Cruel Beauty Review ☆☆☆☆☆

Rosamund Hodge's debut novel, Cruel Beauty, exceeded my expectations! It was phenomenal! I can most certainly state that Cruel Beauty is with my top 3 favorites. Thus, it's not surprising that I am giving it 5 out of 5 amazing stars! 

In this enchanting retelling of Beauty and the Beast, where Greek mythology is still ever present, Nyx has been raised with the sole purpose of being a tribute and wife to the Gentle Lord. Determined to defeat her future husband, she trains in the magical arts and take up a plan to do so. However, Nyx didn't plan for the Gentle Lord to be so charming. Will she be able to kill him? 

Firstly, I just absolutely loved the general idea and the plot. I was hooked at the beginning and it kept my attention till the conclusion of the novel. I'll admit that Greek mythology in the young adult genre is becoming a bit overused, but don't let that prevent you from reading this masterpiece. It is used in a refreshing way. All of the twists and surprises in this book were amazing; it's another key piece that made this book standout. I'm fairly used to not being surprised, so that should really say something. 

The relationships between Nyx and her 2ish, really one, romantic interest(s) were utterly unique. Their banter is perhaps my favorite part between them! Their dynamics were mysterious at first, and this just ties into my above point as to how it took surprising turns that truly made sense in the end. The love that they have for each other seems realistic, despite it having magical elements, and envious. 

The only issue I had with Cruel Beauty is that it was a little fuzzy when explaining the reasons behind how the final issue is resolved. Perhaps I'm just not intelligent enough, though I was able to kind make sense of it, but still remained pretty uncertain if I assumed correctly or not. 

I first came across this book several months ago when trying to find something to read. I regret having waited so long, but better late than never, right? :D Anyway, some similar reads are: The Bone Season (review here) and The Color of Rain (link here). 

The Assassin's Curse Review

The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke was simply a fantastic read. It had senses of adventure, danger, and a hint of romance. It's totally worth a score of 4 bright and shining stars out of 5. 

Ananna is the daughter of the main captain of a pirate clan who is being coerced into an arranged marriage with another pirate clan by her parents. So, what's a girl to do? Well, she decides to throw caution to the wind and to leave everyone behind to gain her freedom. However, this does not happen without consequence. The other pirate clan sends out the infamous assassin who is rumored to have never failed an assassin mission. This is where the main story begins. 

The beginning of the book did not fail to make me interested right off the bat. A girl escaping an arranged marriage? Never fails to keep my eyes glued to the page, all two to three times. I loved the adventure in this book; it takes you numerous places that are filled with magic, mystery, and intrigue. It takes place in an imaginary world filled with permitted, and of coarse some forbidden, magic. 

What I loved the most about this book is the relationship between Ananna and Naji. It's unique in how it was Naji's original intent to murder Ananna, then from there their relationship grows and moves into different stages. I admire that, no love at first sight crap. Of coarse, it does grow eventually. It's not fully realized on both parties in this book, however. They are absolutely great as a pair! Especially, taken into account the struggles they have to go through together. Including, betrayal, sense of hopelessness, being forced together by a curse, and the uncertainty of reciprocated feels, or feelings that lie elsewhere. 

I would recommend this book to those who are within the middle school range to about fifteen or sixteen. The book's main demographic seems to be this age group as it doesn't have too mature themes within it. For similar reads, I suggest: Alice in Zombieland (link here) and Between the Lines (link here).