This romantic fantasy is based loosely on the fairy tale Beauty & The Beast. When one of the villagers is attacked by a beast in the woods, Riela, as the only mage in the city, is sent into the woods to banish the beast. Just barely a mage, Riela is overcome by not one but two beasts and is losing the fight until a mage stronger than any she’s known, saves her life. She wakes up in a magical castle, with a beautiful library, and a surly, dark haired, handsome man who is trapped by a 100 year old curse. As she gets to know Garrick she finds that his powers are weakening and he needs her help in getting back to his kingdom. As they start to build trust, will their secrets and lies drive a wedge between them?

I vaguely remembered hearing this was a fairy tale re-telling, but as I was reading the novel it didn’t feel like Beauty and the Beast. Yes, there were some minor similarities, but the story was so good that I got lost in these characters and didn’t allow that rumor to ruin my enjoyment in reading this novel.

Riela is one of those heroine’s that I just love to read about. She is self-sacrificing, fearless, and has a heart that’s bigger than her brain. In this case she wants to save everyone. The villagers because the beasts in the forest may break free and endanger them and Garrick because he is trapped in this castle away from his people and his magic is dwindling. As she gets to know Garrick and come to have feelings for him she’s determined to figure out a way to get him free. Oh, and I also liked her sass- that’s an important attribute in any great heroine.

Garrick on the other hand, just as the beast, is a bit full of his own importance and through knowing Riela, he starts to have a little humility and starts to lead with his heart instead of his head. Their adventures make for an entertaining story, and I can’t wait to read the second.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest.

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