Friday, October 25, 2013

Review: Dark Angel by T.J. Bennett

Title: Dark Angel: A Gothic Fairy Tale
Author: T. J. Bennett
Genre: Fairy Tale Retelling
Source: Entangled Edge
Release Date: October 21, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

When young widow Catherine Briton is washed ashore, the sole survivor of a violent shipwreck, all she wants is to go home to London. But injured as she is, she can’t escape when a shadowy stranger rescues her and takes her to his castle—where she’s healed with suspicious, almost magical speed.

The more time Catherine spends in the castle, the more her curiosity rises where her fiercely handsome new "master," Gerard, is concerned. As she begins to investigate, though, her discoveries only bring more questions. It seems Gerard isn't the only one on the island keeping secrets…

The small town is full of strange mysteries and townspeople who know more than they should about her. And when a hulking beast that stalks the nearby hills and valleys catches up to her, Catherine must figure out what’s going on before it’s too late.


I've always thought Beauty and the Beast had a dark side to it.  Dark Angel brings that side out and makes it the star of the show.  Haunting and mysterious, Gerard and his island bring an aspect of the beast to life that I hadn't seen before.  Catherine was a perfect Beauty, without being too innocent.  The two are a perfect match for each other from the very beginning.

The story begins with Catherine washing up on the shores of a strange and magical island where Gerard is the Master in all possible ways.  Used to getting things how he wants and when he wants, Catherine's force of will is a refreshing change and he instantly knows that she will change is life forever.

The ending of Beauty and the Beast is what makes the story so special.  It's the ultimate true love story - falling in love with the person inside instead of relying on appearances.  Dark Angel's ending was the most magical fairy tale ending I've ever read.  The perfect retelling.


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2 comments:

  1. Awesome! I just picked this one up last nigh. I'm stoked to read it!

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  2. Let me know what you think of it. I've heard really good things from other reviewers as well.

    ReplyDelete