Review Detail

The whole premise of gargoyles being protectors intrigued me. Add to that the rich Parisian setting. I also love historical paranormals. When I read a blurb for THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE CURSED in the June/July issue of JUSTINE magazine, I knew I had to read it.

What worked for me: I loved the premise of cursed individuals being forced to be servants of angels. This eternal sentence is given to humans who kill a holy priest in their life time. They are given the charge to protect humans in holy places.

The turmoil and pain of the gargoyle Luc resonated throughout this novel. His attraction to Ingrid and how he fights against it while his heart tells him otherwise kept my interest. This is kind of like a paranormal Romeo and Juliet story. You can't help but think it might end up bittersweet.

Ingrid's struggles and the horror she finds with a personal revelation had me turning the pages, wanting to find out more. Of all the characters in this story, Ingrid had to be the strongest and most multi-layered. She's flawed and vulerable with her personal insights into how she feels no suiter will want her after a scandalous affair in London. She knows it's not 'right' to love someone who might in fact not be human but she's willing to take a chance. Even if, we know, it won't work. Loved that about her.

I also love the Parisian setting at the end of the 19th century.

What didn't work: There are many different points of view throughout this story. I admit I thought this made this story confusing at times. Ingrid's sister Gabby's story felt almost one dimensional. I get that she was supposed to be strong and opinionated but how she throws herself into danger just didn't work for me. Her attraction to Nolan, one of the Alliance, almost was too rushed and forced.


Likewise the brother Grayson torture almost interrupted Ingrid's story. I personally felt this was Ingrid's story. I would have loved to see everything through her eyes, including the revelations about her family and the Dispossessed. Those parts of the book were the strongest. I wanted more.

Still I do think fans of historical paranormals might enjoy this story. Ingrid's struggles between her true nature and her attraction to Luc are what drive this story.