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The Cursed Kings Fairy Tales #2
Alchemy of the Heart
He has claws, fangs, and three weeks to live. Somehow, he’s still not the monster in this story.
I was supposed to marry Alric, a wealthy merchant prince who promised to fund my alchemy. Then I discovered what he really wanted: my formulas, my obedience, and the right to call both his.
So I ran.
King Leopold finds me injured in the cursed woods and carries me to a frozen castle no one dares approach. He should terrify me. Instead, the beast gives me something no man ever has—freedom. A library filled with forgotten knowledge. A laboratory of my own. The chance to decide what my life will become.
Then I learn his curse is killing him.
Leopold’s life is bound to the enchanted roses dying in his garden. When the last one falls, he dies with it. Twelve alchemists have already failed to save him, but surrender has never been one of my strengths.
The cure I’m developing could break his curse, or transfer it to me. And while I race to finish it, Alric is marching towards the castle with an army, determined to reclaim his runaway bride.
To save the beast, I may have to risk becoming one.
But I already know the truth: monsters aren’t always the ones with claws.
A Beauty and the Beast retelling about a woman fighting for her freedom, a cursed king who refuses to take it from her, and the dangerous things we choose for love.
I was supposed to marry Alric, a wealthy merchant prince who promised to fund my alchemy. Then I discovered what he really wanted: my formulas, my obedience, and the right to call both his.
So I ran.
King Leopold finds me injured in the cursed woods and carries me to a frozen castle no one dares approach. He should terrify me. Instead, the beast gives me something no man ever has—freedom. A library filled with forgotten knowledge. A laboratory of my own. The chance to decide what my life will become.
Then I learn his curse is killing him.
Leopold’s life is bound to the enchanted roses dying in his garden. When the last one falls, he dies with it. Twelve alchemists have already failed to save him, but surrender has never been one of my strengths.
The cure I’m developing could break his curse, or transfer it to me. And while I race to finish it, Alric is marching towards the castle with an army, determined to reclaim his runaway bride.
To save the beast, I may have to risk becoming one.
But I already know the truth: monsters aren’t always the ones with claws.
A Beauty and the Beast retelling about a woman fighting for her freedom, a cursed king who refuses to take it from her, and the dangerous things we choose for love.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
This author!!! Rachel!!!!!! Ahhhh!!! 😭 She's an auto-buy author for me, and she absolutely nails it once again with this story!
I don't know how she does it, but she makes me cry... and I'm not a crier. Something about her writing pulls so many emotions out of me, and it gets me every. single. time. She hits all the feels and somehow doesn't let go even after the story ends.
This one is a Beauty and the Beast retelling following Leopold and Calista. There are definitely similarities to the classic tale, but there's also so much here that's completely new. This retelling feels refreshing! familiar enough to take you back and make you reminisce about a story you know and love, while still completely reeling you into the world she's created and making it stand on its own.
And this WORLD. I swear I teleport there while I'm reading. Her attention to detail has the entire book playing like a movie in my head. I don't feel like I'm just reading about these characters, I feel like I'm right there with them, witnessing everything firsthand and feeling every emotion right along with them.
I'm still in awe days after finishing and already craving and anticipating the next one. I was reeled in from page one, and this book gripped my heart and refused to let go. Leo and Calista dug their way into my soul immediately. Their banter, intelligence, and undeniable chemistry had me swooning, laughing, gasping, crying... all the things. The romance, emotion, tension, humor... top tier across the board and so perfectly balanced.
This is technically the second book in the series, and I do recommend reading Mirror of Hearts first to get the full experience. That being said, this can be read as a standalone. The author does a phenomenal job of giving you enough context that all the vital pieces are clear without making you feel lost.
Absolutely beautiful. Emotional. Addicting. And somehow I'm supposed to just move on with my life now after Leo and Calista??? 😭 Patiently waiting for the next one.
✔️Beast hero
✔️Found family
✔️Slow burn
✔️Romantasy
✔️Forced proximity
✔️ Fairytale retelling
I don't know how she does it, but she makes me cry... and I'm not a crier. Something about her writing pulls so many emotions out of me, and it gets me every. single. time. She hits all the feels and somehow doesn't let go even after the story ends.
This one is a Beauty and the Beast retelling following Leopold and Calista. There are definitely similarities to the classic tale, but there's also so much here that's completely new. This retelling feels refreshing! familiar enough to take you back and make you reminisce about a story you know and love, while still completely reeling you into the world she's created and making it stand on its own.
And this WORLD. I swear I teleport there while I'm reading. Her attention to detail has the entire book playing like a movie in my head. I don't feel like I'm just reading about these characters, I feel like I'm right there with them, witnessing everything firsthand and feeling every emotion right along with them.
I'm still in awe days after finishing and already craving and anticipating the next one. I was reeled in from page one, and this book gripped my heart and refused to let go. Leo and Calista dug their way into my soul immediately. Their banter, intelligence, and undeniable chemistry had me swooning, laughing, gasping, crying... all the things. The romance, emotion, tension, humor... top tier across the board and so perfectly balanced.
This is technically the second book in the series, and I do recommend reading Mirror of Hearts first to get the full experience. That being said, this can be read as a standalone. The author does a phenomenal job of giving you enough context that all the vital pieces are clear without making you feel lost.
Absolutely beautiful. Emotional. Addicting. And somehow I'm supposed to just move on with my life now after Leo and Calista??? 😭 Patiently waiting for the next one.
✔️Beast hero
✔️Found family
✔️Slow burn
✔️Romantasy
✔️Forced proximity
✔️ Fairytale retelling
October 5, 2026
Just as magical as the first book!
This Beauty and the Beast inspired tale so good I was hooked from the first page. Calista and Leopold were heartbreakingly raw, resilient, and the perfect complement to each other.
The way Leopold always made sure Calista knew she had a choice even if it hurt him because he refused to put a woman through what his mother was forced to endure is what true strength and respect is. I loved how Calista refused to let her fear get the better of her and used her rational mind to see through Leopold's curse to who he truly was deep down.
This book is full of magic, curses, fairytale inspiration, science, healing, strength, second chances, and romance. A must read for anyone that grew up with a fairytale obsession or at the very least loves when good is able to overcome evil.
I absolutely CANNOT WAIT for the next book in this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This Beauty and the Beast inspired tale so good I was hooked from the first page. Calista and Leopold were heartbreakingly raw, resilient, and the perfect complement to each other.
The way Leopold always made sure Calista knew she had a choice even if it hurt him because he refused to put a woman through what his mother was forced to endure is what true strength and respect is. I loved how Calista refused to let her fear get the better of her and used her rational mind to see through Leopold's curse to who he truly was deep down.
This book is full of magic, curses, fairytale inspiration, science, healing, strength, second chances, and romance. A must read for anyone that grew up with a fairytale obsession or at the very least loves when good is able to overcome evil.
I absolutely CANNOT WAIT for the next book in this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews