Maybe it's just me, but I've rarely encountered a Beauty and the Beast retelling that I haven't loved. Ok, except Beastly. That abomination was just horrible all the way around. And let's not even mention the movie. Some people just have the kind of face that just begs for an encounter with my fist, and pretty boy Pettyfer is one of them. But I digress. The Bluebeard: Ignifex has had eight wives prior to Nyx, all of whom lie dead in one of his castle's chambers akin to the traditional fairytale. This is subverted, as three of them had died due to the Kindly Ones, guessing the Gentle Lord's true name wrongly. The other five had been murdered by Shade, who had lured them into the Heart of Fire - a place which kills most mortals. I loved Ignifex. A lot. I loved his sarcasm and how he grew to care about her. I loved their relationship because both have their dark side and they made a very cute couple. While Nyx was attracted to him, it didn't let this stop her from accomplishing her mission. She kissed him and stole what she wants. So I couldn't help but root for them. Cruel Beauty (2014) is a Young Adult novel by Rosamund Hodge, and a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, blending the traditional fairytale with classical mythology.

Cruel Beauty Quotes by Rosamund Hodge - Goodreads

Shade has been Ignifex's servant, and in fact one of the halves of the last prince - Marcus Valerius Lux - with all the malice and hatred removed. Eventually he reunited with Ignifex and regains his body.Big Bad: Ignifex is set up as one, since he is a prince of the demons and the tyrannical ruler of Arcadia. Subverted. Upon his creation, the Kindly Ones have told him the rules of his existence, use him to make bargains with mortals and unleash demons onto the Arcadians against his will. I've realised you see things very differently when you're 18 and when you're 22. This book is proof of that. I was utterly enchanted and in love with this book 4 years ago but after rereading it, I no longer have any clue what I loved so much about it. Maybe my standards have just risen 🤡🤡

Cruel Beauty Series in Order by Rosamund Hodge - FictionDB Cruel Beauty Series in Order by Rosamund Hodge - FictionDB

Okay okay, lastly, let me just add that the first scene with Nyx and the Gentle Lord made me burst out laughing, and I don't mean that fake laughter where someone says they're laughing and they're not. I mean I was actually laughing and crying at 3 in the morning - holding this book to my chest because I knew I was going to freaking love it. Aloof Darkhaired Girl: Nyx Triskelion, the main protagonist, is described as calm, distant and "regal", while at the same time having dark hair. The mythology aspect was pretty cool. I’ll admit that. I enjoyed that more than the characters, the nonexistent plot, and the weird as hell ending. You’re a demon. I know what you've done. And I still don’t know your name. But I know you’re my husband. And,” I said. “I suppose I do love you.”

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. So, Nyx has to find out all of these clues to try to save her world. I'm not going to go into all of that, you can read the book, or read another review. :) She is finding... that she wants to save Ignifex because she knows he's really good inside. How does she know? She just does! The first novel that Rosamund Hodge published is Cruel Beauty and it is a novel where Greek mythology meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl’s journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way by stealing her heart. This dazzling romantic story is about our innermost desires, which have the power of changing our destiny. The main character in the story is called Nyx. Ever since she was born, she’s been engaged to marry an evil ruler just because her father had been foolish enough to strike a bargain. And since she was born, she’s been training to kill the evil ruler. The romance of Beauty and the Beastmeets the adventure of Gracelingin a dazzling fantasy novel about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny. For fans of bestselling authors Kristin Cashore and Alex Flinn, this gorgeously written debut infuses the classic fairy tale with glittering magic, a feisty heroine, and a romance sure to take your breath away.