Cover Image: The Court that Bleeds Gold

The Court that Bleeds Gold

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I really, really liked this book! I’m super impressed this is an indie author and self-published.

The fae world resembles The Folk of the Air series, but the story is closer to Beauty & the Beast. Despite knowing the general story, it’s still interesting, likeable characters, and a unique enough plot to keep me reading. I really want to know what happens in part two. If you enjoyed The Cruel Prince, you’ll enjoy this new adult (aka spicier) version, too.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

Four and a half
This debut is a fabulous start to what I believe is going to be a trilogy. I am so loving the recent spate of romance involving the Fae and this Fae Prince is everything I wanted powerful, cunning and of course besotted by the heroine. Eleanor is a human with an affinity for metals that sadly sees her making a bargain with a terrifying Fae . Of course he turns out to be so much more than she expected with secrets that bring shocks and surprises along the way. They might start out as enemies but both see a different side to the other although if it's a happy ever after you desire well it's not exactly on the cards yet because of those pesky secrets !
Eleanor is such an impulsive, curious character that it's easy to get behind her. Ruskin is a character with many facets and it's going to be a fun ride I think as their journey progresses. Expect thoroughly nasty, twisted Fae , a sassy heroine and of course passion but I've a feeling we are going to learn a whole lot more about the two Courts of Faeries !
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

Was this review helpful?

The Court that Bleeds Gold is an epic fantasy romance debut novel that is a fun retelling and twist of both Beauty and the Beast and Rumpelstiltskin. Zara Storm is able to write a truly engaging story that is fast paces and kept me wanting one more chapter late into the night. I was able to read through this book so quickly as I felt fully immersed in this world and attached to the characters and their story.

Eleanor and Ruskin are our main characters and I found them both flawed but likeable in spite of theirs flaws. Zara was also able to beautifully execute their slow-burn enemies to lovers romance and the tension was definitely there during all of their interactions. There are some low spice and dark scenes but do not detract from the story and are written well that they left me with so many emotions.

The book does end in a cliffhanger and now I am stuck here wondering when we will get the second installment because I need to know what happens next! Overall a very fun and enjoyable book and will be highly recommending to others. Thank you NetGalley and Relay Publishing for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

This is a reimagined Beauty and the Beast retelling set in the land Faerie. It has a strong female lead. I really enjoyed this book. It was well written, the set up is fantastic and has great world building. It has a bit of spice but not too much where it takes away from the story. The plot twists and turns were well executed and had purpose as opposed to just being there to shock the reader.
The only downside: IT IS ONLY THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES. And i already want more. I would recommend this to anyone that likes Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity, and a wonderfully morally grey male lead. If you like ACOTAR or similar you will enjoy this read! It is a slow burn but keeps you engaged

Was this review helpful?

I received this book from NetGalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! The world building is amazing and it’s so well written! I was a little iffy during the prologue, but then it picked up and I couldn’t put it down. There’s obviously inspiration taken from beauty and the beast and other grim fairytales, rumple stilskin comes to mind too and I Loved all the characters. This is not a Disney retelling lol it’s darker but also not terribly graphic. The spice level was just right and I enjoyed the plot as well.

The only thing I didn’t like was the ending leaves you hanging, so I imagine there will be more to come in the series. I’m not really a fan of ending that don’t wrap up things but that’s a me issue.

Overall it was a really enjoyable read and a wonderful debut novel from the author. Absolutley recommended!

Was this review helpful?

Excellent debut novel! “The Court that Bleeds Gold” is a fantastic twist on both the Rumpelstiltskin and Beauty and the Beast tales set in a Fae court. The story is engaging and well-written and reads at a fast pace. I flew through this book and enjoyed it immensely. It's an entertaining read with enough surprises to keep you guessing.

The main characters, Eleanor and Ruskin, are both likeable characters despite their flaws and are easy to connect with. The supporting characters are entertaining and engaging and I wouldn't mind seeing more about them in future books.

In addition to the fantasy, I would categorize this book as a slow-burn enemies to lovers romance that the author executed well. The pacing of the interactions between the characters is excellent and believable and it was easy to relate to what they were feeling as their relationship progressed. There are a few moderately spicy and dark scenes but they feel entirely appropriate to the story and again, are very well-written.

The book does end on a bit of a cliffhanger so I will be eagerly awaiting the sequel to find out what happens next to Eleanor and Ruskin!

*I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A great debut in this series with good worldbuilding and character development. We have Eleanor as our lead in this story, and she makes a great main character as she is smart, always calculating her next move and has sass. She's an alchemist who's trying to create gold when she finds herself imprisoned by the human king. In a desperate attempt to try and get her freedom back, she makes a deal with a fae who's known for his brutal deals.
She ends up in the world of faerie trying to work out how to get back to the human world whilst fighting her growing attraction to the very fae that brought her here. Reading as Eleanor and Ruskin's relationship developed and then we finally get a bit of spice too. This story was fast-paced and kept you drawn in, I'm excited for the next book in the series to see where we go from that ending.

Was this review helpful?

I was given this ARC and this review is my honest opinion.

This story was a fantasy retelling of Rumplestiltskin and beauty & the beast combined, and it was well done. I love Beauty & the Beast, and usually don’t see anyone doing Rumplestiltskin retellings, so thought this would make for an interesting read.

I love the wit and dynamics of Eleanor and Ruskins banter, and the way Ruskin acted about situations was more realistic and personable than some “villain” characters.

THE. ENDING. 😩 I was not ready for that cliffhanger, especially thinking this was a standalone. Shew. I need more.

Was this review helpful?

A wonderful story with twists that would make the fae proud. Eleanor works with metals, hoping to make gold and help her family and village while their king cares nothing for his people. Through the selfish decisions of people around her, Eleanor ends up having to put her faith in a known trickster fae and hope that his bargain doesn’t kill her.

This book was engaging and a great read! I found myself pulled in, wanting to know what new information would be discovered next. Zara Storm wrote a fantastic tale, and my only complaint is that I’m left wondering what happens next.

Was this review helpful?

I am so thankful I had the opportunity to read this book! Wow! I really enjoyed all the story building, the tropes and the #romantasy this book was filled with. I could not out this book down!! While I can see where the author pulled inspiration from other author, it was nice because some of those other authors novels I hold close to my heart, this was a wonderful addition to that! Posted on Goodreads- unavailable in Canada on Amazon and Indigo.
Thank you for an incredible read!!

Was this review helpful?

𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 📖

“Why do you want to help me, if you’re so certain I’m the villain?”

Ok well I wasn’t ready for THAT ending.

The premise of this book sucked me in and the amazing host of characters kept me there.

I’m a sucker for a fae romance but especially when it sticks very closely to the mythology or true names and iron weaknesses.

The romance is very much a slow burn and I was starting to panic at points but it made the relationship progress in a more natural way and I loved that.

The only downside to this book if I had to pick one was that it was a singular POV I would have given my ring finger for a look into the mind of Ruskin.

I’m assuming by the way it ended there will be more books in this series and I am so intrigued to find out more

Was this review helpful?