Think twice if…
- Content warnings: Abuse, Child abuse (referenced), Domestic violence, Captivity, Violence, Graphic violence, Death of loved one, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault (referenced), Drugging, Drowning, Depression, Body horror
Of Thorns and Beauty
by Elle Madison
Book 1 in Twisted Pages
A Beauty and the Beast retelling with real teeth - Zaina is no passive princess but a desert spy navigating a Viking court full of deadly secrets, and the slow burn romance rewards your patience.
goodreads 4/5 3,826 ratings
Quick fit
Is this story right for you?
A decision-first view of the reading experience.
Length346 pages
Series statusCompleted series · 5 books
Spice1/5 · Tension / anticipation focus
PacingMedium
Story profile
What the story promises
The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.
Romance promise
- Enemies to lovers
- Male/female pairing (M/F)
- Slow burn
- Low
- Tension / anticipation focus
- The angst delivered
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- Brooding prince
- Slow burn with late spice
- Tension finally satisfied
- Secretly soft
- Grumpy sunshine
- Emotional intimacy focus
- Addictive read
- Dark/tortured soul
- Forbidden love
- Tension
- King / ruling monarch
- Betrayal to trust
- Longing glances
- Banter
- Possessive/protective
- Push and pull
Fantasy promise
- Fantasy romance
- Arranged marriage
- Royal court / palace
- High fantasy
- Humans only
- Beauty and the beast
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- Fairytale retelling
- Hidden identity
- Forced proximity
Reading experience
- First person
- Medium
- Dark
- Atmospheric
- Heavy
- High
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- General badass
- BIPOC MC
- Mysterious
- Spy/thief
- Romantic
- Immersive
- Survivor
- Intense
- Dramatic
- Snarky/sarcastic
- Deceptively deadly
- Angsty
- Tense
- Battle of wills
- Page turner
- Fairy tale retelling
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Different because
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Book details
- Length
- 346 pages
- Language
- English
- Format
- Book