There’s amazing world building in this book. Panin’s amazing writing mesmerized me, but she also gets me with her main character’s, Ella’s raw emotions and needs, the relationships, place details, and wonderful storytelling. I enjoyed Ella as the main character. I had so much empathy for her, and the situation that she found herself in, but I don’t think I would have made the deal that she did. The story unfolds in an intriguing way, becoming darker as Ella moves forward.

Prior to reading Beguiled I was not familiar with Bean-nighe ... but now I want to look up all the Celtic lore! Cyla Panin delivered a fun fantasy with a brave heroine who kept me coming back for more. The storytelling was captivating and it was fun to try and guess how things would unfold. I look forward to reading more from Panin and I hope she continues to deliver powerful stories steeped in legend.

I've been craving a fairytale-esque retelling and Beguiled certainly hit that spot. Ella is a weaver who finds herself trapped in debt she can't hope to repay and with a broken loom; her last hope is to pray to the Bean-Nighe, a mythical creature that grants wishes, to aid her. Suddenly Ella is weaving magical creations and is taken under the wing of a charming young man but as in every fairytale, you must be careful what you wish for.

I really liked the premise of the story, I hadn't heard of the Bean-Nighe story before, it's a little reminiscent of the Rumpelstiltskin tale, and I enjoyed this foray into Celtic folklore. I always enjoy stories that take lesser known folk tales and weave them into something unique, giving them a wider audience. The plot is set up nicely and whilst there was a slight lull in the middle, by the last third the pacing really picks up and I did find myself unable to put it down.

I loved Ella's character. It's no secret I like a determined, strong-minded MC and Ella was fiercely independent in her pursuit of a better life for herself. Her sacrifices to make her dream come true may seem naïve but you can't help but want her to succeed because of her resolve. Ella also grows in character a lot throughout the book, she comes to terms with her choices and faces the consequences head on.

The writing is captivating, it has that fairytale quality to it whilst also feeling fresh. Panin writes these characters and their world so well, they know how to enchant their audience and create a enthralling story of morals and magic.

I did find the middle of the story a little slow. I also thought that the overall arc of the storyline was very obvious so my intrigue suffered slightly too. I would have also liked the Bean-Nighe to have played a more central role.

Saying that this is a enchanting story that blends fantasy and folklore really well. With strong female characters and a feminist twist, it questions what you'd be willing to sacrifice in order to get your hearts desires and enforces that everything comes with a price.

Thank you to the publisher for an eARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

CWs: depictions of mild self-harm, gaslighting, and emotional abuse

This book was amazing! I loved Stalking Shadows from the author, so I was highly anticipating this one and I was not disappointed at all.
Ella was such a fascinating character. Her ambition and drive to be the best weaver was such a big part of her character, but it was also contrasted by her self-doubt and her need to validation about her work. Ella’s anxieties and worries were relatable, and it made her character feel more human and realistic. It also helped me to understand why she felt driven to make a wish from the Bean-Nighe.
The magic in this story is so subtle but powerful. I loved the idea of Ella’s silks beguiling those around the wearer. The Fae and the gods are also present in this story, but they aren’t overpowering presences. The magic combined with the writing style made me feel as if I was reading a fairy tale. I got sucked into the story, and I didn’t want to put it down.
Callum and Odina were also really good characters. They were intriguing, mysterious, and charming.

Be careful what you wish for is a saying as old as time. It’s about being content with what we have and not being tricked out of that.
Ella is desperate. A money lender wants her to pay back with more than just cash. She’s barely getting by and her one client chooses to pay her later. She goes to the washerwoman spirit called the Bean-Nighe. The Bean-Night grants every wish but at a price, and Ella has no idea what she’s really paid with.
As a whole Cyla Panin is a good writer. The plot is interesting; Ella is not just desperate for money, but she also desperately needs love and affection; to the point where she will close her eyes and blind herself to facts around her. How did she meet Callum that day? Why does no one comment on her changing appearance?
I was frustrated with Ella at the start, I couldn’t understand why she would bargain for so little, but I realised that was Cyla Panin’s very clever way of showing us how so many people, despite their talent and hard work, live in poverty even then; they truly have no idea of the worth of their work; and which of us would ever pay them fairly?
While I thought Beguiled was an interesting read, I feel like the ending was too chaotic for my personal taste. That being said, it’s a 4 star read and there are certain things that I really liked, but can’t say because that’ll spoil everything! If you read Rosamand Hodge and her books Cruel Beauty and Gilded Ashes, I feel like you’ll love this too.

You can tell from this gorgeous cover that the book has so much in store!

What if there were a Bean-Nighe who could grant you your most fervent wish? If you’re Ella, who is barely making it through the day, who owes a lot of money and doesn’t know where her next meal is coming, it’s worth whatever price the Bean-Nighe asks of her. So when her loom breaks, she knows she must ask the Bean-Nighe to repair it for her. That loom is her livelihood, and without it, she’s sunk.

If I had any negatives with this, and it’s minor, is the use of the word ‘breath,’ through varying intakes, exhales, and held breath, is immense. (104 times, to be exact.) That’s a small thing, and often, authors have a word that they return to, so it’s expected.

Ella is a very naïve character. One would think she had lived a very sheltered life as she’s quick to forgive whom she shouldn’t and quick to accuse, as she did with Odina. Unfortunately, her thoughts didn’t always match her actions. Had the book been the start of a series, I can picture great character growth down the road for her.

Beguiled is a bit of fantasy, fairytale, and romance. Based on Scottish lore, the Bean-Nighe weaves well into this story. The fabric that Ella weaves is richly descriptive. The reader can picture each bolt as they come off the loom. Although there were a few stumbles in reading this, I really enjoyed this, and I think readers will really enjoy this one overall. Thank you, Abrams Kids/Amulet, for sending this along.

"Did the sun mind sharing the sky with the moon? Did they ever spar over who could shine brighter? Or maybe both the sun and the moon worried about the stars outdazzling them. The ones on this bolt of cloth certainly would."

Wow! Beguiled is a mesmerising piece of work. I was blown away by the intriguing world building and knew I was in for a ride after a couple of pages. It is unlike anything I've read till date. The narration was purely enchanting and the pacing was great as well. It slowed down a bit in the middle but picked up again near the end. Ella is an undaunted, ambitious and witty character who earned my respect with her determination and courage. I only have one complain that is considering how cautious and observant she was made to be, some of her behaviours were questionable. Also, her goals for her future were repeated one too many time that kind of bored me. Nevertheless, it is a book that definitely deserves to be read.

Book Review…Beguiled by Cyla Panin

Ella is a 17-year-old weaver whose entire livelihood depends on her loom. In order to buy her supplies she goes into debt and when her loom breaks, Ella realizes she needs help. Like everyone Ella, has heard about the old washerwoman spirit called the Bean Nighe who will grant one wish for a price.

But Ella is desperate, so she asks Bean Nighe to fix her loom. And it works. 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. 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.

Beguiled is a wonderful story about the Celtic folklore of Bean-nighe! The world building is wonderful and magical! The descriptions make it easy to picture the places, people and creatures. It's always fun to read a story with a character like Ella, she's strong and determined! The kind of character you can't help but want to see her succeed and be able to figure everything out. A great read! Hopefully we will be getting more of Ella's story in the future! I would love to learn more about her and this world that Cyla Panin has created! Thank Tbr and Beyond Tours for sharing this book with me!

Beguiled is a YA fantasy story, perfect for the spooky season because it’s woven with mythology, morally gray characters, and a gothic setting.

Read it if you are interested:
• Scottish mythology
• An ambitious protagonist who makes a deadly pact
• Semi-dark fantasy
• Atmospheric and mysterious setting
• Beautiful and magical dresses but also cursed

Ella is a talented weaver in trouble, her dream is to create unique designs and open her shop, but her only client refuses to pay her, and for her misfortune, also her loom breaks. She knows that she shouldn’t go near the river, much less Bean-night, the washerwoman spirit. But she is desperate; it’s her only option.

Finally, It seems that Ella’s dreams are going to come true, her loom is magically fixed and she gets a patron, it’s finally the chance to show her talent.

I like Ella and her ambitions, she knows what she wants and goes for it, she is independent and determined, she is not completely a morally grey character, her world is hard and she knows she must make her path. She is a hard worker.

All magic comes at a cost, to make the loom work, she needs to give a little of her blood, a small price (or so she thinks) to pay when she realizes that the gowns are also beautifully woven with magic.

This is an enchanted dark fairytale with lyrical prose, the world-building feels a little like a historical fantasy setting, it’s a beautifully mysterious and dangerous world. A world of beautiful gowns, extravagant parties, and lots of secrets.

I enjoy the small scenes of the weaving, and the making of the gowns, the mysterious gods, and the Scottish folklore with a little dose of horror.

It’s a stand-alone, medium-paced story, perfect to read on a chilly and foggy autumn night.

Thank you TBR Beyond Tours and Amulet Books for the free copy, all thoughts are my own

Happy Tuesday y’all and happy release day to Beguiled! Today also just happens to be my stop on the Beguiled tour with TBR and Beyond Tours. I loved the cover and the summary when I saw it, which is why I signed up for the tour, and while the pacing in the book wasn’t my favorite, the story itself was super interesting, so I think y’all should for sure read it.

Beguiled 4/5 Stars

Summary from Goodreads:

A dark and enthralling story about a young woman who makes a deal with a spirit to try and gain her independence—and the twisted price she has to pay for it

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 anyone 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.

Content Warning: mild self-harm, gaslighting and emotional abuse

Like I stated above, the pacing in this book was not my favorite. It took me a really long time to really get into the book and decide that I wanted to keep going (I think I was at about the 35% mark when I really started reading because I wanted to rather than because I had to), but once the story drew me in, it was so good. I really liked Ella because she seemed like such a normal person, just wanting to get by, sell her wares, and not be poor anymore. I think that 100% makes sense and is a great motivation to do the things that she did. I even liked Odina once we got to know her. Callum was always a little off to me, but once you read on, everything made sense. There were so many elements in the book (like the fairies and the parties) that I thought were really cool, so I definitely enjoyed reading about those. Overall, besides the slow pacing at the beginning, I really enjoyed Beguiled and I definitely recommend picking it up today!

Ella is a seventeen-year-old weaver and creates beautiful art pieces of clothing. Unfortunately, one day her loom breaks and the young woman is desperate. She has no money left and has a debt to repay, which is why she seeks out the Bean-Nighe to get her wish granted. But this wish will cost her dearly, and soon she finds herself in a lot more trouble than she could have ever imagined.

Firstly, let me squeal in peace. I loved Panin’s writing style. The author managed to make me want to read this book in one sitting, and if real life weren’t so stressful right now, I would have done it. The writing style was magical, the rhythm fast-paced, and we even get twists from time to time. I would even go as far as to say that you definitely get something for your money. This book is worth being read but before of the trigger warnings (mentioned under the synopsis) because this might not be something for everyone out there.

“Beguiled” has its spotlight on its MC, Ella. Therefore, the reader spends a lot of time getting to know the young girl, and I understood her actions a lot more than I probably would have if the author had decided a different approach.

This book is a great read for the upcoming season and if you like to be compelled by a great new YA Novel then “Beguiled” just has to be on your next TBR or “Current Reading” list.

*I received an e-arc from the author and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Beguiled is a luscious YA Fantasy story that is the perfect autumn read! It is steeped in Celtic folklore, full of mystery and has a spooky gothic atmosphere. I really thought that having the main character be a textile artist was very unique and creative as well.

Ella is a seventeen-year-old weaver whose very livelihood depends on her loom. Her father passed away in debtor’s prison and she has had to take whatever jobs she can to support herself. She has always dreamed of opening her own shop, but that dream is so farfetched as she barely has enough to get by. In order to buy supplies, she winds up owing a large debt to a cruel man in the marketplace. When her loom breaks, she realizes that she needs more than a repair to ever do more than just survive. She entertains the idea of visiting the Bean-Nighe (an old washerwoman spirit by the river)who may grant her a wish, for a price.

Ella becomes so desperate for help, she goes to the Bean-Nighe and asks her to fix her loom. It works, her loom is fixed, and she begins to weave gorgeous pieces that she never could have imagined before. She has to feed the loom a drop of her blood every time she weaves, and she thinks this is a small price to pay for weaving such magnificent silks. She immediately brings a couple of bolts of the beautiful fabric to one of her rich clients, and meets an enigmatic young man named Callum and bargains for an invitation to one of his exclusive parties. At the party, he is so mesmerized by her work, he offers her a place to live at his home and patronage for her art. Ella feels like her fortunes have at last changed for the better, until she begins to notice that the loom is taking more from her than she bargained for.

While Ella is whisked away by Callum’s charm and caught up in the web of the Bean-Nighe’s magic, she must find a way to secure her future endeavors while she still has a future left.

I enjoyed Ella as the main character. I had so much empathy for her, and the situation that she found herself in, but I don’t think I would have made the deal that she did. She lived in a society that basically disregarded her, and I found her relatable in the way she struggled with feelings of self-worth. The story becomes darker as it goes along, and it was interesting to see the twists and turns that Ella has to face. I do wish there was a little more to the ending of the book, but overall I was satisfied.

A great sophomore novel for Panin! I hope that you pick this one up ASAP, as it releases Tuesday, August 23, 2022.

A dark story which tells that money and power can blind people to see what's in front of them.
The world building is fascinating although I wish there's more development about it.

This book has a really interesting premise which brings out one character from the Scottish folklore which is very interesting to know.
I'm not familiar with the original folklore and the one that the author include here is about Bean-Nighe.

It started off with a strong opening but the pace becomes a bit slow in the middle, but fortunately it picks up again near the ending with that small surprise from the background story of the Bean-Nighe.

It took quite a while for Ella's character to warm up to me. It's hard to connect with her because I am too frustrated with her choices throughout the story. Although, I began to like her more near the ending when she wakes up and start fighting back.

Overall, it's a pretty good read. I still enjoy some of the aspects in this book and I was satisfied with how things wrapped up in the end.
If you're interested in reading this dark fantasy YA Scottish folklore retelling, then you can give this one a try.

Special thanks to Cyla Panin and Netgalley for giving me this e-arc and also to TBR and Beyond Tour for allowing me to be a part of the book tour!
All thoughts are my own.

ARC REVIEW

So this is not normally the kind of book I read, but the blurb sounded so intriguing I had to give it a shot! For anyone interested this is a YA that has elements of horror and Celtic mythology.

We follow Ella who is just a young girl trying to make it in her harsh reality. She is a very talented seamstress but that only gets her so far when she isn’t making enough to support herself. She makes a deal with Bean-Nighe when her loom breaks for help. In order to have the help she seeks she must give a drop of blood everyday to her loom and she’ll be able to make the most exquisite garments of her life.

Things seemed to be going well for Ella and her bargain but things become strange and her loom starts to have a ravenous mind of its own. With Ella owing a debt how can she possibly get out of this in tact?

I found Ella’s struggle to be one we can all relate too, however I can’t imagine feeling so desperate to make a deal like that. I enjoyed Ella’s character and her progression throughout the story. It was definitely very interesting and the Celtic mythology was so cool to see come to life on the pages.

I did enjoy the story, I know now this genre really isn’t my thing. But if you enjoy the young adult fiction, with deals to good to be true and scary looms pick this up when it releases! You’ll love it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I read and loved Stalking Shadows last year, so I was super excited to get a chance to read the author’s new book. Beguiled is an immersive YA fantasy that follows Ella, a weaver struggling to pay off her debt and make ends meet when her loom breaks. Since her loom is her livelihood and Ella’s only way of gaining security, independence, and getting out of debt from an underhanded and lecherous lender, Ella makes a bargain with a magical granter of wishes. However, Ella soon learns to be careful what she wishes for and who she makes deals with. The story reminds me a bit of The Monkey’s Paw by W. W. Jacobs in that way. Your wishes might come true but not in the way you initially hoped, and sometimes those wishes can work to your detriment.

The world-building in the story is really well done, and I enjoyed the integration of Celtic folklore and legends. The Bean-Nighe is a major influence in the story, and I didn’t know much about the legend prior to reading this book. Ella travels a twisted and dark path as she makes a deal with the Bean-Nighe and promises to give a drop of blood every time she uses her loom. Elle learns a lot by making this deal with the Bean-Nighe and is pulled into a world of opulence, beauty, and mystery.

Ella lives a solitary and poverty-stricken life, especially since her father died. Riddled with debt with little hope of pulling herself out of the dire situation she is in, Ella longs for more. She wants her own shop, a successful business, and the financial independence and safety that come with it. Above all, Ella wants to be seen – to be recognized for her extraordinary skill but also valued as a person, and this has rarely happened in her life. It’s no surprise when she makes a deal with the Bean-Nighe to improve her situation. Ella is a layered character, determined and brave, scheming and lonely with a tragic backstory, and though I didn’t find her the most likable protagonist, I understood her desires and motivations and sympathized with her situation.

The story is filled with many morally grey characters, some who toe the line between good and evil and some who gleefully jump back and forth. They’re the kind of characters who keep the reader on their toes, as it’s never clear who can be trusted, who is scheming, and who has good intentions. Throughout the book, I wondered about Callum’s motivations, in particular. Was he good? Was he evil? What did he really want from Ella? I felt that way about several characters, and the enigma surrounding Callum and the others was one of the highlights of the story. The plot also touches upon thought-provoking themes of classism, manipulation, poverty, and more. I like that, though it seems like a relatively simple story, it has many layers to unravel.

Overall, this was a unique and intriguing YA fantasy, and I would recommend it to readers who like enchanting tales steeped in Celtic lore. Thanks so much to Amulet Books and TBR and Beyond Tours for gifting me a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

A big thanks to NetGalley and ABRAMS Kids for gifting me an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

I don't know why, going into this book it was going to be a Rumpelstiltskin retelling. But boy was I completely wrong. Though a good wrong, as I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would.

Beguiled by Cyla Panin is YA fantasy novel that falls the downfall life of Ella, as she struggles to keep her life and tailoring business afloat. But her ship slowly starts to sink when her loom breaks down in the middle of an important order. Leaving Ella with the only option to see the woman of the water, to make a deal to fix her loom at the price of her blood. Ella quickly agrees, which quickly leads to her downfall.

I really liked this novel, as it was a fresh breath into the realm of fantasy. Which I much needed after binging about every fairy-tale retelling I could get my hands on. Though this book is not for the faint of heart.

An immersive, original, dark, Celtic fantasy. I only have good words to say about this book. The world building was fantastic, the mythology was an amazing touch and the characters were perfect. I felt like I was living in this world. So good

Beguiled wasn't as engaging as I'd hoped but I still had a good time within its pages.

On the streets of Scotland we meet our MC, a weaver trying to get her wares noticed using borrowed money. When things go awry and the loan comes due she turns to desperate measures of the otherworldly nature to turn things around. What follows is the story of how far one will go to not only survive but thrive.

The author has created something I really enjoy in YA, she's written a story that has a "choose your own depth" quality. Readers looking for a thought provoking story will quickly see the themes of classism, perseverance, and gaslighting, from there you can fill out the stories depth. If you're looking for a lighter fair there's plenty of sparkling gowns, high society, and romance. The story works either way.

Unfortunately, I never felt completely connected with this one. Despite having a deep love for Celtic lore and elements of my upbringing echoing the MC, I felt little connection to the story or characters. There's a deep desperation that comes with survival and while we're shown some of it through Ella's actions, I never felt it in the visceral way I wanted.

All in all Beguiled wasn't a bad read, it simply left me wanting more.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the review copy.

The premise for the book sounded really interesting, and I’m just disappointed with the actual delivery of it. Because there was, for me at least, no real suspense to what was going on in this world and that Callum was not who he claimed to be. Why? Because it basically spells it out for you within the first 100 pages, it was just so obvious there was this dark thing going on and that the main character was led into a trap. Which makes it so infuriating to read how blind she is for all of it, until like the last 50 pages or so. It was really frustrating and dull to read about, as when the truth was revealed it didn’t have the intended *shocking* effect on me. But like I said, not everything in this book was bad and the very end of the book was honestly quite fun and I loved the female friendship. I wish more of the book had that level of interesting relationships and actual high stakes. Not to mention something actually happening to the plot. But unfortunately it was too little, too late. But since I like the end and certain aspects of the book, I will be nice and give the book a 3 star.

**I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own**

I enjoyed this book. There was some really good world-building and I loved the Celtic folklore. I don't anything about Celtic folklore, but this book has made me want to learn so much more. I also liked that Ella was a pretty independent female character. She was determined to make her way in a society that looked down on her because of her father's debt.

I will say, I did dislike the romance between Callum and Ella. I didn't that she fell so hard with him in what seemed like a pretty short period of time. I feel like she had some doubts about their relationship, but she still let it go far, and when the truth started coming out, she instantly regretted it. She definitely jumped in way too fast. I do wish the book would have been a bit longer with more detail added. I just think the events at the end of the book went way too fast.

Overall, I think this book was pretty good. If you like retellings and Celtic folklore, then you will definitely enjoy this book!