Twisted Crown

A Tale of a Broken Kingdom

By: EL DuBois

Narrated by: Sarah Sampino

Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

"Sins, sins, sins," she says with a grin.

Vanity, adultery, lust, and greed. Lies, beautiful lies are all she may need. A fast track to hell on a path of her making. It will take every ounce of will to survive without breaking.

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful, naive young woman with fairy-tale dreams. Instead of happily ever after, Beauty became the obsession of a beast. One who only found true pleasure in the vicious acts he committed.

Caught within his web of cruelty, her merciless dance for survival begins. Will Beauty be able to outmaneuver the Beast? Or, will he take the ultimate sadistic prize?

Her life, based on a true story.

Visit EL DuBois' website at www.eldubois.com

Please note: This title has been changed to Twisted Crown to reflect the film adaption of the same name. The novel version does not reflect the fantasy elements of the film. This version is purely the "reality".

Trigger warnings: violence, sexual assault, abuse.

©2020 EL DuBois (3 Generations of Trouble) (P)2020 EL DuBois

Heartbreakingly Beautiful Great Narration

This is Heartbreakingly Beautiful this gutted me I had to pause it several times just to finish it I can't imagine going through this. Domestic violence, psychological torment, sadistic sexual acts the lists go on how one person goes through this is a strong heroic human being. This is a beautiful story and I am so glad it had a happy ending and can't wait for the movie to come out. Sarah done a great job with the narration she really brought it to life.

Heartbreaking!

This is written as a fairy tale but this is anything but an actual fairy tale. It is a horrific story of domestic violence with lots of triggers in it. The saddest part of this book is that it is actually a true story. No one should ever have to endure years of abuse like that. I applaud E.L. Dubois for not only having the strength to survive her ordeal but also to have the courage to write about it and share it with her readers. I think it is so important for people to hear these stories to realize that it is so much easier to just tell someone to get out of an abusive relationship than it is for them to actually be able to get out. Luckily, this story does have a happy ending but, unfortunately, there are so many others that don't. Sarah Sampino did an amazing job bringing this story to life. I received this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.

Beautiful and raw

This book was so beautiful and so raw that it gutted me from the inside out then shredded my soul. For anybody that has gone through abuse mentally and physically you will understand this book and it was so addicting and so good that I wanted to take my time listening to it. I look forward to more books by this author and the narration was awesome!

Heart breaking to Happiness!

There are some books that are a great escape, others that are just fun to listen to. This one is more than both. This is the intense, heart wrenching, heart lifting type of listen that stays with you. It’s a story of a woman that finds herself in an abusive relationship and does what it takes to find her way out. EL DuBois is so creative with her style, giving this gut wrenching story the feel of a dark fairy tale. Each character with names from our favorites, like Beauty, Princess, Queen, Knight and Beast, we follow the life of Beauty as she enter into her unhappy life, and does everything she can to protect her little princess. She struggles, battered and broken and pulls herself up to find her happiness. DuBois has me right there in each scene, feeling the pain, the unhappiness, the longing to find a way out and makes me root for her. It’s an incredible listen and inspiring story.

This kind of book needs a narrator that can give you all the feelings. Sarah Sampino gives a performance you will remember. She finds the inner core of Beauty, lets us fall to rock bottom with her and climb her way back up. I could feel the hurt, the pain, the fear, the love, the anger and finally the happiness. It’s one of my favorite listens of the year.

Twisted Crown

An absolutely heartbreaking story, especially knowing it is based off of a true story. To imagine that anyone could go through so much pain and turmoil is horrible. I felt every emotion with beauty and begged for her suffering to be over soon. Luckily she does get a happy ending , but I really wish this book was fiction so that it would be easier to move one. Narration is perfect.

Heartbreakingly wonderful

I love how heartbreaking yet enlightening that this book is. There are so many that do not understand exactly how a domestic violence victim is just that a victim. Many assume that they are able to just walk away and never know the full story. BRAVO to this author for writing this and keeping it tasteful.

This was narrated by one of my favorite narrators which is why I wanted to listen to it. She always brings the characters and their story to life and always makes me feel the emotions that are meant for the book.

Heart-Rending & Gut-Wrenching~Superb Narration🎧

This is a heart-rendering, gut-wrenching story. It is a story that is not easy to get thru and knowing it is based on a true story makes it even more horrific, I could only imagine what it was like for the victim. I’ve worked with victims of domestic violence and know the different atrocities they are subjected to, knowing that does not make it any easier to hear another story about it. But these stories must be told and should be heard by all. EL Dubois I praise you for telling this story, getting out of a bad situation, for surviving, learning to live again and finding your happiness. I loved that the names of fairytale characters were used in place of real names in this book. The lead character is Beauty and it is her story, she is the victim and is subjected to physical, sexual and psychological abuse. Her abuser, her husband is referred to as Beast, he is a sick and depraved person and you will see as the story goes on that his other family members especially his sister and mother are no better. Their daughter is Princess, she too is a victim but Beauty shielded her the best she could. Her grandmother, Beauty’s Mom, Queen, does try to help but sometimes it is hard to help someone when they do not want it, thankfully she comes thru when it matters. My favorite character is the Knight in shining armor. The story is well written and well told, it is a moving story and one that makes you feel like no other can, I had to calm down before I could start to write this review, I wanted to strangle Beast and his depraved sister. Some may wonder and question why do victims put up with the abuse, why do that stay, they may even start criticizing the victim for staying and putting up with the abuse, which is wrong on so many levels. But I get it, they can not understand or get a grasp of what it is like for the victim or what the victims frame of mind is, sometimes the victims themselves do not understand it either. Instead of criticizing maybe show some empathy, let them know they are not alone that there is help out there, they may not hear it or want to but it just may be you who gets thru to them, helps give them the courage to take that first step. National Domestic Violence Hotline in the US is 800 799-SAFE (7233) Thank you EL Dubois for sharing this story, my heart goes out to you and all victims of abuse.

Sarah Sampino is a talented narrator and voice artist. She does an amazing job telling this story, bringing the characters and their story to life. She sets the perfect tone for the story and you could hear the characters emotions as well as the drama of the story reflected in her performance, you could hear Beauty’s despair, hopelessness and much more as the story goes on. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another amazing listen🎧

Still crying. Such an emotional ride!

WOW not a book for the faint hearted because it’s based on real life. Heartbreaking in its descriptive, brutally realistic happenings,how does anyone survive such brutality and not lose themselves. My heart goes out to the author for living this hell and making it to the other side with a heart that can still love and care about her Princess and her Knight.

El DuBois you are an incredibly strong, beautiful woman and I love that you survived and made it to your happy place.

Sarah Sampino was amazing in this audiobook. I’m not sure but it may be my first audiobook with her performing and I really felt her emotions throughout the audiobook. I felt how moved this story made you and you made me feel it right along with you.

I feel honoured to have won a copy of this audiobook. And appreciate the chance you gave me in listening to this audiobook.

5 Huge hearted stars and beyond.
There are a lot of triggers for and one who has experienced violence so please be careful it that is you.

So happy that you survived your past so many women and children don’t so honour your chance at life and grab it with both hands and hold it close to your heart and live girl live!

Heartbreaking Story

OMG! This story is heartbreaking. My poor heart was shattered into a million pieces. Domestic violence isn't an easy subject to write about it, and to read/listen to. I cried, a lot, while listening to this audiobook, and I had to take some pauses. The triggers are pretty intense. Beauty, her little Princess, and their Knight are wonderful characters. I love Beauty, immensely. She is a beautiful and strong survivor. Her Knight in shining armor is handsome, protective and supportive. The Beast is a horrible person, like his mother and sister. The storyline is dark, filled with drama, domestic violence, and, fortunately, hope. Sarah Sampino did a brilliant, and an emotional reading of this story. The cover is beautiful. This wasn't an easy listen, but I am glad the author shared this story with us.

Not really my cup of tea.

I was giving this book for free for my honest review.

I honestly did not care for the book. It was really hard to get through. The storyline was slow, I found it hard to follow. I also just couldn't get through the violence..
I also found the narration not what I have been use to.
now my feelings about this book are my own. Please listen or read the book for your self and form your own opinions.
I would recommend it for that reason.