Publisher: Gollancz (8 Feb. 2018)
I AM A BELLE. I CONTROL BEAUTY.
In the opulent world of Orléans, the people are born grey and damned, and only a Belle's powers can make them beautiful.
Camellia Beauregard wants to be the favourite Belle - the one chosen by the queen to tend to the royal family.
But once Camellia and her Belle sisters arrive at court, it becomes clear that being the favourite is not everything she always dreamed it would be. Behind the gilded palace walls live dark secrets, and Camellia soon learns that her powers may be far greater - and far darker - than she ever imagined.
When the queen asks Camellia to break the rules she lives by to save the ailing princess, she faces an impossible decision: protect herself and the way of the Belles, or risk her own life, and change the world forever. (Publisher's blurb)
I can say with absolute confidence that The Belles is going to be one of my books of the year. The writing is dazzling, the plot hooked me immediately and it made me think too. I'll share my opinions and then you can find out how to win your very own copy!
The writing in this book is absolutely gorgeous. It powerfully evokes the senses and created a vividly realised world, which is so beautiful on the outside that it highlights the ugliness beneath the surface.
I was also struck by the power of the book's message. The Belles very cleverly drew contemporary parallels about society's standards of beauty, and made me think about the pressure that both men and women are under.
I also found this one of the most compulsively readable books that I've read for a very long time. I was really invested in what happened, mostly because I cared so much about the characters and also because the world was in such desperate need of change.
Camellia is a memorable, realistic main character, who goes through a real journey and the series of the book. I found her multi-faceted and interesting, with both strengths and flaws.
I loved everything about this book and it's definitely one I'll remember. It comes out on 8th February and I've already preordered my finished copy.
The lovely people at Gollancz have offered a copy of the book to give away! Please comment on this blog post or retweet my pinned tweet to enter. The giveaway ends 10th February and is UK only.
The writing in this book is absolutely gorgeous. It powerfully evokes the senses and created a vividly realised world, which is so beautiful on the outside that it highlights the ugliness beneath the surface.
I was also struck by the power of the book's message. The Belles very cleverly drew contemporary parallels about society's standards of beauty, and made me think about the pressure that both men and women are under.
I also found this one of the most compulsively readable books that I've read for a very long time. I was really invested in what happened, mostly because I cared so much about the characters and also because the world was in such desperate need of change.
Camellia is a memorable, realistic main character, who goes through a real journey and the series of the book. I found her multi-faceted and interesting, with both strengths and flaws.
I loved everything about this book and it's definitely one I'll remember. It comes out on 8th February and I've already preordered my finished copy.
I love your ARC! It’s so different compared to mine! I have been meaning to read this one - the premise sounds right up my alley!
ReplyDelete@TeacherofYA
Thank you for your comment - I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!
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