Beauty and the Beast. A wonderful story, a delicate sweet-dreams fairy tale. This is not the case of Entreat Me by Grace Draven. Foget the disney movie with dancing tea cups and all the singing stuff, this book is not for children at all. This story has been abused lately, a tv-show, a movie ( Vincent Cassel....come.on.!!) but please don't misunderstand it for a commercial pretext. This self-publishing author is not following the flow, she is writing in spite of it hoping we could appreciate it, I really did and hope you do too.
Afflicted by a centuries-old curse, a warlord slowly surrenders his humanity and descends toward madness. Ballard of Ketach Tor holds no hope of escaping his fate until his son returns home one day, accompanied by a woman of incomparable beauty. His family believes her arrival may herald Ballard's salvation....until they confront her elder sister.
Determined to rescue her sibling from ruin, Louvaen Duenda pursues her to a decrepit castle and discovers a household imprisoned in time. Dark magic, threatening sorcerers, and a malevolent climbing rose with a thirst for blood won't deter her, but a proud man disfigured by an undying hatred might. Louvaen must decide if loving him will ultimately save him or destroy him.
A tale of vengeance and devotion
How powerful can be a curse casted by a woman's hatred and vengeance in her deathbed. Four hundred years passed, Ballard and his son Gavin still suffered from it during magical flux, it causes them such a pain to even lose their humanity and sanity. They decided to live isolated, sure there is no hope for them to change their condition.
When Gavin meets Cinna and, in order to save her from a deceitful marriage, brings her to Ketach Tor, father and son start believing again. But this is not a curse that can be break with a kiss. Louven can't allow her sister spending an entire winter alone with strangers where there's a gentleman courting her, so she decides to follow and stay with her. Ballard and Louvaen finally meet and they are not what they expect from each other. The sisters will play an important role for the Lord of the castle and his heir.
Louvaen is a brave, strong and stubborn heroine, life toughened her and she faces it with shrewdness. She is no damsel in distress, she is a widow but doesn't need to be saved, even if circumstances are tricky. Among her bitter comments, she has a fierce love to give, kindness and compassion.
Ballard is a very complex hero. His actions and decisions affect him, his future and also Gavin's. He loved his son so much he decided to bear the curse with him. After every magiacal flux, the curse leaves marks on Ballard's body making him hideous and frightening, it can be so cruel even changing him is a forest creature. He thought unable to feel anymore but when everything seems lost, he finds the light again in Louvaen.
“I cant accept this, my lord. Its too fine a gift, and I am no queen."
Ballard gently pushed it back to her. "You are, Louvaen. You're simply uncrowned.”
Their love story is unique, sweet, lustful and magical. They are amazing, falling in love with each other in spite of physical flaws. what should repel keeping people away doesn't work with Louvaen, she sees the real beauty in Ballard.
“I'm not laughing, and I'm not running. I wont lie either. You're a chilling sight to behold. I've had nightmares of monsters prettier than you." She stepped closer and raised her other hand to thread her fingers through his hair. This time he didn't flinch away. "But you're still you under all this flux nonsense. Only a fool of a woman would run from such an extraordinary man, and I am no fool, Ballard de Sauveterre.”
“You've flowers in you hair," she said. Tender amusement, instead of distaste, threaded her voice.
"That's because they're growing out of my head.”
"Behold the beast, my beauty"
She doesn't want a prince but a fine,good man. To her, he's the most handsome man she'd ever seen.
"Princes are dull. I'd be bored to death traipsing off to royal balls and in a foul mood because I would be cinched into a scratchy gown....I'd rather dream of a Green Man with horns or a margrave with pretty scars and a lovely body"
The concept of beauty is very fascinating. Cinna is descibed as a lovely young woman, composed and good-hearted , Louvaen is the opposite in every way, sharp features, dark hair, headstrong and witty. She doesn't considered herself as a beauty but she is for Ballard, he sees her like that for what she doing for him, how she behaves with him and how she overcomes the beast he is become.
Everyone think rose are the most beautiful flower but a clover is just as beautiful for someone else.
“She was as different from her dazzling sister as night was to day. Ballard found it difficult to look at the younger girl for more than a moment at a time. Beauty such as hers blinded him, like looking directly at the sun. Louvaen though--he could happily drown in the dark Louvaen.”
"They both laughed, and Ballard tightened his hold on her, relishing the easy way she rested in his arms and returned his embrace. No blushing maiden here; no worldly harlot either, just a woman comfortable with intimacy and willing to express her wants and preferences to him. He, not Gavin, held the most beautiful creature in the world"
My reviews are generally directed for italian girls who want to try reading in english, some are more fluent than other. I wish I could say that all of them can read this book but I feel obligated to advise my readers that this novel is not for everyone, english-wise. It is written in a very difficult style with a lot of archaic words. This is not a mediovel romance where "betrothed" or "solar" are the only ancient stuff, the language is very methodical and thorough. you should keep the dictionary very close because you're going to use it, or I did it but I'm sure there are more skilled readers than me out there.
I'm so glad I found another fantasy book where romance is included , oh it is, but not suffocates the plot and magic and love coexist with harmony.
“I cant accept this, my lord. Its too fine a gift, and I am no queen."
Ballard gently pushed it back to her. "You are, Louvaen. You're simply uncrowned.”
Their love story is unique, sweet, lustful and magical. They are amazing, falling in love with each other in spite of physical flaws. what should repel keeping people away doesn't work with Louvaen, she sees the real beauty in Ballard.
“I'm not laughing, and I'm not running. I wont lie either. You're a chilling sight to behold. I've had nightmares of monsters prettier than you." She stepped closer and raised her other hand to thread her fingers through his hair. This time he didn't flinch away. "But you're still you under all this flux nonsense. Only a fool of a woman would run from such an extraordinary man, and I am no fool, Ballard de Sauveterre.”
“You've flowers in you hair," she said. Tender amusement, instead of distaste, threaded her voice.
"That's because they're growing out of my head.”
"Behold the beast, my beauty"
She doesn't want a prince but a fine,good man. To her, he's the most handsome man she'd ever seen.
The concept of beauty is very fascinating. Cinna is descibed as a lovely young woman, composed and good-hearted , Louvaen is the opposite in every way, sharp features, dark hair, headstrong and witty. She doesn't considered herself as a beauty but she is for Ballard, he sees her like that for what she doing for him, how she behaves with him and how she overcomes the beast he is become.
Everyone think rose are the most beautiful flower but a clover is just as beautiful for someone else.
“She was as different from her dazzling sister as night was to day. Ballard found it difficult to look at the younger girl for more than a moment at a time. Beauty such as hers blinded him, like looking directly at the sun. Louvaen though--he could happily drown in the dark Louvaen.”
"They both laughed, and Ballard tightened his hold on her, relishing the easy way she rested in his arms and returned his embrace. No blushing maiden here; no worldly harlot either, just a woman comfortable with intimacy and willing to express her wants and preferences to him. He, not Gavin, held the most beautiful creature in the world"
My reviews are generally directed for italian girls who want to try reading in english, some are more fluent than other. I wish I could say that all of them can read this book but I feel obligated to advise my readers that this novel is not for everyone, english-wise. It is written in a very difficult style with a lot of archaic words. This is not a mediovel romance where "betrothed" or "solar" are the only ancient stuff, the language is very methodical and thorough. you should keep the dictionary very close because you're going to use it, or I did it but I'm sure there are more skilled readers than me out there.
I'm so glad I found another fantasy book where romance is included , oh it is, but not suffocates the plot and magic and love coexist with harmony.
It's a fantastic review! And I say that from two perspectives. First, as an author: it's always wonderful to learn you've given a reader a few hours of enjoyment. The fun of storytelling is the ability to share it with others, and if they are pulled into the tale I've told, then I've done my job right. Second, as a reader: Wow! Great review for other readers to read. You have everything there--the book summary, your opinion of the story itself, your response to the characters and how they interact with each other, short examples of the author's writing style and a useful warning about why the book and writing style might not be for all readers. Not everyone has the time and patience to put together such a thorough, well constructed review (I know I don't), so many applause to you for doing it so beautifully. I think your blog readers will appreciate it. As for me, the author--I'm so glad you enjoyed Entreat Me! Thanks for taking the time read and remark! By Grace Draven
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