Interesting read
Good story
Well written
Enjoyable

A sci-fi retelling of Beauty and the Beast? That was all I needed to know about Rita Stradling’s Ensnared to know that it must be mine. No doubt there would be comparisons to Marissa Meyer’s Cinder, but if this made me feel anything like I did while reading Cinder, I knew I’d be a happy gal.

Unfortunately, I did not have those same feelings. Instead, I had a really hard time getting into this. I loved the concept, but I felt it took a long time to really get going and there were some big holes in the plot with certain events that were referenced but weren’t otherwise put into context and it made it difficult to connect the scenes. I also had a ton of questions that were never answered and so many things just sort of came out of left field without ever being alluded to before. 

Likes I said, I loved the concept, but I had a really hard time believing the Beast character was a beast. Sure, he looked deformed and preferred to stay out of the light and had an issue with germs that sort of came out of nowhere, but he wasn’t overly mean or cruel and in the moments when maybe he was, in his defense, he thought Alainn was a robot built for him, not a human girl. I just didn’t think this aspect of the traditional story-line translated that well into the sci-fi plot-line. 

The last half of the book picked up somewhat, but there were a lot of things happening and it all kind of seemed thrown together and by that point, I wasn’t overly invested so it didn’t make a huge impact on me. When you thought it was over, there was another whole part that to me, seemed a bit unnecessary and just drew everything out for too long.

I read an advanced copy, so hopefully things are tightened up a bit more in the final release. Though this used to be slated for December and it looks like the release date was moved so who knows. There are a few books lately that retell Beauty and the Beast really well and a few others that tackle the robot thing a lot better. If that’s what you’re looking for, sadly this isn’t where you’ll find it.

I really enjoyed this book! While the ending was wrapped up a little TOO neatly, it was really great and satisfying for a stand-alone book. I do have a couple questions about the tower and whatnot, but if there IS another novel I'm hoping that it'll answer any lingering questions for me.

An insanely entertaining book

This was such an immersive story, I selected it because it was so obviously a 'Beauty and the Beast' variation. I must admit that this is one of best of said variations I have ever read. It was the kind of story that has you contemplating Artificial Intelligence, robots, the morality of machines and, the possibility of a world run by such machines. I'm not usually 'into' reading about that kind of thing, I prefer watching it. Too often that kind of stuff is too 'sci-fi' for me but this book was far from a tedious read.

Alainn is a the leading woman, the daughter of a genius and sister to an aspiring academic. She doesn't always belong and what makes matters worse is she doesn't always like her father's revolutionary robotic creations....

With the threat of her father's imprisonment, she embarks on a very devious adventure which only becomes more dangerous by the second... Will she find an escape, is her life at risk?

Definitely the book for older teens - 16+

The story, at times, reminded me of the film Smart House 1999 (how is it that all these years later no such house is on the market?) as well as Passengers 2016 and Uncanny/Android 2015. I was also reminded of the novel Girl Before by J. P. Delayney. It was also quite like Joyo Moyes best-selling novel, Me Before You - the whole annexe/ tower thing. Hopefully my many references will entice you to give this novel a read- if the Smart House one doesn't work, nothing will. Fans of all will appreciate this fine novel, but do not forget that it is, at heart, a love story of a tale as old as time itself.

Though for an adaptation of a classic, this novel deviated from the script the most. For instance, there is less of an emphasis on Alianne's love for reading in comparison to her love for skiing. Sure, you can get rid of the repulsive Gastón but keep the beautifully abundant library of books! I think that single omission was a step too far.

Nonetheless, a five star read.

I received this book through NetGalley.

I really, really enjoyed this - I wasn't sure what to expect when I went in, apart from the B&B theme (with robots!), but it was really well done. I liked the characters, the romance wasn't immediate and I liked that it took time for them to develop feelings for each other. On the other hand, the AI's were super creepy. Overall, it was a good book.

It was an interesting read but didn't feel original. More on RamblesandBooks Goodreads review.

Beauty and the Beast is my favourite fairy tale of all time so I was hoping to enjoy this futuristic take on the story, and I did to a certain degree. I really liked the science fiction, futuristic take on the story and the little nods to the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast, eg the father being an inventor and the use of 'Rose' etc. However, I know it's fantasy, or rather science fiction, but the romance is so completely unrealistic.

I really enjoyed the first half of the book but the romance element and the slow pace of the second half kind of blew it for me. I am a huge fantasy and sci-fi fan but, I admit, I'm not a huge fan of the romance genre, mainly because it is so often totally unrealistic and over the top. Maybe this is a case of 'it's not you, it's me'. Maybe...

I've been on and off with this book so many different occasions and just did not find myself enjoying this book. Which is kind of disappointing to me since I do love retelling and high hopes for this book. Unfortunately it just fell flat to me.

There are many, many re-tellings of the classic Beauty and the Beast plot. Few, that I have read, decide to do so in a futuristic setting with robots. Enter Mrs. Stradling's novel "Ensnared".

This work was not what I expected, and I mean that as high praise. Trying to describe this book as "Beauty and the Beast with Robots" is so inadequate to convey the layered and well-told story within. Leave your assumptions aside, for you will be surprised!

I have gone back and already re-read the book several times since I first received it. It's easy to finish in a single afternoon, yet compelling enough to pick up again, especially when it comes to catching everything that happens toward the end. And boy, what an ending! It's fantastic.

Additionally, I really enjoyed the three distinct settings we get throughout the book, and how each brings out Alainn's past and personality in a different way, until we get a fully rounded character leading us through this great story.

In all, a fun read, and re-read, and re-read!

I received a review copy of this work from the publisher through NetGalley

*I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

This was a very interesting take on Beauty & The Beast. I am very glad I read it. It was awesome reading the story where the beast isn't actually turned into an animal and he doesn't kidnap her. He isn't an asshole to her-- at all. So, all around it started as a decently healthy relationship, until you remember he thinks she is a robot.... that is a bit weird, but somehow I feel it is better than a woman falling in love with a part-animal, also there is a part in the book where a scientist remarks about pheromones or something about humans always unconsciously knowing when they are with another human sooooo...... not as creepy?

The biggest missing piece? World-building!
I had no idea what century we were in or how advance society was or in what ways robots were being used. Somethings were weird....like Lor's building (also, how does he get food???). Mentioning that people's jobs would be replaced by androids, but besides Rose, the others seem very basic... how far along are those? what other work do those androids do regularly? Why the switch???
So many questions about this world--seriously.

The romance part, as I mentioned was a bit weird because of the robot aspect, but the slow build up was nice. No one was in love at first sight.

I would recommend this book to people who like Beauty & The Beast and to those who like romance.

Really enjoyed reading this book!! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

I like reading fairytale retellings. There’s something fascinating about a new spin on an old favourite. On picking up this book, I thought it looked promising – a near future version of Beauty and the Beast. Alainn goes into captivity in place of an android named Rose to keep her father out of prison. Honestly, after finishing the book, I reckon she shouldn’t have bothered.

The first half of the book wasn’t bad, as it chronicled the growing relationship between Alainn and Lorcann, a scarred billionaire recluse with a phobia of germs and other humans. An android is therefore the perfect companion, in his eyes.

It was just about 51% of the way through that I got seriously squicked. There’s something off about two people falling in love and having sex when one is still under the impression that the other is a robot. There’s a level of dishonesty there that is later handwaved but I can’t get past. I avoided throwing my iPad across the room but put the book down for at least two weeks.

When I did, I found the novel took a left turn from romance to techno-thriller. It all seemed sudden and unnecessary, especially the Cara plotline, and like an excuse to avoid the honest communication that the first half lacked. The only bright spot was Colby taking his sister to task for steamrolling over a girl’s anxiety.

While this wasn’t a badly written book, spelling and grammar-wise, something about its handling of mental illness left me uncomfortable, and the resolution felt rushed and unsatisfying. As such, I can only give it two robotic stars.

This story was beautifully written and would definitely read again! Along with recommending it to friends. I think this integration of robots made the story even more mystical with a bit of an edge to it. Awesome read!

Even though I’ve been burned in the past by fairytale retellings, I had to give Ensnared by Rita Stradling a chance. I mean, look at that cover! Though now there are two covers, the delightful one I used for this post, but also a sleek blue one, both are fitting and intriguing. Beauty and the Beast with a twist and in the future. That’s what it was marketed as, and that’s what I got. Straight, simple, to the point.

Set in a future full of advanced AI, Alainn is forced to go undercover as a robot ordered by reclusive millionaire Lorccan to keep her father from prison. Though she doesn’t want to, and it definitely wasn’t her plan, she goes along with it. Things proceed exactly as you think it would considering it’s a retelling. What makes it really stand out is the use of AI. It’s truly unsettling and definitely makes you think twice about giving Siri or Alexa access to everything.

This was well-paced, the romance was soft and easy (there is sex so keep that in mind if you’re picking this up). Characters were developed just enough to make you want to continue the story, and the world building enough to sustain the plot. I’m sure if the book were longer, or made into a series, there would be some serious snags, but as is, Ensnared by Rita Stradling is a truly enjoyable sci-fi rendition of Beauty and the Beast that I thoroughly adored.

I really love Beauty and the Beast retellings, but I don't think I've ever read a sci-fi version before. In Ensnared, AIs and robots are commonplace. Alainn’s father works with cybernetics and has designed an AI, Rose, who might just be too smart for comfort. There are two very different covers listed for this book at the moment and I'm not sure either really suits the story. This is a light-weight romance, but there's a fair bit of action and interesting tech stuff going on too.

I liked the relationship between Alainn and Lorccan. Both were interesting characters in their own rights, and I liked seeing them find their chemistry. The villain, Rose, is suitably creepy and her motivations are ambiguous for a good chunk of the story. There are some great side characters who grow in importance very organically as the story progresses. My favourites were Alainn's adorable robot monkey helpers. I loved all of the sci-fi elements and discussions of artificial intelligence.

I did have a couple of plot issues. It seemed that Alainn's deception went on for too long. It was necessary for their relationship to develop, but I just thought that there were plenty of opportunities for Alainn to come clean. Especially, when things started to go wrong with the plan. Speaking of Rose's plan, in typical evil genius fashion, it just felt a little too OTT and unrealistic to be truly believable. Despite any plot holes or inconsistencies, this is a fun, fast-paced and charming story and the likeable characters make up for it.

There's a number of mental health issues brought up in Ensnared but I didn't feel like it was consistently well done. I'd like to see what reviewer with similar mental health conditions thought. Lorccan's fear of the outside world and germs aren't made fun of, and Alainn never makes his needs out to be an inconvenience. There's no magical fix at the end either. Shelley, a secondary character, has anxiety, and although she struggles and runs away at one point, she challenges herself and is shown to be brave in her own way. On the other hand, Lorccan's parents, who seem to have a similar germphobia, are hugely abusive and described as 'insane'. So, overall, the rep here is a bit of a mixed back.

This review will go up on my blog, Foxes & Fairytales, on 15 July.
https://foxesfairytale.wordpress.com/2017/07/12/review-ensnared-2

Overall, I enjoyed the writing style of this author. I'm an absolute sucker for Beauty and the Beast retellings, but the futuristic setting is what really caught my attention. It's extremely creative and fun to read. I think that the worldbuilding could be strengthened, since this is a futuristic setting and requires a lot of descriptions without overwhelming the reader.

I really need to stop getting so excited over fairy tale re-tellings when they end up disappointing me. Ensnared is marketed as a Beauty and the Beast spin. I absolutely adored the Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer so I thought this would be good too, especially since it's futuristic. But I should have gone with my gut early on and not bothered with this one. 

I'll give this book props for being unique. I certainly haven't read anything like it before. And throwing in the robots and AI with the re-telling? Definitely a new twist. 

After that, it goes downhill. 

I expected a romance, of course, with the tale being spun, but this one just didn't deliver. They're both highly dependent on the other and not in a good way. I never felt anything between them either. They just... were.  It wasn't the worst I've read, mind you, but I wasn't feeling much from it. 

There was a lack of world-building as well. I think the author relied a lot on what the reader would bring into the story to flesh the world out and therefore focused less on developing it alongside the story. I needed more background on how the robots became a normal part of the world. If the world had been given more attention I think the plot would have worked out better (since it had its issues too, including more than was really needed and drawing the whole book out). 

Honestly I think this book could have been a lot shorter and the writing tightened up. Early on I had a feeling that I wouldn't enjoy this book which probably isn't fair to say before finishing the book but that feeling never went away. In the end I forced myself through to the end and will be wary of re-tellings in the future.

IMAGINE THIS, a new-adult Beauty and the Beast retelling with Futurama vibes, yah feel me?

The year is 2026, and Alainn Murphy's father, Connor Murphy, is facing the possibility of imprisonment if he fails to hand over the Rose 76GF robot he created for Mr. Garbhan by his deadline.

The Rose76GF is a spitting image of Alainn and was created to serve Mr. Garbhan in his massive germ-free castle for the duration of her robot life. However, Alainn's father is reluctant to give up the Rose robot because she has proven herself to be remarkably brilliant compared to his other creations. Rose76GF takes it upon herself to persuade Alainn to take her place in order to save their father from jail and promises to get Alainn out of Mr. Garbhan's castle within a few weeks. However, Alainn finds herself hestitant to leave because she has fallen in love with the germaphobic "beast".

Days turn into months at the Garbhan castle and Alainn, later on, learns of Rose76GF's betrayal and conspiracy to destroy the human race. Does Alainn have it in her to save her loved ones from a robot as evil as Bender?

This was such a cool spin on the traditional tale as old as time classic. If you're looking for a fun romance with a HEA, then you'll really enjoy this near-future retelling.