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salmaa's review
3.0
i feel like not enough stuff happened...
literally the whole book was in a span of 3 days-ish?
still pretty good tho
literally the whole book was in a span of 3 days-ish?
still pretty good tho
ennitsud's review
4.0
it took a lot longer than usual for me to finish this book but it was pretty good! all the magic of paris and of the beasties themselves! i felt for anouk, cricket, beau, luc (a bit), and oh hunter black :-(( viggo.... well he learned and apologized. i’m curious to see what happens next. a patient curiosity.
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.
bookmothmaeve'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.