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The Making of a Beauty
A contemporary Christian retelling of The Ugly Duckling.
Calysta Daniels was born from her father’s greatest mistake. To atone for this, she lives in her half-sisters’ shadow and carves her pain into her own skin. When her father’s ships sink, their family loses it all, so they move to the house of a dead mother she was never allowed to know.
In Lumaire Valley, her great-aunt threatens them with the past, unraveling the forgotten reality that Calysta’s mother was not a scandal, but a source of faith, of love, of something beautiful. Drawn by her mother’s legacy, Calysta faces who she’s always never a mistake. Not just a duckling. A black swan — strange, rare, and real.
The Making of a Beauty is a raw, faith-fueled, coming-of-age novel that shows a God who doesn’t always erase our scars. He rewrites them.
Calysta Daniels was born from her father’s greatest mistake. To atone for this, she lives in her half-sisters’ shadow and carves her pain into her own skin. When her father’s ships sink, their family loses it all, so they move to the house of a dead mother she was never allowed to know.
In Lumaire Valley, her great-aunt threatens them with the past, unraveling the forgotten reality that Calysta’s mother was not a scandal, but a source of faith, of love, of something beautiful. Drawn by her mother’s legacy, Calysta faces who she’s always never a mistake. Not just a duckling. A black swan — strange, rare, and real.
The Making of a Beauty is a raw, faith-fueled, coming-of-age novel that shows a God who doesn’t always erase our scars. He rewrites them.
334 pages, Paperback
Published April 25, 2025
48 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 16, 2025
5 ☆
-ˏˋ⋆ ᴡ ᴇ ʟ ᴄ ᴏ ᴍ ᴇ ⋆ˊˎ-
I haven’t given a book a five star review in so long, it honestly feels weird doing it. But this book was definitely worth it. The writing was so beautiful, the story was so beautiful…I don’t even know what I’m gonna say this whole review except wow.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
‧₊˚✧Calysta✧˚₊‧
→ This is the main character, and don’t get me wrong I love her, but she can also be a little annoying at times, but that’s only sometimes and it's not that bad. Honestly I have read much worse characters. She was deep and she was just super well written. The author really spoke so well of her hopelessness in the beginning, then as readers we got to see her grow as a person, get friends, gain more self worth, and become the person that honestly I was wanting to see.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
‧₊˚✧Setting✧˚₊‧
There were multiple settings for this book. They started in this big city that I totally forgot the name of, and it was basically the home of all the really rich and influential people. Then Calysta and her family move to a smaller, more humble town for reasons that you would have to read the book to figure out, hehe. But I definitely like the smaller town, as well as the people in it!
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
‧₊˚✧Plot✧˚₊
The plot was awesome! It was just so beautiful honestly watching Calysta grow so much in so many different ways. The ending is so happy and fulfilling and beautiful, and I cried like a baby. It was so nostalgic honestly to the rest of the book, and it really highlighted just how far our beautiful Calysta had come.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
‧₊˚✧Overall✧˚₊‧
But overall, despite the flaws, this book was beautiful, as it teaches so many times. The author deserves every single star in my rating, and so so many more. The author has done amazing, life changing work here. It’s a story about loss, pain, rejection, regret, low self-esteem, scars, but overall, growth, and how no matter what you’re going through, no matter how horrible you think you are, no matter how hopeless and scarred you are, in God’s eyes, you’re the most beautiful thing. And it’s His specialty to turn the most ugly, horrible scars into beauty.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
Follow Me!╰┈➤
-ˏˋ⋆ ᴡ ᴇ ʟ ᴄ ᴏ ᴍ ᴇ ⋆ˊˎ-
I haven’t given a book a five star review in so long, it honestly feels weird doing it. But this book was definitely worth it. The writing was so beautiful, the story was so beautiful…I don’t even know what I’m gonna say this whole review except wow.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
‧₊˚✧Calysta✧˚₊‧
→ This is the main character, and don’t get me wrong I love her, but she can also be a little annoying at times, but that’s only sometimes and it's not that bad. Honestly I have read much worse characters. She was deep and she was just super well written. The author really spoke so well of her hopelessness in the beginning, then as readers we got to see her grow as a person, get friends, gain more self worth, and become the person that honestly I was wanting to see.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
‧₊˚✧Setting✧˚₊‧
There were multiple settings for this book. They started in this big city that I totally forgot the name of, and it was basically the home of all the really rich and influential people. Then Calysta and her family move to a smaller, more humble town for reasons that you would have to read the book to figure out, hehe. But I definitely like the smaller town, as well as the people in it!
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
‧₊˚✧Plot✧˚₊
The plot was awesome! It was just so beautiful honestly watching Calysta grow so much in so many different ways. The ending is so happy and fulfilling and beautiful, and I cried like a baby. It was so nostalgic honestly to the rest of the book, and it really highlighted just how far our beautiful Calysta had come.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
‧₊˚✧Overall✧˚₊‧
But overall, despite the flaws, this book was beautiful, as it teaches so many times. The author deserves every single star in my rating, and so so many more. The author has done amazing, life changing work here. It’s a story about loss, pain, rejection, regret, low self-esteem, scars, but overall, growth, and how no matter what you’re going through, no matter how horrible you think you are, no matter how hopeless and scarred you are, in God’s eyes, you’re the most beautiful thing. And it’s His specialty to turn the most ugly, horrible scars into beauty.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
Follow Me!╰┈➤
April 24, 2025
the real kind of beauty
Joanna has done it again!!! This story will grab your attention quickly. A beauty is made only when she realizes that beauty goes beyond the outward appearance. Very well done!!!
Joanna has done it again!!! This story will grab your attention quickly. A beauty is made only when she realizes that beauty goes beyond the outward appearance. Very well done!!!
July 26, 2025
Wonderful story!
What a breathtaking view of the tragedy that can happen to others. I hope you read it and feel better for it's messages. It's faith based and will have you laughing, crying and praising God.
I tried to give it 5* but it's not working.
I received this book from the author as an ARC but any and all opinions are my own voluntarily.
What a breathtaking view of the tragedy that can happen to others. I hope you read it and feel better for it's messages. It's faith based and will have you laughing, crying and praising God.
I tried to give it 5* but it's not working.
I received this book from the author as an ARC but any and all opinions are my own voluntarily.
May 25, 2025
The Making of a Beauty was a truly beautiful read. It's raw and gritty, per the author's usual style, but it's also filled with God's hope, love, and redemption. It's a journey that I'm now glad I took with Calysta, since I think it gives the reader a better understanding of her character before starting The Beauty in Their Scars. The author already knows that I was both excited and nervous to start this book (the latter because of the content warning), but I think she dealt with it appropriately and always with grace. Yes, there are a couple of graphic scenes about it (more on this in the content part below), and the reader is given the choice to read them or not since those chapters come with a warning, but I was a "let's go with the full experience" kind of reader with this book, and even though they were hard to read, I'm glad I did since it is part of her journey and serves to better understand people like her going through it (and isn't that one of the reasons why we read fiction?)
Another thing that didn't make me too keen on moving up this book on my TBR (until I realized I needed to read this one in preparation for the next, if I wanted to understand things chronologically) was the "not a romantic book" tag it came with. However, I had forgotten how books that don't focus on the romance end up showcasing better the friendships the main character develops. I loved Malaya from the first time we saw her "on screen," and I was intrigued by Lance since that first mention of his "lost little duckling" (I loved how the story arc played out with him. It was perfectly fitting). But my favorite might very well be Bee (and also Adam). I definitely look up to her and would love to hang out with and/or be part of her small group's bible studies. Her love for others and the special spot she had for the ones in need made her truly special, and I loved her journey as well. 💗
Truly, this book deals with a lot of different themes (hence its length), but while some of them are heavy (and I don't only mean the s3lf h4rm but also things like shame and bullying), there's always the promise of Good defeating evil, and Light winning over the darkness. You can truly feel the author's heart regarding this theme, and I think she's rocking the Christian retellings, because this Ugly Duckling one was just as enjoyable as the one of Queen Esther. Now I can't wait to see how The Beauty and the Beast plays out! So excited for it!! ~ 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
Content:
Viol3nce: s3lf-h4rm. While clearly marked, if you want the specific chapters, they're #3 and #13. If you want to skip the actual scenes, Chapter 3 is from when the red ice cream tin is mentioned till about the "thud" or till about Karina starts talking to her. For #13, it's the last couple of pages of said chapter.
Another thing that didn't make me too keen on moving up this book on my TBR (until I realized I needed to read this one in preparation for the next, if I wanted to understand things chronologically) was the "not a romantic book" tag it came with. However, I had forgotten how books that don't focus on the romance end up showcasing better the friendships the main character develops. I loved Malaya from the first time we saw her "on screen," and I was intrigued by Lance since that first mention of his "lost little duckling" (I loved how the story arc played out with him. It was perfectly fitting). But my favorite might very well be Bee (and also Adam). I definitely look up to her and would love to hang out with and/or be part of her small group's bible studies. Her love for others and the special spot she had for the ones in need made her truly special, and I loved her journey as well. 💗
Truly, this book deals with a lot of different themes (hence its length), but while some of them are heavy (and I don't only mean the s3lf h4rm but also things like shame and bullying), there's always the promise of Good defeating evil, and Light winning over the darkness. You can truly feel the author's heart regarding this theme, and I think she's rocking the Christian retellings, because this Ugly Duckling one was just as enjoyable as the one of Queen Esther. Now I can't wait to see how The Beauty and the Beast plays out! So excited for it!! ~ 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
Content:
Viol3nce: s3lf-h4rm. While clearly marked, if you want the specific chapters, they're #3 and #13. If you want to skip the actual scenes, Chapter 3 is from when the red ice cream tin is mentioned till about the "thud" or till about Karina starts talking to her. For #13, it's the last couple of pages of said chapter.
June 27, 2025
The Making of a Beauty by Joanna Alonzo was an awesome book, but very emotional. And just as a warning, the main character self harms, and there are some chapters where we see her cutting. Those chapters do have a warning at the beginning though.
This story is a prequel in the author's The Sacred and the Scarred series. Book one, The Beauty in Their Scars, released this week, and I can't wait to continue Calysta's story. She has so much she struggles with as the half sister to popular twins Karina and Paige. She feels like a shadow compared to them, because of them and their friends'treatment of her. But suddenly their situation changes and they have to move and it looks like things just might get better for Calysta...or maybe not.
This story takes place in the fictional countries of Ancoria and Qranth. At the beginning of the story, the Daniels family lives quite comfortably in Eirin City in Qranth. Due to certain circumstances they have to move to Chelidon, an isledom of Ancoria, where most of the story takes place, and the family isn't living near as comfortably, much to the dismay of the twins. We see the story from Calysta's point of view and see her struggles, quite intensely at times, and her trumphs. There are family, and friends, and enemies, and crushes. And we see her learning about God, Jesus and Christianity.
I loved the relationships Calysta made and the way God starts working in her life. And how she learns about true beauty. The little boutique where she works sounds like a wonderful place and her boss sounds like a wonderful woman and friend. One strong in her faith.
Then there is the introduction to Brendan who I can't wait to learn more about. So far he seems like a bit of a creep, but we only see him briefly.
Though there are some heart wrenching scenes, there is a good amount of humor and typical teen angst as well.
It's a great book and I'm glad I realized I needed to read it before The Beauty in Their Scars.
This story is a prequel in the author's The Sacred and the Scarred series. Book one, The Beauty in Their Scars, released this week, and I can't wait to continue Calysta's story. She has so much she struggles with as the half sister to popular twins Karina and Paige. She feels like a shadow compared to them, because of them and their friends'treatment of her. But suddenly their situation changes and they have to move and it looks like things just might get better for Calysta...or maybe not.
This story takes place in the fictional countries of Ancoria and Qranth. At the beginning of the story, the Daniels family lives quite comfortably in Eirin City in Qranth. Due to certain circumstances they have to move to Chelidon, an isledom of Ancoria, where most of the story takes place, and the family isn't living near as comfortably, much to the dismay of the twins. We see the story from Calysta's point of view and see her struggles, quite intensely at times, and her trumphs. There are family, and friends, and enemies, and crushes. And we see her learning about God, Jesus and Christianity.
I loved the relationships Calysta made and the way God starts working in her life. And how she learns about true beauty. The little boutique where she works sounds like a wonderful place and her boss sounds like a wonderful woman and friend. One strong in her faith.
Then there is the introduction to Brendan who I can't wait to learn more about. So far he seems like a bit of a creep, but we only see him briefly.
Though there are some heart wrenching scenes, there is a good amount of humor and typical teen angst as well.
It's a great book and I'm glad I realized I needed to read it before The Beauty in Their Scars.
June 7, 2025
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫: 12/25
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Contemporary
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: "Children shouldn't leave toy stores with scars, but Calysta Daniels walked out of Wonder Chest in tears, broken in both soul and skin."
I just finished another amazing story today, and here I am, struggling to find words to describe how beautiful and deeply moving it is. 💕
I love reading christian contemporary stories IF DONE RIGHT. Not those that shove you with their opinions.
The Making of a Beauty presented God, His love, and the christian values in a loving kind of way. One that is sincere, while not shying away from the truth and reality.
The characters and their situations (and decisions) are so relatable that I even messaged the author about it. 🙈
I also appreciate the author for putting trigger warnings since there are self harm in this story.
I still recommend you read the books in publication order. 😊
Again, another highly recommended book from Joanna Alonzo. 🦆
I still have more to say about this book but I don't want to spoil you all. 🙈
P.s.
And will Lance be having his novella soon? 🙈
𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌.
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Contemporary
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: "Children shouldn't leave toy stores with scars, but Calysta Daniels walked out of Wonder Chest in tears, broken in both soul and skin."
I just finished another amazing story today, and here I am, struggling to find words to describe how beautiful and deeply moving it is. 💕
I love reading christian contemporary stories IF DONE RIGHT. Not those that shove you with their opinions.
The Making of a Beauty presented God, His love, and the christian values in a loving kind of way. One that is sincere, while not shying away from the truth and reality.
The characters and their situations (and decisions) are so relatable that I even messaged the author about it. 🙈
I also appreciate the author for putting trigger warnings since there are self harm in this story.
I still recommend you read the books in publication order. 😊
Again, another highly recommended book from Joanna Alonzo. 🦆
I still have more to say about this book but I don't want to spoil you all. 🙈
P.s.
And will Lance be having his novella soon? 🙈
𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌.
April 28, 2025
Years ago I read the Calysta trilogy that will be rereleasing an updated version starting next month. This is the prequel novel to that. It is Christian fiction and centers around Calysta as a teenager. She lives with her dad and two older step sisters. This is an ugly duckling retelling. It was a great prequel novel to the trilogy and it really sets up Calista‘s character in the trials she has been through. She always feels less then and has turned to self harm as a manner of coping. Calista has always resonated deeply with me because of that shared piece of our teenage story. This Noble is very thorough on her journey towards transformation and towards Faith. It was a great journey. It was slow moving, as I had been told it would be. It can definitely be read as a standalone with its coming-of-age and journey to faith themes. If you want to get a full sense of Callistus character, I suggest you definitely read this prequel before you start her beauty and the beast retelling trilogy.
May 10, 2025
Wow. I’ve read previous versions of this story, but an expanded Calysta novel? I totally love it! I appreciate how expanding this story gave time and space for some of the harder stuff; to sit with the questions and wonder. I love love love that “the messenger” got her own chapter! Dots were connected a lot faster. I am looking forward to the rest of the series, and how the messenger will appear! So many different thoughts when it comes to this book. I will most definitely be reading it again (and again, and again)!
I am also super impressed with Joanna Alonzo and how far her writing and storytelling have been refined and improving! She is most definitely an author to keep up with!
I am also super impressed with Joanna Alonzo and how far her writing and storytelling have been refined and improving! She is most definitely an author to keep up with!
April 26, 2025
An Inspiring Book
Joanna Alonzo is one of my favourite authors, who always writes with heart, integrity, and originality. This book deals with serious issues in a relatable way, revealing the beauty that can come from dark places, and lighting the way to inspire readers. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Joanna Alonzo is one of my favourite authors, who always writes with heart, integrity, and originality. This book deals with serious issues in a relatable way, revealing the beauty that can come from dark places, and lighting the way to inspire readers. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 16, 2025
What a beautiful story!
Read
July 1, 2025On pause for now! Going to catch up with ARCS and paused TBR books.
May 25, 2025
This book is perma-free on all major ebook retailers! I recommend Smashwords.
In The Making of a Beauty, Joanna Alonzo crafts an immersive setting and a poignant character arc for her main character Calysta. My favorite part had to be the setting, which floats somewhere between contemporary and non-magical fantasy. Even though the time period seems recent-ish, this story is set in two fictional countries. Most of the book takes place in the glamorous metropolis of Eirin City and the peaceful island community of Lumaire Valley. Dreamlike and imaginative, the settings transport the reader into an escapist world. While I wasn’t enthused by the amount of AI art involved, I did like that the text contains links to pages on the author’s website regarding different aspects of the setting.
The novel centers around Calysta’s conversion and realization that she is beautiful. Her character arc was simple but moving. I liked the side characters as well, especially Bee and Adam. While I can’t say I agreed with every aspect of the story, none of the confusing parts were enough to mar my admiration for the book as a whole.
I received a free copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review.
In The Making of a Beauty, Joanna Alonzo crafts an immersive setting and a poignant character arc for her main character Calysta. My favorite part had to be the setting, which floats somewhere between contemporary and non-magical fantasy. Even though the time period seems recent-ish, this story is set in two fictional countries. Most of the book takes place in the glamorous metropolis of Eirin City and the peaceful island community of Lumaire Valley. Dreamlike and imaginative, the settings transport the reader into an escapist world. While I wasn’t enthused by the amount of AI art involved, I did like that the text contains links to pages on the author’s website regarding different aspects of the setting.
The novel centers around Calysta’s conversion and realization that she is beautiful. Her character arc was simple but moving. I liked the side characters as well, especially Bee and Adam. While I can’t say I agreed with every aspect of the story, none of the confusing parts were enough to mar my admiration for the book as a whole.
I received a free copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review.
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