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Cruel Beauty cover art

Cruel Beauty

Written by: Rosamund Hodge
Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden
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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

What listeners say about Cruel Beauty

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Anti climactic

It started out so good. I think it needed to be longer to believe in the love story. Also I needed more from the characters, Nyx’s twin completely changed her personality with no real reason. The ending just didn’t do it for me. It was also a little predictable but even if you didn’t guess it it was boring.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wow. Definitely a new favourite.

Cruel Beauty is a perfect segway after reading ACOTAR. Believable characters, interesting world building, well thought-out plot. Honestly I loved everything about this even though I feared I wouldn't. I wish I could read it again for the first time!

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Confusing and Boring

Probably one of my least favourite books I have ever listened too. I found I had a difficult time understanding the narrator. Also, the book itself was confusing. I found myself re-listening to the same parts multiple times to understand what the heck was going on. The story jumped all over the place and things happened that honestly made zero sense to me. I would go back and re-listen to full chapters to see if I possibly missed something, only to continue being confused. I was very interested in this book as someone who loves Beauty and the Beast and I was greatly disappointed. Would not recommend this book.

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