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ClareR (6054 KP) rated The Beauty of the Wolf in Books

Feb 21, 2019

The Beauty of the Wolf

Wray Delaney | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

A refreshingly different retelling

I rather liked this retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It's set in Elizabethan England, and there are some twists to the original story, which were both surprising and refreshing.
I really liked the language used: it was poetic with a good smattering of the more 'earthy' Elizabethan English (it's what we English are good at I think, isn't it!). I also liked the mix of fairytale, folklore and history. It just felt as though the author had done a bit of historical research with regards to life in London and as part of a theatrical group.
It was a good story that illustrated that what's on the inside is what really counts far more than appearances and that, I suppose, there is someone out there for everyone. Someone who will love you for yourself, regardless of what you look like - in fact, probably precisely because of what you look like.*
*This book actually caused me to check in my cynicism at the first page. And that's no bad thing in literature!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

Kudos

Sarah (7800 KP) rated Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian in Books

Jan 17, 2018 (Updated Jan 17, 2018)

As bad as the original trilogy

I actually feel embarrassed that I’ve read this book. I read the original trilogy (skim reading by the time I got to the third one) and was vaguely interested in seeing if it being told from Christian’s perspective made for a better read. Short answer is no.

This has obviously been written for the money and I don’t doubt that it’s done very well. However Christian’s perspective is not a good one. In the original books he’s very aloof, cold and confident but in this he just comes across as a petulant clingy teenager. I’m sure it was intended to show his softer side, but it’s just made him out as weak and ridiculously irritating. His internal monologue too is atrocious, his constant use of “baby” made me want to cringe and it makes him sound so childish.

And the “erotic” parts.... they’re just repetitive, laughable and about as erotic as dirty dish water. This book (and the rest of the trilogy) are just a nonsense fairytale for people who don’t know any better. Avoid at all costs!

Kudos

Jade Clarke-Mackintosh (7 KP) Jan 18, 2018

Totally agree I read it for the same reason and it was basically just a recap of everything that has happened. No change in perspectives as all!

Kudos

ArecRain (8 KP) rated Snow's Seduction (A Snow White Werewolf Tale, #1) in Books

Jan 18, 2018

This is supposed to be a Snow White retelling but I really couldnt see it. Regardless, its an erotic fairytale retelling which is right up my alley. Its heavy on the erotica while still having enough plot to push the story forward. Normally I would be aggravated that this story is divided into three parts but I knew that going in and already had the rest of the story so I didnt have to wait for the rest.

I love friends to lovers stories, especially childhood friends. I would like to say I enjoyed the premise to this story but honestly I thought it was stupid. I wish I had better word but there it is. Now you may be saying but you knew that going in! Honestly, I was hoping it was going to be a menage. I guess it was just wishful thinking, because what I got instead was the age old hey let me ask my male friend how to seduce this other male but wait my friend wants me trope.

All in all, definitely worth the read.

Kudos

Merissa (13668 KP) rated The Music Box in Books

Oct 18, 2018

The Music Box

Alyssa Drake | 2018 | Erotica, Paranormal, Romance

7.0

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

The Music Box by Alyssa Drake

The Music Box is a fairytale with an urban setting. It deals with sensitive subjects, such as dementia and work harassment. Gabrielle is spending her evenings with her mother in a care home, whilst during the day she is doing a job she doesn't like, with a boss who is abhorrent. The only bright spot on her horizon is Luciano, the grandson of another patient.

There is a lot of information in this book, packed within a few short pages, so you can imagine the pacing is quite fast. That being said though, the whole story is here. Yes, I would like to see it more 'fleshed out' in places, but the basics are here. Enough for me to enjoy the story and want to read more about these characters.

With no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, I thoroughly enjoyed this short story, and have no hesitation in recommending it.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!