Marvelous was pretty good—kind of one of those books that sneaks up on you emotionally. The setting in the French royal court was super vivid, and I really liked how it took a legend we all kind of know and grounded it in real historical events. Pedro’s story is heartbreaking and fascinating, and Catherine’s journey from shock to strength felt really honest. Their relationship isn’t some fairy-tale romance, but something more complex and ultimately really touching. If you like historical fiction with a fairy tale twist and a lot of heart, this one’s worth checking out.

Marvelous will not be a book for everyone, and that's okay because it will find the audience it deserves.

Molly Greeley writes with a beautiful, flowing narrative voice that creates an almost hypnotic atmosphere while reading. But for those readers who need more action and plot, this one is not for you. Marvelous is a complex story that is character driven without a lot happening. Personally, I loved it and I'm already thinking about reading it again.

**uploading 2023 read / review late**

I adored this book! I am a sucker for anything B&TB so the fact that the plot is based around recreating that - love it. I wasn’t that interested until mid to halfway through the book, but after that, I was obsessed and genuinely fell in love with the characters.

*I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

DNF @48%

I honestly think a nonfiction book about these characters would have been more interesting. I made it to the start of Part 3 which is nearly halfway through the book and even that was a struggle. For one, I did not like the writing. It was so flowery that it felt empty, which made me feel too distant from the characters to really care about what was happening to them and never made me feel like I was actually in 1500s Europe. And I think because I never felt transported to that time period, it made me feel extra uncomfortable with how some of the normalities of life in the 1500s, such as court oddities and marital rape) felt unchallenged by the text.

Not entirely what I was expecting based on the cover and description. I struggled with it a bit, as I found the writing well done, it was simply not my cup of tea. I can’t fault the author for that.

Marvelous by Molly Greeley is a captivating novel that will resonate with readers who appreciate historical fiction, particularly those drawn to stories about the French royal court, the Renaissance, and the themes of resilience, acceptance, and the complexities of human relationships, as well as those who enjoy a slow-paced, emotional, and reflective narrative.

Tells the true story of Beauty and the Beast through Pedro, a young Spanish boy who was stolen from his home by pirates and Catherine, a young girl who is offered as his wife to pay off her father's debts.

Overall, I liked the characterization of this a lot. I felt Pedro and Catherine both had very strong voices and pieces to them. The author has a lovely way of turning prose at moments. And the imagery was fantastic.

I didn't care for how Pedro was introduced to the French court. I understand they saw him as an oddity, but it felt a bit like a cruelty to take us through this group of people's impression of him and this person's. It just wasn't necessary. And I just couldn't get into the story much past their wedding. Something just felt off to me.

Thanks for the ARC!

Marvelous is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast royal court of Catherine de’ Medici during the Renaissance. The first section of the novel moves really fast. We get vignettes of the main characters' childhoods and early lives. This is not a writing style that personally works for me. As the novel progresses, we get more personality from the characters. Overall, this is an okay read for most and a good read for fans of Beauty and the Beast.

I was obsessed with the premise of this book and so stoked to ready it. I was so relieved that it delivered! This is such a bonkers story, and Greeley renders it with such care and compassion. I loved this.

A beautifully told piece of historical fiction, providing a look at both the lavish and inhumane sides of life “at court”. Heartbreaking!

I wanted to love this one! Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairytales, and B&B retellings are some of my favorite reads. To have one that takes place in the court of Catherine de Medici? Say less. Unfortunately, this book just took too long to get juicy. I found I was really struggling to get through the first three quarters, which breaks my heart to say. The writing, while good, also felt very... unattached. I was hoping for better!

When I first received this book, I was thrilled to find out that the 'Beauty and The Beast' story and Marvelous itself are based on a true story. I am of course one of those people who see "Beauty and the Beast" and absolutely need to read it regardless of anything else. I hoped it was going to be good, but I just could not get into it. The book moved really slowly and it felt like it took 2000 years for anything to happen, and then when it did, it was nothing to write home about. I did love the historical note at the end of the book, but this one was just not for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This was just a vivid and beautiful story. I loved seeing where the beauty and the beast fairy tale comes from.

Other people have said this

Enchanting. Molly Greeley has pulled off a piece of magic to tell a dazzling love story about the outcast's ache to be cared for and belong. This book broke my heart and put it back together again."--Allison Epstein, author of A Tip for the Hangman

A mesmerizing novel set in the French royal court of Catherine de’ Medici during the Renaissance, which recreates the touching and surprising true story behind the Beauty and the Beast legend, from the acclaimed author of The Clergyman’s Wife and The Heiress.

Wow! Marvelous by Molly Greeley delivers one of the most vivid world building and writing I have read recently. I was there seeing, feeling, experiencing the emotions the characters were going through. Very difficult first few chapters for me to read personally, since the subject matter of loss and grief are a trigger, but the way the author introduced the characters, described the scenes and told this epic love story was brilliant.

Marvelous is a powerfus tale of love, family, devotion, and the lives we build for ourselves and our loved ones. I have always loved Beauty & the Beast, and now having read the true story of how the legend was born, the story of two hearts beating for each other, I love it even more. For fans of historical fiction, women fiction and romance Molly Greeley's novel is nothing short of spectacular. It is, one might say, simply Marvelous!

Thank you to NetGalley, Molly Greeley and the publisher for the advance copy.

I found this book to be really engaging and magical and I loved the premise. I'm a sucker for fairytale-like fantasy so this story was right up my alley. I am looking forward to reading other books by the author.

Marvelous is a historical retelling of the life of a 16th century man with hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth) which might (or might not) have been the inspiration for Beauty and the Beast, written and reimagined by Molly Greeley. Released 28th Feb 2023 by HarperCollins on their William Morrow imprint, it's 416 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format out in 1st quarter 2024 from the same publisher.

This is a compelling idea; how the real life of a person with a genetic condition could play out during a time period where the "best and brightest" simply didn't have the scientific knowledge to understand why people varied from the norm. As such, MC Pedro was kidnapped from his birthplace and sold as a curiosity to Catherine de’ Medici, and lived his life as a favored pet, more or less. She arranged a marriage for him and gifted some of his children to friends (this really happened).

The author has taken a great deal of artistic license with the historical framework (she partially credits the pandemic with limited research opportunities). The book is written in a dispassionate third person present tense which feels artificial in places. It's also ornate and bombastic throughout. Overall, it's quite readable and tragic, and a worthwhile story, based on actual historical events. The execution was wanting.

There is no deep character development, almost no dialogue, and a stuttery "highlight reel" type narrative describing the high points of Pedro's life along with his wife.

Three stars. Worth a look for die-hard Beauty and the Beast fans.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

{3.5 stars}

Pedro is a young boy who is unusual, it sets him apart and makes him a target. What makes him an outcast on his home island, makes him desirable in the king's court as an oddity. So he is kidnapped and taken from his home into a world of opulence and more importantly education. He quickly becomes a favorite of the king and queen and they decide to find him a wife. Catherine is the daughter of a merchant who has gotten himself in over his head in debt and so he offers her up. She must marry Pedro sight unseen, and when she sees him, covered in hair from head to toe she wonders if the myths are true and he really is a monster... and what it means for her future.

I really loved the first half of this one but then it lost me a little. It went from being a historical romance with a little political intrigue to being more of a story of motherhood. We got less Petrus and more Catherine and her children and my attention waned. I love the idea that there is a real story that inspired Beauty and the Beast but the reality is much sadder than the fairy tales have made it out to be.

Thanks to William Morrow for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions above are my own.

DNF @ 53%

I really wanted to love this one (beauty and the beast retelling in the court of Catherine de Medici? Sign me up) but unfortunately it was a little too slow for me. 2 stars in my book (2 stars means “it was ok” in my book)

Lovely writing that is emotive and lyrical. I had a hard time getting into the plot, but enjoyed the language of it.