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Wicked Retellings #1
My Dark Beast: a Sleeping Beauty retelling
"A beautifully twisted fever dream." - MEGAN SHEPHERD, author of Grim Lovelies
SLEEPING BEAUTY x HADES & PERSEPHONE
Tarian Hadez—thirty-three, real estate mogul, mob lord, most eligible bachelor in New England, god. The god-part is an exaggeration. After all, if true deities existed, then the world would be a magical place, and it's really not. At least, my world isn't.
Calanthe Bloom. That's me. Twenty-four, college graduate drowning in debt, true crime addict, florist by default, single by design. Although not living my best life, I'm enthusiastically pursuing it. Especially, in my dreams, which, since a recent flower-delivery snafu, all feature none other than lethally private Tarian.
Oh, the things he does to me when I sleep.
Wickedly surreal.
Except . . . are they?
Enter a world of gods and monsters where dreams are made of flesh. My Dark Beast is a paranormal romance standalone brimming with spice and intrigue.
TROPES include fated love, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, possessive MMC, touch her and die, grumpy / sunshine
Content strong language, sexually explicit scenes, graphic violence, Alzheimer's, alcohol drinking, abduction of an adult, addiction to "magical" drugs (off page), death of a loved one (off page).
SLEEPING BEAUTY x HADES & PERSEPHONE
Tarian Hadez—thirty-three, real estate mogul, mob lord, most eligible bachelor in New England, god. The god-part is an exaggeration. After all, if true deities existed, then the world would be a magical place, and it's really not. At least, my world isn't.
Calanthe Bloom. That's me. Twenty-four, college graduate drowning in debt, true crime addict, florist by default, single by design. Although not living my best life, I'm enthusiastically pursuing it. Especially, in my dreams, which, since a recent flower-delivery snafu, all feature none other than lethally private Tarian.
Oh, the things he does to me when I sleep.
Wickedly surreal.
Except . . . are they?
Enter a world of gods and monsters where dreams are made of flesh. My Dark Beast is a paranormal romance standalone brimming with spice and intrigue.
TROPES include fated love, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, possessive MMC, touch her and die, grumpy / sunshine
Content strong language, sexually explicit scenes, graphic violence, Alzheimer's, alcohol drinking, abduction of an adult, addiction to "magical" drugs (off page), death of a loved one (off page).
641 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2024
1617 people are currently reading
16460 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Wildenstein
47 books5,233 followersOlivia is a USA Today best-selling author of romantasy. When she’s not swooning over her characters’ steamy escapades, or plotting their demise, you can find her sipping wine and crafting her next twisted, romantic masterpiece, all while trying to convince her children and leading man that she loves them more than her laptop.
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Ready to fall in love? Sign up to her Newsletter to claim your FREEBIE: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/hmniv0406r
WEBSITE: http://oliviawildenstein.com
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/olives21/
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@owildwrites
FACEBOOK READER GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Olivi...
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/olivi...
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Olivia-Wildens...
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/OWildWrites
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 771 reviews
March 14, 2024
This was a labor of love and insanity.
March 11, 2024
is it bad to say I wanted less plot
August 1, 2024
3,5/5⭐️
Moda na sukces ale dodajcie do tego magiczną mafię XD
Jak szukacie czegoś lekkiego, zabawnego, nieco spicy, takiej telenoweli z lekkim urban fantasy to idealnie.
Ten motyw ze spotykaniem się w snach? 10/10
W sumie myślałam, że będzie bardziej spicy, tak czekaliśmy na to finalne ich zbliżenie i jak się zadziało to jakieś niesatysfakcjonujące trochę było.
Cały plot z jego porwaniem, poszukiwaniami, poszlakami w snach, tymi wszystkimi rodzinnymi dramami całkiem nieźle, serio Moda na sukces. Ten się okazał bratem jej, ta matką kogoś, tu brat zabił brata, ale jednak kto inny XD
Hades i jego obsesja na punkcie Calanthe? Hot.
Moda na sukces ale dodajcie do tego magiczną mafię XD
Jak szukacie czegoś lekkiego, zabawnego, nieco spicy, takiej telenoweli z lekkim urban fantasy to idealnie.
Ten motyw ze spotykaniem się w snach? 10/10
W sumie myślałam, że będzie bardziej spicy, tak czekaliśmy na to finalne ich zbliżenie i jak się zadziało to jakieś niesatysfakcjonujące trochę było.
Cały plot z jego porwaniem, poszukiwaniami, poszlakami w snach, tymi wszystkimi rodzinnymi dramami całkiem nieźle, serio Moda na sukces. Ten się okazał bratem jej, ta matką kogoś, tu brat zabił brata, ale jednak kto inny XD
Hades i jego obsesja na punkcie Calanthe? Hot.
April 3, 2024
2 stars.
I wanted to love this so bad. So bad!! And I did, for a long while. The beginning really got me and I YEARNEDDD for Tarian and Calanthe to be together. It was my mistake that I didn’t realize the whole book would go by without the two of them meeting again face to face. Lol.
This book was too long. WAY TOO LONG. The only reason I managed to read through it all was because I thought Tarian and Calanthe would at least meet again somewhere in the middle (aka at 300 pages) and the rest of the book would be about them cultivating their relationship together. That’s what I really wanted.
I would chop out at least half of it and it would make for a stronger book. There are so many needless conversations, so much back and forth between minor characters rehashing the subplots in the book amongst each other, so many different red herrings. The plot is not refined at all. It was extremely difficult to read, no joke. It was tedious. The writing became terrible somewhere in the middle, like it was a chore for the author to write it just like it was a chore to read. I wanted to start counting the number times there was a palipitating heart, pupil change, or cheek scrunching. There are whole pages where dialogue is buffeted with just descriptions of pounding hearts and pulses. Not to mention the random dictionary words thrown in everywhere.
Calanthe as a character kind of sucked. She distrusted everyone around her (for no reason) and never once shared the full extent of her dreams, or her thoughts around them—only mentioning some key insight like 20 pages later as an “oh yeah!” moment. This happened on repeat like some torturous cycle. She was also so slow at putting the hints from her dreams together. The people around her never pressured her to spill the beans either, which made no sense at all. Often, Calanthe would be in some dire situation and start paying attention to things like the colour of someones shoes or jacket.
Tarian was written mostly like a suave player instead of a haunted, powerful supernatural. By the end… I was really done with these two. In the real world, they were even more underwhelming and corny.
So… 2 stars.
I wanted to love this so bad. So bad!! And I did, for a long while. The beginning really got me and I YEARNEDDD for Tarian and Calanthe to be together. It was my mistake that I didn’t realize the whole book would go by without the two of them meeting again face to face. Lol.
This book was too long. WAY TOO LONG. The only reason I managed to read through it all was because I thought Tarian and Calanthe would at least meet again somewhere in the middle (aka at 300 pages) and the rest of the book would be about them cultivating their relationship together. That’s what I really wanted.
I would chop out at least half of it and it would make for a stronger book. There are so many needless conversations, so much back and forth between minor characters rehashing the subplots in the book amongst each other, so many different red herrings. The plot is not refined at all. It was extremely difficult to read, no joke. It was tedious. The writing became terrible somewhere in the middle, like it was a chore for the author to write it just like it was a chore to read. I wanted to start counting the number times there was a palipitating heart, pupil change, or cheek scrunching. There are whole pages where dialogue is buffeted with just descriptions of pounding hearts and pulses. Not to mention the random dictionary words thrown in everywhere.
Calanthe as a character kind of sucked. She distrusted everyone around her (for no reason) and never once shared the full extent of her dreams, or her thoughts around them—only mentioning some key insight like 20 pages later as an “oh yeah!” moment. This happened on repeat like some torturous cycle. She was also so slow at putting the hints from her dreams together. The people around her never pressured her to spill the beans either, which made no sense at all. Often, Calanthe would be in some dire situation and start paying attention to things like the colour of someones shoes or jacket.
Tarian was written mostly like a suave player instead of a haunted, powerful supernatural. By the end… I was really done with these two. In the real world, they were even more underwhelming and corny.
So… 2 stars.
August 11, 2024
4.5/5
Do świata ludzi przemknęła magia, którą władają potężne rodziny mafii starając się ukryć ją przed ludźmi. Tarian jest liderem nieruchomości i opiekunem rodzinnych tajemnic. Calanthe jest zwyczajną florystką - która przez przypadek została naznaczona runą Tariana, a ostatnia osoba, którą to spotkało zmarła. Próbując temu zapobiec, mężczyzna zostaje porwany, a dziewczyna jako jedyna ma z nim kontakt poprzez sny.
Moja mroczna bestia to dawka humoru i romantyzmu. Od razu polubiłam główną bohaterkę, która nie jest tylko wyszczekana ale zabawna i spostrzegawcza. Kluczem do wciągnięcia się w tę książkę jest zapoznanie się ze wszystkimi bohaterami oraz intrygami rodzinnymi. To taka magiczna moda na sukces bo kolejne tomy będą przedstawiać historię kolejnych bohaterów. Ciągłe kłótnie, nierozwiązane sprawy, morderstwa i zaaranżowane małżeństwa są na porządku dziennym, by zyskać dostęp do władzy. Ogromnie podobało mi się manewrowanie w sieci tych kłamstw i oszust podążając za Calanthe, która próbowała odnaleźć sprawcę i miejsce ukrycia Tariana. Wątek kryminalny potrafi zaangażować przez co stale tworzy się nowe teorie.
To duo. Uwielbiam motyw snów bo daje nieograniczone możliwości. Każda z scen dziejąca się we śnie jest rozbudowana i realistyczna z tym co odczuwamy gdy śpimy - nagle pojawiające się przedmioty, nielogiczne zmiany miejsc, pojawienie się Miley Cyrus. Czyj jest to sen ma nad nim kontrolę więc bohaterowie bliżej siebie poznają, a gdy się budzą reakcja ich działa adekwatna jest do tego co przydało im się gdy śnili, przez co granica między jawą a snem często się zaciera.
Moją Mroczną Bestie polecam gdy szukacie czegoś lekkiego, przepełnionego humorem i z nastawieniem na bohaterów, a nie kreację świata czy systemu magii.
Do świata ludzi przemknęła magia, którą władają potężne rodziny mafii starając się ukryć ją przed ludźmi. Tarian jest liderem nieruchomości i opiekunem rodzinnych tajemnic. Calanthe jest zwyczajną florystką - która przez przypadek została naznaczona runą Tariana, a ostatnia osoba, którą to spotkało zmarła. Próbując temu zapobiec, mężczyzna zostaje porwany, a dziewczyna jako jedyna ma z nim kontakt poprzez sny.
Moja mroczna bestia to dawka humoru i romantyzmu. Od razu polubiłam główną bohaterkę, która nie jest tylko wyszczekana ale zabawna i spostrzegawcza. Kluczem do wciągnięcia się w tę książkę jest zapoznanie się ze wszystkimi bohaterami oraz intrygami rodzinnymi. To taka magiczna moda na sukces bo kolejne tomy będą przedstawiać historię kolejnych bohaterów. Ciągłe kłótnie, nierozwiązane sprawy, morderstwa i zaaranżowane małżeństwa są na porządku dziennym, by zyskać dostęp do władzy. Ogromnie podobało mi się manewrowanie w sieci tych kłamstw i oszust podążając za Calanthe, która próbowała odnaleźć sprawcę i miejsce ukrycia Tariana. Wątek kryminalny potrafi zaangażować przez co stale tworzy się nowe teorie.
To duo. Uwielbiam motyw snów bo daje nieograniczone możliwości. Każda z scen dziejąca się we śnie jest rozbudowana i realistyczna z tym co odczuwamy gdy śpimy - nagle pojawiające się przedmioty, nielogiczne zmiany miejsc, pojawienie się Miley Cyrus. Czyj jest to sen ma nad nim kontrolę więc bohaterowie bliżej siebie poznają, a gdy się budzą reakcja ich działa adekwatna jest do tego co przydało im się gdy śnili, przez co granica między jawą a snem często się zaciera.
Moją Mroczną Bestie polecam gdy szukacie czegoś lekkiego, przepełnionego humorem i z nastawieniem na bohaterów, a nie kreację świata czy systemu magii.
March 27, 2024
Can’t believe I wasted time on this. Or all the 5 star reviews. Either they love drivel, or I picked up the wrong book.
Was so looking forward to this, as I LOVED Feather, but I’m DNF’ing at 51%. There.. wasn’t anything going for it. I can handle a lack of spice, but a lack of banter is unacceptable. The plot is convoluted and makes zero sense, the “kidnapping” doesn’t even have a sense of urgency surrounding it, and Calanthe is … weak as a character, at best.
So very disappointed.
Was so looking forward to this, as I LOVED Feather, but I’m DNF’ing at 51%. There.. wasn’t anything going for it. I can handle a lack of spice, but a lack of banter is unacceptable. The plot is convoluted and makes zero sense, the “kidnapping” doesn’t even have a sense of urgency surrounding it, and Calanthe is … weak as a character, at best.
So very disappointed.
September 26, 2024
OH MY GOD THAT WAS SO GOOD 🧎🏼♀️
April 21, 2024
***4.5/5 Stars***
My Dark Beast was a Hades x Persephone retelling, with Sleeping Beauty mixed, making this story intoxicating, unique, and impossible to put down. With Alice in Wonderland vibes, from the dreamscape, I was left questioning what was real at times. As the story unfolded, it was dark, mesmerizing, and so easy to love. The characters will capture your heart. And the ending will leave you smiling while you read two beautiful epilogues! I can’t recommend this book enough to romantasy lovers and those that love retellings too!
Calanthe Bloom was helping take care of her mom, while also running her parents business. Not by choice, but by duty since her mom had Alzheimers. It broke my heart to watch her interact with her mom at times, and I couldn’t help but shed tears. Yet through it all, I loved the light and fire that burned within Calanthe. And her thoughts cracked me up at times too. I loved how sarcastic she could be.
From the moment Tarian Hadez appeared on the pages, I was obsessed. He was dark, brooding, and had a way of commanding all of your attention. Yet while he was a mystery, there were so many things to love about him. Like how he called Calanthe, Calamity. To how he could make simple words so seductive. To even getting to see a sweet side of him too, which seemed to contrast with how deadly he was perceived. So when something happened between Tarian and Calathe, I was grasping for breath trying to figure out what was going on.
When Calanthe and Tarian were together, the sexual tension that exploded between them was beautiful. And when you add that into a dreamscape, it was intoxicating. With steamy kisses, flirting that will have you sighing out loud, being called a good girl, and more, this book was so seductive. How Tarian could make just a simple lick panty melting was talented. Add that with Tarian messing with Calamity, and this book was so much fun!
This story held me in the palm of its hands. I tried my best to put together the clues, but it was challenging since we were taken on such a wild ride with a million and one questions swirling around. I wasn’t sure who I could trust, but I went with my gut and hoped that would pan out correctly! So while I’m not saying much, because it’s definitely best to learn on your own, just know that I can’t recommend this book enough!
My Dark Beast ended with a beautiful happily ever after, yet it was a journey to get there. With death bleeding from the pages, and moments that made me shed tears, this book consumed me. So I was grateful for Tarian’s ability to make me laugh, during moments where I just wanted to cry. And I adored that we learned this world with Calanthe as the story progressed. So I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that some of the side characters will get their own stories down the road! I am not ready to say goodbye to these characters!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
Blog * Personal Instagram * Blog Instagram * Facebook * Twitter * Bloglovin * Feedly
My Dark Beast was a Hades x Persephone retelling, with Sleeping Beauty mixed, making this story intoxicating, unique, and impossible to put down. With Alice in Wonderland vibes, from the dreamscape, I was left questioning what was real at times. As the story unfolded, it was dark, mesmerizing, and so easy to love. The characters will capture your heart. And the ending will leave you smiling while you read two beautiful epilogues! I can’t recommend this book enough to romantasy lovers and those that love retellings too!
I don’t realize I’ve stopped walking until a deep voice rasps right beside my ear, “The first thing that draws most women’s gazes when they step past my threshold is the expensive art on my walls or the breadth of my entry hall, yet you, Calamity, seem enraptured by my floors.”
“I was expecting the fires of Hell, or the stones to runneth over with blood.”
Calanthe Bloom was helping take care of her mom, while also running her parents business. Not by choice, but by duty since her mom had Alzheimers. It broke my heart to watch her interact with her mom at times, and I couldn’t help but shed tears. Yet through it all, I loved the light and fire that burned within Calanthe. And her thoughts cracked me up at times too. I loved how sarcastic she could be.
“The beast has a conscience. Who would’ve thought?”
From the moment Tarian Hadez appeared on the pages, I was obsessed. He was dark, brooding, and had a way of commanding all of your attention. Yet while he was a mystery, there were so many things to love about him. Like how he called Calanthe, Calamity. To how he could make simple words so seductive. To even getting to see a sweet side of him too, which seemed to contrast with how deadly he was perceived. So when something happened between Tarian and Calathe, I was grasping for breath trying to figure out what was going on.
“Why do I always dream of you?” I murmur.
He watches me, and I watch him. He looks so real. So…tangible.
He stalks closer to the door.
When Calanthe and Tarian were together, the sexual tension that exploded between them was beautiful. And when you add that into a dreamscape, it was intoxicating. With steamy kisses, flirting that will have you sighing out loud, being called a good girl, and more, this book was so seductive. How Tarian could make just a simple lick panty melting was talented. Add that with Tarian messing with Calamity, and this book was so much fun!
“I’m sorry to have dragged you into my hell.”
She snakes her arm around my middle and takes a step forward, slotting her body into mine. And then she twists her head and presses her cheek against my chest.
Against my dark, bestial heart.
This story held me in the palm of its hands. I tried my best to put together the clues, but it was challenging since we were taken on such a wild ride with a million and one questions swirling around. I wasn’t sure who I could trust, but I went with my gut and hoped that would pan out correctly! So while I’m not saying much, because it’s definitely best to learn on your own, just know that I can’t recommend this book enough!
“You’re not some means to an end. You’re my fucking salvation, Calamity.”
My Dark Beast ended with a beautiful happily ever after, yet it was a journey to get there. With death bleeding from the pages, and moments that made me shed tears, this book consumed me. So I was grateful for Tarian’s ability to make me laugh, during moments where I just wanted to cry. And I adored that we learned this world with Calanthe as the story progressed. So I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that some of the side characters will get their own stories down the road! I am not ready to say goodbye to these characters!
“What’ll it be, Calanthe darling?”
“Fuck me,” I breathe out.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
For more of my reviews, please visit:
Blog * Personal Instagram * Blog Instagram * Facebook * Twitter * Bloglovin * Feedly
August 9, 2024
TO BYŁO TAK DOBREE! Kocham to i aż nie mam słów. Boże dawno tak się nie stresowałam jak tutaj przez ostatnie 200 stron. Ja wgl nie wiem kiedy to przeczytałam. To jest taki grubas, a mi jest mało 😭
March 6, 2024
"Roses have petals and thorns, my dark flower. You needn't think something weak because it appears delicate. Show the world your bravery."
The Hades and Persephone story has always been one of my favorite Greek myths and there have been other retellings. But, Olivia Wildenstein took her retelling of the story and ran with it, making the story completely her own. It is in a class of its own. This dual point of view, reality/dreamscape perspective was an entirely new perspective. And mixing it with Sleeping Beauty, which is my favorite fairytale, took things to a new level! I was completely swept away by the Atlantean gods with power, who people thought were mob bosses. Those in Tarian's inner circle were so dynamic and well written, even those that I ultimately hated. I loved their wit and the interactions with the family members that Tarian and Callanthe could truly trust. And, Callanthe was a complete BA heroine who wasn't afraid to stand up to those with power, even though she didn't have any. I loved every moment of this story. It was suspenseful, descriptive, and fully immersive. I know that Olivia says she isn't sure if there will be more stories in this world, with these characters but I dearly hope there will be. After all, there could be prequels, and I feel like Malachi and Electra need to find happily ever afters of their very own. Besides, there are many storylines that I'd love to see tied up and I'd love to see more of Atlantis! To be honest, Olivia is just one of those authors that I will always want to read their work. I don't even need a synopsis to know I want to read it. Her stories are always right up my alley.
The Hades and Persephone story has always been one of my favorite Greek myths and there have been other retellings. But, Olivia Wildenstein took her retelling of the story and ran with it, making the story completely her own. It is in a class of its own. This dual point of view, reality/dreamscape perspective was an entirely new perspective. And mixing it with Sleeping Beauty, which is my favorite fairytale, took things to a new level! I was completely swept away by the Atlantean gods with power, who people thought were mob bosses. Those in Tarian's inner circle were so dynamic and well written, even those that I ultimately hated. I loved their wit and the interactions with the family members that Tarian and Callanthe could truly trust. And, Callanthe was a complete BA heroine who wasn't afraid to stand up to those with power, even though she didn't have any. I loved every moment of this story. It was suspenseful, descriptive, and fully immersive. I know that Olivia says she isn't sure if there will be more stories in this world, with these characters but I dearly hope there will be. After all, there could be prequels, and I feel like Malachi and Electra need to find happily ever afters of their very own. Besides, there are many storylines that I'd love to see tied up and I'd love to see more of Atlantis! To be honest, Olivia is just one of those authors that I will always want to read their work. I don't even need a synopsis to know I want to read it. Her stories are always right up my alley.
April 11, 2024
Well, this was just not for me. There's almost no plot and 75% of the book takes place in a random dream world where things aren't explained and it's just used as a build up to sex. Callanthe is 'not like other girls' in that she's not a size zero and doesn't immediately fall for Tarian (except she kind of does) and I wanted more actual plot.
I did like the Atlanteans and their powers and would have liked more information about how everything worked. The killings were also kind of cool and I'm always here for people getting what's coming to them.
I did like the Atlanteans and their powers and would have liked more information about how everything worked. The killings were also kind of cool and I'm always here for people getting what's coming to them.
August 17, 2024
Spotkania w snach były fajne, czasami dziwaczne, surrealistyczne, czasami gorące i to był największy atut książki. Zabrakło mi jednak w tej relacji miejsca na to, by dłużej pobyli ze sobą w realu. Pierwsze zbliżenie poza snami też takie mało satysfakcjonujące.
Natomiast ta, tak zwana, moda na sukces, która działa się poza snami w tej rodzinie jednak mnie przerosła. Do końca nie ogarnęłam kto jest czyją siostra, bratem, córką, kto z kim sypiał itd.
Chyba miałam ciutek wyższe oczekiwania po autorce Królestwa Wron. BTW, w ogóle nie czułam, że to spod jej pióra wyszło.
Natomiast ta, tak zwana, moda na sukces, która działa się poza snami w tej rodzinie jednak mnie przerosła. Do końca nie ogarnęłam kto jest czyją siostra, bratem, córką, kto z kim sypiał itd.
Chyba miałam ciutek wyższe oczekiwania po autorce Królestwa Wron. BTW, w ogóle nie czułam, że to spod jej pióra wyszło.
June 25, 2025
DNF at 43%
I didn’t understand this. It dragged so much. Information about the world was limited and I felt like it was just something that we were supposed to know. By almost halfway through I would’ve liked a more thorough world building.
And meeting in dreams was a cool idea but wasn’t executed well. The plot barely inched forward and I just got bored. I no longer felt invested in the characters when literally nothing happened from 10-40%.
I didn’t understand this. It dragged so much. Information about the world was limited and I felt like it was just something that we were supposed to know. By almost halfway through I would’ve liked a more thorough world building.
And meeting in dreams was a cool idea but wasn’t executed well. The plot barely inched forward and I just got bored. I no longer felt invested in the characters when literally nothing happened from 10-40%.
January 29, 2025
If I had a nickel for every time I read a book where the FMC had a flower first name and Bloom as a last name who lives in Boston and owns a flower shop, I would have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice…. Supernatural soap opera that I thought was a standalone which it is. Too much happening too many characters.
May 10, 2024
3.5 Stars
I loved the concept for this book! It was so unique, intriguing, and put a great spin on a classic fairytale.
My only gripe would be that I feel like this could have been a tad shorter and would have been fine.
I loved the concept for this book! It was so unique, intriguing, and put a great spin on a classic fairytale.
My only gripe would be that I feel like this could have been a tad shorter and would have been fine.
May 14, 2024
This one was…interesting? I have a question mark here because Im still not 100% sure how I felt about it. It was a new twist on fantasy that I havent run into to yet, so that was refreshing. I think it was supposed to be a Hades/Persephone retelling (ish), mixed with Sleeping Beauty (sort of?). It was oddly entertaining, but I did find myself confused quite a bit.
Basically we have a “mobster” (Tarion Hadez) who is an Atlantean. These atlanteans have magic, and this one in particular has a lot of it due to being granted magic after falling into a magical mine and being gifted all these magical runes from the Atlantean’s goddess, Gia (or Gea?). Anyway, after accidentally “stinging” our FMC (Calanthe Bloom) with a magical rune, he is kidnapped and falls into some sort of sleeping coma. Calanthe is linked to Tarion through this magical rune and is connected to him in dreams. Every time he summons her in his dreamscape, she basically falls asleep wherever she is.
This is where the confusion often occurred, one second Calanthe is in the real world, and the next we’re in a dream and its not always clear right away. Basically, they fall in love in dreamland, while she’s trying to help solve the mystery of who kidnapped him and figure out a way to find him.
Most of the time I wasn’t sure what i was reading, but I will say it was entertaining and for that I give it 3.5.
Basically we have a “mobster” (Tarion Hadez) who is an Atlantean. These atlanteans have magic, and this one in particular has a lot of it due to being granted magic after falling into a magical mine and being gifted all these magical runes from the Atlantean’s goddess, Gia (or Gea?). Anyway, after accidentally “stinging” our FMC (Calanthe Bloom) with a magical rune, he is kidnapped and falls into some sort of sleeping coma. Calanthe is linked to Tarion through this magical rune and is connected to him in dreams. Every time he summons her in his dreamscape, she basically falls asleep wherever she is.
This is where the confusion often occurred, one second Calanthe is in the real world, and the next we’re in a dream and its not always clear right away. Basically, they fall in love in dreamland, while she’s trying to help solve the mystery of who kidnapped him and figure out a way to find him.
Most of the time I wasn’t sure what i was reading, but I will say it was entertaining and for that I give it 3.5.
September 7, 2024
„Moja mroczna bestia”, Olivia Wildenstein.
Współpraca reklamowa @wydawnictwonowestrony
Książka liczy nieco ponad 700 stron, więc jest to spora cegiełka. Czy bawiłam się przy niej świetnie? Oczywiście, że tak. Świat wykreowany przez Autorkę jest istną kopalnią dobrych sytuacji, które łączą się w zaskakujący sposób, a sama fabuła jest na tyle ciekawa, że jak już się zacznie czytać, to nie idzie się oderwać.
Olivia zabrała nas do mrocznego świata, który podzielony jest na ludzi i Atlantyjczyków, którzy władają magią. „Połączenie Śpiącej Królewny oraz mitu o Hadesie i Persefonie”. Absolutnie przepadłam dla tej historii i nie są to tylko puste słowa. Książka, która z pozoru zaczyna się zwyczajnie, z każdym kolejnym rozdziałem oddaje wszystko, co najlepsze.
Calanthe Bloom do czasu spotkania Tariana Hadeza, wiodła spokojne życie u boku matki, która po śmierci męża popadła w otępienie, by zachorować na Alzheimera. Dziewczyna nie za bardzo wierzy w istnienie magii, całą potęgę, jaką ma rodzina Hadezów tłumaczy ciężką pracą i powiązaniami mafijnymi. Nawet nie zdaje sobie sprawy, z tego, jak bardzo się myli. Nawet jej przyjaciółka Bryn nie jest w stanie przekonać jej do swoich słów. Przy pierwszym spotkaniu głównych bohaterów życie Callie zmienia się o to osiemdziesiąt stopni. A później? Później dzieją się rzeczy, których nie można było wyjaśnić racjonalnie.
Bardzo podobał mi się tu motyw, w którym Calanthe i Tarian spotykali się w snach. Oboje próbowali rozwikłać zagadkę, w której doszliby do tego, gdzie znajduje się mężczyzna, który w magiczny sposób zaginął. Wiedzą tyle, że jest nieprzytomny i runa, widniejąca na plecach kobiety pomaga im się komunikować w snach. Cała ta więź, jaka się między nimi wytworzyła, jest bardzo ciekawa i czytelnik może śledzić ich postępującą relacje. Coś, co działo się w sposób naturalny, nienachalny. To było po prostu wspaniałe.
Nie zabrakło również ciekawych zwrotów akcji, które sprawiały, że powieść była jeszcze bardziej naszpikowana brutalnością, czy nawet wrogością. „Moja mroczna bestia” to książka, która zasługuje na to, by znaleźć się w topie książek tego roku. Nie będziecie mogli się oderwać, a fabuła wciągnie na tyle, że nie będzie już odwrotu.
August 8, 2024
4🌶️ SIX ⭐️ holy cow. i LOVED THIS BOOK!!! i was on the edge of my seat literally the entire time, i never knew what was gonna happen next. i loved the mystery/“who dunnit?” of this, mixed with fantasy and romance. this book had everything i love in it. it was emotional and both our fmc and mmc had so much depth to them, i found my heart aching for both of them through out the entire book. the ROMANCE 🫠🫠 had me melting and kicking my feet, giggling. the way that the romance played out in this was not something i’ve read often and was done amazingly!! ugh the mmc was SO GD SWEET but only for our fmc and his best friends. but also morally grey as FUCK! the touch her and 💀 trope will always have me on my knees. i have a feeling this book will stay with me forever, idk something about this one just hit me in all the feels and i truly loved every single page. i absolutely will be reading this authors entire back list, sooner than later, i loved her writing style.
June 20, 2024
DNF at 40%. I’m reading this for a book club and a lot of the women who finished it say it doesn’t get any better and they regret finishing it so I’m out 👋🏻
The idea of meeting in dreams was super cool and the magic system was intriguing but it was just so poorly executed. It had potential! Maybe needed an editor or something IDK.
The plot dragged so much. There were too many names to keep track of. It was super confusing and hard to follow.
This read like a bad murder mystery with a bunch of suspects but legit didn’t know who anyone was lol The book needed a map of the family tree or some kind of glossary.
Other random thoughts:
- The MMC is just awful. Suuuuuuuuper possessive and jealous which I’m fine with sometimes but this was just too soon, too fast and made it feel really icky. They barely knew each other and he was acting like a total douche bag. This was like “touch her and die vibes” on steroids. It wasn’t cute or romantic in any way shape or form.
- He nicknamed her Calamity and honestly all I could think of was “chlamydia” every time I read it 🤣💀💀 This nickname was just so bad!!! Her name is Calanthe like why not just call her Callie or Cal or something? Calamity?! Wtf lol
- The book was unnecessarily long for not a lot of plot. I might have been able to finish this one on Audible but reading it on my Kindle was excruciating.
- There was just such a lack of chemistry and banter here. The writing felt totally off. Zero connection to the characters.
If you want to be put into a reading slump, I can’t recommend this one enough 😴
The idea of meeting in dreams was super cool and the magic system was intriguing but it was just so poorly executed. It had potential! Maybe needed an editor or something IDK.
The plot dragged so much. There were too many names to keep track of. It was super confusing and hard to follow.
This read like a bad murder mystery with a bunch of suspects but legit didn’t know who anyone was lol The book needed a map of the family tree or some kind of glossary.
Other random thoughts:
- The MMC is just awful. Suuuuuuuuper possessive and jealous which I’m fine with sometimes but this was just too soon, too fast and made it feel really icky. They barely knew each other and he was acting like a total douche bag. This was like “touch her and die vibes” on steroids. It wasn’t cute or romantic in any way shape or form.
- He nicknamed her Calamity and honestly all I could think of was “chlamydia” every time I read it 🤣💀💀 This nickname was just so bad!!! Her name is Calanthe like why not just call her Callie or Cal or something? Calamity?! Wtf lol
- The book was unnecessarily long for not a lot of plot. I might have been able to finish this one on Audible but reading it on my Kindle was excruciating.
- There was just such a lack of chemistry and banter here. The writing felt totally off. Zero connection to the characters.
If you want to be put into a reading slump, I can’t recommend this one enough 😴
dnf
August 4, 2024Dnf 24%
Przeczytałabym więcej, ale jest to cegła na 700 stron, a czułam się jakby mnie wciągała niczym ruchome piaski.
Coś strasznego.
Jak opisać tę prawie 1/4 książki?
Chaos, chaos, chaos.
W zasadzie to ciężko określić czy jest to fantasy, romans współczesny czy co. Opis wskazuje, że akcja ma miejsce w Nowej Anglii, ale dowiadujemy się o istnieniu wyspy, którą należy do groźnej rodziny Hadezów. Jedna z pierwszych interakcji bohaterów polegała na tym że główna bohaterka rzuciła różę na samochód głównego bohatera. Bardziej bezpośrednie spotkanie miało miejsce, podczas imprezy zaręczynowej wuja głównego bohatera. Wtedy właśnie Tarian Hadez, czyli najgroźniejszy przedstawiciel rodziny przekazuje jakąś magiczną runę bohaterce. No i ta runa ma ją rzekomo uśmiercić. Jeszcze wcześniej bohaterka widzi jakąś magię „wychodzącą” z Tariana. No i widać że wcale nie jest zdziwiona jego magicznymi umiejętnościami, czyli w sumie można stwierdzić że trochę Urban fantasy?
Potem jakieś porwanie z d00py, no ale dobra, potem dochodzi manipulacja umysłem na którą główna bohaterka jest odporna, ale udaje przed resztą rodziny Hadezów, że ich magia na nią działa. W ogóle potem chce powiedzieć swojej przyjaciółce o ich magii, ale stwierdza że nie chce jej mieszać, czyli wychodzi na to, że moc rodziny Hadezów nie jest powszechnie znana, więc dlaczego główna bohaterka nie zareagowała na początku, na magię Tariana, skoro najwidoczniej jest to jakiś sekret rodziny? Spłynęło to po niej jak po kaczce.
Problemem tej części książki, którą przeczytałam jest to, że autorka podaje czytelnikowi wydarzenia w formie faktów. Coś jest i koniec. Zero wyjaśnienia, rozwinięcia, nic. W pewnej scenie przedstawieni są jacyś Rycerze (?) czegoś tam i jest to przedstawione w taki sposób, jakby czytelnik wiedział o kim mowa. No otóż nie 🙃 pierwszy raz słyszę o nich i nie wiem kim są.
Dodatkowo bohaterowie mogą „spotykać” się w snach. No i okej, motyw śpiącej królewny, ale raziło mnie to, że - tutaj powinnam dodać że „przekartkowałam” ebooka żeby sprawdzić jak długo te senne schadzki postaci będą trwały- te spotkania trwały przez całą książkę. Wiem, że to jest istotne we fabule, jak się potem okazuje, no ale bez przesady…
Cieszę się, że odpuszczam sobie ten cyrk. Tego się czytać nie da. Przez te 24% mogę powiedzieć jedną pewna rzecz, a konkretnie- nie wiem o co chodzi w tej książce.
Przeczytałabym więcej, ale jest to cegła na 700 stron, a czułam się jakby mnie wciągała niczym ruchome piaski.
Coś strasznego.
Jak opisać tę prawie 1/4 książki?
Chaos, chaos, chaos.
W zasadzie to ciężko określić czy jest to fantasy, romans współczesny czy co. Opis wskazuje, że akcja ma miejsce w Nowej Anglii, ale dowiadujemy się o istnieniu wyspy, którą należy do groźnej rodziny Hadezów. Jedna z pierwszych interakcji bohaterów polegała na tym że główna bohaterka rzuciła różę na samochód głównego bohatera. Bardziej bezpośrednie spotkanie miało miejsce, podczas imprezy zaręczynowej wuja głównego bohatera. Wtedy właśnie Tarian Hadez, czyli najgroźniejszy przedstawiciel rodziny przekazuje jakąś magiczną runę bohaterce. No i ta runa ma ją rzekomo uśmiercić. Jeszcze wcześniej bohaterka widzi jakąś magię „wychodzącą” z Tariana. No i widać że wcale nie jest zdziwiona jego magicznymi umiejętnościami, czyli w sumie można stwierdzić że trochę Urban fantasy?
Potem jakieś porwanie z d00py, no ale dobra, potem dochodzi manipulacja umysłem na którą główna bohaterka jest odporna, ale udaje przed resztą rodziny Hadezów, że ich magia na nią działa. W ogóle potem chce powiedzieć swojej przyjaciółce o ich magii, ale stwierdza że nie chce jej mieszać, czyli wychodzi na to, że moc rodziny Hadezów nie jest powszechnie znana, więc dlaczego główna bohaterka nie zareagowała na początku, na magię Tariana, skoro najwidoczniej jest to jakiś sekret rodziny? Spłynęło to po niej jak po kaczce.
Problemem tej części książki, którą przeczytałam jest to, że autorka podaje czytelnikowi wydarzenia w formie faktów. Coś jest i koniec. Zero wyjaśnienia, rozwinięcia, nic. W pewnej scenie przedstawieni są jacyś Rycerze (?) czegoś tam i jest to przedstawione w taki sposób, jakby czytelnik wiedział o kim mowa. No otóż nie 🙃 pierwszy raz słyszę o nich i nie wiem kim są.
Dodatkowo bohaterowie mogą „spotykać” się w snach. No i okej, motyw śpiącej królewny, ale raziło mnie to, że - tutaj powinnam dodać że „przekartkowałam” ebooka żeby sprawdzić jak długo te senne schadzki postaci będą trwały- te spotkania trwały przez całą książkę. Wiem, że to jest istotne we fabule, jak się potem okazuje, no ale bez przesady…
Cieszę się, że odpuszczam sobie ten cyrk. Tego się czytać nie da. Przez te 24% mogę powiedzieć jedną pewna rzecz, a konkretnie- nie wiem o co chodzi w tej książce.
June 28, 2025
Ended up having to DNF. An interesting plot concept but I personally didn’t like the execution
February 25, 2024
Calanthe runs her parents flower shop with her mother who suffers from Alzheimer’s. Her father passed away and she’s trying to keep a roof over their heads. She loves true crime podcasts. Calanthe gets an order of cacti for a dinner party at the Hadez mansion. She meets Tarian Hadez - bad boy gazlionaire. Tarian is an Atlantean god with magic. He transfers some of his magic into Calanthe by bumping into her so now they can walk into each other’s dreams. Tarian’s immortality is at stake so Calanthe must save him.
Trust no one.
Enemies to lovers. Spicy romance.
Sleeping Beauty meets Hades and Persephone.
Trust no one.
Enemies to lovers. Spicy romance.
Sleeping Beauty meets Hades and Persephone.
June 21, 2024
Disappointed to say the least. This was just too long of the same thing over and over. 600 PAGES OF THE SAME THING! This definitely isn't a retelling at all esp of Hades and Persephone. The man gets kidnapped, then brands the woman character and they talk through dreams. It's the same thing of failed romance scene, family member interrupting. Book would just not end or get to the point.
July 5, 2024
W sumie to nie mialam żadnych oczekiwań, a dostałam mode na sukces (bawilam się wyśmienicie)
April 2, 2024
4.5*
Awwww.
She’s gone and done it again!
OW is so masterful creating her female leads, I particularly loved Calanthe, her internal dialogue was so relatable and v amusing! Tarian was obviously a giant, morally grey swoon fest (the best kind).
What I loved: fab characters, something a bit new and original, touching and sensitively told dementia journey, lots of drama, door left wide open to visit characters again in next book.
What I wasn’t so sure about: pace felt a little off for last section of first third of book, use of vocabulary chosen for Tarian felt a little off at times in comparison to the other characters, could have been a little more world building around Atlantis.
This book is fun, wild and very amusing. Read it!
P.S the extra chapter was the literal icing on the cake 😍
Awwww.
She’s gone and done it again!
OW is so masterful creating her female leads, I particularly loved Calanthe, her internal dialogue was so relatable and v amusing! Tarian was obviously a giant, morally grey swoon fest (the best kind).
What I loved: fab characters, something a bit new and original, touching and sensitively told dementia journey, lots of drama, door left wide open to visit characters again in next book.
What I wasn’t so sure about: pace felt a little off for last section of first third of book, use of vocabulary chosen for Tarian felt a little off at times in comparison to the other characters, could have been a little more world building around Atlantis.
This book is fun, wild and very amusing. Read it!
P.S the extra chapter was the literal icing on the cake 😍
November 7, 2025
J'avais qu'une envie en lisant le résumé c'était de le lire, mais je n'ai pas accroché, c'était long et l'intrigue sur où est passé Tarian et qui l'a enlevé, ça tournait en rond.
Et les rêve entre Tarian et Calanthe.. avec la rune qui l'est uni. Ils se sont vu 1x, il a été enlevé puis ils se retrouvent dans leur rêve et c'est olé olé, je comprends pas.
Enfin, je n'ai pas été convaincu et je me suis un peu ennuyé parce que tout tourne autour des kidnappeurs et qui sont ils et où est passé Tarian?
Et les rêve entre Tarian et Calanthe.. avec la rune qui l'est uni. Ils se sont vu 1x, il a été enlevé puis ils se retrouvent dans leur rêve et c'est olé olé, je comprends pas.
Enfin, je n'ai pas été convaincu et je me suis un peu ennuyé parce que tout tourne autour des kidnappeurs et qui sont ils et où est passé Tarian?
January 7, 2026
Calanthe and Tarian were ethereal together. Going from strangers to meeting each other through dreams. The right about of snark, distrust, that melts into familiarity as the two twist their hopes and desires through their sleep filled encounters. I love the way they were written, the pacing of their relationship, the magic that whisps through how they met to how they interact. So much so the rest of the story was a shame.
Many of the other characters were grating. They felt like a distraction. They pulled away from the mysticism and I couldn't wait until their parts were over. Particularly the villain, villains' family and their soap opera like antics. Every time Calanthe was pulled from a dream and had to deal will reality felt rehashed and drug out. The overall story could have benefited more, I think, with less pages and not re-setting her predicament every time she was awoken.
Idk. I love Olivia's writing and expected so much more, but only enjoyed half the story. It became frustrating to read.
Many of the other characters were grating. They felt like a distraction. They pulled away from the mysticism and I couldn't wait until their parts were over. Particularly the villain, villains' family and their soap opera like antics. Every time Calanthe was pulled from a dream and had to deal will reality felt rehashed and drug out. The overall story could have benefited more, I think, with less pages and not re-setting her predicament every time she was awoken.
Idk. I love Olivia's writing and expected so much more, but only enjoyed half the story. It became frustrating to read.
August 7, 2024
3,75/5! Ale to była szalona historia. Tyle tu się działo (a akcja trwa około tygodnia). Bardzo podobały mi się sny, które łączyły głównych bohaterów, magiczne runy i kreacja bohaterów. Miałam wrażenie, że czytam wersję „Dynastii” ale z wątkami fantasy. Wszyscy chcieli się zabijać, wszyscy byli podejrzanymi. Naprawdę ta książka to jedna wielka akcja i wariacja. Myślę, że ta książka nie została napisana na serio, a dla zabawy i wyszło to świetnie! Bawiłam się wyśmienicie 🩶👀 🌵🌵🌵
May 23, 2025
If read a few the beauty and the beast retellings as it is my favorite. This one was quite different than others and not in a bad way. I loved the different approach. But it was less spicy than I thought it would be.
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