Fallen Beauty

by Astrid Scholte

A HAUNTING, WINTERY TALE OF ART, OBSESSION, AND THE PRICE OF LOVE.

Eighteen-year-old Thorelea Winyard has been a prisoner her entire life, forced to paint dead animals pushed into her cell. She dreams of the world outside her tower and everything she’s been denied. When one of her subjects comes back to life, Thorelea is thrust into a royal court where she can have anything she desires—aside from her freedom.

Here, she learns that the king and queen have ruled for centuries; their immortality is gifted through the power of their court painter, who dutifully updates their magical portraits. It is also here that she meets the sole other mortal of the court: Prince Kelter. Desperate to become immortal so he can join the ranks of the battalion waging war against a neighboring kingdom, he offers her a deal. Thorelea will paint the portrait Prince Kelter has been denied by his parents, and he will help her escape from the ruthless royal court.

They meet each night in secret. As they grow closer, they must face the monstrous realities of Thorelea’s powers. Will she be forced to choose between her heart and her freedom?

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Romantasy, Fiction, Fantasy Romance

416 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication November 3, 2026

About the author

Astrid Scholte is the internationally bestselling and award-winning author of fantasy novels including Four Dead Queens , The Vanishing Deep and the League of Liars duology. Fallen Beauty is out Nov 3rd 2026! When she's not writing, she works in film and animation production on such movies as James Cameron’s Avatar, Lilo & Stitch and Wicked. She lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband, two cats and an ever-growing mountain of Disney merchandise.

You can find Astrid posting about books, cats and Disney on X, TikTok and Instagram @AstridScholte

Reviews

[Astrid Scholte]

Update: The glorious cover for FALLEN BEAUTY has been revealed! How beautiful is it???
---
My next YA Fantasy, Fallen Beauty, combines my love of fairytales, gothic castles, midnight rendezvous, brooding boys. dangerous magic, courtly intrigue and forbidden romance. It also features another one of my passions: oil painting!

[Starr ❇✌❇]

I'm sorry Rapunzel meets Dorian Gray???? Is this secretly a trap made specifically for me???????

[Cade Roach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rapunzel meets The Picture of Dorian Gray??? So good. It’s been over a year since I’ve read a YA book (though this one is closer to New Adult). I really loved this. It pulled me in immediately and was written really well. It wasn’t overly complicated, but the world felt nostalgic which I loved. Honestly this could have been a series but I’m glad it was a standalone. It was the perfect length, and the perfect amount of storytelling without it feeling like it dragged.

[🧸🎀Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

˙⋆✮ “𝑵𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰'𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕, 𝒊𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒓." ˙⋆✮

y’all, when I say this book had me in a chokehold, I mean it had me in a CHOKEHOLD. I could not put it down! this was such a unique, twisted, dark but captivating fairytale & I loved Kelter & Thorelea so much. the characters, the plot, the true enemies to lovers, slow-burn romance had me literally glued to my seat the entire time!

this is a standalone, & that was refreshing after so many series’s in a row lol. not that I don’t absolutely love a good series, but sometimes it’s also nice to have everything tied up in one novel, & the way this author weaves a story is so compelling — it flowed so well & was so fast-paced that I was addicted from the very beginning. I highly recommend this one!

✧ true enemies to lovers
✧ ya gothic fairytale retelling
✧ slow burn
✧ forced proximity
✧ she’s the court painter
✧ her subjects become immortal
✧ he’s the prince
✧ only one horse
✧ he falls first
✧ duet pov

4.5⭐️ rounded up to a 5⭐️

✧.* thank you to Wednesday Books for the advanced copy!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted eARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was immediately intrigued by this one when I heard it was like Barbie’s Rapunzel meets The Picture of Dorian Gray. It absolutely delivered on both counts, and I really liked the world, the characters, and the magic that the author brought to life in this story.

Thorelea was such a fantastic character. She was relatable, kind, strong, and I was rooting for her the whole time. I loved seeing her discover her strength and her power, and when she stood up for herself I was so proud of her. Her desire to be viewed as more than her magic was so relatable, and I loved her relationship with Kelter.

Kelter was also a fantastic character. His love for his country and his desire to help were well developed, and seeing his world crumble as he discovered the truth was hard to read at times. His emotions came through really well, and I liked his growth.

The romance was definitely a subtle subplot in this one, but I was living for the little glances and touches. The development was so well done, and I felt like it moved at a great pace to match the rest of the story.

The writing style was easy to follow along with. The dual POVs of both Thorelea and Kelter were done well, and I liked being inside the heads of both characters.

[Victoria Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

Very unique fantasy story inspired by my favorite Disney princess Rapunzel! I’ve never read a magic system quite like this and definitely kept the story fresh and engaging. My problem mostly was it dragged a bit and the ending was not explained well enough for me. Almost a bit of a cop out ending. Overall though I did enjoy and I love that it’s a standalone. Would definitely recommend when this gets published in November.

Win a ARC in a Goodreads giveaway

[Izzi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25 stars

i dont know how she did it, but the best character in this book was that goddamn rabbit. seriously. she made it sound so fucking adorable to the point where i genuinely considered buying one for the sake of having a fluffy ball of fur.

unfortunately, the rest of the book does not reflect the quality of powder the rabbit

i fear this is a bit of a rant... worded to just straight up words

PLOT: You know when a book is so predictable that the events become an expectation? That you're like yeah... it's going to be fine. Because there's no way for it to have any other ending.
If so, then you will relate very heavily to me when I say this book was truly the definition of simple. And I get it! Sometimes simple is best. But when I could figure out the general gist of this book twenty pages in...
I think the primary issue of this book was how everything felt so forced. There was nothing connecting events together, instead seeming like just another convenient moment to push the characters together. I mean, the deal they struck??? the fuck???
AND THIS BOOK HAD SO MUCH POTENTIAL. Thorelea's existence in the tower is an interesting concept, yet there's nothing really about the shit she sees when she comes out. We get a scene or two about snow, but what about the concept of the sea? Fancy rugs? Those stupid coverlets that make no fucking sense? Nothing about how foreign it must have felt to leave her tower.
The world building was... well I can't even say world. Castle? And two square feet of city? For fuck's sake... I still don't know where the people in this kingdom live. I deadass thought for the longest time it was just a castle with servants. Like a city state... but a castle??? But no! Apparently there's streets??? And houses??? I'm so fucking confused.
Kelton and Thorelea had less chemistry than USA and USSR in the Cold War. Speaking of wars! The book burnings COULD'VE been expanded on as the singular OUNCE of deeper critical thinking expressed by the MCs but again, we gloss over one of what I think is the most important aspect of this fucking thing. But yeah. Fahrenheit 451 who?
And back to war! Why the fuck does Kelton have a squire??? We're going from... general. to lieutenant. to squire. WHAT'S NEXT??? The knights of the rectangular counter???

CHARACTERS:
THORELEA: She has no personality. The way she acts doesn't match up with the way she thinks. She's so fucking naive that she would definitely get into a white van for candy. Which, I guess makes sense, considering how she's been in a tower. But, she also demonstrates the ability to be wary. So, exactly what's happening here? Does she only save her suspicion for Kelton? Not for the very very not suspicious concept of people deciding to be her friend after they discover she's the court painter? No survival instincts whatsoever. She's so lucky that everyone else is either batshit crazy or so stupid that they'd probably call her smart.
KELTON: He was so fucking boring. His entire life revolved around that portrait. Oh no! The poor prince who hates the court for not caring about shit yet hasn't asked a single question can't go to war??? Defending the people that we don't meet until never by fighting. You'd think that he'd try to find a cure, but nooooo! He just HAS to go to war and join the... twenty people??? fighting against the millions of zombies. Round of fucking applause for him!
THE GENERAL DUDE: Can't remember the names because they all feel like slightly more coherent keyboard slashes. I can't believe they trusted this fucker. Still don't get why, but go girl??? I guess asking "why should we trust a guy that literally dedicated his life to the monarchs without ever thinking about the common people" was too difficult. And the worst part is HE WASN'T EVEN A BAD GUY. Like why???!!!
TEMBLIN or tremblin something b-in: He might just be the only person with a singular inkling of self preservation. Haha never mind... he still ended up kissing everyone's feet and accepting suicidal missions for someone he met maybe five seconds ago???
SPEAKING OF PACING... WHY DID ALL OF THIS HAPPEN IN LESS THAN A MONTH??? Was it a week? Two weeks at most.
KING AND QUEEN: They felt like miniature bobbleheads. So enthusiastic, so stupid. !!!!!!!! !! I have never seen so many exclamation marks on a singular page.

ok this was very bleh. ugh. provided the entertainment value of waiting for my food at the cheesecake factory.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fallen Beauty by Astrid Scholte
This book gave me Rapunzel meets The Picture of Dorian Gray energy, and I was hooked immediately. As someone who loves both of those stories, it honestly felt like it was made for me. I’ve been leaning more toward adult fantasy lately, but this sits nicely in that new adult/YA crossover space, and I really enjoyed that balance.
The writing is super easy to get into. It’s not overly complicated, but it pulls you in straight away and feels very fairytale-like in the best way. It has that darker, slightly gothic Disney vibe I always fall for.
Thorelea was such a strong main character. She’s kind, resilient, and you really feel everything she goes through. I loved following her journey as she slowly comes into her power, but more importantly, starts to see herself as more than just what she can do. That kind of self-realisation arc always gets me.
Kelter also really surprised me in a good way. His motives felt grounded and real, especially his loyalty to his country and how much he wants to prove himself. Watching that slowly unravel as he learns the truth added a lot of emotional weight to his storyline, and I liked that he had his own growth alongside Thorelea.
The magic system was one of my favourite parts. It felt fresh and unique, and I honestly haven’t read anything quite like it before. It kept me really engaged and added a lot to the atmosphere of the story.
The romance is more subtle, but I actually think that worked in its favour. It’s very much built on small moments—glances, light touches, late-night meetings. It’s soft but full of yearning, and it never takes over the story. It just blends into it in a really natural way.
Pacing-wise, it did drag a little in places, but it didn’t really take away from my enjoyment. I still found myself staying up later than I should have reading it because I needed to know what was going to happen. The buildup is strong, and the payoff works well.
The ending, while I enjoyed it overall, did feel a bit rushed and not fully explained in the way I expected. I just wanted a little more clarity there. That said, I really like that this is a standalone. It could have easily been stretched into a series, but it works as a complete story, and I appreciated that sense of closure at the end.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. It’s a dark, fairytale-inspired fantasy with an interesting magic system, strong character arcs, and a subtle but satisfying romance. It feels complete, atmospheric, and a little bit haunting in a good way.
And honestly, I’d love to see the author write more in this kind of genre because this absolutely worked for me.

[Kaylee Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

There’s something really unsettling about a girl who has never seen the world being the one responsible for preserving it. It’s one of those concepts that sounds simple at first and then gets a little unsettling the more you think about it.

Thorelea has spent her entire life locked in a tower, painting dead animals that are pushed into her cell—until one of them comes back to life. From there, the story opens up into a royal court that feels just as suffocating as her prison, just dressed in silk and power instead of stone walls. The idea that immortality is tied to painted portraits is easily the most interesting part of this book, and it gives the entire story a slightly eerie, almost fragile feeling—like everything could fall apart if one brushstroke goes wrong.

What stood out to me most was how controlled everything felt. The king and queen have ruled for centuries, and there’s this constant underlying tension knowing their power isn’t natural. It makes every interaction feel like there’s something being hidden just beneath the surface.

The romance builds slowly in quiet moments—late-night meetings, small exchanges, the kind of connection that feels more private than dramatic. It never fully takes over the story, which worked for me, because the real focus is Thorelea figuring out what her life actually means when she’s finally given choices.

That said, the pacing toward the end does move pretty quickly compared to how much time is spent building the world early on. Some of the emotional decisions felt like they could have used just a little more space to land.

Overall, I finished this in a day which means I did like it. Irregardless of the critiques this was one that I comfortably spent hours in one sitting reading. this leans more atmospheric than action-heavy. If you like darker fairytale vibes, morally complicated power systems, and stories that feel a little haunting, this one is worth picking up.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[vicsbookshelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

⊹ ࣪ ✐⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ⊹ ࣪ ˖

My rating: ★★★★☆

Thank you to Wednesday Books, Netgalley and Astrid Scholte for the eARC.

There is just always something about a gothic fairytale-inspired story that always gets me, and Fallen Beauty completely drew me in. Like other reviewers mentioned, this gave very strong Rapunzel meets The Picture of Dorian Gray vibes, but with its own eerie, dark atmosphere that made it very unique. I always appreciate a good standalone book and absolutely devoured this in one sitting.

My favorite aspect of this book was how many different twists there were. There were multiple times my jaw literally dropped because I was literally not expecting something. Maybe I'm easily surprised but these little twists and turns kept me flipping the pages to find out what happened next. The magic system was interestingly different to me, the idea of portraits being tied to immortality felt a little creepy but in the best way.

Thorelea was unfortunately painfully naive at many times, but honestly it made sense considering she had literally been isolated in a tower her entire life. There were moments where I couldn't believe how easily she trusted other people and I think that helped me lean into her as a character more. Watching her slowly realize how manipulative and dangerous the King and Queen were actually became one of the more compelling parts to the story. I wanted to see her grow up and I wanted to see her get revenge for her mother and the way that everyone around her tried to use her (literally).

Overall, I really enjoyed Thorelea and Kelter's story, it was dark and dramatic and everything I needed during a long week. I think that the tension between them was built up well but was just a tad bit over the top towards the end in terms of how self-sacrificing they were. Nonetheless, this was a satisfying standalone read and would go back to it if I were in the right mood.

Bonus: Powder was the sleeper favorite character!

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review:

4/5 stars

Fallen Beauty has gothic fairytale vibes right from the very beginning. Thorelea has been trapped in a tower for her entire life, forced to paint portraits of dead animals. When one of the animals comes back to life after its portrait is complete, she's taken from the tower to the main castle and introduced to the king and queen to be the new court painter. Sounds simple enough to finally be free from her tower. Of course, nothing is ever as simple as it seems.

This story features dual POVs from Thorelea and Prince Kelter. I enjoyed both POVs and getting to see what both characters were thinking. The pacing in this story was excellent. There really wasn't a dull moment where I was bored. I found myself turning pages well past bedtime to find out what was going to happen next. All the characters were interesting and seemed fully fleshed out.

The romance wasn't instalove, but it definitely felt rushed toward the end - especially since the entirety of the story took place over about 3 weeks time. I enjoyed watching Thorelea and Kelter fall for each other, the stolen glances and silent yearning made me smile constantly. But the intimate scene after what was essentially their second kiss seemed unnecessary and very fast.

There is a lot of violence in this book, but I never felt like it was gory or too descriptive. The story's resolution was satisfying and seemed true to the characters. I enjoyed the book and would definitely read more from this author in the future.

Spice Level: 1/5 🌶️ - There is an open door/on page sex scene over multiple pages. It's not descriptive, but it is obvious what is happening. The scene focuses more on feelings than the act itself.

I received a free ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fallen Beauty is a clever, fairytale-tinged novel that blends the moral vanity of The Picture of Dorian Gray with the whimsy of classic fairytales — and for the most part, it works. The story follows a court painter as its heroine, a fresh and inventive angle on the Dorian Gray premise. Rather than a single vain subject, the entire royal court lives in Dorian-esque excess, with only the prince daring to want something different. It’s a genuinely clever conceit.
That said, the book works best when you approach it as a fairytale rather than a fantasy novel. Read through a fantasy lens, the cracks show quickly — the heroine has been locked in a tower her entire life, yet somehow knows what the sea looks like while never having seen snow. Her sharp emotional intelligence and social fluency, despite a lifetime of near-total isolation, strain believability similarly. Fairytale logic asks you to suspend disbelief, and if you can do that, these inconsistencies become easier to overlook.
The romance, unfortunately, is the weakest link. The hate-to-love trope is well-worn territory, and here it never quite ignites — the chemistry between the leads feels more told than felt. The ending compounds this with a resolution that veers into happily-ever-after territory a little too smoothly, complete with a touch of deus ex machina that undercuts the tension built throughout.
Fallen Beauty is best recommended to fairytale fans and fantasy readers willing to prioritize atmosphere and concept over airtight logic. Its premise is its strongest asset, and when the story leans into that, it shines. Just don’t expect it to reinvent the wheel.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[bells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.25⭐️


Rapunzel meets The Picture of Dorian Gray? A MILLION TIMES YES PLEASE.

This premise had me in a chokehold from the start. The atmosphere was gothic, eerie, and slightly sinister. It set the tone immediately and dragged me deeper into this beautifully unsettling world.

The story revolves around Thorelea, a girl locked in a tower her entire life, forced to paint dead animals without knowing why. And then you find out about her gift (something that could either be a blessing or a curse) and suddenly everything clicks into place in the most disturbing, fascinating way. The magic system definitely gives Dorian Gray vibes, but there’s a twist to it that kept me completely locked in.

The dual POVs between Thorelea and Kelter were honestly very well done. I was so seated for their secret little rendezvous. They have good chemistry, though I’ll admit I wanted just a bit more heart-fluttering chaos. Both of them feel driven, desperate, a little spiraling in their own ways, and that intensity makes their dynamic really compelling to read.

The pacing was just a teeny bit slow in places. The ending was a little rushed, I needed more clarity because it felt slightly hazy, which is frustrating because the build-up was so strong.

Overall, if you love twisted, dark fairytales with a gothic edge, morally complicated magic, then you should definitely pick up this book.


════════════════════════

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Chaptersxchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review:

This book was haunting, atmospheric, and so different from anything I’ve read lately. If you love dark fairytale vibes, winter settings, and stories that feel a little eerie in the best way, this one is for you.

The concept alone had me hooked. A girl locked away her entire life, forced to paint dead animals, only to discover her art holds real power? I was invested immediately. The world feels cold, magical, and unsettling, and it creates such a strong atmosphere the entire time.

Thorelea was such an interesting main character because you really feel her desperation for freedom while also watching her navigate this dangerous royal court. She’s been denied everything, so seeing her step into a world of power, luxury, and manipulation was so compelling.

And Prince Kelter? I was sat. The secret meetings at night, the deal they make, the tension building between them, and the emotional pull of knowing both of them want something they may never truly have made the romance so addictive.

What I loved most was how this story explores obsession, love, power, and the cost of freedom. It feels layered and emotional while still keeping that eerie fantasy edge.

Overall, this was such a unique read with dark fairytale energy, romance, and a world that completely pulls you in. If you want something wintry, haunting, and full of tension, definitely add this one to your list.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fallen Beauty by Astrid Scholte is a dark, fairytale-inspired fantasy that leans heavily into atmosphere, and that’s easily its biggest strength. The story follows Thorelea, a girl imprisoned in a tower and forced to paint dead animals—until her art begins bringing them back to life, pulling her into a royal court where immortality is tied to magical portraits. The world-building is vivid and gothic, with strong “Rapunzel meets The Picture of Dorian Gray” vibes and the magic system tied to art feels unique and visually striking.

The characters and romance add to that moody tone, especially Thorelea’s dynamic with Prince Kelter. Their secret meetings and bargain create a soft, forbidden romance that fits well with the darker setting. The book is very readable and immersive, even if it’s not overly complex plot-wise. The pacing is fairly steady, with more emphasis on atmosphere, relationships, and court intrigue than constant action, which works for the kind of story it’s trying to tell.

Rating: 4 stars. It’s a lush, haunting fantasy with a unique magic system and strong fairytale aesthetic—more about mood and romance than fast-paced plot, but very easy to get pulled into.

I received a free ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Eighteen-year-old Thorelea Winyard has been a prisoner her entire life, forced to paint dead animals pushed into her cell. She dreams of the world outside her tower and everything she’s been denied. When one of her subjects comes back to life, Thorelea is thrust into a royal court where she can have anything she desires—aside from her freedom."

Thus begins the story of Thorelea's entrance into the world and out of her locked tower room. She misses her mother, who was basically removed from her care six years prior and she only wants to see her. Thorelea finds that nothing is as she imagined it. Most things she has never seen, like the stars in the sky and more people than she can handle. However, darkness is in her future and this royal court is at the heart of great evil.

I loved the storyline. It was so creative and all was slowly unveiled through the eyes of Thorelea and Prince Kelter. These two had been fed lies most of their lives, different ones, but all damaging. I will admit that the wicked violence that takes place might be a bit much for some, but the undoing of it, quite remarkable.

I did enjoy reading this book. I would like to thank Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this early read.

[Ashley Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to @netgalley @stmartinspress for this digital ARC.. This is my honest thoughts on the book.

✨️My thoughts✨️
Saw this on NetGalley and KNEW I had to apply for it.
What a beautiful blend of forbidden romance, deathly magic, and a fairytale Rapunzel twist. Absolutely was sucked in! Can I also say, DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ IN THE STORY. LOL so many plot twists and I failed to see them.

The magic behind this was explained in a beautiful and deadly way. Such a cool twist on the paintings might I add. How much is one willing to pay to live forever?

"Dont fight. Dont question. Be patient. Stay safe. I will see you again."
⏫️
This line broke me a little bit. The emotional ties behind it just gave me hope and yet felt too good to be true. I so get what the meaning was tho.

"Capture his heart—is that what I have done?"
⏫️
I absolutely loved everything about the relationship between our 2 main characters. Well written, well developed. 👏 I will add, i found our main characters to be relatable and strong-willed.

"You are allowed to break, Thorelea. Its natural. Its to be expected."
⏫️
The amount of love and care a character has for our mfc is so heartwarming.

I truly recommend this book. Such a fast and easy read.

Also, this cover 😍😍😍😍😍

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hauntingly beautiful and so different from anything I’ve read lately. If you love dark fairy-tales, this one is for you.

The concept had me intrigued. A girl locked away in a tower her entire life, forced to paint dead animals, only to discover her art holds real power? I was invested immediately. Her world feels cold, magical, and unsettling, all at the same time.

Thorelea was a fantastic main character. You really feel her desperation for freedom while also watching her find her strength in this dangerous royal court. She’s been denied everything, so seeing her step into a world of power, luxury, and manipulation yet still hold onto the goodness in her was awesome.

Prince Kelter was also a strong main character. I enjoyed the tension building between them, and the emotional pull of knowing both of them want something they may never truly have, made the romance so addictive.

This story was layered and emotional while still keeping that eerie dark fantasy edge.

[Catherine Kabor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The good:
A fully formed plot, magic, court intrigue, and characters building real relationships. Due to all the court intrigue I was fully suspicious of EVERYONE most of the book which kept me very engaged and a little tense. Violent and high stakes without being grim or nightmare inducing - again, kept me interested and entertained. There's a pet bunny. The magic lore was maybe a little underdeveloped but very interesting and a great core to the book.

The bad:
I wish we plumbed a little more into the mother's backstory and explained more of the previous painters, there wasn't much said but it seemed interesting and it felt a little unfinished there, and unclear as to why they were kept separated.
I didn't find the romance terribly compelling, it kind of felt "he was a boy, she was a girl, they were obviously destined to fall in love" and then they did.

I'd recommend this one to my friends or give it as a gift, especially as it's so nicely self-contained.

Thanks to NetGalley for access to a digital ARC of this book, I really enjoyed reading it.

[Mrs. G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorelea has been trapped in a tower for 18 years. When she is suddenly released, she finds her captors are not what they seem. As Thorelea befriends Prince Kelter, she begins to make discoveries about herself, her kingdom, and her heart.

Fans of Dorian Gray and Rapunzel will enjoy this mélange you didn't know you needed. With war, murder, romance, and Thorelea's determination to take control of her life, the plot line and themes will keep you on your toes. This non-spicy romance YA novel is a great recommendation for students.

I enjoyed overall plot of the book. Figuring out the mystery of Thorelea was a fun adventure. I appreciated the gradual change she made throughout the book instead of it being a sudden switch of personality. Two things I really liked about this book: 1. it is a standalone (very hard to find these days), 2. it has a no spice rating (this can be hard to find as recommendations for students). Beware though, this book is a bit lengthy, so be prepared to settle in for a longer read.


***NetGalley ARC Review***

[Takeisha Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway!

This story follows a mother and daughter who share a rare, powerful gift. They’ve been locked away in a tower their entire lives, completely cut off from the world, until the mother suddenly becomes extremely ill and is taken away. The daughter is left alone for six years, with only a rabbit she brought back to life. literally by painting it after it died.When she’s finally removed from the tower, she’s brought into the king and queen’s court. That’s when she starts to realize the full extent of her power: not only can she bring the dead back, but she can also make the living immortal. The daughter Theorelea realizes the queen has been lying to her, and making false promises. The queen tries to force her into finding a suitor from the High Court. The prince comes up with a plan to get his portrait painted but he uncovers the truth about what’s happening Theorelea. I truly enjoyed this read and definitely recommend it!

[Stephanie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fairy tale merged with a Portrait of Dorian Gray - at the beginning of the book we are told of an event that happened in the past - twins that were sickly and the parents tried to save them - but ......

Then we are with a mom and daughter in a tower where they live - and every day a dead animal is brought to a special room and the mom paints it - well eventually she gets her powers - and is taken away.

Six years later, the daughter is summoned to the king and queen - and she finally learns the truth of her power - but they still lie to her - you go through the book and you find out how much they lied to her - and continue to lie to her.

And their "son" -mmmhmmm. I don't want to give to much away but eventually things come to a head and ....will the ending be good or bad?:) Definite character growth - I think from the main female, the prince, the participants at the event.
Just when you think they can't get any lower or any worse they do :)

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

{Review of ARC received from Netgalley}
This book was an absolute journey from start to finish, accomplishing what it needed without overstaying its welcome. An absolute perfect example of what a standalone should be.
I loved the chilling atmosphere and the high stakes it presented as our main character began to learn and piece together secrets about the kingdom in which she lives. It truly had me guessing and piecing together information from beginning to end.

The relationship between our main character and Prince Kelter was sweet to experience as they grew to love and trust each other more and more as the story progressed. While I would not categorize it as enemies to lovers, there is some tension as we learn more about there prince's ultimate desires and goals.

The action was expertly paced and kept me on my toes as well, with not one page being wasted. Everything felt intentional and kept the story moving along.

[Violetdazey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books & netgalley for the arc of this book !!
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Minor Spoilers Ahead !!

It's our role as a painter to capture the spark of life-the glimmer of stars in the darkest of nights, like you are to me, my sunshine.

What an absolute beauty of this book was, I adore it sm, gothic, dark, and with such beautiful settings you cannot stop yourself from imagining the world, our character Thorelea and her mother have this gift or curse ?? You can say of painting and the kingdom and it's monarchy uses it to their advantage and have been living for 2 centuries, the red reaping kept reminding me of hunger games for some reason idk why, and the twist in the book had me shocked like what ???? all in all both our main characters are beloved to me and I had fun reading this arc.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Fallen Beauty” by Astrid Scholte is a darkly enchanting novel that weaves together suspense, romance, and the supernatural in a gripping story. Scholte’s writing is atmospheric and immersive, effortlessly pulling readers into a world where danger and desire collide. The tension builds steadily, keeping you hooked from the first page to the last.

The characters are complex and compelling, with emotions and motivations that feel raw and authentic. Themes of trust, love, and survival are explored with depth, making the story more than just a thrilling read—it’s an emotional journey. “Fallen Beauty” is perfect for fans of dark romance and suspenseful, character-driven stories that linger in your mind long after the final chapter.

[Unnamednonsense · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one wasn’t for me. I can absolutely see the appeal to it, and I know it will be loved, but I had hopes that it would be a bit darker and more complex because it is described as partially The Picture of Dorian Gray.

This was absolutely a young adult book, but I’d say it’s on the more adult side of the spectrum. Think Heartless Hunter in terms of maturity.

I did find the story to be a bit slow, and there were times when I wanted it to move on past elements, but overall, I felt like it was a solid read, especially if you go in with the right expectations.

I didn’t particularly enjoy the ending. It felt rushed, especially compared to the rest of the book.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[M. K. Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars: I loved how this book took the "lived in a tower until she's 18" Rapunzel concept and combined it with a completely unique storyline, setting, and magic system. The main character, Thorelea, did not always make logical decisions, but she also was very sheltered. The pacing did not always match where I wanted emphasis, and the softening at the ending did not match the mood/tone to me. However, overall, this was a really fascinating world - brutal, but interesting - and I really appreciated the uniqueness. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC; all opinions are my own.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

I absolutely loved this book!

It was full of tragedy, hope, mystery, betrayal, love, and war. The FMC Thorelea was a wonderful character. Hidden away in a tower until she enters court as the new court painter, the book does a great job at showing how a young girl discovers a world so new to her.

The MMC Prince Kelter is your typical broody man, but, it suits him. And he is a great balance to Thorelea.

The villainous characters are truly awful and were written so well. They made me angry, as they should. I also loved the world and the depth of it.

This is a no-spice YA book good for anyone.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads giveaway, but this is my honest review. This is the story of a girl, Thorelea, that grows up in a tower with her mother. Her mother is taken away when she's around 12 years old. When Thorelea completes the task she's given, she is finally let out of the tower and must make her way in a new world. The story drags a bit in places, but is a good story overall.

[Icywolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fallen Beauty is a harrowing drift of romantasy into horror. The world-building was well done and the excellent writing took the story through many twists and turns as it wended its dark way along the path to a stopping point - maybe an ending or possibly just a pause along the way. Time will tell.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for making the ARC of Fallen Beauty available to me. It will be available to all this November.