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Mirielle Townsend worked hard to earn her job as an archivist at the prestigious Museum of Natural History after growing up as the neglected daughter of an addict. Her only sense of family came from a grandfatherly neighbor who cared for her in her mother’s absence. When tragedy strikes and Mr. Cooper disappears from his apartment, Mirielle is determined to find him, even when it puts her back on the radar of her childhood bully, who has now been promoted to detective with the NYPD.
As Mirielle examines the only clue she can find, a beast of a man named Gryphon transports her to the world of Aeternitas, a magical place where time and space meet. A prophecy has Gryphon desperately searching through history for the missing treasure to break the curse plaguing his castle. Along the way, Mirielle discovers the world as she knows it is not what it seems, and a beast like Gryphon might be more than just a monster.
When Aeternitas’ enemy tries to overthrow her newfound home and friends, Mirielle joins forces with Gryphon to save them all. Her heart becomes entangled along the way, but breaking the curse is only the first step…
As Mirielle examines the only clue she can find, a beast of a man named Gryphon transports her to the world of Aeternitas, a magical place where time and space meet. A prophecy has Gryphon desperately searching through history for the missing treasure to break the curse plaguing his castle. Along the way, Mirielle discovers the world as she knows it is not what it seems, and a beast like Gryphon might be more than just a monster.
When Aeternitas’ enemy tries to overthrow her newfound home and friends, Mirielle joins forces with Gryphon to save them all. Her heart becomes entangled along the way, but breaking the curse is only the first step…
344 pages, Paperback
Published November 3, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 23, 2023
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew it it shared similarities of Beauty and the Beast. But was I ever surprised but what this book truly held.
This book is truly an adventure. There are elements of Beauty and the Beast. But this is truly a story of its own. Sam definitely made this her own. The characters are similar but different. There is such a variety of characters that all hold their own place in the plot.
I loved that it was set in modern times but added elements of history throughout the entire book. The amount of historical figures and items many of us know are in here.
Sam even made Mirelle, FMC, strong and determined woman that was not given the best experience as a child with her mother. Making this more relatable to the readers.
Gryphon is the beast that we can all grow to love and be irritated with at times. Much like the Beast but Gryphon standouts even against him.
Sam truly captured the characters and did a fantastic job of drawing you in wanting to know more and continue on… just one more chapter…
The cliffhanger at the end though… I’m ready to continue on with this journey. I cannot wait for everyone else to experience this journey as well.
This book is truly an adventure. There are elements of Beauty and the Beast. But this is truly a story of its own. Sam definitely made this her own. The characters are similar but different. There is such a variety of characters that all hold their own place in the plot.
I loved that it was set in modern times but added elements of history throughout the entire book. The amount of historical figures and items many of us know are in here.
Sam even made Mirelle, FMC, strong and determined woman that was not given the best experience as a child with her mother. Making this more relatable to the readers.
Gryphon is the beast that we can all grow to love and be irritated with at times. Much like the Beast but Gryphon standouts even against him.
Sam truly captured the characters and did a fantastic job of drawing you in wanting to know more and continue on… just one more chapter…
The cliffhanger at the end though… I’m ready to continue on with this journey. I cannot wait for everyone else to experience this journey as well.
October 25, 2023
I received the book as an ARC for an honest review. This has potentially small spoilers so proceed with caution.
Where to begin, wow, I’m already excited for book two, and the world hasn’t even gotten to experience the amazing story that begins in book one. Sam brought to life an amazing world, Aeternitas, which is the place time and space meet. I could barely put this book down, I felt like I was in the story.
We meet Mirielle as a young girl whose mother is not making the best decisions so she goes to her neighbor, Mr. Cooper’s apartment. He takes care of her and helps her to teach her goals. Years later, Mr. Cooper and Mirielle still have a great relationship and she’s an archivist , at the Museum of Natural History. This is a job that sounds amazing, and is not something you typically see in a romance novel. Her job, you can feel that Mirielle is passionate about it. After Mr Cooper ends up missing, Mirielle goes back to his apartment where she finds a sheet of parchment , taking the parchment to her office, she quickly is taken to Aeternitas by a beast.
The beast, was Gryphon, the Crown Prince of Aeternitas, who is cursed, and running out of time. I loved how Mirielle and Gryphon slowly opened up to each other and how they tried to resist each other. Mirielle at one point worries she has Stockholm Syndrome and asks for space, but Gryphon seems to like seeing her in his bed.
Mirielle being an archivist comes to be an important part of the storyline, and Gryphon has a warehouse of some of the lost artifacts of the “mortal world”. I personally thought this was such a unique way to use her skill set that she clearly had to go to plenty of schooling for and was passionate about.
The detail of Gryphon’s journal being a way to communicate reminded me of Harry Potter, and the dreams Mirielle had dreams about the journal.
Barrett is another character we’re introduced to, the bully of Mirielle’s younger years, turned cop. It’s always the bullies who go into the helpful careers. Barrett seems to be obsessive over Mirielle, especially when she returns to New York, when he reveals his feelings for her.
This is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and it’s such a unique take on it. The twist at the end with Gryphon’s “title” in the mortal word rendered me speechless. The book ends on a cliffhanger and I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
Where to begin, wow, I’m already excited for book two, and the world hasn’t even gotten to experience the amazing story that begins in book one. Sam brought to life an amazing world, Aeternitas, which is the place time and space meet. I could barely put this book down, I felt like I was in the story.
We meet Mirielle as a young girl whose mother is not making the best decisions so she goes to her neighbor, Mr. Cooper’s apartment. He takes care of her and helps her to teach her goals. Years later, Mr. Cooper and Mirielle still have a great relationship and she’s an archivist , at the Museum of Natural History. This is a job that sounds amazing, and is not something you typically see in a romance novel. Her job, you can feel that Mirielle is passionate about it. After Mr Cooper ends up missing, Mirielle goes back to his apartment where she finds a sheet of parchment , taking the parchment to her office, she quickly is taken to Aeternitas by a beast.
The beast, was Gryphon, the Crown Prince of Aeternitas, who is cursed, and running out of time. I loved how Mirielle and Gryphon slowly opened up to each other and how they tried to resist each other. Mirielle at one point worries she has Stockholm Syndrome and asks for space, but Gryphon seems to like seeing her in his bed.
Mirielle being an archivist comes to be an important part of the storyline, and Gryphon has a warehouse of some of the lost artifacts of the “mortal world”. I personally thought this was such a unique way to use her skill set that she clearly had to go to plenty of schooling for and was passionate about.
The detail of Gryphon’s journal being a way to communicate reminded me of Harry Potter, and the dreams Mirielle had dreams about the journal.
Barrett is another character we’re introduced to, the bully of Mirielle’s younger years, turned cop. It’s always the bullies who go into the helpful careers. Barrett seems to be obsessive over Mirielle, especially when she returns to New York, when he reveals his feelings for her.
This is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and it’s such a unique take on it. The twist at the end with Gryphon’s “title” in the mortal word rendered me speechless. The book ends on a cliffhanger and I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2023
Epoch
By Samantha Gail
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️.5
What in the Doctor Who meets Beauty and the Beast cliffhanging did I just read?!?
I really loved the characters, Gryphon, Mirelle, maybe even Barrett.
I loved the spin this Beauty and the Beast retelling had.
Mirelle has a very sad, neglected life growing up. She was lucky to have a neighbor, Mr. Cooper that was like a grandfather help her when Mirelle’s mother was using or being used.
One night, she finds Mr. Cooper missing. A detective (her former high school bully), is on the case to find what happened to Mr. Cooper. Mirelle finds a weird piece of paper that does not belong in Mr. Cooper’s apartment, and soon she finds herself fighting a beast that kidnaps her.
Mirelle finds herself in a weird castle where time is irrelevant, and things are amiss.
Does Mirelle find her way back home? Does she fall for the beast? Does she fall for the bully? Can we figure out how to save the people under a curse at the castle? Or will the last petal from the enchanted/cursed rose fall?
By Samantha Gail
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️.5
What in the Doctor Who meets Beauty and the Beast cliffhanging did I just read?!?
I really loved the characters, Gryphon, Mirelle, maybe even Barrett.
I loved the spin this Beauty and the Beast retelling had.
Mirelle has a very sad, neglected life growing up. She was lucky to have a neighbor, Mr. Cooper that was like a grandfather help her when Mirelle’s mother was using or being used.
One night, she finds Mr. Cooper missing. A detective (her former high school bully), is on the case to find what happened to Mr. Cooper. Mirelle finds a weird piece of paper that does not belong in Mr. Cooper’s apartment, and soon she finds herself fighting a beast that kidnaps her.
Mirelle finds herself in a weird castle where time is irrelevant, and things are amiss.
Does Mirelle find her way back home? Does she fall for the beast? Does she fall for the bully? Can we figure out how to save the people under a curse at the castle? Or will the last petal from the enchanted/cursed rose fall?
November 19, 2023
Beauty and the beast was always my favorite story and when I found out Samantha Gail was developing her hourglass saga with belle in mind I nearly cried. This book is phenomenal and I could not put it down. Pay the Price introduced us to Samantha’s incredible writing abilities as an author but Epoch shows her insane world building abilities. Muriel’s is now our shared collective miracle. I truly cannot wait to see where this story is taken and the emotions and adventures I will share with these characters. Truly one of the best books of the year.
December 14, 2023
Mirielle lived an ordinary life. She thrived on routine, structure and organization. Those we the only things she had going for her after having such a bad childhood. After a particular bad day, she is thrust in to another world with Gryphon. This is not an ordinary world. This is ruled by Gryphon and his parents. Great read.
March 24, 2024
I enjoyed this story so much.
I don’t usually enjoy retelling but this was well written and kept me glued from start to finish.
Mirielle and Gryphon were an explosive couple, who I dearly wanted to see some more ‘sizzle’ from, but what was written was really good too🥵🥰.
Can’t wait for the next book!
I don’t usually enjoy retelling but this was well written and kept me glued from start to finish.
Mirielle and Gryphon were an explosive couple, who I dearly wanted to see some more ‘sizzle’ from, but what was written was really good too🥵🥰.
Can’t wait for the next book!
July 17, 2025
I loved this book so much! It took me awhile to get into but that is no fault of the book! Once I locked in I was completely enthralled!! It had me kicking my feet and giggling, screaming “just tell her”, and almost tossing my kindle in the end!! Love! Love! Love!!!!!! Book 2 is pre ordered and I am impatiently waiting for it to drop!!!!
November 3, 2023
I was LUCKY to receive an advanced copy of this book. All I can say is WOW. The world building is amazing, and I LOVED the characters. It will make you want to run out and buy some beautiful red roses so you feel like you are Mirielle. I can't wait for the next book and for others to enjoy this beautiful story.
December 20, 2023
I did not know this was an amped up retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I think that made it even better. The similarities are not obvious in the beginning. It is a very subtle retelling and then all of it comes together and brings the fairytale to life in a different way. Mirielle Townsend works at a museum as an archivist. She is looking for her beloved neighbor, Mr. Cooper. His apartment was damaged and he had vanished. Mirielle was determined to find him. In his apartment, Mirielle found a piece of parchment and was whisked away to another world.
Mirielle was whisked away by a creature to Aeternitas. Gryphon ruled Aeternitas. When in the mortal world, he was a beaked and taloned creature. On Aeternitas, he was a gorgeous man that took Mirielle’s breath away. Mirielle and Gryphon did not get off to a good start. He tried to keep her in the dark about what was going on and why she was there. When Gyphon finally realized that Mirielle might be the only one who could help him, he came clean. Gryphon needed to find something. Something that would end a curse placed on Aeternitas by none other than his mother.
Not only are Gryphon and Mirielle researching and gathering items that might be used to break the curse, they are spending time together. Mirielle is feisty and is the first mortal to stand up the Gryphon and question his ways. Mirielle brings a light to Aeternitas that has been missing. Gryphon now has a reason to break this curse and maybe get the girl.
Mirielle was whisked away by a creature to Aeternitas. Gryphon ruled Aeternitas. When in the mortal world, he was a beaked and taloned creature. On Aeternitas, he was a gorgeous man that took Mirielle’s breath away. Mirielle and Gryphon did not get off to a good start. He tried to keep her in the dark about what was going on and why she was there. When Gyphon finally realized that Mirielle might be the only one who could help him, he came clean. Gryphon needed to find something. Something that would end a curse placed on Aeternitas by none other than his mother.
Not only are Gryphon and Mirielle researching and gathering items that might be used to break the curse, they are spending time together. Mirielle is feisty and is the first mortal to stand up the Gryphon and question his ways. Mirielle brings a light to Aeternitas that has been missing. Gryphon now has a reason to break this curse and maybe get the girl.
October 23, 2023
Anyone who grew up loving Beauty and the Beast wishing they could be Belle when they grew up needs to read this book! It felt as though Belle and her story grew up with me and she's the smart, beautiful, badass who has lived a rough life but still came out fighting and found happiness that I strive to be. Sam plops you right into the pages into the world of Aerternitas with characters you can't help but fall in love with. It feels like Beaty and the Beast meets national treasure and Greek mythology vibes, and it's really going to test my patience waiting for the next one!
November 3, 2023
This slow burn romance will keep you hooked the entire length of the book. Her world building shines bright here in the first novel of the hourglass saga and does not disappoint. The Beauty and The Beast elements are there and I absolutely loved it as it is a true classic everybody can relate to.
Mirielle is a strong, plus sized FMC that I fell head over heels with. Even with her past and how she was raised doesn’t keep her from asserting herself and holding her own, so stubborn. Gryphon on the other hand, is troubled by the curse and his upbringing was just as damaging as his Miracles. Overall they create a force to be reckoned with and I absolutely loved the spicy scenes, and while they are there, the spice is not overwhelming and allows the story to shine especially as it picks up towards the end.
I am anxiously waiting for what Gail brings us next in the following book and I am falling head over heels with all the time references as well as the history she’s taken her sweet, sweet time researching before releasing this book. The effort shows!
Thank you so much Sam for the physical arc copy!
November 3, 2023
Epoch
Samantha Gail
Rating 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When I heard that this was a retelling I was super excited. I have loved Beauty and the Beast since it first came out. I have read every retelling that has every been written. Honestly, I can say that this is one of my favourite retellings yet.
This book is truly an adventure. There are elements of Beauty and the Beast. But this is truly a story of its own. The author definitely made this her own. I loved that it was set in modern times but added elements of history throughout the entire book. The amount of historical figures and items many of us know are in here.
The author captured the characters so perfectly that it does a fantastic job of drawing you in wanting to know more and continue on until you reach the end, and what an ending……
The cliffhanger at the end left me ready to continue on with this journey. I cannot wait for the next book in the saga.
If you love a retelling that holds its own, pulls you in and won't let go. This is the book for you.
Samantha Gail
Rating 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When I heard that this was a retelling I was super excited. I have loved Beauty and the Beast since it first came out. I have read every retelling that has every been written. Honestly, I can say that this is one of my favourite retellings yet.
This book is truly an adventure. There are elements of Beauty and the Beast. But this is truly a story of its own. The author definitely made this her own. I loved that it was set in modern times but added elements of history throughout the entire book. The amount of historical figures and items many of us know are in here.
The author captured the characters so perfectly that it does a fantastic job of drawing you in wanting to know more and continue on until you reach the end, and what an ending……
The cliffhanger at the end left me ready to continue on with this journey. I cannot wait for the next book in the saga.
If you love a retelling that holds its own, pulls you in and won't let go. This is the book for you.
November 8, 2023
From the moment I opened this book, I didn't want to put it down! I put myself into this story, and LOVED IT! It's a lengthy book in comparison to what I typically read but the whole time I was eager to read on. This author kept me engaged and interested the entire book, staying up way too late and reading at every opportunity I had! The characters were well thought out and the whole story was a unique idea. It gave me beauty and the beast vibes, which was a childhood fav! My favorite part about reading this was the mystery behind it, trying to figure it out before the characters and then realizing that the whole book was full of twists, turns and unexpected events. This was my first time reading one of this authors books and as soon as I was done I scrambled to find another. She left the ending in a way that had me eager to read on in the series. Reading this book was a joy and the book is definitely one I'll be telling my friends about! Meanwhile I'll be waiting for book 2, which I will definitely be pre-ordering!
October 24, 2023
I finished Epoch, and then I had to sleep on it before giving a review. I have mixed feelings about the book. It was interesting/entertaining and kept my interest throughout. I liked the more modern take on the FMC. She was a badass and a good character! Also, I love her real world job.
Through the first half of the book, I was a little disappointed with how closely the story was following the Beauty and the Beast story that we all know and love. But the second half felt like it gave me ALL new material. I found the second half to be more exciting than the first. Almost too exciting. I ended up feeling that there was a bit too much going on by the end.
I would also like to comment on the spicy scenes. I'm torn between wanting this to have MORE scenes, and wanting the scenes to be removed completely so that the book could reach a wider audience. I think a younger audience would really enjoy it...if the spicy scenes were removed. Just a thought.
Through the first half of the book, I was a little disappointed with how closely the story was following the Beauty and the Beast story that we all know and love. But the second half felt like it gave me ALL new material. I found the second half to be more exciting than the first. Almost too exciting. I ended up feeling that there was a bit too much going on by the end.
I would also like to comment on the spicy scenes. I'm torn between wanting this to have MORE scenes, and wanting the scenes to be removed completely so that the book could reach a wider audience. I think a younger audience would really enjoy it...if the spicy scenes were removed. Just a thought.
November 5, 2023
I absolutely loved this book!! Got it yesterday afternoon and had it finished by today. I was almost sad to finish it so soon because I didn’t want it to end!
The world building is AMAZING, it had me feeling as if I was right there truly witnessing it all.
The characters I fell in love with. Mirielle is what I love to see in a book. A smart, determined, sassy, witty, strong FMC. I at first wasn’t sure how I felt about Gryphon but as I read on, I slowly started loving him more and more as I began to better understand him. I loved watching their characters arcs develop further, seeing them grow and learn through the entire book.
It was the perfect mix of fantasy, romance, and adventure. This book kept be captive and engaged the whole time! The twists and turns, the action, it was amazing.
I am a sucker for anything romance or fairytale retelling, so this was a perfect match for me! It had elements in for everyone to love.
The world building is AMAZING, it had me feeling as if I was right there truly witnessing it all.
The characters I fell in love with. Mirielle is what I love to see in a book. A smart, determined, sassy, witty, strong FMC. I at first wasn’t sure how I felt about Gryphon but as I read on, I slowly started loving him more and more as I began to better understand him. I loved watching their characters arcs develop further, seeing them grow and learn through the entire book.
It was the perfect mix of fantasy, romance, and adventure. This book kept be captive and engaged the whole time! The twists and turns, the action, it was amazing.
I am a sucker for anything romance or fairytale retelling, so this was a perfect match for me! It had elements in for everyone to love.
November 22, 2023
I received this as an ARC for an honest review!
I absolutely loved the writing style and how descriptive the author was. I genuinely felt like the characters were real and each had their own personalities that I enjoyed.
This being said I got about 30% done (Ive been slacking at updating my goodreads) and realized I’m not the intended reader for this book and thats okay! Its a beautiful book and the story is one I was so excited for! But I don’t know if I just wasn’t fully in a fantasy mood or if I’m entering a reading slump which is of no fault of the author or the book itself!
I definitely see myself going back and rereading/finishing it at a later date as I tend to do and will more than likely update this when I do so. And I will continue to promote it to my friends who I think would enjoy it, and im looking forward to getting the authors other work and seeing if thats more a fit for me.
I absolutely loved the writing style and how descriptive the author was. I genuinely felt like the characters were real and each had their own personalities that I enjoyed.
This being said I got about 30% done (Ive been slacking at updating my goodreads) and realized I’m not the intended reader for this book and thats okay! Its a beautiful book and the story is one I was so excited for! But I don’t know if I just wasn’t fully in a fantasy mood or if I’m entering a reading slump which is of no fault of the author or the book itself!
I definitely see myself going back and rereading/finishing it at a later date as I tend to do and will more than likely update this when I do so. And I will continue to promote it to my friends who I think would enjoy it, and im looking forward to getting the authors other work and seeing if thats more a fit for me.
October 23, 2023
Phenomenal, mesmerizing, captivating!!!!!!
I received this as an ARC!!
Honestly I was scared to read this. I am such a huge fan of Samantha’s writing, but not a fan of fantasy. When I picked up Epoch I admired the beauty of the book and the feel. Those are the first things any reader notices. Opening the book and reading the prologue so many feelings. Samantha definitely got that hook in a straight shot. After that the book was so beautifully written that I was mesmerized, captivated, and could not put it down. Epoch is a Beauty and The Beast retelling, but honestly it is the story of Merielle and Gryphon! Merielle is the Main Female Character and she is a bad a@$! She knows what she’s doing and what she wants!! I’m not one to recommend books but Samantha did such an amazing job with this story that I recommend 10/10! I can not wait to see the future that is Samantha Gail!!!
I received this as an ARC!!
Honestly I was scared to read this. I am such a huge fan of Samantha’s writing, but not a fan of fantasy. When I picked up Epoch I admired the beauty of the book and the feel. Those are the first things any reader notices. Opening the book and reading the prologue so many feelings. Samantha definitely got that hook in a straight shot. After that the book was so beautifully written that I was mesmerized, captivated, and could not put it down. Epoch is a Beauty and The Beast retelling, but honestly it is the story of Merielle and Gryphon! Merielle is the Main Female Character and she is a bad a@$! She knows what she’s doing and what she wants!! I’m not one to recommend books but Samantha did such an amazing job with this story that I recommend 10/10! I can not wait to see the future that is Samantha Gail!!!
November 4, 2023
Epoch
This is an amazing modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
Murielle’s mom is addicted to drugs so she spent all of her time with Mr. Cooper and his books. When he goes missing, she starts to investigate only to be taken by a mythical creature with wings and a beak.
Murielle is taken to a land in which the creature transforms into an attractive man. She learns that he needs her to help him lift a curse on his land. As she spends more time with her captor, she starts to care about him.
Finally, she finds Mr. Copper but to free him she must lift the curse.
I’m a sucker for a good retelling and this one was amazing. With a modern twist of its own, this book was still surprising while also kind of keeping to the Beauty and the Beast story line. I can’t wait for other books by Samantha Gail!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
This is an amazing modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
Murielle’s mom is addicted to drugs so she spent all of her time with Mr. Cooper and his books. When he goes missing, she starts to investigate only to be taken by a mythical creature with wings and a beak.
Murielle is taken to a land in which the creature transforms into an attractive man. She learns that he needs her to help him lift a curse on his land. As she spends more time with her captor, she starts to care about him.
Finally, she finds Mr. Copper but to free him she must lift the curse.
I’m a sucker for a good retelling and this one was amazing. With a modern twist of its own, this book was still surprising while also kind of keeping to the Beauty and the Beast story line. I can’t wait for other books by Samantha Gail!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
October 20, 2023
4.75/5 Stars
2/5 Spiciness
In her book "Epoch," Samantha Gale skillfully weaves a tale as timeless as they come. The characters and narrative are a pure delight, leaving me utterly incapable of setting the book aside. I embarked on this literary journey and was determined to reach its conclusion on the very same day, a rare feat for any book to achieve. My only disappointment came when the story concluded with an enticing cliffhanger, leaving me eagerly awaiting the next installment. Remarkably, this book has not even been released yet, and I'm already anticipating its successor with great excitement. If you crave a well-crafted plot with a touch of zest, "Epoch" is the book you've been searching for!
2/5 Spiciness
In her book "Epoch," Samantha Gale skillfully weaves a tale as timeless as they come. The characters and narrative are a pure delight, leaving me utterly incapable of setting the book aside. I embarked on this literary journey and was determined to reach its conclusion on the very same day, a rare feat for any book to achieve. My only disappointment came when the story concluded with an enticing cliffhanger, leaving me eagerly awaiting the next installment. Remarkably, this book has not even been released yet, and I'm already anticipating its successor with great excitement. If you crave a well-crafted plot with a touch of zest, "Epoch" is the book you've been searching for!
November 8, 2023
Plot Twist.
Where do I even begin? This an amazing retelling/reimagining of Beauty and the Beast. You have to read it because I guarantee you haven’t read one like this. The plot twist was so unexpected but it didn’t end there. Four more plot twist in the end. Blew my mind away. I need book 2 ASAP.
The characters as amazing. They feel real. The world build is amazing. It is easy to picture with the way everything is described.
What will My-My decide to do and with who?
Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairytale. This one competes with it. I would love to see this as a movie someday.
Spice level is a 1. I recommend to everyone who loves retellings.
Samantha Gail you did amazing.
Where do I even begin? This an amazing retelling/reimagining of Beauty and the Beast. You have to read it because I guarantee you haven’t read one like this. The plot twist was so unexpected but it didn’t end there. Four more plot twist in the end. Blew my mind away. I need book 2 ASAP.
The characters as amazing. They feel real. The world build is amazing. It is easy to picture with the way everything is described.
What will My-My decide to do and with who?
Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairytale. This one competes with it. I would love to see this as a movie someday.
Spice level is a 1. I recommend to everyone who loves retellings.
Samantha Gail you did amazing.
October 18, 2023
What a fun read! This was a Beauty and the Beast retelling with some modern twists. I enjoyed the history that was brought into it and thought it made aspects of the story unique. The magic system is fun and character interactions are engaging. Some aspects were very close or even identical to BatB and I think could have been changed a bit more, but that's my own opinion. I really liked the two main characters and thought they had good chemistry. I do think it was a bit too insta-love for my taste... I would have liked a bit more tension buildup, but overall they were well written and the banter was fun.
October 3, 2024
This was a great retelling of beauty and the best, I don't really go for retellings , but this one is really glad I did, as I really enjoyed it. This was my first read by Samantha and wont be my last.
Samantha takes us on an adventure with a twist. You are captured from the moment you read it and can't put it down. The way she wrote it and the characters was great. She makes you feel like your apart off it. Alot goes on it this book never a dull moment at all. I loved every minute of it. It has twists and turns you never expect and it's filled with so much. I highly recommend can't wait for the next part..!!
Samantha takes us on an adventure with a twist. You are captured from the moment you read it and can't put it down. The way she wrote it and the characters was great. She makes you feel like your apart off it. Alot goes on it this book never a dull moment at all. I loved every minute of it. It has twists and turns you never expect and it's filled with so much. I highly recommend can't wait for the next part..!!
November 16, 2023
This was so good!!!! It’s a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but add in a mysterious treasure hunt as well as a bad a$$ heroine. Mirielle is not the type of character to just sit back and let things happen. She is stubborn, sassy and tough! I loved her!!! The angst and attraction between her and Gryphon was palpable!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I really like how this retelling had so many other layers to it and a lot of mystery throughout. There are so many things I’m curious about for the next book. I can’t wait for book 2!
I really like how this retelling had so many other layers to it and a lot of mystery throughout. There are so many things I’m curious about for the next book. I can’t wait for book 2!
January 18, 2024
Epoch is Book 1 of The Hourglass Saga, by Samantha Gail. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I was not disappointed one bit. It’s one of the best retellings of Beauty in The Beast that I’ve read. The world building in this book is absolutely beautifully done. I love the characters and the reimagined storyline. I definitely want to read more in this series and more books by Samantha, in general!
As always be mindful of any trigger warnings, what I like you may not.
Happy Reading!
As always be mindful of any trigger warnings, what I like you may not.
Happy Reading!
September 12, 2023
I want to start off by saying Samantha Gail does an amazing job at world building in this first book. The magical system was not only unique but also easy to catch on to. The author spins another twist on the story of Beauty and The Beast but she adds a historical element that makes this retelling stand out. I thought the characters had great chemistry and I quickly fell in love with Mr. Cooper! This is a story I soon won’t forget and I am anxiously waiting for book two!
October 26, 2023
Epoch was an unexpected delight! The action was just what I needed. This is a twist on Beauty, and the Beast meets the Underworld! I love seeing such a strong female lead. She is intelligent, curvy, and such a smartass! There is some spice. My absolute favorite part was that the characters are fully grown! Thank you for that!!! I must read the next book in this series, seeing how you left us hanging!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2023
After the disappearance of her elderly neighbor Mr. Cooper and being transported to another world by a mysterious monster called Gryphon, Mirielle Townsend finds her self in the magical realm of Aeternitas: a magical place where time and space intertwine.
Taken to a world far different than ours, Mirielle finds out that simple perception might not be what it seems like, and Gryphon could be more than just a monster. If it wasn’t for the curse plaguing the castle and is destined to overthrown her new home…
Being a tale as old as time, ‘Epoch’ really is ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (Samantha’s Version), and I couldn’t be more excited! Lightly written and very engaging, this book takes you on a journey to a magical realm where simple perception is misleading and past, present and future are intertwined. Keep an eye open for the many references you will find on its pages, there may be some connections to historical figures, mythology and Harry Potter.
Taken to a world far different than ours, Mirielle finds out that simple perception might not be what it seems like, and Gryphon could be more than just a monster. If it wasn’t for the curse plaguing the castle and is destined to overthrown her new home…
Being a tale as old as time, ‘Epoch’ really is ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (Samantha’s Version), and I couldn’t be more excited! Lightly written and very engaging, this book takes you on a journey to a magical realm where simple perception is misleading and past, present and future are intertwined. Keep an eye open for the many references you will find on its pages, there may be some connections to historical figures, mythology and Harry Potter.
October 26, 2023
I have no words for that ending. I am foaming at the mouth for the next one. This had just enough twist and turns throughout that it didn’t feel like another copy and paste version of beauty and the beast. It was genius. *chefs kiss*
November 10, 2023
Overall I did enjoy this retelling of beauty and the beast. This is a version of belle we haven't seen before. I also do like the quest aspect of the book. I found myself trying to solve the puzzle along with Mirielle and Gryphon.
November 12, 2023
I don’t usually write reviews however this book was fantastic and moved so well! Darda was my favorite character and also Vogue. We love a mini love triangle! I cannot wait for the next book! Would love to see art of the dress she wears towards the end!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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