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Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom since birth. And since birth, she’s been training to kill him. With the future of her kingdom at stake, Nyx has no choice but to fulfill her duty — a fate that will surely mean her death. Still, she resents her family for never trying to save her. She’s jealous of her sister for being the one chosen to live. She even hates herself for wanting to escape her fate.
When her 17th birthday arrives, Nyx marries him — the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan is simple: seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the curse he put on her people. Ignifex is nothing like what Nyx expected, though. He’s strangely charming in his own way. Even the enchanted castle with its shifting maze of magical rooms enthralls her.
Nyx may be desperate to free her homeland and uncover Ignifex’s secrets, but at the same time, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. How can she be attracted to — possibly even be in love with — her sworn enemy? How can she refuse her duty to kill him when so much is at stake? Time is running out, and it’s up to Nyx to decide which is more important: saving her kingdom, or saving the man she was never supposed to love.
In Cruel Beauty, Rosamund Hodge combines a fairy tale retelling with a fantastical dystopian setting reminiscent of Rome or Greece. Weaving fairy tales with such an iconic setting (and its ancient lore) is a unique concept to be sure; however, the execution can be confusing at times.
Cruel Beauty is mainly a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but it also features aspects of Bluebeard and Rumpelstiltskin. The combination of these fairy tales is a recipe for a dark, tragic romance. And there is certainly quite a bit of romance. From the book’s blurb, I expected more plotting and assassination attempts. Instead, the main plot of mayhem and murder is overpowered by pages filled with illicit kissing.
Nyx also isn’t the kind of character you’d expect to play the lead role in her own fairy tale. She’s strong-willed, witty and brave, while also angry, bitter and ferocious. She grew up as the child her father loved less, knowing her destiny was to be the wife of Ignifex, and it effects her in ways that definitely taint the story and harden her character. She is defiant and determined not to play by the rules of her father or her new husband, and it’s hard not to like her instantly for her unbroken nature.
Overall, Cruel Beauty is a darker retelling than you might initially expect. Its slow pace and character-focused plot makes it a book that will certainly appeal to the romance reader, perhaps even more than the fantasy lover.
Rated: Moderate. There is no profanity. Very little violence is featured, though there is reference to past violent acts, intended assassination, and fantasy torture and torment of a character. Sexual content includes kissing and a sex scene that happens “off-screen.” A character bares her body twice to her husband. Nyx’s father takes her aunt as his lover. Nyx is instructed on what pleases a man and is given some physical instruction for the wedding night.
