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glynniscoon3108's review
1.0
I came into this book with an open mind and I was going along waiting for it to pickup but honestly.....it never did. It was a boring read. I'm sure the trilogy aspect has something to do with it but if I was reading these books as they were coming out, I would be angry. Could not tell you if I am going to read the next one because I was just bored. For transparency, I do listen to the majority of my books so I could not say how it would resonate with me if I read it as oppose to listening to it. Maybe a physical copy has more impact.
sushieyeroll's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
steeniekins's review
3.0
I received an ARC for this book. Albiet, I finished it after it was released to the public.
This is my first Cassie Alexander book. I loved the short chapters and the duel-POV. It made for a easy, quick read. It's a slowburn which I was not expecting due to the description of the trigger warnings and synopsis I was provided beforehand but that could just be my poor interpretation. I love Cassie's take on the beauty and the beast retelling. It definitely was a strong retelling. I usually stay away from young FMCs (under 20yrs old) but Lisane is only a product of how she was raised and I appreciate her determination to develop into something greater than the mold the men in her life try to put her in and Rhaim is the catalysed in that growth.
The reason I can't give it 5 stars is just how quickly the emotional attachment between Rhaim and Lisane progressed suddenly very quickly towards the end prior to any real physicial interactions occured. It went from Rhaim treating Lisane like shit for about 50-60% of the book to him essentially pulling a full 180 just before the end. I would expect this from a standlone but with 2 more books, Cassie could have left that development to occur more slowly and stretch it into book 2. Also the lite-spicy scene at the end felt shoe-horned in a bit. I want to keep reading the series because I want to see Lisane's magic ability grow and what will happen with that, but the "romance" part feels suddenly rushed.
This is my first Cassie Alexander book. I loved the short chapters and the duel-POV. It made for a easy, quick read. It's a slowburn which I was not expecting due to the description of the trigger warnings and synopsis I was provided beforehand but that could just be my poor interpretation. I love Cassie's take on the beauty and the beast retelling. It definitely was a strong retelling. I usually stay away from young FMCs (under 20yrs old) but Lisane is only a product of how she was raised and I appreciate her determination to develop into something greater than the mold the men in her life try to put her in and Rhaim is the catalysed in that growth.
The reason I can't give it 5 stars is just how quickly the emotional attachment between Rhaim and Lisane progressed suddenly very quickly towards the end prior to any real physicial interactions occured. It went from Rhaim treating Lisane like shit for about 50-60% of the book to him essentially pulling a full 180 just before the end. I would expect this from a standlone but with 2 more books, Cassie could have left that development to occur more slowly and stretch it into book 2. Also the lite-spicy scene at the end felt shoe-horned in a bit. I want to keep reading the series because I want to see Lisane's magic ability grow and what will happen with that, but the "romance" part feels suddenly rushed.
brimw's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
skauf91's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.75
hannahdrew's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
mom2three's review
5.0
I'm ruined for any other retelling of Beauty and the Beast forever more!
I've never wished I could both read faster and slower at the same time, but that's the only way I can describe how I felt while experiencing this story. And it's an experience more than just a book. Rhaim, or Beast, is everything I want in a book boyfriend - dominant, tortured, growly, sexy, and fierce. Lisane is also the perfect Belle - brave, smart, determined, and strong. Together they are a raging storm, full of thunder and electrifying lightning. And don't even get me started on Finx. He brings the humor and a lightness to the story and I can't imagine the tale without him.
This story is full of action, adventure, magic, and a slow burning romance that will keep you enthralled 'til the very end. I does end in a cliffhanger that has me desperately counting down the days until the next book comes out, but the wait isn't going to be long and I know it's going to be worth it. There are elements of darkness, but I'd call it more of a light grey. I can't recommend this one enough.
I've never wished I could both read faster and slower at the same time, but that's the only way I can describe how I felt while experiencing this story. And it's an experience more than just a book. Rhaim, or Beast, is everything I want in a book boyfriend - dominant, tortured, growly, sexy, and fierce. Lisane is also the perfect Belle - brave, smart, determined, and strong. Together they are a raging storm, full of thunder and electrifying lightning. And don't even get me started on Finx. He brings the humor and a lightness to the story and I can't imagine the tale without him.
This story is full of action, adventure, magic, and a slow burning romance that will keep you enthralled 'til the very end. I does end in a cliffhanger that has me desperately counting down the days until the next book comes out, but the wait isn't going to be long and I know it's going to be worth it. There are elements of darkness, but I'd call it more of a light grey. I can't recommend this one enough.
tbrwithmel's review
3.0
This is more of a 2.5 for me but I'm being nice tbh.
The supposed spice gives me "abuse". If you are into bullying spice maybe this is for you but it was uncomfortable for me. I don't see how this is Beauty and the Beast at all other than there literally being a pretty girl and a beast. Some of the decisions the characters made just didn't seem reasonable like and Like girl, please. Have some dignity.
The supposed spice gives me "abuse". If you are into bullying spice maybe this is for you but it was uncomfortable for me. I don't see how this is Beauty and the Beast at all other than there literally being a pretty girl and a beast. Some of the decisions the characters made just didn't seem reasonable like
Spoiler
Rhaim refusing literally every request to assist in the war but suddenly he gets a pretty girl and he's like "Sign me up!"Spoiler
Lisane agreeing to do literally anything to learn magic.samkreads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5