Book Review: Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd

Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd

Blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Anouk envies the human world, where people known as Pretties lavish themselves in fast cars, high fashion, and have the freedom to fall in love. But Anouk can never have those things, because she is not really human. Enchanted from animal to human girl and forbidden to venture beyond her familiar Parisian prison, Anouk is a Beastie: destined for a life surrounded by dust bunnies and cinders serving Mada Vittora, the evil witch who spelled her into existence. That is, until one day she finds her mistress murdered in a pool of blood—and Anouk is accused of the crime.

Now, the world she always dreamed of is rife with danger. Pursued through Paris by the underground magical society known as the Haute, Anouk and her fellow Beasties only have three days to find the real killer before the spell keeping them human fades away. If they fail, they will lose the only lives they’ve ever known…but if they succeed, they could be more powerful than anyone ever bargained for.

From New York Times bestselling author Megan Shepherd, Grim Lovelies is an epic and glittering YA fantasy. Prepare to be spellbound by the world of Grim Lovelies, where secrets have been long buried, friends can become enemies, and everything—especially humanity—comes at a price.

My Review:

“You thirst for magic so you can exact revenge. You want to destroy, to tear down. I see it in your eyes."

"And what's wrong with that?"

"Nothing, my dear, as long as you don't mind living in a broken world.”

 - Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd

Initially I requested this book because I loved the cover, heard great things about the book, and was interested in reading more after reading an excerpt on ew.com. I eagerly started this book and liked the beginning - until Mada Vittora's death. 

I could definitely see the comparisons to Cinderella with the animals turned into teenagers by witches then needing magic to remain human, I was even intrigued by the witch boys. I just had trouble connecting with Anouk. From the beginning I saw her as weak and naive; she acted so young and innocent from being so sheltered by Mada Vittora. While she seemed so attached to Mada Vittora and so torn up about her murder is unclear to me since by accounts from the other Beasties she was far from motherly, even going so far as to cut off some of Anouk's toes so her feet would better fit into her shoes. 

Then there was the strange tangle of relationships with Anouk. Beau loved Anouk but she saw him like a brother. Anouk claimed Luc was also like a brother to her but she fixated on wanting to know where he was and finding him so much at the beginning of the book I thought she was interested in him. And the proposition from Prince Rennar which wasn't really an option at all. And what was that with Viggo? Real attraction or the backlash of some spell? 

Overall, I liked the concept and the setting of the story and the glimpse of world-building we see (sort of) but I had trouble connecting with the main character and the supporting characters. 

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟

3 of 5 Stars!