A Curse of Shadows and Ice
- Downloads：4680
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2022-09-12 04:19:40
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：C.A. Maura
- ISBN：B0B8VKK6Z6
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary
From USA Today Bestselling Author Catharina Maura comes a Beauty and the Beast retelling featuring a cursed emperor， a princess who possesses forbidden magic， and a marriage that could save them all。
Princess Arabella of Althea is left no choice when Felix Osiris， the Shadow Emperor， threatens to overthrow her country unless she agrees to marry him。
When she learns his empire is cursed and she’s destined to set them free， they come to an agreement: help him minimize the curse’s effect on his people， and he’ll let her go。
As Felix teaches Arabella how to control her forbidden and volatile magic， her feelings for him turn from hatred to passion… and she realizes that she must break the curse， or she’ll lose him forever。
Publisher's note: this novel was previously included in the Once Upon a Broken Crown anthology under the title Broken Beauty。 It has since been rewritten and retitled。
Princess Arabella of Althea is left no choice when Felix Osiris， the Shadow Emperor， threatens to overthrow her country unless she agrees to marry him。
When she learns his empire is cursed and she’s destined to set them free， they come to an agreement: help him minimize the curse’s effect on his people， and he’ll let her go。
As Felix teaches Arabella how to control her forbidden and volatile magic， her feelings for him turn from hatred to passion… and she realizes that she must break the curse， or she’ll lose him forever。
Publisher's note: this novel was previously included in the Once Upon a Broken Crown anthology under the title Broken Beauty。 It has since been rewritten and retitled。
Reviews
K。B。 Cinder
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Beauty and the Beast retelling？ Count me in。C。A。 did the tale as old as time justice， delivering a delicious read with spice， shadows， and。。。 spicy shadows。 Run， don't walk， to grab this read。 Beauty and the Beast retelling？ Count me in。C。A。 did the tale as old as time justice， delivering a delicious read with spice， shadows， and。。。 spicy shadows。 Run， don't walk， to grab this read。 。。。more
Cristina Lollabrigida
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🌹 Beauty and the Beast retelling🌹Paranormal fantasy romance🌹Magic🌹Fighting to break a curse🌹Enemies to loversArabella of Althea。 My future wife。 I’ve been waiting for her all my life。 She’s a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak world。 She’ll save us all。 Felix is cursed （Beast） and Arabella （Beauty） is the only one who can break it。 Felix threatened to overthrow Arabella’s country if she didn’t agree to marry him。I loved the determination between these characters and enjoyed the spice。 Knowing 🌹 Beauty and the Beast retelling🌹Paranormal fantasy romance🌹Magic🌹Fighting to break a curse🌹Enemies to loversArabella of Althea。 My future wife。 I’ve been waiting for her all my life。 She’s a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak world。 She’ll save us all。 Felix is cursed （Beast） and Arabella （Beauty） is the only one who can break it。 Felix threatened to overthrow Arabella’s country if she didn’t agree to marry him。I loved the determination between these characters and enjoyed the spice。 Knowing that love was one way for them to break the curse， and watching them find happiness together was worth it！It was a quick and easy read and left me wanting more。 I can’t wait for Elaine and Raphael next。 。。。more
Nuha
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Where do I even start， this was my first ever time reading a book by C。A Maura。 I was intrigued by the blurb and immediately had to sign up for this book tour。I can honestly say I wasn't disappointed at all。 Right from the start C。A words pulled me in。 I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers。 Felix and Arabella played there roles perfectly。 I enjoyed the elements of fantasy within an enemies to lovers theme。 While Felix might have blackmailed her into marry her， he definitely made the effort in getti Where do I even start， this was my first ever time reading a book by C。A Maura。 I was intrigued by the blurb and immediately had to sign up for this book tour。I can honestly say I wasn't disappointed at all。 Right from the start C。A words pulled me in。 I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers。 Felix and Arabella played there roles perfectly。 I enjoyed the elements of fantasy within an enemies to lovers theme。 While Felix might have blackmailed her into marry her， he definitely made the effort in getting to know her。 I loved how there relationship developed throughout the book。 And how Felix made Arabella realize just how much stronger she was and that even when society told her there was something wrong with her。 He made sure to trash all those negatives thoughts。This definitely wasn't a damsel in distress book。 Arabella kicked arses and took names。 Felix was dream worthy and every dark and intriguing。 Besides the main character C。A did an fantastic job of world building and giving us good characters to invest in。 The book was done in dual POV and usually I'm not a fan but this was done well。I am definitely looking forward to the next book that stars one of my favorite characters in this book。I highly recommend this book。*arc generously received。 However this was my honest review 。。。more
Peaceful
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Catharina Maura is a queen。 Not many can go from writing fabulously heart wrenching sweet romance to writing heartpounding fantasy romance where the world just sucks you in。 Catharina can and did！！ An amazing beauty and the beast retelling。
INeedABookBreak
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4。5/5 starsI really enjoyed this angsty and mythical Beauty and the Beast retelling！ Felix， the Shadow Emperor， rules of a kingdom that has been cursed for 200 years。 He sees a prophecy claiming the only way to break the curse is to marry Princess Arabella of Althea， who has been forbidden from using her magic powers。 Arabella doesn’t want to go with him because she is already in love with the son of a Duke。 However， her father makes her marry Felix。 Felix and Arabella make an agreement。 He will 4。5/5 starsI really enjoyed this angsty and mythical Beauty and the Beast retelling！ Felix， the Shadow Emperor， rules of a kingdom that has been cursed for 200 years。 He sees a prophecy claiming the only way to break the curse is to marry Princess Arabella of Althea， who has been forbidden from using her magic powers。 Arabella doesn’t want to go with him because she is already in love with the son of a Duke。 However， her father makes her marry Felix。 Felix and Arabella make an agreement。 He will let her return to Althea once the curse is broken。 Felix has been so emotionally broken by this curse that he’s so pleasantly taken aback by his feelings for Arabella。 The curse makes him look like a monster and it can make him act like one too。 I loved watching him win her over。 Arabella’s character arc was fantastic。 She evolves from a scared and unsure girl into a powerful Empress。 She falls in love with Eldiria and its people。 I also loved her budding friendship with Elaine。 The worldbuilding in this book was fantastic。 I loved this universe so much and I am so excited to see that Elaine and Raphael will get their own story titled A Curse of Magic and Sin。 I can’t wait to read it！ This book was originally published in an anthology under the name Broken Beauty， but it has been rewritten and retitled。 I did not read the original story。 。。。more
Brittney
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I really enjoyed this take on a timeless classic。 I finished the book in a day。 I can't wait to read more from this world。 I really enjoyed this take on a timeless classic。 I finished the book in a day。 I can't wait to read more from this world。 。。。more
Jess Boschock
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Ugh this story was perfect。 Arabella and Felix are so swoon worthy in this story。 Felix has a curse on him and his kingdom。 Everyday he can feel the shadows taking over a little more。 Scared that he might succumb the mirror tells him that Arabella is the one to help his people。 So he goes to her kingdom where magic is outlawed and threatens the king for his daughters hand in marriage。 He marries her and off they go back。 She is in love with another and misses her sister。 Felix promises to let he Ugh this story was perfect。 Arabella and Felix are so swoon worthy in this story。 Felix has a curse on him and his kingdom。 Everyday he can feel the shadows taking over a little more。 Scared that he might succumb the mirror tells him that Arabella is the one to help his people。 So he goes to her kingdom where magic is outlawed and threatens the king for his daughters hand in marriage。 He marries her and off they go back。 She is in love with another and misses her sister。 Felix promises to let her go if she promises to give their marriage a honest try。 Felix starts helping her control her magic and soon enough they develop feelings for one another。 This story was perfect in every way。 I can’t wait for Elaine and Raphael’s story that one is going to be pretty interesting。 。。。more
Jess Boschock
，
Ugh this story was perfect。 Arabella and Felix are so swoon worthy in this story。 Felix has a curse on him and his kingdom。 Everyday he can feel the shadows taking over a little more。 Scared that he might succumb the mirror tells him that Arabella is the one to help his people。 So he goes to her kingdom where magic is outlawed and threatens the king for his daughters hand in marriage。 He marries her and off they go back。 She is in love with another and misses her sister。 Felix promises to let he Ugh this story was perfect。 Arabella and Felix are so swoon worthy in this story。 Felix has a curse on him and his kingdom。 Everyday he can feel the shadows taking over a little more。 Scared that he might succumb the mirror tells him that Arabella is the one to help his people。 So he goes to her kingdom where magic is outlawed and threatens the king for his daughters hand in marriage。 He marries her and off they go back。 She is in love with another and misses her sister。 Felix promises to let her go if she promises to give their marriage a honest try。 Felix starts helping her control her magic and soon enough they develop feelings for one another。 This story was perfect in every way。 I can’t wait for Elaine and Raphael’s story that one is going to be pretty interesting。 。。。more
May Choi
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It is a great story。 I was hooked on it once I started it。 The plot is tight and smooth。 The love and tenderness of Felix ，the spirit and a heart of gold of Arabella are the most beautiful and attractive things in the book。 This genre is not my usual thing but I am looking forward to seeing the next book of Elaine and Raphael🥰🥰🥰Thanks Catharina 😘
Jennifer Pierson
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I really enjoyed this magical yet darker retelling of Beauty and the Beast， and I'm super excited for more。 There are a lot of layers to it so I'll keep this review brief and vague so I don't accidentally give anything important away。 Shadow Emperor， Felix Osiris， pretty much blackmails Princess Arabella of Althea to marry him because he believes she's the one to set his people free from a curse。 Now doesn't that sound super intriguing？！ It really was， and while I don't condone blackmail， I unde I really enjoyed this magical yet darker retelling of Beauty and the Beast， and I'm super excited for more。 There are a lot of layers to it so I'll keep this review brief and vague so I don't accidentally give anything important away。 Shadow Emperor， Felix Osiris， pretty much blackmails Princess Arabella of Althea to marry him because he believes she's the one to set his people free from a curse。 Now doesn't that sound super intriguing？！ It really was， and while I don't condone blackmail， I understood why he did it LOL！ They start spending a lot of time together when he teaches her how to control her powerful magic， and the sparks are definitely flying， so it's not too long of a time before feelings are getting caught BUT Arabella is the reason for the push & pull so there's some serious angst as well， however I loved her as the powerful heroine。 I will say there are some triggers so please be warned。 There was a tiny issue for me， the ending was a bit abrupt in my eyes， but that's just me。 Again， I'm super excited for more of this world， and the wait will be extremely hard， so I HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND！ {4。5 STARS} 。。。more
Debra James
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A beauty and the beast retelling like no other！I must start by saying that I'm normally not a reader of retellings or paranormal stories。 However， this book had me hooked from the very first page。 I couldn't wait to see how it would all work out and the chemistry between Princess Arabella and Emperor Felix Osiris was off the charts hot。 A beauty and the beast retelling like no other！I must start by saying that I'm normally not a reader of retellings or paranormal stories。 However， this book had me hooked from the very first page。 I couldn't wait to see how it would all work out and the chemistry between Princess Arabella and Emperor Felix Osiris was off the charts hot。 。。。more
Toni
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So this is my second time reading a novel from this author。 The first book I fell in love with。 It haunted me。 This book was， simply put， magical。 I love fairytale retelling a。 They’re my favorite type of read。 In fact， any book has me sold If I know it’s a fairytale retelling。 I loved this book。 It gave us magic， a princess with powers， and a cruel emperor who only has the best intentions of his people。 It was a slow burn romance that literally had me on fire。
Samantha （bookgramsaga reviews）
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⭐⭐⭐⭐。5 ARC Review Safety gang: - Dub con- Arranged/forced marriage- Virgin h / （see spoiler section for H）- Physical abuse （not H）- No cheating/ow drama- OM drama （h's friend/love interest）- HEA for couple （more HFN for story as a subplot is the premise for book 2/different couple）（view spoiler）[ I love Beauty & The Beast retellings and this one was a pretty good one。 I liked the premise of the curse and where it originated from。 I also really liked Felix and Arabella thought I enjoyed Felix's P ⭐⭐⭐⭐。5 ARC Review Safety gang: - Dub con- Arranged/forced marriage- Virgin h / （see spoiler section for H）- Physical abuse （not H）- No cheating/ow drama- OM drama （h's friend/love interest）- HEA for couple （more HFN for story as a subplot is the premise for book 2/different couple）（view spoiler）[ I love Beauty & The Beast retellings and this one was a pretty good one。 I liked the premise of the curse and where it originated from。 I also really liked Felix and Arabella thought I enjoyed Felix's POVs more。Arabella pushed Felix a lot and for almost 50% of the book。 She was still trapped in her mind that her future was with Nathaniel and her life at Felix's home was never going to amount to anything as she was going to leave the first chance she got。 I don't blame her for it but there were moments that she was feeling/thinking things concerning Felix and would later tell him the opposite and delibarely hurt him。 ALSO he was celibate for years before she came along。 The part where they are on the road to putting in the pipes and giving the citizens a chance at a better future - that whole time Felix was keeping his distance because of the future he had seen （Arabella leaving， being hurt by him and possibly dying）。 I felt so much pain for both of them - Arabella kept insisting and making him admit it was because he was done with her and she meant nothing and to keep her away he would not argue with her logic。 Those angsty chapters were so good。 Elaine was the greatest side character and I am so happy she got her guy back （but not in the condition he returned） BUT I am really glad we will be getting her book next。 Arranged marriage with the added twist she loves him and he loved her once upon a time but can't remember？？ Also LYCAN？？？ I need more information about this reveal。 I do think the ending was a bit abrupt and the curse being lifted came a little too late hence the 4。5 stars。 Despite that abrupt ending I really can't wait for Elaine and Raphael's book （but why April 2023？？） I also do wonder if Arabella's sister will get her own book？ For some reason I kept thinking her and Nathaniel would get together？ （hide spoiler）] 。。。more
Alicia Andrews
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AMAZING！！！！ This Beauty and the Beast retelling is dark， mysterious， and all consuming。 This is a MUST read。 I absolutely love fairytale retelling and seeing how one person can change it。 These characters are wonderful， the plot is amazing， and you will be hooked in the first few pages。 This story would be an AMAZING movie！！！I love how C。 A。 Maura kept to the basic line of Beauty And The Beast but added her own twists， turns， and mystery。
Elizabeth
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This is a definite 5 stars for me。 A retelling of Beauty and the Beast by one of my favorite authors - sign me up！ I loved it…。。absolutely loved it。 Loved the two main characters。 Loved how patient he was with her， though he needed her to help him stop the curse。 Loved how he taught her to find her strength and loved her all the more for it。 Absolutely loved this story - read it in one sitting- can’t wait to read the next one。
Stephanie
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Really captivating， I wish it never had to end。
Vanessa Ramirez
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✨ ARC Review ✨***Thank you to C。A。 Maura and Social Butterfly PR for the ARC to review。***A Curse of Shadows and Ice was so good， y'all。 I was instantly hooked。 I loved the writing and the world building。 The characters were amazing and I loved the banter between Felix and Arabella。 Their chemistry was amazing and their story developed nicely。 The book was a bit slow at the beginning but quickly picked up paced towards the end。 I loved the characters ending and am looking for ward to Elaine's st ✨ ARC Review ✨***Thank you to C。A。 Maura and Social Butterfly PR for the ARC to review。***A Curse of Shadows and Ice was so good， y'all。 I was instantly hooked。 I loved the writing and the world building。 The characters were amazing and I loved the banter between Felix and Arabella。 Their chemistry was amazing and their story developed nicely。 The book was a bit slow at the beginning but quickly picked up paced towards the end。 I loved the characters ending and am looking for ward to Elaine's story。***⭐⭐⭐⭐。5 。。。more
Stacey Woods
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I will never turn down a Beauty and the Beast retelling。 The characters are wonderful， not to mention the world building。 Arabella isn't a damsel in distress and can stand on her own two feet。 Felix starts off as an enemy but slowly becomes more to Arabella and she must break the curse if she wants to stay with him。 I will never turn down a Beauty and the Beast retelling。 The characters are wonderful， not to mention the world building。 Arabella isn't a damsel in distress and can stand on her own two feet。 Felix starts off as an enemy but slowly becomes more to Arabella and she must break the curse if she wants to stay with him。 。。。more
Liz
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A Curse of Shadows and Ice begins as the Shadow Emperor Felix Osiris takes the unwilling crown princess Arabella to be his wife in a last ditch attempt to break the curse that has enslaved both him and his realm。 It has been foretold that she is the only one who can save his people so he’ll do whatever it takes to force her into marrying him。 Like Felix， Arabella has magic but the full extent of her abilities are unknown。 Magic is forbidden in her homeland and she has been taught since birth tha A Curse of Shadows and Ice begins as the Shadow Emperor Felix Osiris takes the unwilling crown princess Arabella to be his wife in a last ditch attempt to break the curse that has enslaved both him and his realm。 It has been foretold that she is the only one who can save his people so he’ll do whatever it takes to force her into marrying him。 Like Felix， Arabella has magic but the full extent of her abilities are unknown。 Magic is forbidden in her homeland and she has been taught since birth that it is evil with her father brutally beating that lesson into her whenever she lost control。 Despite being treated as something to be feared by everyone in her homeland when Felix threatens their safety she agrees to his proposal。This was a fantastical retelling of Beauty and the Beast with elements of several other fairy tales including the enchanted castle， a vast library and a talking mirror but after reading the blurb I was expecting a much darker story and while it might start that way the story begins to lighten as Felix and Arabella get to know each other and she brings light and hope into the palace。 There is good chemistry between the hero and heroine and the story itself moves a steady pace although I would’ve preferred if more background was included about the curse and the effects it had on Felix。 This story seemed to centre around Arabella and her feelings。 I would’ve liked to read Felix’s point of view and his struggle with controlling the beast within him。 While I enjoyed this book I might’ve loved it if it had a little more depth。 As it is I feel that I’ve skipped several chapters and only read half a story。 Perhaps more will be revealed in Elaine and Raphael’s book。 。。。more
Liz
，
A Curse of Shadows and Ice begins as the Shadow Emperor Felix Osiris takes the unwilling crown princess Arabella to be his wife in a last ditch attempt to break the curse that has enslaved both him and his realm。 It has been foretold that she is the only one who can save his people so he’ll do whatever it takes to force her into marrying him。 Like Felix， Arabella has magic but the full extent of her abilities are unknown。 Magic is forbidden in her homeland and she has been taught since birth tha A Curse of Shadows and Ice begins as the Shadow Emperor Felix Osiris takes the unwilling crown princess Arabella to be his wife in a last ditch attempt to break the curse that has enslaved both him and his realm。 It has been foretold that she is the only one who can save his people so he’ll do whatever it takes to force her into marrying him。 Like Felix， Arabella has magic but the full extent of her abilities are unknown。 Magic is forbidden in her homeland and she has been taught since birth that it is evil with her father brutally beating that lesson into her whenever she lost control。 Despite being treated as something to be feared by everyone in her homeland when Felix threatens their safety she agrees to his proposal。This was a fantastical retelling of Beauty and the Beast with elements of several other fairy tales including the enchanted castle， a vast library and a talking mirror but after reading the blurb I was expecting a much darker story and while it might start that way the story begins to lighten as Felix and Arabella get to know each other and she brings light and hope into the palace。 There is good chemistry between the hero and heroine and the story itself moves a steady pace although I would’ve preferred if more background was included about the curse and the effects it had on Felix。 This story seemed to centre around Arabella and her feelings。 I would’ve liked to read Felix’s point of view and his struggle with controlling the beast within him。 While I enjoyed this book I might’ve loved it if it had a little more depth。 As it is I feel that I’ve skipped several chapters and only read half a story。 Perhaps more will be revealed in Elaine and Raphael’s book。 。。。more
Brianna Wilkinson
，
This book was captivating from the beginning。 The princess is a beautiful and kind person; however， her relationship with her home and her people are strained。 The beast is gentler than he appears especially as he grows to love the princess。 It follows a standard enemy to lovers and beauty and the beast story but it still feels fresh and different。 My only complaint is that the ending happened quickly and I wanted more！ I would also like to learn more about the Beast’s parents。 I cannot wait for This book was captivating from the beginning。 The princess is a beautiful and kind person; however， her relationship with her home and her people are strained。 The beast is gentler than he appears especially as he grows to love the princess。 It follows a standard enemy to lovers and beauty and the beast story but it still feels fresh and different。 My only complaint is that the ending happened quickly and I wanted more！ I would also like to learn more about the Beast’s parents。 I cannot wait for the sequel！I received an ARC; however， all opinions expressed are my own。 。。。more
Justmyfantasyworld
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• 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 •𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: A Curse of Shadows and Ice𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: C。A。 Maura𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ☆☆☆☆ 4。5/5𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲: 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘉𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘭𝘺 𝘗𝘙 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊。 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸， 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯。This is an amazing beauty and the beast retelling。 I’ve read this book before when it was still published under another title and I loved it already from the first read and this new and improved version was just as good if not better。 It has some extra scenes which I d • 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 •𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: A Curse of Shadows and Ice𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: C。A。 Maura𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ☆☆☆☆ 4。5/5𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲: 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘉𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘭𝘺 𝘗𝘙 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊。 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸， 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯。This is an amazing beauty and the beast retelling。 I’ve read this book before when it was still published under another title and I loved it already from the first read and this new and improved version was just as good if not better。 It has some extra scenes which I definitely enjoyed a lot。 It still is one of my favorite retellings that I’ve read （and I have read a lot）。 If you like （beauty and the beast） retellings， you definitely have to read this one。 It still is such an original retelling， I love all the different elements especially the magic。 The story has a great build up， relationship wise， but also with the world building itself。 The characters are nicely layered and the story is told in dual POV。 I am in love with the heroine; I liked how strong willed she is and how her character developed through the story。 I definitely recommend reading this retelling。A lot of my reviews are also available with photo at my Bookstagram: @justmyfantasyworld 。。。more
Books， Booze & Bon Voyage （Krista Webster）
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A Curse Of Shadows And Ice is the first in a new series by Catharina Maura writing as C。A。 Maura。 I am not usually a fantasy romance reader but I thoroughly enjoyed this imaginative retelling of Beauty and the Beast。 I was drawn in and captivated from the start about the story of Felix and Arabella。 Their powers were realistic and I liked how they could control the elements around them。 The story develops at a good pace and I couldn’t put it down。 Theon Felix Osiris is the powerful leader of Eld A Curse Of Shadows And Ice is the first in a new series by Catharina Maura writing as C。A。 Maura。 I am not usually a fantasy romance reader but I thoroughly enjoyed this imaginative retelling of Beauty and the Beast。 I was drawn in and captivated from the start about the story of Felix and Arabella。 Their powers were realistic and I liked how they could control the elements around them。 The story develops at a good pace and I couldn’t put it down。 Theon Felix Osiris is the powerful leader of Eldiria。 He is known as the Shadow Emperor and feared throughout the empire he has built up。 He has been suffering the affects of a curse placed on him for years but slowly the darkness is overwhelming him and the battle has become harder to keep the monster within。 Arabella of Althea is a princess but she has had a tough childhood because he father despises her。 She has endured everything to protect her younger sister。 As the daughter of a sorceress， she knew she had magical powers but magic is banned in her country。 She has grown up trying to hide it away because whenever her magic has escaped， she was punished。 The curse has taken everything from him， Elaine and his people。 Their country is shrouded in darkness and it constantly snows meaning nothing thrives anymore。 The destruction has led to misery for everyone。 He is shocked over the prophecy the Seer gives him that Arabella is the person to break the curse and is destined to become his Empress。 He doesn’t understand how a young girl can set him and his people free。 She is a glimmer of hope in his bleak world but is in love with another man。Arabella’s father agrees to her marrying Felix and she finds herself living in his desolate country。 As the darkness tightens its grip on him and threatens to engulf him， will Arabella help find a way to help him。 Can he persuade her to give their marriage a chance and save his people。 I liked how we get to see her being trained use her powers and laughed at her frustration when things didn’t go quite as planned。 The other stand out character was his best friend and commander of his Army， Elaine。 It was great to see a strong woman in such a position and her faith that true love will break the curse was unwavering。 I am now really looking forward to Elaine and Raphael’s story in A Curse of Magic and Sin。 I felt sorry for Felix and all he had been through。 He really thought he would never have or deserve to be loved。 I liked his concern for his people and how he was willing to be patient with Arabella。 I loved how she developed and grew throughout， becoming much stronger than she thought she’d ever be。 It was lovely how their relationship grew and they worked together to find solutions to their problems。 This is an enchanting read that I totally recommend。 。。。more
Lois King
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I'm loving this new series from Catharina Maura。 A great re-imagining of the Beauty and the Beast story。 Arabella was great and I loved how she went from quiet and introverted to kick ass， but Felix was my favourite character。 I felt so sorry for him - no spoilers here ！ You'll just have to read the book to find out why。 I'm really looking forward to Elaine and Raphael's story。 Please write faster Catharina， I can't wait 6 months！！I was given an ARC of this book and have freely given an honest r I'm loving this new series from Catharina Maura。 A great re-imagining of the Beauty and the Beast story。 Arabella was great and I loved how she went from quiet and introverted to kick ass， but Felix was my favourite character。 I felt so sorry for him - no spoilers here ！ You'll just have to read the book to find out why。 I'm really looking forward to Elaine and Raphael's story。 Please write faster Catharina， I can't wait 6 months！！I was given an ARC of this book and have freely given an honest review 。。。more
Lois King
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I'm loving this new series from Catharina Maura。 A great re-imagining of the Beauty and the Beast story。 Arabella was great and I loved how she went from quiet and introverted to kick ass， but Felix was my favourite character。 I felt so sorry for him - no spoilers here ！ You'll just have to read the book to find out why。 I'm really looking forward to Elaine and Raphael's story。 Please write faster Catharina， I can't wait 6 months！！I was given an ARC of this book and have freely given an honest r I'm loving this new series from Catharina Maura。 A great re-imagining of the Beauty and the Beast story。 Arabella was great and I loved how she went from quiet and introverted to kick ass， but Felix was my favourite character。 I felt so sorry for him - no spoilers here ！ You'll just have to read the book to find out why。 I'm really looking forward to Elaine and Raphael's story。 Please write faster Catharina， I can't wait 6 months！！I was given an ARC of this book and have freely given an honest review 。。。more
Amy Reierson
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4。5⭐⭐⭐⭐💫Love fairytale retellings？Love Beauty and the Beast？Love magic？Little enemies to lovers？With some forced proximity？This book is all that and so much more。 The story is fast paced and magical。 Arabella and Felix are complete opposites at least they believe they are。 But truth is they are both searching for something to help them feel whole。Finding out she's destined to save Felix and his subjects。 This spurs Arabella I felt into real change。 It was great to see Arabella push and to visual 4。5⭐⭐⭐⭐💫Love fairytale retellings？Love Beauty and the Beast？Love magic？Little enemies to lovers？With some forced proximity？This book is all that and so much more。 The story is fast paced and magical。 Arabella and Felix are complete opposites at least they believe they are。 But truth is they are both searching for something to help them feel whole。Finding out she's destined to save Felix and his subjects。 This spurs Arabella I felt into real change。 It was great to see Arabella push and to visualize how different things could be， the main characters growth was wonderful。 Although at times I wish there had just been a little bit more。 I have voluntarily left this review。 。。。more
Becca Mee
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ACOSAI was a really seductive fantasy romance that has major Beauty and the Beast vibes。 I loved the way that the author developed the relationship between Arabella and Felix。 From a force’s marriage， to enemies and then to lovers， the development of these characters was great。 I found myself more and more engrossed in this story as the book plowed forward and I loved seeing Arabella in particular kick butt and be the empress she was always meant to be。
Georgia Husselbee
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It’s no secret that I adore fairytale retellings and Beauty and the Beast is such a good one to retell。 I loved the setting and found it incredibly easy to become lost in this world。‘That boy you like might whisper sweet words into your ear… but I， Arabella？ I’ll burn down the world for you。’Arabella is princess of Althea， but is almost shunned in her own country。 She possesses a small amount of magic， which is banned in her country。 Her father resents her and her possession of magic， she is vie It’s no secret that I adore fairytale retellings and Beauty and the Beast is such a good one to retell。 I loved the setting and found it incredibly easy to become lost in this world。‘That boy you like might whisper sweet words into your ear… but I， Arabella？ I’ll burn down the world for you。’Arabella is princess of Althea， but is almost shunned in her own country。 She possesses a small amount of magic， which is banned in her country。 Her father resents her and her possession of magic， she is viewed as cursed。 Felix， is the Shadow Emperor， and his country is cursed to remain in winter forever。 Felix believes Arabella is his last chance at breaking the curse on himself and his kingdom。 To stop the Shadow Emperor conquering Arabella’s country， her father promises her hand in marriage to Felix。‘You fail to understand that I’m no longer the daughter you sent away。 You sent her to die， and she did。’This is definitely enemies to lovers as Arabella refuses to leave her home and even attempts to the night before her wedding with the boy she loves。 Unfortunately for her， this attempt is stopped and she marries Felix the next day and is taken to his kingdom。 Very quickly， she realises his kingdom is cursed。 Felix and Arabella get to know each other， as he helps her learnt to control her magic。 Whilst short， this story is fast-paced and I couldn’t put it down。 The tension between these two characters had me hooked！If you love retellings and fantasy romance， this is definitely for you！ It does have a few spicy scenes and some darker moments， where I recommend checking trigger warnings。*Thank you to Social Butterfly PR and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review。* 。。。more
Lizzet Zvla
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I haven't read a fantasy style book in so long but I enjoyed this very much！ Although I wish there were more chapters from Felix's point of view。 I enjoyed seeing Arabella's character grow to an even stronger person and appreciated that she wasn't portrayed as a meek。 I haven't read a fantasy style book in so long but I enjoyed this very much！ Although I wish there were more chapters from Felix's point of view。 I enjoyed seeing Arabella's character grow to an even stronger person and appreciated that she wasn't portrayed as a meek。 。。。more
Myriad Blaze
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