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alongreader's review
3.0
Grim Lovelies, I really wanted to love you. I've read reviews praising you for your world building, your characters, your lush language. And you do have all of those things. I can't fault you in any way. We just...didn't click. I found you slow to get going, and even when the plot kicked in I wasn't invested. You (presumably) found me impatient. At just over 50% read, I'm releasing you. Find another reader; you'll be very happy together. Because you are a fantastic book. You're just not the right book for me right now.
Receiving an ARC did not alter my review in any way.
Receiving an ARC did not alter my review in any way.
leabearty's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
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? Yes
4.0
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting story set in Paris with witches and beasties. Witches basically rule the world with Pretties(humans) and their Beasties (animals turned into humans who serve as their slaves). Anouk is a maid in Mada Vittora household where she is treated like a slave and subject to the whims of her mistress. Forbidden to leave the house, Anouk dreams of venturing outside and being among the Pretties. When she finds her mistress murdered, Anouk flees with fellow housemate Beau. It is a race against the clock in order to find another witch who can prevent them from changing back into their animal form. Along the way Anouk discovers that she has magical capabilities that she never realized before and this makes her and her fellow beasties targets.
I really liked the premise of the book and found it both interesting and different. I struggled between a 2 and 3 rating mainly because I'm sick of authors being so PC now feeling like they have to include every minority group under the sun (gays, transgenders, etc.). The problem is that it is obvious that the cookie cutter characters are just there to make the PC police happy and don't really add much to the story. Tell the dang story and if it offends someone (seriously people, grow up) or leaves someone out, then so be it. You've probably crafted a great read.
I really liked the premise of the book and found it both interesting and different. I struggled between a 2 and 3 rating mainly because I'm sick of authors being so PC now feeling like they have to include every minority group under the sun (gays, transgenders, etc.). The problem is that it is obvious that the cookie cutter characters are just there to make the PC police happy and don't really add much to the story. Tell the dang story and if it offends someone (seriously people, grow up) or leaves someone out, then so be it. You've probably crafted a great read.
darkandsteamylit's review
4.0
Can’t believe I waited so long to read this! To start I loved the world! It’s set in the present but gives old world (Paris) vibes. I really love the Haute and would have loved to see more of it, which I’m hoping to in the next book! I absolutely loved this rag tag team of beasties + Viggo. Anouk, quite and even tempered has a fascinating darkness bubbling just under the surface and when she finally lets it loose she becomes a fun badass protagonist you can route for. Beau I wasn’t a huge fan of, he was a little over baring and the type of over protective that gets on my nerves. His jealousy is aggravating at times and it has him do dumb boy things that aren’t cool. Cricket is a charismatic firecracker who’s attitude can get her into trouble. I loved her! Luc was non existent for most of the book and all we had to go on was what other characters mentioned of him, but we where told he was fiercely loyal and protected of our little beasties at all costs. When he finally arrives on the scene he doesn’t do to much, granted his been trapped in a limbo for a while. I found him more interesting in theory. Hunter Black was a character I really loved. He was the brooding, strong, silent assassin that has a heart of gold even though he doesn’t like to show it. I would have love more of him. Viggo I have mixed feelings on even now after you see a true side of him and not just the arrogant, jackass that harasses Cricket. Even though I felt these characters were very aggravating at times and didn’t love them wholly individually I loved them as a team and family. The one character I want more of is Rennar, yes shocker, the sexy villain is who I want more of. I hope to get more of a back story of Rennar in the next book! Prince Rennar of the Haute I imagine has way more to him then the little we know of him and I can’t wait to find out more! I honestly can’t wait to see what happens to the beasties and if they all return to their human forms and if Anouk can out smart Rennar! So why is this not a five star??? Well yes it was such a fun and intriguing read but it wasn’t a book that I couldn’t put down. I could put it down and it was somewhat predictable with the characters choices. Is that always bad? Nope not at all, it just didn’t give me five star feels! Hopefully the next book does, because I am very excited for it!
katelynjaynea's review
4.0
Absolutely loved this. Trolls, witches, spells! A very unique idea and very well written. I enjoyed the world building and the different cast of characters.
annaslitpages's review
5.0
Such a great book. I loved the magical world in this and can't wait to spend more time in it when the rest of the series come out. It took me a while to warm to Anouk because at first I thought she was too childish, but actually that's an important part of her character and she really grows as the book goes on. I really love ALL the characters in this book, I was only sad that we didn't get to spend as much time with them as we could have - I feel like there's so much more to them that's yet to come. Bring on the rest of the series.
caveatlectors's review
3.0
So I finished Grim Lovelies and the more time I had to think about it, the less I liked it. As well as the more I read.
I thought it was a fascinating concept and ideal to give a book from the point of view of the beasties (the help). I was so excited to read this and I feel that the hype & idea was better than the follow through. It felt like it was never going to end. There were some juicy tidbits, twists & turns, some cringe worthy moments, and some creepy. It seems that it would have been better, in my opinion, to not have the love interest. It seems like it was thrown in there because it was a necessity.
I enjoyed it enough to say that I intend to read the next book, I was told by a friend that she heard in an interview that it is a duology. I received an advance copy from Net Galley for a review.
I thought it was a fascinating concept and ideal to give a book from the point of view of the beasties (the help). I was so excited to read this and I feel that the hype & idea was better than the follow through. It felt like it was never going to end. There were some juicy tidbits, twists & turns, some cringe worthy moments, and some creepy. It seems that it would have been better, in my opinion, to not have the love interest. It seems like it was thrown in there because it was a necessity.
I enjoyed it enough to say that I intend to read the next book, I was told by a friend that she heard in an interview that it is a duology. I received an advance copy from Net Galley for a review.
bookmothmav's review
3.0
3.5*
I’m really glad that I choose this book to kick off the summer. I haven’t been able to read that much and this book reminded me why I love it so much. I’m not saying that this book a phenomenal book that everyone should read. There were some flaws and plot points in the book that had me rowing my eyes. But down to the core of the book, the plot had me hooked. As soon as the introductions were done and the story took off, I couldn’t put the book down. I got an unedited proof form Yallwest.
I’m really glad that I choose this book to kick off the summer. I haven’t been able to read that much and this book reminded me why I love it so much. I’m not saying that this book a phenomenal book that everyone should read. There were some flaws and plot points in the book that had me rowing my eyes. But down to the core of the book, the plot had me hooked. As soon as the introductions were done and the story took off, I couldn’t put the book down. I got an unedited proof form Yallwest.
girlinthepages's review
3.0
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.* Thanks so much to HMH Teen for providing a review copy free of charge!*
From the moment I first encountered Grim Lovelies, I was enchanted by its aesthetic. An urban fantasy set in Paris featuring magic and witches? Sign me up! The cover and all of the promotional materials were so gorgeous that I couldn't help but be excited to read my first Megan Shepard novel.
Though I haven't been to France (yet), Grim Lovelies gave me so many Parisian vibes while reading, from the stately home full of antiques that Anouk and her fellow Beasties (animals enchanted into humans) initially live in to the rolling estates of the Lavender witch to the underground neon goblin parties. The idea that there's a magical, paranormal Paris living right underneath the normal Paris was enchanting, and I love how humans weren't necessarily scorned, but were almost adored in a weird sort of way (hence them being called "pretties"). While they race against the clock (the book takes place over the span of just a few days due to an enchantment that must be dealt with) I still felt the atmosphere was very well written and I felt the glamour and grit in the setting of the story.
I also enjoyed the fact that the magic system was also pretty thoroughly explained in this novel, which is not something I often find in fantasy/paranormal books. Magic has to be drawn from living things, whether from eating a leaf to perform a very minor spell, to using actual human blood (for strong, potent witch magic). Each witch has a "witch's boy," a boy who is taken at a very young age to be raised like a pampered prince by the witch in exchange for their blood- providing vials and vials each week to ensure a steady supply of magic for their witch "mother." It was disturbing no doubt but also fascinating and I appreciated that the author took the time to explain the magic system and the costs associated with performing magic.
However, there were elements of the book that I found myself not as much of a fan of and that made the story drag a bit, especially during the later half. The book has a very middle-grade feel to it, and Anouk especially feels very young (which makes sense since she hasn't been a human for very long, having been turned human by her witch, Mada Vittora, relatively recently). There were some scenes that I was sort of grossed out by (Teapenny and his rat....ew). I also felt like the second half of novel had a LOT of similarities to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, during the scene where they break into the ministry- Anouk and the other Beasties break into the Royal's headquarters which is a magical building, get caught, fight, escape in the elevator and end up on a bunch of crazy floors- it really felt like the Ministry of Magic drama to me. I also feel like Anouk became VERY powerful in a very short period of time, and it was hard to suspend my disbelief to accommodate for that.
Overall: A thoroughly atmospheric read, Grim Lovelies will make you want to book a flight to Paris ASAP. While I enjoyed the setting of the book immensely and appreciated it's thoughtfully built magic system, I did find it dragged in places and the overall feel of the novel was a bit young for my taste.This review was originally posted on Girl in the Pages
From the moment I first encountered Grim Lovelies, I was enchanted by its aesthetic. An urban fantasy set in Paris featuring magic and witches? Sign me up! The cover and all of the promotional materials were so gorgeous that I couldn't help but be excited to read my first Megan Shepard novel.
Though I haven't been to France (yet), Grim Lovelies gave me so many Parisian vibes while reading, from the stately home full of antiques that Anouk and her fellow Beasties (animals enchanted into humans) initially live in to the rolling estates of the Lavender witch to the underground neon goblin parties. The idea that there's a magical, paranormal Paris living right underneath the normal Paris was enchanting, and I love how humans weren't necessarily scorned, but were almost adored in a weird sort of way (hence them being called "pretties"). While they race against the clock (the book takes place over the span of just a few days due to an enchantment that must be dealt with) I still felt the atmosphere was very well written and I felt the glamour and grit in the setting of the story.
I also enjoyed the fact that the magic system was also pretty thoroughly explained in this novel, which is not something I often find in fantasy/paranormal books. Magic has to be drawn from living things, whether from eating a leaf to perform a very minor spell, to using actual human blood (for strong, potent witch magic). Each witch has a "witch's boy," a boy who is taken at a very young age to be raised like a pampered prince by the witch in exchange for their blood- providing vials and vials each week to ensure a steady supply of magic for their witch "mother." It was disturbing no doubt but also fascinating and I appreciated that the author took the time to explain the magic system and the costs associated with performing magic.
However, there were elements of the book that I found myself not as much of a fan of and that made the story drag a bit, especially during the later half. The book has a very middle-grade feel to it, and Anouk especially feels very young (which makes sense since she hasn't been a human for very long, having been turned human by her witch, Mada Vittora, relatively recently). There were some scenes that I was sort of grossed out by (Teapenny and his rat....ew). I also felt like the second half of novel had a LOT of similarities to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, during the scene where they break into the ministry- Anouk and the other Beasties break into the Royal's headquarters which is a magical building, get caught, fight, escape in the elevator and end up on a bunch of crazy floors- it really felt like the Ministry of Magic drama to me. I also feel like Anouk became VERY powerful in a very short period of time, and it was hard to suspend my disbelief to accommodate for that.
Overall: A thoroughly atmospheric read, Grim Lovelies will make you want to book a flight to Paris ASAP. While I enjoyed the setting of the book immensely and appreciated it's thoughtfully built magic system, I did find it dragged in places and the overall feel of the novel was a bit young for my taste.This review was originally posted on Girl in the Pages
chamomiledaydreams's review
3.0
I had a really fun time with this book! It's been sitting on my shelf since 2018, but I hadn't so much as read the back description, so the plot was unexpected and entertaining. It's fast-paced, and I love its Grimm fairy tales aesthetic! Shout-out to the small doses of LGBTQ+ representation. Seeing a trans character made me especially happy, because most YA novels I've read include LGB characters before trans ones.