“Her mission was to kill him. Her destiny was to love him.”

Because of a bargain made by her father, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her Kingdom and because of this she has been training to kill him.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty tells the thrilling love story of Nyx and the Gentle Lord Ignifex.

This book was everything I was hoping it to be and more. Having read the novella Gilded Ashes (based on Cinderella) before reading Cruel Beauty, I went in with high expectations and I have to say, those expectations were met. Rosamund Hodge’s way of writing was so enticing, it made reading all the better.

My favourite character was Ignifex. I’m a sucker for dark mysterious characters like him and getting to know more about him was thrilling. As the story progressed the more I fell in love with Ignifex. The way he interacted with Nyx was both funny and sexy, making their developing love alluring to read.

Oh Nyx! Oh how much I love Nyx. She is such a badass female. I love female leads with a lot of backbone and Nyx definitely had backbone. Her character development was well writing (excellent job Hodge!). The moment she came in contact with Ignifex I just knew I would love her.

I was well entertained for the whole book! Favourite part? All of it! Right to the end!

I’d recommend this to all YA readers and fans of retellings, also readers who mysteries.