User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
This book was chosen for my 2021 retelling reading challenge. It popped up on Amazon when I was searching for new retellings. An enchanting story is what I’d hoped for, but unfortunately this didn’t turn out to be a favorite. If you plan to read this book, you may want to skip over my review because it may contain mild spoilers.
Quick Summary: The story begins with Rosalie, a young woman who’s always dreamed of falling in love and settling down rather than spending her life as a spinster, but she’s a magical witch whose mother has plans of her own. Her mother forces a marriage between Rosalie and the Prince of Baist, but there’s a huge problem: Prince Xander is already engaged and has no interest in her. He orders her away right after the wedding and forces her to make herself unseen. With Rosalie’s magic, she’s able to become someone else and mingle around to investigate matters. There are strange things happening around the village including a beast who’s killing innocent people. More villains appear, and Rosalie begins to understand her true roots. This beast may be much closer than they think.
My thoughts: I have to say that I LOVE the cover! There were things that I liked about this story, but it turned out to be an okay read and not really what I expected.
First, it made complete sense that Prince Xander would be resistant toward loving Rosalie because not only has his lover (Yasmin) been replaced, but his head has been filled with lies about Rosalie and her family. She’s considered an evil, dangerous witch that everyone fears. It’s not what he wants for his kingdom. From the beginning pages, I’m thinking we have an enemies-to-lovers trope, which I love, but sadly it wasn’t strong enough for me. The two main characters are barely together for a lot of the story, and the constant on-again off-again was probably why I felt the relationship didn’t build much. There’s no love between the two main characters, yet in the end it appears out of thin air, and it makes the ending seem rushed and nonsensical. I realize this is teen/YA, and I truly appreciate that the romance was kept clean for younger readers, but more romance or more of something would’ve fixed this problem, in my opinion. It just wasn’t convincing enough for me. There are just too many other things going on here too, and because of that, it felt like the story was missing huge pieces.
As far as characters, there wasn’t much development at all. Rosalie was easy to like though; she’s strong, wants to be good, and she’s nearly fearless. Her character was likable, and I appreciated her good traits, but we don’t find out much about the other characters or the purpose of their intentions. Prince Xander is confusing. So, in a nutshell, the majority of the characters were very flat. Maybe they’ll be fleshed out in the other books though.
Positives: I did like that this is a totally reimagined retelling with only subtle connections to the original. It’s unique and exciting at times with many secrets that I didn’t find too predictable. The author did a great job keeping the truth about the beast quite elusive, and there were other twists that made the story interesting. The family theme was strong too.
I’m glad to have finished this one because I came very close to quitting a third of the way in. Overall, I’m going to give this one 2.5-3***. This is just my personal opinion of course. This book gets plenty of high-rated reviews by many other readers, so if you’re a fan of
Beauty and the Beast retellings, definitely give this one a try!
This book is part of my 2021 retelling reading challenge which can be viewed on my blog @www.readrantrockandroll.com
Rating: really liked it
I hardly ever check this site anymore but every time I do, I find a random notification regarding this review.
Lmao. Listen. I hate read a lot. Literally none of your business if I stay up late reading a book that I didn't like. I paid for it and I saw it to the end and had nothing better to do. That's it. Not that deep. If you liked it, good for you! I didn't. That's all.
***
I can’t believe I stayed up until 5 fucking A.M. to read this god awful book. I can’t think of a single good thing about it. I’m tired.
Rating: really liked it
Such a fun retelling! The MC was super badass and magical which I loved, and the romance was a pretty well-done enemies to lovers. All up a good book!
Rating: really liked it
I'm disappointed. This book started off so well and then it just turned ridiculous. Xander is verbally and physically abusive and I honestly don't get how Rosalie could fall for someone like him. I wouldn't have given him the time of day. But then again, both of them are toxic so they might actually be the perfect fit.
I'm definitely not gonna continue with this series 🙅🏼♀️
Rating: really liked it
I really liked the idea for the story, but the execution fell a little flat for me. I felt the characters weren't developed to their full potential and the story and worldbuilding could have been developed more as well.
Long ago, Lady Eville was hurt badly by the seven kings from the seven kingdoms. She swears she will get her revenge. Fast forward twenty-ish years and Lady Eville has arranged a marriage between her oldest adopted daughter, Rosalie, and the Crown Prince of Baist, Xander.
The book opens on what was supposed to be Xander's wedding, only his bride has been replaced with Rosalie. Xander is furious and treats Rosalie horribly. In fact, he treats her badly throughout the whole book. I'm a big fan of enemies-to-lover tropes, but I felt it wasn't at all developed here. Xander is always rude to Rosalie, we never really see a softening (expect in a lustful type way), I do not see her falling in love with him. Xander treats her badly, his people treat her badly, so I dont see why later in the story she has any kind of loyaty to the people of Baist when all she has expereinced has been negative. Even when Xander and Rosalie finally consumate their marriage, it was just unbelievable. He had been a total jerk just moments before. He always treated her badly.
I did not get what Lady Eville's plans were, how is marrying Rosalie to Xander going to accomplish anything? This is sort of answered, but still a bit unclear. Rosalie was never given any guidance or "job" or any direction for what she was supposed to do as Xander's wife. The synopsis makes it seem like she was raised to be this warrior or something, but Rosalie just stumbles through the story trying to figure out what is going on.
I got a little bored towards the end, skimmed a bit to see just how everything would play out. Maybe if I had seen a change in Xander and a real relationship form between him and Rosalie I would have liked the book better. All their interactions just leave a lot to be desired. The writing felt rushed, would have liked for everything to take more than a week or two to take place.
Again, I really liked the idea for the story and it's set up for each of her six sisters to get their own stories, but I'm not sure I will continue the series.
Content:
Clean romance, very fade to black love scene (some may even miss what is going on), no language that I remember, mild-moderate violence, nothing descriptive but some deaths and fighting
Daughters of Eville Series 
Rating: really liked it
I try to express only my most honest opinion in a spoiler-free way. Unfortunately, there is still always a risk of slight spoilers despite my best efforts. If you feel something in my review is a spoiler please let me know. Thank you.Because of Rosalie's mother's need for vengeance, she finds herself stuck in a loveless marriage to a prince who hates her and her magic. He refuses to even look at her. So using her magic and wits she finds a way to roam the castle and grounds freely. Soon she comes to an agreement with the prince. She will help rid the kingdom of the beast that threatens it in return for freedom.
Likes:
~Epic romance
~Hate to love
~Beauty and Beast retelling
~Really gets emotions high
~Magic
~Curses
~Strong heroine
Dislikes:
~It ended
I loved this book, more than I could have thought possible. I couldn't stop reading this. I want so much more. I'm so glad it's a series and I am praying that other books all meet the same standards as this amazing book. There were times I was yelling at the characters, or just yelling my frustrations, excitement, or any other high emotion. Truly an amazing read. I would recommend this to anyone who loves romance, fantasy, or retellings.
Rating: really liked it
A great $0.99 find!
I'm a bit torn what to rate this....3.5 stars? I finished this in one sitting so its safe to say I was sucked in. I especially enjoyed how the fey were included as part of the realm and I just loved Gobber! I wish there would've been more to the romance because I felt like there were parts of their story missing. Sometimes I feel like the YA genre restricts character stories because so much has to be left off page. It drives me crazy when a chapter ends with no clear direction as to what the characters are doing. Are they just kissing or what the heck is going on?? The first 75% was awesome, then a bunch of stuff happened all at once and became tiresome. Regardless, I still loved it.
Rating: really liked it
At this point (after reading all her current books obviously) I am pretty sure Chanda Hahn can weld magic. Because well, that’s what it’s like reading her books…. Magical!
I screamed in utter joy when I was able to start reading this book early (I felt so blessed!), the anticipation and excitement since hearing the book was announced! (And that beautiful cover art, oh my!)
Beauty and the Beast was a childhood favorite (next to the little mermaid), so I could NOT wait to read my favorite YA authors spin/take on it!
And I LOVED it. It was so good. Again my heartstrings were pulled and unraveled like a red ribbon. ;) I tried to figure out what was going to happen as I read more and more, but I couldn't! Which was great because I love not knowing whats going to happen and couldn't turn pages quick enough! (Have I disliked ANY of Chanda’s books yet? No! But that is not the point! Her writing is so good!)
I love Chanda’s strong female leads, and Rosalie did not disappoint! She was bold, fearless, strong, independent and caring, yet being feared and sullied by those around her, she didn’t let anger or revenge consume her. She was awesome, and I related to her in some small ways, which made me like her even more! And now I want my own Gobbersnot! lol
I don’t like putting spoilers in my reviews, so I need to stop here before I start gushing!
If you liked any of Chanda’s other books, I have no doubt you will love this one too! If this is your first book by her, then you will probably still love it! If you like romance, action, magic, humor, etc Especially strong independent female leads that can kick butt, you will probably love Of Beast and Beauty!
Exciting, heart pulling, magical, beautiful and dare I say.. Sexy!
I can’t wait to read the other Daughters of Eville stories!
Rating: really liked it
Chanda hahn really did justice to this beauty and the beast retelling. I am just in "Waao". Still.
What if you marry an ugly man?”
“Then I pray he has a beautiful heart,”
“What if he has a beastly heart?”
“Then I pray he is handsome on the outside.”This book is unpredictable even when it's a retelling, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! The story is beautiful and compelling and very much addicting. Like really. The characters are dedicated and promising.
The characters feels real and the emotions are raw some are:
✨
Rating: really liked it
For me this was silly. I love retalings and there were quite a few things that I liked about this book but the end was super silly. I mean, I understand when authors want to keep a clean story with no steamy scenes between the couples and I am totally fine with that. What I don't get is when the book show the couple sharing TWO kisses throughout the story and puff, she is pregnant and you have no idea how that happened! (Well, ofc you know how that happened but this book teach you that if you kiss someone more than once you will get with child 🤣).
Rating: really liked it
DNF at 40 pages in. Tempted to give it 1 star but it feels a bit unfair because I didn’t get far until I just couldn’t anymore
Rating: really liked it
[getting a scar at the end of the novel and then saying it makes her "a Beast" is not a BatB situation in any way, and it’s a troubling message to send. Why would getting a scar in a fight defending your country or people or whatever make any
Rating: really liked it
I have read all of Chanda Hahn's other books and was very excited for a new one. I've enjoyed all of her other books and was surprised to be so disappointed by this one. The romance is horrible in a completely unhealthy way. I actually did like the main character, but there is absolutely nothing redeeming about the guy she ends up with.
Rating: really liked it
[
Xander was a jerk at first ... He was forced into a marriage he didn't want , yes , but that doesn't mean he could go on kissing a random girl he meets in the hallway the same day he marries another woman. And his words were soo harsh and didn't deserve them at all. I do get where he's coming from and I kinda understand, b
Rating: really liked it
3.5/5 stars
This is kind of a beauty and the beast remix/retelling. There were words like "rose," "beauty," "beast," and "curse" used a lot but the plot is very different from the usual b&tb retelling.
The plot was predictable but it was pretty fast-paced and addictive. I finished it in a single day. The climax was also really good and kept me on my toes. The magic system didn't make much sense, but I didn't mind. It was more whimsical that way. There were charms, curses, trolls, fae, and a grumpy pet goblin that I loved. Similar vibes to The Cruel Prince.
I liked the MC for the most part. She can be a little dense (especially for someone who's supposed to be cunning and whatnot), but I still rooted for her. She had some really good moments.
I despised the love interest's guts, but I have a full angry rant typed down below. But to sum him up, I would've rated this 4 stars instead of 3.5 if it weren't for this asshole.
The MC's friendship with her pet goblin and her maid was probably my favorite part of the book.
Now, here are my thoughts but more detailed.
This next part contains spoilers for the first three chapters, anything further will be blocked out by spoiler tags. Also, I'm going to be cursing a lot bc I'm outraged :)
So the beginning is pretty fast paced. We start off at Rosalie and Xander's wedding, where the pompous asshole makes it very clear that he wants nothing to do with Rosalie.
“These vows do not bind you to me in any way,” he growled harshly as he pulled our bound wrists between us. “Do not expect me to be faithful to you, or to care for you, you hideous creature of the night.”
I sucked in my breath in outrage. “How dare you address me so? I am—”
“No one,” he interrupted. “You are nothing to me, or the crown, and I wish to never lay eyes upon your face.”
We later learn that he doesn't want to see her face because (view spoiler)
[he thinks she'll put him under her spell bc of her beauty (hide spoiler)], which is a flimsy reason considering (view spoiler)
[he knows damn well that she can cast any spell she wants without having to show her face (hide spoiler)], but I guess this is for plot convenience. I am a sucker for the whole ~secret identities~ thing, so I'll let it slide.
Anyways, Xander (the asshole husband) orders her to go to her room.
“What about the wedding celebration?” I asked angrily. He couldn’t possibly mean for me to not attend.
He dashed my hopes with a scoff. “There will be no celebrating. Go to your rooms and stay there.”
A while later, she's starving and
has to sneak back into HER OWN WEDDING AFTERPARTY to get food. The fucking audacity is astounding.
So she runs into her new piece of shit husband (with them both not recognizing each other) and they proceed to make out. Then she finds out it's him and gets mad that he's being unfaithful right off the bat.
The next morning, Rosalie goes out for a walk, and she takes the whole ✨I don't want to see your face✨ thing to her advantage and pretends to be her own maid (idk if this makes sense) AND Y'ALL. Her maid alter ego's name is
Rose.
Anyway, she meets
Gale Gaven. He has a fragile masculinity and doesn't take rejection well. He's like, a guard... or soldier or something. His whole character can be summarized by this one paragraph:
“Excuse me, but this one is mine,” Xander said coldly, possessively, as he took my other arm. But Gaven didn’t let go, and the air became tense as two men were claiming me.
I mean, do I even need to say anything?
Rosalie (as Rose) goes out to take walks and whatnot and this whole fucking time, nobody suspects that it's her. Not even her husband. She wears a black veil when she isn't pretending to be a maid. AND NOBODY RECOGNIZES HER FUCKING VOICE.
So, I haven't made my dislike of Xander a secret, and here's why (these might be spoilery but out of context):
1) This one's right after their first encounter (where she finds out it's him but he doesn't know that it's her), and she tells him off bc he's cheating on his wife on their wedding night. Rose is angrily storming off so this happens:
He made to follow me, but with a wave of my hands, I made sure his boots stuck to the floor with magic, giving me enough time to flee.
“I will find you,” he called out huskily. “And you will be mine.”
2) Throughout this whole book, the people treat Rosalie like shit. At some point, one of Xander's guards wrecks Rosalie's room bc Witch! Black magic! Heretic! and she yells at Xander to tell his guards to stay the fuck away from her. Later, Xander tells her this, referring to her yelling at him:
“Yes, I would call that a tantrum if I ever saw one. It’s very female of you.”
I don't think this needs any unpacking.
3) For this one, they're at a ball and Rosalie is attending as Rose. The typical YA fantasy ball scene goes down where the prince doesn't know who to dance with and picks out the main character because... yeah. Anyway, this happens:
“I never agreed—” I began, but the music started and he took two steps. [...]
“You do not need to. I am your prince,” he stated, as if that were the only answer he needed.
4) This is after the identity reveal:
His eyes dropped to my lips, and then his grip tightened and he pushed me roughly away from him.
“You are a witch,” he said angrily. “You bespell me every time I see you, for I have this asinine desire to kiss you… again.”
5) Ok there are so many more but here's one last one. You don't even need context for this one:
Gripping my wrist, he pulled me away from the table and spun me out into the hall toward the stairs. The momentum wasn’t much, but I was unprepared for the servant who crossed my path. I collided with them full-on and fell onto the stone steps, bruising my rib cage.
The sweet scene in the ending doesn't redeem him to me. Anyway, stan Gobbersnot for clear skin 😩
