Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross

Published: April 10th, 2012

Publisher: Egmont

Pages: 314

e-copy: Courtesy of publisher and Netgalley

Summary: Goodreads

Mirabelle's past is shrouded in secrecy, from her parents' tragic deaths to her guardians' half-truths about why she can't return to her birthplace, Beau Rivage. Desperate to see the town, Mira runs away a week before her sixteenth birthday—and discovers a world she never could have imagined.

In Beau Rivage, nothing is what it seems—the strangely pale girl with a morbid interest in apples, the obnoxious playboy who's a beast to everyone he meets, and the chivalrous guy who has a thing for damsels in distress. Here, fairy tales come to life, curses are awakened, and ancient stories are played out again and again.

But fairy tales aren't pretty things, and they don't always end in happily ever after. Mira has a role to play, a fairy tale destiny to embrace or resist. As she struggles to take control of her fate, Mira is drawn into the lives of two brothers with fairy tale curses of their own . . . brothers who share a dark secret. And she'll find that love, just like fairy tales, can have sharp edges and hidden thorns.

I was originally drawn to this book because of the fairytale aspect - surprise, surprise!  I remained with this book, because it was utterly captivating and quite different.  From almost the very first page I was hooked - line and sinker included, by this amazing twist on our beloved fairytales.

What does this book have to offer?  A main character, Mira, who has been very sheltered by her guardians, so the occasionally rather stupid things that she does don't seem that way - there's an innocence to her that makes her actions believable, if still somewhat silly.   Two brothers, Blue and Felix, equally fascinating, and each hiding the real person behind a mask.  A perfect example of appearances being deceiving.  A host of lovable minor characters - teenagers doing everything in their power to fight their destinies, but keeping a sense of humour while doing so. A small quest that turns into a mystery, that turns into - well you'll have to read the book to find out!  An author who's not afraid to remember that the original fairy tales were not the 'Happily Ever After' stories that Disney has made us believe - thank you for that Ms Cross.

It only took me 2 days to read this wonderful book - which is quite a feat considering I worked each day and was out each evening (hello midnight showing of the Hunger Games!) - but I just did not want to put it down.  This was an absolute case of insta-love between Curlypow and Kill Me Softly. Fairytale lovers, give yourself a treat and try this out for size. I very much doubt you'll be disappointed.

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