The Beautiful and the Cursed
by Page Morgan
Series: The Dispossessed #1
Genre: YA, paranormal, supernatural, romance, historical
Published May 2nd 2013 by Hot Key Books
Source: Paperback from the publisher
Purchase: Book Depository * Amazon
* Hot Key Books
* Hot Key Books
Blurb (Goodreads):
Ingrid Waverley is a young woman to be reckoned with. Faced with her brother's mysterious disappearance after an abrupt move to Paris, she is determined to discover what has happened to him. Soon she and her sister Gabriella are drawn into a Parisian underworld more terrifying than they could ever have imagined, but watching over them are two impossible (and impossibly handsome) young men. Luc is a 'Dispossessed', an ancient gargoyle whose sworn duty it is to protect the humans who inhabit his abbey. Nolan has secrets of his own too. He is a member of the Alliance - a shadowy group dedicated to keeping Paris safe from the demonic forces that threaten to destroy it.
Secrets, danger and hidden powers stalk the girls in this beautifully imagined paranormal romance that will keep readers gripped from beginning to end - and one thing is for sure - you'll never look at a gargoyle in the same way again...
My Thoughts:
The first time I came across this book, I thought it was a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I mean, look at the title. I've been excited since then and even featured it on my Waiting on Wednesday post. When I read the blurb, I was still on the impression of it being Beauty and the Beast that I missed the opportunity to spot the difference of the book I'm assuming and the book I've read.
This is not my first time to read about gargoyles. I met the first gargoyle in Passion by Lauren Kate and I don't think I liked that gargoyle. Apart from it doesn't look..nice, it's also an evil gargoyle. So I don't think I had a wonderful experience with a gargoyle that time. The Beautiful and the Cursed introduced me to a different kind of gargoyle. A gargoyle that had a mission, the kind that transforms into a beautiful person and even fall for a human. Even if it is forbidden.
Reading this book was refreshing. It made me took a break from the dystopians I've been reading and its futuristic world. The Beautiful and the Cursed was set in Paris on the year 1899. I thought this combination alone was a big wow for me. And then I saw a gargoyle and a forbidden love. It's something, right? Who wouldn't want to read this book?
The book was told by third person. I would've ask for first-person view but realizing that the novel wasn't just revolving around a single person's life, I understood right away. And I think I liked how this book gave spotlight to different characters. I wouldn't say that Ingrid Waverly is the main character because I felt like the others are main too, like her brother, Gabriella, Luc and Nolan. Ingrid's and Gabriella's brother, Grayson, was one of the main subjects in this book but I knew little about him. I hope he was given more background. Even the girls. All I got was Ingrid's cruel past. Luc was supposed to be the first main guy character but he sort of fell into the background especially when Vander is in the picture. I liked how the author described Vander on his first scene. I think I fell for him instead. I hoped Luc was given more part and he was less jerk so I'd feel that he's The Guy, because I felt Vander more. Ingrid's confused feelings didn't helped as well. Nolan was fun, but he started as a jerk so I don't think I liked him right away. Later on, he became this caring sweet guy who actually caught my heart.
The romance between Ingrid and Luc was lacking. Ingrid felt these weird things for Luc sooner than I expected and I didn't quite liked it. I also thought it lacked because as I said above, Luc was kind of a jerk to Ingrid and he's always away from her. I didn't know where and when the feelings started. It's almost unrealistic. While I didn't liked Luc and Ingrid's romance, I liked Gabriella's and Nolan's. Their story was cute and sweet. Although Gabriella acts childish, I forgave her since she was only fifteen. Oh yeah. One thing about these two--Gabriella, rather--was that they're too young to fall (Gabby's fifteen). But who cares? The story was told years ago, where they wear gowns everyday. People from the past get betrothed on their young age.
The Beautiful and the Cursed was a wonderful read. It brought me back to the past and in Paris. I enjoyed it and I'm sure you will too. In terms of originality, the author made a pretty good future for gargoyles. My view for them changed and I'm kind of looking forward in reading more about them. At least, within this series. :D I would recommend this book to everyone who enjoys the combination of paranormal/supernatural, mystery and romance.
Thank you so much to Olivia and Hot Key Books for providing a paperback copy for review!
Reading this book was refreshing. It made me took a break from the dystopians I've been reading and its futuristic world. The Beautiful and the Cursed was set in Paris on the year 1899. I thought this combination alone was a big wow for me. And then I saw a gargoyle and a forbidden love. It's something, right? Who wouldn't want to read this book?
The book was told by third person. I would've ask for first-person view but realizing that the novel wasn't just revolving around a single person's life, I understood right away. And I think I liked how this book gave spotlight to different characters. I wouldn't say that Ingrid Waverly is the main character because I felt like the others are main too, like her brother, Gabriella, Luc and Nolan. Ingrid's and Gabriella's brother, Grayson, was one of the main subjects in this book but I knew little about him. I hope he was given more background. Even the girls. All I got was Ingrid's cruel past. Luc was supposed to be the first main guy character but he sort of fell into the background especially when Vander is in the picture. I liked how the author described Vander on his first scene. I think I fell for him instead. I hoped Luc was given more part and he was less jerk so I'd feel that he's The Guy, because I felt Vander more. Ingrid's confused feelings didn't helped as well. Nolan was fun, but he started as a jerk so I don't think I liked him right away. Later on, he became this caring sweet guy who actually caught my heart.
The romance between Ingrid and Luc was lacking. Ingrid felt these weird things for Luc sooner than I expected and I didn't quite liked it. I also thought it lacked because as I said above, Luc was kind of a jerk to Ingrid and he's always away from her. I didn't know where and when the feelings started. It's almost unrealistic. While I didn't liked Luc and Ingrid's romance, I liked Gabriella's and Nolan's. Their story was cute and sweet. Although Gabriella acts childish, I forgave her since she was only fifteen. Oh yeah. One thing about these two--Gabriella, rather--was that they're too young to fall (Gabby's fifteen). But who cares? The story was told years ago, where they wear gowns everyday. People from the past get betrothed on their young age.
The Beautiful and the Cursed was a wonderful read. It brought me back to the past and in Paris. I enjoyed it and I'm sure you will too. In terms of originality, the author made a pretty good future for gargoyles. My view for them changed and I'm kind of looking forward in reading more about them. At least, within this series. :D I would recommend this book to everyone who enjoys the combination of paranormal/supernatural, mystery and romance.
Thank you so much to Olivia and Hot Key Books for providing a paperback copy for review!
Rating:
Ooh nice review! I do believe I picked this one up at RT! It has a different cover and right now I am away from my TBR stack so I cannot check it to be sure. Sounds awesome though!! Gargoyles are steadily getting popular! I always found them fascinating, even though I couldn't do much about it! I watched Gargoyles cartoon show as a kid!
ReplyDeleteI wonder, you said this book was set in the past, is it 1888? You said 1988 and that they were wearing dresses and falling in love at 15 seems more normal, so I was just wondering if the year is actually 100 later than what you said in the review?
Still awesome review though! Definitely going to be keeping that one and glad that I picked it up at the last second!
Hi Jessica!
DeleteSorry about the year, I should have been paying attention even to the little details (I'm sleepy writing this >.<). This book was set in the year 1988 (already updated my review).
Thanks for droppin by! I hope you enjoy this one! :)
I've heard lots of good feedbacks about this book. But am still undecided of whether I'll read it or not since, well, it's about gargoyle, and when someone will say gargoyle, the first thing that comes into my mind is an ugly creature so yeah. I'm used to reading books in which the main guy is handsome so it'll take some getting to use to if ever I'll read this book.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I love this book. I love that it has gargoyles. ;) I still need to read the last book in the series. :)
ReplyDelete