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Book Review: Cruel Beauty – Rosamund Hodge


cruelbeautyCruel Beauty
Author: Rosamund Hodge
Series: Cruel Beauty Universe #1
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Mythology, Retelling
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Goodreads | Amazon | TBD

Summary:

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom – all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.
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.
But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle – a shifting maze of magical rooms – enthralls her. As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex’s secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him?
Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty, is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

 
First Sentence: I was raised to marry a monster.

My Review:

Cruel Beauty is a book I’ve seen people either deeply love or deeply hate. I’ve seen people gosh all over it and give Cruel Beauty a full five stars, or be confused on how they feel about it and give it three stars, or even dislike Cruel Beauty and rate it one and two stars. I’ll say I’m between the Cruel Beauty is okay and uhh, I didn’t really enjoy the book side – which is why I’m giving Cruel Beauty a rating of two stars.

I can sum up what I was feeling while reading Cruel Beauty in pretty much two simple words: Kelly confused. Yep, that’s it. The mythology part of Cruel Beauty confused me, the characters and their actions confused me, and a bit of the world-building in Cruel Beauty confused me. The important question is, where did it go all went wrong?

“I just wanted to say…I believe you can do it. I believe you will cut off his head and come home to us.” (30)

Usually, I love reading books with mythology in it. As soon as I learned that a book I haven’t read before has mythology in it, the book is automatically going on my auto-read list. I’ve also read a lot of books with some form of mythology in it and I’m sad to say that Cruel Beauty is the most confusing mythology book I’ve ever read. There were so many weird names, so many terms, so many mini-mythology stories, so many everything to keep track of that I was just confused. You know it’s a really bad thing when you start to get confused when you’ve only read the second mythology snippet introduced in the book (and there is a lot of mythology involved in Cruel Beauty).

The world-building in Cruel Beauty was done well…from what I can tell anyway. I got the overall gist of it; how the world looks like, how it came to be, who has all the power, etc. but the bit of mythology part added into the mix just confused me. (Yes, you’ll see the word “confused” or “confusing” used a lot in this review.)

I wanted to forget. I wanted so much to think only of Ignifex, to make his house into my home. Most of all, I did not want to remember I was on a mission to avenge my mother and save my world. (246)

Honestly, I just wasn’t confused with only two small parts of the book: the beginning of Cruel Beauty and the ending of Cruel Beauty. The beginning of the book immediately sucked me in and I found myself admiring the writing and thinking of how I will just love the book – until I met the second mythology story. As for the ending of Cruel Beauty, the plot twist introduced was so unique that it was almost impossible to be confused with it (although I am confused with why the plot twist happened the first place). Those two parts of Cruel Beauty were easy to understand; it was just the long middle part of the book that made me ultra confused with almost everything. In fact, I barely remembered anything that had happened in the middle of the book; that’s how confusing it was.

One can argue that one of the most important parts of Beauty and the Beast is the romance and I agree. However, I feel like the romance in Cruel Beauty didn’t live up to the romance in Beauty and the Beast because no matter which way you view it, Nyx and Ignifex’s relationship can be classified as insta-love. Like most other books with insta-love that I’ve read, the relationship between Nyx and Ignifex first starts with oh, he’s so good looking to daydreaming about the love interest’s look, to automatically loving them. The romance in Cruel Beauty didn’t work at all because of the insta-love – I felt like Nyx was planning on sacrificing everything she came to do for a guy she barely knows.

And then I left. Because I had a house to explore, a husband to defeat, and no time at all to waste. (90)

Overall, Cruel Beauty didn’t impress me much. For those of you who are like me, who easily gets confused over multiple background stories with many names and don’t like books with a strong case of insta-love in it, I recommend you skip reading Cruel Beauty altogether. If you really want to read a great Beauty and the Beast retelling, I strongly recommend you try Stacey Jay’s Of Beast and Beauty instead.

two

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-Kelly

Posted by Kelly on 2-11-14 · 25 Comments
Categories: 2014 book, book review Tagged: 2 star

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Speak Your Mind

  1. Vivien says

    2-11-14 at 12:27 PM

    I’ve read so many mixed reviews for this book. It seems to really be a polarizing read! I’m still eager to read it, because so often I end up enjoying these books. It’s too bad this wasn’t for you. I can only hope that I end up enjoying it.

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      2-27-14 at 10:00 PM

      You’re not the only one who has been seeing so many mixed reviews for this one Vivien. I’ve been seeing A LOT of them too.
      Hopefully you will enjoy Cruel Beauty -crosses fingers-!
      Kelly recently posted…It’s Time I Take A HiatusMy Profile

      Reply
  2. Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction says

    2-11-14 at 12:36 PM

    I agree that the romance was lacking in this one (for me at least) I had so much trouble connecting to Nyx that I think most of my problems stemmed from that and Shade. Ugh. I wasn’t a fan. It’s fun though when a book gets such varied reactions from readers. Great, thorough review!
    Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction recently posted…Review of Lady Thief by A.C. GaughenMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      2-27-14 at 10:06 PM

      I was just shaking my head throughout the “romance.” It just didn’t appeal to me. -sighs-
      I didn’t connect to Nyx, but I understood her. Kind of. (The “kind of” is there because I didn’t get her attraction to Ignifex and Shade.)
      Thanks Kristen! :D<3
      Kelly recently posted…It’s Time I Take A HiatusMy Profile

      Reply
  3. Eileen @ Singing and Reading in the Rain says

    2-11-14 at 2:27 PM

    omg I totally agree! The world building boggled me and I had no idea what was going on. Maybe it was the writing or how bored I was by the story, but the beginning, ending, and middle confused me so much that I almost went insane. Sorry this one wasn’t for you either. Fantastic review, though, Kelly! <33
    Eileen @ Singing and Reading in the Rain recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday (1): Swoon-Worthy BooksMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Cali W. says

    2-11-14 at 3:43 PM

    I just got Of Beast and Beauty today. Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairy tale retellings. Good review. ;) I have to try this one sometime soon as well.

    Reply
  5. Kelly says

    2-11-14 at 4:39 PM

    When this was first released, I was bound and determined to read it – everyone was gushing over it! But now that it’s been out for a little bit, negative reviews are popping up almost as frequently. Now I’m kind of determined to read it, just to see what side of the coin I fall on! Haha
    Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Books That Will Make You SwoonMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Christine says

    2-11-14 at 5:00 PM

    Aww, it’s quite saddening that you didn’t like it. I kinda got intrigued on the blurb so I think I’ll still give it a try. Nice review, though! :)

    Reply
  7. Ashley @The Quiet Concert says

    2-11-14 at 6:30 PM

    Oh no, the multiple background stories and lots of names has me a bit worried. It is actually one of the reasons I did not really enjoy Game of Thrones . It is also not the first time I have heard that there is insta-love. I will eventually get to it but I hope I still enjoy!
    Ashley @The Quiet Concert recently posted…Top Ten Books that Will Make You SwoonMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Hillary R. says

    2-11-14 at 7:22 PM

    I sooooo agree with you on how people can really love or really hate this book. I’ve read and seen a number of reviews where the rating is three or less or three and up. And they write how the story wasn’t as amazing as others made it out to be. I’m still not sure whether I want to read it though. But I also agree that if I read a retelling it would be Of Beast & Beauty. I just can’t get over that cover :)

    Reply
  9. Missie says

    2-11-14 at 7:36 PM

    I did really like the book, there definitely were some gripes. I really hope authors some day can figure out that readers do not like insta-love!
    ­Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings
    Missie recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Books that Make You SwoonMy Profile

    Reply
  10. Cait @ Notebook Sisters says

    2-11-14 at 11:04 PM

    Oooh, wow! I’ve only seen people rating this 5 stars! Everyone seems to adore it! But now I’m so worried…because I get confused VERY easily. >_<
    Cait @ Notebook Sisters recently posted…I’m a writer? These books are to blame!My Profile

    Reply
  11. Joanna V says

    2-11-14 at 11:53 PM

    NOOO, KELLY, NOOOOO! Dx
    I had such hope for this one! Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairytale ever! I still want to read it, but I am so afraid! I’ve seen a bunch of 5-star star stuff, too. And then I see this :/ Honestly, I never thought myself to be confused easily. But that tends to happen when I rush through my reading. So I’ll have to save this for the summer of something, when I actually have the time to read. But then there’s the instalove thing! NO, KELLY, NO.
    I need Of Beast and Beauty :/
    Joanna V recently posted…The Fiery Heart by Richelle MeadMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Mel@thedailyprophecy says

    2-12-14 at 9:38 AM

    So many mixed reviews, it’s very interesting to see all these different opinions. I loved the complexity and instead of being confused, I felt involved and wrapped into the story. I think this is a crucial point in the ‘love’ or ‘hate’ decision. The insta-love didn’t bother me, and that comes from a girl who isn’t such a fan of romance. I guess I just expected insta-love, being a fairy tale and all :) I’m sorry you couldn’t enjoy it as much as I did, but I definitely understand your reasoning!
    Mel@thedailyprophecy recently posted…First impression: Literally.My Profile

    Reply
  13. Kristie says

    2-12-14 at 11:25 AM

    It’s a shame you didn’t like it. I remember when you were on twitter running to get it. I sometimes get the feel with mythology books that they should be broken into 2 stories. If one is thrown with all this information about the myths, it can easily get overwhelming. I am still going to give this one a shot. I haven’t heard enough bad reviews on it. But we shall see.
    Kristie recently posted…Musical Monday #21My Profile

    Reply
  14. Rain Jeys says

    2-12-14 at 8:57 PM

    Hmm. The things you disliked about it aren’t necessarily things I dislike, but I agree about how polarizing this book is. I’m still undecided on whether I’ll read it or not. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
    Rain Jeys recently posted…Grabby Paws: White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. ArmentroutMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Leigh @ Little Book Star says

    2-13-14 at 5:23 PM

    Aww sorry you didn’t like Cruel Beauty! I really loved it but I did get confuse on the plot twist near the end. That’s what prevented me from giving this book a full out 5/5 stars. I think I gave it 4.5 stars? Or maybe 4. I just love the romance and how greek mythology tied in with Beauty and the Beast. I thought it was pretty neat. I also like the plot twist on the romance. I’ll try Of Beast and Beauty too because I heard that one is superb! Hopefully you’ll love your next read! <3
    Leigh @ Little Book Star recently posted…Favorite and Least Favorite Posts {Discuss #11}My Profile

    Reply
  16. Jessi @ Novel Heartbeat says

    2-14-14 at 10:31 AM

    Ugh, this book was just awful. I couldn’t even finish it! The instalove really turned me off, and the fact that there was basically a love triangle in the beginning (I do know the twist, I skimmed to that part…but still, she didn’t know that at the time so it was still annoying), and the romance was SO terrible…I just couldn’t take it anymore. Plus there was too much genre vomit, like the author couldn’t decide which genre she wanted the book to be. In my opinion, this book was a train wreck! So glad it wasn’t just me who didn’t like it, I’m completely baffled by all the 4 and 5 star ratings this book has received…
    Jessi @ Novel Heartbeat recently posted…Review: Ignite Me by Tahereh MafiMy Profile

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  17. Nina L. says

    2-14-14 at 9:11 PM

    Your review left me undecided whether to read the book or not. I love Beauty and the Beast! And certainly Mythology. But having a strong case of insta-love might not just work for me! Oh, and the multiple backgrounds too. I get why you said it was confusing. So yes, I’ll skip this one out for a while and try Of Beast and Beauty!
    Nina L. recently posted…Cover Reveal, Excerpt & Giveaway: Blackout by Alecia StoneMy Profile

    Reply
  18. Ashfa says

    2-16-14 at 10:11 AM

    Yeah, most review I read gave me the impression that this book was over hyped….I’m not that fond of fairy tale retellings so I wasn’t really looking forward to this. Looks like the romance lacked a lot of things but it does sound rather creepy… That quote from page 30 made me cringe…UGH!

    Reply
  19. Nitzan Schwarz says

    2-19-14 at 2:15 AM

    LOL I’m from the people who are confused about how they feel about the book and gave it 3 stars, honestly.
    I agree with you that the mythology was confusing, though some of it was familiar to me. One of the most confusing parts, to me, was that this seemed to be a different world that shares a mythology with ours, to a degree? Some of the stories I knew (like Tantalus, and all that) but some were completely unfamiliar which made me wonder if they were made up for the story’s sake? At a certain point I gave up in-depth understanding of the world and became okay with just the gist of it.

    “although I am confused with why the plot twist happened the first place” <– Haha, I've got to agree with you there… I loved the final final twist and all that, but why we got there… *shrug*

    The romance is definitely insta-love… but I loved Nyx and Ignifex together. I loved their banter and I loved how she was free with him and I actually liked HER when she was with him, which is something that didn't happen with everyone else….

    Great review Kelly!
    Nitzan Schwarz recently posted…Review: The Forever of Ella and Micha by Jessica SorensenMy Profile

    Reply
  20. Tina says

    2-20-14 at 2:06 AM

    I actually loved this book, but it is definitely not for everyone. It’s strange and confusing at times, and you really have to just go with some of the things that happen in order to enjoy it. I liked the quirkiness of the characters and even though I didn’t like Nyx very much, I appreciated how different she is from most YA characters.
    Tina recently posted…Tow Dolly RentalMy Profile

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Book Review: The School for Good and Evil – Soman Chainani says:
    6-06-14 at 2:26 PM

    […] they’re put next to each other. The School for Good and Evil wasn’t as confusing as Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge was by any means, but events in it was confusing […]

    Reply
  2. Let’s Speculate: Judging A Book Cover By Its Texture says:
    9-09-14 at 9:11 AM

    […] the texture is, so I’ll just give you guys a bunch of examples. From the top of my head, Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge has a matte finish and so does the popular Anna and the French Kiss series (not […]

    Reply
  3. Top Ten Books On My Spring TBR List says:
    3-30-15 at 3:45 PM

    […] Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge: So I didn’t enjoy Rosamund Hodge’s debut, Cruel Beauty, but every author deserves a second chance right? Hopefully Rosamund Hodge’s second book […]

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