Hello everyone!
Tonight we have a look at probably my all-time favourite, and it's done very well too on top of everything, which just makes the whole thing better, honestly.
BookSirens once again comes in clutch and, yes, at some point I'll probably not review as many ARCs as I do at the moment, but it will not be this day.
Yes, I'm quoting Aragorn right now.
When all is said and done, BookSirens is an AMAZING online service and I'm honestly so stoked to be a member, it makes things easier for me because I read as much as I do (though to a lesser extent than in previous years, it has to be said).
So without further ado, let's jump right into it, shall we?
Of Roses and Rituals is calling, and it's a really, really good one!
S. L. Prater jumped onto my radar at the randomest time with her book Of Heists and Hexes, which I thoroughly enjoyed as a Robin Hood retelling, so when BookSirens listed another ARC, this time of Beauty and the Beast?
I was on it faster than you could say CASSIAN ANDOR!
It takes place in the same universe as the author's other witch-y novels, and I'm actually really intrigued now, so I might go back and read the other stories which happened BEFORE any of these fairy tale ones, honestly.
But, on with the show: Fiona is an academic witch who's a free spirit, living her life without regret (and a lot of bedroom activity) since the death of her betrothed six years ago. Her father has enough at one point and sends her to be an assistant to a famous, reclusive doctor Elias, who everyone has called 'Dr. Beast' for years.
Turns out, the nickname is pretty apt given he's cursed, having gotten into his predicament of looking like a beast himself after exorcising a demon, something he's eminently suited for.
So now he's running around with horns, goat feet, furry legs, and a tail. Also there's feathers in his hair, scales somewhere on his body, the works. Every demon he's ever sent packing has apparently laid some of its curse into him one way or another, and Elias is peculiar on top of that, too: he's a priest BUT he's covered himself with witch ink in protective spells, so he's some sort of hybrid that people would probably avoid if they possibly could.
Not Fiona, though. She immediately strikes a sort of concord with his overgrown greenhouse (roses, in particular) and with the doctor himself, challenging him and also annoying him to no end with her questions and relentless pursuit because she just HAS to emerge on top as the victor.
You can probably see where this is going, honestly.
I'll add that they each have a different, witch-y talent: Fiona's receptors are in her nose, she can scent magics and what they mean, but Elias can taste them, which adds an added layer to their little 'scientific experiment' when they start, er, you know what.
It's not even entirely their fault, either, because their magics bond, or start bonding, indicating they're destined mates, but this becomes complicated because Fiona's never falling in love again (per her own words) knowing it ends with pain and sadness, so she's putting up walls and has a bunch of rules in place about what's what (no gentleness, no sleeping in the same bed, no holding each other, etc.).
Things start getting creepier when they house is supposedly haunted, and the couple realize that Elias' assistant, Thom, is actually a demon projection (though not before nearly killing Fiona as she tries to 'rescue' him, at that). They can't find any trace of him after that revelation, though, and the automaton that he had taught to obey only him is turned off, though Elias promises Fiona he won't let the thing just be inanimate forever.
To distract her, he takes her to the rounded tower where poltergeists have taken up residence, and there are two revelations there: given the things can mimic voices of the dearly departed, they hear the voice of Elias' dead son, as well as Fiona's lover.
This shakes her to her foundations as she's not prepared to talk about it quite yet, not that she's going to be able to keep the walls up once Elias decides hey, he isn't just going to let the woman he loves walk out of his life like that (he also talks marriage, and I actually like the way he decides, to be honest, because with how flighty Fiona is, SOMEONE has to!).
But they need a final visit from this universe's version of Gaston, which happens once the automaton is turned back on and Elias gets bonked on the head and nearly tossed over a cliff, though Fiona manages to prevent that, but the two profess their love for one another, and Fiona also allows herself to grieve for her losses. This prompts Elias to go fetch her parents from the city so she can return with them, though she changes her mind and hurries back only to find him gone on a demon hunting excursion, which worries her, but thankfully he returns, safe and sound!
And they make plans to marry, so I mean, happily ever after all around!
Like I said, I fell into the world of Kriegspiel witches when I picked up the author's previous listed ARC, and I was delighted to see the sequel go up a couple of weeks ago.
And as you can see by my rating, well, it's OBVIOUSLY also a good one!
And I have to admit: I may have a crush on Dr. Beast myself now. I'm also actually kinda happy he didn't turn back into his usual, mortal form, because lets' face it: nobody wanted the prince! We all wanted the Beast LOL.
And as you can see by my rating, well, it's OBVIOUSLY also a good one!
And I have to admit: I may have a crush on Dr. Beast myself now. I'm also actually kinda happy he didn't turn back into his usual, mortal form, because lets' face it: nobody wanted the prince! We all wanted the Beast LOL.
But a good book is nothing with some emotional drama along the way, so this one is pretty entertaining on that front!
I was immediately taken with this version of the Beast, and I honestly thought he was mostly just grouchy rather than dangerous. Plus he shows he has a big heart, and he isn't afraid of going for what he wants, which is a refreshing take besides just sitting there and not doing anything.
Beauty (I keep calling her that, sorry!), however, I couldn't quite connect with. Very obviously, most of what she does in the book and 3/4 of her actions are fueled by the promise she makes herself after her loss, however, I don't do well with abrasive people like her in general. People who just trample other people's clearly set boundaries set my teeth on edge, and she saw everything presented to her as a challenge to somehow overcome - whether logically, or more often simply by flinging so much words at a wall it's a wonder she didn't build her own additional walls with them!
Overall, however, I enjoyed the growth the couple experienced together, and loved the tie-in with the previous book gifted by Little John. I think it's a fun. steampunk academia romance to lose yourself in, and I'll probably be picking up the follow-up to this book if there ever is one.
Retellings, when done right, are a bomb to read!
I was immediately taken with this version of the Beast, and I honestly thought he was mostly just grouchy rather than dangerous. Plus he shows he has a big heart, and he isn't afraid of going for what he wants, which is a refreshing take besides just sitting there and not doing anything.
Beauty (I keep calling her that, sorry!), however, I couldn't quite connect with. Very obviously, most of what she does in the book and 3/4 of her actions are fueled by the promise she makes herself after her loss, however, I don't do well with abrasive people like her in general. People who just trample other people's clearly set boundaries set my teeth on edge, and she saw everything presented to her as a challenge to somehow overcome - whether logically, or more often simply by flinging so much words at a wall it's a wonder she didn't build her own additional walls with them!
Overall, however, I enjoyed the growth the couple experienced together, and loved the tie-in with the previous book gifted by Little John. I think it's a fun. steampunk academia romance to lose yourself in, and I'll probably be picking up the follow-up to this book if there ever is one.
Retellings, when done right, are a bomb to read!
xx
*image not mine
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