YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Camellia Beauregard is a Belle. In the opulent world of Orléans, Belles are revered, for they control Beauty, and Beauty is a commodity coveted above all else. In Orléans, the people are born gray, they are born damned, and only with the help of a Belle and her talents can they transform and be made beautiful.

But it’s not enough for Camellia to be just a Belle. She wants to be the favorite—the Belle chosen by the Queen of Orléans to live in the royal palace, to tend to the royal family and their court, to be recognized as the most talented Belle in the land. But once Camellia and her Belle sisters arrive at court, it becomes clear that being the favorite is not everything she always dreamed it would be. Behind the gilded palace walls live dark secrets, and Camellia soon learns that the very essence of her existence is a lie—that her powers are far greater, and could be more dangerous, than she ever imagined. And when the queen asks Camellia to risk her own life and help the ailing princess by using Belle powers in unintended ways, Camellia now faces an impossible decision.

With the future of Orléans and its people at stake, Camellia must decide—save herself and her sisters and the way of the Belles—or resuscitate the princess, risk her own life, and change the ways of her world forever.

Ch. 9 (view spoiler)[ I like this so far. I'd really like to know more about how the arcana work because I feel like Du Barry and the beauty minister might not be telling the whole truth about the power. Also Amber is kind of a bitch. I think she's hiding some big secret about her sexuality or something. I like that Camellia risked herself at the carnaval thing and I hope she won't be scared off by Du Barry. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 19 (view spoiler)[ OKay so this whole Belle thing has taken a turn for the worse I think. Clearly Du Barry and Madam Claire are up to something. I think they're making "fake" belles or something sinister like that. Also what the hell happened to Amber and what is up with Ivy, she's acting weird. I don't like it. Princess Sophia is interesting so far, not sure what to think about her but I thought she'd be a little spoiled bitch and so far she's not. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 25 (view spoiler)[ Okay Sophia is starting to seem like a shallow bitch and I think she's going to use up all Camellia's arcana or that's probably her plan. I'm glad Amber sent a note back to Camellia. There's seriously something weird happening, but I'm glad Ivy seems to have Camellia's back at least. I wonder if Princess Charlottle will ever get better. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 37 (view spoiler)[ Wow Sophia has truly made an enemy out of Camellia now. Burning her mother's Belle book was a mistake. I want Charlottle to wake up and Sophia needs to be sent to a mental hospital. There are so many things wrong with that girl. I was really mad and disappointed when Camellia gave Astrid that nose. At least she took it back off. Poor Astrid did not deserve that. Seriously Sophia is crazy!!!! (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Holy crap!!! Sophia forced Camellia and Amber to kill Claudine!!! That was so horrible and ON TOP OF THAT, Auguste is a fucking traitor!! I'm so fucking mad. Ugh, but I guess I can ship Camellia and Remy now. Remy seems like a better guy than Auguste anyway. I'm sad the Queen died, though it was only time before that happened. I'm glad that Charlotte is awake now or at least is waking up. I hope Arabella managed to get her somewhere safe. Edel is safe too!! Oh man I'm so excited for book 2 (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20 (view spoiler)[ I was surprised Camellia didn't become the favorite the first time and it was Amber instead, but I knew that she would eventually get there. Also what happened to Amber/all the other sisters? Only a few of them are talk to Camellia and there is so much mystery surrounding the monarchy. Secret Belles, replaced favorite, August Fabry *main love interest? There is so much going on and I can't wait to peel away the layers of this complicated story. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 25-27 (view spoiler)[ Sophia is becoming a brat and she's taking advantage of Camellia because of her power. If Auguste and Sophia get engaged/married, I will be pissed because it's obvious he and Camellia have chemistry. Why aren't Belles allowed to find a partner? The goddess of beauty was also known as the goddess of love (if I'm not mistaken) so why does love have such a negative connotation attached to it for the Belles? There are so many questions and not enough answers yet... (hide spoiler)]

Ch 28 (view spoiler)[ Shook by these Belles!!! I thought the previous generation of Belles weren't allowed to stay in the castle and what happens to Belles when they retire or why do they retire at all? If they use leeches to purify their blood, can't they continue to do that? Also, Sophia is freaking me out and I need Ivy to spill the rest of the details as soon as possible (hide spoiler)]

End (view spoiler)[ Sophia is a horrible human being and needs to drop dead. She is insane and made Camellia do all the bad things...MURDER!!! I was hoping Auguste was the one, but he is just a jerk and player. Kind or reminds me of Nick St. Clair from the show, Riverdale, for those who know (hide spoiler)]

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Reading from the 14th of July 2018

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Started

25%
(view spoiler)[ Honestly I am not sure what people liked about this book so far. It's so slow-paced, I'm glad I have to listen to it because of my work, otherwise I couldn't have read it for sure. People are so shallow. The Belles are just selfish. So how is it ok for them to want to be the favorite but not for others? And omg Amber is such a bitch. I mean yes ok you can be happy, but you don't get to say she didn't deserve it. Even before it, in her room, when she came at night and she yelled that SHE HAS TO BE THE FAVORITE! What a snob (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15: (view spoiler)[ I really wish that Camellia would be nicer to Amber. Amber is so sweet and Camellia hasn't been very nice so far. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 1-4 (view spoiler)[The audiobook elevates it.
1. If everyone except Belles are grey blobs what message can you have about beauty?
What does the society view as ugly?
- faded skin tone, skin creases, agelines
2. Love interest is lame, their meeting is lame.
3. We already know she is going to win everything is so obvious (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 5-12 (view spoiler)[
1. World seems inclusive accepting of different shapes, sizes except ageist
2. Camellia not winning truly surprised me but I get why she did not win. In a lot of novels people say the world values order and obedience but they pick the main character who does everything against what they say they stand for then try to stamp down her spirit. I get it especially with royalty, you don't want someone who if you say you want your hair curled they straighten it.
Also, is it really that creative to recreate a image of yourself?
3. Black market beauty world/industry I want to see that!
4. The audiobook helps with the extraneous amount of description
5. I don't know how I feel about the beauty laws do they make a statement about beauty in our society?
6. The relationship dynamic between the Belles is interesting they have different personalities and wants.
7. Questions:
So belle moms die by natural causes?
So being a belle/beauty is inherited?
How are belle babies created?
Is Camellia mom her birth mom?
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20: (view spoiler)[I want to see more of her sisters. I was introduced to these characters and I'm not even getting to see them. Why did they decline the invitations?? Also, Camille is doing nothing at this stage... (hide spoiler)]

Ch 13-19
(view spoiler)[1. Unofficial belle...
2. It is messy to decide and push kids looks to be a certain way. Again, its messy to argue someone down about how they want to look.
3. Remi is obviously another love interest
4. So Ivy is taking people arcana (beauty) or is she murderous? (hide spoiler)]

Lara wrote: "Chapter 20: [spoilers removed]"
Agreed on everything you said.

Ch 20-24
(view spoiler)[
1. August is lame. The story wants me to feel bummed he is one of Sophia suitors but the relationship wasn't ever built. I like Remi better but losing what little interest I had in him.
2. Its very dangerous to go alone without your guard...Why is she mad that Remi is doing his job?
3. There are a lot of interesting details happening in back ground but not in foreground with Camellia
-Princess in deep sleep
-who is belles father? How are they made?
-what happened to Amber?
-Sophia secret man.
-Edel trying to run away
- Amber running away
Why would Edel come see you Camellia in most guarded area so they can find her?
Du Berry has been alive for a long time...
4. So Camellia mom assumed Camellia would be the favorite. What if she wasn't the favorite she wouldn't have found her mom book.
5. Questioning if Camellia should be the favorite.
6. The belles are like surgeons. It seems like Camellia doesn't work that much.
7. Why did Du Barry not prepare them for being around queen/court?
(hide spoiler)]

Lara wrote: "Chapter 15: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Amber was way meaner towards her then Camellia. Camellia never insulted her only told her that all of them wanted to be the favorite, her included, while Amber said she HAS to be the one. and then insulted Camellia saying she doesn't deserve to be a favorite (hide spoiler)]

Sara wrote: "Chapters 1-4 The audiobook elevates it.
1. If everyone except Belles are grey blobs what message can you have about beauty?
What does the society view as ugly?
- faded skin tone, skin creases, age..."

(view spoiler)[ Audiobook is my savior lol Exactly shallow people. I want more romance, otherwise this book will kill me by the time I get to the end. It's sooooo slow paced. The bodyguard and August are the only excitement here (hide spoiler)]

Sara wrote: "Chapters 5-12
1. World seems inclusive accepting of different shapes, sizes except ageist
2. Camellia not winning truly surprised me but I get why she did not win. In a lot of novels people say th..."

(view spoiler)[ I want to know how belles are created as well. and what the hell is going on in that houses (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 47: (view spoiler)[ I'm glad that Amber is back in the picture, and I really want to know how that will get out of the tricky predicament. Also, I really hope that Augusts didn't really betray her. I don't think he did... But now I'm second guessing myself. (hide spoiler)]

Finished: I really enjoyed this one, despite the slow pace!

(view spoiler)[ I still can't believe that Auguste betrayed her! That should have been a huge reveal but it just... wasn't? After she foudn out she never really thought about it again... But he was so sweet! I never saw it coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (hide spoiler)]

Edit~A wrote: "Lara wrote: "Chapter 15: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[That's true I guess, I think they all should have been nicer to each other. They seemed so close at the beginning of the novel, and then they were all mad and jealous. It was quite a fast turnaround! (hide spoiler)]

Lara wrote: "Finished: I really enjoyed this one, despite the slow pace!

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I still think Auguste is going to make a comeback next book because it seemed like he did like her but got mad she didn't want to runaway. There are a lot of reveals that Camellia discovers that she never thinks or does anything about. The non-official Belles who the teahouse is keeping hostage is a prime example. I feel like I got spoiled somewhere so I was expecting one of the love interests to betray her (hide spoiler)]

Ch 25-33
(view spoiler)[1. Camellia just passed out from helping someone so why would she be ready for the queen?
2. Simplistic beauty commentary
3. I wish Camellia was smarter.
4. Beauty being a elixir would be interesting but beauty is so complex
5. Edel is possibly (lets be real actually) missing
6. Amber is okay.
7. Is Camellia that good if she just makes people look like other people?
8. Sophia is using blood to spy and eventually change her appearance forever
9. I need Camellia to wize up!
10. Nothing is happening!!!
11. Camellia is not weirded out that Auguste used women to get to her
12. They keep telling us how great Camellia arcana is but don't show us. All I see is her passing out quickly and doing dumb things.
13. Queen wants Camellia to heal the princess. Why they didn't focus on this plot sooner!?
14. There are so many unnecessary scenes.
15. So now Belles can take people anger. 👌
5. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 34-42
(view spoiler)[Is this our villain(s)? So many subplots without a main plot. (hide spoiler)]

Finished

(view spoiler)[ Poor Claudine.... Amber couldn't get over her loss, it was awful. I liked the ending despite the slow pace, I'm looking forward for the next book. I want to see her with Rémy, I liked him more than Auguste, he seemed noble and genuine. Auguste was fun but too arrogant. I'm looking forward to see Edel in the next book, she seemed far when we read about her. (hide spoiler)]

43- Finish
(view spoiler)[
Does it feel like people would notice the secret Belles? Who tried to kill/poison Princess Sophia? It is interesting that the line of the throne is through women.
(hide spoiler)]

I have a few questions if everyone doesn't mind since everyone in our little buddy read finished The Belles
(view spoiler)[
What are some assumptions that you made coming into/before reading The Belles?
How do you all feel about the points made in The Belles about beauty?
How did you feel about the villain(s)?
What would you like to see in the sequel? What would you not like to see in the sequel?
(hide spoiler)]

Edit~A wrote: "25%
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yep, I'm seeing now how you thought this one was incredibly slow. Seemed like first 10 chapters if not more was a bit of nothing. Then it gets a little catty over the favorite and still thinking ok let's do something interesting already. LOL (hide spoiler)]

Lara wrote: "Chapter 20: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I was curious about that too. Spend all that time building the competition between them and a bit of angst over who is sent where and then poof the others are gone from the story. (hide spoiler)]

Sara wrote: "Ch 25-33
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Completely agree. Felt as if the ball was dropped on the use of magic since that was when it finally started getting a bit interesting to me and not just some catty females looking for best position. (hide spoiler)]

Lara wrote: "Finished: I really enjoyed this one, despite the slow pace!

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ To be honest it seemed a lot of things in here just got sort of put there and forgotten in the rush at the end. (hide spoiler)]

Edit~A wrote: "Finished

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I wasn't really feeling the whole relationship angle in here at all since they were only surface level. It really seemed like the first 75% at least was that way then let's rush to an exciting conclusion with a few reveals so I'm not sure how I feel about reading another. LOL (hide spoiler)]

Carrie wrote: "Edit~A wrote: "Finished

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[My dislike for August made me go straight for the other dude because he seems sensible but there was no building of the relationship with either one. Camellia was all in love with August but I couldn't see why. Just thinking about this book makes me dread the sequel I don't know if I can do it either. (hide spoiler)]

Carrie wrote: "Sara wrote: "Ch 25-33
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[It felt like the story put so much into so many subplots that it didn't know what it wanted to be. I feel it was supposed to build for an overall series but it seemed like it never honed in truly on the main plot (lol what main plot). The magic and beauty ball was dropped so hard that its sigh. (hide spoiler)]

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Date changed. Restarting April 18th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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Starting today

5% (view spoiler)[ The idea of creating and manipulating beauty in the way of magic and the arcane is really neat for this book. Things are so prettily said in the descriptions as well. Obviously a lesson of maybe you are fine the way you are is probably going to be learned, but something about having to be gray is strange. (hide spoiler)]

19% (view spoiler)[ I am disappointed that Amber was named the favorite. While I can understand what the woman was saying about being able to follow rules and people knowing they can trust you to do what they want, I was hoping they would make an exception. (hide spoiler)]

42% (view spoiler)[The mirror that reflects the soul is really cool and I think it will be used to help the fallen princess that sleeps.Also, I'm curious about the jewelry that 'bites'. (hide spoiler)]

50%(view spoiler)[ Ah, the jewelry is explained. Sophia is a wicked yet Clever girl. I 'll give her that. (hide spoiler)]

77% (view spoiler)[It's good to know that all the secondary Belles aren't supposed to be chained and locked up. They should be treated better. Honestly, the kingdom could use secondary Belles for smaller things but with the Belles consent only (hide spoiler)]

Finished. I really enjoyed this book, again!

(view spoiler)[ I hope we find out what happened to Bree! But all the questions Cam asked, I hope we find out in the second book. I really hope they find a way to bring Sophia down. (hide spoiler)]