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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Excellent book, drew me in within the first chapter and kept my attention until I finished it. I look forward to reading the rest in the series. I received this as a Goodreads giveaway and was so excited when I got it in the mail. It had been so long since I've read a hold in my hands book and not an E-Book so that may have added to the experience to get the whole new book smell and feel experience. I loved Brody as a side character also and I hope we get more of his story in future books.
It's really just a tiny bit under 5 stars because the author gets sappy and ridiculous with the nomenclature once the sexy bits get started. The ridiculousness of some of the terms she uses totally took me out of the story as I had to pause and slow blink my brain back in action after reading them.
I'm able to forgive that because I really liked leading lady, Luciana, and leading man, Leo. They're both the "embraced" of the series title and it makes for some very interesting reading. Their personalities clash in parts and complement in others. The interactions between characters is what drives the book.
It's historical romance with a supernatural twist that adds a fun twist to the usual story; with all the elements that I love from HR present and somehow augmented by the fantasy elements. It was a book that I couldn't put down.
My one caveat beyond the nomenclature being silly is the way the big, bad villain is taken care of at the end. So much build-up to what could have been an epic face off and its goes off with a tiny sizzle.
Beyond that...
Totally recommend it and I can't wait for the next volume in the series.
Mandatory note: Got my copy thru GoodReads' First Reads.
I'm able to forgive that because I really liked leading lady, Luciana, and leading man, Leo. They're both the "embraced" of the series title and it makes for some very interesting reading. Their personalities clash in parts and complement in others. The interactions between characters is what drives the book.
It's historical romance with a supernatural twist that adds a fun twist to the usual story; with all the elements that I love from HR present and somehow augmented by the fantasy elements. It was a book that I couldn't put down.
My one caveat beyond the nomenclature being silly is the way the big, bad villain is taken care of at the end. So much build-up to what could have been an epic face off and its goes off with a tiny sizzle.
Beyond that...
Totally recommend it and I can't wait for the next volume in the series.
Mandatory note: Got my copy thru GoodReads' First Reads.
A new world by Kerrelyn Sparks for a fantasy romance - a world of elves and dragons, magic and murder, politics and romance. A very nice beginning to a series of five women who were raised together in secret on an isolated island.
Luciana always thought she was an orphan until her father picked her up from the convent. He had hid her from certain death, a death her twin sister experienced instead. Now to save a duchy she will need to survive assassination attempts and marry a man called "The Beast". Fortunately she can talk with the dead and her twin is still hanging around.
A nice first level of worldbuilding but the second level is lacking - too much aiming for the HEA (Happily Ever After) ending people want in romances even though a lot of bad things happen for most of the book ramping up the problems to be solved. The switch to having everything good at the end was abrupt.
A good light read. Solid mix of epic fantasy adventure, coming of age, and light romance.
I do want to see Brody (a secondary character) fall in love and hope one of the women is for him in a future book.
Pet Peeve - Picture on the cover does not match the character description. He is missing the scar on his chest and also the hair is described as redder and slightly longer. Leo also wore gloves all the time.
Note: The Kindle edition at this time (4/4/2017) actually costs $2 more than the paperback available on Amazon and in stores.
Luciana always thought she was an orphan until her father picked her up from the convent. He had hid her from certain death, a death her twin sister experienced instead. Now to save a duchy she will need to survive assassination attempts and marry a man called "The Beast". Fortunately she can talk with the dead and her twin is still hanging around.
A nice first level of worldbuilding but the second level is lacking - too much aiming for the HEA (Happily Ever After) ending people want in romances even though a lot of bad things happen for most of the book ramping up the problems to be solved. The switch to having everything good at the end was abrupt.
A good light read. Solid mix of epic fantasy adventure, coming of age, and light romance.
I do want to see Brody (a secondary character) fall in love and hope one of the women is for him in a future book.
Pet Peeve - Picture on the cover does not match the character description. He is missing the scar on his chest and also the hair is described as redder and slightly longer. Leo also wore gloves all the time.
Note: The Kindle edition at this time (4/4/2017) actually costs $2 more than the paperback available on Amazon and in stores.
Enjoyed it. Super natural romance well done is always fun. Engaging characters all around.
I somehow manage to pick up book 4 in this series without knowing it was a series. And then had to go back and get book one.
Tbh, this book was happy silly fluff with a LOT of tropes thrown in for extra funsies.
The characters were pretty much caricatures of every other blah fantasy romance out there. There's some pretty strong insta-love in a number of areas and the ending was just anticlimactic.
It was a fun and fast read though - which is why I'm giving it three stars.
Tbh, this book was happy silly fluff with a LOT of tropes thrown in for extra funsies.
The characters were pretty much caricatures of every other blah fantasy romance out there. There's some pretty strong insta-love in a number of areas and the ending was just anticlimactic.
It was a fun and fast read though - which is why I'm giving it three stars.
ARC Review: How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days (The Embraced) by Kerrelyn Sparks
How to Tame A Beast in Seven Days is a twist on Beauty and The Beast that is even more beautiful than the original and far more magical than the Disney version. I volunteered to read a copy in exchange for my honest opinion and it was an eye opening experience. I am surprised how much I actually fell in love with this against the odds love story. Am not into the supernatural romance genre but Ms. Sparks latched on to something special with Luciana and Loefric. The characters, the author, the romance kept me spellbound to the point that I breezed through the story in one sitting and am looking forward to a second trip in this otherworldly awe filled tale.
How to Tame A Beast in Seven Days is a twist on Beauty and The Beast that is even more beautiful than the original and far more magical than the Disney version. I volunteered to read a copy in exchange for my honest opinion and it was an eye opening experience. I am surprised how much I actually fell in love with this against the odds love story. Am not into the supernatural romance genre but Ms. Sparks latched on to something special with Luciana and Loefric. The characters, the author, the romance kept me spellbound to the point that I breezed through the story in one sitting and am looking forward to a second trip in this otherworldly awe filled tale.
Ms. Sparks has been one of my favorite authors since I picked up the newly-published How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire. In this series starter, Luciana (Ana) grew up in a convent thinking she was abandoned. Her long-gone father shows up with a dilemma, one Ana can help him with: she has to take her dead twin’s place in an arranged marriage or he will be executed. Her betrothed, known as the Beast, Lord Leo is also Embraced (born with magical powers) and can’t touch anyone. Will these two overcome adversity to be together, or will the one scheming against them win? One of the things I really like about the author’s writing is how light and funny it is without being too fluffy. She is an exceptional writer, and that really shines in this book. As first books tend to be, as information is given to the readers, the plot slows down some. However, I really completely enjoyed this book. I can’t wait to read more in this series as I found the side characters as captivating as the main ones. If you like light-hearted, fun paranormal romance, you really need to give this book a try. Highly recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-copy of the book. This same review will be posted on both Goodreads and Amazon.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-copy of the book. This same review will be posted on both Goodreads and Amazon.
I've read many of Sparks' vampire books in the past--this one was pretty different. Kind of a historical fiction, but barely. Kind of a paranormal romance, but barely. A romance novel with hints of both. It was an interesting concept, and I really enjoyed the first half of the book. The second half wasn't as strong; it felt more rushed and cliched rather than anything extraordinary. It was a decent enough read that I may read some others in the series.
Great universe and really liked the characters...the ending was a little rushed but I'm still going to read the next book!