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Jewels of Asteria #1
To Break A Curse
He needs to capture her heart. She needs to escape. A kingdom’s fate rests in both their hands.
Arabelle loved this new, simple life. Loved it until her father returned from town and shattered it with a Her sister’s future was bartered away to a stranger.
To protect her sister, Arabelle takes her place with one thing in mind – to kill this stranger and return home. But when she meets him, she realizes she needs a new plan.
Lucien is happy to let the clock run down on his life if it means loving again. Love was at the root of everything. His downfall. His pain. His curse. He’d rather damn himself than love again. At least, that’s what he told himself.
Everything changes when she tries to stab him.
Time’s almost up, and he only has three months to do the impossible – convince someone he’s worth loving. It’s a battle of wills, self-loathing, and fear that will determine the future of every person in Grienia in this Once Upon a Time meets ACOTAR retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
Arabelle loved this new, simple life. Loved it until her father returned from town and shattered it with a Her sister’s future was bartered away to a stranger.
To protect her sister, Arabelle takes her place with one thing in mind – to kill this stranger and return home. But when she meets him, she realizes she needs a new plan.
Lucien is happy to let the clock run down on his life if it means loving again. Love was at the root of everything. His downfall. His pain. His curse. He’d rather damn himself than love again. At least, that’s what he told himself.
Everything changes when she tries to stab him.
Time’s almost up, and he only has three months to do the impossible – convince someone he’s worth loving. It’s a battle of wills, self-loathing, and fear that will determine the future of every person in Grienia in this Once Upon a Time meets ACOTAR retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
501 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 9, 2024
86 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Pierce
1 book5 followersJ. D. Pierce has loved storytelling for all her life. Whether it be in books, movies, television shows, anime, or video games. She decided to put pen to paper when she was 12 years old and write her first short story. Being encouraged by her 7th grade teacher, she continued to write. Throughout middle and high school, it was fan fiction with her friends. But as she approached the end of high school, she wanted to give writing something original a shot. In 2012, she made the decision to pursue publishing and share her work with the world.
Whenever she isn’t writing, she’s usually reading and snuggling with her two fur babies, Mew and Ziggy. She enjoys a multitude of creative outlets, from drawing to knitting. She also enjoys playing video games, going to see movies, curling up with a new television show or anime.
Whenever she isn’t writing, she’s usually reading and snuggling with her two fur babies, Mew and Ziggy. She enjoys a multitude of creative outlets, from drawing to knitting. She also enjoys playing video games, going to see movies, curling up with a new television show or anime.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 24, 2024
A much darker retelling of Beauty and the Beast, including representations of Belle (Arabelle), the Beast (Lucien), Gaston (Louis), and Lumiere (Elie). Except in this version, Belle's father Henri is a class one asshole willing to barter his two daughters for anything that will benefit him.
Captured by the Beast/Lucien when he is trespassing, Henri offers his youngest daughter Isla as a trade for his life. Not willing to see her younger sister be a pawn, Belle travels to Lucien's castle alone as tribute. During her time there, she learns more about out him and the curse that he desperately is working to break. Naturally, feelings grow between the two, encouraged by Elie who is looking out for his best friend.
The first 85% of the book was gripping and enjoyable. But the last 15%, where we learn a LOT of info about what has transpired over the preceding 20yrs, seemed almost out of place. There had been some foreshadowing earlier in the book that seemed sufficient, but the final few chapters was an overwhelming sharing of kingdom dynamics, magic and world-building, presumably setting up the next books in this series.
Overall, I did enjoy the book with a 3.5 star rating (rounded up for purposes of this review) and would recommend it if you are a Disney fan &/or a fan of high fantasy. The banter between Elie and Belle is fantastic (I kind of wanted them to get together lol), and the storytelling paints fantastic visuals to go along with the book.
My gratitude to author Jennifer Pierce for providing me a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Captured by the Beast/Lucien when he is trespassing, Henri offers his youngest daughter Isla as a trade for his life. Not willing to see her younger sister be a pawn, Belle travels to Lucien's castle alone as tribute. During her time there, she learns more about out him and the curse that he desperately is working to break. Naturally, feelings grow between the two, encouraged by Elie who is looking out for his best friend.
The first 85% of the book was gripping and enjoyable. But the last 15%, where we learn a LOT of info about what has transpired over the preceding 20yrs, seemed almost out of place. There had been some foreshadowing earlier in the book that seemed sufficient, but the final few chapters was an overwhelming sharing of kingdom dynamics, magic and world-building, presumably setting up the next books in this series.
Overall, I did enjoy the book with a 3.5 star rating (rounded up for purposes of this review) and would recommend it if you are a Disney fan &/or a fan of high fantasy. The banter between Elie and Belle is fantastic (I kind of wanted them to get together lol), and the storytelling paints fantastic visuals to go along with the book.
My gratitude to author Jennifer Pierce for providing me a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2025
This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling.
Think of Once Upon a Child meets ACOTAR.
The MAGIC SYSTEM! 😱Amazing and unique! I loved it!
The slight changes from the Disney story AND the throwbacks or the similarities 😍 if you like Disney or fairytale retellings, you’ll like this book!
I love that the fmc gets to be fierce. The mmc gets to be emotional.
I love that the world that draws you in, slowly expands over the course of the book, and each moment draws you in more and more because of the mystery and the pull of the curious magic! ✨
There’s a BIG REVEAL at the end that I was NOT expecting!
I cannot wait until we learn more about books 2 and 3!
Tropes:
- one horse
- good girl
- a$$hole dads
- cinnamon roll mmc
- fierce, independent, fmc
- found family
- mystery magic
- female empowerment
Think of Once Upon a Child meets ACOTAR.
The MAGIC SYSTEM! 😱Amazing and unique! I loved it!
The slight changes from the Disney story AND the throwbacks or the similarities 😍 if you like Disney or fairytale retellings, you’ll like this book!
I love that the fmc gets to be fierce. The mmc gets to be emotional.
I love that the world that draws you in, slowly expands over the course of the book, and each moment draws you in more and more because of the mystery and the pull of the curious magic! ✨
There’s a BIG REVEAL at the end that I was NOT expecting!
I cannot wait until we learn more about books 2 and 3!
Tropes:
- one horse
- good girl
- a$$hole dads
- cinnamon roll mmc
- fierce, independent, fmc
- found family
- mystery magic
- female empowerment
July 20, 2025
I did not love this. Instead of them falling in love the traditional way, they had magic dreams and she fell in love with the dream version before the beast version. There's a lot more in there but it's not my style either. Then the curse breaks and it's like two lines. Poof he's a hot guy again, and that was it. After that it was a hot mess. Like poof he's hot, poof he has a brother, poof he's got his magic back, oh and by the way the curse made everyone forget we're fairies, poof let's go kick your dad, poof the castle is back to opulent, time for banging.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2025
A Captivating Twist on a Classic Fairytale
What a wonderful story!
I absolutely love this rendition of a classic fairytale. J.D. Pierce has taken a familiar tale and made it entirely her own. Her storytelling kept me captivated, and I found myself reading into the early hours of the morning on several occasions. I would have finished the book sooner, but life sometimes takes precedence over my reading pleasure.
The character building is spot on, with details woven together to create a vivid and immersive world. But it doesn’t stop there. This author goes beyond the original fairytale to craft a new, magical realm that completely swept me away. I was fully invested in the characters, laughing at their banter and cheering them on. Belle, in particular, is a sassy, strong-willed woman who’s tired of people telling her what to do and how to do it.
I absolutely recommend this book! You’ll be eager to know what happens next...I know I am.
What a wonderful story!
I absolutely love this rendition of a classic fairytale. J.D. Pierce has taken a familiar tale and made it entirely her own. Her storytelling kept me captivated, and I found myself reading into the early hours of the morning on several occasions. I would have finished the book sooner, but life sometimes takes precedence over my reading pleasure.
The character building is spot on, with details woven together to create a vivid and immersive world. But it doesn’t stop there. This author goes beyond the original fairytale to craft a new, magical realm that completely swept me away. I was fully invested in the characters, laughing at their banter and cheering them on. Belle, in particular, is a sassy, strong-willed woman who’s tired of people telling her what to do and how to do it.
I absolutely recommend this book! You’ll be eager to know what happens next...I know I am.
October 23, 2025
3⭐️ out of 5 ⭐️
3🌶️ out of 5 🌶️
Okay okay another retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a whole lot of twists.
The book was at times a bit hard to get into but once you kept going, it picked up fast!
Arabelle is probably my second least favorite Belle representation but she was still good.
The storyline felt choppy at times and some parts of the story felt like it wasn’t needed at times.
However! The ending of the book made my jaw hit the floor!
3🌶️ out of 5 🌶️
Okay okay another retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a whole lot of twists.
The book was at times a bit hard to get into but once you kept going, it picked up fast!
Arabelle is probably my second least favorite Belle representation but she was still good.
The storyline felt choppy at times and some parts of the story felt like it wasn’t needed at times.
However! The ending of the book made my jaw hit the floor!
March 3, 2025
This is the perfect beauty and the beast retelling that actually reminded me disneys 🙈 but somehow she managed to add more to the story we all love and adore! Fae lore! And more drama!! I was just missing madam teapot and chip !
Also what are your guesses for next retelling? Because I have non lol
🌶️/5
Also what are your guesses for next retelling? Because I have non lol
🌶️/5
October 18, 2025
BEAUTY and the Beast retelling
I've always loved Beauty and the Beast but this was a spin off /retelling of the story. It's a slow burn romance but the story was good. EXCITED to see where book 2 takes us.
I've always loved Beauty and the Beast but this was a spin off /retelling of the story. It's a slow burn romance but the story was good. EXCITED to see where book 2 takes us.
July 21, 2025
DNF at 38%. Nothing was really happening, I found it quite boring and I didn’t connect with the characters to the point I didn’t really care how it ended so DNF.
December 27, 2024
Beauty and the Beast retelling, anyone?
This book takes the classic story and makes it spicier with a more complex curse. At first, I thought this book was going to be too similar to the big D’s version of Beauty and the Beast, but as you get into the book, it gets more complex and brings new elements that were really intriguing. I’m excited to see where the next book takes us in this world.
A father’s selfishness.
A sister’s sacrifice.
A beast to keep her captive.
Big thanks to JD Pierce for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
This book takes the classic story and makes it spicier with a more complex curse. At first, I thought this book was going to be too similar to the big D’s version of Beauty and the Beast, but as you get into the book, it gets more complex and brings new elements that were really intriguing. I’m excited to see where the next book takes us in this world.
A father’s selfishness.
A sister’s sacrifice.
A beast to keep her captive.
Big thanks to JD Pierce for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 30, 2025
As a girl who grew up utterly obsessed with Beauty and the Beast, this retelling was so needed in my life 🖤 🥀
September 24, 2025
I don't normally write book reviews. However, this book was such a shock to me that I had to! I received this book for free from a Stuff your Kindle Day, and could not be happier. This Beauty and the Beast retelling, while initially seeming a bit on the nose, diverged in a dark and lovely way. The pace of the plot was very satisfying until the end when I am so impressed that this is the author's first book (that I could find!) and wanted to leave a review to show my enthusiasm for the continuation of the series.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews