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vickysbooklove1's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Kingdom of Forgotten Curses: Beauty & the Undead Beast (The Stolen Royalty Series Book 1) by A.R. Kaufer is a marvellous fast-paced Gothic Beauty and the Beast retelling like no other.
As our reading adventure unfolds, we encounter a bloodthirsty Prince whose cruelty dooms both his kingdom and himself to a devastating fate. Eighty years later, Marius, the king’s barrister, embarks on a mission of discovery. However, when he makes a fatal mistake, one of his three daughters, Bells, selflessly volunteers to bear the consequences.
Characters are not always what they appear, and the slow-burning romance sizzles. The blurred boundary between villains and victims sets off an unforgettable chain of events, complete with mind-blowing twists and turns. The unparalleled prose of A.R. Kaufer stirs up a diverse array of powerful emotions in readers, leaving an indelible impression that will linger in their memories for quite some time. Last but not least , what impressed me most was the fact that the world-building is an ongoing journey. Just as characters develop, so does the world they inhabit. The talented author continues to weave layers of history and nuanced details, captivating readers and holding them under her spell.
In the crucible of passion, where love ignites and loyalties waver , the boundary between saviors and sinners blurs. Prepare for a denouement that transcends ink and paper—a haunting and unforgettable tale that will leave you craving not only every work of art A.R. Kaufer has crafted but also all those she will create in the future.
As our reading adventure unfolds, we encounter a bloodthirsty Prince whose cruelty dooms both his kingdom and himself to a devastating fate. Eighty years later, Marius, the king’s barrister, embarks on a mission of discovery. However, when he makes a fatal mistake, one of his three daughters, Bells, selflessly volunteers to bear the consequences.
Characters are not always what they appear, and the slow-burning romance sizzles. The blurred boundary between villains and victims sets off an unforgettable chain of events, complete with mind-blowing twists and turns. The unparalleled prose of A.R. Kaufer stirs up a diverse array of powerful emotions in readers, leaving an indelible impression that will linger in their memories for quite some time. Last but not least , what impressed me most was the fact that the world-building is an ongoing journey. Just as characters develop, so does the world they inhabit. The talented author continues to weave layers of history and nuanced details, captivating readers and holding them under her spell.
In the crucible of passion, where love ignites and loyalties waver , the boundary between saviors and sinners blurs. Prepare for a denouement that transcends ink and paper—a haunting and unforgettable tale that will leave you craving not only every work of art A.R. Kaufer has crafted but also all those she will create in the future.
breesbooksandbaubles's review
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
rosiekay_720's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I will forever cherish this book! I’m in love with Beauty and The Beast and vampires! I love the twist the author put on this story, layered in fae/vampire lore. Dracke is cursed to be a vampire, while Mina is suffering from grief. It’s a slow burn romance, but as always, check your triggers!
I did give this 5 stars only because I honestly do believe there isn’t anything to be changed in this book! I also read this 3 times in one month!
I did give this 5 stars only because I honestly do believe there isn’t anything to be changed in this book! I also read this 3 times in one month!
chellecypress's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Solid beauty & the beast retelling with a vampire & fae twist.
Drake, a cruel prince, is cursed to a beastly form that of a vampire. Nearly 100 years past when a man stumbles into his castle and unwisely picks a rose for his beloved daughter, Bells (aka Bellamina, aka Mina). When her father is imprisoned Mina takes her father’s place in the castle of the heartless Drake. Yet through the sharing of 🩸a bond forms between them. Mina and Drake struggle with this unfathomable connection, all while navigating long held secret that could change both their fates.
Overall, it was an enjoyable novel. As a beauty and the beast fan I enjoyed the retelling and layered in fae/vampire lore.
My biggest reasons for a 4 instead of a 5 was the pacing. It was very fast paced moving quickly from one scene to the next without a lot of breathing room to process what happened. There were also some anachronisms that kept popping up that felt out of place for a dark gothic kingdom.
Would recommend if you like:
Faced paced
Will they/wont they
Beauty and the Beast retelling
HEA
🌶️🌶️ spice
Drake, a cruel prince, is cursed to a beastly form that of a vampire. Nearly 100 years past when a man stumbles into his castle and unwisely picks a rose for his beloved daughter, Bells (aka Bellamina, aka Mina). When her father is imprisoned Mina takes her father’s place in the castle of the heartless Drake. Yet through the sharing of 🩸a bond forms between them. Mina and Drake struggle with this unfathomable connection, all while navigating long held secret that could change both their fates.
Overall, it was an enjoyable novel. As a beauty and the beast fan I enjoyed the retelling and layered in fae/vampire lore.
My biggest reasons for a 4 instead of a 5 was the pacing. It was very fast paced moving quickly from one scene to the next without a lot of breathing room to process what happened. There were also some anachronisms that kept popping up that felt out of place for a dark gothic kingdom.
Would recommend if you like:
Faced paced
Will they/wont they
Beauty and the Beast retelling
HEA
🌶️🌶️ spice
mng82214's review against another edition
5.0
This was beautiful twist on Dracula and beauty and the beast. The author did a fabulous job blending the two into thrilling and engaging story with characters you are drawn to. And beg for a happily ever after for. I really enjoyed this book.
mariewikle's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
What a wonderful retelling of beauty and the beast! I love vampire books and this was fabulous!! I’m excited to read more from this author!
thereallu_'s review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bzmack100's review
4.0
A wonderful story where Belle meets Dracula!
This absolutely amazing Beauty and the Beast retelling was full of twists and turns! Our strong FMC Bellamina sacrifices herself to save her father. She is bound to stay with the dreaded Dracke. Dracke is cursed to be a vampire and must atone for his past sins, or is all not as it seems? This tale was a wild ride. As soon as you thought we made it to happily ever after a great plot twist would emerge. If you love true love, magic, vampires, curses, adventure and a whole lot of angst add this amazing story to your TBR now!!
This absolutely amazing Beauty and the Beast retelling was full of twists and turns! Our strong FMC Bellamina sacrifices herself to save her father. She is bound to stay with the dreaded Dracke. Dracke is cursed to be a vampire and must atone for his past sins, or is all not as it seems? This tale was a wild ride. As soon as you thought we made it to happily ever after a great plot twist would emerge. If you love true love, magic, vampires, curses, adventure and a whole lot of angst add this amazing story to your TBR now!!