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alissabar's review against another edition
2.0
This was a darker retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The rape near the beginning set the tone. This story needed to be fleshed out a little more, and I felt that Zuleika's negative feelings toward men were dismissed far too easily at her marriage. But it was the gratuitous sex scene at the end that really disappointed me.
cinta's review against another edition
3.0
Beauty and the Beast is pretty much the only Disney story I truly like. So I started reading this book with a lot of expectations. I got disappointed. Rape? Seriously? Without warning? I am a tough reader, but some things cross the line and I know there are readers out there who can get really offended by that scene, which came out of the blue. The writing is good, but the story is a bit lacking. I didn't buy that she hadn't realised the curse was the one she had performed only five years earlier; it was pretty obvious. The ending got a bit better, but it felt a bit rushed to me. Overall, a book that had potential to be a great read, but it is just a so-so book.
auburnedge's review against another edition
3.0
A new retelling
This is an innovative way to see the beauty and the beast story. It shows what would happen when a girl curses a mirror and finds out the curse was laced on an undeserving prince and his island. My only qualm is the ending didn't serve justice to the one who caused all this, the king.
This is an innovative way to see the beauty and the beast story. It shows what would happen when a girl curses a mirror and finds out the curse was laced on an undeserving prince and his island. My only qualm is the ending didn't serve justice to the one who caused all this, the king.
moj8668's review against another edition
5.0
Retellings are a guilty pleasure of mine so I was drawn to this book (and the others in the series!). I'm especially fond of Beauty & the Beast and have read a few retellings of the familiar tale. So it takes something truly original to surprise.
Carlton delivered! When a young enchantress must assist an evil king who wishes to curse his brother, she has no clue the long-reaching impact it will have. Or that she will have the chance to make it right once she discovers what has happened. But will the Prince still love her once he realizes she is the cause of his curse?
Demelza Carlton has re-told several well-known tales. This is the first I've read and it will definitely not be the last!
Carlton delivered! When a young enchantress must assist an evil king who wishes to curse his brother, she has no clue the long-reaching impact it will have. Or that she will have the chance to make it right once she discovers what has happened. But will the Prince still love her once he realizes she is the cause of his curse?
Demelza Carlton has re-told several well-known tales. This is the first I've read and it will definitely not be the last!
audrey042's review against another edition
4.0
Si l’on peut regretter que l’autrice n’évoque pas plus en profondeur les pouvoirs de son héroïne et que le méchant de l’histoire se révèle un peu trop caricatural à mon goût, l’histoire n’en demeure pas moins rapide et facile à lire. Elle ne me restera pas longtemps en tête, mais elle offre un moment de divertissement agréable qui plaira aux amateurs de romances fantastiques, de réécritures de contes et d’histoires de malédiction.
Chronique complète sur https://lightandsmell.wordpress.com/2020/02/05/enchant-demelza-carlton/
alexlcriddle's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this imaginative retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It was a fast read that held me captivated from the beginning. The characters were fascinating and the story was beautifully written. Reading the perspectives of both Zuleika and Vardan added a wonderful depth to this fairytale romance. I wish this novel was longer because I didn't want it to end. There were a few errors throughout (mostly typos). As a caution, there are a couple of intimate scenes, though nothing explicitly descriptive. I would highly recommend this novel to lovers of fairytale retellings, and I can't wait to read the next one in the series.
silver_valkyrie_reads's review against another edition
I see there’s some difficult content coming up in this story, and it’s not gripping enough to make it worth going through that.
christelisreading's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ewil6681's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
inked_up_bookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite stories growing up so whenever I find a retelling I MUST read it.
TW: sexual assault/ rape
This was a unique twist on the original story of a young maiden taken “ prisoner “ in exchange for her father. Instead we have the Enchantress who sets forth a curse for a King to save her family and ends up on the Island to help break it? The flow was seamless and the story never lulled. My only issue was the ending was beyond rushed.
TW: sexual assault/ rape
This was a unique twist on the original story of a young maiden taken “ prisoner “ in exchange for her father. Instead we have the Enchantress who sets forth a curse for a King to save her family and ends up on the Island to help break it? The flow was seamless and the story never lulled. My only issue was the ending was beyond rushed.