Mountains Made of Glass (Fairy Tale Retelling Book 1)

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The only reason this is two stars is because it made me laugh, except I don't think it was supposed to. Why do I keep giving Scarlett St. Clair a go when I'm currently batting one for four of her books that I actually liked? Homegirl saw the discourse around Lightlark and how everything was described as an adjective + "thing" and said hold my wine. But all in all I noticed that I fell into the St. Clair trap again. 🙄 though, the writing did improve since Persephone and Hades. It’s not cringe worthy this time around. There is a long history of men promulgating male privilege and sexual dominance, but this book was written by a woman. That isn’t a mystery; androcentric media has affected women on both conscious and subconscious levels, influencing what they have grown to believe is romantic and/or erotic, and what they define as “success” in life. Thus male domination is a turn-on for *both* men and women. [The dynamic is aided by women wearing sheer, revealing clothing (featured aplenty in this book) and assuming physical positions of submission.] Men can’t resist these women (no matter how surly), and other women want to emulate them. Being “hot” is equated with success and self-esteem, just as Gesela feels being ravished by Casamir makes her “someone.” In addition to the spice, we also see both Casamir and Ella face their misgivings about love. Neither like being vulnerable and they resist fully opening up to each other. However, with all that chemistry zapping around, it proves difficult. "She makes me feel like it won't matter if I have a name or not. So long as I know her, I will know myself." On the one hand, this is a mash-up of fairytale retellings and a very hot romance, with explicit details. But to my mind, and more importantly, it is a stereotypical story from pre-Me-Too days of the appeal of the rapey bad boy.

I’m really interested in Casamir’s brothers and am hoping that each will be the focus of future books. I have a feeling they will each have a unique story to tell, and I’m eager to see how all of their stories tie together and who will be crowned the king of Fairyland. The romance was chef's kiss. The dual pov and enemies-to-lovers trope gave me a perpetual stomach tingle, and the smut was so so so so good. All Gesela’s life, her home village of Elk has been cursed. And it isn’t a single curse—it is one after another, each to be broken by a villager, each with devastating consequences. When Elk’s well goes dry, it is Gesela’s turn to save her town by killing the toad that lives at the bottom. Except…the toad is not a toad at all. He is an Elven prince under a curse of his own, and upon his death, his brothers come for Gesela, seeking retribution. I recommend going in blind, don't even read the blurb. I read this mainly due to the author and I am so glad I skipped the blurb because it made it so much more enjoyable. If you must I'll include a bit below, but I suggest the skip. After this fiery encounter, Gesela asks (or rather, “moans”) “What kind of magic is this?” “This is not magic,” he responds, “This is need.” She thinks, “If this was need, I had never known it before, but I was certain I could not live without it . . . .”

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The fairy tale elements keep coming in with a sentient magic mirror and the beast’s acquaintances that remind him that the way to win a woman’s heart is probably not just through cruelty; you need to be gentle and have tact and patience and a bunch of other things. In that regard, I also felt for the prince and his role in this fairytale; a prisoner trying to return to a princess he does not love. Mountains Made of Glass by Scarlett St. Clair is a fairy tale retelling that came out on the 7th of March. I was approved for an e-copy, courtesy of NetGalley, by Bloom Books when I requested it because anyone on bookstagram, or Goodreads, or literal or booktok has heard of Scarlett St. Clair at this point. Give it a chance if you enjoy enemy-to-lover, duel POV, short and harsh stories. I'll probably read the second book, this world and the Brothers have potential, but I really hope the next be more engaging.

Casamir, the prince of Thorn, a beautiful and magnificent fae alas has been cursed by the Glass Mountains. When Gesela accidentally also brutally killed one of the seven brothers, the other five send her to the cursed brother to may break it by learning the real Casamir’s name. i also really enjoyed the different mythologies and fairytale creatures and traditional storylines woven into one short book, it was very impressive and quite interesting to read about! Second of all, this author can really make a unique and fantastic retelling of anything. The richness of the lores (some borrowed and some she comes up with herself) is the most compelling part of the book. Plotwise speaking, it wasn't the masterpiece of the century but I had tons of fun with it and the retelling aspect was so incredibly well done. Rumpelstiltskin, Snow White and Beauty and the Beast are only a few of the fairytales this story was inspired by, and damn, were they properly employed.

About this book

This woman has the potential to pull such a hero out of the abyss in which he passes his days and long nights, falling in love with him in spite of his stern demeanor, dark past, and sexual abuse. The reward? She is needed by him, more than she has ever been needed by anyone. And she thereby is “someone.”

Gesela lives in the village of Elk. It’s inhabitants falling from curse to curse, a never ending vicious circle. When it’s Geselle turn to kill the toad in the well, she hesitantly takes action. The following night she is confronted by five fairy princes. She killed the sixth brother who she thought a toad. As a punishment she is sent to the seventh brother, who is a beast. Can they end the curse?! Choke me", FMC said at some point, and there I was, flying to the moon with heart palpitations and squeezed tighs. But it’s like with an addiction. You can’t stop. I had to press the request button. This sounded so fun and exciting. I do appreciate a good fairytale retelling. But I need my characters with a spine and a story in addition to the smut. I thought I give it another go! Besides, then we not only realize the triumph of having broken through the man’s supposedly impenetrable barriers, but we also have power conferred upon us by being his woman (and the one who finally conquered him!);

Mountains Made of Glass by Scarlett St. Clair Summary

The story started well enough. It even had promise. I liked that there were several fairytales mixed into one. I also liked that Gesela was no damsel in distress. Where I had a strong dislike for Persephone, Gesela was more a character to my liking. She wasn’t innocent nor naive, a perfectly morally grey character. on the other hand, i wasn't sure how to feel about either character. maybe it's because the book was so short, but i just couldn't get attached to anyone. the MC was reasonably badass but also a little stupid, like i did spend a bit more time than i would've liked screaming at her... but hey, not everyone can be einstein. and at least i really liked a couple side characters, i honestly wish we got more of Wolf, Naeve and Mirror! We may want agency and importance, but these desires pale besides the attractiveness of enticing otherwise recalcitrant men and then wallowing in sexual submission to their uncontrollable desires;