Cruel Beauty really captures the essence of what so many of us likely think when we hear the word 'fairytale.' What you will get is exactly that a unique fairytale with a touch of darkness, a delicious dose of the forbidden and a a painful yet exquisite romance. This is most definitely a romantic fantasy where the romance takes the lead in plot focus, secondary to the mystery of the heroines quest. 
 I have to admit when I picked up Cruel Beauty expecting a young adult book but while Nyx the heroine is a teenager, in her time/place she is of marrying age. So, considering she is married off at the very beginning it set a more mature tone for things. She still has many of the traits of a teenager but they are also tempered with very adult characteristics. I found this balance delightful. I've always had a soft spot for young adult fiction and this book toes the line between YA and Adult very nicely. 
 The world building! Oh I simply loved it! I think this Arcadia must be in the time period when the Greek gods were worshiped, but this country somehow has been locked away from the rest of the world and now is ruled by the 'Gentle Lord', a demon that strikes bargains with humans. And we all know what happens when you make a deal with the devil, that you're going to get burned. 
 Nyx's father made such a deal before she was born. His wife was despairing over not being able to have children and so he struck a bargain so that she could have healthy children. His payment - one of the children he would have to give up as a bride to the Gentle Lord, to dwell with him in his castle when she came of age. Of course you know there had to be a castle and what a fabulous castle it is! But I am distracting myself, so how did Nyx's father get burned? If you ask for your wife to bear happy children and forget to ask that your wife also be healthy as well, the devil would like say - that's your fault now isn't it? 
 Nyx grows up knowing she is the lesser loved daughter that will be given up to the Gentle Lord while her beautiful sister is the one that love and affection is lavished upon. Perhaps this twists and deadens her heart? She tries to be the dutiful daughter keeping her true feelings locked away from everyone believing herself to be wicked for feeling the way she does about her lot in life. I think this brings up a very interesting point of nature versus nurture. One could wonder just how much of your environment and upbringing determines the type of person you become? I won't spoil things but this exact point struck me as important when it came to the true hearts of Nyx and her sister. 
 The Romance! 
 Sometimes I like to tell myself that I'm not a huge fan of romance - but at those times I must be deluding myself because I absolutely adored the chemistry and romance in Cruel Beauty. I was swept up in the back and forth banter, each stolen caress and kisses enjoyed against Nyx's better judgement. What can I say I was completely befuddled and didn't set this down until I was finished. 
 What we ultimately have is a misunderstood and lesser loved girl, a forbidding castle, a villain, a prince and oh lets not forget a stepmother, and sisterly issues, lots of them. When you think about it these are all common elements you'll find in many fairytales and not always are they used well. But in Cruel Beauty I absolutely loved how this re-imagining of Beauty and the Beast wove these elements and so much more into an entirely new and really heart-wrenching story. I can't recommend it highly enough to lovers of romance and fairytale retellings!