Book Review: Grim Lovelies

Grim Lovelies (Grim Lovelies #1)

By: Megan Shepherd

Published By: HMH Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: October 2, 2018

Page Count: 384

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: ARC Kindly Provided by Publisher via NetGalley

Young Adult - Fantasy

I'm a huge fan of Megan Shepherd's writing, so when I began to hear murmurings about this new series, I knew I needed to check it out as soon as possible. Shepherd has taken a page from fairy tales and merged it with a gritty urban fantasy world set in the lushness of Paris. The combination of elements along with Shepherd's stellar wordsmith skills makes for a darkly delightful read.

Anouk is seventeen, but she has no memories of her life before this age. She knows little about her past aside from the fact that she was once an animal of some sort. Paris is controlled by powerful magical beings and the witch who made her wields her power like a weapon against anyone who stands in her way of fame and glory. Anouk has never stopped to linger over her existence. She loves the witch who made her like a child loves its mother. Anouk works as a servant with others who were made with the same spell that gave her human life.

The covert magical world that exists alongside modern day Paris was fascinating. Various groups such as shadow royals, witches, and goblins practice magic as humans (aka Pretties) go about their day to day lives never suspecting that darkness and magic exist all around them. The way this world is constructed focuses on a political structure where a oligarchy exercises power over those without magic or vast wealth. The Shadow Royals are at the top of the magical food chain and they lord this position over the witches and goblins. In fact, the goblins have it far worse than the other magical beings. I found myself firmly rooting for Tenpenny and his pals. I couldn't help but think of this political structure in terms of the French Revolution and the various estates that caused such turmoil. Like Shepherd's world, the French Revolution was a direct result of power being concentrated in the hands of the wealthy.

A battle is on the horizon after Anouk's creator is murdered in her bedroom. Anouk and the other Beasties are prime suspects in the witch's murder which forces them to flee the city of lights. As they race against the clock to hold onto their humanity, the Beasties will learn more about their true nature as well as the internal workings of the magical hierarchy. Can they rise above their humble animal origins and truly embrace their potential?

If you're looking for an epic fast paced adventure full of magic and intrigue, this is the perfect fall read for you. I loved the setting and characters which leaves me with high hopes for the sequel.

One Last Gripe: I wanted different outcomes for some of the characters.

Favorite Thing About This Book: The world building

First Sentence: From the front-turret window of Mada Vittora's Paris townhouse, Anouk couldn't see the fountain at the far end of Rue des Amants.

Favorite Character: Anouk

Least Favorite Character: The Prince

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 bestselling author Megan Shepherd, Grim Lovelies is an epic and glittering YA fantasy. 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.