SYNOPSIS:
Based on the classic
fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story
about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.
Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.
With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.
But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.
As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.
Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.
With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.
But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.
As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.
REVIEW:
This Beauty and the BEast retelling has a wonderful Greek mythology influence and twist. I loved the addition of the greek mythology, probably because I LOVE Greek mythology. If you don't really know these classic tales I can see how this book might get confusing.
Most people know Disney's Beauty and the Beast and super sweet Belle (who I adore, this is no diss on my girl Belle!) The beauty character in this tale is Nyx, who definitely is not super sweet! This is a girl with vinegar in her veins. And I love that! SHe can be cruel, hateful, and petty. What I really love is that she doesn't delude herself. She doesn't say she isn't. She does, however, try to keep this side of herself under control. She doesn't want to be cruel and hateful. And she always feels bad afterwards. It's very relateable.
The story does drag a little bit sometimes and there are some sudden twists and turns. The ending left me a little bit confused as well, but overall it was a well written and interesting read.
QUOTES:
" 'Do you know why I love you?' I opened my mouth but couldn't speak. Ignifex went on as calmly as if we were a normal husband and wife who discussed their love everyday. 'Everyone who ever bargains with me is convinced that he is righteous. Even the ones who come sad-eyed and guilty-they weep to the gods that they are sinners, but in their hearts they believe their need is so special that it justifies any sin, that they are heroes for losing all their rightousness and paying with their souls. " (Hodge 205)
RATING: 
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