CATEGORIES: BOOK BLOG POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS, NEW ADULT, FANTASY, ROMANCE
ABOUT THE BOOK
AUTHOR: ELLE MADISON & ROBIN D. MAHLE
GENRES: FANTASY, ROMANCE, NEW ADULT
PUBLISHER: tantor audio
PUBLISHING DATE: august 31, 2021
FORMAT: audiobook
NARRATOR: Shiromi arserio
Source: audible, SELF-purchaseD
listening time: 8 HOURS, 47 MINUTES
GOODREADS summary
Zaina will never be free.
She’s forced into an arranged marriage to a Viking King in a castle full of secrets. But she carries secrets of her own, and the scars of her haunted past.
Handed off from one monster to another, she has no choice but to do her best to survive and protect her sisters.
Even if it costs her everything.
A Beauty and the Beast retelling you won’t want to miss, where nothing is what it seems and time is running out.
My Thoughts:
In my quest for a captivating retelling, I stumbled upon this remarkable rendition of “Beauty and the Beast” with a stellar four-star rating on Goodreads. Without hesitation, I made the swift decision to purchased it. Penned by the talented duo, Elle Madison and Robin D. Mahle, this narrative packs an impressive punch. “Of Thorns and Beauty” boasts a dark and twisted allure, intertwined with a romance that unveils a profound connection.
THE PLOT
Right from the opening pages, I found myself completely hooked. Our female protagonist, Zaina, is thrust into a new land like a sacrificial lamb, destined to be married off to a man she’s never met. She only heard tales of her intended Viking husband, King Einar – all of them bad.
Although the enemies-to-lovers, slow burn trope kept me invested throughout the book, I must admit that the pacing was a bit sluggish at times. The intimate moments between Zaina and Einar were far too short, often interrupted by other characters or by misunderstandings.
Zaina’s hidden motives, Einar’s intimacy issues, the mysterious happenings within the castle’s west wing, compelled me to delve deeper and untangle these intriguing puzzles. However, the repetitive nature of Zaina’s internal monologue hindered the flow and rhythm of the story.
THE CHARACTERS
Zaina is a guarded individual and for valid reasons. Trigger warning to sensitive readers, there are mentions, albeit not explicitly, of child abuse and sexual abuse. Since childhood, Zaina has learned to trust no one, adopting an air of secrecy and aloofness. Despite her best efforts to shield her guarded heart from her equally cautious husband, Einar, she ultimately fails.
For the first time in her life, the icy fortress around her heart begins to melt for a man, a gratifying transformation as these two souls slowly learn to trust one another. Or do they?
"'I'm beginning to see why you had to import your bride with manners like these," I snap. " Have you actually encountered a woman before, or is this an entirely new experience for you?"
Despite Zaina’s intelligence, she occasionally makes decisions that had me scratching my head. One such example is her repeated choice to wear thinly layered, Eastern Asian-inspired clothing within an icy kingdom, only to complain about the cold. She didn’t think to pack a coat?
Furthermore, the hurdles that plague the characters are predominantly rooted in their inability to trust and effectively communicate with one another. Despite this, it was undeniably entertaining to witness their heated exchanges and funny banter.
Einar initially presents himself as a rugged, brute of a man in the first few chapters, making him infuriating, but in a hot way. As a sucker for the “bad boys,” I found myself irresistibly drawn to him. This book certainly adds a dash of spice to the mix. I give 🌶🌶 for spiciness.
Unlike Zaina, Einar’s childhood was relatively peaceful; however, a cruel betrayal shattered his spirit, leaving him with immense trust issues, particularly when it comes to foreign women. He is a tormented soul, bearing the weight of an entire kingdom upon his shoulders.
Einar presents his new bride with an enigmatic, magical feline companion named Khijana, a character I adored as a proud cat mom. This intelligent and fiercely loyal feline was reminiscent of the dragons from”Game of Thrones.”
THE WRITING STYLE
One aspect of the authors’ writing that truly stood out to me was their impeccable dialogue. I thoroughly savored the engaging banter between Zaina and Einar. Although marketed towards new adult readers, the sophistication of the prose would no doubt be appreciated by individuals that are older. However, I would have liked to gain a deeper understanding of Einar’s character, as it felt like Zaina’s inner musings dominated a disproportionately large portion of the story.
The cliffhanger ending expertly fulfilled its purpose, successfully tempting me into acquiring the second book.
Who can resist a captivating retelling of “Beauty and the Beast”? Certainly not me! I found myself thoroughly engrossed in Zaina and Einar’s passionate romance, and that cliffhanger ending left me utterly hooked.
Despite some plot issues and the occasional questionable decisions made by the main characters, I am eager to continue with this series. The palpable connection between these characters truly tugged at my heartstrings. Care to join me on this enchanting journey? Click here to get your own copy.
Have you delved into this title or other fairytale retellings? I kindly ask you to share your thoughts below. Happy reading!
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