Karen’s Magic Review
I liked the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast, but back in the eighties I fell in love with a programme of the same name starring Ron Pearlman and Linda Hamilton. I absolutely loved the concept of it. The Beast lived under the streets of New York, along with other people who had escaped society. This secret underground world opened it to different storylines, giving it more than just the romantic tale of Beast and his Beauty.
Since that time I’ve been looking for something to match that. Nothing has ever came close. I’ve tried books on the retelling the fairy tale, I’ve even watched films, with various famous actors, but nothing captured my imagination like that one did.
However, I came across this book by Vivienne Savage recently. It’s another retelling of the fairy tale, and it came recommended. What I found within these pages was magical. Not only is the formatting attractive and romantic, but it has beautifully written prose. The words used and the pictures they painted were stunning. It completely captured my imagination. A tale of romance in a grown up way. Even the cover is striking, and all the details lure you into an enchanting world.
In my Pictures Telling Stories above, I like to choose images that match the story I read. The girl in the red dress represents the heroine of the story, Ana, who once in the beast’s castle finds beautiful dresses in the wardrobe. They all fit correctly because the castle is magical too. The beast in this story is a dragon, described in detail, and Ana fears him, but soon comes to love him.
High in the mountains is the castle of the beast, a kingdom put into a spell by a fairy, including its prince. Ana travels on horseback, on her trusted steed at the start of the tale, and finally at the end there is a big battle as soldiers ascend the mountain to fight and kill the beast and try to claim back the lovely Ana.
This author will go top of my reading list and I look forward to reading more of these beautiful fantasy romances.
Description
NOW A FINISHED SERIES. Each book is a standalone, but read through to the end for a complete overarching tale.Princess Anastasia Rose dreams of attending school, but her plans are put on hold when war begins between her father and the beastly lord of a nearby castle in the mountains.
Prince Alistair isn’t an ordinary dragon. He’s a shifter afflicted by a curse, unable to become human again until he finds his true love. When a mortal king’s adventurers trespass in Alistair’s territory to steal a rare flower, the prince decides to steal a valuable prize of his own.
Undertake a magical journey in Vivienne Savage’s new romantic fantasy series loosely based on the lore of multiple fairy tales. Meet strong heroines supported by a cast of sexy heroes, intriguing friends, and devious villains.
Author’s Note: This is a magical retelling of the beloved tale written for an adult audience. Reader discretion is advised.
Karen J. Mossman 