FICTION

The Beauty Trials: A Belles Novel

by Dhonielle Clayton
Disney-Hyperion. (The Belles). Feb. 2023. 352p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781368046923.
COPY ISBN
Gr 8 Up–This spinoff of “The Belles” duology plunges Edel Beauregard into a series of contests to become the next Queen of Orléans. Queen Sophia has been imprisoned, and the tradition of the Beauty Trials—a potentially fatal series of tests that allow the Goddess of Beauty to choose the next queen—has begun to pick her replacement. Edel is not a Belle (though she has always wanted to be), but the revelations she’ll confront in the games may shake her resolve. This spin-off relies on readers' familiarity with the original duology to understand and appreciate the worldbuilding, but Clayton crafts excellent romance and political machinations to entice her readers back to the fold.
VERDICT Worth purchasing if your collection owns “The Belles,” but it does not stand alone.
Reviewed by Emmy Neal , Jun 01, 2023

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

BLOGS

Holiday Gift Guide: Six Inclusive MG Fantasies, a guest post by Marieke Nijkamp
by Amanda MacGregor
BOOKS

Gracie Under the Waves
by Park, Linda Sue
BOOKS

Make My Wish Come True
by Lippincott, Rachael & Alyson Derrick
BOOKS

My Weird School Special: Hip, Hip, Hooray! Every Day Is a Holiday!
by Gutman, Dan
BOOKS

Ramadan on Rahma Road: A Recipe Storybook
by Gutta, Razeena Omar & Faaiza Osman
BOOKS

Big Changes for Plum!
by Phelan, Matt
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?