Okay- I know I've found yet another retelling of the Beauty and the Beast story, but what can I say? I like reading old myths and fairytales retold in new ways. This one sounds pretty cool- a fantasy with a forbidden love story which has been compared to Graceling (a brilliant book), and the cover is very clever- with the staircase morphing into a rose. I haven't seen any reviews of this one about anywhere, but it has still caught my attention.
Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
Goodreads
Goodreads
Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.
Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.
Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.
With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.
But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.
As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.
Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.
Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.
With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.
But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.
As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.
I always love books with kick-ass girls as the lead character. This book sounds predictable, but I think it could be sweet and moving too. It's on my wishlist anyway. What do you think of this book?
I've seen this book around a lot lately and I'm definitely curious about it :) Great pick!
ReplyDeletejanina
My WW!
I have been seeing this book around a lot lately. It sounds and looks good so I hope we both get it soon!
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I love fairytale retellings!! I have this on my list too. Hope you get it soon :-) http://bookloverslife.blogspot.ie/2013/09/wishlist-wednesday-6.html
ReplyDeleteI love fairy tale retellings but I have yeat to read an adult version. Love the cover of this book!
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Beauty & the Beast is one of my faves, and I always love discovering new versions. I've seen this one mentioned a few times lately -- I'd love to know what you think of it! Hope you get it soon...
ReplyDeleteLisa
My Wednesday Post
Hey, I have this as my WW as well :) Great minds!
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I really like the sound of this one. I will be adding it to my TBR list. I hope you get it soon!
ReplyDeleteMy WW: http://sparetimebookblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/wishlist-wednesday-65.html
Brittany @ Spare Time Book Blog
I read this book in August and I loved it so much. My favorite book I read this year! :)
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