The Belles: Discover your new dark fantasy obsession from the bestselling author of Netflix sensation Tiny Pretty Things

The Belles is a BEAUTIFUL, rule-bending book that will leave you gasping for more, all while being astounded by Clayton’s writing and the powerful message this book holds. Let’s break it down: 1. The world was INSANE. Set in the Kingdom of New Orleans, where all people except The Belles are born with grey skin, straw hair and blood red eyes, this book captures, at it’s very essence, everybody’s need to be beautiful. Belles can change the inward manner and outward appearance of anybody using their Arcana, for a prince of course, and you’re truly shown the lengths people will go to get to what they want to look like. 2. This book begins when a new generation of Belles presents themselves to court, their relationship with each other and their gifts and most of all, the insanity and politics surrounding beauty. 3. I REALLY liked a lot of the characters in the book, and I wished we saw more of others, but for some reason, I didn’t fall in love. I expected to be blown away like I was with Tiny Pretty Things, the last Dhonielle Clayton book I read, but that final element was just missing. 4. I guess that (^) has something to do with THE SHEER AMOUNT OF QUESTIONS I HAD including: A) What is the birth process of a Belle like? WHAT DOES COMING FROM ROSES MEAN? B) How does the Arcana and “cutting and shaping with a knife” and “inserting metal rods” really work when a Belle is altering someone’s appearance? It was all so vague and I was left a little clueless. Also, C) HOW LONG IS A BELLE IN COURT FOR? When does the next generation come? HOW IN THE WORLD DO POST-BALLOONS WORK? What are tea-cup animals? 5. While I did have a lot of questions, I also loved a lot of the characters. I ADORED Remy, especially with his gruff exterior and his heart of gold. He was a softball with his three sisters and I absolutely LOVED him. I also cannot WAIT to see more of him in the next book. 6. I did like all of The Belles, but honestly, I’m so excited for the inevitable character growth that they’ll go through in the next book as they learn to deal with the fact that everything they’ve ever known is gone. They were sort of… plain characters and I didn’t really love or hate any of them. 7. Surprisingly, I LOVED Dhonielle Clayton’s portrayal or Princess Sophia. It was intense, ingenious writing and really showed you the internal madness most woman go through (not to that extent, though) to be the “most beautiful.” Honestly, you guys, THE HYPE IS REAL. This book will not be what you’re expecting it to be, nor is it like anything you’ve ever read before. It is a masterpiece, in every sense of the word, and I can’t wait to see where Clayton takes us in the sequel! 4 stars.

I love this book so much even after finishing it a month ago I still think about the amazing ending definitely one of my favorites