Craving Beauty

A Wylder Tale #1

by Jennifer Silverwood, Qamber Designs (Designer)

A dark tale of enchantment and woe, perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Holly Black, Craving Beauty is the first installment of the epic Wylder Tales Series!
Nineteen-year-old Vynasha's life is no fairy tale. The fire that killed her sisters was her fault, and the magick that saved her nephew cannot heal their scars. They shouldn't have survived, and the villagers either fear or loathe them. Until a mysterious stranger saves her, giving Vynasha the key to finding the only family they have left.
With nothing to lose, Vynasha dares the journey into the forbidden Wylderland. Through dangers untold, she makes her way to the forgotten city, but more than ghosts linger in the castle. A wicked curse shadows the land, shadows whisper that the one to break their curse has come, and a beastly prince makes a bargain Vynasha cannot
Become the beast's bride or become a monster herself.

Genres: Fantasy, Retellings, Romance, Dark Fantasy, Beauty and The Beast, Young Adult, Fairy Tales

262 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Jennifer Silverwood lives in the middle of an enchanted forest surrounded by cursed books, nosy spirits, and mischievous goblins she calls her children. After beginning several nonsensical degrees, she found her calling helping other authors bring their books to life. Jennifer is the author of two fairy tale fantasy series: the Borderlands Saga and Wylder Tales. Because she wasn't satisfied writing in one genre, she also invites you to explore uncharted space with the Heaven’s Edge Novellas—and dare to fall in love again with the standalone romance titles Stay and She Walks in Moonlight.

Discover more at - http://jennifersilverwood.com

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shifters.
Cursed Castle.
A young girl fighting to save her brother.
A retake on Beauty and the Beast
The synopsis describes the plot and in the end gave me a guideline to the book.

Don’t get me wrong, Craving Beauty was a tale scribed with vivid beauty and descriptive writing that made the world building simply amazing. The imagination behind the concept was also superb. But then came the plot. I liked the overall idea of the tale but felt it was all over the place. So many open ends that just hung out there, I felt like I was missing something vital to make me understand. I kept wanting to see who the prince was, why where they cursed and who is the woman in mirror world and when the tale was done I still didn’t understand.

To say the story ends in a cliffhanger would be an understatement. There has to be more but right now I was so frustrated, I didn’t want to go on.

I received this copy of Craving Beauty from Jennifer Silverwood in exchange for a honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The classic fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast is retold in a Gothic setting where nothing is exactly as it seems and the heroine must be her own hero...

[Agustina Zanelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

ENGLISH:

Thank you so much to the author for the book!

In search of a magical cure for her nephew, Vynasha goes on a very dangerous adventure, risking her life to enter the haunted grounds of the Wylder Mountains. From that place come the most frightening stories, due to the terrible beasts that walk in those lands. However, when Vynasha arrives at the mysterious castle where the cure should be, she finds instead dozens of mysteries and dangers that put her life at risk. There are lots of secrets that she must reveal to find what she's looking for and escape before it's too late.

Vynasha is a very interesting character. She's so mysterious and full of secrets. She has a touch of magic inside of her that makes her different, a gift whose true nature is slowly discovered in the story. She had such a difficult life, but she never gives up, taking care of her own with all her courage and tenacity to face the most terrible dangers and get what she wants.

There are also a few interesting characters in this book, like the Prince and Grendall, whose dry and resentful personality was so funny. I also loved the special connection he has with Vynasha. I really liked the interactions between them, although I wasn't sure who I could trust. Each character in this story left me with doubts about their true intentions and that was great. It left me questioning absolutely everything in a game of intrigues and secrets from the beginning to the end. That was impressive.

I also liked the wyne, the strange beings that inhabit the Prince's castle. I loved the diversity of peculiar and creative characters that the author has created, the different worlds and beings living close to the humans. The plot of this book was very interesting, a different and really original twist from the Beauty and the Beast story. It was full of adventures, had lots of action and adrenaline. There was also a lot of drama, moments that broke my heart. And I liked the whole fantasy of this book, I found it really captivating.

It's a story full of mysteries that left me completely caught in the reading. The intrigue generated in this book is impressive, new secrets are slowly revealed with each page, creating very good twists and turns, making me devour the book to discover the truth. And the end was full of tension, I was desperate to know what was going to happen. A lot of things were left open, so I finished this book dying to read the next one. I really liked it, it was a captivating story and it left me wanting to read its sequel.










ESPAÑOL:

¡Muchísimas gracias a la autora por el libro!

En busca de una mágica cura para su sobrino, Vynasha se encamina en una aventura muy peligrosa, arriesgándose a entrar en los terrenos embrujados de las montañas Wylder. De este sitio llegan los relatos más atemorizantes, debido a las terribles bestias que abundan en aquellas tierras. Sin embargo, cuando Vynasha llega al misterioso castillo en donde la cura debería estar, en su lugar se encuentra con decenas de misterios y peligros que ponen en riesgo su vida. Se trata de secretos que deberá descifrar para hallar lo que busca y escapar antes de que sea demasiado tarde.

Vynasha es un personaje muy interesante, tan misteriosa y llena de secretos. Ella tiene un toque de magia en su interior que la hace diferente, un don cuya verdadera naturaleza se va descubriendo lentamente. Ha pasado por una vida difícil, pero no se da por vencido a la hora de cuidar a los suyos, sacando valentía y tenacidad para enfrentarse a los más terribles peligros y conseguir lo que quiere.

También hay unos cuantos personajes interesantes en este libro, desde el Príncipe hasta Grendall, cuya personalidad tan seca y resentida me encantó, como así también me gustó mucho la conexión tan particular que tiene con Vynasha. Me encantaron las interacciones entre ambos, aunque la verdad no estaba muy segura en quién confiar. Cada personaje en esta historia me dejaba con dudas acerca de sus verdaderas intenciones y eso estuvo genial. Me dejó cuestionando absolutamente todo en un juego de intrigas y secretos que se sostuvo desde el principio hasta el final. Eso fue impresionante.

También me gustaron los wyne, los seres extraños que habitan el castillo del Príncipe. Me encantó la diversidad de personajes tan peculiares y creativos que ha creado la autora, como así también que incluyera mundos diferentes, seres distintos habitando cerca de los humanos. La trama fue muy interesante, en verdad fue un giro muy diferente y original con respecto a la historia original de La Bella y la Bestia. Estuvo lleno de aventuras, mucha acción y adrenalina. También hay bastante drama en la historia, momentos que estrujaron mi corazón. Y toda la parte fantástica me gustó mucho, me pareció realmente atrapante.

Es una historia repleta de misterios que se van encadenando y que me iban dejando completamente atrapada en la lectura. La intriga es impresionante en este libro, nuevos secretos se van revelando lentamente con cada página, creando muy buenos giros y haciendo que devorara el libro, queriendo descubrir la verdad. Y el final estuvo repleto de tensiones, me tuvo comiéndome las uñas de los nervios deseando saber lo que iba a pasar. Muchas cosas quedaron abiertas, así que acabé este libro desesperada por leer el siguiente. Me gustó mucho, fue una historia atrapante y me dejó con muchísimas ganas de leer su continuación.

Reseña completa










--------------------------------------

PRIMERA EDICIÓN:

Me encantó este libro. Está repleto de misterio y secretos enredados que mantienen la intriga y el suspenso durante toda la historia. Los personajes parecen estar ocultando muchos secretos y eso los hizo aún más fascinantes. Hay unos giros y revelaciones muy interesantes, mucha tensión y adrenalina. Me gustó mucho toda la parte fantástica de este libro, hay seres muy creativos que hicieron la lectura atrapante. También me encantó la ambientación oscura que tiene esta historia. Amo los retellings, especialmente si se trata de La Bella y la Bestia, y éste fue un giro diferente y fascinante de la historia original. Tengo muchísimas ganas de saber cómo continúa después de semejante final.

Pronto traigo la reseña :)

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved a fairy tale retelling, but I was not expecting this fantastic dark story that does not reflect the Beauty and the Beast that we all know from the movies. While some parts follow the build-up to their relationship, the twists hooked me, and now I need to know more. What happens next? How will her story play out?

Vynasha is a strong protagonist, but she has her weaknesses too. In a small way, how her sisters treated her reminded me of Cinderella. A tragic fire leaves her scarred, but at least she still has her nephew in her life despite his issues resulting from the same fire. I loved the strong tie she had to her brother and the affection they shared as siblings. It is actually in search of him that leads her to this castle where she meets the beast.

This is where some of the twists come in compared to the story we know. Is the Beast really the prince? Who are these other beasts in the dungeon? What is this dark magick that is spoken about? Who is the woman from the mirror, and how does that affect Vynasha? So many more details are needed!

The story did take a little for me to become immersed, primarily because I was trying to compare it to the story that I know. So, if you read this book, throw out any preconceived notions about what should happen to Beauty or the Beast.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next installment to follow the story and learn where it takes Vynasha.

[☆Stephanie☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: Craving Beauty (A Wylder Tale #1)
Author: Jennifer Silverwood
Publisher: SilverWoodSketches, 2015
Genre: Fantasy, Retellings, Fairy Tales



**I received a copy of this book free from Book Enthusiast Promotions and the Author in exchange for an honest review**

This review can be found on my Blog, TeacherofYA's Tumblr, and my Goodreads page

My Review:


Beautiful cover, is t it?

So I know I didn't post a currently reading for this, so here's the blurb:

VYNASHA HAS SPENT THE LAST FOUR YEARS TENDING HER MOTHER’S ROSES AND LOOKING AFTER HER NEPHEW. THE FIRE THAT KILLED THEIR FAMILY HAS LEFT HER SCARRED AND PUT WYLL ON THE BRINK OF DEATH. SOON THE FIRST FROST WILL COME DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAINS AND SHE KNOWS THIS WINTER WILL BE HIS LAST.

UNTIL A STRANGE BEGGAR APPEARS ON THE ROAD, TELLING HER OF THE MAJIKAL SOURCE THAT CAN HEAL HER WYLL. WITH NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE, VYNASHA BRAVES THE FORBIDDEN WYLDER MOUNTAINS TO SEEK OUT A CURE AND HER FATE.

A LOST KINGDOM IS UNCOVERED BY AN EQUALLY LOST GIRL, BUT THE CASTLE IS NOT ABANDONED AS SHE BELIEVES. SHADOWS CLOAKING UNSEEN EYES WATCH. TAPESTRIES WHISPER FROM THE HIDDEN CORNERS, WONDERING IF THE ONE TO BREAK THEIR CURSE HAS COME. AND A HUNGRY BEAST WAITS, READY TO DEVOUR HER SOUL.

So I thought, hey, that sounds good...and I love fairy tale retellings...
It was...hmmm....different.

I don't even need to summarize, because the blurb explains it all. Vynasha cares for her nephew, Wyll, after they both were in a fire that killed her three sisters. The two of them badly burned, Will has taken the brunt and is very ill. Vynasha will do anything she can to help her nephew, and when a beggar tells her where to find the Source, a way to heal Wyll, she packs him up and heads to a forbidden area. Once she gets close, a mountain man warns her of the dangers to Wyll, and volunteers to watch him while Vynasha goes on searching. When she stumbles upon a castle, she becomes a prisoner of a princely beast who wants her hand in marriage. 

It wasn't at ALL what I expected, and though that can be good, I was lost throughout the whole thing. We meet the staff of the castle, and there are wild beasts roaming that can kill Vynasha...she keeps putting herself in danger after repeated warnings...she befriends the staff and learns that their fate rests in her hands. These are things I understood. 

What I didn't understand? Everything else. Silverwood has a talent for the pen, but she writes almost like an Old English prosewriter. The sentences are long and winding, and though it is written in active voice, it felt passive. It seemed like everything had happened already, and I kept falling asleep. It was a driving force inside me that kept me going, waiting to find out who the prince is, and what the curse is (something to do with a previous woman from a mirror world), and even after the end I have no idea what is going on. Yes, it ends on a major cliffhanger, and that means there is more to the story, but throw me a bone here. 

Here's an example of a passage picked at random so you can see what I mean about the writing structure:

The room was vast, greater than her family’s cottage before flames desecrated it, and it was dark. No candles illuminated its corners. Moonlight from the balcony graced the obsidian pillared corners, the four-poster bed, the smashed, overturned mirrors and many wooden chests that rested against the walls. Her eyes were drawn to the moon’s cast and as she approached the balcony, she started. The balcony was separated from the room by a wall of glass. Braced by silver metal, the clear panes opened to a snow-drenched world beyond. 

Wind stirred and a single snowflake flew inside, gliding to the surface before her. One of the panes was open. As she approached the glass door, she took in the breadth of the balcony, stretching past the transparent wall. Mountains stood farther out and the howls that had haunted her dreams sang along with the winter storm.

Are you asleep yet?

That's what the whole book sounds like. Tell me you don't get lost reading something that sounds like that!

Is It Classroom-Appropriate?

Yes, but that doesn't mean I would use it. Not enough going on...maybe because I am so used to YA, this was a hard read for me. I don't know...maybe it's me?

Age Range:

Nothing in this book is inappropriate for younger readers, but I feel they too would be lost in the story. The extent of the action involves the beast roaring, and Vynasha running off. The only thing I felt was inappropriate? They kept calling Vynasha "wench." I don't know about your dictionary, but mine says a wench is a prostitute. What about yours?

End Result:

  ★★★☆☆. According to my rating system on my home page, three stars means: "Readable book. Might forget it at some point, but I was able to read to the end, and it kept my interest. (Most books receive this as the lowest rating)." It DID keep my interest, but only because I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. 

So you see? I've broken my five star streak. It was inevitable. Would I pick up the next book? If it was free. Because I hate not knowing what's going on in a book. It frustrates me.

Thanks again to Debra Presley for her 30 Day Indie Reading Challenge, and I am a big fan of Book Enthusiast Promotions.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Craving Beauty is the first installment from A Wylder Tale series. I enjoyed this retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It ends with a cliffhanger that makes me want more. I can not wait to read the next book in the series.
I give Craving Beauty 4 ½ stars.

[Thorn Osgood · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

Craving Beauty by Jennifer Silverwood is the story of Vynasha. Set in a valley surrounded by the Azul and forbidden Wylder Mountains. She and her nephew, Wyll, are the remaining members of a once thriving family. Permanent disfiguring scars remain on her and Wyll from the fire that took his mother and she blames herself for what happened.

When a beggar tells her where she should go for Wyll to be healed, hope stirs within her and she sets out with Wyll on a journey, trusting in the beggar's instructions.

Silverwood's literary prose takes the reader on a compelling journey with Vynasha as she seeks the place she might find healing for Wyll. Her mind and dreams are haunted by her brother, Ceddrych's stories which now seem to be segments of the reality she experiences. When she is taken she is desperate to find her way to freedom and learns of things about herself that never knew.

I especially liked Vynasha's terryfying experiences with the golden-eyed beast. My favorite character was Grendall. Vynasha seems strong at times but more inconsistent. As much internal mode thinking as she does, one would think she would have more clarity. Still, the story is quite entertaining and a good read and I was left wondering what would happen to Vynasha and Grendall next.

[Ayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

first I would like to thank the author for offering this book in exchange for a honest review.

wow. I've always loved the tale of Beauty and the Beast, but this version is truly evocative and just a bit gothic. With Beauty being a bit of a beast and the prince being not what I expected. Grendell a name I've seen in a tale called Beowulf, he was the monster who lost his arm, here he is the golden eyed beast who becomes entwined in Ashes life. Here in this tale she seeks the source in hopes of saving her nephew and discovers her true origin. The writing was phenomenal I just had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. I found the characters likeable and easy to relate to. The symbolism of the rose was changed in this version rather than a perfect rose picked for a loving daughter it is a rose that seems to grow once bathed in blood by a majikal being that Vynasha is unknowingly.
I will be looking to read the next book since there are so many questions yet to be answered. This story didn't run like I thought it would and its refreshing. cudos to the writer!

[Melissa Turrieta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Craving Beauty was not what I expected at all. It was a little slow in the beginning and at times confusing. However if you can stick with it there is a cliffhanger. I am on the edge of my seat at to how book two will go. It was very old world meets majik realms. As a fan is the Disney version it was fun to read someone else's take on the story.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Craving Beauty is a unique fairy tale with hints of Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella. At least that's how I viewed it while reading it. It's an intriguing novel, and if you're a fan of fairy tale retellings, this one just might be for you.
The story follows Vynasha, a young woman with a bit of magic. The villagers think she's a witch and keep their distance from her, but they don't hesitate to say cruel things to her when she does dare venture into the village.
Vynasha's father and brother leave on a journey north, and with them gone, Vynasha is left with her sisters and nephew. Unfortunately for Vynasha, a fire breaks out and her whole family perishes. However, Vynasha uses her magic to bring her nephew back. But doing so comes with consequences.
This incident sets off the events throughout the rest of the book.
Vynasha heads out on a journey of her own to try and find a cure for Wyll (her nephew), as well as her only remaining family. But her journey won't be easy, and danger lurks in every corner.
I enjoyed this book, and I'm curious to see where this series goes. The world building is very good. Very vivid. I felt like I could imagine myself walking alongside Vynasha.
The plot is engaging and keeps you invested, even though it does have a few hiccups along the way. Also, the ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, so be warned if that's something you're not a fan of.
If you're looking for a slightly different Beauty and the Beast retelling, check out Craving Beauty.
4 stars.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Craving Beauty is a gothic retelling and re-twisting of the Beauty and the Beast story. In this story, everyone's a Beast. 

The main character has a tragic backstory, where she blames herself for the deaths of her family members and being outcast from the town and labeled a witch. She yearns to find help for her nephew, whom she saved but just barely, and to find her missing brother and step-father. This leads her on a journey to the creepy castle.

The "beast" of the castle calls her beauty, which she hates because of the scars on her face. But she is both a beauty and a beast, strong and determined, anxious to break curses and grow in her magic. But there are secrets, and the secrets get good. I quite enjoyed the unfolding of the secrets. Things aren't as they seem; unfortunately, she shouldn't trust anyone to be honest with her. Because trusting the wrong - creatures? - well, it doesn't do much for breaking the curse, let's say. And there's more than just the one beast who has her attention. Not quite a love triangle exactly, because our heroine's power stands on her own. Personally, I was more into her ghostie friend, and did not root for The Beast or The Gatekeeper.

The overall story is interesting but developed a bit slowly for me. I first had Alexa read it to me while I was working because I didn't have the leisure time to sit and read. As an avid audiobook listener while I work, I thought Alexa would be a great alternative to reading my kindle book to me. I sometimes found the story a bit boring, but I thought that might be Alexa's fault. But I finished reading it over the weekend in ebook form and still found it a bit lacking ...something. I think a first in a series has a lot of struggles to overcome, especially when it's a retelling based in another very well known story.

I did quite like the ending, where our main character owns it, internalizes it all, and shows how boss she is. The magical transformation she experiences, well seems like she's going to do great things. I also liked her reconnecting with lost family members but not with her nephew. I guess that's the story arc for the next book in the series.

Overall an interesting read but missing something I can't put my fingers on. The ending was enough to set the story in motion and put our heroine on the path to hopefully finding redemption for herself and help for her nephew. The second book comes out next week and I'm curious to see what happens next and if the story leaps off right where it left off.

Fans of gothic story lines and retellings will enjoy this book. Especially readers who don't mind books containing journey plots and who save the good stuff for the end are likely to enjoy this. Just don't let Alexa read it to you if you want to pay attention.

3.5 stars, rounding up.

[Ivani · Rating 3 out of 5]

It did not disappoint. It was definitely a book that took time to get into but the chapter art and the general aesthetic of the book was what drew me in.

This book essentially was about a Vynasha who seeks aid to help find her nephew but discovers something worse. Trouble upon more trouble hits Vynasha on her journey but the main question is ... does it eventually lead to something good?

Full review: https://ivanislittlelibrary.blogspot....

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible fairytale retelling of my favourite story of all time and the author has done a fantastic job putting their spin on it. In this well written tale, We meet Vynasha our ‘beauty ‘ who lost her family except for her nephew and so she sets out on a quest into the forbidden Wylderland to find answers and hopefully a cure. Instead she finds a secrets of curses and beasts where she becomes trapped. It’s a dark and intriguing story told with twists and turns , mystery and intrigue and I am eager for the next book!

[theromantasybookcorner._ · Rating 4 out of 5]

•🥀🩶🥀•
╔.✩. .═══════╗
✨✨𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬✨✨
╚═══════. .✩.╝
🩶🥀𝘊𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘣𝘺 𝘑𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘥

───────✨☆✨───────

📚📝✨𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊•𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒✨📝📚
🥀𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝟷 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚆𝚈𝙻𝙳𝙴𝚁 𝚃𝙰𝙻𝙴𝚂 𝚂𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂
🩶𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄: 𝚈𝙰 𝙵𝙰𝙸𝚁𝚈𝚃𝙰𝙻𝙴 𝚁𝙴𝚃𝙴𝙻𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙶; 𝚈𝙰 𝙵𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚈
🥀𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: 𝙹𝚄𝙻𝚈 𝟷𝟹𝚃𝙷 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟹
🩶𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐃𝐘 𝐕𝐈𝐁𝐄𝐒: 𝙰𝙳𝚅𝙴𝙽𝚃𝚄𝚁𝙾𝚄𝚂; 𝙼𝚈𝚂𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙾𝚄𝚂; 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺; 𝙴𝙼𝙾𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝙰𝙻; 𝚃𝙴𝙽𝚂𝙴; 𝚂𝙰𝙳; 𝙰𝚃𝙼𝙾𝚂𝙿𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙸𝙲; 𝚂𝙴𝙻𝙵-𝙳𝙸𝚂𝙲𝙾𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚈; 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙸𝙲
🥀𝐏𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐍𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑: 𝟸𝟼𝟺 𝙿𝙰𝙶𝙴𝚂
🩶𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄: 𝚂𝙻𝙾𝚆 𝙱𝚄𝚁𝙽 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴; 𝙴𝙽𝙴𝙼𝙸𝙴𝚂 𝚃𝙾 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚂; 𝙵𝙾𝚄𝙽𝙳 𝙵𝙰𝙼𝙸𝙻𝚈; 𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙲𝙴𝙳 𝙿𝚁𝙾𝚇𝙸𝙼𝙸𝚃𝚈
🥀𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒: 🌶️ || 𝟻
🩶𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ || 𝟻

───────✨☆✨───────

𝑀𝑦 𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠💭🧐
Thank you so much to @jennifersilverwood & @bookofmatchesmedia for my gifted review copy of 𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒚! This review is comprised entirely of my own thoughts & opinions, & is based on the copy I received.

Craving Beauty is a dark, gothic, retelling of the fairytale Beauty and the Beast, and it was an excellent read full of mystery, romance, fantasy, and so many ties to the classic fairytale I know and love but with even more little twists to make it a unique story all on its own. There were so many moments that I wanted to wrap Vynasha up in a hug - she’s such an amazing FMC and I really admired her resilience and strength.

For a YA book, I wasn’t expecting this book to get as dark as it does, but I was definitely intrigued by the darker themes and emotions that Jennifer was able to convey in the narrative! There were so many moments where I felt the emotions of the characters through the pages, especially Vynasha. This book is a fast paced, emotional adventure and it truly gripped me. I was definitely invested in the story and cannot wait to read the next book in the series!

Overall, I definitely recommend this one, especially if you’re looking for a dark fairytale retelling that is more reminiscent of the Brothers Grimm Beauty and the Beast! I can’t wait to continue the series!

•🥀🩶🥀•

[Lori Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good story with lots of adventure in it. I am looking forward to the next one in the series to continue the adventure. A fast paced book. I enjoyed it immensely.

[Dmcl · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a fan of fantasy in general and new twists on familiar stories, then this book is for you. It is beautifully written with richly worded descriptions of the characters and world. There is so much going on that the mind keeps racing to keep up with all the details. I really want to know who all these players are and how this story finally resolves. Little by little the author shows us the true nature of the characters and leaves us to question their actions and motivations. I hope the sequel will answer these questions and I anxiously await its release.

[Pallavi · Rating 2 out of 5]

A blah beginning! Can't help but admire my efforts of sticking till the end!
It keeps on getting better and better.
According to me,there should have been more conversation between the characters instead of describing so much about the scenario.
The ending left me extremely curious.

[Danielle (~Dani~)]

Sounds very intriguing!

[Robin Goodfellow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.

Craving Beauty, by Jennifer Silverwood, is a dark fantasy about a young woman who rips apart a fairytale built a top tragic lies. Vynasha had just lost most of her family to a tragic fire with the exception of her nephew, Wyll. With her father and older brother gone, she struggles daily to provide for herself and Wyll, being outcasted by her own village and being disowned as a witch. One day, she catches wind that her father and brother may have taken refuge within the cursed Wylder Mountains. With Wyll in tow, Vynasha attempts to find them, only to stumble across a castle filled with cursed denizens. She meets a lonely monster named Ferox, whom has deigned her Beauty, much to her annoyance. What appears to be a charming romance quickly devolves into horror, as Vynasha tries to discern truth from the lies and save her family from the magic that threatens them all.

I very much enjoyed this retelling of Beauty and the Beast. What masquerades as a fairytale is in actuality a gothic story about the complexities of family, class, and ultimately, love. I liked how protective Vynasha is of her nephew, and how much she treasures her brother and for a brief time, her father. Vynasha is incredibly perceptive; she doesn’t blindly trust, nor does she fall in love easily. She isn’t a traditional hero, and will put herself and her family above all else which, in all honesty, is understandable. True, she may have been “cursed” in the end, but as long as her loved ones are save, she doesn’t care.

And again, Silverwood beautifully illustrates this with her characters, and shows what happens when you blindly put your faith in others. Even though Ferox was hoping for a happily ever after, going as far as to label Vynasha as his Beauty and he the Beast, he doesn’t think about how Vynasha would feel about his proposal. He even threw her in the dungeons when he doesn’t get his way. He acts like a petulant child who’s pretending to be a parent, hoping that a time out would get a peer to behave. The closest thing this story has to a Prince Charming is Grendel, and even he’s been worn down by the curse. True, there may not have been a romance between the two, but he respects and cherishes Vynasha enough to help her escape the castle (as much as someone can respect and cherish an outsider).

As such, I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars, and am more than looking forward to the sequel.

[Eclectic Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to my stop on the Bewitching Book Tours' October Haunted Halloween Spooktacular. 

Beauty and the Beast has been a beloved fairytale for centuries (certainly one of my favorites), with countless adaptations and retellings. However, none have quite captured the eerie essence of the story like this dark fantasy reiteration.

Vynasha "Beauty" is a witch who magically grows roses in the winter and holds magical gifts that others fear. After losing her family to a fire where she and her precious nephew Wyll remained scarred, she takes the advice of a strange beggar and follows the growly voice in her head while braving the cursed Wylder Mountains to find her beloved brother Ceddrych. Her brother is the only one other than Wyll who loves her unconditionally and who promised to return home many months ago. Will she find her brother? Will they survive their journey? Will she ever find peace?

What Vynasha discovers in her quest is danger, enchantments, monsters, and betrayal. The castle she is drawn to holds many dark secrets, a curse, and beasts with the need for her magic. Nothing is as it seems and her choices are taken from her. When her transformation is complete and the lies are revealed, she is left alone once again to fend for herself...until fate intervenes. Will she be safe now or will her magic continue to hold her as an outcast? Woefully, readers will need to continue the journey in book two.

There are other protagonists and antagonists in the book including a Beast who woos Beauty and his servants who are withholding something sinister that is meant to be revealed slowly.

The dark and gritty tone sets this story apart because it is not afraid to delve into some of the more disturbing aspects of the original fairytale and add shocking twists and turns into the mix. This makes for a much more mature and insidious story than what we have come to expect from adaptations of this tale.

Overall, this dark fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast is a must-read for fans of the somber fantasy fairytale genre. It offers a fresh and unique take on a classic story, with complex characters and a well-crafted shadowy world. If you are looking for romance, there is attraction but nothing substantial, so I'm holding out for something more in the second installment.

Thank you to Ms. Silverwood for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

[Billy Buttons · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Craving Beauty
Author: Jennifer Silverwood

Star Rating: 3 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 7/10
Writing Style: 5/10
Content: 6/10
Cover: 5/5

Of the 15 readers:
10 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
6 felt it was easy to follow.
10 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 9 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 2 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
6 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
10 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.

Readers’ Comments
“I liked the protagonist, Vynasha. She was tough and brave; a good hero for a story. The length of the novel is perfect for YA, and the cover looks cool! I did get confused in parts, and I felt it was slow to get going.” Girl, aged 15
“Not bad if you enjoy retellings. Complex too. I happily finished it. Not a book I’d return to over and over, but I enjoyed it anyway.” Girl, aged 14
“I enjoyed parts of this Beauty and the Beast retelling, but it was so slow and drawn out. To be honest, I got sort of bored. The author is wonderful, but I think she needs to work on pacing. It’s so very slow and difficult to follow. Not for me.” Girl, aged 16
“Vynasha is okay, but she’s not the smartest character ever. Understood half the story, totally confused by the rest of it. I suspect from the ending there’s going to be a second book. If so, I think the author should work on (1) more dialogue, less Pride and Prejudice-style prose, (2) keeping things simple so the plot can be understood by the average teenager.” Boy, aged 15
“This is a dark, unpredictable novel as Vynasha attempts to save her nephew. It’s slow at the start and the pacing is awful, but I enjoyed it anyway. I think the author worked hard to develop her characters, particularly Vynasha. Lots of puzzling things happened which I think will frustrate many readers, but I thought it was all very interesting. I would read another book by this author.” Girl, aged 15

To Sum It Up:
‘A complex ‘Beauty and the Beast’ retelling with a strong cast of characters.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

[Lynn Poppe · Rating 4 out of 5]

CRAVING BEAUTY follows Vynasha on an adventure through magical lands while on a quest to find her brother and father, who have failed to return home.

The writing in CRAVING BEAUTY is extremely descriptive and visual. I could easily picture the scenery, characters, and other beasts within the novel.

"She gladly welcomed the gargoyles clutching torches high above and the dragon skulls that grinned down at her."

Given that CRAVING BEAUTY is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, the romance is more of a romantic triangle between Vynasha, The Beast, and the Gatekeeper. The Beast is compelling Vynasha to be his bride and the Gatekeeper is pushing her away. Yet, she is bound to both. Personally, I am rooting for the Gatekeeper. 😉

I found the magic within this novel intriguing. First, it has a smell, and a smell that Vynasha and the other characters can detect. (My allergies would probably not help me here.!) Second, the veil between the human world and the magical world is a mirror. I'm still not completely sure how this mirror works, or which side of the mirror Vynasha land in at the end of the story. But I'm curious to learn more about this world. I also applaud the magical aspect that all magic comes with a price. But the question becomes, what is that price?

The challenge, for me, in reading a retelling like CRAVING BEAUTY is the comparison to the original story or other retellings. While reading, I was constantly contrasting this novel with the Disney cartoon (you know the one) as well as other retellings I've read. CRAVING BEAUTY is missing that spark to distinguish it from the other novels and movies. I wasn't enthusiastic about most of the novel. At least until the end. The last 25% of the novel has action, stress, fear, and anxiety that had my heart pumping. It was much more remarkable than the first 3/4 of the book. This is where the story began to stand out to me as original and captivating. A better storytelling approach might have been to start with these scenes and then back-fill with the historic scenes. I'm much more interested in reading the next story in this series based on the ending, especially given the cliffhanger of an ending.

I'd recommend CRAVING BEAUTY for fans of gothic and / or fairytale retellings. Especially those readers who enjoy dark castles, multiple beasts, dark secrets, and strong heroine.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Wyldly” creative and darkly atmospheric retelling of a tale as old as time.

Craving Beauty is the first book in author Jennifer Silverwood’s Wylder Tales series and is an exciting and wonderful reimagining of the Brothers Grimm’s The Beauty and the Beast. From the start, readers will know this version is going to be different; the mood is darkly menacing, with an unusual and damaged heroine who has hidden resources deep within.

Vynasha, alternately called Ash or Beauty, is the atypical youngest of five siblings: not the baby of the family but the glue that holds the struggling family together. Even with the two middle sisters who treat her like Cinderella, Ash knows she has a dark power deep inside that, let loose, would bring destruction. She’s a warm, loving girl who desires to please and help. Her love for her nephew, Wyll, is strong and protective, and it was heartbreaking but understandable watching her go without, giving him just a little bit more of whatever he needed.

The author keeps the story moving at a good pace, especially considering Ash and Wyll have a long journey in the beginning. Sometimes, those long journey storylines drag on endlessly, but not in this case. There are widespread rumors about the danger of the road Ash plans to take, and the author skillfully crafts an eerie, brooding atmosphere that dogs their every step. I was on high alert for the next shoe to drop from the start. The vibe never lets up, either. As the story continued, each setting had its own shadowy feeling of menace, and I could clearly visualize the surroundings as twists in the classic plot kept coming. Beauty is faced with some hard choices with unimaginable consequences. After the cover closed on this one, I still have questions and look forward to the next book in the series to perhaps give me answers.

The plot has many basic elements of the classic fairytale, but Silverwood has crafted her own unique, creative alternative storyline, and I was happy to follow along on her imaginative journey. CRAVING BEAUTY was a book I blissfully fell into and was quickly absorbed into its fresh approach, and I recommend it to readers who enjoy a darker, magical story loosely based on a tale told many times.

[Ariel Hess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Craving Beauty by Jennifer Silverwood is a fantasy novel that offers a unique approach to a classic tale. Vynasha, the main character, is faced with many challenges and has to confront her fears to reconnect with her brother. She travels long and far while uncovering family secrets and face the obstacles she’s dreaded. She ultimately realizes that most of her life could have potentially been a lie. Imagine, living your life and in the end realizing that the betrayal you already experienced is about to get worse.

Jennifer Silverwood takes the reader on a journey through mountains, valleys, and dark areas to a surprising ending. Often retellings take the usual approach of adding a little extra to the original story. However, Silverwood aimed to add more depth to the story by revealing a different side of the world developed in the story. Silverwood grabs the attention of the reader by starting the story with a bit of a back story and turmoil. As the story continues to unfold we can learn more about Asha and her family ties. The ending is shocking and sets the book up for part two which dives more into the life of Asha and her new life.

The book is written in a very medieval romance style. I typically don't read fantasy, so this book is was a little bit harder for me to get into, mostly due to the writing style and the content. Overall, I think it is a very well-written book that has a lot of key components that make a story great, including family, strife, angst, class systems, violence, danger, and much more. The author works to create a multi-level story that attempts to appeal to all readers.

Silverwood has a way of captivating the reader with her detailed description of the scenery and making it feel like the reader is in the story as we travel with the characters. This book will have you on the edge of your seat and the verge of tears as you get to know each character and the lives of Asha, her brother, nephew, dad, and her destiny.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good fantasy read, young adult and older.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautiful retelling of Beauty and the Beast seems inspired not by the Disney version of the story, but by the darker version made known to most of us by the Brothers Grimm. It's a story of love and loyalty, choice and sacrifice, and blends magic with the human will to live.

Vynasha, our Beauty, is a strong-willed young woman considered to be a witch by her community. She knows that the use of magic requires a sacrifice, and, indeed, this story focuses on her many, many such acts as she first saves her young nephew Wyll from a deadly fire, then sets off with him to find her missing father and beloved brother only to end up in the clutches of Ferox, the Beast of the story, who is duplicitous and generous, both at once, and seemingly on a whim.

Secondary characters, whether seen briefly like cousin Stye, or more substantially like Wolfsbane and his daughter, or Odym, Grendel and the other denizens of the castle, felt dimensional and vibrant, and took the story out of what could have been claustrophobic had it been only Vynasha all the time.

What I liked about this story is that all the familiar beats of the Beauty and the Beast story were there, but not always obviously so. I also appreciated that author Jennifer Silverwood used her talents to give her work that sense of 'otherness' that tells us we're experiencing a reality that isn't quite like our own. I also liked that while this novel has romantic elements, it's not at all a traditional romance.

The dialogue felt "period" without being stilted, and I really enjoyed watching Vynasha's growth as a character and a young woman in this book. There is at least one more book to follow, and I look forward to learning what comes next.

Goes well with: a hearty beef stew and thick homemade bread.

[Abbie Riddle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book - I really, really did. In fact, it took three times of restarting the book to finally get finished. Why? I got lost in it, I got bored with it. I was confused by it.

The writing is good - I mean it reminds me of older writers, Emerson and such - many descriptive words and flowing sentences that are sometimes too much. And, if that is what I had imagined when I sat down to read it maybe I would have puddled through it like the House of Seven Gables with it's long descriptions.

A love re-tellings, in fact I think this should be a new genre of it's own - fairy tale retellings. And I've read a fair amount of ARC's in this very subject. However, this one came up lacking. I get that it's beauty and the beast, but I found it odd. I almost questioned Ceddryc's relationship with Vynasha - at times the descriptions of their letters and interactions felt more like young lovers than close siblings - and maybe I'm the only one that got that twisted feeling when reading these parts. Then there is the whole not being scarred from a fire - did she get the scars from the fire or from bringing her nephew back to life - that was something that to me was unclear. And then there's the journey and the wild beasts and the castle and the relationships there.

Sorry, it was all just too much - I lasted to the end, but I don't know that I'd read it again.

However, I do want to say the writing was beautiful - albeit long and drawn out. And if the story had been cleaner, crisper and more streamlined I would have liked it better

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is as beautiful as the dangerous world and lures in with just as much grace.

Usually, I start off with a short description of the plot as I saw it, but this time, the blurb says it all. Vynasha lives a solitary life thanks to her magic, and she holds secrets to match the gossip swirling about her. She's an intriguing character, who also grabs sympathy right away, not only because of her lonely situation but due her to desire to protect her nephew, too.

The world is crafted with as much poetic beauty as the writing. It's a treat to visit each scene and simply sink into the moment. It weaves with Vynasha's journey to form a vivid atmosphere and makes the tension, worries, struggles, and hopes dig deep. While lovely, though, some passages need to be read more than once to understand what is being brought across. This isn't my favorite style, but it'd be wrong to say that it's not well done.

The plot follows the main flow as described in the blurb. However, there is quite a bit happening on the side as well. It's layered with so many secrets and surprises. While these captured my interested and curiosity, many of them are left open-ended and unanswered, while others simply brought a little confusion. There is a second book on the way, which I'm expecting will clear much of this up. While I did enjoy diving into this tale and found the twist to Beauty and the Beast more than intriguing, I'm going to bow out after this first book, since it's simply not quite my thing. Still, I'm glad I had the chance to visit the enchanting world.

[Rox Burkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Craving Beauty, author Jennifer Silverwood reveals a harsh world of enchantment gone awry. While the novel has similarities to Beauty and the Beast, it is unique, making it a compelling read. The words capture the readers' emotions of anger, fear, frustration, and hope as the story reveals a difficult path for the heroine.

Vynasha, eighteen, is shunned by most of her family and community. After her mother’s death, she cultivated the garden and brought to market the unique roses her mother had taught her to grow. Her father and brother travel to the forbidden mountains in the north to find riches to restore the family's fortunes. Shortly after they leave, the family home is burned, leaving Vynasha and her nephew Wyll scarred but alive. Nearly a year has passed, and Vanasha takes Wyll to learn the fate of her father and brother.

Traveling, she locates the castle complete with strange characters of various types. An overarching devastation of goodness highlights the oppressive darkness that allows Vynasha, Beauty, to make choices to save her family without caring for her fate. Will she succeed or succumb to the cruel life she expects? Tension builds from the foundation of mistrust to the unexpected, twisted ending.

Fans of dark fairytales will enjoy this story, finding the stunning revelations unnerving. It would be ideal if the character relationships were more profound and revealing. People, places, and things are not what they seem. Still, it is an engaging stand-alone story and the start to what looks to be a unique series worth following and reading.

[Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Lola's Blog Tours for including me in this tour. I will be sharing my review of Craving Beauty, the first book in the Wylder Tale series.


"Craving Beauty" presents a dark and intricate retelling of the classic tale "The Beauty and the Beast," delving deeper into the original narrative than mainstream adaptations. Following the protagonist Vynasha's journey through the forest after a devastating attack on her home, the story unfolds as she braves the forbidden Wylderland forest. The author's meticulous attention to detail in describing the world and its inhabitants immerses readers in a richly crafted setting. The gradual development of the plot builds suspense until the story's core elements come into play. One particularly captivating aspect is the exploration of letters that Vynasha uncovers, offering insights into the mysteries of the Wylderland forest and its enigmatic residents. These epistolary discoveries serve as a window into the intricate web of secrets and histories that shape the story's unfolding, adding layers of complexity and intrigue to the narrative. Through these letters, readers are drawn deeper into the captivating world of "Craving Beauty," where every revelation brings new depth to the characters and their interconnected fates.


#bookreview #honestreviews #fantasybooks #retellings #cravingbeauty

[Shai Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

CRAVING BEAUTY is dark retelling of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. And it is definitely not a carbon copy of its many retellings.

The darkness and tragedy brings forth a strong and mysterious Beauty, Vynasha, who will do almost anything to save her nephew and find her brother. I loved this character even though I wouldn’t trust her.

There are several standout characters in this book such Grendall whose attitude brought a touch of humor to this dark tale and the wyne who are strange beings who reside at the castle.

This is a book that will leave you questioning the motivations of the characters, secrets that are slowly disclosed. It starts out slowly as the tension builds until the reader is sitting on the edge of their seat.

Some of the questions are left open and secrets only partially revealed so I am looking forward to continuing this series. I do recommend CRAVING BEAUTY to anyone who enjoys dark fantasies or unique twists to their fairytales.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.