Who Would Like This Book:
If you love fairy tale retellings with depth, mature characters, and a darkly magical vibe, this one’s for you! "Entreat Me" is a lush, grown-up spin on Beauty and the Beast, featuring a fiercely practical, witty heroine who defies typical damsel tropes. The banter is top notch, the slow-burn romance is richly developed, and the setting drips with haunting atmosphere. Grace Draven’s writing makes the characters feel real - flaws, scars, laughter and all. Fans of strong heroines, enemies-to-lovers banter, and steamy romance (with a side of family drama) will be hooked.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the pacing on the slow side, especially in the first half, and the focus on bathing or “everyday” details might feel repetitive. The plot sticks fairly close to the traditional Beauty and the Beast beats - so if you’re looking for a wildly original retelling or dazzling plot twists, this may not be your cup of tea. Additionally, the open-door steam and explicit content are pretty central; if you prefer low-heat romances, take note. A few wished for more depth on certain side characters or magic system explanations, too.
About:
Entreat Me by Grace Draven is a reimagining of the classic Beauty and the Beast tale, with a unique twist on the traditional storyline. The book follows the complex characters of Louvaen, a strong and intelligent widow, and Ballard, a grumpy and disfigured man cursed along with his son. The plot delves into their developing relationship, intertwined with elements of fantasy and fairy tales, creating a rich and extensive storyline. Grace Draven's writing style is praised for its eloquence, seamless flow, and ability to create believable scenes and characters without falling into the trap of purple prose.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for Entreat Me include themes of family dysfunction, explicit sexual content, and the impacts of a curse.
Has Romance?
Entreat Me features a high level of romance, with a focus on the relationship between Louvaen and Ballard.
From The Publisher:
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.
Ratings (32)
Incredible (4) | |
Loved It (12) | |
Liked It (8) | |
It Was OK (6) | |
Did Not Like (2) |
Reader Stats (103):
Read It (32) | |
Want To Read (51) | |
Did Not Finish (2) | |
Not Interested (18) |
1 comment(s)
I am completely surprised by this book. I have never heard of this author before and my expectations were not high. And here a pleasant surprise, this is a really good book.
First of all, we have very well-created and well-developed characters here. Louvaen, the heroine, is definitely a strong woman with a complex personality. She is one of those really strong and intelligent characters. And this is one of the things I didn't expect at all. Ballard makes an equally interesting hero. In many cases, when we’ve got a hero in the book who has a difficult past and some scars, these are the only features that describe him. But not here. Ballard is fully three-dimensional, and we learn about what kind of man he is from his actions and not from what others say about him. Showing, not telling, finally! We also have a few supporting characters here who are equally interesting and relevant to the story and not just there to fill the background. Just for excellent and complex characters alone, it is worth reading this book.
But there is also a pretty good plotline here. Generally, it is a re-telling of the story of the beautiful and the beast. Although maybe not entirely. The threads from various fairy tales mix here. And the whole story is pretty unique. The plot is extensive and very interesting, several threads appear and mix with each other. The removal of the curse from Ballard and his son is only one of them. What I really like is that neither Ballard nor his son are thinking about removing the curse as the purpose of their relationship with the sisters. They are aware of how it can end, but they still give the sisters a choice. That makes the whole story more enjoyable. Surprisingly, there is also no destinated lovers motive here. Or insta-love.
I am definitely pleasantly surprised by this book. This is a very well written and interesting story with fascinating characters. I recommend it not only to those who like re-tellings.
What can you read after
Entreat Me?
About the Author:
Looking for any excuse to delay in doing the laundry, Grace Draven turned to the much more entertaining task of telling stories about fantasy worlds, magic, antiheroes, and the women who love them.
She currently lives in Texas with her husband, kids, and a big doofus dog. Laundry has now been assigned to the kids.
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