Beasts of the Briar Series - Full Review

Bonded by Thorns

Author: Elizabeth Helen

Cover of Bonded by Thorns

Spice Level: Spicy rating iconSpicy rating iconFractional spicy rating icon

Release Year: 2022

You know that feeling when a romantasy series just gets under your skin, not because it’s flawless, but because it’s exactly the kind of indulgent, tropey, slightly chaotic fun you crave? That’s what Beasts of the Briar delivers—Elizabeth Helen’s take on Beauty and the Beast is unapologetically lush, with a why-choose twist that’s equal parts swoony and deliciously over-the-top. I found myself grinning at the sheer audacity of the setup: four beastly fae princes, a bookish heroine who’s more relatable than she has any right to be, and a castle that feels like it was plucked straight from a fever dream of gothic romance and Disney nostalgia. The library alone made me want to linger, and the references—yes, even the cheeky nods to Disney—just work. It’s not subtle, but subtlety isn’t the point. This series is a love letter to fairy tale excess, and I’m here for it.

What really sticks with me is how the series leans into its own melodrama. The curse? Wildly original in its execution, even if the reason behind it made me roll my eyes (overreacting witches, am I right?). The princes? Each one is a contender for book boyfriend of the year, though Lucas—let’s just say his Gaston energy is dialed up to eleven and not always in a good way. There are moments that genuinely surprised me, and others where the repetition in the narration started to grate, but I forgave it because the emotional beats landed. The mate bonds, the banter, the endless hand-wringing over feelings—it’s all a little much, but that’s the charm. I’m not looking for restraint in my romantasy, I’m looking for that sense of being swept up in a story that knows exactly what it is and isn’t afraid to go big.

Spice factor? I’d call it a 2.8—enough steam to keep things interesting, but not so much that it overshadows the character work or the fairy-tale intrigue. The romance is steamy, yes, but it’s also playful and sometimes surprisingly tender. I’ve seen some rave about the chemistry and the “can’t put it down” energy, and I get it. The pacing can be uneven, and sometimes the heroine’s reactions are whiplash-inducing, but the sheer fun and escapism of the series outweighs the flaws for me. This isn’t the kind of series that’s going to win over skeptics of the genre, but for those of us who want a Beauty and the Beast retelling that’s equal parts steamy, swoony, and self-aware, Beasts of the Briar earns its spot as my #15 all-time romantasy. It’s comfort food with a wicked edge, and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

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