A unique and innovative new take on the traditional Beauty and the Beast fairy tale that invites questioning and analysis of the future of automation and AI.

Rose 76GF, a robot with AI built in Alainn Murphy's image, was commissioned by Lorccan Garbhan from Connor Murphy, Alainn's father and an inventor riddled with money problems. When her father is threatened with jail time for failing to produce Rose as scheduled, Alainn concedes to Rose 76GF's plan to take her place in Mr. Garbhan's uncontaminated, sealed building home. But what really is Lorccan looking for? And what are Rose 76GF's intentions? And what has Alainn gotten herself into?

A quick and fantastical read, Ensnared does a good job of painting a strange futuristic world filled with all powerful AI-enhanced robots, adorable monkey automatons, and the flawed humans at the center of it all. The plot is fast-paced and interesting (it does contain mature elements). Perhaps my only problem with the plot was that one storyline (the Cara Miller and the abduction plot) felt a little forced at the end with not enough foundation, but the overall story was well-laid out.

I would recommend this for all lovers of fairy tales who enjoy a sci-fi twist and beautifully flawed hero-heroine pair.

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a fair review!

Ensnared by Rita Stradling - A Romance, Sci-Fi story.

Alainn Murphy is 24 and the daughter of an absent minded inventor. Lorccan Garbhan is hideously scared and trapped in his home. "Sound familiar?"

This seemed to be a futuristic, adult version of Beauty and the Beast. I hate to call Lorccan a beast! He is definitely NOT! A scarred man that has no immune system. To think that in the future scars wouldn't have been fixed with skin grafts, nanobites or microbites or whatever, but hey the debate can go on and what do I know, for the sake of the story this is needed., so will forgive Rita for writing it that way. For the purpose of the story poor Lorccan had to have a reason to remain in the dark side of the light. I just found the whole idea of this story so out of the ordinary and engaging. I was hooked!. I could see this so turning into a horror, but glad it didn't!

I loved the gentle slow romance building between Alainn and Lor. I like seeing the lengths Lor goes to, to get back what he had with his Jade. Watching Alainn trying so hard to get back and doing what she thought Lor wanted but then really fighting for him was so great to read. I was surprise and very happy with the ending. I absolutely loved this book and would like to read more or Rita Stradling which I will definitely be look for.

I loved the premise of this book. A futuristic retelling of Beauty and the Beast — I couldn't wait to get started.

I had high hopes for this book, and it didn't disappoint. I adored the characterisation of Alainn — she will do anything to keep her father out of prison and if that means pretending to be a robot, then so be it!

Lorccan character was very complex, and Ms Stradling drew him with incredible skill — he was very real in the telling, and my heart did bleed for him. He is the modern day Beast, but instead of an enchantment locking him away, it was years of abuse — he has the scars on his face to prove it. He has never been outside, but now that he is alone he longs for human company, but fear keeps him a prisoner. For now, he will settle for a robot as a companion.

Ms Stradling, certainly likes to take her readers on a rollercoaster of emotions. One minute I found myself laughing out loud, the next I was in tears. I really came to care about the characters.

A lot happens in this book, and I don't want to give away any spoilers, but it is enough for me to say this is one super read. Although futuristic it is realistic. Ms Stradling is an exceptional storyteller with a gift for creating amazing imagery and characters you just can't help but love. I simply adored this new take on Beauty and the Beast.

Would I recommend? You bet ya!

*I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley for review consideration*

‘Ensnared’ is a fantastic re-telling of Beauty and the Beast. Perfect for fans of 'The Lunar Chronicles' by Marissa Meyer. It takes place in the near future, with slightly more advanced technology, including AI systems that run households and self-driving vehicles.

When Alainn’s genius father racks up serious debts between inventing robots and gambling, he takes a job from the wealthy recluse Lorccan, who is already happy with his work. Rosebud is the AI running his private tower home, a home where no human is welcome. When Alainn’s father and brother are unable to finish the new robot on time for Lorccan, the robot itself comes up with the idea for Alainn to take her place. Though Rose was modeled after Alainn and the two appear to be nearly identical, readers must employ a slight suspension of disbelief as Alainn joins Lorccan’s household without him realizing she is human.

As one might expect for a re-telling of Beauty and the Beast, Lorccan, wealthy recluse that he is, is physically scarred. Turns out he commissioned the life-like robot, Rose, for the purpose of becoming more comfortable with others, so that he may eventually interact with real people, face-to-face. Even the AI running his solitary tower, Rosebud, encourages Alainn to interact with him; to save him.

‘Ensnared’ takes on a life of its own, advancing beyond the usual Beauty and the Beast narrative, as Rose-the-robot advances past her programming and acts increasingly independently to further her own agenda.

The connections between the characters in this story are sweet and touching. The robotics and technology are explained with enough detail to be believable. Though we are not treated to singing candelabras, there are some adorable robot monkeys to look forward to.

I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

I have a thing for retellings of fairy tales, and when they combine genres and time periods, well, just like "Cinder," you have my attention!

Stradling wove a really intricate tale in my opinion, and did it well. We're dealing with technology, a little sci fi, a little magic/fantasy, and of course, Beauty and the Beast.

Everything I need out of a story was here...stakes, a blossoming romance that felt real and not forced, and an ending that resonates and didn't feel contrived. Loved the book!

Ensnared is a futuristic take on Beauty and the Beast. I would equate this book to the TV show Humans in the way it brings together AI with personality and the humans who are interacting with it.
In Ensnared Rose is an AI built with a conciousness for a man who lives in his tower, never leaving or interacting with the outside world. Unfortunately Rose feels her AI is better spent fixing the worlds problems, leaving the young woman Alainn whom Rose was modeled after to take her place. Using some clever technology Alainn passes as the AI and moves into the white tower. What follows is her trying not to get found out while learning about the man, Lor, stuck in his white tower.
The book is interesting in the way it tackles the fairy tale and makes it so much more than a normal retelling. The story goes outside of just the tower and those characters weaving others into the telling and making them part of the larger picture. While the AI, Alainn, and Lor are the main characters you find yourself growing attached too.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Beauty and the Beast, AI, some romance/sexual situations, and a want to look at the story a new way.

I am a sucker for fairytale retellings, so when I saw this one, I was intrigued! “Ensnared” is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in the future where AI is becoming more common. Alainn’s father is an inventor who has been working on a Rose unit (which looks identical to Alainn) for an eccentric billionaire, Lorccan. The Rose unit has enough intelligence to fancy herself too important to do whatever it is Lorccan wants her to do- she can solve humanity’s problems! Rose and Alainn’s father (who also has a gambling addiction) decide to make a second Rose unit (Rosette) who will have less intelligence and be able to work for Lorccan, doing household chores or whatever it is he wants her for. However, Lorccan refuses to grant any extra time- and if they don’t deliver, Alainn’s father will go to jail for fraud.

Rose comes up with the solution- Alainn will pretend to be Rose for a few weeks until they can complete the Rosette unit. Wanting to keep her father out of prison, Alainn reluctantly agrees and Rose inserts some chips to make her detectable as AI. Upon arrival, Alainn discovers that all Lorccan wants her to do is have dinner with him- he has a weak immune system and has had no social interaction in person. Alainn begins to stir things up as she gets bored and her rescue seems distant. As Alainn and Lorccan spend more time together, other feelings begin to grow.

I was really glad this didn’t have a Stockholm element to it. Although Alainn is sent to Lorccan’s estate, it is by choice, and it seems like imprisonment/captor and prisoner scenario, which is a nice change from some of the Beauty and the Beast retellings. The beginning and first ¾ of the book is really strong and well done. The only thing I wondered about was how on earth he could not know she was not a robot- but as someone with limited social interaction, I am willing to buy it. The last ¼ of the book got a little stranger as things spiral out of control and we begin to learn more about Rose and her programming. There is also the story of Alainn and Cara which is alluded to and kind of explained, but not fully.

Regardless, I think it was still a strong book and much better than I would have expected! I really loved their relationship and the build-up of it was more believable than I would have thought. Also, I laughed at the allusion to ‘Citizen Kane’ towards the end (won’t spoilt it but it was clever). It was just about the right length and character development was good. Please note that I received an ARC through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

A new take on a timeless fairy tale. I found it interesting and would definitely recommend.

Rita Stradling has done an amazing job at this futuristic retelling of Beauty and the Beast. There is so much depth in the characters and the love scenes aren't overwhelming like a lot of books portray. Toward the end, I was on the edge of my seat, unable to figure out how the characters were going to get out of their situation. That's always a good book when I can't guess what was going to happen before it happens. Four stars for Ensnared!

I loved this version of a futuristic version of Beauty and the Beast with a little Terminator thrown in. There really isn't much I can say that you don't already know or that would give the plot away. I can say that I couldn't put the book down and that it's for adults and not children at all. Also that I am more scared of robots now then I was before.