Ensnared

Overall Thoughts:
I have done another review on this author and really enjoy her writing. Ensnared is a re-telling of Beauty and the Beast set in the future. Robots have become a part of everyday life in this new future; working as policeman, nurses, and even companions. It's pretty creepy.

What I liked:
– Alainn; pretty much everything about her. She was 24, which I really liked. She has had time to experience life and see what else is out there before falling in love with Lor. Alainn had been through a horrifying experience when she was only 17, which only strengthened the depth of her character. Overall, Alainn is caring, adventurous, witty, and fun to read.
– The romance between Alainn and Lor was more of a slow burn than an inferno, making it more realistic and believable. The love between Alainn and Lor seemed genuine and lasting.
– There weren't a lot of sexy scenes, but the few there were were well done. Somewhat graphic, but not vulgar. I would say appropriate for 16+.
– This was a very quick read and captured my interest within the first chapter. Like the last book I read from her, Making Bad Choices, it is a great book to read if you have an open afternoon and need a book to get your mind off things, without having to concentrate too hard on keeping up with the plot or characters.

What I didn’t:
– I liked the ending, but I wish it would have had just a little more. It didn't feel unfinished necessarily, but open.

Would I recommend this book to family and/or friends?
– Definitely

TLDR; Well-done retelling of Beauty and the Beast packed with romance, courage, and compassion. I'll be on the lookout for more from this author.

*Review posted on Goodreads now and will be posted on my blog in December 2017. Link will be updated then.

This book was crazy.

I generally avoid books about AI, because they totally creep me out, but this book was kind of awesome. Don't get me wrong, the AI still creeped me out, but I found myself overlooking the creepiness due to the amazing character that is Alainn. Her story was captivating and complex, and her character was just really well-written.

The concept and plot were both innovative and well thought out, and I really enjoyed them. I would definitely recommend this book to any fans of fairytales and science fiction. Excited to read more work from Stradling.

A unique and innovative new take on the traditional Beauty and the Beast fairy tale that invites questioning and analysis of the future of automation and AI.

Rose 76GF, a robot with AI built in Alainn Murphy's image, was commissioned by Lorccan Garbhan from Connor Murphy, Alainn's father and an inventor riddled with money problems. When her father is threatened with jail time for failing to produce Rose as scheduled, Alainn concedes to Rose 76GF's plan to take her place in Mr. Garbhan's uncontaminated, sealed building home. But what really is Lorccan looking for? And what are Rose 76GF's intentions? And what has Alainn gotten herself into?

A quick and fantastical read, Ensnared does a good job of painting a strange futuristic world filled with all powerful AI-enhanced robots, adorable monkey automatons, and the flawed humans at the center of it all. The plot is fast-paced and interesting (it does contain mature elements). Perhaps my only problem with the plot was that one storyline (the Cara Miller and the abduction plot) felt a little forced at the end with not enough foundation, but the overall story was well-laid out.

I would recommend this for all lovers of fairy tales who enjoy a sci-fi twist and beautifully flawed hero-heroine pair.

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a fair review!

This book came out of nowhere and stole my heart! I was not expecting how much I would love this book. Granted Beauty and the Beast is one of my all-time favourite Disney films but I’ve always been iffy about anything remotely resembling sci-fi.

Alainn is one of the most relatable characters I have ever read, the normal girl in a family of a unbelievably intelligent family. All the characters had flaws that were out in the open and it just made the book feel more real.

This book stole my life for 4 hours! The story is so absorbing and there were so many twists and turns that you would not expect. The inclusion of humanoids that can rewrite their own code was both interesting and slightly scary to think of.

The romance in this book was slow burn, definitely the best kind. They slowly spend time with each other and fall in love, and it is magical!

I whole heartedly loved this book and would recommend it to anyone that loves retellings, romance or a little bit of sci-fi!

Ensnared by Rita Stradling - A Romance, Sci-Fi story.

Alainn Murphy is 24 and the daughter of an absent minded inventor. Lorccan Garbhan is hideously scared and trapped in his home. "Sound familiar?"

This seemed to be a futuristic, adult version of Beauty and the Beast. I hate to call Lorccan a beast! He is definitely NOT! A scarred man that has no immune system. To think that in the future scars wouldn't have been fixed with skin grafts, nanobites or microbites or whatever, but hey the debate can go on and what do I know, for the sake of the story this is needed., so will forgive Rita for writing it that way. For the purpose of the story poor Lorccan had to have a reason to remain in the dark side of the light. I just found the whole idea of this story so out of the ordinary and engaging. I was hooked!. I could see this so turning into a horror, but glad it didn't!

I loved the gentle slow romance building between Alainn and Lor. I like seeing the lengths Lor goes to, to get back what he had with his Jade. Watching Alainn trying so hard to get back and doing what she thought Lor wanted but then really fighting for him was so great to read. I was surprise and very happy with the ending. I absolutely loved this book and would like to read more or Rita Stradling which I will definitely be look for.

I absolutely loved this book!!! The story line was new and refreshing. I also really liked how we read different pov.

I loved the premise of this book. A futuristic retelling of Beauty and the Beast — I couldn't wait to get started.

I had high hopes for this book, and it didn't disappoint. I adored the characterisation of Alainn — she will do anything to keep her father out of prison and if that means pretending to be a robot, then so be it!

Lorccan character was very complex, and Ms Stradling drew him with incredible skill — he was very real in the telling, and my heart did bleed for him. He is the modern day Beast, but instead of an enchantment locking him away, it was years of abuse — he has the scars on his face to prove it. He has never been outside, but now that he is alone he longs for human company, but fear keeps him a prisoner. For now, he will settle for a robot as a companion.

Ms Stradling, certainly likes to take her readers on a rollercoaster of emotions. One minute I found myself laughing out loud, the next I was in tears. I really came to care about the characters.

A lot happens in this book, and I don't want to give away any spoilers, but it is enough for me to say this is one super read. Although futuristic it is realistic. Ms Stradling is an exceptional storyteller with a gift for creating amazing imagery and characters you just can't help but love. I simply adored this new take on Beauty and the Beast.

Would I recommend? You bet ya!

*I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley for review consideration*

‘Ensnared’ is a fantastic re-telling of Beauty and the Beast. Perfect for fans of 'The Lunar Chronicles' by Marissa Meyer. It takes place in the near future, with slightly more advanced technology, including AI systems that run households and self-driving vehicles.

When Alainn’s genius father racks up serious debts between inventing robots and gambling, he takes a job from the wealthy recluse Lorccan, who is already happy with his work. Rosebud is the AI running his private tower home, a home where no human is welcome. When Alainn’s father and brother are unable to finish the new robot on time for Lorccan, the robot itself comes up with the idea for Alainn to take her place. Though Rose was modeled after Alainn and the two appear to be nearly identical, readers must employ a slight suspension of disbelief as Alainn joins Lorccan’s household without him realizing she is human.

As one might expect for a re-telling of Beauty and the Beast, Lorccan, wealthy recluse that he is, is physically scarred. Turns out he commissioned the life-like robot, Rose, for the purpose of becoming more comfortable with others, so that he may eventually interact with real people, face-to-face. Even the AI running his solitary tower, Rosebud, encourages Alainn to interact with him; to save him.

‘Ensnared’ takes on a life of its own, advancing beyond the usual Beauty and the Beast narrative, as Rose-the-robot advances past her programming and acts increasingly independently to further her own agenda.

The connections between the characters in this story are sweet and touching. The robotics and technology are explained with enough detail to be believable. Though we are not treated to singing candelabras, there are some adorable robot monkeys to look forward to.

I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

The story centers around Alainn who compared to her brother Colby and even her somewhat crazed father, is perfectly average. While her brother and father share a genius genetic that seems to pass her she prefers to be on the fresh powder in the mountains. Although she is beautiful she is haunted by the death of her friend after they were kidnapped a number of years ago. This becomes very important with crazed fathers terrifying AI robot Rose76GF but I digress. Aliann’s father is to be sent to prison if he does not hand over Rose to Lorccan (the guy who paid for her creation) since Rose refuses to go she convinces Alainn to pretend to be rose until Rosette (another AI model) can be made and then Alainn and Rosette can be switched. Needless to say this kind of goes parallel to the original Beauty and the Beast plot we all know and love. Alainn goes to the tower of Lorccan to save her fathers life during which time they fall in love (input scenes not suitable for children here) Rose is the mastermind behind some elaborate plan to kill Lorccan to save the masses (Ok Rose is probably the Gaston) Aliann saves Lorcann, he saves her, The End.
AND CAN I JUST SAY I was, and still am unsure how to feel about the (input scenes not suitable for children here). I mean he didn’t know Alainn was human… he thought she was an AI (whose name became Jade over Rose76GF). Sooooooo I was happy for Alainn but sorta creeped out by Lorcann here.

The Down and Dirty – The Review
Overall I really enjoyed Ensnared. As with most works there are areas for improvement but in this case the good makes those minor details irrelevant. I will say however the ending could have offered a bit more closure. Although the ending did not “leave you hanging” (I do not have any hopes for a sequel) it did however feel very abrupt and left open.
Ensnared was a quick read for me because once I got started I couldn’t stop and for me those are the best kind. The ones where you are fully vested and immersed in the lives of the characters you are exploring. The story line moved fast and slow in all the right places and made for a very nice pace throughout.
I would best describe this as Romantic Fairytale Twist with a Sci-fi Adventure and would recommend for anyone who can’t get enough YA, loves Fairytale Twists, and even general Sci-Fi buffs.

The score
Characters – 5. They were well thought out and really believable.
Plot – 4. I am going 4 simply because of the ending and the amount of “How?” and “Why?” I had throughout
Addiction Level – I should have made this an infinite number. I could not put it down! I was late to my Psych Class because I got sucked in whilst in the school parking lot. Either way this is definitely a 5

Since most places do not offer a 4.5 rating I am going to rate it as an overall 5. It was really well written and even with the ending issue I still enjoyed it.

I have a thing for retellings of fairy tales, and when they combine genres and time periods, well, just like "Cinder," you have my attention!

Stradling wove a really intricate tale in my opinion, and did it well. We're dealing with technology, a little sci fi, a little magic/fantasy, and of course, Beauty and the Beast.

Everything I need out of a story was here...stakes, a blossoming romance that felt real and not forced, and an ending that resonates and didn't feel contrived. Loved the book!

Ensnared is a futuristic take on Beauty and the Beast. I would equate this book to the TV show Humans in the way it brings together AI with personality and the humans who are interacting with it.
In Ensnared Rose is an AI built with a conciousness for a man who lives in his tower, never leaving or interacting with the outside world. Unfortunately Rose feels her AI is better spent fixing the worlds problems, leaving the young woman Alainn whom Rose was modeled after to take her place. Using some clever technology Alainn passes as the AI and moves into the white tower. What follows is her trying not to get found out while learning about the man, Lor, stuck in his white tower.
The book is interesting in the way it tackles the fairy tale and makes it so much more than a normal retelling. The story goes outside of just the tower and those characters weaving others into the telling and making them part of the larger picture. While the AI, Alainn, and Lor are the main characters you find yourself growing attached too.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Beauty and the Beast, AI, some romance/sexual situations, and a want to look at the story a new way.

I am a sucker for fairytale retellings, so when I saw this one, I was intrigued! “Ensnared” is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in the future where AI is becoming more common. Alainn’s father is an inventor who has been working on a Rose unit (which looks identical to Alainn) for an eccentric billionaire, Lorccan. The Rose unit has enough intelligence to fancy herself too important to do whatever it is Lorccan wants her to do- she can solve humanity’s problems! Rose and Alainn’s father (who also has a gambling addiction) decide to make a second Rose unit (Rosette) who will have less intelligence and be able to work for Lorccan, doing household chores or whatever it is he wants her for. However, Lorccan refuses to grant any extra time- and if they don’t deliver, Alainn’s father will go to jail for fraud.

Rose comes up with the solution- Alainn will pretend to be Rose for a few weeks until they can complete the Rosette unit. Wanting to keep her father out of prison, Alainn reluctantly agrees and Rose inserts some chips to make her detectable as AI. Upon arrival, Alainn discovers that all Lorccan wants her to do is have dinner with him- he has a weak immune system and has had no social interaction in person. Alainn begins to stir things up as she gets bored and her rescue seems distant. As Alainn and Lorccan spend more time together, other feelings begin to grow.

I was really glad this didn’t have a Stockholm element to it. Although Alainn is sent to Lorccan’s estate, it is by choice, and it seems like imprisonment/captor and prisoner scenario, which is a nice change from some of the Beauty and the Beast retellings. The beginning and first ¾ of the book is really strong and well done. The only thing I wondered about was how on earth he could not know she was not a robot- but as someone with limited social interaction, I am willing to buy it. The last ¼ of the book got a little stranger as things spiral out of control and we begin to learn more about Rose and her programming. There is also the story of Alainn and Cara which is alluded to and kind of explained, but not fully.

Regardless, I think it was still a strong book and much better than I would have expected! I really loved their relationship and the build-up of it was more believable than I would have thought. Also, I laughed at the allusion to ‘Citizen Kane’ towards the end (won’t spoilt it but it was clever). It was just about the right length and character development was good. Please note that I received an ARC through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

A new take on a timeless fairy tale. I found it interesting and would definitely recommend.

Rita Stradling has done an amazing job at this futuristic retelling of Beauty and the Beast. There is so much depth in the characters and the love scenes aren't overwhelming like a lot of books portray. Toward the end, I was on the edge of my seat, unable to figure out how the characters were going to get out of their situation. That's always a good book when I can't guess what was going to happen before it happens. Four stars for Ensnared!

I loved this version of a futuristic version of Beauty and the Beast with a little Terminator thrown in. There really isn't much I can say that you don't already know or that would give the plot away. I can say that I couldn't put the book down and that it's for adults and not children at all. Also that I am more scared of robots now then I was before.