Cruel Beauty

By: Rosamund Hodge

Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden

Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom - all because of a reckless bargain her father struck. And since birth, she has been training to kill him.

Betrayed by her family yet bound to obey, Nyx rails against her fate. Still, on her 17th birthday, she abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, disarm him, and break the 900-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not 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. But even if she can 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.

©2014 Rosamund Hodge (P)2014 HarperCollinsPublishers

Beautiful Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! The narrator was impeccable and the story was a perfect fairy tale for an adult who likes to think.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cruel Beauty?

When Nyx returns to chase away his darkness.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the demon lord takes Nyx to the Heart of Air.

Any additional comments?

I LOVE this narrator! She has a beautiful, young, and sweet voice with perfect pronunciation.

Whew! Intense!

Dark, but I definitely still enjoyed it. I went into it without realizing that it was a remake of Beauty and the Beast, though. I highly suggest that you do the same! This story is SO different, that I don't know why they are even compared. But I felt like this was such a good gothic version of fantasy! The protagonist and antagonists have dark personalities that you have to accept. This is cool simply because most people have a small dark side to them.

Anyways, I really like this book though the narrator WAS a bit interesting. By the end, I liked her, but it took me a while to really warm up to her voice.

Love Love Loved this twist on Beauty and the Beast

I loved this book. I loved the twist on Beauty and the Beast. I figured out early that shade and ignafex were of one person. but getting to the point of nix actually figuring it out really kept me engaged. I can't wait to read the twist on fair tales book.

Pretty good romance, awesome performance

I enjoyed the performance. The story reminded me of Phantom of the Opera as much as it did of Beauty and the Beast. The ending dragged on a bit too long. The main character's relationship with her sister was memorable.

It had potential but fell short

Any additional comments?

I agree with another reviewer who said it was hollow. The set up was great, the characters were great, but it lacked so much depth. I wish it would have developed the characters a lot more. To me it just seemed to abruptly move from scene to scene without much explanation and a lot of the time I was very confused as to what in the world was going on. Maybe I just wasn't able to pay full attention though because the narrator really seemed like she was reading the book to put me to sleep! She has such a soft, lovely voice that it would be perfect to lull anyone to sleep, but to tell a story, it wasn't good. There was hardly any emotion or inflection in her voice and it almost seemed like she read the whole book in a half whisper.

Beauty and the Beast takes a dark turn

What three words best describe Elizabeth Knowelden’s voice?

Lulling, Eloquent, but not as varying as I would have liked. She reads beautifully but there are only very subtle changes in inflection for the different characters and there are times when the main character of Nyx seems lacking in emotion. I think it was, in fact, part of the character but - not realizing that for a great deal of the beginning of the story - I did not enjoy the character as much.

Any additional comments?

I am a lover of Fairytale retellings and twisted versions and this dark, demonic retelling of Beauty and the Beast hit the mark for me. Both Nyx and her Demon Husband have been forced to live lives not of their own choosing and both have become bitter and resentful. Though they are enemies and their role is to destroy one another, their flawed, lonely lives are fulfilled by one another. I loved how this story came together. They were not the lovely, perfect, and incredibly-kind-despite-it-all couple but they matched each other in anger and passion. A deftly told story and an unlikely but beautiful love story.

Might be better reading it yourself

I think I would have liked the book a little more if I read it instead of listening to the audiobook. The reader has a beautiful soothing voice but does not give a lot of personality to the characters. Each one sounds the same with a soft soothing monotone voice so I did not much care for the characters. I found myself zoning out because it was so relaxing. Gorgeous voice but needs more variations.

where was the editor?

although I finally got caught up in the story..it was a struggle for the first third of the book. it seemed like endless repetitions of "I was born to save my country, I was raised for this task, oh I don't want my sister to hate me". it started to feel like the author was filibustering her own book, or trying to beat the reader over the head. fortunately the writing smoothed out and the plot moved on. throughout it all, with the description, phrasing and plot, it was apparent that this writer would become a good writer and her capability for interesting plots and twists would only get better

Dark and Charming

I felt the story was unique. Though inspired by beauty and the beast, both of the characters were “beasts” in their hearts, but able to find love because of it. The only thing that made me not “love” this story, was the time line. It got kind of confusing near the end as to if it went back in time or forward. Maybe I need to re-listen to that part, but it was hard to follow where they were in time.

Dark, Unexpexted, Not your average retelling

Would you listen to Cruel Beauty again? Why?

Definitely, its so much more than a retelling of a fairy tale, it is a story on its own with hints of a familiar tale, yet completely new. It left me wanting more of their struggle and their story... Sequel .... Please!!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nyx, I always find myself disliking a weak female protagonist, but not here i loved her she is not the all good, pure girl, take what life gives her in silence, NOPE not here, i loved it how human and real the author makes her seem, i think we can all relate

Which character – as performed by Elizabeth Knowelden – was your favorite?

"The Prince" such a good job with the task.. at the end of the book you realize that it was such a hard task to ... shall we say portray all of his personality

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I did, the story grabs you and for a moment you think think you can let the computer alone ... only to immediately download it on your phone so you can keep listening while running errands

Any additional comments?

It id so worth one credit, but since i was out of them i spend money for this book and i do not regret it...