Alissa

Very very intriguing tale loosely based on The Beauty and The Beast with a nice touch of Greek mythology. Well paced, the book is pleasurable to read, and even though the main climax is predictable, the reader is in for a lot of delectable little surprises, the doomed bargaining chip heroine is deliciously twisted, and the main characters equally flawed in pursuing their hearts' desires; but the one I loved the most was the castle itself, room after room, slowly unveiling half-truths as repeated tragedies unfold, a character in its own right.
I spent an enjoyable day in the company of cruel beauty and the world of Arcadia, and would recommend it for a brisk, gritty fantasy romance read.