CATEGORIES: BOOK BLOG POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS, NEW ADULT, FANTASY, ROMANCE
ABOUT THE BOOK
TITLE: of beasts and vengeance, twisted pages, book 2
AUTHOR: ELLE MADISON & ROBIN D. MAHLE
GENRES: FANTASY, ROMANCE, NEW ADULT
PUBLISHER: tantor audio
SERIES: TWISTED PAGES
PUBLISHING DATE: march 8th, 2022
FORMAT: audiobook
NARRATOR: Shiromi arserio and grant cartwright
Source: audible, SELF-purchaseD
listening time: 7 HOURS, 43 MINUTES
GOODREADS summary
She’s willing to risk her life for those she loves, but even that might not be enough to stop what’s coming.
Einar has finally let down his guard, but when the woman he trusts takes off in the middle of the night with his people’s only hope for a cure, he realizes what a mistake that was.
They have been living under the shadow of the same monster for longer than either of them realize. But it’s up to them to decide whether that makes them enemies or allies.
You’ve heard it asked, who could ever learn to love a beast? But this time, the question is, could a beast ever learn to love?
*This review contains a few spoilers from book one. If you have not read “Of Thorns and Beauty”, I highly suggest reading that book before reading this review*
My Thoughts:
After immersing myself in the captivating “Of Thorns and Beauty” and being left hanging on a cliffhanger, I couldn’t resist purchasing the second installment of the Twisted Pages series, “Of Beasts and Vengeance” by Elle Madison and Robin D. Mahle.
The story picks up right in the midst of action as Einar wakes up to the devastating betrayal by Zaina. Will he be able to mend his broken heart?
THE PLOT
Driving the plot is the tumultuous struggle between Einar and Zaina to trust each other once again. Einar goes as far to chain Zaina in his bedchambers due to his distrust. This aspect of the story frustrated me as they both chose to avoid communication, unnecessarily causing hurt feelings that could have easily been avoided.
Additionally, the plot revolves around the mystery of harnessing the power of the enchanted rose to find a cure for Einar’s ailing people.
In the previous book, it was revealed that the inhabitants of the castle wore masks to hide their ailments that turned them into beasts and made them dangerously ill. Zaina’s genuine compassion for them ultimately proves to Einar that she is not the selfish temptress he initially believed her to be.
This particular plotline intensifies the suspense and keeps the reader engrossed, eager to discover if a cure will be found in time.
Furthermore, a new villain enters the scene, complicating Zaina and Einar’s plans and serving as an additional obstacle for them to overcome.
THE CHARACTERS
Among the characters, Zaina is the one who truly resonated with me. Her profound guilt over her betrayal of Einar and letting down her sisters is palpable, and the emotional impact of her past trauma feels incredibly authentic.
"I tell myself that it doesn't bring me back to memories of my time in Madame's dungeons. That it doesn't shatter the only illusion of safety and protection I have allowed myself since I was six years old. That it doesn't sting that the man I walked willingly to my death for has chained me up like a wild animal..."
However, some of the other characters, particularly the villain, come across as one-dimensional. The villain is portrayed as pure evil, more like a caricature rather than a complex individual. While this approach may be suitable for a fairytale, it does not do justice to a story intended for young adults.
The portrayal of the castle’s servants also lacks depth, as they appear to be submissive and devoid of personal desires or distinct personalities, which ultimately diminishes the richness of the world and makes it less enjoyable to explore.
THE WRITING STYLE
In terms of the writing style, this story possesses all the captivating elements that made me fall in love with the first book.
The conflict was front and center from the first few pages and the stakes were high. It had action, a slow-burn romance, magic, betrayal, and more. However, I did feel slightly disappointed by the lack of character development for the side characters. Their motives and personalities remain elusive, as they seem to solely exist to serve the central storyline of Einar and Zaina’s romance.
Additionally, there are instances where the internal dialogues between the main characters become repetitive and impede the story’s momentum.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly bought into Zaina and Einar’s love story. Elle Madison and Robin D. Mahle skillfully crafted a romance that extends beyond mere physical attraction. They cultivated genuine chemistry between the characters, nurturing and developing a true love story that I definitely rooted for until the very end.
Although the dragging portions of the story resulting from repetitive inner monologues and the protagonists’ refusal to communicate became tiresome, the outstanding ending effectively lured me into purchasing the next book.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! How are you enjoying the series thus far?
Did you read “Of Beasts and Vengeance”? Let me know in the comments.