Week 7 Review: Charming Devil

From Goodreads:

The painting that has kept Dorian Gray flawless for over a century is beginning to fall apart, saturated and rotted by his life of reckless decadence. Desperate, he seeks out the only person who might be able to save Baz Allard. She's a talented young painter who just inherited her aunt's house and studio in Charleston—and she happens to be a direct descendant of Basil Hallward, Dorian's first love, and the man who created the magical portrait. Baz has the same gift as her ancestor, but for deeply personal reasons, she has vowed never to paint anyone's likeness, and she refuses Dorian's commission.

As Dorian tries to persuade Baz that the money and prestige he offers are worth breaking her vow, he and Baz become aware of something else awakening in the coastal city. Dangerous forces, long dormant, have been stirred up by Baz herself…and perhaps by some mutual enemy hiding in the shadows. As tensions rise and desire flares ever-hotter, Baz and Dorian become enmeshed in a complex net of conflicting motives, messy mistakes, and a growing, desperate passion, with only one question burning between Does anyone, even the love seared deep into your very soul, deserve the burden of eternal life?

My Review:
Reading this book was so fantastic! I really enjoyed the first book, and I was excited to see where the series was going to go, and it looks like it's a series of retellings, but that they're all set in the same world, at least, I'd assume so, since these first two are.

One thing that I absolutely loved, was the brief mention of Marianas Trench, they're a band that I absolutely love, and I want to get more attention. Their newest album is coming out soon (just got the 2nd single on my birthday!) that is based on the Hero's Journey, which is such an interesting concept! So yeah that they got that mention! 

I know even less about the original story then I did in book one. All I really know about the original, is that this guy has a portrait of himself, that takes on all the ugliness of life. I have no idea what the story is, what the plot is, that's all that I know. So I was going into this one pretty blind. 

Baz is scarred because of her ability. When she was a kid, she was told not to draw real people, but she was a kid, and made a drawing of her dad-and when her mom came home, she destroyed it, which killed her dad. Which was pretty traumatic, so it's no wonder that she doesn't want to use it, when Dorion comes around for another portrait. 

The mix of all the different supernatural flavours and histories was really entertaining to read! I cared about Baz and Dorian, and as their lives were complicated by what was going on, I was rooting for them! Absolutely loved how things played out! 

Loved reading this book, and I can't wait for the next story to be retold! 

Author: Rebecca Kenney 
Series: Gilded Monsters #2
Read: February 14th, 2025
Source: Bought 
Reason Why: Loved the first book and it sounded really good, and it's a 2025 Retelling Reading Challenge Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2025 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca 
Published: February 11th 2025

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars