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A review by momwithareadingproblem
Beauty's Curse by C.S. Johnson
4.0
I received an eARC of this book via the author. This does not affect my opinion of this book or the content of my review.
Beauty’s Curse by C.S. Johnson is the first book in the novella series. I adore Sleeping Beauty so I was really excited to start this series. Retellings for me are either fantastic or fall short of my expectations. I’m happy to say that this book falls on the fantastic side!
Princess Aurora is a princess I can get behind. Rose to her friends, the princess is a fierce character to contend with. She has no fear, or at least that is how she presents herself to all but her closest friends. There is only one thing that can kill her and that’s the curse placed on her by the half-fairy Magdalina. Since she was 13, Rose has been on a quest to find how to break the curse. She’s a little bitter and understandably so. Yet she’s a fighter and won’t stop until the curse takes her. She inspires others to follow her and wherever she goes, Rose seems to fight for justice.
Rose hasn’t returned to her kingdom since she left four years earlier and I don’t blame her. Her parents tried to force her into marriage to make an heir before the curse took effect on her 18th birthday. Now they have requested she return home to either marry or abdicate the throne. I can’t imagine how this would make anyone feel. I know how I’d feel and that’s bitter and angry. Yet Rose approaches it with her friends at her back and shows that she is the true princess of legend.
Theo *swoon* is Rose’s oldest friend and confidante. Raised in the church after his parents are killed by fairies, Theo wants only two things: to get revenge for his parents and save Rose. It’s obvious from their first encounter the two love one another, but are too stubborn to admit so. Rose believes she’s unlovable as her time on earth is limited, and Theo tries to respect her wishes, plus she’s a princess and he a clergyman/knight. He has no business loving her, at least that’s what he thinks. Theo is like Rose’s conscience. He keeps her grounded when she becomes obsessed with stopping the curse. He keeps her living in the moment instead of the inevitable doom that awaits.
Overall I really enjoyed this story. The banter and friendship among Rose and her followers, Theo’s persistent love and the world-building are fantastic. The original fairy tale is still there, but the author has created a new world blended with historical facts that is irresistible. If you enjoy historical fantasy, I highly recommend you pick up this series! The first book is free on all platforms :)
Beauty’s Curse by C.S. Johnson is the first book in the novella series. I adore Sleeping Beauty so I was really excited to start this series. Retellings for me are either fantastic or fall short of my expectations. I’m happy to say that this book falls on the fantastic side!
Princess Aurora is a princess I can get behind. Rose to her friends, the princess is a fierce character to contend with. She has no fear, or at least that is how she presents herself to all but her closest friends. There is only one thing that can kill her and that’s the curse placed on her by the half-fairy Magdalina. Since she was 13, Rose has been on a quest to find how to break the curse. She’s a little bitter and understandably so. Yet she’s a fighter and won’t stop until the curse takes her. She inspires others to follow her and wherever she goes, Rose seems to fight for justice.
Rose hasn’t returned to her kingdom since she left four years earlier and I don’t blame her. Her parents tried to force her into marriage to make an heir before the curse took effect on her 18th birthday. Now they have requested she return home to either marry or abdicate the throne. I can’t imagine how this would make anyone feel. I know how I’d feel and that’s bitter and angry. Yet Rose approaches it with her friends at her back and shows that she is the true princess of legend.
Theo *swoon* is Rose’s oldest friend and confidante. Raised in the church after his parents are killed by fairies, Theo wants only two things: to get revenge for his parents and save Rose. It’s obvious from their first encounter the two love one another, but are too stubborn to admit so. Rose believes she’s unlovable as her time on earth is limited, and Theo tries to respect her wishes, plus she’s a princess and he a clergyman/knight. He has no business loving her, at least that’s what he thinks. Theo is like Rose’s conscience. He keeps her grounded when she becomes obsessed with stopping the curse. He keeps her living in the moment instead of the inevitable doom that awaits.
Overall I really enjoyed this story. The banter and friendship among Rose and her followers, Theo’s persistent love and the world-building are fantastic. The original fairy tale is still there, but the author has created a new world blended with historical facts that is irresistible. If you enjoy historical fantasy, I highly recommend you pick up this series! The first book is free on all platforms :)