I really enjoyed this powerful, feminist story inspired by Celtic mythology. And the cover is absolutely gorgeous as well!

This was perfectly fine, but outside of my reading comfort zone and so I didn't love it. I had a hard time following the world building and I struggled to keep track of all the characters. I had high hopes for this book but for me it fell flat.

THIS is what I wanted in a book about the Fae. mischevious, dangerous folk making bargains for a price. I absolutely loved this book and have been selling it to everyone I could get a hold of at work.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

**Many thanks to Amulet Books and Netgalley for an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of this book**

Beguiled is a beguiling book. I loved the premise of the story: what would you give to have everything? What would it take to live the life you want? And though there were many things I liked, there were a few others I wish I had more of, that would have made my experience a bit more enjoyable.

The Best Weaved Story...
1. I liked Ella's ambition. She's a girl who wants to make her own way in the world, get out of debt, and feels like she deserves more for her life. I like that, and I identify with that. She was a very likeable character in that regard.

2. It was nice to see a story based on Celtic mythology. I don't feel there is enough of that going around. It also had a Rumplestiltskin-type feel to it as well, and you can never have enough of those.

3. This book is macabre, and a bit gothic, but not gruesome. It's a lot lighter than some books I've read, which was a nice change of pace. If I were to put this on a scale of 1 (a drop of darkness) to 10 (total blackout), it would probably be around a 4 (the sun is barely setting).

...Somewhat Goes Afray
1. Although I liked Ella, I also found her to be incredibly naive and trusting of things she should have questioned immediately. Especially since she trusted a very bad character... And did not see the same qualities in another. And, they were both right in front of her. There were so many indications that she blindly disallows, and that became frustrating to me.

2. The plot of the book was very predictable. I was able to figure out the majority of what was going on by the end of the first quarter, which left no surprises by the end of it. I know part of this is because I have read many, many dark fairy tale type books lately that DID surprise me, and I was expecting this one to play out like those did. Even the one interesting, mini twist at the end was not enough to really change my opinion. Beguiled is interesting, but not a standout.

3. Speaking of the end, by the end, it felt like there was a lot of buildup to certain appearances and happenings that did not pan out. The mini twist in the end, while interesting, also seemed to be out of "left field". I would have liked more hints towards or away from that, to keep me guessing. It also felt almost like this book was the first part of an incomplete duology or trilogy, where more details could be expanded upon in the near future. I am not sure if the author was planning on continuing the tale, but if so, I'd read it.

4. The villain was...ok. Not the most inventive character. Their motives were pretty shallow. I would have liked someone a bit better developed, that made you feel something more for them than "ok, this is the villain, and they do sneaky, bad things". They were not believable to me.

Verdict
This is a good "starter" dark fairytale: if there is someone out there that wants something gothic, not scary, and enjoyable to read, I would definitely recommend this book.

My issue with this one was all about execution. The story could have been amazing but the way it was told and done just lost me. I was bored out of my mind.

This book was really interesting! I was intrigued by the storyline and that's what initially drew me to this title. I also really love the cover artwork.

Sadly disappointed by this one!

I hate leaving negative reviews, but I don't really know what to say about this book. I enjoyed maybe the second quarter of it, when the pace seemed to pick up... but the magic system, the whole beguilement, and the Players and the Chieftain and the gods and fae and all that were all very muddled together. There were quite a few scenes of dancing around in their magic silks, somehow 'beguiling' a character, but I didn't understand what was going on? And this happened several times. The characters' motivations, personalities, and the magic system all seemed at odds with one another. I completely get that weaving is a very long, complicated process, but the pages and pages of repetition of the many steps throughout the book was overwhelming to the story and characters. I usually like an unlikable mc, but had a really hard time finding anything to empathize with here. The big reveal was pretty obvious, and thus disappointing, and the big climax seemed 'big for big's sake,' if that makes sense.

I'd enjoyed Stalking Shadows, so I really did have hopes for this one.

Thank you Netgalley and Amulet for this arc!

-A

This had such an interesting premise, but unfortunately, it fell a little flat for me. I thought this was a cool twist on a sort of fairy tale vibe based on Celtic mythology but I struggled with the characters - none of them were likable - and the plot grew slow and tedious in the middle, with tons of repetition. I also guessed the main twist fairly early, although there was another twist that I hadn't seen coming which was cool. I wish there was some more world building because I feel like I really don't know anything about this world, and better character development. Overall, not a bad read, but also not one that was super enjoyable either.

I’m sorry to say I DNF’d this one. I had a difficult time with the pacing—the plot was just not enough to keep me hooked. The cover is gorgeous and the concept based on the blurb was so compelling, but I was unable to finish the novel, ultimately.

Before we move on to any kind of review, let us take a moment to admire this GORGEOUS cover. I try really, really, really hard not to base my reads on cover designs alone…but when I see something like this, it’s almost impossible for me to pass it up. It compliments the story so incredibly well.

What I Loved:
– The writing. Hands down, the writing is the best thing about this story. Panin knows how to do a fairytale, and honestly, I’ll pick up any future fairytale retelling by her in the future. I loved how she was able to take descriptions of situations and emotions and incorporate weaving/fabric into them. Not to mention, the forward really endeared me to this story. The history of weaving and the people that practiced the art certainly do not get enough credit, and I love that this story was a way to shine a light on that.
– Ella, the MC. She is so incredibly determined to change her cast in society and will do anything to ensure her future. Of course, her decision comes at a hefty price, but that doesn’t stop her for a second. I love how lofty her goals are because, in her mind, no ladder is too high for her to climb.
– It reminded me heavily of Gilded by Marissa Meyer and in a very good way (because I freakin’ loved that book). Her magic comes at a price that only seems to increase as it is used, a mysterious young man appears offering help, and lavish parties… *chef kiss* Clearly, these are just a few of my favorite things.
– Blood magic! Ella is only able to work her loom and remember how to weave once payment has been made. This payment is a drop of her own blood. If you’ve read my previous reviews, you’ll know that I love anything that has to do with offering blood as payment. Don’t ask me why. Is that weird?

What I Struggled With:
– The pacing. Towards the middle of the story, things seemed pretty stagnant. It’s certainly not a fast-paced book, as things slowly unravel as the story progresses. But with that said, there is enough intrigue and a few twists that kept me coming back for more.
– I wish the Bean-Nighe, the figure who grants Ella the magic to weave compelling fabric, played a bigger part in the story. While there is plenty of folklore woven throughout the story, I felt like the Bean-Nighe could have been incorporated more in the story.
– As much as I loved Ella, she did come with her flaws. I felt like she was way too trusting of certain individuals and not wary enough in questionable situations. Also, her inner monologue about Callum was often cringle-worthy. Any female character that weighs their worth based on a man they are enamored with is an immediate no from me.

Overall, I think this is an excellent addition to the YA fantasy retelling subgenre. Fans of Gilded and dark fairytale retellings will definitely want to add this to their shelf. It’s perfect to read for the upcoming spooky season, especially if you’re not a fan of horror but still want the eerie and dark vibes. It’s also a great place to start if you’ve never read a fairytale or mythology retelling.

Not a favorite, writing style was boring the plot couldn't keep me hooked. I didn't feel inclined to keep reading as I didn't form any sort of bond to the characters. I feel like the idea of the plot was good, but the execution was poor.

Thank you to ABRAMS Kids, Amulet Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the eARC.

Based on Celtic mythology, Beguiled has an interesting concept. Unfortunately, the execution left something to be desired.

Woven throughout the story are tales (and appearances) of Celtic gods, the fae, and Bean-Nighe. This part of the story was entertaining and explained. It was everything other than the folklore that went astray.

The characters were only half-developed. I never got a good feel for the side characters at all, and for someone who's a character-driven reader, that causes my interest to wane. Then there was the MC. While I understood her motivations based on her backstory, she was so naive about everything around her. Of course, she's only 17, so somewhat understandable. But even so, she puts her head in the sand for a good portion of the book.

Other than the folklore, the worldbuilding was pretty weak. There's a Chieftain—who may be one of many?—who rules her town, country? He's influenced by the Players, which is never explained well. Once certain twists were revealed, it seemed like the whole background dropped.

Overall, not a terrible book. It was entertaining, but it just needed more to make it a good book.

Side-note: At 17, the romance in the book is kind of creepy.

This was the first YA fantasy book I have read in a while and I really enjoyed it!
Beguiled by Cyla Panin tells the story of Ella, who makes a deal that will change the course of her life.
The book was well-paced! the story was unlike anything I've read! the Celtic mythology was very new to me but I had a great time reading about it!
4/5 stars!
Thank you, NetGalley for the E-Arc!

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for the ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #BeguiledBook

I like how quickly the story picks up. I feel the need and desperation that the protagonist feels. I also appreciate the preemptive acknowledgment that the weaving process will not be historically accurate. I am slightly shocked the main character would be surviving on her own at this time period, but I'll suspended my disbelief. The bean-nighe was oddly creepy. Odina is such an unlikable character, but that means she's a well written character. Callum is intriguing. But Ella, I don't know if she's going to become an antihero I root against or for. I like seeing a bit of the working class world behind the rich and powerful. And I also like the constant uneasiness with all characters. Everyone could be two faced and betray each other; it's just a matter of when. I saw the reveal pretty early on in the story, but all the implications and impacts of that reveal were still a shock. All the harm done was a lot. It resonated so much with how men and the white, hetero, patriarchy uses women until we're nothing but shells of our former selves and pits us against each other. The ending is perfect for the story, I just wish all endings were fully happily ever after.

BEGUILED is the second book I’ve read and loved by Cyla Palin. The first was her debut STALKING SHADOWS. Cyla’s writing is like being wrapped up into a warm blanket with your favourite cup of tea. It’s enchanting and magical. Her main characters are head strong women, who know their own mind and stop at nothing to achieve what they truly desire.

Beguiled is the enchanting story of Ella. She’s a weaver whose dreams are bigger than life: she wants to open her own shop. There’s just one problem, her loom breaks. And if the loom is broken, she can’t pay her debts. Panicking, and alone, Ella takes a chance and wanders down to the waters edge.

You can hear the whispers of her name on the wind. She’s the old washerwoman who sits on the bank of the river, forever scrubbing the blood from a shirt onto a stone. She’ll grant you a wish, but you must be prepared to pay the price. Would you give up your dreams, or youth? Maybe it’ll be your blood.

Ella’s heard the cautionary tales of the Bean-Nighe…. but desperation makes her wade through the freezing water….until she’s face to face with the washer woman.

I was enthralled from the very beginning. Ella is a character that you can’t help but love. Celtic folklore is sprinkled throughout this story and I was absolutely mesmerized by it. Tie that in with the Dorian Gray vibes radiating off of Callum, and the Gatsby-esque parties; be still my heart.

So I must ask you: what would you visit the Bean-Nighe for?

five reasons to read beguiled:

the power of fairytales
Celtic folklore is hands down one of my buzzwords and I'll always have a soft spot for the whims of the fae. The world is immersive and fun that only comes with the air of mystery and danger of bargains with magic.

determination and survival
Ella's story throughout is a testament to her desire to survive and succeed. She eventually has to face the consequences of her actions and seeing her realization of her worth and power was so satisfying.

the portrayal of relationships
It's not a YA fantasy without some romantic tension and this one took a surprisingly different turn. Ella and Callum's relationship highlighted the push and pull that come from toxic relationships reflecting the fickle nature of bargains and their outcomes.

there's always an unexpected
There can't be too much said without giving something away but there are certainly many twists and turns that I wasn't expecting which only heightened the excitement and tension.

the magic of weaving
The vivid descriptions of Ella's creations were so detailed and immersive that I could paint a crystal clear image in my head of each one.

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc and finished copy from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Beguiled

Author: Cyla Panin

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 3.5/5

Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, retelling, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Celtic mythology, Historical fiction, horror, fairy tale

Publication Date: August 23, 2022

Genre: YA Fantasy Retelling

Age Relevance: 14+ (gore, death, religion, self harm, gaslighting, emotional abuse, domestic violence, violence)

Explanation of Above: There is a lot of gore involving blood and self harm in the manner of the MC purposefully hurting herself so she can supply the loom. There are some domestic violence mentions and knife violence. Death is shown and mentioned. There are some mentions of religion. There is some gaslighting and emotional abuse shown in the book too.

Publisher: Amulet Books

Pages: 384

Synopsis: Ella is a 17-year-old weaver whose entire livelihood depends on her loom. She dreams of opening her own shop, but when her father died in debtor’s prison, she had to support herself by taking whatever clients she could get. In order to buy her supplies she goes into debt of her own, and when her loom breaks, Ella realizes she needs more help than a repairperson can give her. She, like everyone, has heard about the old washerwoman spirit called the Bean-Nighe who will grant any one wish—for a price.

But Ella is desperate, so she asks the Bean-Nighe to fix her loom. And it works. The loom is fixed, and she's creating beautiful pieces she could have never imagined before. All she has to do is feed the loom a drop of blood each time she weaves—a small price to pay for such magnificent silks. And when she brings two bolts to a rich client, she meets a mysterious young man named Callum and bargains for an invitation to his exclusive party. At that party, he's so mesmerized by her talent, he offers Ella a place to live and patronage for her art. It seems like Ella's fortune is finally turning for the better . . . until she begins to notice the loom taking more from her than she offered.

As she becomes entangled in the lives of the city’s rich, swept into Callum's allure, and trapped by the Bean-Nighe’s magic, Ella must figure out a way to secure her future while she still has a future at all.

Review: Overall, I really liked this book! I thought it was a little bit Cinderella and a little bit Sleeping beauty, which is a cool combination. There book is easy to read and reads like a classic fairytale, maybe something a bit Grimms Brothers? The book is based in Celtic mythology and it’s beautifully written and flows well.

However, I thought that the book needed a little bit of work still. I would like to see more world building and a lot more character development. I also thought that the book was a bit too slow for how it was written.

Verdict: It’s good!

This started out strong but I lost interest halfway in. I’m not sure whether it was the writing or the plot that didn’t work for me, but I had to DNF, sorry!
Also, the color composition on the cover isn’t great and the title is barely visible!

Review: Ella has a tough life and she would do anything to bring herself up and survive. She is hardworking and dedicated and I enjoyed reading her story. The only thing I didn't love about the story is that Ella at times let others thoughts of her dictate her worth. However, by the end of the book, Ella had come to realize what she was worth on her own and I loved reading about it. Overall a fun and enjoyable read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Top 5 reasons to read Beguiled:
1. Magic! Always a good reason to read a book
2. Fae, deserves it's own reason!
3. Female main character
4. Overcoming extremely humble beginnings
5. Fairy tale like story