Grim Lovelies

Grim Lovelies, Book 1

By: Megan Shepherd

Narrated by: Gabrielle Baker

Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Seventeen-year-old Anouk envies the human world, where people known as Pretties lavish themselves in fast cars, high fashion, and have the freedom to fall in love. But Anouk can never have those things, because she is not really human. Enchanted from animal to human girl and forbidden to venture beyond her familiar Parisian prison, Anouk is a Beastie: destined for a life surrounded by dust bunnies and cinders serving Mada Vittora, the evil witch who spelled her into existence.

That is, until one day she finds her mistress murdered in a pool of blood - and Anouk is accused of the crime.

Now, the world she always dreamed of is rife with danger. Pursued through Paris by the underground magical society known as the Haute, Anouk and her fellow Beasties only have three days to find the real killer before the spell keeping them human fades away. If they fail, they will lose the only lives they've ever known...but if they succeed, they could be more powerful than anyone ever bargained for.

From New York Times best-selling author Megan Shepherd, Grim Lovelies is the glittering first audiobook in a new YA epic fantasy series. Prepare to be spellbound by the world of Grim Lovelies, where secrets have been long buried, friends can become enemies, and everything - especially humanity - comes at a price.

©2018 Megan Shepherd (P)2019 Tantor

Fresh idea!

This was a very cool idea and I enjoyed it!
I love the world the author created, with witches and goblins and beasties. It was engaging and I liked the characters, especially Anouk and Cricket. The only downside was it sometimes felt like it dragged a bit, especially the build up to the final fight scene. Anouk was very innocent, since she has only been a human for a year and never left the house. She did become a leader and fighter throughout the book and I liked seeing her change. I didn't like Beau that much, he was sort of fickle. I actually liked Hunter Black, even though he was kind of a bad guy for half the story.
The audio was entertaining, Gabrielle did a good job with each of the characters and made listening fun! I hope she narrates the second book as well.

Magic, Elegance and Horror

Megan Sheperd is one of my favorite authors! This story is a wonderful amalgamation of magic, elegance and horror. Her exciting storytelling is accentuated by the theatrical narration of Gabrielle Baker. The descriptions of Parisian treats and garments are contrasted by thrilling scenes of terror.

I WANTED TO LOVE THIS BOOK

I. Am. So. Angry. With. This. Book.

Can I leave my review like this? No? Fine.

I was so hyped about this book. It has everything that I could imagine wanting in a book: Animals, a magic system, a bad-ass female hero, villains, and it’s in freaking PARIS!

Let’s break it down. The book was wayyyyyy too long. It seemed like it was never-ending. The story could have been shorter and more to the point. The author kept throwing in these plot devices that would extend the story in ways it really didn’t need to be extended. The devices caused the story to have plot holes that didn’t make sense. If the characters know nothing about technology, then how are they able to use elevators and cell phones (time on the cell phone)? Also, there was a moment where they’re lives could extend, but it went against the rules of the original curse...UGH, so frustrating.

The inclusivity: AHHH!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that the author attempted to add diverse characters (a trans, gay, POC). BUT, the trans character was in it for like 5 seconds. The gay character’s story arc was stereotypical and not flushed out. The POC was a “black couple” in the end that was in it for one-two Sentences. A lot of people are complaining that this book had the “bury the gays” trope. As an actual gay person, I didn’t see it like that. I definitely agree that the author had no right adding this character if she didn’t want to do the community justice...but there was a sentence saying they didn’t know if the character died or not and there was no proof. So hopefully, the character comes back in book 2. So there is hope. But I’m still mad about the lack of inclusivity, Ms. Shepherd

Also, the magic system. I wish it was explained more. If you want to make an original and complicated magic system (which is okay), then do it correctly. That is all.

Finally, Paris. If you are going to have your book taken place in Paris. Can you explain more about Paris then just the pastries? As a reader, I want to LIVE in Paris for this eternity of a book. If the book is going to be that long, please allow me to at least feel like I’m in Paris. Also, the narrator for the audiobook was British. NO! Paris is in France. Give me a French sounding narrator. Is it that hard?

Overall, I am disappointed in the book. I was so freaking excited about it. But I was let down. I will continue to the second book because I’m curious to see if the author betters herself, but for right now, let me be mad at this book.