Tarnished: A Beast and Her King

by Natisha Raynor

Ballad Logan feels cursed. At a young age a freak accident disfigures one side of her face causing her to become isolated and withdrawn. Ballad is insecure about her looks and bitter. Her withdrawn demeanor and brash attitude contribute to her not having many friends. Ballad doesn’t care about friends or love. In an effort to protect her heart, she doesn’t let people in. Life had never been too kind to her but rather than crying about it, she accepted the hand that she was dealt. A job that is offered to Ballad starts the chain of events that will change the trajectory of her life forever. When she has no choice but to let a stranger in, she finally discovers what having real emotions and genuine relationships is about. She also stumbles upon the answers to questions she’s had ever since her accident, and the opportunity to seek revenge lands at her doorstep.

Ryker Kofi’s life has been upside down since his mother died when he was fifteen. To make matters worse, he had barely begun to process his grief when his father remarried. Ryker hates his stepmother and wishes daily that she would drop dead. That doesn’t happen, however, and when his father dies, Ryker finds out just how evil his stepmother really is. Ryker is almost out of options when a chance encounter with a scarred stranger changes everything.

Genres: Audiobook

121 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 12, 2025

Reviews

[Lisette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happily Ever After

This was a really good urban fantasy story. I usually do not like when the villain gets a POV but in this case, it really worked. We got to see from the very beginning who and what Queenie was and everything she deserved. I enjoyed the way everything played out.

[Monica B · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
I have read at least 8-9 books by this author. Her books are hit or miss in my opinion. Fortunately for me, this book was a HIT!!!! Well written, detailed storyline and the pacing made sense. The characters were likable especially the FMC and MMC. I was pleasantly surprised! This was a good read. I would love a sequel if it can be well written! Ballard and Ryker story was interesting

[JazzReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

This book was such a cute read. I read this book for a reading sprint and I enjoyed the characters and the storytelling. Overall good story

[Monique · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

This was good and my first foray into what I’m assuming would be classified as urban fantasy. I also really liked the spin on Beauty and the Beast, which happens to be my favorite Disney movie. I liked both main characters, flaws and all.

The only reason I didn’t rate this higher is because I didn’t really connect with the romance between Ballad and Ryker. Nothing happened romantically between them until the last 25% of the book, which was a little disappointing because the glimpse of them that we DID get, I loved! The way Ryker affirmed her and helped her see how beautiful she was, both physically and in the way he recognized what a dope spirit she had, was really endearing.

So yeah, I liked this. I just wish the romance had been stronger. I’m fine with waiting until the latter part of the book for things to happen, but I needed some breadcrumbs along the way to make me believe in their connection—especially from Ryker’s side. A little more romantic development leading up to those final scenes would have made their relationship much more satisfying for me.

[Roxy Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

SOOOOO GOOOOOD

This is such a good read Enchanted Isle seemed like a place that you don’t just drive to but you find by taking a odd turn or it just appears when necessary, this was not just sweet but it had all the fairytale vibes, with a little extra, Ballad scared self conscious women who’s a bounty hunter then there’s Ryker who losses his only surviving parent now how these two initially meet is funny but the way they heal each other is beautiful …I don’t understand how Queenie thought she was going to get away talking to Milone like that. I hope there are more stories to come
? What happened to Rykers brother Far

[Sassha Reads❤️❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ryker and His Ballad

Champion and Nori were in love and pregnant with their first child when his father arranged for him to be married to Queenie who was an evil wench. Queenie did a lot of terrible, horrific things to get her way but I feel that she really should’ve ended up in prison for her actions. What happened to the money that Queenie stole from Champion? What happened to Far and why didn’t we really get any background on him other than being Queenie’s son? What did Ryker and Ballad have? I have so many unanswered questions.

[Kokola Foote · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I still read fairy tales. They’re just a little spicier now.”

Tarnished: A Beast and Her King gave me Beauty and the Beast vibes with a grown up twist!

This story delivers true love, the kind that sees your scars, knows your hurt, and chooses you anyway. Seeing that kind of love unfold while karma came full circle made the story even more satisfying!

What I loved most was the reminder that being hurt doesn’t mean your story can’t end beautifully. Nothing is impossible, and sometimes love shows up after you’ve stopped believing it will.

[SumFire · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️
Beauty & Beast retelling with an FMC as the Beast

🤷🏾‍♀️ Frankly, I had questions!
The world building tested my imagination to no ends. Was this a modern society with a sprinkle of magical elements?

Where was Queenie's son? Yeah, karma, but was it a logical end?

Some say Queenie was the villain, I say Champion could have saved all parties involved a whole lot of pain and suffering had he been a man from the jump!

[MagicKalUniKorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairytale Ending 3.75 ⭐️

I really enjoyed Tarnished and Natisha Raynor’s spin on Beauty and the Beast! ❤️ I loved Ballad and Ryker individually, but baby, I needed the romance to ROMANCE! 😂 The little bit we got was so sweet, especially Ryker affirming Ballad and reminding her how beautiful and dope she was. Overall, this was a good read with two characters I really liked. I just needed the romance to ROMANCE a little harder! ❤️

[Charlotte Bembry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it!

Fairytales do take place. Queenie was an all around horrible person and I’m glad that she got exactly what she deserved. Everything that she meant for evil turned around and allowed a few others to get their happily ever after. Well written, flowed well and definitely kept my attention.

[Cre8tive Dreamz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happily Ever After

What a beautiful fairytale!!!…I was so excited for Ballad and Nori both!!!…To love a man so long and know that another woman tried to take him away from you and then you see him and you get your happily ever after is a beautiful thing!!!…
I love how Ryker spk life and positivity into Ballad!!!…
Queen got the very miserable life that she deserved!!!…

[Rhina M. Finley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Beauty and the Beast Retelling!

Natisha Raynor stepped out her norm of urban lit to writing a fabulous, dark, and heart pounding retelling of Beauty and the Beast! This was exceptionally good!Read Tarnished: A Beast and Her King and enter into Enchanted Isle where fairies 🧚🏾‍♀️, tigers 🐅, where an unique land with magic 🪄 lives!

[Verlana Munn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natisha, as always you weave such an inviting story. A twisted tale that may or may not be real. It's evil selfish folk everywhere that may succeed in the foul things they do. Love will always win in the end. 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

[La Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool story!

Normally I’m not into these types of stories but Natisha is so dope I’d read her ABC’s😂I loved this story and I was so happy Queenie caught Nori’s hands. Hateful itch. To do a kid like that is Wow because he didn’t want you. Stupid itch😡

[Deborah Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Talk about Karma, baby..... Queenhie received all of the karma and then some. I was pleased with the outcome for Ryker and Ballad, but especially Nori and Champion. Love is love and when it's at the core of someone's heart, no one can break that bond.

[Samantha Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥰🥰🥰🥰

This story was so cute, I loved it. I’m glad Ballad and Ryker got their HEA. I’m glad her mom and dad also came back together. Most importantly I’m happy AF Queenie got what she deserved.

[Kennesha Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love conquers all!

This was a super cute story!! Queenie got everything she deserved, just evil for no reason!! Ballad and Ryker was everything and more, he brought her out if her shell!

And Champion and Nori, yep love conquers all!!

[Val but you can call me Shug · Rating 4 out of 5]

so cute

I really enjoyed this story from the author. I liked how she flipped who the beast was. I also like that she incorporated two fairytales and blended them together perfectly. Beauty and the beast and Cinderella.

[Author Jen Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute

I loved this story. It was a roller coaster. From Nori and Queenie to Ballad and Ryker, this was really great. Connecting them the way she did was dope, and I truly enjoyed this. Can't wait to see more from Enchanted Isles.

[Hazel Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Wins Over Evil💕💕

I loved this it was like a fairytale. Queenie always wanted what she couldn't have, she would hurt anyone that got in her way. In the end everyone got their HEA except for Queenie. Kudos to the author👏🏾👏🏾

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tarnished: A Beast and Her King

This book was a Good Read. The author penmanship was very good. The storyline and the characters were very interesting and captivating. There is karma and hope and a true love ending in this story. I would recommend reading the book.

[Sheena Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely written

I love a good paranormal book! This wasn’t filled with werewolves, vampires, trolls, elves, etc. Just a sprinkle of magic, a sprinkle of the villain, the damsel, and the hero. There were a few heroes in this book and I loved it!

[Terry Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enchanted

I usually don’t read books like this one but I actually enjoyed it. Queenie has a rotten soul and deserved everything that came to her. Glad Nori and Champion got their HEA along with Ryker and Ballard. Truly a great story.

[Bkdoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is a amazing fairytale for adults!

Thank you, I enjoyed this fairytale so much the storyline was great the switch up was a fantastic idea. I would love to read another fairytale from this author she did it right!

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice cute short read.

It was like a fairy tale retelling with a hint of black thrown in..

Everything did happen so fast though. If it was told with a better pacing definitely would have gave it more stars.

[Terra Robinson · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

This was different...

A fairytale retelling with Beauty and the Beast elements, is how the author described it. It was a nice changeup from the usual romantic tropes, that I enjoyed via audiobook.

[Shahtia Gay-hairston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tarnished

This was a good read. I felt sorry for the villain until I didn’t 😂 Queenie was just too evil. I 💜 how Ballad and Ryker fell in love.

[Shaunphoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryker!!

This was different but I liked it. Ballad had a wall up for so long was happy for her when she let Ryker in. I would like an update on them.

[Antoinette Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute reversal

Loved the story line. Good will always overcome evil. Love conquers all. You reap what you sow. But what happened to Far?

[Michelle Cudjoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enchanted indeed!!

Natisha Raynor, woman, I swear you can do no wrong.
I absolutely loved your adaptation of Beauty and The Beast.
You deserve all your flowers 💐 💛 ✨️