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The Cursed Kingdom Chronicles #3
Fairest One
Welcome to the ancient land of Terra, where curses run rampant throughout all the kingdoms and where the royalty desperately attempt to break their curses and claim their own happily ever afters. Princess Scarlet of Torren is the fairest one in all the land–only she doesn’t want to be. While some may believe a curse for being beautiful isn’t much of a curse at all, Scarlet knows differently. It’s more sinister than anyone realizes. Scarlet grows up hiding from nobles at court to prevent them from falling victim to her curse. Defying as many royal rules as possible, Scarlet is known not only for her beauty but as a messy and odd princess. When she meets an aspiring knight, she makes him vow to never fall in love with her beauty. With his friendship, she feels like she has everything she needs–that is, until she loses it all. Sir Ronin Dallard doesn’t know when it happened, but he is in love with Princess Scarlet of Torren. His vow he made as a child to never fall in love with her beauty–he can rest assured knowing it isn’t her beauty he is in love with. As the bridal tournament is called, Princess Scarlet must choose a knight to wear her token. Ronin wants to be the one to win the tournament for her. He is determined to convince Scarlet that his love is for her , not the curse. When outside forces pull them apart, and the kingdom is under attack from the inside, will Ronin and Scarlet find a way to save Torren from a false queen? A false queen who will do all in her power to use Scarlet’s curse to take over not only her kingdom but all the kingdoms in the land. Can beauty save a kingdom? Or will it destroy them all? Fairest One is a Snow White retelling and the fourth book in The Cursed Kingdom Chronicles, a series of clean stand-alone but connected fairytale retellings. If you enjoy clean romance, adventure, and witty banter, The Cursed Kingdom Chronicles is for you!
443 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 8, 2023
67 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
August 23, 2023
5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Another amazing story from Kayla!!! I love her characters and this world sooo much!! I literally stay up all night reading them!! Cannot wait for Gideons story next!!!! 😍 Also how amazing is Ronin???? 😍😍😍😍 Swoonworthy for sure!! My favorite MMC yet!
September 5, 2023
Sweet retelling with sweet kisses
This was such an interesting retelling. We get a glimpse of Scarlet in book 1 of the series and it intrigued me.
In this book we kind of jump back in time before the true princess tournament in book 1 to the knight tournament that will decide who marries Scarlet.
The first half of the book is very sweet and an adorable love story, the second half is more action packed with the rest of the snow white retelling playing out.
I really enjoyed the love story of Scarlet and Ronin. When they FINALLY are able to admit that they love each other *swoon* it was so perfect. The author writes amazing kissing scenes while keeping it clean and man I loved seeing their relationship and deep love for each other throughout the book.
The action in the second half of the book was interesting and definitely added to the story.I appreciated the pieces of backstory added to the evil queen so that the resolution fit with Scarlet and her personality.
I'm excited to read Prince Gideon's story next and to see where everything goes!
💋Kisses only
⚠️Loss of parents for multiple characters, abusive stepmother
This was such an interesting retelling. We get a glimpse of Scarlet in book 1 of the series and it intrigued me.
In this book we kind of jump back in time before the true princess tournament in book 1 to the knight tournament that will decide who marries Scarlet.
The first half of the book is very sweet and an adorable love story, the second half is more action packed with the rest of the snow white retelling playing out.
I really enjoyed the love story of Scarlet and Ronin. When they FINALLY are able to admit that they love each other *swoon* it was so perfect. The author writes amazing kissing scenes while keeping it clean and man I loved seeing their relationship and deep love for each other throughout the book.
The action in the second half of the book was interesting and definitely added to the story.I appreciated the pieces of backstory added to the evil queen so that the resolution fit with Scarlet and her personality.
I'm excited to read Prince Gideon's story next and to see where everything goes!
💋Kisses only
⚠️Loss of parents for multiple characters, abusive stepmother
April 29, 2024
So I don’t usually request arcs outside of Netgalley because I usually have too many to Netgalley arcs to keep up with anyways, but I jumped at the chance to read this early because FAIRYTALES ARE MY THING. THEY ARE MY BRAND. MY IDENTITY. Yes it’s that deep. At this point I think I’ve read (or at least heard of) every single fairytale series in existence, indie or not. The obsession will never end because to me, fairytales like this one feel like home.
A perfect fairytale is one that feels like reading the book equivalent of watching a Disney princess movie. The Cursed Kingdom Chronicles are that perfect kind of fairytale. Princesses, fictional kingdoms, handsome princes, castles, magic, and phenomenal fairytale world building without going overboard with the fantasy aspect. This series is reminiscent of Melanie Cellier and Camille Peters fairytale series, two of my staple fairytale authors, so anything in this sub category genre of fairytales I automatically love. I’ve been reading this series since book one (I knew of this series months in advance and waited for it to come out because again, I stalk fairytales) but this was the book in the series I was most excited for. Snow White is not only my favorite Disney princess, she’s also the fictional character I identify with the most (my goodreads bio used to say self proclaimed real life Snow White. let me be delusional!) In every fairytale series, Snow White is always the retelling I look for and she’s always my favorite princess of the bunch. I could not be more thrilled to find out we got her as early as book three!
In this book, Snow White is Princess Scarlet of Torren (a kingdom known for its apples and knight tournaments) is notorious for being the most beautiful princess in the continent of Torra. Being inhumanly beautiful may not sound like much of a curse but Scarlet’s beauty runs so deep that she can make any man or woman fall in love with her and do absolutely anything to prove their devotion, even to the point of harming or killing themselves. As part of the curse, they only love how she looks and do not even see her outside of her beauty. That all changes when a knight, Ronin, seemingly is not affected by Scarlet’s curse. He vows to her to never fall in love with her beauty.
Like the Princess Tourney from book one, the kingdom of Torren holds a tourney where anyone can compete for the hand of the princess. A large chunk of the book is about this knight tournament, as well as the friends to lovers relationship between Scarlet and Ronin. To be honest, friends to lovers is my least favorite trope (just a personal preference) so I wasn’t too fond of the fact that my favorite princess happened to get my least favorite trope, but I loved Ronin! His love for Scarlet was so pure and he really is true fairytale Prince Charming material. Plus he’s literally a knight that fights for her hand and has dimples so idk what else you’d need. The love and chemistry between Scarlet and Ronin are the strongest in this book than with any of the previous couples. I found their romance much more convincing than the others and felt much more real and passionate. It is just apparent that Scarlet and Ronin’s love runs much deeper and truer!
This sets up book 4 nicely. My only complaint would be that I would like more world building, as we don’t really get to see or know much about Torren or what makes it special, aside from the fact that apples and knight tournaments are a big part of the kingdom. I find world building quite important in fairytales because it makes it easier to imagine your surroundings, plus easier to distinguish the difference between kingdoms. A map at the beginning of the book would be a great addition as well. But this book was super magical and I thought it was a unique take on Snow White. Fairytale lovers would love this.
Thank you to Kayla Eshbaugh for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review!
A perfect fairytale is one that feels like reading the book equivalent of watching a Disney princess movie. The Cursed Kingdom Chronicles are that perfect kind of fairytale. Princesses, fictional kingdoms, handsome princes, castles, magic, and phenomenal fairytale world building without going overboard with the fantasy aspect. This series is reminiscent of Melanie Cellier and Camille Peters fairytale series, two of my staple fairytale authors, so anything in this sub category genre of fairytales I automatically love. I’ve been reading this series since book one (I knew of this series months in advance and waited for it to come out because again, I stalk fairytales) but this was the book in the series I was most excited for. Snow White is not only my favorite Disney princess, she’s also the fictional character I identify with the most (my goodreads bio used to say self proclaimed real life Snow White. let me be delusional!) In every fairytale series, Snow White is always the retelling I look for and she’s always my favorite princess of the bunch. I could not be more thrilled to find out we got her as early as book three!
In this book, Snow White is Princess Scarlet of Torren (a kingdom known for its apples and knight tournaments) is notorious for being the most beautiful princess in the continent of Torra. Being inhumanly beautiful may not sound like much of a curse but Scarlet’s beauty runs so deep that she can make any man or woman fall in love with her and do absolutely anything to prove their devotion, even to the point of harming or killing themselves. As part of the curse, they only love how she looks and do not even see her outside of her beauty. That all changes when a knight, Ronin, seemingly is not affected by Scarlet’s curse. He vows to her to never fall in love with her beauty.
Like the Princess Tourney from book one, the kingdom of Torren holds a tourney where anyone can compete for the hand of the princess. A large chunk of the book is about this knight tournament, as well as the friends to lovers relationship between Scarlet and Ronin. To be honest, friends to lovers is my least favorite trope (just a personal preference) so I wasn’t too fond of the fact that my favorite princess happened to get my least favorite trope, but I loved Ronin! His love for Scarlet was so pure and he really is true fairytale Prince Charming material. Plus he’s literally a knight that fights for her hand and has dimples so idk what else you’d need. The love and chemistry between Scarlet and Ronin are the strongest in this book than with any of the previous couples. I found their romance much more convincing than the others and felt much more real and passionate. It is just apparent that Scarlet and Ronin’s love runs much deeper and truer!
This sets up book 4 nicely. My only complaint would be that I would like more world building, as we don’t really get to see or know much about Torren or what makes it special, aside from the fact that apples and knight tournaments are a big part of the kingdom. I find world building quite important in fairytales because it makes it easier to imagine your surroundings, plus easier to distinguish the difference between kingdoms. A map at the beginning of the book would be a great addition as well. But this book was super magical and I thought it was a unique take on Snow White. Fairytale lovers would love this.
Thank you to Kayla Eshbaugh for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review!
July 10, 2023
I loved this fairytale retelling. The story and characters were so well written. Good for ya audiences as there is no smut. I will definitely be checking out the rest of this series!
July 20, 2023
A clean, charming, and romantic retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
I'm a sucker for fairytale retellings, and while Snow White isn't my favorite, I did enjoy Eshbaugh's version. All her life Scarlet has wanted to be seen for who she is. Cursed so that anyone who looks on her falls madly in love with her, she believes true love is out of reach. Then she meets Ronin, who makes a solemn vow never to love her for her beauty.
This book has many things that I love in a story: character growth, true love, and magic. I really liked how the apples in this story were magical, with different properties like healing. I also enjoyed reading other interesting parts of the story, such as all the royals having their own curse, the bridal tournament, and of course the development from friends to more between Scarlet and her love interest. The ending of the book was very satisfying while leading into the next book in the series.
There were some things that kept me from giving this book 5 stars. Namely, the writing style. All of the sentences in the book were long, which gave the story the weight and feel of being too wordy. There were also several instances of repetition. Characters would think something on the page and then repeat in their dialogue what they had just told the reader they were thinking. I think varying the sentence structure alot more would've helped the writing to read more fluid and less repetitive.
The pacing sometimes felt strange. On one page they'd be in one kingdom and then on the next page they were somewhere completely different without any explanation of how they got there. I think adding a sentence or two with minor travel detail would help make that transition smother.
The final show down between the evil queen and Scarlet felt very anticlimactic. I wish there could've been more tension built up to that moment, but after Scarlet arrives with her team to take down the evil queen, there's no urgency to finally stop her. It takes awhile before it's all over and I thinking cutting out some of the unnecessary scenes would've helped keep the tension needed for a satisfying final showdown.
Overall I thought the story was charming and I am interested in reading the rest of the series.
An ARC of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a sucker for fairytale retellings, and while Snow White isn't my favorite, I did enjoy Eshbaugh's version. All her life Scarlet has wanted to be seen for who she is. Cursed so that anyone who looks on her falls madly in love with her, she believes true love is out of reach. Then she meets Ronin, who makes a solemn vow never to love her for her beauty.
This book has many things that I love in a story: character growth, true love, and magic. I really liked how the apples in this story were magical, with different properties like healing. I also enjoyed reading other interesting parts of the story, such as all the royals having their own curse, the bridal tournament, and of course the development from friends to more between Scarlet and her love interest. The ending of the book was very satisfying while leading into the next book in the series.
There were some things that kept me from giving this book 5 stars. Namely, the writing style. All of the sentences in the book were long, which gave the story the weight and feel of being too wordy. There were also several instances of repetition. Characters would think something on the page and then repeat in their dialogue what they had just told the reader they were thinking. I think varying the sentence structure alot more would've helped the writing to read more fluid and less repetitive.
The pacing sometimes felt strange. On one page they'd be in one kingdom and then on the next page they were somewhere completely different without any explanation of how they got there. I think adding a sentence or two with minor travel detail would help make that transition smother.
The final show down between the evil queen and Scarlet felt very anticlimactic. I wish there could've been more tension built up to that moment, but after Scarlet arrives with her team to take down the evil queen, there's no urgency to finally stop her. It takes awhile before it's all over and I thinking cutting out some of the unnecessary scenes would've helped keep the tension needed for a satisfying final showdown.
Overall I thought the story was charming and I am interested in reading the rest of the series.
An ARC of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2023
Thankful for the opportunity to have read this as an ARC for an honest review!
This retelling had such an interesting style to it & I loved the ways it felt so unique with the background of Elva, the different use of the “dwarves,” Helena’s story, it was very appealing. I loved the banter of the knights & the vibes I got during tournaments that reminded me of A Knight’s Tale, it was fun & different!
I did struggle with some points where I felt there needed to be more explanation vs some moments that felt too drawn out. I was way more interested in the tournament events than Scarlet constantly hiding & pulling a crazy amount of apples out of her pockets. I had a very hard time liking her until the last 30% of the book as she’s supposed to be coming into adulthood & still felt very much like a child, naive & immature. There were some things that I felt were pretty clear, like the meaning of words, that she simply had no idea about & I had a hard time understanding that a princess would have skipped enough lessons to not understand.
Ronin on the other hand was so great, his pov was my favorite & he is such a kind, tender hearted, but strong, gentleman. Love him to pieces!!! I adored when he starting pursuing what he wanted & was so honest the whole way through. What a fella!! His relationship to the other knights was so wholesome & I loved reading more about their interactions & back stories.
Overall this is a great Teen/YA read & a very interesting concept! 💕
This retelling had such an interesting style to it & I loved the ways it felt so unique with the background of Elva, the different use of the “dwarves,” Helena’s story, it was very appealing. I loved the banter of the knights & the vibes I got during tournaments that reminded me of A Knight’s Tale, it was fun & different!
I did struggle with some points where I felt there needed to be more explanation vs some moments that felt too drawn out. I was way more interested in the tournament events than Scarlet constantly hiding & pulling a crazy amount of apples out of her pockets. I had a very hard time liking her until the last 30% of the book as she’s supposed to be coming into adulthood & still felt very much like a child, naive & immature. There were some things that I felt were pretty clear, like the meaning of words, that she simply had no idea about & I had a hard time understanding that a princess would have skipped enough lessons to not understand.
Ronin on the other hand was so great, his pov was my favorite & he is such a kind, tender hearted, but strong, gentleman. Love him to pieces!!! I adored when he starting pursuing what he wanted & was so honest the whole way through. What a fella!! His relationship to the other knights was so wholesome & I loved reading more about their interactions & back stories.
Overall this is a great Teen/YA read & a very interesting concept! 💕
February 19, 2025
Originally, I was going to DNF this around 66%, but there was supposed to be something that would connect this book to the next one, so I skimmed till I came to it. It was kinda disappointing. The reason I was going DNF this was because there was so much kissing! it was pretty bad; they said that they were still friends but that kissing each other didn't mean anything. I was done after they apparently spent an entire hour kissing in a tree. It was just too much, and it was sad because, at the beginning, I liked the main characters. This isn't clean romance.
August 19, 2023
Back into the land of Terra, and this time, with Princess Scarlet of Torren. Her curse was being the fairest one in all the land, and anyone who came near her fell in love with her or wanted to do anything she asked. As a result, she hid herself and defied the norm by being a messy and odd princess.
Sir Ronin, a knight of the kingdom, and her childhood best friend, was immune to her curse. Even so, he fell in love with her personality and her natural beauty. He was always there for her, and once they'd grown up, he wanted to show her just how good they'd be together.
I loved when it dawned on Scarlet that he was all grown up into a dashing young man whose kisses lit her up inside. Their banter especially when Ronin knew she was attracted to him was amazing. She knew she could count on him. He stood by her when the kingdom was under attack from the inside by a false queen.
I loved this Snow White retelling, with a twist on the seven dwarves, and the apples in the kingdom, and the mirrors as well. I can't wait for the next instalment in this series.
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC.
Sir Ronin, a knight of the kingdom, and her childhood best friend, was immune to her curse. Even so, he fell in love with her personality and her natural beauty. He was always there for her, and once they'd grown up, he wanted to show her just how good they'd be together.
I loved when it dawned on Scarlet that he was all grown up into a dashing young man whose kisses lit her up inside. Their banter especially when Ronin knew she was attracted to him was amazing. She knew she could count on him. He stood by her when the kingdom was under attack from the inside by a false queen.
I loved this Snow White retelling, with a twist on the seven dwarves, and the apples in the kingdom, and the mirrors as well. I can't wait for the next instalment in this series.
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC.
August 12, 2023
Ronin was the sweetest and most heroic man, I loved how he saw Scarlet’s inner beauty and was always there for her and so devoted to her 💗❤️ i also liked how Scarlet was so fun, bad at dancing, a tree climber, and loved her apple trees. They were perfect for each other!! Side characters left me eagerly wanting the next book!!
Thanks to the author for my ARC; all opinions are mine.
Thanks to the author for my ARC; all opinions are mine.
October 13, 2023
I wanted to love this book, but I struggled to get through it. I like the world the author has created and the ideas she has, but Scarlet has been my least favorite character in the series so far. She feels very childlike, and she doesn't really do much to further the plot. The flashbacks are awkward, and the romance feels over-the-top to me. The ending also felt anticlimactic, and I wish Scarlet did more to resolve the conflict. I felt like everything just kind of happened to her while she ate apples.
January 8, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fairest One
Kayla Eshbaugh
This book, #3 in the Cursed Kingdom Chronicles, is probably my favorite book in the series so far! I enjoyed Scarlet’s and Ronin’s story because the relationship between them was so sweet and heartfelt. The little things made the story so much livelier (pun intended:). The way he would poke her nose and she would poke his cheek 😊. I love it!!
The storyline was put together well and I enjoyed putting two and two together, and finding all the clues. I recommend this book to anyone who go loves clean fantasy romance with well written characters and evil stepmothers. I hope you like this book as much as I did!
Fairest One
Kayla Eshbaugh
This book, #3 in the Cursed Kingdom Chronicles, is probably my favorite book in the series so far! I enjoyed Scarlet’s and Ronin’s story because the relationship between them was so sweet and heartfelt. The little things made the story so much livelier (pun intended:). The way he would poke her nose and she would poke his cheek 😊. I love it!!
The storyline was put together well and I enjoyed putting two and two together, and finding all the clues. I recommend this book to anyone who go loves clean fantasy romance with well written characters and evil stepmothers. I hope you like this book as much as I did!
August 7, 2023
I loved this Snow White retelling so much! 😍
I'm really a big fan of the writing style of Kayla and I love her world-building and well-thought-out characters!
This Snow White is a spirited, stubborn, but kind and caring princess. I really liked that Scarlet was a bit different from an 'ordinary' princess! With her fondness for apples, climbing trees, and aversion to dancing.
Then Ronin, who doesn't want a personal knight in shining armor...... The boy Ronin was already caring and sweet, but the man/knight Ronin is swoon-worthy! He is kind, has good leadership skills, is supportive, protective, and a bit mischievous. But most of all, he is a good friend.
There is a friends to lovers romance with years of history between Scarlet and Ronin, and that made the romance and chemistry between them so much more realistic and meaningful! I really loved them together! It was adorable to see Ronin fall first and try to fight it, trying not to risk their friendship. All the pining...😉
I loved the dual POV, it added so much to the story and it was so much fun to read it from both sides!
Of course, the evil stepmother was my least favorite character, but she was really well done. A real villain, but still with her own backstory.
The seven knights were funny and really great side characters!
I also loved all the characters from the other kingdoms. They are great for world-building and also introduce upcoming stories.
If you love apples, friends to lovers and fairy tales, then this is your book!
It has romance, humor, action, adventure, and friendship.
Most importantly, this story shows that true beauty comes from the inside and shines the brightest!
Thank you so much Kayla for my e-arc! This however hasn't influenced my review!
I'm really a big fan of the writing style of Kayla and I love her world-building and well-thought-out characters!
This Snow White is a spirited, stubborn, but kind and caring princess. I really liked that Scarlet was a bit different from an 'ordinary' princess! With her fondness for apples, climbing trees, and aversion to dancing.
Then Ronin, who doesn't want a personal knight in shining armor...... The boy Ronin was already caring and sweet, but the man/knight Ronin is swoon-worthy! He is kind, has good leadership skills, is supportive, protective, and a bit mischievous. But most of all, he is a good friend.
There is a friends to lovers romance with years of history between Scarlet and Ronin, and that made the romance and chemistry between them so much more realistic and meaningful! I really loved them together! It was adorable to see Ronin fall first and try to fight it, trying not to risk their friendship. All the pining...😉
I loved the dual POV, it added so much to the story and it was so much fun to read it from both sides!
Of course, the evil stepmother was my least favorite character, but she was really well done. A real villain, but still with her own backstory.
The seven knights were funny and really great side characters!
I also loved all the characters from the other kingdoms. They are great for world-building and also introduce upcoming stories.
If you love apples, friends to lovers and fairy tales, then this is your book!
It has romance, humor, action, adventure, and friendship.
Most importantly, this story shows that true beauty comes from the inside and shines the brightest!
Thank you so much Kayla for my e-arc! This however hasn't influenced my review!
August 15, 2023
*DO NOT READ THIS BOOK WHILE OPERATING HEAVY MACHINERY*** Red apples and green apples, golden apples and yellow, tart apples and sweet apples, juicy apples and sour. Seriously?! Omg. They're magical apples with healing properties, so a huge deal for this kingdom. But that means = Unfortunately this book is SOOOO BORING. An 18 yr old princess, cursed to be loved by all males for her beauty, rebels as much as possible. Her best friend is a knight named Ronin(he is unaffected by the curse, so he sees her as she really is). And they love to PLAY in the orchard( the kingdom is famous for 🍎🍏). She's "odd" and "messy". Honestly she is pathetically immature and child-like. Men find her devestatingly beautiful, yet she's way too much like a little kid. Kinda creepy. She has an awful stepmom . The first half of the book is about her climbing and playing with her grown man best friend. Yes he's grown. He's her age I'm assuming, but a trained knight. So no way is he a kid. Apparently she doesn't realize she isn't 5. She carries apples in her pockets and hides from all the admiring men by diving behind potted plants or standing behind curtains. Only halfway thru as I'm just so bored. Anyway, her father, the king is sick. Obviously the evil stepmom is responsible. She's probably put a spell on him or whatever. Maybe he will die. Maybe Scarlet will save him. Maybe, but who really cares? There's no investment in these characters. They're all basic, or have no substance. The 2 MC are creepy adults(18 in these times is adult, marriages were happening at like 15 and having babies and all..a princess would be even more mature and definitely a knight). So it's annoying how these 2 appear so weak, immature, pathetic, and inexperienced. Awful story. Who is ready for a book that has a King take care of the mess he actually created, instead of leaving it to his possibly emotionally stunted, definitely immature daughter? Why can't these grown men who RUN KINGDOMS man up, kick the witches or evil stepmoms to the curb themselves and show their daughters what a true man is like? I'd read that story!! Admit he was thinking with his dick, wanted to bang the pretty lady, ended up getting a spell or curse or whatever cast on him, actually FIGHT for the himself, his kingdom and DAUGHTER. Why does the daughter always pay for the dad's mistake in these books! 😠 Edit** ok I'm a tiny bit further, SHE ACTUALLY COMPARED THE BROODING LOOK OF A PRINCE TO A SOUR APPLE. Also, when her BFF is starving from forgetting to feed himself, and she knows he doesn't eat, she BRINGS HIM AN APPLE EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Even when they are in different kingdoms!!!!??? Poor guys starving and he gets an apple. LMFAO this book is just ridiculous
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2024
I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Full thoughts to come.
A full year later…oops.
I don’t remember many details, but what I do remember is that the narration was so repetitive and uninteresting. I liked the cursed objects during the final confrontation with the queen - I love callbacks to fairy tales like that - but overall I was just irritated. Glass Midnight had similar issues, but it was so much better than this one.
A full year later…oops.
I don’t remember many details, but what I do remember is that the narration was so repetitive and uninteresting. I liked the cursed objects during the final confrontation with the queen - I love callbacks to fairy tales like that - but overall I was just irritated. Glass Midnight had similar issues, but it was so much better than this one.
October 26, 2024
+13 Don't recommend includes serious topics like self harm and abuse.
Coming into this series, I absolutely loved book 1 & 2! I'm an avid reader if fantasy and I absolutely love your writing style, but to me this book was a disappointment. I found all of the characters weak or uninteresting or bland. I found myself hating the female protagonist and finding her incredibly annyoing.
I understand why you may have wanted to add in a mental health aspect to the book but that took away from the allure of this amazing fantasy world you created. Instead of having the main character use her curse as a strength or learn something from it. Like in the first book that focused on the Prinvess and the Pea (and how even though she was weak, she wasn't afraid of doing the things she enjoyed, and she didn't let that get in the way of her positive demeanour. Additionally, in the 2nd book I like how even though Westley and Odetye had argurbaly way more serious curses they didn't let it stop them from living life. Sure, Westly was a bit of a slacker because he thought life didn't matter but at the end of the story he makes a full circle and we do see his attitude changes, Odette too is just the sweetest person ever.
On the other hand, Snow White immediately went to SELF-HARM as a coping method. I would not recommend this book to anyone under the age of 13. It should have serious CONTENT WARNINGS on the first page as it deals with serious topics and was very very DEPRESSING AND SAD to read.
Even though I hated Snow White's character, the evil queen was the WORST. Coming into the story, there was no backstory or understandable motive for why she was evil or why she wanted to have revenge in the family, and was she under some curse? Her character was flat, unsympathetic and showed no emotion.
There are several scenes that feature abuse, neglect, and hate. How her stepmother slapped her, punched her, contradicted her, told her she couldn't attend her own ball when she's the princess or wear her mom's dress.
Also it's stated in the book that the Evil Queen has a hand in killing her father, but it's never explained how they ended up getting married in the first place, how she killed him, why she killed him or what her next plan was. Her father's last words are something like be careful don't trust that lady don't let her manipulate her like she did to me. I would have liked more details on what specifically she had done. The book had too many glaring plot holes and RED FLAGS.
I won't nag on the romance aspect of the book, it wasn't my favorite, however they did bring out good qualities in each other even if I felt he was too good for the princess.
Lastly, the apple trees were a cool addition to the story but only seemed like a background detail that didn't fit in with the story at all. Then ultimately served no purpose whatsoever to further the plot. For example, we have green apples for healing, gold apples (it was never mentioned what they do), red apples for strength...and then there's some side effect that occurs when you eat to many, but this was never touched on again, I think it would have been cool if you had actually incorporated a greater purpose for them in the story. Like her dad died but, if they had magical healing apples, why didn't that help him recover? This book was so confusing. One of the comments actually left me rather disturbed. It was something like she force fed me apples, it's ok I don't mind she's the princess. I don't know if this was supposed to be sarcasim, but I feel like this is sending the wrong message, to obey and respect your leaders even when you know they're actions are wrong.
Again, I'm not trying to hate on this book, just think it could have been a lot better! Keep making great content, I'm excited to see what the rest of the series has in store!
Coming into this series, I absolutely loved book 1 & 2! I'm an avid reader if fantasy and I absolutely love your writing style, but to me this book was a disappointment. I found all of the characters weak or uninteresting or bland. I found myself hating the female protagonist and finding her incredibly annyoing.
I understand why you may have wanted to add in a mental health aspect to the book but that took away from the allure of this amazing fantasy world you created. Instead of having the main character use her curse as a strength or learn something from it. Like in the first book that focused on the Prinvess and the Pea (and how even though she was weak, she wasn't afraid of doing the things she enjoyed, and she didn't let that get in the way of her positive demeanour. Additionally, in the 2nd book I like how even though Westley and Odetye had argurbaly way more serious curses they didn't let it stop them from living life. Sure, Westly was a bit of a slacker because he thought life didn't matter but at the end of the story he makes a full circle and we do see his attitude changes, Odette too is just the sweetest person ever.
On the other hand, Snow White immediately went to SELF-HARM as a coping method. I would not recommend this book to anyone under the age of 13. It should have serious CONTENT WARNINGS on the first page as it deals with serious topics and was very very DEPRESSING AND SAD to read.
Even though I hated Snow White's character, the evil queen was the WORST. Coming into the story, there was no backstory or understandable motive for why she was evil or why she wanted to have revenge in the family, and was she under some curse? Her character was flat, unsympathetic and showed no emotion.
There are several scenes that feature abuse, neglect, and hate. How her stepmother slapped her, punched her, contradicted her, told her she couldn't attend her own ball when she's the princess or wear her mom's dress.
Also it's stated in the book that the Evil Queen has a hand in killing her father, but it's never explained how they ended up getting married in the first place, how she killed him, why she killed him or what her next plan was. Her father's last words are something like be careful don't trust that lady don't let her manipulate her like she did to me. I would have liked more details on what specifically she had done. The book had too many glaring plot holes and RED FLAGS.
I won't nag on the romance aspect of the book, it wasn't my favorite, however they did bring out good qualities in each other even if I felt he was too good for the princess.
Lastly, the apple trees were a cool addition to the story but only seemed like a background detail that didn't fit in with the story at all. Then ultimately served no purpose whatsoever to further the plot. For example, we have green apples for healing, gold apples (it was never mentioned what they do), red apples for strength...and then there's some side effect that occurs when you eat to many, but this was never touched on again, I think it would have been cool if you had actually incorporated a greater purpose for them in the story. Like her dad died but, if they had magical healing apples, why didn't that help him recover? This book was so confusing. One of the comments actually left me rather disturbed. It was something like she force fed me apples, it's ok I don't mind she's the princess. I don't know if this was supposed to be sarcasim, but I feel like this is sending the wrong message, to obey and respect your leaders even when you know they're actions are wrong.
Again, I'm not trying to hate on this book, just think it could have been a lot better! Keep making great content, I'm excited to see what the rest of the series has in store!
June 3, 2024
"Fairest One" by Kayla Eshbaugh is an engaging and inventive retelling of "Snow White," seamlessly blending familiar elements with fresh twists. As the third (or fourth if you include the prequel novella) installment in The Cursed Kingdom Chronicles, this novel stands out with its unique storyline and well-developed characters.
In this book, we revisit Princess Scarlet of Torren, whose curse of unparalleled beauty brings more challenges than one might expect. Unlike a typical princess, Scarlet's charm lies not only in her beauty but in her spirited, stubborn, and kind nature. Her fondness for apples, tree climbing, and aversion to dancing add layers to her character, making her relatable and endearing.
The relationship between Scarlet and Sir Ronin Dallard, an aspiring knight, is beautifully portrayed. The story delves into their friendship and budding romance, enriched by years of history and mutual respect. Ronin, who initially vows not to fall for Scarlet's beauty, grows to love her for who she truly is. His character is well-crafted as kind and supportive, balancing Scarlet's fiery personality.
The narrative is almost divided into two parts: the first half focuses on the sweet, evolving love story between Scarlet and Ronin, while the second half introduces more action and the classic elements of the "Snow White" tale. This structure keeps the reader engaged, seamlessly transitioning from tender moments to thrilling adventures.
Eshbaugh's dual POV storytelling adds depth to the narrative, allowing readers to experience the story from both Scarlet's and Ronin's perspectives. This technique enhances the emotional connection with the characters and makes their romance and chemistry feel more authentic.
The author's world-building is commendable, with rich backdrops that add whimsy and magic to the story. The inclusion of other characters, such as the other cursed royals with their own backstories and romances, and hints to future stories or the seven knights, each with distinct personalities, enriches the narrative further. While it would have been nice to see more interactions between Scarlet and the knights, the curse's nature justifies their limited engagement.
The villainous stepmother's backstory is well-crafted, providing a deeper understanding of her motivations beyond mere beauty envy. Cleverly integrating elements from the original Grimm version of "Snow White," such as the comb and lace, Eshbaugh adds unexpected twists that enhance the plot.
Overall, "Fairest One" is a delightful addition to The Cursed Kingdom Chronicles. Kayla Eshbaugh's ability to weave classic fairy tales with her unique fantasy world results in a compelling, heartwarming, and adventurous story. Fans of clean romance, fairy tale retellings, and strong character development will find this book a satisfying read. With its engaging plot and well-rounded characters, it leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment, "Spindled Slumber."
.
In this book, we revisit Princess Scarlet of Torren, whose curse of unparalleled beauty brings more challenges than one might expect. Unlike a typical princess, Scarlet's charm lies not only in her beauty but in her spirited, stubborn, and kind nature. Her fondness for apples, tree climbing, and aversion to dancing add layers to her character, making her relatable and endearing.
The relationship between Scarlet and Sir Ronin Dallard, an aspiring knight, is beautifully portrayed. The story delves into their friendship and budding romance, enriched by years of history and mutual respect. Ronin, who initially vows not to fall for Scarlet's beauty, grows to love her for who she truly is. His character is well-crafted as kind and supportive, balancing Scarlet's fiery personality.
The narrative is almost divided into two parts: the first half focuses on the sweet, evolving love story between Scarlet and Ronin, while the second half introduces more action and the classic elements of the "Snow White" tale. This structure keeps the reader engaged, seamlessly transitioning from tender moments to thrilling adventures.
Eshbaugh's dual POV storytelling adds depth to the narrative, allowing readers to experience the story from both Scarlet's and Ronin's perspectives. This technique enhances the emotional connection with the characters and makes their romance and chemistry feel more authentic.
The author's world-building is commendable, with rich backdrops that add whimsy and magic to the story. The inclusion of other characters, such as the other cursed royals with their own backstories and romances, and hints to future stories or the seven knights, each with distinct personalities, enriches the narrative further. While it would have been nice to see more interactions between Scarlet and the knights, the curse's nature justifies their limited engagement.
The villainous stepmother's backstory is well-crafted, providing a deeper understanding of her motivations beyond mere beauty envy. Cleverly integrating elements from the original Grimm version of "Snow White," such as the comb and lace, Eshbaugh adds unexpected twists that enhance the plot.
Overall, "Fairest One" is a delightful addition to The Cursed Kingdom Chronicles. Kayla Eshbaugh's ability to weave classic fairy tales with her unique fantasy world results in a compelling, heartwarming, and adventurous story. Fans of clean romance, fairy tale retellings, and strong character development will find this book a satisfying read. With its engaging plot and well-rounded characters, it leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment, "Spindled Slumber."
.
August 8, 2023
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– majority of this story takes place prior to & outside of the events in True Princess with a little bit afterwards
– this is told from Scarlet & Ronin’s points of view
– Scarlet’s stepmother physically, emotionally, & verbally abuses her (kicks, slaps, pinches; lies to her; speaks condescendingly toward her)
Review:
So beautiful! I’ve been loving seeing Kayla’s teasers on Instagram and getting excited for what was sure to be a beautiful best friends to more romance! It was amazing and I loved how Kayla wove her own Snow White retelling with it and how she tweaked elements of the original story to fit into her fantasy world. Scarlet was a great Snow White and I loved how her curse was to be beautiful as well as beloved by all & that people saw her as the princess from the tale (raven black hair, rose red lips, pure as snow skin) but that’s not truly how she looked beneath the curse. I loved how much Ronin cared for Scarlet and would set aside his own wants/desires/needs to try and help her with hers. I adored that Scarlet recognized that he did it also and that she would try to help him back by making sure he ate. I loved that we got not only an earlier look into how their relationship developed, but we also got multiple flashbacks of stories that connected them. I have so many scenes that I loved in this book, but I think my favorite ones had to be in the orchard!
Summary:
Scarlet is cursed to be beautiful in the eyes of all who see her (beyond the royals who are all also affected or soon to be affected by curses of their own). She wishes that she were normal and without so many unwitting suitors vying to make her happy. Luckily despite her curse, there is one who is unaffected by it and he is her best friend. Ronin has been Scarlet’s best friend since they were children and it pleased her that he could converse with her and care for her without the curse taking hold. So much so that she made Ronin promise not to fall for her…
Ronin took his promise from childhood to heart, but it wasn’t the promise Scarlet believed he gave. Ronin promised not to fall for her beauty, because he knew there was so much more to Scarlet and had already started to fall for who she was rather than how she looked. He knew that Scarlet wasn’t interested in him in that way and had to hide his feelings. But when Scarlet has to step up and follow tradition by giving a favor to whom she wished to win the tournament for her hand in marriage, Ronin couldn’t let her choose anyone but himself. If he can show Scarlet how much she means to him, then she won’t go looking for someone else to be king alongside her. And she can finally know what it looks like when someone is truly in love with her and not going through the motions of the spell her curse casts…
– this is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone
– majority of this story takes place prior to & outside of the events in True Princess with a little bit afterwards
– this is told from Scarlet & Ronin’s points of view
– Scarlet’s stepmother physically, emotionally, & verbally abuses her (kicks, slaps, pinches; lies to her; speaks condescendingly toward her)
Review:
So beautiful! I’ve been loving seeing Kayla’s teasers on Instagram and getting excited for what was sure to be a beautiful best friends to more romance! It was amazing and I loved how Kayla wove her own Snow White retelling with it and how she tweaked elements of the original story to fit into her fantasy world. Scarlet was a great Snow White and I loved how her curse was to be beautiful as well as beloved by all & that people saw her as the princess from the tale (raven black hair, rose red lips, pure as snow skin) but that’s not truly how she looked beneath the curse. I loved how much Ronin cared for Scarlet and would set aside his own wants/desires/needs to try and help her with hers. I adored that Scarlet recognized that he did it also and that she would try to help him back by making sure he ate. I loved that we got not only an earlier look into how their relationship developed, but we also got multiple flashbacks of stories that connected them. I have so many scenes that I loved in this book, but I think my favorite ones had to be in the orchard!
Summary:
Scarlet is cursed to be beautiful in the eyes of all who see her (beyond the royals who are all also affected or soon to be affected by curses of their own). She wishes that she were normal and without so many unwitting suitors vying to make her happy. Luckily despite her curse, there is one who is unaffected by it and he is her best friend. Ronin has been Scarlet’s best friend since they were children and it pleased her that he could converse with her and care for her without the curse taking hold. So much so that she made Ronin promise not to fall for her…
Ronin took his promise from childhood to heart, but it wasn’t the promise Scarlet believed he gave. Ronin promised not to fall for her beauty, because he knew there was so much more to Scarlet and had already started to fall for who she was rather than how she looked. He knew that Scarlet wasn’t interested in him in that way and had to hide his feelings. But when Scarlet has to step up and follow tradition by giving a favor to whom she wished to win the tournament for her hand in marriage, Ronin couldn’t let her choose anyone but himself. If he can show Scarlet how much she means to him, then she won’t go looking for someone else to be king alongside her. And she can finally know what it looks like when someone is truly in love with her and not going through the motions of the spell her curse casts…
August 9, 2023
This is book 3 in the Cursed Kingdom Chronicles; however, it can be read as a standalone! While you do not need to read books 1 and 2 before this one, I recommend reading them all!
Kayla has done it again! I was so excited for this release and was even happier when I received an arc! I live for fairy tale retellings as a 90s Disney child. Kayla has taken a popular fairy tale and put her own spin on it to give us a deep dive into a fantasy world. Scarlet and Ronin are two of my favorite characters and I hope you love them as much as I did. While the romance is clean, it is a really adorable story, and the anticipation makes you keep flipping the pages. It was IMPOSSIBLE to put this book down! I CANNOT wait for book 4!
BLURB:
Welcome to the ancient land of Terra, where curses run rampant throughout all the kingdoms and where the royalty desperately attempt to break their curses and claim their own happily ever afters.
Princess Scarlet of Torren is the fairest one in all the land–only she doesn’t want to be. While some may believe a curse for being beautiful isn’t much of a curse at all, Scarlet knows differently. It’s more sinister than anyone realizes. Scarlet grows up hiding from nobles at court to prevent them from falling victim to her curse. Defying as many royal rules as possible, Scarlet is known not only for her beauty but as a messy and odd princess. When she meets an aspiring knight, she makes him vow to never fall in love with her beauty. With his friendship, she feels like she has everything she needs–that is, until she loses it all.
Sir Ronin Dallard doesn’t know when it happened, but he is in love with Princess Scarlet of Torren. His vow he made as a child to never fall in love with her beauty–he can rest assured knowing it isn’t her beauty he is in love with. As the bridal tournament is called, Princess Scarlet must choose a knight to wear her token. Ronin wants to be the one to win the tournament for her. He is determined to convince Scarlet that his love is for her, not the curse.
When outside forces pull them apart, and the kingdom is under attack from the inside, will Ronin and Scarlet find a way to save Torren from a false queen? A false queen who will do all in her power to use Scarlet’s curse to take over not only her kingdom but all the kingdoms in the land. Can beauty save a kingdom? Or will it destroy them all?
Kayla has done it again! I was so excited for this release and was even happier when I received an arc! I live for fairy tale retellings as a 90s Disney child. Kayla has taken a popular fairy tale and put her own spin on it to give us a deep dive into a fantasy world. Scarlet and Ronin are two of my favorite characters and I hope you love them as much as I did. While the romance is clean, it is a really adorable story, and the anticipation makes you keep flipping the pages. It was IMPOSSIBLE to put this book down! I CANNOT wait for book 4!
BLURB:
Welcome to the ancient land of Terra, where curses run rampant throughout all the kingdoms and where the royalty desperately attempt to break their curses and claim their own happily ever afters.
Princess Scarlet of Torren is the fairest one in all the land–only she doesn’t want to be. While some may believe a curse for being beautiful isn’t much of a curse at all, Scarlet knows differently. It’s more sinister than anyone realizes. Scarlet grows up hiding from nobles at court to prevent them from falling victim to her curse. Defying as many royal rules as possible, Scarlet is known not only for her beauty but as a messy and odd princess. When she meets an aspiring knight, she makes him vow to never fall in love with her beauty. With his friendship, she feels like she has everything she needs–that is, until she loses it all.
Sir Ronin Dallard doesn’t know when it happened, but he is in love with Princess Scarlet of Torren. His vow he made as a child to never fall in love with her beauty–he can rest assured knowing it isn’t her beauty he is in love with. As the bridal tournament is called, Princess Scarlet must choose a knight to wear her token. Ronin wants to be the one to win the tournament for her. He is determined to convince Scarlet that his love is for her, not the curse.
When outside forces pull them apart, and the kingdom is under attack from the inside, will Ronin and Scarlet find a way to save Torren from a false queen? A false queen who will do all in her power to use Scarlet’s curse to take over not only her kingdom but all the kingdoms in the land. Can beauty save a kingdom? Or will it destroy them all?
August 5, 2024
🍎🌿 Fairest One is a charming Snow White Retelling that's perfect for anyone who loves ya fairytale retellings! You'll love this sweet coming of age story that's a blend of classic Snow White elements from the original Grimm tale, with a unique twist that's reminiscent of A Knight's Tale! Fairest One is a standalone fairytale but it's also Book 3 in @kaylaeshbaughwrites Cursed Kingdom Chronicles, which means you can read this on it's own or read the series in order!
⚔️ You won't find any 7 dwarves in this version, but instead 7 young knights who are as adventurous & humorous as they are loyal & brave, utterly devoted to their kingdom and each other. They are truly a band of brothers united by an unbreakable code of chivalry & honor. Their relationship dynamics with each other and Scarlet & Ronin was one of my favorite parts of this story, as their familial bonds give this book a cozy heartwarming feel!
🍎🌿 Being cursed with a surface beauty that masked her true self, Scarlet never dreamed she would find someone who could love her for who she truly was inside. But somehow, Ronin was the only one able to see Scarlet beneath her curse, and loved her for her lively free-spirited heart. But she did have some growing up to do, and it was lovely the way Kayla showed childhood flashbacks from both Scarlet's & Ronin's POV, showing the tenderness of their childhood love as it deepened over the years & the countless ways they were always there for each other. Ronin's tender & patient devotion as he pursued Scarlet's heart was SO incredibly romantic & swoon-worthy! The knight tournament to win her hand was especially exciting & filled with the best kind of tension as he fought for her heart!
🧭 The world building was intricately detailed, especially with how it was connected to neighboring kingdoms and the royals who lived there, which are other characters from The Cursed Chronicles Series. Scarlet's kingdom was just a small part of the much larger world Kayla lovingly created, each corner of the map filled with it's own rich heritage & histories, intertwining her fairytales in a way that's realistic & intriguing.
I LOVED this story & highly recommend it!!
🍎🌿❤️🌿🍎
⚔️ You won't find any 7 dwarves in this version, but instead 7 young knights who are as adventurous & humorous as they are loyal & brave, utterly devoted to their kingdom and each other. They are truly a band of brothers united by an unbreakable code of chivalry & honor. Their relationship dynamics with each other and Scarlet & Ronin was one of my favorite parts of this story, as their familial bonds give this book a cozy heartwarming feel!
🍎🌿 Being cursed with a surface beauty that masked her true self, Scarlet never dreamed she would find someone who could love her for who she truly was inside. But somehow, Ronin was the only one able to see Scarlet beneath her curse, and loved her for her lively free-spirited heart. But she did have some growing up to do, and it was lovely the way Kayla showed childhood flashbacks from both Scarlet's & Ronin's POV, showing the tenderness of their childhood love as it deepened over the years & the countless ways they were always there for each other. Ronin's tender & patient devotion as he pursued Scarlet's heart was SO incredibly romantic & swoon-worthy! The knight tournament to win her hand was especially exciting & filled with the best kind of tension as he fought for her heart!
🧭 The world building was intricately detailed, especially with how it was connected to neighboring kingdoms and the royals who lived there, which are other characters from The Cursed Chronicles Series. Scarlet's kingdom was just a small part of the much larger world Kayla lovingly created, each corner of the map filled with it's own rich heritage & histories, intertwining her fairytales in a way that's realistic & intriguing.
I LOVED this story & highly recommend it!!
🍎🌿❤️🌿🍎
July 10, 2023
Definitely a unique spin on Snow White.
I always enjoy seeing the culture of a new kingdom - we heard about Tolsten's knights in True Princess so it was great to finally see the tournament in Fairest One.
Scarlett was a completely different kind of princess to our previous heroines. She had such inner strength and bravery to always be herself even if it meant displaying her own brand of defiance to her stepmother as well as constantly fighting for her kingdom. Her pride and temper could blind her to her own feelings at times but ultimately she didn't let this stand in the way of her loving Ronin even if she couldn't recognise and define her own feelings. She was constantly there for him.
Ronin was the perfect balance to Scarlett: patient, thoughtful, and wise beyond his years. He did have his insecurities that he wasn't good enough for Scarlett and surprisingly quite the jealous streak. But his pure, enduring love for Scarlett and her less than perfect appearance was beautiful and seeing his determination to make her see him as a contender for her heart was lovely.
I'm glad that all seven knights received their own characterisations and were all so clearly different - it would've been nice to see them interact more with Scarlett and build more of a relationship with her but I understand how her curse makes this difficult.
I'm glad that with the stepmother, beauty wasn't the driving force behind her actions and we actually get an explanation of how she becomes the person she is. I love how the comb and lace from the original Grim version of Snow White were used in this story, especially as the way they were used was a twist I didn't see coming.
Now I can't wait for Spindled Slumber - we got to see more of Gideon and he finally confirmed some things that have been hinted to throughout the previous books. His happy ending with Briar is long overdue.
I always enjoy seeing the culture of a new kingdom - we heard about Tolsten's knights in True Princess so it was great to finally see the tournament in Fairest One.
Scarlett was a completely different kind of princess to our previous heroines. She had such inner strength and bravery to always be herself even if it meant displaying her own brand of defiance to her stepmother as well as constantly fighting for her kingdom. Her pride and temper could blind her to her own feelings at times but ultimately she didn't let this stand in the way of her loving Ronin even if she couldn't recognise and define her own feelings. She was constantly there for him.
Ronin was the perfect balance to Scarlett: patient, thoughtful, and wise beyond his years. He did have his insecurities that he wasn't good enough for Scarlett and surprisingly quite the jealous streak. But his pure, enduring love for Scarlett and her less than perfect appearance was beautiful and seeing his determination to make her see him as a contender for her heart was lovely.
I'm glad that all seven knights received their own characterisations and were all so clearly different - it would've been nice to see them interact more with Scarlett and build more of a relationship with her but I understand how her curse makes this difficult.
I'm glad that with the stepmother, beauty wasn't the driving force behind her actions and we actually get an explanation of how she becomes the person she is. I love how the comb and lace from the original Grim version of Snow White were used in this story, especially as the way they were used was a twist I didn't see coming.
Now I can't wait for Spindled Slumber - we got to see more of Gideon and he finally confirmed some things that have been hinted to throughout the previous books. His happy ending with Briar is long overdue.
July 19, 2023
Fairest One 👸🏻
🍎 A Snow White Retelling 🍎
(The Cursed Kingdom Chronicles #3)
By Kayla Eshbaugh
All the Kingdoms of Terra have had their Royals cursed because of their stance (or lack thereof) in The Great War that pitted some of the magical beings against the Humans. They must find a way to break their curse or be stuck with it forever.
This newest tale, which is a retelling of Snow White, takes place in the kingdom of Torren. Scarlet is a young Royal cursed with such extraordinary beauty that it causes those that look upon her to instantly fall in love with her (men) or want to be like her (women). All except her childhood best friend and now a brave knight Sir Ronin. As her kingdom is attacked from with her own family, she must find her strength and courage to fight for her kingdom. Will her beauty be what saves her or kills her? Will she ever find someone who see her for more than just a pretty face?
Well, Kayla Eshbaugh has done it again… she has managed to take a very familiar fairytale and add her own special magic to it. The story of Scarlet is a touching tale of a somewhat lonely girl. Someone who can’t really befriend anyone because they all come under her spell. Ronin is the only one who sees her for who she truly is. The slow unfolding of their friendship/relationship is told through flashbacks from their childhood. I enjoyed the dual prospectives of Scarlet and Ronin. This is a clean romance, however I did feel it a tad bit more descriptive than the previous books in this series. I would still allow my 15 year old daughter read it. This is a beautiful love story/adventure story with many humorous parts (can you tell who the seven dwarves are?). I definitely recommend it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and will be waiting anxiously for the next installment…
Spindled Slumber 🪡 which comes out in December 2023
#fairestone #thecursedkingdomchronicles #snowwhite #snowwhiteretelling #fairytale #fairytaleretelling #kaylaeshbaugh
#yafantasy #yacleanreads #yafairytale
🍎 A Snow White Retelling 🍎
(The Cursed Kingdom Chronicles #3)
By Kayla Eshbaugh
All the Kingdoms of Terra have had their Royals cursed because of their stance (or lack thereof) in The Great War that pitted some of the magical beings against the Humans. They must find a way to break their curse or be stuck with it forever.
This newest tale, which is a retelling of Snow White, takes place in the kingdom of Torren. Scarlet is a young Royal cursed with such extraordinary beauty that it causes those that look upon her to instantly fall in love with her (men) or want to be like her (women). All except her childhood best friend and now a brave knight Sir Ronin. As her kingdom is attacked from with her own family, she must find her strength and courage to fight for her kingdom. Will her beauty be what saves her or kills her? Will she ever find someone who see her for more than just a pretty face?
Well, Kayla Eshbaugh has done it again… she has managed to take a very familiar fairytale and add her own special magic to it. The story of Scarlet is a touching tale of a somewhat lonely girl. Someone who can’t really befriend anyone because they all come under her spell. Ronin is the only one who sees her for who she truly is. The slow unfolding of their friendship/relationship is told through flashbacks from their childhood. I enjoyed the dual prospectives of Scarlet and Ronin. This is a clean romance, however I did feel it a tad bit more descriptive than the previous books in this series. I would still allow my 15 year old daughter read it. This is a beautiful love story/adventure story with many humorous parts (can you tell who the seven dwarves are?). I definitely recommend it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and will be waiting anxiously for the next installment…
Spindled Slumber 🪡 which comes out in December 2023
#fairestone #thecursedkingdomchronicles #snowwhite #snowwhiteretelling #fairytale #fairytaleretelling #kaylaeshbaugh
#yafantasy #yacleanreads #yafairytale
August 7, 2023
OH MY GOSH, YALL! I binge read this book in two days and it had me staying up throughout the night reading until I woke up and found my kindle app still on! 😂
I’m so so thankful that @kaylaeshbaughwrites chose me to be on her ARC team for this one. I was obsessed with this one from the moment I saw the cover, and then all the teasers and synopsis and things she posted to promote it only hyped me up more. Being that my birthday is in August, I considered this almost a gift from the author and I’m so happy I got to read it!
I’ve read many retellings and Snow White is my favorite. But this one definitely stands out as one of my favorites. It’s still unique, and different from any I’ve read. She’s put new twists on the tale and takes it in ways that even the newly retold versions don’t.
The romance (and friendship) between Scarlet and Ronin had me all in my feels. It was the sweetest and they fit together so perfectly!
And the villain in this one is more intense than you may expect! Like…yikes.
The author beautifully wraps up the ending in a bow as pretty as the book itself is! I can’t wait to read the next one, as this author is officially a favorite of mine in this genre!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Overall, I rate this AMAZING book (and my favorite so far in this series):
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/ 5 Stars
This book officially releases tomorrow, on August 8th! Please check it out and I hope you love it as much as I did! 😍
I’m so so thankful that @kaylaeshbaughwrites chose me to be on her ARC team for this one. I was obsessed with this one from the moment I saw the cover, and then all the teasers and synopsis and things she posted to promote it only hyped me up more. Being that my birthday is in August, I considered this almost a gift from the author and I’m so happy I got to read it!
I’ve read many retellings and Snow White is my favorite. But this one definitely stands out as one of my favorites. It’s still unique, and different from any I’ve read. She’s put new twists on the tale and takes it in ways that even the newly retold versions don’t.
The romance (and friendship) between Scarlet and Ronin had me all in my feels. It was the sweetest and they fit together so perfectly!
And the villain in this one is more intense than you may expect! Like…yikes.
The author beautifully wraps up the ending in a bow as pretty as the book itself is! I can’t wait to read the next one, as this author is officially a favorite of mine in this genre!
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Overall, I rate this AMAZING book (and my favorite so far in this series):
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/ 5 Stars
This book officially releases tomorrow, on August 8th! Please check it out and I hope you love it as much as I did! 😍
August 9, 2023
2.5*
*I was sent an advanced readers copy for review* (Thank you to the author for the opportunity. I may not have fallen in love with this story, but I am most certainly interested in your other works.)
This book was alright. I admit, I went into this story without ever reading the previous novels. However, there was enough for me to catch, but I definitely did not have the full scope of the bigger, broader background, as I'm sure I would if I had read the earlier books.
The actual plot (ya know, like what the original Snow White story is all about) really doesn't start happening till about 60% of the way through. The beginning is a lot of internal monolog from our characters repeating their same worries every few paragraphs. It was very repetitive and a little tiresome to get through. I felt no connection to any of the characters. It didn't feel like any of them had their own voices; all of the knights sounded the exact same. Our two main characters were 19 and 21, but they read a lot younger.
As I said, the pacing is very slow, but then the ending is quick; the "final battle" scene lasted all but a handful of paragraphs.
I would say this story is geared toward the younger side of YA. I believe if I would have read this when I was 14-16 years old, I would have been absolutely enamored with the soft romance.
It was a quick read, and I will always have an appreciation for fairytale retellings, Fairest Ones, unfortunately, was just not my favorite.
*I was sent an advanced readers copy for review* (Thank you to the author for the opportunity. I may not have fallen in love with this story, but I am most certainly interested in your other works.)
This book was alright. I admit, I went into this story without ever reading the previous novels. However, there was enough for me to catch, but I definitely did not have the full scope of the bigger, broader background, as I'm sure I would if I had read the earlier books.
The actual plot (ya know, like what the original Snow White story is all about) really doesn't start happening till about 60% of the way through. The beginning is a lot of internal monolog from our characters repeating their same worries every few paragraphs. It was very repetitive and a little tiresome to get through. I felt no connection to any of the characters. It didn't feel like any of them had their own voices; all of the knights sounded the exact same. Our two main characters were 19 and 21, but they read a lot younger.
As I said, the pacing is very slow, but then the ending is quick; the "final battle" scene lasted all but a handful of paragraphs.
I would say this story is geared toward the younger side of YA. I believe if I would have read this when I was 14-16 years old, I would have been absolutely enamored with the soft romance.
It was a quick read, and I will always have an appreciation for fairytale retellings, Fairest Ones, unfortunately, was just not my favorite.
July 24, 2023
Another great read from The Cursed Kingdom Chronicles. The story is about Princess Scarlet (who first appeared in True Princess) and explains how her father died, the relationship between her and her stepmother, and the love story between her and her best friend Sir Ronin.
Like the first two books in the series, Eshbaugh takes the original and makes her own twist on it. Unlike the original damsel in distress Snow White, Scarlet is a brave and bold heroine who is determined to save her kingdom from the rule of her cruel and vain Queen Helena (who poisons an entire magical orchard instead of just one apple). Plus, instead of dwarves there are seven knights who are Ronin’s friends and are loyal to Scarlet only (despite her curse).
The relationship between Scarlet and Ronin was so sweet and romantic. You got to love the classic friends to lovers trope.
There are a few surprises here and there, but other readers will have to find out those on their own.
In the end this book was great and for those who love fantasy and clean romance.
Like the first two books in the series, Eshbaugh takes the original and makes her own twist on it. Unlike the original damsel in distress Snow White, Scarlet is a brave and bold heroine who is determined to save her kingdom from the rule of her cruel and vain Queen Helena (who poisons an entire magical orchard instead of just one apple). Plus, instead of dwarves there are seven knights who are Ronin’s friends and are loyal to Scarlet only (despite her curse).
The relationship between Scarlet and Ronin was so sweet and romantic. You got to love the classic friends to lovers trope.
There are a few surprises here and there, but other readers will have to find out those on their own.
In the end this book was great and for those who love fantasy and clean romance.
August 9, 2023
Fairest One is a Snow White retelling that falls as the 3rd book in Cursed Kingdom Chronicles series, but it can be read as a standalone. Though I believe, reading it in the series order is best enjoyed—after all, that's what I felt after reading this one, and yes, I haven't read the others yet but I really want to. Because reading this book, you find yourself drawn to not only the FMC and MMC, but to the mysterious side-characters as well!
I loved Scarlett and Ronin SO much, so much so that I almost wishing if this book was actually a movie! Their friendship growing into love, Scarlett's friendship with Prince Malik, Ronin's bond with his knights, the twists and turns, mysteries, mysterious side-characters, the world building... Gah! Everything about this book was amazing and enchanting!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves clean fairytale retellings! This is my first read from Kayla Eshbaugh and it won't be the last! It was a privilege being in her ARC team!
All the opinion is mine.
I loved Scarlett and Ronin SO much, so much so that I almost wishing if this book was actually a movie! Their friendship growing into love, Scarlett's friendship with Prince Malik, Ronin's bond with his knights, the twists and turns, mysteries, mysterious side-characters, the world building... Gah! Everything about this book was amazing and enchanting!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves clean fairytale retellings! This is my first read from Kayla Eshbaugh and it won't be the last! It was a privilege being in her ARC team!
All the opinion is mine.
July 11, 2023
I love fairy tale retellings from sweet to dark. This one is definitely darker than the rest of the series because it stays true to the essence of Snow White. I found Scarlet's obsession with apples endearing. She is a bit naive, clueless about romance and has tomboy vibes. I thought it was sweet that she grew up with Ronin and they both figured out how to navigate grief and step into adulthood together. I liked how Ronin stayed respectful of Scarlet even when he could have ignored what she wanted. This book does have some twists and turns, but it includes all the important elements in the Snow White story reimagined.
This book helps expand the reader's understanding of the universe. It has overlap with "True Princess" the first book in the series. It also helps set the stage for the rest of the series.
Trigger warnings: parent death, imprisonment, poisoning, abuse from a parental figure
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book helps expand the reader's understanding of the universe. It has overlap with "True Princess" the first book in the series. It also helps set the stage for the rest of the series.
Trigger warnings: parent death, imprisonment, poisoning, abuse from a parental figure
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 28, 2023
I LOVED Scarlet and Ronin's love story 😍
It was such a cute friends to lovers tale, based on Snow White. But while the novel did have apples and mirrors and an evil stepmother .... those are pretty much where the similarities end.
THIS princess didn't need saving. She was spunky and resourceful and her people loved her and fought for her. Inatead of 7 dwarfs, he love had a team of 7 knights, and man...they are some funny guys. Had me laughing out loud 😂
Scarlet was smart and didn't take anything from her abusive step mother. Her curse meant everyone fawned over her beauty but Ronin was her rock. It did get a bit old when she insisted he was "just a friend" but Ronin made up for that.
For being a clean romance book....those kisses were HOT 🙊 Couldn't get enough of these two and their teasing and strategizing tbh 😂
Highly recommend for anyone who love fairytale retellings, clean romance, and friendly banter 😄
It was such a cute friends to lovers tale, based on Snow White. But while the novel did have apples and mirrors and an evil stepmother .... those are pretty much where the similarities end.
THIS princess didn't need saving. She was spunky and resourceful and her people loved her and fought for her. Inatead of 7 dwarfs, he love had a team of 7 knights, and man...they are some funny guys. Had me laughing out loud 😂
Scarlet was smart and didn't take anything from her abusive step mother. Her curse meant everyone fawned over her beauty but Ronin was her rock. It did get a bit old when she insisted he was "just a friend" but Ronin made up for that.
For being a clean romance book....those kisses were HOT 🙊 Couldn't get enough of these two and their teasing and strategizing tbh 😂
Highly recommend for anyone who love fairytale retellings, clean romance, and friendly banter 😄
February 12, 2025
4,75 Sterren!!!
Die kleine 0,25 zit erin dat ik een best groot deel van het originele sprookje miste in het verhaal: dat Sneeuwwitje in het boshuisje zit bij de 7 dwergen. Dan krijgt ze meerdere keren een bezoek van de heks die vermomd is als oud vrouwtje. Dan gaat ze telkens bijna dood door wat die vrouw haar geeft, en ten slotte lijkt ze helemaal dood te zijn doordat ze stikt in de appel. De dwergen bouwen die glazen gist, en dan is het maar welk einde je voorkeur heeft: of de prins kust haar wakker, of ze wordt wakker omdat één van de dwergen struikelt en ze de kist laten vallen.
Het hele element dat de koningin de mooiste wilde zijn zat er niet echt in, Helena wilde vooral de macht over de hele wereld hebben, en de mensen straffen voor wat ze hadden gedaan. Daardoor maakte die spreuk aan de rand van de spiegel ook niet meer zo veel sens.
Dit was het enige wat ik jammer vond, maar voor de rest echt fantastisch
Die kleine 0,25 zit erin dat ik een best groot deel van het originele sprookje miste in het verhaal: dat Sneeuwwitje in het boshuisje zit bij de 7 dwergen. Dan krijgt ze meerdere keren een bezoek van de heks die vermomd is als oud vrouwtje. Dan gaat ze telkens bijna dood door wat die vrouw haar geeft, en ten slotte lijkt ze helemaal dood te zijn doordat ze stikt in de appel. De dwergen bouwen die glazen gist, en dan is het maar welk einde je voorkeur heeft: of de prins kust haar wakker, of ze wordt wakker omdat één van de dwergen struikelt en ze de kist laten vallen.
Het hele element dat de koningin de mooiste wilde zijn zat er niet echt in, Helena wilde vooral de macht over de hele wereld hebben, en de mensen straffen voor wat ze hadden gedaan. Daardoor maakte die spreuk aan de rand van de spiegel ook niet meer zo veel sens.
Dit was het enige wat ik jammer vond, maar voor de rest echt fantastisch
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2023
I have been loving this series and this book was the same!
I'm a sucker for a friends to lovers story. Ronin and Scarlett's relationship was fun to watch develop from friendly teasing into a deeper romantic relationship. I liked that Scarlett had to work through her childhood traumas in order to open herself up to love. And Ronin was super patient and sweet through it all!
I did notice a couple of typos with Ronin's name (spelling it Ronan) on the Kindle edition, just as a note. Also, the pacing felt a little funny in the front half of the book--I think because of the book being split by the princess tourney that we read about in the first book of the series. But the timing all worked out in the end without feeling rushed!
Excited to read about Gideon and Briar, but dying to read Odette's story!!
I'm a sucker for a friends to lovers story. Ronin and Scarlett's relationship was fun to watch develop from friendly teasing into a deeper romantic relationship. I liked that Scarlett had to work through her childhood traumas in order to open herself up to love. And Ronin was super patient and sweet through it all!
I did notice a couple of typos with Ronin's name (spelling it Ronan) on the Kindle edition, just as a note. Also, the pacing felt a little funny in the front half of the book--I think because of the book being split by the princess tourney that we read about in the first book of the series. But the timing all worked out in the end without feeling rushed!
Excited to read about Gideon and Briar, but dying to read Odette's story!!
July 4, 2024
Another cute retelling by Kayla.
This one is a Snow White retelling. I have to say, I absolutely loved the "7 dwarves"! I think you will too.
Scarlet is the fairest and is cursed with everyone seeing her as a flawless beauty. Will no one love her for her?
Ronin is a knight in the service to the crown. He and Scarlet are best friends and the only one in the kingdom unaffected by her curse. But why?
Draken is at it again in this one! There are some twists and turns that I didn't see. I'm not a huge fan of Snow White.
This one like the others is a clean read. Steamy kisses, no gore, no adult language, did someone say dragon, and squeaky clean.
The one thing that bothers me is the author's use of "-" throughout the book. They are everywhere. Aside from that, no complaints! Get on board for this fantastic series!
This one is a Snow White retelling. I have to say, I absolutely loved the "7 dwarves"! I think you will too.
Scarlet is the fairest and is cursed with everyone seeing her as a flawless beauty. Will no one love her for her?
Ronin is a knight in the service to the crown. He and Scarlet are best friends and the only one in the kingdom unaffected by her curse. But why?
Draken is at it again in this one! There are some twists and turns that I didn't see. I'm not a huge fan of Snow White.
This one like the others is a clean read. Steamy kisses, no gore, no adult language, did someone say dragon, and squeaky clean.
The one thing that bothers me is the author's use of "-" throughout the book. They are everywhere. Aside from that, no complaints! Get on board for this fantastic series!
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