The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

The Belles (Belles, #1)

by Dhonielle Clayton

Camellia Beauregard is a Belle. In the opulent world of Orléans, Belles are revered, for they control Beauty, and Beauty is a commodity coveted above all else. In Orléans, the people are born gray, they are born damned, and only with the help of a Belle and her talents can they transform and be made beautiful.

But it’s not enough for Camellia to be just a Belle. She wants to be the Favorite—the Belle chosen by the Queen of Orléans to live in the royal palace, to tend to the royal family and their court, to be recognized as the most talented Belle in the land. But once Camellia and her Belle sisters arrive at court, it becomes clear that being the Favorite is not everything she always dreamed it would be. Behind the gilded palace walls live dark secrets, and Camellia soon learns that the very essence of her existence is a lie—that her powers are far greater, and could be more dangerous, than she ever imagined. And when the Queen asks Camellia to risk her own life and help the ailing princess by using Belle powers in unintended ways, Camellia now faces an impossible decision.

With the future of Orléans and its people at stake, Camellia must decide—save herself and her sisters and the way of the Belles—or resuscitate the princess, risk her own life, and change the ways of her world forever.

Reviewed by layawaydragon on

4 of 5 stars

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TW: Attempted Rape, Queer Girl Gets Tortured to Death

Slow building in-depth fantasy with nothing but diversity? Of course I jumped at the chance to read this. I'm really into the world and unpacking of beauty.

But as a fat, ugly woman it's too painful. It doesn't even begin to really acknowledge fatness. It's goddess curves vs athletic slims. And those whose curves are in the wrong places with more volume? I don't even want to think about it...

Ugh. With the attempted rape and the girl-loving character getting fucked over hard, I just...can't. I didn't finish it. I don't know if I can go back to finish it.

I'm sure it'll be great for the vast majority of YA fans for the diversity and the lessons and the expanding of horizons and all that. But for me? It does nothing but bring slow, awkward pain. I'll be sending my copy on with a trigger warning for someone else to try. I can't even look at it without feeling punched in the gut and incredibly sad. Oh well :(

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  • 16 February, 2017: Reviewed