Bend Her: A Dark Beauty and the Beast Fantasy Romance

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The very thing my father had been afraid of for me for my whole life—and the reason I lived in a gilded cage, only getting to leave the palace when I had throne-sworn mages by my side—had apparently happened. Do not be deceived by the title, its much more deep and detailed and incredibly interesting than I bet you are thinking!

It did take me a little bit to get fully into the characters and writing style, but the story concept had me from the first page. I'm so glad I decided to continue, because not only was I COMPLETELY wrong to doubt either of you, but the rest of the story more than made up for my annoyance at the end of the 2nd book. The romance builds up throughout the novel as the attraction and chemistry between the two increases. Cassie Alexander has layed down the ground work with a interesting storyline and some great storytelling and I can't wait to see where this is heading in book 2 Break Her coming soon.Alone and afraid the young Lisane most learn how to deal with the castles dark brooding beast Rhaim a dark and powerful mage who has seen a vision of his death and it will be the beautiful princess Lisane who will be his destruction.

The story - especially making it fantasy - would have benefitted significantly more backstory, not only for the main characters, though this is the most glaringly obvious, but for the magic, all of the other characters, and the world/universe the book takes place in.Again and again I had to suspend disbelief to keep going because the characters were all over the place. The MMC's pov was meant to explain the magic system to us; that was it, but the author tried to stretch it out, and it made his story feel almost silly. Bend Her: A Dark Beauty and the Beast Fantasy Romance is the story of Rhaim the All-Beast, a cruel mage doomed to die at the hands of the woman he must protect at all costs, and Lisane, the sheltered Princess of Tears, who has been given into his care and who needs him to teach her magic so she can be free—no matter how much it might hurt her. Cassie’s storytelling is bursting with vivid imagery, dynamic characters, and pulse-pounding plot twists.

Rhaim knows what will happen in the future , but while he has Lisane now, he will make the most of the present. So when Lisane is dumped on him, he knows his days are numbered because she’s the woman from his vision. It’s pitched as a dark Beauty and the Beast retelling, and it is, but it also reminds me so much of Howl’s Moving Castle.Some men see snowy peaks or waterfalls, others bucking horses, and some lucky few see themselves with old and wrinkled hands, passing peacefully in their sleep. I defiently will read the next installment, as it ended in a bit of cliffhanger for me and I just want to know more!

My favorite aspect was the dual POV that provides for deep insight into the mind of the sexy LI--the All-Beast. star rating are: character motives felt weak and inconsistent, world building could be stronger and filled out more, and most of the smut came off more as abuse. Rhaim often pushes Lisane to the limits she know she can take, sometimes harming her or scaring her, very much like his mentor has done with him. The All-beast was so fearsome and intriguing, he could not only control and manipulate beasts surrounding him but also become one himself. Bend Her was my first read of the year and I freaking loved the dual POV between Lisane and Rhaim, making the slowburn tension and buildup in their mentor/apprentice so delicious!

I loved this author's writing style and omg, that ending was WILD; I will absolutely be continuing with this series!