The Beauty Thief (Chronicles of the Twelve Realms Book 1) Kindle Edition

This was a beautiful fairy tale. It was really fun to sink into a world of princes and kings and castles and princesses. I think a lot of young readers of fantasy will love this book. The story starts off as a perfect fairy tale but then something goes very wrong.It was great to go along the journey with the characters as they deal with the horrible crime that happened to the princess having her beauty stolen. The heroes go on a quest to get her beauty back. I thought it was really cool the way the author made the magic work. Her outward physical beauty wasn't the only thing stolen. It affected her inner beauty too. So instead of the traditional character arc where the character starts out with some flaws we start out with an almost perfect princess. She's beautiful on the inside and out. But then her beauty is stolen from her and she not only looks different but becomes a different person entirely. Her loved ones almost don't recognize her not only from the physical change but from the way she speaks and acts. So that part was interesting and great.I really liked the last part of the book too. It was a fun rescue adventure that took some interesting turns. I really felt for the character who gets put in a really bad position. I'm not going into detail because I don't want to spoil anything.So if you or your child is looking for an awesome fairy tale with magic, a dark villain with a cool evil lair and magical powers and an awesome rescue quest give this book a try.

The Beauty Thief by Rachael Ritchey spins the tale of Princess Caityn, a deeply gorgeous young woman both inside and out. Just before her wedding, the princess has both types of beauty stolen from her. Can her prince remember his love for her despite the deep changes? Can they find a way to retrieve the beauty that matters most ... before it's too late?This YA fantasy book is the first in a trilogy of good, clean, well-told tales of magic and adventure, love and life. I would recommend this to any friends who love to read fantasy, whether they are adults or older teens.

"The Beauty Thief" by Rachael Ritchey is a charming and original tale that takes the reader to a magical realm inhabited by princesses, princes, knights, knaves and, of course, villains. It is a lovely YA novel, but also has crossover appeal to lovers of fantasy, or, as in my case, sentimental readers who fondly recall the fairy tales and myths of youth. As a bonus, the story highlights a wonderful set of morals and character traits that enhance its value for young readers. The fictional world was colorfully and enticingly described and the characters drawn believably. From the beginning, we care about the inhabitants of this enchanting land. The heroine, Princess Caityn, immediately captivates the reader with her inner and outer beauty and her intended, Prince Theiander, with his quiet strength and bravery. The main villain, the fearsome gnomish creature for whom the book is named, and who lives by stealing inner and outer beauty, is artfully depicted and so much fun to hate! A good villain is the heart of a fairy tale or myth and this one more than lives up to the task. Kudos to the author, too, on her artful cover selection and enticing title; they are both masterful and draw the reader in with a promise that is more than met. Highly recommended for fans of YA fiction, fantasy and all my fellow lovers of fairy tales, myths and enchantment. Grab a copy and read this captivating tale of love, envy, treachery and bravery. Like me, you'll be eagerly awaiting the second book in the series, "Captive Hope."

The Beauty Thief by Rachael Ritchey took me someplace new from the very first page. Her world, the Twelve Realms, possessed a mysterious feel to it that left me wanting more, not because Ritchey left anything out, but because I rarely see these places described with such intimacy.I felt enthralled by this new world and the colorful characters found within. The Beauty Thief (the character) was an amorphous, dark abyss to me, and I believe that made him even more of a captivating villain. Theiander and Idra were two of my favorites and of course Caityn. The journey she goes through in this book is paced well and I love each and every little transformation she goes through. Her and Theiander’s love had a timeless, fantastical feel to it. Caityn and Idra’s interactions were always sharp and witty, full of snappy dialogue, and Ritchey did an excellent job of showing their relationship and changes throughout the story.I wholeheartedly recommend The Beauty Thief to anyone who enjoys Young Adult, fantasy, fiction, or the chance to be taken to a world outside his or her own. This book gave me a wondrous look into what it means to love and be loved, and what it truly means to be beautiful inside and out.I think Ritchey told a story that is so very difficult to describe in words. Her dialogue was real and humorous, her vocabulary extensive and witty, and her storytelling succinct and fresh. I greatly enjoyed reading this and taking this journey with these very real, unique characters.I am looking forward to Book 2 in the series: Captive Hope!

This was a really intriguing story with a fairy tale feeling. The characters were all interesting and had different personalities.I liked the plot. It was very original and refreshing. It moved along very quickly and had several twists. Best suited I think for younger girls, but still enjoyable as an adult.Recommended for anyone who likes adventure, romance, and fairy tale stories. :)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I was captivated by the story and how expertly it was told. I hated to put it down and would take any and every chance I got to read even the tiniest bit! I can't waiting for the books that follow. I absolutely recommend it to anyone who is interested in an amazing story that will keep you turning page after page until the very end.