Kingdom of Beauty by Deborah Grace White

Kingdom of Beauty
by Deborah Grace White

ISBN-13: 978-1925898675
ebook: 384 pages
Publisher: Luminant Publications
Released: April 19, 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
After a lifetime with a grief-stricken father and a self-absorbed brother, Felicity isn’t daunted by sacrifice. But when protecting her father means falling afoul of the curse that has swallowed the Summer Castle, and Prince Justin along with it, her own safety is not all that’s at stake. The prince’s monstrous form is the least of her concerns—the whole castle has been trapped by his pride, and his absence from the capital is driving the kingdom to ruin.

Justin was born to be a king, not a beast. Between the inhuman coldness he learned from his father, the humiliation of his cursed form, and his powerlessness against his hidden enemies back in the capital, laughter is the last thing on his mind. But even though she’s a prisoner, nothing seems to dampen the intruder’s maddening cheerfulness. Justin has to break his curse, and he needs someone like Felicity to do it. But as she begins to thaw the ice around his heart, he discovers her past is not what it seems.

With time running out, not just for the castle’s inhabitants, but for the kingdom of Albury, they will need more than the help of a dragon to break the curse and prevent disaster before it’s too late. But for all Felicity’s warmth and laughter, even she could never look at Justin and like what she sees.


My Review:
Kingdom of Beauty is a young adult fantasy, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. This retelling had some depth to it and was more than just the romance angle. Justin used his magic mirror to watch what's happening in his capital, where he should be king. His Regent's following bad advice and Justin knows he could do better, but the Summer Castle is invisible to outsiders and those inside can't leave. He can't help his country until someone of worth likes what they see when they look at him, and he must also learn to value another more than himself. A hard task for someone who looks like a beast and who was brought up by his cruel father to never trust others as it makes you vulnerable.

Felicity’s used to making the best of bad situations and tended to laugh even when it wasn't really appropriate. Justin didn't like this as he never learned to laugh, let alone at himself, but at least she's able to see him as a person despite outward appearances. Felicity had to make a point about her trustworthiness because he's so quick to doubt it.

The characters were likable and grew through their experiences. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting fairytale retelling.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.