Amazing YA Debut!

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The Belles is one of the best debuts I’ve read in a very long time, and I easily breezed through it in two sittings. The characters are wonderfully written, with the main focus being on Camellia, the new favorite. I actually had my doubts about her in the beginning because I thought she was a bit self-absorbed and egotistical. But almost before I knew it, I found myself admiring her self-confidence and gutsiness. I also loved the bond she shares with her fellow Belles, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of them in the next book.

The world-building is simply exquisite. Dhonelle Clayton does a wonderful job creating this incredible world wher everything is so glittery and beautiful at first glance, but underneath there’s a sordid darkness. I was completely immersed and more than once felt as though I was actually in this mythical world of Orleans.

Underneath the magical story lies the very strong message about not only our never ending pursuit of physical perfection, but how other people shape our beliefs. It also explores the questions of how far you would go and how much is too much.

The plot itself if fast paced and captivating and I feel as though we’ve only scraped the surface of the Belles and Orleans itself. The ending was sheer perfection and wonderfully sets things up for the second book.

The Belles will definitely be in my top ten 2018 favorites list and I highly recommend it for older teens and adults who love fantasy and are looking for something completely unique. I also recommend reading the author’s Afterward where she talks about how the book took form. It’s an inspirational must read!