Summary
Information is power, and those who control it live like gods.
In my world,
billionaires
play deadly games of insult and influence where magic is the dirtiest
weapon of all. Here, even a powerful princess can be swallowed by the
darkest of shadows . . .
My name is Alana Beaumont, and due to a
recent tragedy, I’m the sole heir to Aquarius Social, a family business
being systematically dismantled by an unseen enemy. My father’s solution
is to give me in marriage and create a coalition with a competing
family, so I’m torn between my thirst for revenge and my duty. Now I
just have a week to finish my hunt before the wedding.
There’s
nothing like an assassination attempt to cut short the best of
plans—even worse is my unwanted rescue by Thorn Beathach, the Beast
whose social media empire is driving Aquarius under. The richest, most
ruthless of them all, he protects his realm with an iron rule: no one
sees his face. When he shows himself to me, I know he’ll never let me
go.
Thorn may think he can lock me in his castle forever, but I’m
not the docile Beauty he expects. If the Beast wants to tie me up, I’m
going to take pleasure from every minute of it . . .and we’ll just see
who ends up shackled.
Review
I didn’t know what to expect of this story, but I was open. I knew it was a spin on the Beauty and the Beast fairytale and was curious to see how this author would handle it.
This is a new series and she is off to a great start!
We’re in a world parallel to that of the Dark Protectors as a Kayrs is mentioned. In this world there are four powerhouse families that run social media, but no one (except them) know that likes, follows, hearts, etc grant these families literal power. Each family has a stone (diamond, garnet, aquamarine, etc) and popularity online generates power that feeds their family stones. These stones allow for the four families to amass wealth, health, and power. Each family has someone who feeds the stones and starts the process. The four families are competitors.
Thorn Beathach is the head of the family whose stone is garnet and is also the stone feeder for the family. Alana’s family stone is aquamarine and she is the stone feeder for her family. Unfortunately, her family has fallen to the bottom of the tier of four. Her father has plans for a merger to the Sokolov family through marriage of her and the youngest Sokolov heir. Little does anyone know that Alana is being watched and coveted by a mysterious man who has plans for her that do not include her marrying anyone but him.
I enjoyed this book wholeheartedly. There are multiple side stories running at the same time as the overall “love story” between Thorn and Alana. There is a mystery surrounding Alana’s childhood. There’s a mystery surrounding the recent death of Alana’s brother. And most importantly, there is a mystery surrounding Thorn Beathach and his beastly ways.
I will definitely continue with this new series of Zanetti’s.
*thanks to Netgalley for an ARC
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