*I received an ARC ebook of this from NetGalley*

This book is advertised as a Beauty and the Beast retelling and it delivers. A cursed MMC, a misunderstood FMC, and true love to fix it all. I really enjoyed this story. It had me intrigued the entire time, not really sure where it was going to go. There were times at the beginning that felt more forced than necessary. Obviously this is a forced marriage, but at times Felix felt too forward while Arabella was too reluctant with the sexual stuff. Also, the end felt a little rushed like there was a time limit for how quickly we could wrap everything up.

That being said, this is not a bad review! I did love this story and would recommend it to people who like Beauty and the Beast and romantasies. It should also be noted that there are some graphic smut scenes.

A delightful retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast story filled with corset ripping moments and tingling foreplay by shadowy fingers between two troubled lovers. Maura gives us a classic romantasy of Arabella and Felix thrown together as they each face their troubled demons, while trying to save a country under a horrible spell. I too was under the spell throughout reading their story. So what happens next? Will their love survive? It's a fast and swoony read.

A Curse of Shadows and Ice (Deluxe Limited Edition) is a breathtaking enemies-to-lovers fantasy that wraps forbidden magic, a cursed emperor, and a reluctant royal marriage into a tale as sharp as ice and as seductive as shadow. Catharina Maura’s lush prose and emotional depth make Arabella and Felix’s journey unforgettable—equal parts fierce, tender, and utterly spellbinding. This edition is a collector’s dream, and the story within is pure romantasy gold.

Rating: 2.5/5

I'm so bummed about this book. I went into A Curse of Shadows and Ice excited, since Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite tales to see reimagined. The premise hooked me right away, and the opening felt full of promise. Unfortunately, once Felix brought Arabella to his castle, everything just went downhill from there. The dialogue often felt stiff, one-dimensional, and repetitive, which made it difficult to connect with the characters. The intimacy scenes were frequent but lacked the build-up and emotional depth I was hoping for, making them feel more gratuitous than natural (and again, repetitive). Certain lines pulled me out of the moment entirely ("you're doing so good," major ick), which is always a challenge when reading romance. On the whole, I’d give this one 2.5/5. I’ve certainly read weaker books, and this one had great potential, but it didn’t deliver in the way I hoped. A real shame, since the deluxe edition itself is absolutely stunning.

3⭐️
2.5 🌶️

So beauty and the beast retelling, overall I think it was easy to tell that’s what it was, and I really did enjoy that.
I enjoyed the characters, everything was fast paced, easy to read.

I did get a little bored, felt a little repetitive at times, especially with the nicknames.

It just unfortunately wasn’t my favourite, which really sucks as I had high hopes for it.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This was such a fun and magical Beauty and the Beast retelling. I really enjoyed how the story blended romance and fantasy, especially the magic, which added so much depth to the world. The dual POV worked really well, and I loved getting to see both Felix and Arabella’s perspectives.

Arabella completely stole my heart. She’s strong-willed, determined, and her character growth throughout the book kept me hooked. I also appreciated the world building, though I do wish there had been a little more detail about the curse itself and how deeply it impacted Felix.

The romance between Felix and Arabella was sweet and filled with tension. Their chemistry is undeniable, and I enjoyed watching their relationship grow from enemies to something so much more. The pacing felt steady, and even though I was expecting a darker story based on the blurb, I still liked how Arabella brought hope and light into the Shadow Emperor’s world.

This was a beautifully written fantasy romance with layered characters, a compelling romance, and a magical world I didn’t want to leave. Highly recommended!

My copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Forever for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was the best retelling of Beauty and the Beast that I've read in years. It felt like the old story but with some new tidbits that made it feel like it's its own story.

A new Beauty and The Beast retelling, and it is absolutely perfect <3 I really loved the twisted push and pull of the romance in this one, like it was really hard won 😭 ++ the actual curse and the way they handled it was so interesting to read!

TWs - physical domestic violence by a parent (on page)

-- ty to @/astoriabookshop for this gorgeous physical ARC at their book swap last week!

Found this one hard to get into at first and through out the story felt that some of the inner monologue/dialogue was a bit clunky at times compared to the tone and pace of the world building. Overall really enjoyed the ways Maura made the myth her own (especially with how often Beauty and the Beast is being redone now) and especially how she spun the ending.

This is not just an fairytale retelling l, it’s a dark romance with heavy non consensual themes on page. DNF at 25%.

"Sweet and sexy, A Curse of Shadows and Ice is a perfectly charming fresh take on a fairytale classic. Maura beautifully combines the familiar details of Beauty and the Beast with her own clever twists and turns, transforming the story you think you know into something new and distinctly hers. You'll definitely want to snuggle into this book with a warm blanket, a mug of tea, and a roaring fire."