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Cruel and Beautiful World #1
Broken Wings
After an ancient war that left the outside air toxic, the shielded city of Utopia is the only safe place left in the world. Or so its citizens are taught to believe.
Many dismiss the lies fed to them by a familial line of crooked presidents and choose to live outside the city's walls. But when a new president takes control, he wages a war on these Outsiders, and their leader's daughter Deryn Leon is caught in the crossfire.
Five years later Deryn is a slave. Beaten and starved, she has little will to go on. But when a chance encounter leaves her with a means for escape, the forgotten fire inside of her ignites once more and she takes the opportunity with one swipe of a knife to her owner's throat.
But escaping Utopia isn't easy. While hiding in plain site, Deryn is discovered by Xander Ruby, the Utopian Guardian inadvertently responsible for her capture in the first place.
Xander, who is guilt-stricken by everything he has done as a Guardian, wants nothing more than to get Deryn home. He takes her in and they soon form a powerful bond that will not be broken, even when the reality of this cruel and beautiful world threatens to tear them apart.
Many dismiss the lies fed to them by a familial line of crooked presidents and choose to live outside the city's walls. But when a new president takes control, he wages a war on these Outsiders, and their leader's daughter Deryn Leon is caught in the crossfire.
Five years later Deryn is a slave. Beaten and starved, she has little will to go on. But when a chance encounter leaves her with a means for escape, the forgotten fire inside of her ignites once more and she takes the opportunity with one swipe of a knife to her owner's throat.
But escaping Utopia isn't easy. While hiding in plain site, Deryn is discovered by Xander Ruby, the Utopian Guardian inadvertently responsible for her capture in the first place.
Xander, who is guilt-stricken by everything he has done as a Guardian, wants nothing more than to get Deryn home. He takes her in and they soon form a powerful bond that will not be broken, even when the reality of this cruel and beautiful world threatens to tear them apart.
383 pages, Paperback
First published June 26, 2016
197 people are currently reading
2052 people want to read
About the author
L. Stoddard Hancock
3 books119 followersLaura Hancock is the author of the Cruel and Beautiful World trilogy. She has been writing books for as long as she can remember and still owns several hand-written stories from her youth. She currently lives in Portland, OR with her cat Milo. You can follow her on Facebook, on Instagram and on Tumblr.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
February 26, 2017
OH MY GOD. OH.MY.GOOOOOOOOOD.!
Why did it took me so long to find out that my favorite Dramione fanfic was re-written into a book?
For those of you who haven't read "Cruel and Beautiful World" as the fanfiction...
This takes place in a dystopian world were citizens are led to belive that the world outside of their city is toxic and the people who live there are bound to be poisoned from the air and die.
Teenagers get abducted and are trained to be soldiers with futuristic weapons.
And after a war between Godfrey and President Collin Saevus, all hell breaks loose.
Godftey gets injured and his people flee the city with him but before Daryn can get to her father she runs into Xander, (who trains in the same academy as her but they are 'hostile' to each other?) and get's captured by the enemies side for bargainign for Xander's live by his father.
She becomes a slave and get's transfered monthly from one guardian's home to the next where she get's tortured and raped.
On the day the exchange is happening she get's into the van to with the others slaves were an elderly woman gives her a knife so she can escape and get back to her father so he will come back and fight President Seavus, thing he doesn't do because he is afraid that his daughter get's killed.
After she succeed in escaping captivity from the guards she wonders the city in search for a way to get out without getting arrested again.
Unfortunately she doesn't find any and after three days she get's real close to get discovered by some guards, but get's saved by a hooded figure who turnes out to be Xander. The reason she got into captivity in the first place, offeres her a safe place to stay and promise to help her get out of the city.
Before you pick this book up there are a few things you should know:
• This book is based on a Harry Potter fanfiction by the same author.
• The main plot is the love story between Xander and Daryn.
• We don't get alot of inside to the World building.
• This isn't a dystopian book, nor a fantasy one. This is a Love Story!
Obviously a few main things had to change in the transition from fanfiction to book, like the magic and the characters, but since I've read the fanfic, I was pretty familiar with the story and the world building even it beeing confusing at times it was really easy to understand their weapons and stuff when you compare them to the original.
And I couldn't help but think of the characters as their original names instead of the new ones (which apart from Xander, were really terrible).
For any fans of the fanfiction "Cruel and Beautiful World By Lena Phoria", I recomend you to pick this book up immediately.
For any Dramione shippers also.
If you are interessted in reading the original version of this.... unfortunately the fanfic got removed by the author but I am positive that if you pm her on her tumblr account, she will send you a link to it.
L. Stoddard Hancock
July 24, 2016
Hauntingly beautify
Just as beautiful as the fanfic. Loved this :) cannot wait for book two! Happily recommended for anyone who enjoys a good dystopia plot
Just as beautiful as the fanfic. Loved this :) cannot wait for book two! Happily recommended for anyone who enjoys a good dystopia plot
August 8, 2017
This book was such a page turner. Once I started, I knew I needed to get to the end! It's a dystopian, which I promised myself I'd stay away from, but I truly loved it. The characters are older than your typical dystopian, which I think helped so much. Their relationships are mature, emotional, and heartbreaking. Not to mention steamy. The world was super interesting and the plot has so much potential. Deryn and Xander and Bronson and Luka and Soren are all such great characters. I can't wait to find out what happens next. The second books comes out in a few weeks but I needed it like yesterday!
I truly think this book is so worth your time! I'm so happy I read it! 10/10 would recommend.
I truly think this book is so worth your time! I'm so happy I read it! 10/10 would recommend.
December 13, 2017
This is obviously a great book but I had a really hard time distancing myself from the fanfiction. I mean, it's just not the same without Draco and Hermione and without magic.
I don't know if I'll continue on with the series but I'll definitely read the fanfiction over and over again.
I don't know if I'll continue on with the series but I'll definitely read the fanfiction over and over again.
September 14, 2018
I love this book. From the moment I started writing it I knew it was going to be something special. A story that needed to be told. It is dark and uplifting and may even shatter your heart a little.
That being said, this book is NOT for everyone. It deals with serious themes. The main character is a victim of sexual assault and much of this book is about her coming to terms with everything that happened to her. While Broken Wings has its lighter moments and plenty of sassy characters, the majority of it is dark and heavy. Read with caution.
Triggers: talk of rape, graphic consensual sex scenes, crude language, graphic violence
That being said, this book is NOT for everyone. It deals with serious themes. The main character is a victim of sexual assault and much of this book is about her coming to terms with everything that happened to her. While Broken Wings has its lighter moments and plenty of sassy characters, the majority of it is dark and heavy. Read with caution.
Triggers: talk of rape, graphic consensual sex scenes, crude language, graphic violence
December 20, 2017
Not spoilers, but kind of close to them! I picked this up on the Kindle Store for a quick read to relax, figuring I would quickly forget it. HOWEVER, I found myself actually invested in the story of the main characters Deryn and Xander. This is not your typical female heroine, male love interest, and it is NOT about angels. Deryn is broken, she went through a lot in her time in the slave trade. Xander is, what I would lovingly call, a hot mess, using this to remove himself from the choices he has made and the guilt that threatens to consume him every day for the last five years. Together, these two unlikely allies are beautiful... Truly. Their stories intertwine in a few unexpected ways, feelings are thrown around, realizations are made, as are decisions. I didn't realize that this book just came out. I will eagerly wait for the second one! This is a series that I would be willing to add to my "real" bookshelf rather than my free kindle book bookshelf.
December 23, 2016
This is one of those books that is so hard to put down once you start. I became so engrossed! I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next.
My favorite aspect of the story was the characters. Not just our main hero and heroine, although it started as very much about wanting to know way more about them both. But as more people started to trickle into the fold of what was going on, I came to love them just as much! And I am especially eager to learn more about the characters we only got small glimpses of in this story. The ending effectively left me dying to pick up book two. And I really can't ask for much more than that.
This was a really cleverly written book. I have read a lot of dystopian stories and it can be hard for me to find something that feels fresh in the genre. But this story was so interesting and well paced. I enjoyed it so much and can't wait to read the next one!
My favorite aspect of the story was the characters. Not just our main hero and heroine, although it started as very much about wanting to know way more about them both. But as more people started to trickle into the fold of what was going on, I came to love them just as much! And I am especially eager to learn more about the characters we only got small glimpses of in this story. The ending effectively left me dying to pick up book two. And I really can't ask for much more than that.
This was a really cleverly written book. I have read a lot of dystopian stories and it can be hard for me to find something that feels fresh in the genre. But this story was so interesting and well paced. I enjoyed it so much and can't wait to read the next one!
September 5, 2018
I know a lot of people are going to talk about the fanfic but I haven’t read it so I can’t compare them! I also don’t think I could! I went into it knowing where it came from but at the same time, after probably the first chapter, I never pictured other characters! The story is so well written, the technology and culture is so well formed that there wasn’t really anything left of its former life.
I was hooked from the beginning! It was such an addicting story and I absolutely powered through it and all the characters are amazing! They’re all so believable and their emotions feel real! I can’t wait to read book 2!
I was hooked from the beginning! It was such an addicting story and I absolutely powered through it and all the characters are amazing! They’re all so believable and their emotions feel real! I can’t wait to read book 2!
July 12, 2016
Wish part two was out!!
After so many bad books lately, I was shocked to find a great one! It kept me interested. So invested in the story I read the last word and was shocked that was it.
After so many bad books lately, I was shocked to find a great one! It kept me interested. So invested in the story I read the last word and was shocked that was it.
March 13, 2018
Reading dystopia isnt something I've done for a minute however this book sounded very intriguing. I was very impressed with the world building I found the technology to be pretty innovative and really if someone could make like half this stuff happen that would be great.
The characters are deeply troubled Im not going to lie. They have some serious issues. And a small trigger warning one of the main characters is a rape survivor. As we begin the book she escapes the slave trade after 5 years of being used and abused by many men. Deryn is dealing the best way she can with a bounty on her head. Xander is a hot mess himself but sooo swoon worthy once you get passed his issues. I also of course adored Bronson and I've already shipped him with a character 🤞🤞 fingers crossed my ship sails.
Overall very enjoyable read. I cannot wait to dive into the 2nd book.
The characters are deeply troubled Im not going to lie. They have some serious issues. And a small trigger warning one of the main characters is a rape survivor. As we begin the book she escapes the slave trade after 5 years of being used and abused by many men. Deryn is dealing the best way she can with a bounty on her head. Xander is a hot mess himself but sooo swoon worthy once you get passed his issues. I also of course adored Bronson and I've already shipped him with a character 🤞🤞 fingers crossed my ship sails.
Overall very enjoyable read. I cannot wait to dive into the 2nd book.
June 10, 2021
"Whoa whoa whoa! Hold on! Quigley suddenly shouted. "Before I go anywhere, there is something very important I think we all need to discuss"
"And what's that" asked Bronson.
They all waited.
Quigley looked at Deryn and asked, "Are you the cupcake girl?"
"No buts. This is fucking war, Leon. Aim to kill" - Xander Ruby
"because the Rubys never took women. They made them theirs. As it should be."
"And what's that" asked Bronson.
They all waited.
Quigley looked at Deryn and asked, "Are you the cupcake girl?"
"No buts. This is fucking war, Leon. Aim to kill" - Xander Ruby
"because the Rubys never took women. They made them theirs. As it should be."
August 19, 2016
Gorgeous slow-burn, original read. Only one question: where is book 2?!?
June 30, 2016
Wow!
Loved it! Hopefully book 2 has a little more action and more detail about how the world became the way it is.
Loved it! Hopefully book 2 has a little more action and more detail about how the world became the way it is.
August 16, 2016
Good read
This book really keeps you invested in the story. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
This book really keeps you invested in the story. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
May 23, 2022
was re reading this the other day… and the male mc was punching walls and shit LMAOOO i was so embarrassed like damn idk how i forgot about that 😭 not changing my rating tho cause i like the fmc.
Read
July 22, 2019I have read this story I long time ago when it first was still an HP fanfiction. And I loved it.
It was one of my top 5 Dramione.
Then I wanted to go back to it, only to find out it had been put down and I was bewildered by the author's choice of not having it available on the internet since it got loads and loads of good reviews, only to find out it had been converted into something original and made it into a book. WELL DONE!
I purchased the book straight away.
The reason why I am fond of this story:
a. It's a Romance. Full-stop.
b. Read point a.
c. Two opposite, two enemies, not meant to like each other, fall in love, hard, with one another. (Who doesn't like that?)
d. There is more love story, and guess what? There is also gay love story
e. It's hell funny, it made me honestly laugh out loud.
The main disappointment of the book was:
a. The writing Style...
I am really sorry to be this harsh but this author is in extreme need of a good beta.
The simplicity of certain statements, the way certain thought were written down, the
redundancy of certain phrases, kind of spoiled the story at some point.
I have suggested this book to a friend of mine and to some extent I wanted to tell her to forget about it just because it really upset me sometimes to be reading certain lines and straightly going thinking, 'Oh, hell, this could have been written by omitting this and replacing this with that', I mean I am no writer here, but from what I know, what really makes the difference majority of the time is not only the story.
From what I have learned from other authors is that being an author cannot be summarised by the act of simply putting down on a blank piece of paper the thoughts of the story but it's much more about what comes next, it's much more about 'molding' it and changing it and amending it until it delivers what it initially was meant to deliver.
And I think the author has omitted this stage in writing the book.
I wish to see a re-written version soon or later with the help of a beta, which can only improve this story.
It was one of my top 5 Dramione.
Then I wanted to go back to it, only to find out it had been put down and I was bewildered by the author's choice of not having it available on the internet since it got loads and loads of good reviews, only to find out it had been converted into something original and made it into a book. WELL DONE!
I purchased the book straight away.
The reason why I am fond of this story:
a. It's a Romance. Full-stop.
b. Read point a.
c. Two opposite, two enemies, not meant to like each other, fall in love, hard, with one another. (Who doesn't like that?)
d. There is more love story, and guess what? There is also gay love story
e. It's hell funny, it made me honestly laugh out loud.
The main disappointment of the book was:
a. The writing Style...
I am really sorry to be this harsh but this author is in extreme need of a good beta.
The simplicity of certain statements, the way certain thought were written down, the
redundancy of certain phrases, kind of spoiled the story at some point.
I have suggested this book to a friend of mine and to some extent I wanted to tell her to forget about it just because it really upset me sometimes to be reading certain lines and straightly going thinking, 'Oh, hell, this could have been written by omitting this and replacing this with that', I mean I am no writer here, but from what I know, what really makes the difference majority of the time is not only the story.
From what I have learned from other authors is that being an author cannot be summarised by the act of simply putting down on a blank piece of paper the thoughts of the story but it's much more about what comes next, it's much more about 'molding' it and changing it and amending it until it delivers what it initially was meant to deliver.
And I think the author has omitted this stage in writing the book.
I wish to see a re-written version soon or later with the help of a beta, which can only improve this story.
July 6, 2023
I'm not usually a dystopian fan, but given this was originally the Dramione fanfic "A Cruel and Beautiful World" I decided to give it a shot. The author did a great job adapting the fantasy elements from the original fanfic to the dystopian setting within the story and I thought the world-building was fairly well done. It's been years since I had read the original so I don't remember loads of it, but I do think this book stands on its own two legs well and can be enjoyed as its own original story for those that are unfamiliar with its origins. That being said though, I do think my fondness for its source material did boot its rating for me a bit.
December 3, 2025
steamy. dystopian. fast-paced.
thats all i need to know before i pick this up!
if dystopian truly is making its rounds, this needs to be one of the top books mentioned in the genre. mature characters that you want to root for (not to mention the dramione vibes *swoon*), spicy scenes that are not only hot but make sense to the plot and arent there for the trope, and a world that you both want to keep reading about and want to escape because its that well written.
ive already got book 2 on the way, this was so original and so, so good. hope it blows up cause it deserves all the hype
thats all i need to know before i pick this up!
if dystopian truly is making its rounds, this needs to be one of the top books mentioned in the genre. mature characters that you want to root for (not to mention the dramione vibes *swoon*), spicy scenes that are not only hot but make sense to the plot and arent there for the trope, and a world that you both want to keep reading about and want to escape because its that well written.
ive already got book 2 on the way, this was so original and so, so good. hope it blows up cause it deserves all the hype
April 4, 2020
4 stars.
A pretty great start to an adult dystopian series with a lotta romance. The writing and characters are immature at times, but not to the point that it ruins the book. Majority of the book is spent with Deryn in Xander’s apartment and establishing a relationship between the two. I really enjoyed them together, even if it felt a little childish sometimes. The relationship is quite angsty, so if that’s not your thing, you likely wouldn’t enjoy this.
A pretty great start to an adult dystopian series with a lotta romance. The writing and characters are immature at times, but not to the point that it ruins the book. Majority of the book is spent with Deryn in Xander’s apartment and establishing a relationship between the two. I really enjoyed them together, even if it felt a little childish sometimes. The relationship is quite angsty, so if that’s not your thing, you likely wouldn’t enjoy this.
November 5, 2022
3 stars because I did finish it, but I am not going to continue this trilogy because the pace is infuriating me. I just like things a bit quicker and this series is too slow for me. Hardly anything progressed over this book.
I would only recommend this book to someone who likes angst (it took 2/3-3/4 of the book for the two main characters to admit they wanted each other), and if theyre into stories that areong and drawn out.
I would only recommend this book to someone who likes angst (it took 2/3-3/4 of the book for the two main characters to admit they wanted each other), and if theyre into stories that areong and drawn out.
December 2, 2017
Amazing Book!
Just finished this book and it was so good. I read the original, when she did fan fiction for Harry Potter. I was extremely excited when I found out she had published one similar to it. Was not disappointed. Could not put it down!
Just finished this book and it was so good. I read the original, when she did fan fiction for Harry Potter. I was extremely excited when I found out she had published one similar to it. Was not disappointed. Could not put it down!
June 18, 2019
If sauce is not your thing then do not read this! It has an extra helping of sauce. If you can get past that the story and world and characters are dynamite! I seriously love almost every character in this book. It was a welcome distraction from my more serious reads as of late.
October 29, 2024
Dramione fanfic turned real book - but why Hermione making such stoopid risky decisions? There was also not really anything actually happening for about 70% of the book… I’d be ok with that on AO3 but less so for this.
January 29, 2025
Broken Wings is a dark gripping story of differences and fear mongering to control people against those who are different. It's a great first book that held me in a complete chokehold from the first chapter.
July 5, 2017
Not entirely sure about it..!
2,5 stars?
2,5 stars?
February 25, 2019
Une lecture magnifique avec une plongée immédiate dans un monde dystopique
January 20, 2019
i've read the fanfiction before and i love it soooo much. and this book left me with bookhangover like the fanfic did. the feels man.. the feels!!!! i can't wait to read the sequel
February 4, 2019
Dystopian romance
Nice romance and adventure in a dystopian world.
Reminds me a little of the Divergent series, even though there are no factions.
Nice romance and adventure in a dystopian world.
Reminds me a little of the Divergent series, even though there are no factions.
April 11, 2019
3.5 stars
July 24, 2019
I love the apocalyptic love triangle story of Deryn, Xander and Dakota.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews