Title: Cruel Beauty
Author: Rosamund Hodge
Pub Date: January 28th, 2014
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Page Count:342
You know that feeling you get after reading an amazing book after a long line of "meh" or not good ones? That was Cruel Beauty to me. - Nova @ Out of Time
I guess I must be a judgmental potato because I put this off for so long. Was it the intense fantasy themes or the daunting names of the characters that threw me off? We may never know. However, I definitely regret not reading this sooner.
While the main character Nyx and I had a rocky relationship in the beginning, I grew to love her. But even if I didn't, I respect and acknowledge what I think is heavy amounts of strength of character. Nyx has her way of acting that can either be seen as whiny or struggled. I chose to see it the latter. There's a lot of anger and cruelty in the way she acts because of how she was brought up. It's nice to see that they affect her because it shows that she isn't bulletproof.
I was a little "meh" on the way she acted in certain scenes but overall, I related to her and her issues so well.
Ignifex. Holy crap. Besides the fact that he's got his own set of issues going on, Ignifex reminded me of a [less intimidating] Darkling. I don't know where it came from, but I have a love for those evil type guys who get hints or possibilities of redemption [even if they don't in the end.] Ignifex just had some of the best lines. I was like, "THIS IS NOT ALRIGHT. I CAN'T EVEN. MY FEELS."
There is a [sort of] love triangle. It's difficult to explain because spoilers but let's just say that it's pretty clear cut who Nyx will end up with as the story goes along. Surprisingly, I didn't let it bother me [when it appeared like a normal love triangle.] It was pretty mellow, even if there was instalove. Most of the romance in the beginning is more because of Nyx's personality than real love, anyway.
What really sold this book was the writing. My gosh, it was gorgeous to me. Five stars for the writing alone! I really enjoyed the descriptions of the mansion but also how it didn't feel like I was reading description. Look at me, I can't even describe her description. It felt like I was almost reading poetry. Hodge was definitely the master of using words that sparked vivid thoughts.
And I know this book is pitched as a Beauty and the Beast retelling but I never really got that feeling. There's a frame of the classic tale but with the amount of mythology and Hodge's own ideas thrown in the mix, this is no ordinary retelling. I think that's what made it so different from everything I've read; retelling or not.
Author: Rosamund Hodge
Pub Date: January 28th, 2014
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Page Count:342
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.
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You know that feeling you get after reading an amazing book after a long line of "meh" or not good ones? That was Cruel Beauty to me. - Nova @ Out of Time
I guess I must be a judgmental potato because I put this off for so long. Was it the intense fantasy themes or the daunting names of the characters that threw me off? We may never know. However, I definitely regret not reading this sooner.
While the main character Nyx and I had a rocky relationship in the beginning, I grew to love her. But even if I didn't, I respect and acknowledge what I think is heavy amounts of strength of character. Nyx has her way of acting that can either be seen as whiny or struggled. I chose to see it the latter. There's a lot of anger and cruelty in the way she acts because of how she was brought up. It's nice to see that they affect her because it shows that she isn't bulletproof.
I was a little "meh" on the way she acted in certain scenes but overall, I related to her and her issues so well.
Ignifex. Holy crap. Besides the fact that he's got his own set of issues going on, Ignifex reminded me of a [less intimidating] Darkling. I don't know where it came from, but I have a love for those evil type guys who get hints or possibilities of redemption [even if they don't in the end.] Ignifex just had some of the best lines. I was like, "THIS IS NOT ALRIGHT. I CAN'T EVEN. MY FEELS."
There is a [sort of] love triangle. It's difficult to explain because spoilers but let's just say that it's pretty clear cut who Nyx will end up with as the story goes along. Surprisingly, I didn't let it bother me [when it appeared like a normal love triangle.] It was pretty mellow, even if there was instalove. Most of the romance in the beginning is more because of Nyx's personality than real love, anyway.
What really sold this book was the writing. My gosh, it was gorgeous to me. Five stars for the writing alone! I really enjoyed the descriptions of the mansion but also how it didn't feel like I was reading description. Look at me, I can't even describe her description. It felt like I was almost reading poetry. Hodge was definitely the master of using words that sparked vivid thoughts.
And I know this book is pitched as a Beauty and the Beast retelling but I never really got that feeling. There's a frame of the classic tale but with the amount of mythology and Hodge's own ideas thrown in the mix, this is no ordinary retelling. I think that's what made it so different from everything I've read; retelling or not.
YAAAYYY, I'm so happy you liked this oneee!! The mythology part confused me at one point, but I still loved this novel regardless.. It's something different, even though it's a retelling as you said :) NAILED it with your review. x Benish | Feminist Reflections
ReplyDeleteCruel Beauty sounds like an amazing book, and that cover is gorgeous. The real thing that caught me about your review was the part about gorgeous writing. Gosh, I love writing that flows like poetry and is gorgeous like that. It's so beautiful and to me it makes the story so much more real. That's the way I want to be able to write someday.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the writing and a very excited about Crimson Bound. Rosamund Hodge is very talented. So happy that though you waited to read this it worked so well for you!
ReplyDeleteI love retellings and Beauty and the Beast is my favourite fairytale,so I really want to read this book!And the cover,man,it's so beautiful isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIgnifex reminded you of The Darkling?Then I really need to go read about this guy!I love The Darkling a lot,and I have a huge soft spot for bad boys.
I ORDERED THIS FROM BOOK OUTLET AND I'M SO EXCITED. I love retellings and I love Beauty and the Beast and this just looks amaaaazing. Plus, Darkling FTW.
ReplyDeleteI actually decided to reread this book a few days ago and I love how the love triangle isn't actually a love triangle, a, and I also love that she accidentally falls in love with her own husband. IRONY FOR THE WIN. The mythology, the story, the love... It is a great story; I agree.
ReplyDeleteEEK! I need to read this book already! I love retellings that only have the most basic feel of the original tale, because it has my favourite aspect but the author has weaved their own incredible story around it. Which it sounds like CRUEL BEAUTY does really well.
ReplyDeleteI love the Darkling with a fiery burning endless passion, so I am pretty sure I will like Ignifiex. And that name alone is pretty fabulous, and I like him already.
Gross descriptions are THE WORST but it looks like Hodge does a beautiful job with descriptions and I seriously cannot WAIT TO READ THIS BOOK, GOODNESS ME.
This is definitely the best Beauty and the Beast retelling I've ever read! The writing was gorgeous, as you said, and there can never be too much swooning over Ignifex. The love triangle bothered me more than a bit since I was such a huge Ignifex fan, but overall, it wasn't too bad. I have yet to read a retelling as amazing as this one. Great review!
ReplyDelete