Storm and Solace

A Beauty and the Beast Retelling

Fiction - Paranormal
288 Pages
Reviewed on 06/09/2022
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Storm and Solace: A Beauty and the Beast Retelling by Robin Woods is not your typical retelling of a beloved fairytale. Created to protect the seas rather than destroy them, sisters Atla, Imth, and Saxa had a hard job, but it needed to be done. However, it was Saxa who went against their purpose and, instead of protecting, started to cause damage to the seas and those who travel on them. A broken heart is the hardest to cure, and Saxa believed there was no curing what she had lost. Cursed by her sisters and told to get her act together, Saxa was ready to give it all up until she met Brandr. This brave man gave up his freedom to protect his brother from the wrath of Imth and Atla. Now, he was destined to stay on this deserted island for all his days with only the cursed Saxa for a companion. As days pass and love blossoms, would Saxa and Brandr give love a chance?

Richly detailed and written with care, Storm and Solace is a fantastic novel. Aptly named and well-executed, the story was an absolute joy to read. I finished the book in one sitting, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I love mythology, and Norse mythology is my favorite. The fact that Robin Woods created the perfect mixture of Nordic mythology and a modern version of Beauty and The Beast was astonishing to me. Atla was just as majestic as you would expect, and Brandr was just as human as you need him to be. The chemistry between Saxa and Brandr was off the charts. From their first meeting, after Saxa was cursed, to the very final scene, everything was well-thought-out. I would highly recommend this novel!

Antoinette Wessels

Storm and Solace: A Beauty and the Beast Retelling by Robin Woods is an epic adventure with gods, dragons, and of course magic. The story is set on the mythical island of Breidhablik, an island ruled by Saxa, a beautiful sea goddess. After the death of her lover, Saxa goes on a rampage to kill all the Raiders on the ocean, but she also kills a few innocent people in the process. When her sisters curse her to prevent her from committing more of these heinous acts, Saxa needs to find who she is as a human, without her powers or beauty. A handsome young man named Brandr is exiled to Breidhablik and meets Saxa, but is unaware of who she is. He nurses her as close back to health as possible and then they return to her castle. When Geir Bernt comes to Breidhablik to open trade, trouble starts brewing for Breidhablik and Fron, where Brandr’s family is, and it is up to Saxa and Brandr to protect their people and families.

Storm and Solace by Robin Woods is a whirlwind adventure. The pace is fast and there isn’t a moment when I felt the story was lacking momentum. This is an action-packed tale and the author had me intrigued from the first page. The main theme of the novel is love, specifically the love between two people where appearance doesn’t matter. The love between the main characters is unconditional and it is contrasted with the love between Geir and Awine, which is only built on what the other can offer. Saxa grows as a character, learning to forgive those who harmed her and also learning to love herself for who she is. I can say that I enjoyed Storm and Solace a bit more than the original story.

Miche Arendse

Storm and Solace: A Beauty and the Beast Retelling by Robin Woods follows Saxa, one of three sisters who was tasked with taking care of the sea; however, due to her own grief after losing a lover, she turns to hunting raiders. Alta and Imth cannot bear to see their sister this way and feel they must teach her a lesson. Saxa is cursed and must prove that she is capable of caring for someone else more than herself or else she will be lost forever. Can Saxa learn to let go of her hatred and care for others and will Brandr be the one to help her do it?

Storm and Solace: A Beauty and the Beast Retelling by Robin Woods is a fantastical and unique story that takes the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast and turns it right on its head while still staying true to the main plot. Saxa must learn to care for others if she ever hopes to regain her powers and once again join her sisters in the sea. However, she has hatred and disdain for humans, especially raiders. What I love most is watching Saxa’s character development throughout the novel especially as she deals with Brandr. He is somewhat of an anomaly to her and is a catalyst for change in her heart. I absolutely love how this story plays out and enjoy the creative creatures and abilities the author includes in the plot. I think this is definitely a book every paranormal fan will love.