Book Review: ‘Beauty and the Werewolf’ by Mercedes Lackey

“The eldest daughter is often doomed in fairy tales. But Bella-Isabella Beauchamps, daughter of a wealthy merchant-vows to escape the usual pitfalls.

Anxious to avoid the traditional path, Bella dons a red cloak and ventures into the forbidden forest to consult with “Granny,” the local wisewoman. But on the way home she’s attacked by a wolf-who turns out to be a cursed nobleman. Secluded in his castle, Bella is torn between her family and this strange man who creates marvelous inventions and makes her laugh-when he isn’t howling at the moon.
Bella knows all too well that breaking spells is never easy. But a determined beauty, a wizard (after all, he’s only an occasional werewolf) and a little Godmotherly interference might just be able to bring about a happy ending….”

As with all of Mercedes Lackey’s “Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdom’s” novels – this book is a fantasy romance, but thick with adventure and fantasy with just a dash of the romance to make all those people with gushy hearts like me perfectly happy. Yes, it is technically one of a series but you could read it quite easily on its own. If you want to get a better look at one of the minor characters and the world that Lackey has created I would suggest reading “The Fairy Godmother” first. It is still my favourite of all the books in this series and will introduce you to… well… the Fairy Godmothers and a bit of backstory.

It’s easy for me to say that I loved Beauty and the Werewolf, I’m not sure I blinked from the time I picked it up until the moment I read that last page. It’s a fun, slightly sweet read with all the elements of a classic fairy tale that I do so love. Curses, magic mirrors, step-mothers, Fairy Godmothers and of course… true love. (Aww)

The romance is relatively clean and the violence is only slightly graphic in a couple of scenes. There is some adult content for sure, but I would say that it would be fine for 16+.

If you were introduced to fantasy romance on the urban side of things, and haven’t yet tried out true fantasy, or you’ve never read fantasy before, this series would be a good place to start. You have the comforting familiarity of fairy tales and romance but with a fantasy world to wrap it all up in.

Definitely worthwhile; and if you happen to have a cozy fire to snuggle up in front of while enjoying this particular vintage, I’d count yourself lucky and me just a little jealous. ;)

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You can download the ebook on: Amazon, Kobo Books, Barnes & Noble and Ebooks.com.
Or the paperback:  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BooksAMillion and Indigo Books.

Thanks for stopping by!
-B

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