Marina Simcoe

I was thrilled to get a copy of this ARC, especially when I learned that Patricia Eddy's included novella would be a follow-up to her recent novel, Twisted Captive. My initial review is for her novella alone, with an update below after having read the anthology.

Crowned Torment opens with Kat, a human in the human realm, unhappily seeking an artifact for the demanding boss of a video game company. Of course, said artifact is cursed, binds itself to the unsuspecting woman, and somehow transports her to the realm of the Fae.

Adrian, the son of the former king, is slowly healing from the centuries of magical torment and imprisonment that he faced at his father's hands. He stumbled across Kat, saves her life in one harrowing moment, and then finds himself drawn to both her and the mystery of her curse.

Though from different worlds and both struggling with the ill-effects of magic, they must come together to break the curse and put a stop to the forces behind it - and see if they can walk away from each other at the end.

I enjoyed Twisted Captive, and this novella was a great sequel to its events. We got to see how Adrian fared after his release, and meeting Kat gave him purpose he desperately needed, both in finding a reason to heal himself and to take a place back amongst the Fae. The chemistry ad pull between him and Kat was immediate and fierce, which is nothing less than I'd expect from any of Patricia Eddy's stories.

Updated to add:

The anthology as a whole has a great mix of stories, and it has definitely led me to look into a couple of the other authors' works as a result. Overall, a great read, with something for everyone to enjoy.… (más)

5 Stars
Arc Book Review
Release Date-11/10/18

OMG Wow Wow Wow!!!



Words cannot describe how much I bloody devoured this book: I read this in just one sitting so engrossed was I in the story unfolding before my very eyes.
This was a new author for me but as soon as the basic premise caught my attention here I was sold.
I have a soft spot for anything beauty and the beast related: even loosely, and so far I have been mostly disappointed.
Few of the stories I have indulged in have managed to live up to there namesake: with a few minor exceptions that is.
But "To Love A Monster" was absolute magic capturing my imagination from the very first.
So Sophie along with her boyfriend and casual friend manages to trespass onto Monsters isolated land: crossing his boundary line and alerting him to there unwanted presence.
In a mindless feral state, Monster attacks the intruders chasing them off: somehow Sophie hurt is left behind and Monster feeling remorse and also recognising Sophie as someone he has wronged in his shameful past decides to keep her safe: just until morning when she can be rescued.
Both deeply curious about the other an unconventional relationship of friendship and mutual caring starts to develop until an almost dependancy and rapport of sort starts to form between these two very unlikely lovers.
But this is not just a hearts and flowers type love story though we do get a HEA: it's so much deeper than that.
The road to this mutual happiness is paved with heartache and tears: past wrongs are just waiting to resurface tearing down the new walls of trust so recently built.
"To Love A Monster" is a heartfelt journey of forgiveness and redemption and I ran the whole gauntlet of emotions here.
I was aware Monsters current fate was mostly of his own making: I also understood how he had become the Monster inside way before it was visible to all else: My heart still broke for him though.
All alone isolated and suffering for all that time: he had paid his penance tenfold and I just wanted him to catch a break.
Sophie herself was like a breath of fresh air and I think Monster definitely learnt from her that there were people in this life that just are exactly what they proclaim: no hidden motives or agenda from her quarter just willing and wanting to assist for no reward other than the satisfaction of helping others.
She was unlike anyone his previously privileged existence had encountered before: her inner goodness was like a shining beacon of love and compassion despite her own personal issues.
Issues that Monster himself had unwittingly had a hand in.
This is one of the best fairy tale themed stories I have read to date.
This is one I really can't recommend enough: it was a magnificent endeavour that captivated me so completely.
Thank You to the Author for providing me with an ARC of "To Love A Monster" of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com… (más)