(PT2) An Increasingly Annoying Retelling of Beauty and the Beast

An Increasingly Annoying Retelling of Beauty and the Beast (PT2)

Hello everyone!

So, if you’ve been reading JOLMS Discuss Media lately, you would know that this is the second part of my most recent blog post. (or of course, if you looked at the title). If you haven’t read the first part yet, go back and read it. Or don’t read it, no one will stop you.

Those who read the first part know how I felt about this book: annoyed, pained, and confused. While most of those thoughts are still lingering, the next events in the story (ironically right after where I stopped) are definitely worth it.

MINI- SPOILER (nothing incredibly important to the plot)
First off, the character development with Harper is incredibly interesting. Rhen’s personal bodyguard (named Grey) started teaching Harper how to throw knives. Remember that; it’s important. The person who cursed Rhen (Lilith, a powerful enchantress) tortured him. According to Rhen, this is a regular event, though Harper doesn’t ever see this because Lilith isn’t allowed to interfere with the women Rhen is trying to sway. This time, Harper shows up while Rhen is getting tortured with Grey by her side. Grey doesn’t do anything because he’s tried before, and it never works out well for (Lilith has tortured Grey before as well.) Harper gets a warning not to interfere, but despite this, she grabs a knife from Rhen’s waistband and throws it at Lilith. It misses, but it finally shows that Harper may have some liking for Rhen! Which is good for him because the events that take place during this book are during Rhen's final season.
MINI-SPOILER OVER

So, there’s character development on Harper’s side! Which is incredibly important considering how she was the one who got kidnapped and went from mad to sweet in about three seconds without any feelings for Rhen. (This was the main reason why I was mad in the last blog post— she was staying for the people of Emberfall, not for Rhen.) But now we know that she might like Rhen at least a little bit, so there's a possibility something might go on with them!

BIG SPOILER (definitely incredibly important to the plot)
So, a deal is made between Rhen and Harper that results in Harper being allowed to go back home (with a couple million bands… yes, he gave her a bag of gold, jewelry, and more.) So, Grey (Lilith granted him the ability to travel between Emberfall and the normal world) takes her home. Before they part, she tells Grey to be at the same place the next day at 12am. and she saves her brother from the loan sharks. Harper tells her brother about everything that has happened, and of course, he doesn’t believe her. She plans to use Grey's reappearance as evidence, but he doesn't come back until around a week later ironically at the same time the loan sharks get suspicious about Harper’s brother's sudden money. Grey hurts them then takes Harper back to Emberfall where the second part of the curse has already begun…
BIG SPOILER OVER

So not only is there evidence that Harper cares about Rhen, but there's also evidence that she cares about her family! After the events that took place in the big spoiler, the next ones are very interesting! They show the connection that Rhen and Harper have built throughout the story and how there’s more to each of them than what’s on the surface.

Okay… time to ask the most important question: Would I recommend this book?
It depends. If you’re patient, you should definitely read this! It’s interesting after like two hundred pages and those two hundred pages are mildly annoying enough to allow you to stay slightly interested. If you’re not patient, don’t read it. It’ll be a waste of your time. Also, I officially like this book. No hate for it, no love for it, just a liking for it! That's progress!

ANYWAYS

I hope you enjoyed my review!

Until next time…


Peace!


-Marshall