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natashalovesreading's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really enjoyed the world building in this book. The idea of bringing a character from the normal world into the fantasy world reminded me of the show once upon a time. I really liked the way this author incorporated disability into the storyline. I’m excited to read the next in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide attempt
readwithde's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This may be my favorite Beauty and the Beast retelling.
First, I love having any character, but especially a MC with a chronic disease or disability. It was handled so well in the narrative; it never felt like a plot point or focus, but simply part of Harper.
Second, I really liked the way the romance between Rhen and Harper played out. The friendship and trust is built first, then the romance begins to bloom. I liked that there was initial attraction, but it was a true slow burn. Normally I'm impatient about that, but it felt so organic and well-developed.
I'm less of a fan of the love triangle with Grey. At first, it felt like he was a brother figure to both, especially when Harper compared him to Jake a few times. Honestly, I would ship him with Rhen over Harper. I do like how Grey's narrative turned out, for the most part. Being a "halfling" human and magic user, and perhaps heir to the throne, was a big revelation, and I'm glad we saw him struggling with that in the epilogue.
I was most excited about how the kingdom and the people reacted to Rhen and his decision to start doing something for them. It helped build up the story to be worth a trilogy instead of a single book.
Even though it's off-brand for me, I like the semi-vague ending of whether or not Harper loves Rhen, whether she broke the curse or if Grey did. While there's still a clean ending, a resolution, it gives room for more play in the series without stirring up extra (i.e. unnecessary) drama.
Overall, I really liked it, and I'm excited to read more in the series.
First, I love having any character, but especially a MC with a chronic disease or disability. It was handled so well in the narrative; it never felt like a plot point or focus, but simply part of Harper.
Second, I really liked the way the romance between Rhen and Harper played out. The friendship and trust is built first, then the romance begins to bloom. I liked that there was initial attraction, but it was a true slow burn. Normally I'm impatient about that, but it felt so organic and well-developed.
I'm less of a fan of the
I was most excited about how the kingdom and the people reacted to Rhen and his decision to start doing something for them. It helped build up the story to be worth a trilogy instead of a single book.
Even though it's off-brand for me, I like the semi-vague ending
Overall, I really liked it, and I'm excited to read more in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and War
Minor: Animal death, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Torture
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Ableism, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Torture and Kidnapping
Minor: Vomit, Infidelity, Cancer, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Alcohol
sami_leigh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
Minor: Violence
whatrhireads22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Cancer, and Medical content
nytefall_library's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I fell in love with this book so quickly. Of course I picked this up as it’s sold as a retelling of Beauty and the Beast which is one of my favourite stories of all time. I love that this is slightly different. Told from perspective of two of the main characters (mostly) it was interesting to see their minds and what they thought, rather then guessing on one side. The story is fast passes but does not feel rushed. The characters are well written and their flaws are evident but so is their development. I liked that Harper wasn’t exactly a cliché and thank you to the author for writing a character whose disability does not hold her back. I know this is not the same for everyone but everyone wants to know they are more then something they have or were born with. Rhen and Grey’s friendship is a lovely story and I cannot wait to see what the next two books bring. I loved Noah - his attitude to life is inspiring and how he adapts is brilliant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Torture, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent, Cancer, Suicide attempt, and Kidnapping
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
roseofphantom's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
There are so many Beauty and the Beast retellings - which, as a huge fan of BatB, I don't mind. But this took the traditional store and enhanced it to an original story and made it so much more than that.
First of I love how well rounded the characters are. None of them are perfect, all their weaknesses, flaws, and strengths are on display. Harper is one of the most realistic characters I have every read. She's powerful, strong, and tough. I definitely appreciate the CP representation and how it's made clearly to be apart of her identity but only a small part of who she is. Her peers greatly respect her and while they question her CP at first she VERY quickly shows them she is not weak. She also has relatable love and care for her family members, for those around her. The friendship she develops with Grey and Zo feels completely real. Her progression into a leader as Princess character feels natural, gradual, and real and she falls into the role at a pace that feels accurate.
Like all the other characters Rhen is just the same. He's polite and the kind of guy you would hope Harper would fall for, but he also has his weaknesses. Sometimes Harper is right. Sometimes Rhen is right. He's charming and kind, but not this salivating swoonworthy character (which to me is a compliment because he feels much more realistic that way).
Gray is the greatest fighter and most loyal friend.
Freya is an absolute sweetheart and a wonderful mother figure who also has the appropriate amounts of scary.
Zo is a wicked best friend! She's totally kickass but also sweet and devoted.
Jake was the perfect brother figure- annoying and irritating, but also very loving.
Noah may have only been in the story a short while, but even he felt fully developed. He shows his care for Jake but also he has a heart of practicality without being judgmental and is determined but has the utmost care for patients and will not hesitate to get aggressive in order to save someone's life.
The writing and voice of each individual character was so good I literally heard different voices and accents in my own head while reading and that doesn't even happen with books I love!
There was magic in this writing style, the story felt so fresh and new I forgot it was a retelling I am just so in love with this book and I felt MADLY in love with all the characters this really filled my heart I haven't loved a book like this in SUCH a long time!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual harassment
thereadinghammock's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I would not have picked this book up on my own; a coworker lent it to me when I asked to borrow some books for jury duty and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise! I enjoyed the characters, the banter, the plot, the worldbuilding. But I did not expect to get sucked into the story as much as I did. Kept telling myself, "Well if I don't like it by the first 100 pages, I'll just stop. Well if I don't like it by chapter 30, I'll give it back to [coworker] the next time I see her..." then I was halfway through the book and needed to know how it all played out.
I enjoyed how much Harper and Rhen goaded each other through most of the book, the "it's all just for show......right?" until almost the very end. I also appreciated that Brigid didn't shy away from the fact that there was definitely a spark of something between Harper and Grey, if for no other reason than he expected absolutely nothing from her since she had to fall in love with Rhen to break the curse.
Bit of a plot twist at the end there with Rhen's legitimacy as heir to the throne tossed in. A bit of political intrigue does a story good. But then to find out that Grey has been the true heir to the throne THE WHOLE TIME AND DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT HIMSELF?!?!?! Talk about a plot twist (that we probably should have seen coming, but still) .
I enjoyed how much Harper and Rhen goaded each other through most of the book, the "it's all just for show......right?" until almost the very end. I also appreciated that Brigid didn't shy away from the fact that there was definitely a spark of something between Harper and Grey, if for no other reason than he expected absolutely nothing from her since she had to fall in love with Rhen to break the curse.
Bit of a plot twist at the end there with Rhen's legitimacy as heir to the throne tossed in. A bit of political intrigue does a story good.
Not sure if I'll be rushing out to grab the sequel, with the stacks of other books I want to read, but I enjoyed the story and the characters and my time with this universe.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Blood, Cancer, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Terminal illness, and Violence
Minor: Gun violence, Infidelity, and Suicide attempt
axahean's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, and Vomit
11ebq11's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It was so awesome to read fantasy romance that included a love interest with cerebral palsy. The characters were complex but still very likable. As a very nostalgic fan of beauty and the beast, this was an updated version of the story that holds up to earlier versions
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Torture, Suicide attempt, Medical content, Cancer, and Ableism