Young Adult Classic Retelling
Balzer + Bray
1/28/2014
Audiobook
Purchased at Audible
Originally Posted on my blog I Heart Romance
"Dark and Different"
I admit that I had never heard of this book before but when it was recommended at audible as something that I might like, I decided to buy it. Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I am a fan of Disney's version and I love Belle but this book is not it. It is a classic retelling set in a different place interspersed with Greek mythology (Cupid and Psyche's story).
The place, Arcadia, is in a curse brought about by the selfish prince's bargain with the Kindly Ones. Arcadia is a grey and sad place. Crops have stopped growing, there is no sky, there is no sun. People now rely on arcane-like magic for light and other things. Nyx's father had bargained the Gentle Lord years ago for children and he was granted twins with the condition of giving up one when she comes of age so she can marry him. Of course, everything you ask from the Gentle Lord has a price and for Nyx's father, it was the death of his wife in childbirth. Because of this, Nyx blames herself and pushes everyone away, including her twin sister.
Why I like it:
What I didn't like about it:
I know a few readers who didn't get it but I enjoyed this book a lot and gave it 5 stars because I listened to this via audiobook. I might have felt differently had I read it instead. A must listen. Oh and yes, I had a hard time reviewing this book!
THE AUDIOBOOK
This was read by Elizabeth Knowelden and I liked it. Her voice and pacing was perfect for the darker story, adding a sense of urgency to the story. I probably wouldn't finish reading this book if I didn't listen to it in audio format because it did drag in certain parts. However, with Knowleden's reading, it did not feel dragging at all and I did not have the urge to hit the forward button. I give narration a 5.