A beauty and the best retelling that includes an enchanted castle and a dragon bestie. It was a good time. Easy read, good humor. The magic and court politics were pretty typical. I did really like Azure. It was a solid quick read. It’s a good read when you want a simple standalone.

This is a Beauty & the Beast retelling with a twist. I’ve read a few fairy tale based books and I generally not a fan.

However this book was good. Our FMC is smart and sassy as well as having an intriguing form of magic. Our beast is a softy at heart and wants to do right by our beauty.

The world is split into different courts - which felt very reminiscent of ACOTAR and I’d like to read more books that feature the other courts.

I enjoyed the unseelie/ seelie fae part of the world, and how the curse affects the people and world. And the castle is like the friend you never knew you needed.

I feel we haven’t seen the end of one character. You’ll know when you get there and I enjoyed a few of the twists. I was trying to work things out as I read and meant that I wanted to keep going.

Overall an enjoyable read and a good twist of the Beauty & The Beast storyline.

“I will always come for you, dannahla.” 🥀
Watch out book boyfriends there’s a new Shadow Daddy on the block and he’s beastly and glorious!

Princess Sybelle has trained her whole life to marry the fearsome Wraith King in order to save her people. However, as she discovers the truth behind his curse and the man beneath the monstrous exterior, her mission becomes complicated. Now torn between her duty to her kingdom and her growing love for the cursed king, Sybelle must make a heartbreaking choice that could change everything.

To say I devoured this book would be an understatement! THIS right here is how you do a retelling! With original takes on shadow and fae magic, characters that know how to be both powerful and vulnerable, a world you just want to dive into and a true villain you will never see coming. While it has elements of the original fable; the beauty, the beast, a curse, a rose, Crown of Briars is it’s own beautifully unique tale. Sybelle is the perfect amounts of sassy, curious and determined. The dynamic between her and Varius was incredible. The spice was delectably spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️. And I loved that this book didn’t only focus on the romantic relationships but the friendships too. The banter between Sybelle and her best friend Az was not only witty but offered some comic relief to more serious points of the storyline. I cannot wait to read the next standalone in this series. If you love slow burn, dark fae vibes with a touch of spice and characters you actually want to be friends with, this book is for you!

Thank you to R.L. Perez, Willow Haven Press and NetGalley for the eARC of this book!

Crown of Briars reads more like a cozy romantasy than a high-stakes fantasy romance. There’s tension, but it’s muted. Stakes, but not urgent. Spice, but not gut-punching angst. It’s less "I’m on the edge of my seat" and more "I’m mildly intrigued while sipping tea." If that’s your field house, you’ll love it.

---

🌿 What Worked:

Crystal Magic System – The FMC could imbue herself with power using gemstones, which was unique and refreshing. It felt studied and intentional, not just tossed in for aesthetics. I only wish it had been explored deeper.

Sentient Castle – Lowkey gave House of Wind energy (Nesta’s story in ACOTAR) and I was here for it.

Side Characters – Tislora, Enzira, and Azura (the dragon) were standout moments in an otherwise flat cast.

Spice – The spicy scenes were actually good. Not overly done, and gave the tension a break when needed.



---

🪨 What Didn’t Work:

Pacing – The first half was full of internal monologues and slow unraveling. I was waiting for the plot to do something. At 36%, I was already bored. At 88%, I still didn’t know why I should care.

Romance Shift – These two went from enemies with real tension to "eff our kingdoms, I choose you" after one fairy ball. And the shift wasn’t believable. Varius in particular felt off — a man obsessed with duty doesn’t just drop it without cause.

World-Building – Thin. Both kingdoms felt like vague concepts rather than lived-in places. Side characters popped in and out without real presence or weight.

Emotional Investment – I couldn’t connect with their stakes. I should’ve cared about protecting their people, but it felt like a plot point, not a passion.

Retelling Disconnect – Honestly, it didn’t need to be marketed as a Beauty and the Beast retelling. It didn’t feel like one. That label raised expectations that weren’t met. If anything, A Curse So Dark and Lonely handled that theme better.

---

Would I recommend it? For cozy romantasy readers who enjoy slow pacing, magic systems with soft lore, and tension-light romances, sure.

This was an ARC read via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book, I mean I was hoping I would as it’s a beauty and the beast retelling, so I’m pretty guaranteed to like it on that alone, but I did really enjoy this and thought it had new and unique fantasy elements in the world building, the story itself was engaging. I loved the enchanted castle, it was wonderful and I only wish they existed. Highly recommended read, can’t wait for more to come

This romantasy book captured my attention from the first chapter! Loved the Beauty and the Beast vibes it gave off as well. Would definitely recommend this book.

3.5-3.75/5 rounded up.

I remember liking the first book in this series, and the same goes for this second one!

This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling (and I love retellings) that follows the Wraith King as he marries Sybelle (a princess) to try to break his curse.

This is a world of fae, shadow magic, kingdom politics, and twisting magic. All things that I enjoy in a fantasy novel.

The plot twists worked well, the characters had great senses of humor, the side characters were well-developed, and there was a really cool enchanted castle (all you have to say is that there is a cool castle and I am in).

I didn't love the miscommunication that was happening every now and then, it made the characters just seem stupid at times. I think that was a disservice to them.

This did read super fast and I think that is always a good thing. I will definitely be continuing this series, so far, I have been having a great time with it and will recommend it to anyone looking for a new fantasy to get into.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

4.5/5

Now when any book starts with a dedication of ‘for those who were disappointed when the beast turned back’ I am as sat as I was when I first read P.C. Casts Goddess of Roses as a teenager. I love a Beauty and the Beast retelling, I love all fairytale retellings to be fair but especially Beauty and the Beast, and Crown of Briars does not disappoint.

It does feel a little bit like playing Romantasy Bingo, especially at the beginning - we’ve got a fae MMC with shadow powers, a secret half fae (at least for one main character), fae that can’t lie, witches, dragons, forced proximity, there’s only one bed (eventually), arranged marriages, enemies (ish) to lovers, telepathy between the MCs and more and honestly… it’s all really well done. It feels natural within the world of the novel and each element comes into play within the plot.

The relationship between Varius and Sybelle had me kicking my feet and enjoying every second of their interactions, both of them felt like fleshed out characters with realistic intentions for their world. Their tension was delicious and I really enjoyed every second of this.

It was quite long (says the person also reading massive fantasy epics) but I’ll take that for a complete near-standalone story with strong pacing that didn’t feel like I was wanting a scene to be cut so we could get on with anything. I found the action all well paced and nothing felt rushed.

On the spice, I felt like it hit the right balance - we didn’t leave any of the interesting parts of cursed forms and shadow powers on the bedside cabinet so to say.

Overall I really enjoyed my time with it and look forward to reading more by this author!

This is a romantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast in which our main character Sybell is to be wed to the King of the Shadow Court in order to keep deadly shadows that plague the border between their courts at bay. Sybell finds that the King is not who she once thought he was, and as the book unfolds she begins to learn more about the true nature of her new husband. I loved this book's theme of loving authentically and working through differences in beliefs and culture. However, I felt that the world building could have been better, as lots of information about the book's setting was delivered through the internal monologue of the two main characters. Ultimately I think the romance factor of this book was what made it enjoyable for me and I would give this novel three stars.

This was an enjoyable read but not really that memorable. I don't think the relationship between the MMC and FMC was necessarily that good, he was always wanting to hurt her and yet got super lovey-dovey toward the end. Their relationship just didn't feel believable. However, I liked all the Beauty & the Beast influences in this book like the magical mirror and rose gem. Still, some of the magic system felt incomplete or oversimplified and just left me feeling confused. Not one of the worst romantasy books I've read but I don't think I would re-read it. Thanks for the ARC though!

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! This book is expected to be released on August 4, 2025.

I was pleasantly surprised by Crown of Briars! This standalone retelling of Beauty and the Beast follows Sybelle, a princess of the Earthen Court whose duty is to wed Varius, the Wraith King of the Shadow Court, to fulfill a generations long treaty. Unlike the princess brides who came before her, Sybelle is determined to take matters into her own hands, kill Varius, and return home to the Earthen Court. Varius needs Sybelle, his human bride, to end the curse plaguing his lands and people, at the cost of her life. However, after their marriage ceremony things being to unravel. Sybelle learns everything she's been told about the Shadow Court and it's king may not be completely true. Varius realizes he wants to be different than his ancestors, and that sacrificing a human bride isn't as black and white as he thought. Grappling with new truths, surprising discoveries, and conflicting emotions, Sybelle and Varius need to decide where their true loyalties lie--with their kingdoms, or with each other--and what their true mission is.

While this was a retelling and contained elements from Beauty and the Beast, I loved the new and fascinating magical/fantasy elements woven into the world. It kept the story fresh and unique, making it a really engaging read. On top of a unique magic system, I loved the depth of all the characters. Seeing Sybelle's relationships with various members of the Earthen and Shadow Courts was a highlight of the book, and truly had me rooting for Sybelle. Lastly, I loved the enchanted castle. Being able to feel Sybelle's apprehension and fear of the castle thaw as her own prejudices did, and seeing how this altered the setting of the book brought an immersive factor to the story that kept me hooked until the end.

Overall, I devoured this book and will not only be going back to read R.L Perez's other work, but am eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series.

You know what about beauty and the beast retelling? Its always about the kingdom secret & how the curse work in different adaptations.

But this I can say one of the better retelling I ever read so far, the plot?? Plotting, the drama?? Oh yes!!!

Read it with all your heart to enjoy a story, theres no need to critically analyze, this is fictional and of course its crazy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As a total mood reader who’s always down for a good time, Crown of Briars was exactly the kind of fantasy escape I love. It’s a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but it really takes on a life of its own with unique twists and a rich magical world that pulled me in more than I expected.

The creativity woven into the story was great, and I especially loved the magic systems, it felt fresh and imaginative without being overly complicated. I also found myself surprisingly connected to the characters, which isn’t always the case with retellings. They had depth, heart, and a story that kept me turning pages.

Overall, this was a fun read that delivered on both magic and emotion. I’d absolutely pick up more from R.L. Perez!

I received an ARC of Crown of Briars from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, and I absolutely devoured it. As someone who’s loved the Crown of Fae series so far, this Beauty and the Beast-inspired installment completely delivered. Sybelle is the kind of fierce, stubborn heroine you can’t help but root for, and her unique magic made her even more compelling. I especially loved the soft, protective side of Varius, whose bond with Sybelle built into a romance that felt both steamy and genuinely heartfelt. The worldbuilding was immersive, the political tension added great stakes, and the dragon companion was a fun bonus. It’s over 500 pages, but it never dragged for me—I didn’t want it to end. My only complaint? The next book isn’t out until next summer, and I’m already counting the days.

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley but opinions are my own.

I was very excited to get this ARC as I have really enjoyed the Crown of Fae series so far. I love how the author takes fairy tales and turns them into stories about the Fae (literal faerie tails I guess! 😊)

I enjoyed Sybelle and her stubborn, strong spirit. Her unique magic was pretty cool too! I loved how Varius was gentle with Sybelle and quickly came to love and protect her. Overall, the storyline was really interesting, and did not feel like 500+ pages!

Definitely bummed the next one doesn’t come out til next summer!!

Thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC!

Just devoured #CrownOfBriars by @rlperezbooks and I’m obsessed! This dark fantasy #mustreadbook is a #fairytale retelling of #beautyandthebeast, spiced up with romance and danger. #bookreviews

Review: Crown of Briars by R.L. Perez

This Beauty and the Beast retelling had everything I love—danger, magic, and a romance that walks the line between enemies and something deeper. Sybelle is fierce, determined, and completely torn between her duty to her kingdom and the growing bond she can’t deny with the cursed Wraith King.

The twisty politics, shadowy magic, and dragon companion kept things engaging, but it was the emotional tension that really pulled me in. I loved how the Wraith King wasn’t just a dark, broody love interest—there’s real pain and vulnerability under his monstrous exterior, and watching that unravel was so satisfying.

If you love dark fae fantasy, court intrigue, and a heroine forced to choose between what she was raised to believe and what she feels in her heart, Crown of Briars absolutely delivers.

✨✨✨Beauty and the Beast retelling with Fae and Spice! 🌶️ 🥵 🌶️ ✨✨✨

🥀 I really enjoyed Crown of Briars!!! This book was so FUN and ENJOYABLE!!! 🥀

When I first requested this one I thought it was a standalone novel, but then I saw it shows on Goodreads as the 2nd in the series. However, luckily they can be read in any order or as standalones!

This is definitely for the girls who wanted the beast to stay a beast. 🤭 I love how this story was done so much. Cursed fae, enemies to lovers, a dragon, gemstones, magic, and etc. I loved Sybelle and Varius’s characters and the chemistry between the characters is so good!

Crown of Briars is the perfect spicy Beauty and the Beast retelling! I need to read the other book (Sleeping Beauty) ASAP and I saw there’s a third one (Snow White) coming next year!! Eee 😱

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is expected to be released August 4, 2025.

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!