Mundie Moms

Friday, May 24, 2013

The Beautiful and the Cursed by Page Morgan, Book Review


By: Page Morgan
Published by: Random House
Released on: May 14th, 2013
Source: from publisher for review
Series: The Dispossessed #1
4.5 Stars: I Really Enjoyed It!
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it to Goodreads

After a bizarre accident, Ingrid Waverly is forced to leave London with her mother and younger sister, Gabby, trading a world full of fancy dresses and society events for the unfamiliar city of Paris.

In Paris there are no grand balls or glittering parties, and, disturbingly, the house Ingrid’s twin brother, Grayson, found for them isn’t a house at all. It’s an abandoned abbey, its roof lined with stone gargoyles that could almost be mistaken for living, breathing creatures.

And Grayson has gone missing.

No one seems to know of his whereabouts but Luc, a devastatingly handsome servant at their new home.

Ingrid is sure her twin isn’t dead—she can feel it deep in her soul—but she knows he’s in grave danger. It will be up to her and Gabby to navigate the twisted path to Grayson, a path that will lead Ingrid on a discovery of dark secrets and otherworldly truths. And she’ll learn that once they are uncovered, they can never again be buried


Unlike any YA books I've recently read, The Beautiful and the Cursed is a spellbinding YA fantasy rich in Gothic lore, fueled by forbidden romance, and given an original mythology that kept me turning pages and left me wanting more. I was hooked from the moment I found out this story would introduce me to a gargoyle, the modern British girl he would protect, their forbidden romance, and the ever romantic turn of the century Paris setting. Now throw in some more great characters, the dark twists, and some sizzling character chemistry and you have my kind of book!

I loved the Gothic feel of this book. It's dark, dangerous and oh so enticing. The romantic late 1890's Paris setting was a perfect compliment to the book's intrigue. It's so captivating, romantic, and having a darker feel to it worked perfectly for this book. The city's rich history was a perfect fit all that takes place here. Much of what I love about Victorian London era settings, rings true with this turn of the century Paris setting. This time period fascinates me, because the city's history and the exciting possibilities of future often collide, and it's through that, that I feel some of the book's characters really shine, because they're able to make this shocking choices. Well shocking for this time period. Really, the setting itself felt more like a character to me, because of the role it plays, and I LOVED it! What's not to love about Paris?!

The characters in this book are stellar! I LOVED the way each of them were developed. From Ingrid and her sister Gabby's relationship, to each of their own romantic relationships, to the dynamics of all that are involved with this story, both good and bad, I was completely captivated with each of them. Each of them fascinated, and I loved every moment I spent reading this story, because of them. From the heart pounding danger and suspense, to the hold my breathe and that sigh worthy romance, Page Morgan gave me characters that were so easy to love and read about. From the way each of them was developed to the way they handled the situations she put them in, I couldn't get enough of them and their story.

I'm not sure which part of the story I loved more. The dark, mysterious intrigue of the mythology that makes up The Angelic Order and the Dispossessed, the role Ingrid and her family plays in that, or the romance that develops between Ingrid & Luc (the gargoyle) and Ingrid's sister Gabby and Nolan. Though I was hooked with Ingrid and Luc's forbidden love, I LOVED Gabby and Nolan's relationship. Their banter, the slow development of their romance, and the tender moments they have together. *sigh* Luc and Ingrid's relationships was one of protectiveness, love, and that kind of passion that sizzles just below the surface, but isn't allowed to be acted on. You know the kind I'm talking about.

At the heart of the story are two fierce sister's who put aside what high standing women of their time period and society are suppose to do, and do what THEY feel is right and what they need to be doing. That is what I loved most about the two of them. You all know how much I love reading a well written book about independent thinking, strong, women, and Ingrid and Gabby definitely fit the bill! I also enjoyed the fact, that though this story centers on Ingrid, Gabby also plays a big role in the story. Their relationship was so well written. I loved it. I can honestly say this is definitely on original story line that is unlike any other YA book I've recently read. I highly recommend picking this one up!


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2 comments:

  1. I got this book at RT. I'm moving it up on my TBR list as we speak.

    Thanks, Katie!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've heard such great things about this book, and your review makes me want to drop everything and read it. I've never read a gargoyle book, so this aught to be a treat. Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete

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