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Of Curses and Beauty #1
Of Curses & Beauty
One curse to bring them together.
One kiss to tear them apart.
All her life, Alaine has suffered the weight of her beauty and she is tired of it. When an unexpected debt threatens her family, Alaine is urged to accept a lucrative marriage to her worst nightmare. She flees to the nearby forest and encounters a witch that offers to help her. The last thing Alaine expects is to be taken away, stripped of her beauty, and abandoned at a curious cottage with no way out.
Daric has been cursed for centuries when a strange young woman wanders into his secluded corner of the woods, claiming to be a lost beauty. For years, his only goal had been to escape the enchanted cottage and exact revenge against the witch that ensnared him. But sharing his curse with Alaine might not be so bad, especially if she’s the one that can break it.
Daric yearns to see them both free. Alaine knows her family is counting on her, but as her reluctant friendship with Daric blossoms into something more, she must decide if saving her parents is worth losing him and returning to the marriage she escaped.
Let this sweet fairy tale romance with forced proximity and unexpected friendship sweep you off your feet. In this romantic Beauty and the Beast retelling, the villain isn’t always who they seem to be, and curses are sometimes blessings in disguise.
One kiss to tear them apart.
All her life, Alaine has suffered the weight of her beauty and she is tired of it. When an unexpected debt threatens her family, Alaine is urged to accept a lucrative marriage to her worst nightmare. She flees to the nearby forest and encounters a witch that offers to help her. The last thing Alaine expects is to be taken away, stripped of her beauty, and abandoned at a curious cottage with no way out.
Daric has been cursed for centuries when a strange young woman wanders into his secluded corner of the woods, claiming to be a lost beauty. For years, his only goal had been to escape the enchanted cottage and exact revenge against the witch that ensnared him. But sharing his curse with Alaine might not be so bad, especially if she’s the one that can break it.
Daric yearns to see them both free. Alaine knows her family is counting on her, but as her reluctant friendship with Daric blossoms into something more, she must decide if saving her parents is worth losing him and returning to the marriage she escaped.
Let this sweet fairy tale romance with forced proximity and unexpected friendship sweep you off your feet. In this romantic Beauty and the Beast retelling, the villain isn’t always who they seem to be, and curses are sometimes blessings in disguise.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2023
77 people are currently reading
606 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
March 26, 2023
A charming, romantic, and highly satisfying reimagining of Beauty and the Beast with well-done feminist undertones and lovely themes of worth and loving people for who they are and not their external trappings of status or appearance (but in the opposite direction of most BATB, of valuing the person and not merely their beauty, rather than learning to see past a beastly exterior, which I thought was clever). I chuckled, I smiled, I felt for the characters, and I was lightly surprised by a couple twists. This has an almost cozy fantasy feel, with overall fairly low stakes and many adorable domestic scenes. Alaine and Daric are very cute, and the romance has just a bit of steam but no spice.
I thought it was a bit of a shame Alaine had no friends at all other than her father, and parts of this harkened a bit more to the...Mouse version of BATB than I'd perhaps prefer, but still made the story its own.
I was admittedly almost afraid to read this book because I've known Elle online for a few years and was so excited for her to publish her debut, but (as I often worry when reading books by people I know) what if for whatever reason I really didn't like it? I needn't have worried. This was a lovely story that I read almost entirely in one day, great enjoyed, and heartily recommend.
Trigger warnings:
Leering & mention of brief groping; selfish & jealous mother; ~low to mid PG-13-level brief scenes of physical assault/violence against the female MC; villain tries to force MC into marriage.
I thought it was a bit of a shame Alaine had no friends at all other than her father, and parts of this harkened a bit more to the...Mouse version of BATB than I'd perhaps prefer, but still made the story its own.
I was admittedly almost afraid to read this book because I've known Elle online for a few years and was so excited for her to publish her debut, but (as I often worry when reading books by people I know) what if for whatever reason I really didn't like it? I needn't have worried. This was a lovely story that I read almost entirely in one day, great enjoyed, and heartily recommend.
Trigger warnings:
Leering & mention of brief groping; selfish & jealous mother; ~low to mid PG-13-level brief scenes of physical assault/violence against the female MC; villain tries to force MC into marriage.
February 23, 2023
I received this book as an ARC but this review is 100% my own thoughts and opinions.
I really enjoyed this story, it is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. I love Beauty and the Beast, so I was excited to read this book and a bit worried about what Elle Backenstoe would do to the story but I am in love with all her changes and the similarities she kept.
The characters are amazing, Alaine and Daric's love story was so much fun to read, I loved seeing them realise how they felt and fought for their love as Belle and Beast had to. However, my favourite characters were the cottage and Eudora, they were so funny, sassy and lovely.
The plot was great, and the twist was fun and handled well. Also, unlike Belle, Alaine's mother was alive and it was fun to see the relationship between the mother and daughter.
I really enjoyed this story, it is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. I love Beauty and the Beast, so I was excited to read this book and a bit worried about what Elle Backenstoe would do to the story but I am in love with all her changes and the similarities she kept.
The characters are amazing, Alaine and Daric's love story was so much fun to read, I loved seeing them realise how they felt and fought for their love as Belle and Beast had to. However, my favourite characters were the cottage and Eudora, they were so funny, sassy and lovely.
The plot was great, and the twist was fun and handled well. Also, unlike Belle, Alaine's mother was alive and it was fun to see the relationship between the mother and daughter.
March 21, 2023
This BATB retelling was everything I wanted and more. It's a wonderful twist with high stakes and a romance that I think we can all relate to. I loved finding the small Easter eggs from the Disney retelling. Definitely put this at the top of your TBR!
March 19, 2023
3.75 stars
Thank you Book of Matches Media and the author for sending me an eARC to read and review.
I liked this one. It was easy to read, and the story moved pretty quickly. I wish that there had been more of a focus on Alaine and Daric’s romance in the cottage. I felt like they had started to build up a good relationship and then it was just immediately “I love you” and then other things were happening in the story and they weren’t together for most of the second half.
The story was pretty simple, and the writing style was easy to follow along with. It’s a 3rd person POV and we get Alaine, Daric, and the witch.
I liked the plot. It was an interesting twist on the classic Beauty and the Beast. I thought the cottage setting was cosy and really liked seeing Daric and Alaine get to know each other. The plot line of Alaine’s impending wedding to Lord Baxter had my skin crawling with the descriptions of Baxter’s character. The author did a great job of writing him as a villain.
Thank you Book of Matches Media and the author for sending me an eARC to read and review.
I liked this one. It was easy to read, and the story moved pretty quickly. I wish that there had been more of a focus on Alaine and Daric’s romance in the cottage. I felt like they had started to build up a good relationship and then it was just immediately “I love you” and then other things were happening in the story and they weren’t together for most of the second half.
The story was pretty simple, and the writing style was easy to follow along with. It’s a 3rd person POV and we get Alaine, Daric, and the witch.
I liked the plot. It was an interesting twist on the classic Beauty and the Beast. I thought the cottage setting was cosy and really liked seeing Daric and Alaine get to know each other. The plot line of Alaine’s impending wedding to Lord Baxter had my skin crawling with the descriptions of Baxter’s character. The author did a great job of writing him as a villain.
October 15, 2025
eh solid enough lwk i feel neutral on every character
March 26, 2023
I just devoured this book and loved every minute of it! I love a good fairytale retelling and how much better can it get than beauty and the beast. Alaine was desperate to get away from the man her family expects her to marry and she is torn between family duty and her own happiness. Daric is bitter and I loved seeing him change throughout the story. The only thing I didn't love about the book is it's on the shorter side so the story moves quickly and I would have liked more! More details and a bit more development in their relationship. But all in all, such a great book!
March 26, 2023
Of Curses & Beauty is the debut of Elle Backenstoe. This book is a romantic Beauty and the Beast retelling, in which the villian isn’t who you think they would be. The cover itself is really awesome and already one reason for me why I would read this book. In addition I totally love retellings with a twist, but what will I think of this one?
Find out in my review on my blog Boekensteeg
Find out in my review on my blog Boekensteeg
March 24, 2023
I really liked the different twists this B&tB retelling had! I loved the idea of a magical/enchanted cottage instead of a castle!
I also liked the idea that not only "the beast" aka Daric was cursed, but that Alaine also had a curse. There is also an important message; the inner person is more important than the beauty on the outside.
Both Daric and Alaine are lovely and relatable characters! I liked the growth they both had.
Daric and Alaine are cute together!
I would've liked to see a bit more of their chemistry and for their romance to grow and develop a bit more. The timespan was a bit short. I think I would've enjoyed to read a bit more about their time together in the cottage.
But I did really enjoy reading about them!
The worldbuilding was lovely and I liked the way the ending was done! It was an easy and quick read!
Perfect for fans of B&tB and fairytale retellings!
I love fairytale retellings and I was really happy that I got the opportunity to read an e-arc! Thank you Elle!
I also liked the idea that not only "the beast" aka Daric was cursed, but that Alaine also had a curse. There is also an important message; the inner person is more important than the beauty on the outside.
Both Daric and Alaine are lovely and relatable characters! I liked the growth they both had.
Daric and Alaine are cute together!
I would've liked to see a bit more of their chemistry and for their romance to grow and develop a bit more. The timespan was a bit short. I think I would've enjoyed to read a bit more about their time together in the cottage.
But I did really enjoy reading about them!
The worldbuilding was lovely and I liked the way the ending was done! It was an easy and quick read!
Perfect for fans of B&tB and fairytale retellings!
I love fairytale retellings and I was really happy that I got the opportunity to read an e-arc! Thank you Elle!
March 13, 2023
"Beauty fades, but a good heart is forever."
"Touch her again, and I will end you."
"If it brings you joy, there's no reason you shouldn't read it"
"He looked at her like she was the world, like she was his sun and moon and stars and losing her would mean losing everything."
Thank you so much @ellebackenstoewrites and @gwyn.launches.book for having me on this arc tour!!
Of Curses & Beauty has become my favorite fairytale read of 2023. It stole my heart from the first page. I seriously could not put it down. I want to reread this story for the first time! I loved the whole retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Beauty and the Beast was a favorite movie of mine growing up, so being able to read through my adult eyes, something so similar was so nostalgic for me. Those two quotes in itself, should convince you to read this story.
It was told in 3 POV, Alaine, Daric, and the witch! OMG the POV of Eudora (the witch) was spectacular! I loved everything about this amazing retelling! Daric, stole my heart immediately. Alaine's sassiness was exciting to read. Eudora was a character you learned to love.
Tropes that you will love!!
Beauty & the Beast retelling
Forced Proximity
"Who hurt you?"
Female Empowerment
Two Curses
Unexpected Friendship
Self Love
Mutual Pining
Finding Your Inner Beauty
I definitely suggest PREORDERING it NOW! Pub. Date is 3/23/23
#indiebooks #indiebook #indieauthor #indieauthors #indieauthorsofinstagram #bookishfeatures #bookishgiveaway #bookish #bookishlove #ElleBackenstoe #OfCursesAndBeauty #OfCursesAndBeautyARCTour #BOMMTours #BOMMIndieAuthors #BOMMARCTour #bookofmatchesmedia
"Touch her again, and I will end you."
"If it brings you joy, there's no reason you shouldn't read it"
"He looked at her like she was the world, like she was his sun and moon and stars and losing her would mean losing everything."
Thank you so much @ellebackenstoewrites and @gwyn.launches.book for having me on this arc tour!!
Of Curses & Beauty has become my favorite fairytale read of 2023. It stole my heart from the first page. I seriously could not put it down. I want to reread this story for the first time! I loved the whole retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Beauty and the Beast was a favorite movie of mine growing up, so being able to read through my adult eyes, something so similar was so nostalgic for me. Those two quotes in itself, should convince you to read this story.
It was told in 3 POV, Alaine, Daric, and the witch! OMG the POV of Eudora (the witch) was spectacular! I loved everything about this amazing retelling! Daric, stole my heart immediately. Alaine's sassiness was exciting to read. Eudora was a character you learned to love.
Tropes that you will love!!
Beauty & the Beast retelling
Forced Proximity
"Who hurt you?"
Female Empowerment
Two Curses
Unexpected Friendship
Self Love
Mutual Pining
Finding Your Inner Beauty
I definitely suggest PREORDERING it NOW! Pub. Date is 3/23/23
#indiebooks #indiebook #indieauthor #indieauthors #indieauthorsofinstagram #bookishfeatures #bookishgiveaway #bookish #bookishlove #ElleBackenstoe #OfCursesAndBeauty #OfCursesAndBeautyARCTour #BOMMTours #BOMMIndieAuthors #BOMMARCTour #bookofmatchesmedia
February 25, 2023
I am so pleased that I was chosen to receive this book as an ARC. This honest review is 100% my own.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As a lover of reimagined fairytales and folklore, Elle Backenstoe’s story was a delight at every familiar Beauty and the Beast moment as well as every twist along the way. Not all is what it seems and it makes the journey all the more exciting.
I was completely engrossed and wish I could visit the cottage myself where our lovely Alaine and beastly Daric first meet. The setting was perfect, the story kept me on my toes waiting to see what would happen. I am so curious about the backstory of several characters, and I know this story will be on my mind for a long while.
Overall this was a joy to read! I look forward to reading more from Backenstoe in the future!
Oh to love and be loved in return. May we all be so blessed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As a lover of reimagined fairytales and folklore, Elle Backenstoe’s story was a delight at every familiar Beauty and the Beast moment as well as every twist along the way. Not all is what it seems and it makes the journey all the more exciting.
I was completely engrossed and wish I could visit the cottage myself where our lovely Alaine and beastly Daric first meet. The setting was perfect, the story kept me on my toes waiting to see what would happen. I am so curious about the backstory of several characters, and I know this story will be on my mind for a long while.
Overall this was a joy to read! I look forward to reading more from Backenstoe in the future!
Oh to love and be loved in return. May we all be so blessed.
March 13, 2023
"If he thought he was getting a rose, she’d make sure to sharpen her thorns."
When I tell you that this book has captured my heart, I mean it with every fibre of my being. I love fantasy novels, romance, and Beauty and the Beast so I automatically assumed I would love this too, but WOW. It has to be one of the best (if not THE best) retellings I've had the pleasure of reading.
Elle does a fantastic job of taking the parts of the fairytale that we know and love, and using it to advance the wholly captivating plot she has created. Not only do we recognise some of the biggest BATB references (the curse; a Gaston-like character; references to the rose), but Elle further develops on these to make her story unique. We get more in-depth analysis of the main characters Alaine and Daric, as well as getting to explore the reason for the curse.
I'm truly in awe of this book. The writing style flows so easily, making it unputdownable for the reader. Their love story is one so beautiful and honest and heartfelt, breaking my heart and piecing it back together repeatedly. And we need to take a minute to give some applause for Eudora, who has to be my new favourite side character in existence. Her sass was brilliant and I truly adored her involvement at the end of the book.
I cannot wait to have a physical copy of this to read, re-read, annotate, highlight and just love! Elle Backenstoe is an amazing emerging author and you don't want to miss reading this book!
When I tell you that this book has captured my heart, I mean it with every fibre of my being. I love fantasy novels, romance, and Beauty and the Beast so I automatically assumed I would love this too, but WOW. It has to be one of the best (if not THE best) retellings I've had the pleasure of reading.
Elle does a fantastic job of taking the parts of the fairytale that we know and love, and using it to advance the wholly captivating plot she has created. Not only do we recognise some of the biggest BATB references (the curse; a Gaston-like character; references to the rose), but Elle further develops on these to make her story unique. We get more in-depth analysis of the main characters Alaine and Daric, as well as getting to explore the reason for the curse.
I'm truly in awe of this book. The writing style flows so easily, making it unputdownable for the reader. Their love story is one so beautiful and honest and heartfelt, breaking my heart and piecing it back together repeatedly. And we need to take a minute to give some applause for Eudora, who has to be my new favourite side character in existence. Her sass was brilliant and I truly adored her involvement at the end of the book.
I cannot wait to have a physical copy of this to read, re-read, annotate, highlight and just love! Elle Backenstoe is an amazing emerging author and you don't want to miss reading this book!
April 13, 2023
I received an ARC in exchange for a 100% honest review.
This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling with an enjoyable twist about a young woman named, Alaine, who has suffered under the weight of her beauty and everything that comes with it. Just when she has finally decided she has had enough her family is hit with an unexpected debt that leaves her family fearing for their safety. Facing her worst nightmare having to marry the villainous Lord Baxter, Alaine is suddenly swept away, stripped of her beauty and dumped at an enchanted cottage with a beast of a man.
Daric was cursed centuries ago and had all but lost hope for breaking his curse when an unusual young woman claiming to be a lost beauty stumbles into his life. Originally focused on getting his revenge on the witch that cursed him, he suddenly has a new mission and potential source of happiness...
Now determined to seeing each other's curses broken they must decide what they are willing to lose.
I loved the main characters, Alaine and Daric, it was such a pleasure seeing them grow not only as individuals but as a team. It was beautiful to see them go from wary of each other to realizing they just might be in love. It was also such a joy and surprise to see the twist that the witch who cursed ultimately played in the story, I absolutely loved the witch, she was a particular favorite of mine in the end.
Last but not least on the list of characters that I absolutely adored, the Enchanted Cottage! I cannot truly express how much I loved this cottage and how it would react differently to both Alaine and Daric depending on how they treated it. For example, Alaine asks sweetly for breakfast and gets a buffet while when Daric asks for breakfast he gets burnt toast.
The character that I absolutely could not stand was Lord Henrik Baxter, our despicable villain of this story. In my opinion, he truly had no redeeming qualities and that the ending he received was the one he deserved. He truly took pleasure it seemed in making the FMC uncomfortable and believed he was untouchable when it came to facing the consequences of his actions.
Did I dislike anything about the book? Sure, I disliked that it ended. I disliked the mother's attitude towards her daughter and her willingness to sacrifice her only child to safeguard her own comfort, but then you were supposed to dislike these things so kudos to the author on a job well done. I also disliked the villain as I mentioned above, he truly made my skin crawl and that is because unfortunately we all know at least one person who thinks they are untouchable and can do no wrong even when while they are doing something no one would ever consider appropriate.
Now the big question is who would I recommend this book too... Well I think the question should actually be who wouldn't I recommend this book too! I loved this book and as a YA book I felt it contained the perfect amount of age appropriate romantic tension. I would definitely suggest this book to anyone looking for a delightful fantasy read with a happily ever after. I would even suggest this book to my fellow readers who prefer the more hardcore romances that are looking for a nice palette cleanser in between their darker adult romances.
All in all this book was a 5-star read for me and I might have to do a reread of it soon.
This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling with an enjoyable twist about a young woman named, Alaine, who has suffered under the weight of her beauty and everything that comes with it. Just when she has finally decided she has had enough her family is hit with an unexpected debt that leaves her family fearing for their safety. Facing her worst nightmare having to marry the villainous Lord Baxter, Alaine is suddenly swept away, stripped of her beauty and dumped at an enchanted cottage with a beast of a man.
Daric was cursed centuries ago and had all but lost hope for breaking his curse when an unusual young woman claiming to be a lost beauty stumbles into his life. Originally focused on getting his revenge on the witch that cursed him, he suddenly has a new mission and potential source of happiness...
Now determined to seeing each other's curses broken they must decide what they are willing to lose.
I loved the main characters, Alaine and Daric, it was such a pleasure seeing them grow not only as individuals but as a team. It was beautiful to see them go from wary of each other to realizing they just might be in love. It was also such a joy and surprise to see the twist that the witch who cursed ultimately played in the story, I absolutely loved the witch, she was a particular favorite of mine in the end.
Last but not least on the list of characters that I absolutely adored, the Enchanted Cottage! I cannot truly express how much I loved this cottage and how it would react differently to both Alaine and Daric depending on how they treated it. For example, Alaine asks sweetly for breakfast and gets a buffet while when Daric asks for breakfast he gets burnt toast.
The character that I absolutely could not stand was Lord Henrik Baxter, our despicable villain of this story. In my opinion, he truly had no redeeming qualities and that the ending he received was the one he deserved. He truly took pleasure it seemed in making the FMC uncomfortable and believed he was untouchable when it came to facing the consequences of his actions.
Did I dislike anything about the book? Sure, I disliked that it ended. I disliked the mother's attitude towards her daughter and her willingness to sacrifice her only child to safeguard her own comfort, but then you were supposed to dislike these things so kudos to the author on a job well done. I also disliked the villain as I mentioned above, he truly made my skin crawl and that is because unfortunately we all know at least one person who thinks they are untouchable and can do no wrong even when while they are doing something no one would ever consider appropriate.
Now the big question is who would I recommend this book too... Well I think the question should actually be who wouldn't I recommend this book too! I loved this book and as a YA book I felt it contained the perfect amount of age appropriate romantic tension. I would definitely suggest this book to anyone looking for a delightful fantasy read with a happily ever after. I would even suggest this book to my fellow readers who prefer the more hardcore romances that are looking for a nice palette cleanser in between their darker adult romances.
All in all this book was a 5-star read for me and I might have to do a reread of it soon.
February 26, 2023
I am a big fan of fairytale retellings, so when I got the opportunity to read this book, I took it. This book started like the classic beauty and the beast and in the beginning I was a little scared it would follow the classic as much as possible. However the author gave it her own twist and I loved it🥰
I loved that it was not one curse that has to be broken, that they both had there own curse to break but that they couldn't do it without the other. I loved that it wasn't immediately 'happily ever after' after they broke the curse.
This book held a lot of emotions and a lot of good tropes like forced proximity, who did this to you, enemies to lovers. This book engulfed you in its magic from the first page. It led you long to read more, to get to know these characters, to become obsessed with them🥰
Last but not least I want to thank the author for providing me with an earc.
I loved that it was not one curse that has to be broken, that they both had there own curse to break but that they couldn't do it without the other. I loved that it wasn't immediately 'happily ever after' after they broke the curse.
This book held a lot of emotions and a lot of good tropes like forced proximity, who did this to you, enemies to lovers. This book engulfed you in its magic from the first page. It led you long to read more, to get to know these characters, to become obsessed with them🥰
Last but not least I want to thank the author for providing me with an earc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2024
I cannot believe I didn't mark this as read sooner. A year after it's been published and I still think about it weekly, at the very bare minimum.
OCAB is a very cozy and adventurous BATB retelling where Beauty is wholesome and badass, Beast is a sweet cinnamon roll man, and Gaston still sucks. Add in a witch and a sentient cottage, and you get a freaking phenomenal read.
Truly, the cottage is my favorite character, and Alaine is a powerhouse by herself. We LOVE a badass woman who don't need no man (or parents tbh).
If I could forget this entire book so I can reread it for the first time again, I'd make it happen instantly. Elle Backenstoe has since become one of my top 5 auto buy authors
OCAB is a very cozy and adventurous BATB retelling where Beauty is wholesome and badass, Beast is a sweet cinnamon roll man, and Gaston still sucks. Add in a witch and a sentient cottage, and you get a freaking phenomenal read.
Truly, the cottage is my favorite character, and Alaine is a powerhouse by herself. We LOVE a badass woman who don't need no man (or parents tbh).
If I could forget this entire book so I can reread it for the first time again, I'd make it happen instantly. Elle Backenstoe has since become one of my top 5 auto buy authors
March 16, 2023
You had me at a fairy tale retelling. Not to mention that Beauty and the Beast was my favourite as a child!
This was such a great retelling in my opinion. The way that the curse was affecting not only our Beast but also our Beauty made me so happy in so many ways. Daric is perfection - he's my new book boyfriend for sure. I loved that he was the knight that Alaine needed but allowed her the room to rescue herself.
Loved it - can't wait to see what else this author comes out with!
This was such a great retelling in my opinion. The way that the curse was affecting not only our Beast but also our Beauty made me so happy in so many ways. Daric is perfection - he's my new book boyfriend for sure. I loved that he was the knight that Alaine needed but allowed her the room to rescue herself.
Loved it - can't wait to see what else this author comes out with!
July 27, 2023
4.5 I LOVE Beauty and the Beast so I’m probably a tough critic.. but this was a solid retelling reimagined. First, I definitely liked that Alaine’s mother was alive because you got a mother-daughter storyline that was fun to read. Also, Eudora’s sassy self? Heck yeah. But the love between Alaine and Daric definitely mirrored that of Belle and the Beast.
dnf
March 26, 2023Another disappointment. Everything was okay until it wasn't... This time it's me, not the book, so give it a try.
July 7, 2025
Disclaimer: Es wird zu spoilern kommen.
Ich habe dieses EBook bei einer "stuff your kindle" aktion gratis heruntergeladen.
Entsprechend wusste ich nicht, was mich erwartet, mein Gedanke war nur "es ist ein Schöne und das Beast" retelling und ich mag Märchenadaptionen- what could possibly go wrong?
spoiler: a lot!
Es wird jetzt chaotisch, beim Versuch meine Gedanken zu ordnen, aber beginnen wir mal am Anfang.
Sie wird nachdem sie aufeinander treffen, von ihm "Beauty" genannt, weil sie ihm sagt, dass sie eigentlich sehr hübsch ist. Sie nennt ihn "Beast" weil sie seine Muskeln sieht und sein Benehmen (beim Holzhaken) als biestig empfindet. Er hat laut ihr auhc einen "animal magnetism".
Es war so unangenehm zu lesen, wie man denken könnte.
Der Fluch der beiden sorgt dafür, dass sie sich nicht von dem verzauberten Cottage entfernen können. Dafür bietet dieses Cottage alles, was sie möchten. Es serviert Frühstück, lässt Räume spawnen, macht Feuer, kocht Tee, also so all inclusive Fluch-Urlaub.
Was ist also die entsprechende Schlussfolgerung, sollte man nach einem kurzen Sprint durch den Regen die vordere Schnürung des Kleides nicht mehr aufgeknotet bekommen?
Genau, Daric beißt sie durch.
Moment was? Warum wünscht man sich kein Messer oder eine Schere herbei? MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!
Kommen wir zu einem Thema, dass dieses Buch immer wieder anschneidet- Sexismus.
Gleichstellung ist mir super wichtig und ich finde es gut, wenn die Märchenvorlagen, die halt dahingehend Produkte ihrer Zeit sind, angepasst werden. Aber hier gibt es maximal ein "they tried".
Es wird so viel Sexismus reproduziert!
Also Alaine ist schön. Das ist ihr Charakter. Weil sie schön ist, mögen die anderen Frauen der Stadt sie natürlich alle nciht, weil sich Frauen einander nur als Konkurrentinen für die Aufmerksamkeit von Männern sehen. Und alle Frauen oberflächlich sind. Klaro.
Und die Männer sind alle oberflächliche, dauergeile Kerle, die alles anspringen, was kurven hat und nicht bei drei auf den Bäumen ist. Und alle Männer sind natürlich unter generalverdacht.
Nuancen? Nope.
Man lernt auch neben Lord Baxter und Laines Eltern niemanden aus dem Dorf wirklich näher kennen.
Also sie hasst alle, alle hassen sie. Sie redet aber auch nicht mit ihnen, nur über sie und vice-versa?
Entsprechend kann sie sich im Cottage auch nicht immer so kleiden, wie sie möchte, weil "there's also no reason to remind him I'm female if you know what I mean."
Obwohl Alaine Männer also nicht mag, kommt dann der "Blitzliebe" arc. Weil beide sind zusammen in einem Cottage, Daric hat seit über 300 Jahren niemanden außer der Hexe gesehen und Alaine mag Muskeln(?). Also kurz, sie bringt ein Licht in sein Leben. Immerhin verbringen sie auch soooo viel Zeit miteinander (weg können sie ja nicht).
Und sie haben so viele tolle Momente, in denen sie sich bis in die Nacht unterhalten. Zumindest wird das so gesagt. Weil "Show don't tell" war gestern- heute heißt es "tell don't show" und skippe sämtliche relevanten Stellen, bei denen man nur Ansatzweise irgendwie mit den Protas bonden könnte oder sie mehr Charaktertiefe als eine Scheibe Toast bekommen könnten. Wer will schon irgendwie minimal komplexe Charaktere und Charakterentwicklung? Genau.
Aber den beiden reicht es, denn nahcdem sie drei Tage zusammen verbringen (von denen sie einen in ihrer herbeigewünschten Bibliothek verbringt", merkt Daric schon, dass er tiefere Gefühle für sie hegt. (Ich habe es auch nicht verstanden.)
Kommen wir zum Fluch. Daric muss sich verlieben und Alaine ihren Selbstwert erkennen. Ersteres schafft Daric, offensichtlich. Und Alaine überkommt ihre existenzkrise auch recht schnell , Daric sagt ihr, was er an ihr mag, sie rezitiert es und Zack- kennt sie ihren Wert. Irgendwie habe ich das Gefühl, dieses Buch will eine Botschaft senden, hält sich aber nicht dran und man bekommt sehr gemixte Signale.
Auf jeden Fall wird behauptet, dass Alaine klug, aufgeschlossen, freundlich, vorsichtig, stur, ängstlich, lustig, clever, liebenswert und kämpferisch ist.
Also an der Stelle habe ich Daric und Alaine echt bewundert. Nicht nur, dass sie ihren Selbstwert in wenigen Wochen erkannt hat und ich nach Jahren der Therapie immernoch struggle, auch dass Daric so viel Persönlichkeit in ihr gesehen hat, weil nix davon wurde mir in irgendeiner weiße vermittelt.
Man möchte darstellen, dass Alaine mehr als ihr Äußeres ist, aber gibt ihr halt keine Momente, ihren Charakter zu präsentieren.
Man hätte so viel machen können, wie z.B. sich ein Messer zum Auftrennen einer Schnürung wünschen. Aber fernab dessen hätte man sie auch die Zeit nutzen lassen können, um neue Dinge zu erlernen, wie Töpfern, Schneidern, Sticken, Schreinern und so viel mehr. Sie hätte ihre Freundlichkeit zeigen önnen, indem sie mit Tieren im Garten interagiert. Aber nein. Für mich hatte Alaine leider bis zum Ende leider keinerlei Tiefe und wirkte einfach wie ein Pappaufsteller, der Plotanweisungen gefolgt ist. (Aber natürlich ein schöner Pappaufsteller...)
Wenn man sich an dieser Stelle fragt, warum Daric überhaupt verflucht wurde, wird man mit der nächsten Enttäuschung konfrontiert: also die Hexe hat halt gehört, dass er sich liebe wünscht und wollte ihm diesen Wunsch erfüllen, indem sie seine perfekte Partnerin sucht. Dabei hat sie sich wohl irgendwie magisch übernommen und wurde von irgendeinem Wesen übernommen, was den Zauber aufrecht erhalten hat.
Also irgendwie tiefere Motivationen? Nada. Mehr als dafür und um am Ende noch eine "fetch quest" zu machen, ist die Zauberin aber auch nicht da. Wer braucht da logische ERklärungen und geschweige denn einen Charakter, bzw. dessen entwicklung.
Der Fluch ist ja aufgehoben, also sind alle Freunde!
Also sind beide ab ca. der Hälfte des Buches frei, Daric erwacht in seinem ehemaligen Schloss und Alaine in ihrem Zimmer. Nachdem wir den "Fluchplot" nun hinter uns gebracht haben, geht es natürlich an den Haupütkonflikt. Die Heirat.
Angeblich haben Alaines Eltern Schulden geerbt und um diese begleichen zu können, bleibt ihnen nichts anderes übrig als Lord Baxtors Angebot anzunehmen, dass er dies tut, wenn er Alaine heiraten darf. Weil Alaine ist schön und mehr ansprüche hat er nicht.
Keine Sorge, Daric und die Hexe (deren Name ich vergessen habe) schaffen es knapp die Hochzeit zu verhinden, weil die "kluge und clevere" Alaine ja geahnt hat, dass an der Schuldensache etwas faul ist, aber natürlich nicht wikrlich nachrecherchiert hat oder nachweislich versucht hat, das aufzudecken.
Also mir soll Alaine als eine selbstbestimmt agierende Frau verkauft werden, dabei reagiert sie nur auf alles, macht aktiv nicht wikrlich irgendwas und erfährt null Möglichkeiten, über sich hinaus zu wachsen. Außer, dass sie Baxter am Ende eine Ohrfeige gibt. (Und danach wieder hinter Daric steht)
Nochmal zum Thema "die innere Schönheit zählt", das wäre sehr schön als Aufhänger gewesen, aber auch hier wird sich wiedersprochen. Als Alaine kurz in Gefahr ist, erinnert sich Daric nicht an die (für die lesenden auch nicht existierenden) Momente miteinander, sondern wünscht sich, er hätte die Konturen ihres Gesichts besser in Erinnerung behalten.
Wenn man denkt, dass Alaines Beziehung zu ihren Eltern besser beschrieben ist, wartet eine erneute Enttäuschung. Also irgendwie mag sie ihre Mutter nicht, weil diese begeistert von Lod Baxton ist. Weil der ist so schön und sie musste damals auch aus Pflicht heiraten, daher wurde sie so sozialisiert, dass es normal ist. Aber dafür hat unsere freundliche, empathische Alaine natürlich null Verständnis- kein Charakter, keine Probleme, oder so. Mit ihrem Vater kommt sie besser aus, weil er ihr Freiheiten lässt, aber auch hier fallen Alaine keine Veränderungen auf, so wie z.B. die Auswirkungen des Stresses auf ihn. Aber sie wurde ja nie als empathisch oder nett charakterisiert, oder? Aber mehr kann ich dann auch nicht über die Eltern sagen. So wie alle Charaktere, könnte man sie mit "sie existieren" Charakterisieren. Selbst ein Stereotyp hätte mehr Charaktertiefe. Aber sie bricht hinterher auch zu beiden den Kontakt ab, also ist das auch erledigt.
Noch eine kleine Anmerkung: am Tag der Hochzeit geht sie bei Schnee im Kleid durch die Stadt, kommt mit einem dreckigen Kleid rück und zieht "aus Protest" ein schwarzes Kleid an. Es war über lange Zeit komplett normal in schwarz zu heiraten. Also wo läge da das Problem?
Zum Glück muss sie den übergriffigen, obsessiven Baxxter, der sie als sein Eigentum sieht, wie erwähnt nicht heiraten, weil Daric rot gesehen hat und es nicht aushalten konnte, dass ein anderer Mann seine Flamme anfasst. Außerdem ist Daric halt auch nicht so oberflächlich und würde auch Wachen nie mit "seine Haut war rosa von der Kälte und seine nach oben zeigende Nase kompletierte das schweineähnliche Aussehen" beschreiben. Hier geht es doch nicht um äußerlichkeiten, sondern die inneren Werte!
Das sieht Eudora, die Hexe genauso, weshalb sie Alaines Mutter androht, sollte sie den beiden in die Quere kommen, sie in einen Streuner zu verwandeln. "Aber nicht die süßen", sondern "einen von diesen heruntergekommenen, verflohten mit nur einem Auge und einem halben Schweif".
Auch wenn ich an dieser Stelle wie eine kaputte Schallplatte klinge: Für ein Buch, in dem es um den eigenen Wert und die inneren Werte geht, ist es verdammt oberflächlich und in der Sprache sehr abfällig nicht normschönen Körpern gegenüber.
Mir bleibt abschließend nur zu sagen, dass viel versucht wurde, man erkennt die Grundideen (oder auch nicht), aber die Umsetzung widerspricht sich und wirkt auch nicht durchdacht. Sowohl Weltenbau (es gibt keinen. Es gibt ein Dorf und sein Königreich gibt es nichtmehr, Ursache unbekannt), Charaktere (die sind halt so sympathisch wie Geleebanenen lecker sind- also gar nicht!) als auch der Plot (also es gibt Plotpunkte, aber die hängen irgendwie sehr lose zusammen) lassen leider mehr als zu wünschen übrig.
Zumindest hatte ich die 245 Seiten dafür recht shcnell hinter mir X_X
Ich habe dieses EBook bei einer "stuff your kindle" aktion gratis heruntergeladen.
Entsprechend wusste ich nicht, was mich erwartet, mein Gedanke war nur "es ist ein Schöne und das Beast" retelling und ich mag Märchenadaptionen- what could possibly go wrong?
spoiler: a lot!
Es wird jetzt chaotisch, beim Versuch meine Gedanken zu ordnen, aber beginnen wir mal am Anfang.
Sie wird nachdem sie aufeinander treffen, von ihm "Beauty" genannt, weil sie ihm sagt, dass sie eigentlich sehr hübsch ist. Sie nennt ihn "Beast" weil sie seine Muskeln sieht und sein Benehmen (beim Holzhaken) als biestig empfindet. Er hat laut ihr auhc einen "animal magnetism".
Es war so unangenehm zu lesen, wie man denken könnte.
Der Fluch der beiden sorgt dafür, dass sie sich nicht von dem verzauberten Cottage entfernen können. Dafür bietet dieses Cottage alles, was sie möchten. Es serviert Frühstück, lässt Räume spawnen, macht Feuer, kocht Tee, also so all inclusive Fluch-Urlaub.
Was ist also die entsprechende Schlussfolgerung, sollte man nach einem kurzen Sprint durch den Regen die vordere Schnürung des Kleides nicht mehr aufgeknotet bekommen?
Genau, Daric beißt sie durch.
Moment was? Warum wünscht man sich kein Messer oder eine Schere herbei? MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!
Kommen wir zu einem Thema, dass dieses Buch immer wieder anschneidet- Sexismus.
Gleichstellung ist mir super wichtig und ich finde es gut, wenn die Märchenvorlagen, die halt dahingehend Produkte ihrer Zeit sind, angepasst werden. Aber hier gibt es maximal ein "they tried".
Es wird so viel Sexismus reproduziert!
Also Alaine ist schön. Das ist ihr Charakter. Weil sie schön ist, mögen die anderen Frauen der Stadt sie natürlich alle nciht, weil sich Frauen einander nur als Konkurrentinen für die Aufmerksamkeit von Männern sehen. Und alle Frauen oberflächlich sind. Klaro.
Und die Männer sind alle oberflächliche, dauergeile Kerle, die alles anspringen, was kurven hat und nicht bei drei auf den Bäumen ist. Und alle Männer sind natürlich unter generalverdacht.
Nuancen? Nope.
Man lernt auch neben Lord Baxter und Laines Eltern niemanden aus dem Dorf wirklich näher kennen.
Also sie hasst alle, alle hassen sie. Sie redet aber auch nicht mit ihnen, nur über sie und vice-versa?
Entsprechend kann sie sich im Cottage auch nicht immer so kleiden, wie sie möchte, weil "there's also no reason to remind him I'm female if you know what I mean."
Obwohl Alaine Männer also nicht mag, kommt dann der "Blitzliebe" arc. Weil beide sind zusammen in einem Cottage, Daric hat seit über 300 Jahren niemanden außer der Hexe gesehen und Alaine mag Muskeln(?). Also kurz, sie bringt ein Licht in sein Leben. Immerhin verbringen sie auch soooo viel Zeit miteinander (weg können sie ja nicht).
Und sie haben so viele tolle Momente, in denen sie sich bis in die Nacht unterhalten. Zumindest wird das so gesagt. Weil "Show don't tell" war gestern- heute heißt es "tell don't show" und skippe sämtliche relevanten Stellen, bei denen man nur Ansatzweise irgendwie mit den Protas bonden könnte oder sie mehr Charaktertiefe als eine Scheibe Toast bekommen könnten. Wer will schon irgendwie minimal komplexe Charaktere und Charakterentwicklung? Genau.
Aber den beiden reicht es, denn nahcdem sie drei Tage zusammen verbringen (von denen sie einen in ihrer herbeigewünschten Bibliothek verbringt", merkt Daric schon, dass er tiefere Gefühle für sie hegt. (Ich habe es auch nicht verstanden.)
Kommen wir zum Fluch. Daric muss sich verlieben und Alaine ihren Selbstwert erkennen. Ersteres schafft Daric, offensichtlich. Und Alaine überkommt ihre existenzkrise auch recht schnell , Daric sagt ihr, was er an ihr mag, sie rezitiert es und Zack- kennt sie ihren Wert. Irgendwie habe ich das Gefühl, dieses Buch will eine Botschaft senden, hält sich aber nicht dran und man bekommt sehr gemixte Signale.
Auf jeden Fall wird behauptet, dass Alaine klug, aufgeschlossen, freundlich, vorsichtig, stur, ängstlich, lustig, clever, liebenswert und kämpferisch ist.
Also an der Stelle habe ich Daric und Alaine echt bewundert. Nicht nur, dass sie ihren Selbstwert in wenigen Wochen erkannt hat und ich nach Jahren der Therapie immernoch struggle, auch dass Daric so viel Persönlichkeit in ihr gesehen hat, weil nix davon wurde mir in irgendeiner weiße vermittelt.
Man möchte darstellen, dass Alaine mehr als ihr Äußeres ist, aber gibt ihr halt keine Momente, ihren Charakter zu präsentieren.
Man hätte so viel machen können, wie z.B. sich ein Messer zum Auftrennen einer Schnürung wünschen. Aber fernab dessen hätte man sie auch die Zeit nutzen lassen können, um neue Dinge zu erlernen, wie Töpfern, Schneidern, Sticken, Schreinern und so viel mehr. Sie hätte ihre Freundlichkeit zeigen önnen, indem sie mit Tieren im Garten interagiert. Aber nein. Für mich hatte Alaine leider bis zum Ende leider keinerlei Tiefe und wirkte einfach wie ein Pappaufsteller, der Plotanweisungen gefolgt ist. (Aber natürlich ein schöner Pappaufsteller...)
Wenn man sich an dieser Stelle fragt, warum Daric überhaupt verflucht wurde, wird man mit der nächsten Enttäuschung konfrontiert: also die Hexe hat halt gehört, dass er sich liebe wünscht und wollte ihm diesen Wunsch erfüllen, indem sie seine perfekte Partnerin sucht. Dabei hat sie sich wohl irgendwie magisch übernommen und wurde von irgendeinem Wesen übernommen, was den Zauber aufrecht erhalten hat.
Also irgendwie tiefere Motivationen? Nada. Mehr als dafür und um am Ende noch eine "fetch quest" zu machen, ist die Zauberin aber auch nicht da. Wer braucht da logische ERklärungen und geschweige denn einen Charakter, bzw. dessen entwicklung.
Der Fluch ist ja aufgehoben, also sind alle Freunde!
Also sind beide ab ca. der Hälfte des Buches frei, Daric erwacht in seinem ehemaligen Schloss und Alaine in ihrem Zimmer. Nachdem wir den "Fluchplot" nun hinter uns gebracht haben, geht es natürlich an den Haupütkonflikt. Die Heirat.
Angeblich haben Alaines Eltern Schulden geerbt und um diese begleichen zu können, bleibt ihnen nichts anderes übrig als Lord Baxtors Angebot anzunehmen, dass er dies tut, wenn er Alaine heiraten darf. Weil Alaine ist schön und mehr ansprüche hat er nicht.
Keine Sorge, Daric und die Hexe (deren Name ich vergessen habe) schaffen es knapp die Hochzeit zu verhinden, weil die "kluge und clevere" Alaine ja geahnt hat, dass an der Schuldensache etwas faul ist, aber natürlich nicht wikrlich nachrecherchiert hat oder nachweislich versucht hat, das aufzudecken.
Also mir soll Alaine als eine selbstbestimmt agierende Frau verkauft werden, dabei reagiert sie nur auf alles, macht aktiv nicht wikrlich irgendwas und erfährt null Möglichkeiten, über sich hinaus zu wachsen. Außer, dass sie Baxter am Ende eine Ohrfeige gibt. (Und danach wieder hinter Daric steht)
Nochmal zum Thema "die innere Schönheit zählt", das wäre sehr schön als Aufhänger gewesen, aber auch hier wird sich wiedersprochen. Als Alaine kurz in Gefahr ist, erinnert sich Daric nicht an die (für die lesenden auch nicht existierenden) Momente miteinander, sondern wünscht sich, er hätte die Konturen ihres Gesichts besser in Erinnerung behalten.
Wenn man denkt, dass Alaines Beziehung zu ihren Eltern besser beschrieben ist, wartet eine erneute Enttäuschung. Also irgendwie mag sie ihre Mutter nicht, weil diese begeistert von Lod Baxton ist. Weil der ist so schön und sie musste damals auch aus Pflicht heiraten, daher wurde sie so sozialisiert, dass es normal ist. Aber dafür hat unsere freundliche, empathische Alaine natürlich null Verständnis- kein Charakter, keine Probleme, oder so. Mit ihrem Vater kommt sie besser aus, weil er ihr Freiheiten lässt, aber auch hier fallen Alaine keine Veränderungen auf, so wie z.B. die Auswirkungen des Stresses auf ihn. Aber sie wurde ja nie als empathisch oder nett charakterisiert, oder? Aber mehr kann ich dann auch nicht über die Eltern sagen. So wie alle Charaktere, könnte man sie mit "sie existieren" Charakterisieren. Selbst ein Stereotyp hätte mehr Charaktertiefe. Aber sie bricht hinterher auch zu beiden den Kontakt ab, also ist das auch erledigt.
Noch eine kleine Anmerkung: am Tag der Hochzeit geht sie bei Schnee im Kleid durch die Stadt, kommt mit einem dreckigen Kleid rück und zieht "aus Protest" ein schwarzes Kleid an. Es war über lange Zeit komplett normal in schwarz zu heiraten. Also wo läge da das Problem?
Zum Glück muss sie den übergriffigen, obsessiven Baxxter, der sie als sein Eigentum sieht, wie erwähnt nicht heiraten, weil Daric rot gesehen hat und es nicht aushalten konnte, dass ein anderer Mann seine Flamme anfasst. Außerdem ist Daric halt auch nicht so oberflächlich und würde auch Wachen nie mit "seine Haut war rosa von der Kälte und seine nach oben zeigende Nase kompletierte das schweineähnliche Aussehen" beschreiben. Hier geht es doch nicht um äußerlichkeiten, sondern die inneren Werte!
Das sieht Eudora, die Hexe genauso, weshalb sie Alaines Mutter androht, sollte sie den beiden in die Quere kommen, sie in einen Streuner zu verwandeln. "Aber nicht die süßen", sondern "einen von diesen heruntergekommenen, verflohten mit nur einem Auge und einem halben Schweif".
Auch wenn ich an dieser Stelle wie eine kaputte Schallplatte klinge: Für ein Buch, in dem es um den eigenen Wert und die inneren Werte geht, ist es verdammt oberflächlich und in der Sprache sehr abfällig nicht normschönen Körpern gegenüber.
Mir bleibt abschließend nur zu sagen, dass viel versucht wurde, man erkennt die Grundideen (oder auch nicht), aber die Umsetzung widerspricht sich und wirkt auch nicht durchdacht. Sowohl Weltenbau (es gibt keinen. Es gibt ein Dorf und sein Königreich gibt es nichtmehr, Ursache unbekannt), Charaktere (die sind halt so sympathisch wie Geleebanenen lecker sind- also gar nicht!) als auch der Plot (also es gibt Plotpunkte, aber die hängen irgendwie sehr lose zusammen) lassen leider mehr als zu wünschen übrig.
Zumindest hatte ich die 245 Seiten dafür recht shcnell hinter mir X_X
April 8, 2023
I received this as an ARC as part of the Street Team for this amazing author. All my opinions are my own-
Spoilers! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
So I absolutely LOVED THIS BOOK! I love BATB, I love finding new retellings and this one BLEW MY MIND. I loved the new version- Alaine’s awareness of her beauty was refreshing. A lot of these tend to have the One Direction “You don’t know you’re beautiful-“, but having her curse be tied to that?? PHENOMENAL. And Daric was so …BEAUTIFUL AND SWEET AND KIND. I loved that he was more reminiscent of the Lady and the Lion , kind and so enamored of Alaine. And so respectful of her choices and putting her needs ahead of his? Aghhhhhh!!!! 🥹😭♥️ I WENT THROUGH THIS SO FAST. I WANT MOREEE. THANK YOU TO IG FOR LETTING THE BOOKSTA GODS ALIGN ME WITH THIS AMAZING BOOK AND THE AMAZING AUTHOR!
Spoilers! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
So I absolutely LOVED THIS BOOK! I love BATB, I love finding new retellings and this one BLEW MY MIND. I loved the new version- Alaine’s awareness of her beauty was refreshing. A lot of these tend to have the One Direction “You don’t know you’re beautiful-“, but having her curse be tied to that?? PHENOMENAL. And Daric was so …BEAUTIFUL AND SWEET AND KIND. I loved that he was more reminiscent of the Lady and the Lion , kind and so enamored of Alaine. And so respectful of her choices and putting her needs ahead of his? Aghhhhhh!!!! 🥹😭♥️ I WENT THROUGH THIS SO FAST. I WANT MOREEE. THANK YOU TO IG FOR LETTING THE BOOKSTA GODS ALIGN ME WITH THIS AMAZING BOOK AND THE AMAZING AUTHOR!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2023
At first glance this book seems like just another beauty and the beast retelling…. Which don’t get me wrong I love BATB retellings and have read several. But as of late and after reading several I found myself disenchanted with BATB. But this BATB retelling is more than meets the eye the author did a beautiful job of taking a well known story that several authors have reimagined and made it her own. The twists and turns were refreshing and sweet. All and all this book is gem; it made me fall back in love with the fairytale of beauty and the beast and it magical world and characters….. 5 stars
March 22, 2023
Such a fun, unique retelling of a beloved classic!! It begins quite a bit like the old cartoon, but quickly diverges into something new and different. I like the twist of the deeper involvement of the witch in what is happening, like she didn't just curse the prince and then leave, never to be heard from again. All in all a great book, especially for a debut!
March 23, 2023
This book is an emotional ride through a known fairy tale with troubled pasts, trauma, and familial strife. Although there quite a journey, the destination and end of the story is truly the beginning. Beautiful ❤️
March 26, 2023
Oh my gosh, I absolutely adored this Beauty and the Beast retelling!!! Alaine, the heroine, longs to be valued for more than just her appearance. Daric, the prince, has been cursed for over three hundred years and is feeling hopeless as a result. I am completely and totally obsessed with this world Backenstoe has created; fairytale retellings are one of my favorite things and this one was very well done. I loved that Alaine wasn’t just beautiful, she was also intelligent and fierce. As for Daric, I admired his devotion to Alaine and how he learned to be less pessimistic the more time he spent in her company. I highly recommend!!!
March 23, 2023
I had the privilege of reading an ARC of this retelling of Beauty and the Beast and it was a privilege to read it!
✍🏼Synopsis:
Alaine had only ever been seen for her beauty and for what she could someday mean to a man. To escape this reality, she had her books. Daric has been trapped in an enchanted cottage for 300 years with no end in sight to his curse. When the two are suddenly forced together, things begin to shift. Will they break the curse? Will that be enough? Will reality set it and ruin everything?
💭My thoughts:
I loved the mixture of magic and reality this book gave. It’s a beauty and the beast retelling, which is my favorite because it always includes a love of books! Two of my other favorite things-short chapters and dual POV-are also included! The forced proximity of these two was really interesting to read. I felt the tension! There were a few things I struggled with while reading, though. The witch aspect of the book was hard to follow and difficult to understand at times. I also had a hard time getting excited about the way Alaine had to break her curse because it seemed a little too obvious and it didn’t develop her character very much. I’m typical fairytale fashion, it was instant love, which is not my favorite but I understand the necessity for it to carry the rest of the book plot-wise.
✍🏼Synopsis:
Alaine had only ever been seen for her beauty and for what she could someday mean to a man. To escape this reality, she had her books. Daric has been trapped in an enchanted cottage for 300 years with no end in sight to his curse. When the two are suddenly forced together, things begin to shift. Will they break the curse? Will that be enough? Will reality set it and ruin everything?
💭My thoughts:
I loved the mixture of magic and reality this book gave. It’s a beauty and the beast retelling, which is my favorite because it always includes a love of books! Two of my other favorite things-short chapters and dual POV-are also included! The forced proximity of these two was really interesting to read. I felt the tension! There were a few things I struggled with while reading, though. The witch aspect of the book was hard to follow and difficult to understand at times. I also had a hard time getting excited about the way Alaine had to break her curse because it seemed a little too obvious and it didn’t develop her character very much. I’m typical fairytale fashion, it was instant love, which is not my favorite but I understand the necessity for it to carry the rest of the book plot-wise.
April 2, 2025
Estamos perante um retelling da bela e o monstro, uma bruxa, uma cabana mágica e uma maldição ou duas, dependendo do ponto de vista. Aqui o Daric (o príncipe/monstro) não é um monstro mas um homem fofinho e educado, e a maldição não afecta apenas o moço, afecta ambos. Estes são alguns dos aspectos que tornaram a história apelativa.
A cabana está espetacular, tem magia mas também aparenta ter consciência e na minha opinião é um dos pontos altos do livro.
No fim de tudo, o livro é muito mais do que um romance, é também uma história de superação.
https://bioquimicadaleitura.blogspot....
A cabana está espetacular, tem magia mas também aparenta ter consciência e na minha opinião é um dos pontos altos do livro.
No fim de tudo, o livro é muito mais do que um romance, é também uma história de superação.
https://bioquimicadaleitura.blogspot....
March 7, 2023
I’ve received this book from Book of Matches Media and from the author Elle in exchange for an honest review, so here we go!
Rating: 4/5⭐️
I love beauty and the beast retellings and I’ve read a lot of books inspired by it: Elle has done an amazing job to bring an enchanting twist to this much loved fairytale! I’ve never seen this twist before!
Alaine is the most beautiful girl in the village - to the point that all she thinks she’s worth is due to her beauty! Tired of everyone only seeing her for her beauty and wanting to find her own value and purpose, Alaine finds herself in a difficult situation: she must marry a Lord to save her family from bankruptcy. In a moment of frustration and disappointment, she finds herself lost in the forest and meets an enchantress in disguise: someone that brings her to a little isolated cottage and casts a spell on her.
Prince Daric has been cursed for centuries and everyone he knows and loves have long passed away. His life revolves around waking up at dawn, cutting wood, eat, cutting wood again and go to sleep at sun down. He needs the routine to avoid going insane - the only human interaction is with the very enchantress that cursed him and he would rather not have it. That’s it, until Alaine comes knocking on his door - only that she doesn’t exactly look herself.
There was one big reason why I didn’t rate this as a 5⭐️ read and it’s more of a personal preference: I would have like it better if they’ve fallen in love during the entirety of Alaine’s time in the cottage rather than them falling in love during the first week and then her ignoring him for an unknown number of weeks. I feel that Daric, whom was away from everyone else for years, could have come out more awkward and not trusting her much (who knows, she might have been a very bad mind trick) and then starting to believe that she was there and she was special; and in alternative, I would have like Alaine to take her time to properly meet him as she discovers herself throughout the entirety of her stay. Just a more slow course of action!
Regardless, I really enjoyed Elle’s writing style and the story kept me hooked the whole time - I read this book in just one day! This was an incredible debut, a magical twist to a beloved fairytale and I’m excited to see what she’ll write next!
P.S. I don’t like her mum.
Please keep an eye out for my Bookstagram (@maria_bookshelf) for a super pretty post to celebrate the release of this lovely beauty and the beast retelling by Elle Backenstoe on the 22/03 (book releases on the 23/03)!
Rating: 4/5⭐️
I love beauty and the beast retellings and I’ve read a lot of books inspired by it: Elle has done an amazing job to bring an enchanting twist to this much loved fairytale! I’ve never seen this twist before!
Alaine is the most beautiful girl in the village - to the point that all she thinks she’s worth is due to her beauty! Tired of everyone only seeing her for her beauty and wanting to find her own value and purpose, Alaine finds herself in a difficult situation: she must marry a Lord to save her family from bankruptcy. In a moment of frustration and disappointment, she finds herself lost in the forest and meets an enchantress in disguise: someone that brings her to a little isolated cottage and casts a spell on her.
Prince Daric has been cursed for centuries and everyone he knows and loves have long passed away. His life revolves around waking up at dawn, cutting wood, eat, cutting wood again and go to sleep at sun down. He needs the routine to avoid going insane - the only human interaction is with the very enchantress that cursed him and he would rather not have it. That’s it, until Alaine comes knocking on his door - only that she doesn’t exactly look herself.
There was one big reason why I didn’t rate this as a 5⭐️ read and it’s more of a personal preference: I would have like it better if they’ve fallen in love during the entirety of Alaine’s time in the cottage rather than them falling in love during the first week and then her ignoring him for an unknown number of weeks. I feel that Daric, whom was away from everyone else for years, could have come out more awkward and not trusting her much (who knows, she might have been a very bad mind trick) and then starting to believe that she was there and she was special; and in alternative, I would have like Alaine to take her time to properly meet him as she discovers herself throughout the entirety of her stay. Just a more slow course of action!
Regardless, I really enjoyed Elle’s writing style and the story kept me hooked the whole time - I read this book in just one day! This was an incredible debut, a magical twist to a beloved fairytale and I’m excited to see what she’ll write next!
P.S. I don’t like her mum.
Please keep an eye out for my Bookstagram (@maria_bookshelf) for a super pretty post to celebrate the release of this lovely beauty and the beast retelling by Elle Backenstoe on the 22/03 (book releases on the 23/03)!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2023
3.5 stars. Thank you for the review copy from Book of Matches Media
What’s it about?
This Beauty and the Beast retelling opens much in the same way the popular Disney movie does: Alain walking through a village, her nose stuck in a book, and the handsome, but nasty, Lord Baxter intent on marrying her. When she learns that the only way to free her family from crushing financial debt is to wed Lord Baxter, Alain is devastated. Following an urge to the woods, she meets a witch who steals her beauty and whisks her away to a cottage in the woods.
At the cottage is Daric–the lost prince who has been there in solitude for 300 years. Much like his beastly inspiration, Daric is gruff, but kind to Alain. The two spend time in the enchanted cottage getting to know one another, before Alain finally falls for Daric and breaks the curse.
But breaking the curse only causes more problems. Alain is suddenly back home after waking from the dream of Daric and the cottage, and she must marry Lord Baxter to save her family. But what if it wasn’t a dream and Daric is her true soul mate?
My thoughts:
The writing style of this book is very reminiscent of the way an older fairy tale might be told. Third person, kind of distant, with overarching moral themes.
And Of Curses and Beauty basically has two parts. The first is the cursed enchanted cottage with just Daric and Alain. The second is the post-curse sprint to keep Alain from marrying Lord Baxter.
In the first half, I loved the enchanted cottage and I was 100% with Alain on not wanting to ever leave a space where all of the cooking and cleaning was taken care of everyday and a library appears on a whim. Ha! I adored how Daric and Alain grew to be more comfortable with one another. That being said, the first half moved a little slow for me. I was so ready for some action to take place.
I was super happy when I got all the action in the second half of the story. I enjoyed the witch’s redemption arc (though I was so confused about the weird presence that left her and disappeared into nothingness). Her friendship with Daric was fun, though he doesn’t seem to have really done any kind of trauma processing. The final showdown was tense and perfectly paced.
I was rooting for our two lovebirds all the way up until the end!
Read this one if you like:
Who hurt you
Touch her and die
Clean romance
Fairy tale re-tellings
What’s it about?
This Beauty and the Beast retelling opens much in the same way the popular Disney movie does: Alain walking through a village, her nose stuck in a book, and the handsome, but nasty, Lord Baxter intent on marrying her. When she learns that the only way to free her family from crushing financial debt is to wed Lord Baxter, Alain is devastated. Following an urge to the woods, she meets a witch who steals her beauty and whisks her away to a cottage in the woods.
At the cottage is Daric–the lost prince who has been there in solitude for 300 years. Much like his beastly inspiration, Daric is gruff, but kind to Alain. The two spend time in the enchanted cottage getting to know one another, before Alain finally falls for Daric and breaks the curse.
But breaking the curse only causes more problems. Alain is suddenly back home after waking from the dream of Daric and the cottage, and she must marry Lord Baxter to save her family. But what if it wasn’t a dream and Daric is her true soul mate?
My thoughts:
The writing style of this book is very reminiscent of the way an older fairy tale might be told. Third person, kind of distant, with overarching moral themes.
And Of Curses and Beauty basically has two parts. The first is the cursed enchanted cottage with just Daric and Alain. The second is the post-curse sprint to keep Alain from marrying Lord Baxter.
In the first half, I loved the enchanted cottage and I was 100% with Alain on not wanting to ever leave a space where all of the cooking and cleaning was taken care of everyday and a library appears on a whim. Ha! I adored how Daric and Alain grew to be more comfortable with one another. That being said, the first half moved a little slow for me. I was so ready for some action to take place.
I was super happy when I got all the action in the second half of the story. I enjoyed the witch’s redemption arc (though I was so confused about the weird presence that left her and disappeared into nothingness). Her friendship with Daric was fun, though he doesn’t seem to have really done any kind of trauma processing. The final showdown was tense and perfectly paced.
I was rooting for our two lovebirds all the way up until the end!
Read this one if you like:
Who hurt you
Touch her and die
Clean romance
Fairy tale re-tellings
March 21, 2023
Title: Of Curses and Beauty
Author: Elle Backenstoe
Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Synopsis: One curse to bring them together.
One kiss to tear them apart.
All her life, Alaine has suffered the weight of her beauty and she is tired of it. When an unexpected debt threatens her family, Alaine is urged to accept a lucrative marriage to her worst nightmare. She flees to the nearby forest and encounters a witch that offers to help her. The last thing Alaine expects is to be taken away, stripped of her beauty, and abandoned at a curious cottage with no way out.
Daric has been cursed for centuries when a strange young woman wanders into his secluded corner of the woods, claiming to be a lost beauty. For years, his only goal had been to escape the enchanted cottage and exact revenge against the witch that ensnared him. But sharing his curse with Alaine might not be so bad, especially if she’s the one that can break it.
Daric yearns to see them both free. Alaine knows her family is counting on her, but as her reluctant friendship with Daric blossoms into something more, she must decide if saving her parents is worth losing him and returning to the marriage she escaped.
My Thoughts:
" If he thought he was getting a rose, she'd make sure to sharpen her thorns."
This was absolutely one of my favorite Beauty and the Beast retellings I've ever read. I love the way the author was able to take one of the fairy tales I grew up loving and enhance and expand on it, making it even more soul gripping. I love the way the author takes BATB storyline and truly makes it her own.
I couldn't get enough of Alaine and Daric. Getting an in depth view of their relationship and the reason for the curse made this book so much more enjoyable. I also really enjoyed Eudora, who was such an amazing side character in this wonderful retelling.
The writing style flowed effortlessly. I was completely awestruck from beginning to end. This love story was so charming and honest. The author made me feel like I was experiencing Beauty and the Beast the first time. Elle Backenstoe is an astounding emerging author that you don't want to miss out on. I highly recommend this book to all my Fairy tale, fantasy lovers!!!
#ElleBackenstoe #OfCursesandBeauty #BOMMArctours #BOMMIndieauthortours #BookofMatchesMedia #BOMMTours #readingtothelastpage
Author: Elle Backenstoe
Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Synopsis: One curse to bring them together.
One kiss to tear them apart.
All her life, Alaine has suffered the weight of her beauty and she is tired of it. When an unexpected debt threatens her family, Alaine is urged to accept a lucrative marriage to her worst nightmare. She flees to the nearby forest and encounters a witch that offers to help her. The last thing Alaine expects is to be taken away, stripped of her beauty, and abandoned at a curious cottage with no way out.
Daric has been cursed for centuries when a strange young woman wanders into his secluded corner of the woods, claiming to be a lost beauty. For years, his only goal had been to escape the enchanted cottage and exact revenge against the witch that ensnared him. But sharing his curse with Alaine might not be so bad, especially if she’s the one that can break it.
Daric yearns to see them both free. Alaine knows her family is counting on her, but as her reluctant friendship with Daric blossoms into something more, she must decide if saving her parents is worth losing him and returning to the marriage she escaped.
My Thoughts:
" If he thought he was getting a rose, she'd make sure to sharpen her thorns."
This was absolutely one of my favorite Beauty and the Beast retellings I've ever read. I love the way the author was able to take one of the fairy tales I grew up loving and enhance and expand on it, making it even more soul gripping. I love the way the author takes BATB storyline and truly makes it her own.
I couldn't get enough of Alaine and Daric. Getting an in depth view of their relationship and the reason for the curse made this book so much more enjoyable. I also really enjoyed Eudora, who was such an amazing side character in this wonderful retelling.
The writing style flowed effortlessly. I was completely awestruck from beginning to end. This love story was so charming and honest. The author made me feel like I was experiencing Beauty and the Beast the first time. Elle Backenstoe is an astounding emerging author that you don't want to miss out on. I highly recommend this book to all my Fairy tale, fantasy lovers!!!
#ElleBackenstoe #OfCursesandBeauty #BOMMArctours #BOMMIndieauthortours #BookofMatchesMedia #BOMMTours #readingtothelastpage
July 5, 2023
This was most unique take on the Beauty and the Beast Fairytale I have ever read (and I’ve read quite a few)! And there were so many aspects of this book that I absolutely adored!
Alaine has always felt like no one sees her as anything more than a beautiful face. Men in her village often leer at her and make unwanted comments and the woman sneer and condemn her for her beauty. None is worse than then the horrid Lord Baxter. And when her parents inform her of a terrible family debt and the decision to marry her off to the handsy, devious, and mean Lord in exchange for debts being wiped clear she can’t help but throw herself into the forest and wish for another way out.
Daric only wanted someone to love him for his true self and not the title he held. But being cursed for hundreds of years until he can find someone to love him all the while being practically caged at the mysteriously sentient cottage wasn’t really what he had in mind.
But soon Alaine and Daric’s world will magically collide! Can they save each other from their respective curses? Will they end up finding and then living their happily ever after? You will just have to read this intriguing story for yourself.
My absolute very favorite part of this story was when Alaine and Daric where cursed together at the cottage! I loved this take on the cursed “castle” and I loved how it was sentient. All you need was simple to ask (nicely) and you would be rewarded. Which Daric had several issues with and often lead to funny situations. This was definitely my favorite portion of the story. It was so fun reading the twos interactions and them getting to know each other and even themselves better.
All in all, this story was extremely unique and creatively written. If you love an endearing heroine who must learn to value herself, a hero that is sweet and just and willing to sacrifice for his true love, a witch who maybe us more godmother than wicked, and the coolest sentient cottage thus side of the Fantasy realm then you definitely need to read Of Curses and Beauty!
Alaine has always felt like no one sees her as anything more than a beautiful face. Men in her village often leer at her and make unwanted comments and the woman sneer and condemn her for her beauty. None is worse than then the horrid Lord Baxter. And when her parents inform her of a terrible family debt and the decision to marry her off to the handsy, devious, and mean Lord in exchange for debts being wiped clear she can’t help but throw herself into the forest and wish for another way out.
Daric only wanted someone to love him for his true self and not the title he held. But being cursed for hundreds of years until he can find someone to love him all the while being practically caged at the mysteriously sentient cottage wasn’t really what he had in mind.
But soon Alaine and Daric’s world will magically collide! Can they save each other from their respective curses? Will they end up finding and then living their happily ever after? You will just have to read this intriguing story for yourself.
My absolute very favorite part of this story was when Alaine and Daric where cursed together at the cottage! I loved this take on the cursed “castle” and I loved how it was sentient. All you need was simple to ask (nicely) and you would be rewarded. Which Daric had several issues with and often lead to funny situations. This was definitely my favorite portion of the story. It was so fun reading the twos interactions and them getting to know each other and even themselves better.
All in all, this story was extremely unique and creatively written. If you love an endearing heroine who must learn to value herself, a hero that is sweet and just and willing to sacrifice for his true love, a witch who maybe us more godmother than wicked, and the coolest sentient cottage thus side of the Fantasy realm then you definitely need to read Of Curses and Beauty!
March 12, 2023
Thank you to the author and BOMM for sending me an ARC to this incredible fairy tale romance. This incredible Beauty and the Beast retelling gave us a curse to break, intriguing characters to fall in love with and a villain who was not what they were made out to be.
Alaine has suffered all her life due to her beauty. When an unexpected debt forces her to marry someone she detests, she flees to the nearby forest. There, she meets a witch who offers her a way out and sends her to a cottage in the middle of the forest stripping her of her beauty.
Daric has been cursed and bound to the cottage for more than three hundred years and he is tired of the monotony. It changes when Alaine ends up there. He feels responsible for her curse and yearns to set her free even if he cannot.
As they spend time with each other, they learn their secrets and get to know each other well. They learn about the curse and its specifics. The story is more than the curse, more than the witch who placed it on them.
As someone who loves a good forced proximity plot, this book was right up my alley. I fell in love with Daric and Alaine easily as they were incredibly written characters. I enjoyed their banter and their heartfelt conversations. The author has done an incredible job giving us an enchanting plot with characters to root for!
I loved the reveals that changed the flow of the story at every point. I was pleasantly surprised with every reveal which added intrigue to the story. I loved that they both took decisions about their life and did not let anyone else rule over them.
I enjoyed every second of this enchanting tale about a girl known for her beauty losing her beauty and a guy who has been trapped for decades by an age-old curse.
Alaine has suffered all her life due to her beauty. When an unexpected debt forces her to marry someone she detests, she flees to the nearby forest. There, she meets a witch who offers her a way out and sends her to a cottage in the middle of the forest stripping her of her beauty.
Daric has been cursed and bound to the cottage for more than three hundred years and he is tired of the monotony. It changes when Alaine ends up there. He feels responsible for her curse and yearns to set her free even if he cannot.
As they spend time with each other, they learn their secrets and get to know each other well. They learn about the curse and its specifics. The story is more than the curse, more than the witch who placed it on them.
As someone who loves a good forced proximity plot, this book was right up my alley. I fell in love with Daric and Alaine easily as they were incredibly written characters. I enjoyed their banter and their heartfelt conversations. The author has done an incredible job giving us an enchanting plot with characters to root for!
I loved the reveals that changed the flow of the story at every point. I was pleasantly surprised with every reveal which added intrigue to the story. I loved that they both took decisions about their life and did not let anyone else rule over them.
I enjoyed every second of this enchanting tale about a girl known for her beauty losing her beauty and a guy who has been trapped for decades by an age-old curse.
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