"I was riveted by this read and enjoyed it beyond measure. The writing alone was outstanding and swept me away, but the story was all consuming and was reminiscent of the classics." - Craves the Angst
SERIES: Fairy Tale Retellings
SERIES PLACEMENT: #1
AUTHOR: Rachel L. Demeter
AGE GROUP: Adult
GENRE: Gothic Romance
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 15, 2017
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
PAGES: Approx. 342
COPY PROVIDED BY: Author
MY GOODREADS REVIEW LINK
RATING: 4.5 Stars
CLIFFHANGER: No
BOOK BLURB:
Experience the world’s most enchanting and timeless love story—retold with a dark and realistic twist.
A BEAST LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF HIS PAST
Reclusive and severely scarred Prince Adam Delacroix has remained hidden inside a secluded, decrepit castle ever since he witnessed his family’s brutal massacre. Cloaked in shadow, with only the lamentations of past ghosts for company, he has abandoned all hope, allowing the world to believe he died on that tragic eve twenty-five years ago.
A BEAUTY IN PURSUIT OF A BETTER FUTURE
Caught in a fierce snowstorm, beautiful and strong-willed Isabelle Rose seeks shelter at a castle—unaware that its beastly and disfigured master is much more than he appears to be. When he imprisons her gravely ill and blind father, she bravely offers herself in his place.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Stripped of his emotional defenses, Adam’s humanity reawakens as he encounters a kindred soul in Isabelle. Together they will wade through darkness and discover beauty and passion in the most unlikely of places. But when a monster from Isabelle’s former life threatens their new love, Demrov’s forgotten prince must emerge from his shadows and face the world once more…
Perfect for fans of Beauty and the Beast and The Phantom of the Opera, Beauty of the Beast brings a familiar and well-loved fairy tale to life with a rich setting in the kingdom of Demrov and a captivating, Gothic voice.
* * *
Beauty of the Beast is the first standalone installment in a series of classic fairy tales reimagined with a dark and realistic twist.
Disclaimer: This is an edgy, historical romance retelling of the classic fairy tale. Due to strong sexual content, profanity, and dark subject matter, including an instance of sexual assault committed by the villain, Beauty of the Beast is not intended for readers under the age of 18.
REVIEWER'S NOTE: I received this eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 Beautiful, Beastly Stars!
Absolutely amazing! This story had it all!
The Review:
What a fantastic read!
Steeped in a dark realism, this remarkable retelling of an enchanting classic held no charmed curses or dancing tea cups. In fact, Prince Adam Delacroix’s beastliness was the result of a horrific string of events that lead to his disfigurement. But just because there was no supernatural or otherworldly conjury interwoven in this magnificent tale, doesn't mean there wasn’t magic abound. With talented writing and elegant prose, this powerful, bewitching story consumed me and made me fall in love with two profound characters who prove that true, unconditional love really can wade the crashing tides of life's misfortunes.
Story/Characters...
A young Adam Delacroix, would be prince of Demrov, lost everything one fateful night in a rebellion that incinerated his entire world and left him horribly scarred and alone. For twenty five years, he hid himself away in his forsaken castle, fearing the outside world and all it’s judgements. Haunted by his past and uneased by a precarious future, he thought the simple pleasure of life, such as a hug, a kiss or even love and passion, were lost to him forever. Until a beauty showed up at his dark door one cold, snowy night asking for help.
Isabelle Rose is running from an impossible future. Unwilling to be engaged to the detestable Vicomte Raphael Dumont, she takes off with her ailing father in search of a new future, only to find a vein of despair in her desperation. Hoping for a bright new life, she never expected to find herself behind the cold, shadowy walls of Adam’s castle. Nor did she expect to find a remarkable life and a tender love in that same somber place. Her reluctance, her fear, her heartbreak and confusion was palpable and honest. It poured off the pages in the most articulate way and when the tides began to turn and her confusion and fear leaned towards need and love, I heartily cheered her on. You couldn’t help but fall deep in love with these characters!
Through this author's dark, expressive writing, Adam’s loneliness and self-abhorrence was captured in impassioned laminations filled with heartbreaking longing for a life he couldn’t conceive possible for himself. Isabelle was a dreamer and envisioned a life filled with love, passion and beauty. She wanted her happily ever after, which is why she chose to run from a future sure to cause her so much pain. Right from the start, I loved the powerful chemistry between Adam and Isabelle, and the parallels they represented.
And there was a definite slow burn between these two. Isabelle starts off with a deep distrust of this mysterious and horrifically scarred man who has marooned himself away in his gloomy castle. He’s secretive, in pain and has a story behind those piercing, intelligent eyes. She wanted to get to know him but his fear holds him back. In turn, Adam feels he is completely unworthy of a woman who loves so fiercely, who is graceful and honorable, sweet and caring and above all, who is absolutely beautiful. These conflicting elements caused some wonderful angsts and enjoyable chest pangs. Then, through Adam’s gentle words and touch, his caring and giving nature, his soulful music, Isabelle finds much more to love about a man who seemed unlovable.
The Wrap Up:
I was riveted by this read and enjoyed it beyond measure. The writing alone was outstanding and swept me away, but the story was all consuming and was reminiscent of the classics. The only reason I didn’t give it a full five stars was because about middle way of the book, I felt there was a repetitiveness in both Adam and Isabelle’s narrative. Adam longed for Isabelle from afar and Isabelle stayed confused and fearful. I felt there was one chapter too much of that and I wanted very much for this amazing story to move forward into the romance it was working so hard toward.
All in all, I loved this book. This might have been a retelling of a classic, but with fresh ideas, new twists and brave and intriguing characters, this outstanding read delighted me at every page turn. I can’t wait to read more by this author.
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