a little bizarre but so beautifully written I couldn't really pull myself away. Their relationship is strange too. It's borderline abusive, but they fit together. Ignifex and Nyx. Two rather horrible people. You can't love them, but you can. Neither of them is very nice, or even relatable. They make awful decisions throughout the book, but their complex appeal is very real. I love me some layered characters.
The overall setting is...very unclear. I wasn't too sure about their world, but I think I loved it? I know I loved Ignifex's warped castle. It was eerie, abandoned, colorful, and twisty - it mirrored the novel itself. Yes, it was (again) very confusing. But - it was all about the writing. The lines that flowed off the page. The descriptions and the danger. Emotions and the supernatural spiraling off the page with a dark fairy tale approach. It was noir fantasy. This book makes it's own genre.
The romance is definitely not for everyone. Let me say one more time - they are not a pretty couple. Ignifex and Nyx do not "bring out the best" in each other. They bring out the real in each other. At some times, that even means the worst comes out. But they are one of the most honest pairs. It's raw and strange and consuming. I couldn't put the book down.
Overall, I was sucked in and couldn't get out until the last words were over. The ending was not my favorite ending, and the book was hugely flawed - but in just the right way. Cruel Beauty is the perfect title. It was complex, the characters were strange, and much was unclear - but I do know that people looking for something darker, and a little twisted will love it.
caitybell's review against another edition
5.0
This was a lovely twist on the classic fairy tale! I really enjoyed it. The characters are rich in development (though I felt myself wanting it to be even darker than it already was, the darkness in this story is very important and I couldn't help but feel it was too playful. I wanted Ignifex to be scarier, more brooding. After all he was suppose to be the beast, the dark side.
However, overall I enjoyed this very unique take on Beauty and the Beast. It was full of mythology and the details were well explained and plotted out. I didn't feel the reveal was too "easy" or coincidental, which usually seems to be the case in these kinds of stories. I also liked how "true love" wasn't a big theme throughout the book.
I definitely recommend this book and can't wait to read the next!
However, overall I enjoyed this very unique take on Beauty and the Beast. It was full of mythology and the details were well explained and plotted out. I didn't feel the reveal was too "easy" or coincidental, which usually seems to be the case in these kinds of stories. I also liked how "true love" wasn't a big theme throughout the book.
I definitely recommend this book and can't wait to read the next!
devansbooklife's review
2.0
Nyx was raised to marry a monster. Her father sealed her fate before her birth. Her entire life she has been prepared to marry then kill The Gentle Lord, Ignifex. On her wedding day she believes she will die, either her new husband will kill her for her betrayal or she will achieve her goal and die doing so. Once wed Nyx learns things aren't exactly as they seem. She begins seeing her new husband in a different light. She must decide what she believes and what she stands for. Will her alliance go to her family or will she protect the one she loves.
Let me start off by saying that I liked the idea of this book, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but found the plot lacking. I feel like this could have been fantastic but there were parts of the story that made no sense to me at all. Some of the characters actions were never really explained and didn't feel authentic. Most of the time reading I felt baffled and lost. Nyx developed feelings rapidly they felt forced. I didn't love any character in the book. The ending left me a bit dumbfounded but maybe it is because I am not up to date on mythology.
Let me start off by saying that I liked the idea of this book, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but found the plot lacking. I feel like this could have been fantastic but there were parts of the story that made no sense to me at all. Some of the characters actions were never really explained and didn't feel authentic. Most of the time reading I felt baffled and lost. Nyx developed feelings rapidly they felt forced. I didn't love any character in the book. The ending left me a bit dumbfounded but maybe it is because I am not up to date on mythology.
christianallistergf's review
3.0
rlly cant decide on a rating for this one?? the beginning was really good and intense but as it went on i felt like the development was weird and i missed something. like a chapter was missing? but the only issue i had was the pacing because it dragged at the beginning then just dumped a ton of stuff towards the middle. but i really did enjoy the last 100 pages of this because it was so creepy but good at the same time. i wanted to rate it 3 stars because i was really stuck trying to get through it around 60-65% in but it really picked up so i'm unsure. maybe i'll come back to this later and update my review but for now i'm giving a solid 3.5-3.75