Enchantment (The Kingdom Chronicles) Paperback – June 9, 2020

Yes! We finally get to see Prince Briar's story and learn about his curse. I have been eagerly anticipating this book every since finishing Reflection a few months back, and I can honestly say it was worth the wait.First, the main characters are very well developed. Maren reminded me of Rosie from Spelled. Her curiosity is probably one of her most prominent personality traits that shows up early in the book and never leaves. She goes through a lot of character growth and has a compelling backstory. Her personality matches Briar's surprisingly well. Briar is a character we got to know back in Reflection, but this time, he is alert and attentive. His journey was very satisfying. Of course, it was also fun to see cameo appearances from the previous books, particularly Drake and Rhea. Again, Camille Peters shows us some of the challenges of life after marriage without detracting from the current tale which is something I continue to appreciate.The main plot is one I very much enjoyed. The pacing was spot on. I read a lot of fairy tale books, but I have not seen this particular take on Beauty and the Beast yet. I loved how the magic gardens in this story are similar to the forest of Pathways. The various scenes and plants described are very detailed. Each plant and garden are ones I want to see for myself. Even without the characters and the plot, I could probably fall in love with this book for the descriptions alone, theyr'e that enchanting.In conclusion, this is a solid addition to the Kingdom Chronicles. With well-rounded characters, good plot development and pacing, and overall engaging writing style, this is definitely a book readers of fairy tales should pick up. If you've already read the previous books in this series, then you really won't want to miss this one!*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

There are only so many types of enchanted servants you can find in Beauty and the Beast retellings. But have you ever read one in which they're plants?I'll admit I actually haven't read that many B&B retellings, but I can say that out of them all, this one has to be the most unique! I loved that Camille Peters took a different approach to the fairytale by putting a spin on the rose garden part of the original story. Magical plants are so much fun to read about, and as soon as I read about the Maglavarian royal gardens in the previous installment of the series, I knew I was in for a treat. And of course, Camille's descriptions in this book are as breathtaking and vivid as I've come to expect from her writing, and in this book they truly shine!The characters, of course, continue to be delightful to read about and journey with. Prince Briar was a favorite from Reflection, and it was wonderful getting to know him better in his own story. Maren was a fun and quirky main character, impossible not to like. I also really liked Rhea's cameos here-- proof that happily-ever-afters aren't perfect endings!My only dislike for this book was in the overall writing style. The author uses words like "incredibly" or "amazing" far too much for the flow of narration, and there's only so many times I need to be told that he/she is incredibly sweet, kind, or gentle. But if you're not bothered by little things like that (or if you're willing to overlook them), you'll easily be swept away by this charming fifth novel in the Kingdom Chronicles.In short, this was really enjoyable. I've never read a B&B retelling that had me this frightened by the Beast! (Okay, so maybe "frightened" isn't the right word, but you'll see what I mean once you get there.) I don't think I'd be able to choose between this and Reflection, but who knows? I'm definitely excited for Camille's next release!For anyone in search of a fresh and meaningful retelling of an almost tired fairytale, you'll find quite a gem in Enchantment.*I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. A positive review was not required; all views and opinions expressed are my own.*

This is such a beautifully written story that I was captivated and enchanted from the start—it was impossible to put it down, and I spent three nights in a row getting roughly two and a half hours of sleep! But Maren and Briar were worth that lack of sleep. I enjoyed watching their friendship unfold and bloom, and both were relatable in their strengths and weaknesses. As with her other novels, one of Ms. Peters' greatest talents in this story is her ability to make you feel like you're there—she has the gift of depicting through written words a scene so perfectly that you can practically see, hear, feel, and smell the flowers, trees, grass, and water. Pair that ability with the main setting of the enchanted gardens, and you're in for a very real treat with this book.Another aspect of this book I loved was Ms. Peters' originality: while there may be a couple of nods here and there to Beauty and the Beast, this is no way is a typical Beauty and the Beast retelling. I mean that in a very, very good way. As someone who has read hundreds (and no, that's not hyperbole) of fairytale retellings, especially Beauty and the Beast ones, some books get to be tiring, predictable, and wearisome. Not so with Enchantment. The story is so unique and, well, its own fairytale, that I again have to applaud Ms. Peters for her creativity and sophistication. There are a couple of similarities, but the story is different enough to be refreshing and a sheer pleasure. Reading this novel was like going on a mental vacation: it was a delight to read, and was sweet, funny, endearing, and uplifting. I found myself cheering for both Maren and Briar right from the start, and it was lovely getting to revisit characters from the previous books as well. I strongly recommend giving this beautiful (on the inside and out, just like the characters) a try.