I have received an ARC copy from the Author in exchange for an honest review.
Did I enjoyed it? YES! I have read it twice already. Ms. Haag made me drop my jaw as this story is a totally different version of Beauty and the Beast! I loved the Disney story, the books with a fairytale touch, but this? THIS IS A PERFECTION.
Small Blurb:
A classic fairy tale with a new twist, the Beauty and the Beast saga begins with Depravity…
Sixteen year old Benella is concerned with two things–avoiding the two village boys who torment her and scrounging for food to help feed her family. Unfortunately, the best wild fruit and vegetables are near the walls of the estate, a dark misty place inhabited by an unforgiving beast.
When her tormentors lock her behind the massive gates, Benella knows her fate is sealed. Yet, the fate isn’t one she expects. Her encounter with the beast starts a bizarre cycle of bargaining for her freedom, a freedom the beast seems determined to see her lose.
Note: Intended for mature readers due to sexual situations, violence (attempted rape), and moderate language.
My thoughts:
In here we meet Benella, a poor girl that lives with her dad and 2 sisters. She is 16 years old and still innocent. She is kind, caring and doing what she can to help her family by finding food in the forest, near the estate of forgotten estate, where a beast lives protecting its treasures. The story is not as simple as in Disney’s version, where she takes her father place, teaches the Beast how to care and be nice, fells in love with him and we have a HEA. Nope. Melissa went beyond that and wrote a phenomenal story, where ugliness of people and beast is showed.
I loved Benella, for her personality and simplicity. She was simple and didn’t like to lie and hated the lies of her family.
The Beast…well he is really interesting and I cannot wait to see what the next book will show of his nature.
Amazing job Melissa. A well deserved 5 stars!
WARNING: There is a cliffhanger! But as I do love them I don’t mind them 😀
Heavenly Good Books 