I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It held my attention from start to finish, with a satisfying ending that didn’t feel rushed or overly neat. The world is primarily centred around two fae kingdoms; while a wider map is included, it feels like the broader world is explored more in other linked titles within the series. That said, the contained setting worked well for this particular story.

The romance was a definite highlight—genuinely steamy, well-paced, and emotionally charged. Sybelle is a strong and capable protagonist; her skill as a fighter occasionally felt slightly out of sync with her personality, but given her harsh upbringing, it made sense for her character. Varius, the cursed Unseelie prince, strikes a perfect balance between tortured and honourable, and his dry humour added a lot of charm. Their chemistry was compelling throughout, with the masquerade ball scene standing out as a particular favourite.

There are some darker themes at play—self-sacrifice, duty, and the burden of a powerful curse—but the tone remains hopeful. Even when things seemed impossible, the characters’ determination kept me invested and rooting for them.

This is a great pick for fans of ACOTAR-style fae romance, Beauty and the Beast retellings (especially where the “beast” doesn’t lose his edge), and readers looking for a love story with emotional weight and real heat.

Thank you to Victory Editing Netgallery and NetGalley for the ARC!

It was refreshing to read a unique take on Beauty and the Beast. I appreciated the author's nod to the Beast's unseelie form throughout the book, without emphasizing his transformation into a more "beautiful" and accepted form if he had maintained his traditional seelie form. The plot moved at a good, steady pace, keeping the reader engaged. The banter between the FMC and MMC was a fun added component for the book. The hints of darker themes were a welcome addition for those who enjoy reading dark fantasy (myself included).

The only critique is that the writing style in the beginning felt slightly choppy, and it was evident how the author's style progressed as the book continued to become more descriptive and cohesive. Good fantasy read!

Thank you NetGalley for this read!

Thank you to Willow Haven Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I devoured this book in 48 hours—it’s a binge-worthy romantasy that delivers dark fae vibes, forbidden magic, and a swoon-worthy, brooding Shadow King with serious “touch her and die” energy. As a lover of Beauty and the Beast retellings, this one ticked so many of my favourite boxes: mysterious courts, ancient powers, and that glorious blend of romance and danger.

The romance between the FMC and MMC had instant chemistry and was full of potential—I only wish we'd had a bit more time to marinate in the tension. A slower burn and more yearning would’ve turned the emotional stakes from compelling to completely devastating (in the best way!). Clearly, I live for angst.

The plot is rich with threads—dragons, gemstone magic, court intrigue, and family secrets—and while this gave the world a lived-in, high-stakes feel, some subplots could have been expanded on for even more impact. Characters like Sybelle’s father, Gerard, and the dragon intrigued me, and I’d love to see them fleshed out further in future books or bonus material. Tislora especially stood out as a mysterious and fascinating side character—I’m still thinking about her absence from the Revel!

The dual POV added depth, and with even more focus on the emotional inner lives of our leads, it could become a powerhouse narrative tool in the series. The message woven through the fae’s beastly forms—that beauty doesn’t require softening or taming—was such a poignant touch. The contrast between the Shadow Court and the Earthen Court gave the world rich texture, and I'd happily spend more time exploring it.

Some highlights I loved:

“Dannahla” is now my ride-or-die term of endearment.

Enzira! Sweet, fierce, and an absolute joy—more of her, please.

Themes of sacrifice, love vs. duty, and redemption landed beautifully.

That ending? The King’s moment of reckoning and reflection was the perfect close.

Overall, this is a darkly lush, imaginative tale with real heart. With just a bit more breathing room for its romantic and emotional beats, it could easily soar into five-star territory. If you're into dark fae, dangerous magic, and romance with teeth—don’t hesitate. Read this, my dannahlas.

4 stars – would gladly return to this world again.

Crown of Briars is a Beauty & The Beast retelling and it is so good! Our FMC is sent to marry the Wraith King to help save her kingdom from his shadows, but nothing is as it seems. There is a curse, and she must figure out what is going on and how to stop the curse before it is too late. I am a sucker for a strong FMC who makes intelligent choices, and that is what we have in the Crown of Briars. The mystery around the Curse is great, and I really loved some of the side characters. (The castle is the best.) Crown of Briars is slightly enemies to lovers, found family, strong FMC, Fae magic, romance story that you will not want to put down. Thank you to Netgalley for the gifted eARC.

This is exactly as it’s marketed: a spicy Beauty and the Beast retelling! It had enough in it to where you could clearly see the connections between the classic story and this one, but the author also made it unique and switched the world up to keep it interesting and different to the readers! It also gives you the moments that Disney could never show us even if they wanted to 😉.

I think it took me a bit longer than normal to get through this because of how much was on the page, but I also understood that we needed the backstory of Sybelle, our Beauty, being given away as a bride to the Shadow Kingdom, then the relationship progression between the characters, all for a good payoff. Maybe it’s just because I’m used to longer series and not everything being wrapped up in a neat bow by the end.

I do wish the progression of feelings for the characters was more believable to me. Again, this could be because im used to slower burns, but it seemed like their emotions towards each other jumped around a lot. Sybelle was meant to have this struggle of being tasked with killing the king, the Beast, but that wasn’t as much of a character arc or plot point as I believed it would be. She didn’t seem to even contemplate it for that long before deciding she couldn’t do it because she wasn’t sure how.

I also wanted the MMC to be a bit more complex as a character. I feel like we saw his anger easily, and his love for Sybelle at the end, but I felt like not much else was going on with him. It was hard to get a read on how he truly felt, with his mood constantly changing. He would be angry at Sybelle but then understanding and gentle the next, and I didn’t really see why. I also just feel like they went from lust to love relatively quickly. I would’ve liked to see more meaningful moments between them leading up to the climax and ending.

Overall, this didn’t snag me as much as I wanted, but I still enjoyed it. If you love fairy tale retellings and love the story of Beauty and the Beast, plus some sexual tension and spice, this one would be a good read for you!

I enjoyed this beauty and beast retelling, it was definitely a fun eARC and worth the read. The world build and quirky castle are a hoot. I truly enjoyed the characters and their character development. Their growth and dual POV made this a really fun experience.
If you enjoy retelling i recommend adding this one to your TBR! It come with a shadow daddy, found family, dragons, enchanted castles, who-done-it curse vibes and a villain you love to hate!

4.25 🌟 2 🌶️

4.5 ⭐ For this unique Beauty and the Beast retelling.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC!
I appreciated the steamy take on the classic tale, with mix of common and unique magical elements, from gemstone magic to political schemes involving seelie and unseelie fae, humans and witches. This is a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers ride with a strong but compassionate FMC and a misunderstood MMC.

This was my first read by this author and it was such a treat! I didn't realize this was a standalone in a series of fairy tale retellings, which means I have more to read now that I've finished this!

3.5 Stars, but leaning towards 4…

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy.

*Spoilers ahead*

I have a lot of mixed emotions about this novel, so I’ll do my best to make sense!

Firstly, I was really intrigued by the premise of this novel, the unseelie court and the earthen court, their bargain. I mean who doesn’t love a forced marriage trope? Not me, I’m a massive sucker for them, especially for a morally grey MMC. I liked that the fae weren’t all sanitized versions of fae who were stunningly, humanly perfect looking (at least initially).
I liked the premise of historical conflict creating a future where some fae were hidden or living amongst unseen.

But I did have issues with the plots direction. Honestly, there was just too much jammed into this novel - a forced marriage, necro shadows threatening courts, a curse that would ultimately kill (done in some weird Beauty and the Beast allegory form that made no sense) an old lover leading an invasion, attempts on the FMC’s life by a traitor, a sentient house, a best friend dragon, stones that granted power, searching for stones, maid best friends, witches and hidden witches, allusions to other courts, evil forests… it was endless. And half of them felt completely superfluous to the story. And the twist at the end? Sigh. The end itself was easy to spot by half way through, but the “villain” felt unnecessarily convoluted. It felt like there was so much potential, but it was lost in the sheer volume of things happening.

Also, I’m not going to lie, I really disliked Sybelle (sigh at the name choice). She made no sense to me as a character, she was a bad arse half fae trained assassin who starts the novel shagging her guard against a door (what!!?!!) but then is also a quiet little stone collecting, book reading, whimsical human bride? I was so confused about which one she was meant to be & I think ultimately she became a bit of nothing. Especially with all the talking to the dragon. So boring. I found the whole dragon friend thing ridiculous and not at all fitting to the characters or plot.

The dual POV was interesting, but not necessary. Especially when neither of the characters used it to show emotional depth.

All in all, I felt like this book had so much potential, but lost its way. I’d be interested in reading other stories by this author as I was really into the non perfect version of fae and the darker elements she alluded to. There was just too much plot jammed into one story.

3.5⭐
Minor spoilers

I don't usually go for Beauty and the Beast retellings as some of them can be cringey, so I didn’t dive into this book expecting much, maybe just a fun and quick read. But as I got deeper into it, past the first chapters of getting used to the world (which wasn’t explained in as much detail as I would’ve liked), and past the cringe meeting between Sybelle and Varius, our leads, I started to get genuinely interested in what was going to happen.
The premise of the book was interesting: a curse, an arranged marriage, and a sacrifice. It was done well, with some plot twists and funny moments, as well as parts where I couldn’t put the book down, plus a nice dose of spice. It leaned more toward the spicier side for me, with some very intense scenes, so be sure to check your triggers.
The enchanted castle created a nice atmosphere. I’d even say it had its own personality, which added to the plot. Maybe my favorite part was the dragon, Azure, who remained such an important character until the very end. But I had one question throughout most of the book: how did no one see a dragon roaming the castle? She was sleeping on balconies?? I was so confused, and by the end, I still didn’t have an answer.
There were some negative points from my perspective. There were times when miscommunication or simply the lack of communication was what moved the story forward, which can be frustrating. Also, at the beginning of the book, Sybelle was straight up stupid, or at least did stupid things. But as the story progressed, she had some character development. I can’t say the same for our male lead though, from the start to the end, he couldn’t control his shadows when he was angry. At one point, it was just cringe. I started to dread every time he got angry because “his shadows pull down at his feet and darken the room” again. In my opinion, he had so much space for character development, but it didn’t really happen.
Also, please don’t be fooled (like I was) when the book is portrayed as having “deadly court schemes”. Yes, there were some, but they definitely weren’t the core of the plot. (I still wish to know what happened to Sybelle's father, and what exactly did her sister in the Earth Court)
In the end, the book was a fun and fast read. I didn’t even realize how quickly I was getting through it,not until the whole story became a mess and I checked to see if I was going to cry by the end. There could’ve been more worldbuilding, as the only explanation we got was at the beginning of the book when we learned about the Courts. But the plot was captivating, and the ending provided a satisfying conclusion.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC. This is my honest opinion, and I cannot wait for the next book, Crown of Poison, where we’ll see Sybelle’s friend having her own adventure.

I adore fantasy retellings and this one did not disappoint. The magic system used was so unique and intriguing, I loved it. The story follows the bones of Beauty and The Beast whole still offering a fresh, new perspective on the tale that keeps it interesting and new. I do wish we got more time with the main characters, it seemed like they hated each other then quickly turned to love without much flirting or angst in the middle.

I’m so excited for Crown of Poison now and can’t wait to read it! Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for sending this advanced copy my way. I’m very grateful and will continue to seek out books by R. L. Perez.

4 stars – A creative Beauty and the Beast retelling with rich world-building and a strong, inquisitive heroine

This standalone entry in the Crowns of the Fae series offers a fresh and engaging take on the Beauty and the Beast motif, blending classic elements with inventive twists.

Sybella, half-fae and eldest princess of the Earthen Court, has been promised to the Shadow Court as part of a long-standing political bargain. Unbeknownst to all, she brings with her a hidden dragon—a secret she’s managed to keep even from her own court.

What awaits her in the Shadow Court is not what she expects: a magical, shifting castle, beastly but endearing unseelie fae, and King Varius, who is battling a kingdom-consuming curse. As Sybella unravels the mystery of the Shadow Court’s slow decay, her curiosity and quiet determination may be the key to its salvation.

The strength of the novel lies in its vivid, immersive world-building and the heroine’s sharp, thoughtful character. Varius, despite his monstrous form, is a compelling figure—more tragic than terrifying, with just enough vulnerability to make his arc resonate.

The pacing is steady, though the resolution felt slightly rushed in comparison to the rich buildup. Some side elements, including the dragon, could have benefitted from more narrative weight, but they add charm nonetheless.

A well-crafted story that stands on its own while inviting readers to explore the broader series. I’ll be picking up more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest opinion!

AHHHHHHHHGH. I literally could not put this book down and finished in less than 24 hours.

I will absolutely be needing a hard copy of this book as soon as it comes out!

Crown of Briars is a Beauty and the Beast 🥀 retelling with a twist, full of dark fae magic, deadly court schemes, and steamy romance.

Beauty and the Beast is one of my all time favorites and it is marketed as a retelling if the Beast remained a beast - and R.L. Perez nailed it!!!

I loved the story progression, the way you meet and learn about the characters. The relationship between Sybelle and everyone is so heartwarming. Enzira is a freaking gem. She is what every girl should want in a friend! Azure is the perfect companion and my dreams for having a dragon bestie have only grown more dire. Her growing relationship with Varius has the banter, then tension, the slow burn.

Varius, you are added to my book husband list without a doubt! Dannahla is now a term I will absolutely be needing to my husband to call me. The revel scene, the consummation scene 🌶️ how the fully give themselves to one another after slowing gaining each others trust is just incredible.


I am so so grateful I was able to receive an ARC of this from NetGalley.


Tropes:
- Arranged marriage
- Forced proximity
- Slow burn
- my wife, my husband
- Banter and tension
- Shadow magic +

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. I do like a fairy tail retelling, sometimes they're hit and miss, but this one was very good!

It's giving enemies to lovers, dark romance with a slow burn that's worth the wait. It was quite long in places but overall I think this book will be really popular with romantasy lovers like myself!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a copy of Crown of Briars!

After reading the first two books and loving them, I was so excited to get back to this world and read another story! I had some expectations this time around and they did NOT fail. I LOVED it so much.

The two main characters Sybelle and Varius were so well-written and formed such a nice couple. I enjoyed how Sybelle was fearless, confident and assertive, and also how Varius was protective of his people and Sybelle.

I did not see the plot twist coming until last minute and I thought it was a great idea and well done!

The two maids-Enzira and Ramia- were lovely side characters! So caring and nice

I would highly recommend it! I cannot wait to read Crown of Poison!

This was a good book and thank you NetGalley Co-Op for letting me read it! The magical setting of this book was great. It also had a little bit of mystery to it (trying to figure out how to break the curse) which wasn’t bad. There were moments in the story that in my opinion were a little cheesy but I still enjoyed myself. The spice was DEFINITELY spicing lol. I think my favorite part of this book was the castle that had a mind of its own and it would keep forcing Varius and Sybelle back together. Would recommend to my friends who like spice.

so thankful for this ARC of Crown of Briars!!! this was such a fantastic and refreshing retelling, I literally devoured this book! The magic system had me hooked, it was so different from anything i’ve read before.

A slow burn, darkly romantic Beauty and the Beast retelling with horns, shadows and a deadly curse. I devoured this in a day.

Princess Sybelle has been raised to marry the terrifying Wraith King and protect her kingdom but she has a secret plan to kill him instead. Until she meets Varius… and everything begins to unravel. He’s brooding, cursed and far more than the monster she expected. Their forced proximity and growing trust had me hooked. The tension? So good. The banter? Sharp. The dragon familiar? Iconic.

Sybelle is strong, clever and loyal to a fault. Varius is all shadowed restraint and quiet devotion and their chemistry burns slow but steady. I also adored the magical castle with a mind of its own (more sentient settings please!) and how the plot weaves steamy romance with court politics, curses and shifting alliances.

This one’s a standalone but has the emotional depth and worldbuilding of a full series. Thank you so much to Willow Haven Press and NetGalley for the ARC I’m absolutely diving into more of R.L. Perez’s work next!

Tropes & highlights:
✨ enemies to lovers
✨ arranged marriage
✨ magical bargains
✨ shadow powers & fae courts
✨ dragon sidekick (!!)
✨ actual emotional growth

If you’ve read other Beauty and the Beast retellings and think this will be just another of the same…you’re wrong! I love this new take on a well known tale. Sybelle and Varius are what Belle and Beast should have always been.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this book when I started it, but after I got a few chapters in I was sucked in. I couldn’t put this down for the life of me, all I wanted to do was fall into this story. This book is a beauty and the beast retelling, but this story is so much more. I love the little references that are about beauty and the beast like the rose, Sybelle’s name (belle), the beast that comes out, etc. The feelings between Sybelle and Varius was everything, the bickering to the heartfelt moments got me. I loved the friendship that Sybelle made with Enzira, and how Sybelle accepted the people in the Shadow Court. Azure was definitely one of my top favorite, even though she is a dragon. The connection she and Sybelle have is everything, the love they have for each other is amazing. I would recommend this book to anyone whether Fantasy is their thing or not, because this book was a 5 star for me!

Thank you to NetGalley & Victory Editing for an eARC of Crown of Briars by R.L Perez
Review date: 14/07/2025
Review posted on Goodreads

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)

Review:

An enjoyable read for you're a fan of fairy tale retellings or not. It offers a reimagined version of Beauty and the Beast that’s both familiar and original all at the same time. The writing is clear and accessible, making it a breeze to get lost in the story.

What sets this retelling apart is how it introduces new elements such as fae characters and a unique magic system.
Just when I thought I knew where the story was going, the author delivered a twist I didn’t see coming—one that completely redefined the meaning of the curse and the true nature of love and sacrifice. It was a brilliant surprise that made the ending all the more satisfying.

Final Thoughts:
I highly recommend Crown of Briars to anyone who enjoys romantasy/fantasy or anyone who hasn’t read a book from that genre before.