Beauty in the Beast by Christine Danse Published by Carina Press (3.5.2012)
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Format: eARC, 92 pages
Source: NetGalley
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Journeying by steam-powered sled to London's Frost Fair to perform, Tara and three friends are trapped in a blizzard in the woods. A gruff, handsome stranger offers them shelter-and wants one thing in return. Stories.
The travellers are glad to oblige. Their host, Rolph, is especially captivated by Tara's story of an orphaned girl raised by the Fae in the world of the spirits. Equally intrigued by Rolph, and aware of an electric pull between them, Tara encourages him to share a story of his own. When Rolph weaves a tale of a man who is doomed by his own folly to turn into a wolf at the full moon, Tara suspects there is more than a grain of truth in his words.
When the veil between the mortal and spiritual worlds is parted, and danger threatens, will Tara make the ultimate sacrifice to save Rolph?
My thoughts
The stories within a story were awesome and really set the scene (even though I didn’t really know it). The tale of the dragon was very witty and I really liked the Ice Flower story, but my favorite was the new take on a werewolf stemming from Alchemy. Very interesting and unique! The touch of steampunk was pretty cool too!
The relationship between Rolph and Tara moved a bit fast but it didn’t feel forced. It just felt like a bigger story was being squeezed together into a smaller one.
My favorite part? Where Rolph rescues Tara from the (Will-o-the-Wisp?) wolf-creatures . Why? Because that was my absolute favorite part of Beauty and the Beast and I was totally thinking of that.
This one was short and sweet and over too soon!
O, this one sounds interesting, thanks for drawing my attention to it Jessi. I hate it when books are over too quickly. Great review.
Carly @ Fiction Fascination :)