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The Belles
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
Camellia Beauregard is a Belle. In the opulent world of Orleans, Belles are revered, for they control Beauty, and Beauty is a commodity coveted above all else. In Orleans, the people are born gray, they are born damned, and only with the help of a Belle and her talents can they transform and be made beautiful. But it's not enough for Camellia to be just a Belle. She wants to be the favoritethe Belle chosen by the Queen of Orleans to live in the royal palace, to tend to the royal family and their court, to be recognized as the most talented Belle in the land. But once Camellia and her Belle sisters arrive at court, it becomes clear that being the favorite is not everything she always dreamed it would be. Behind the gilded palace walls live dark secrets, and Camellia soon learns that the very essence of her existence is a liethat her powers are far greater, and could be more dangerous, than she ever imagined. And when the queen asks Camellia to risk her own life and help the ailing princess by using Belle powers in unintended ways, Camellia now faces an impossible decision. With the future of Orleans and its people at stake, Camellia must decidesave herself and her sisters and the way of the Bellesor resuscitate the princess, risk her own life, and change the ways of her world forever. Dhonielle Clayton creates a rich, detailed, decadent world of excess and privilege, where beauty is not only skin-deep, but a complete mirage. Weaving deeper questions about the commodification of women's bodies, gender equality, racial identity, and vanity with high-stakes action and incredible imagery, The Belles is the must-read epic of the season.
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Kylivi
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Mehso-so

Flowery, poetic language paired with disturbing, uncomfortable world building make a great backdrop for this book. The so-so rating comes from some issues with pacing and a too-passive MC. If you like detailed fantasy settings, or are interested in the questions surrounding beauty standards and dangerous body alteration, maybe give this one a try.

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kimmypete1
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Pickpick

Really enjoyed this wicked take on Beauty!

5feet.of.fury What a gorgeous cover 😍 1y
18 likes1 comment
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kimmypete1
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Made a point to stop by my local indie bookstore on independent bookstore day and picked up The Belles. Look at this gorgeous map inside!

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RedxoHearts
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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So pretty! 💕 I made this book sleeve and thought this book looked good with it. The colors remind me of fall. I usually use mine to hold my kindle or tablet though so I love how handy book sleeves are. I've had The Belles on my TBR list for so long maybe I will read it this month.
#litsycrafters

Catsandbooks Pretty! 2y
27 likes1 comment
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RedxoHearts
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Picked up these books at Half Priced Book Store today. I always love searching the clearance section

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IReadThereforeIBlog
The Belles (The Belles, #1) | Dhonielle Clayton
Panpan

Dhonielle Clayton‘s YA fantasy (the first in a trilogy) has interesting ideas about the power of beauty and society‘s obsession with it. Unfortunately the pacing was far too slow, the plot relies very heavily on contrivance (with Carmellia behaving foolishly when needed) and the characterisation just isn‘t interesting or consistent enough to hold my attention notably the “friendship” between Amber and Carmellia, which never convinces.

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IhoardBOOKS
The Belles (The Belles, #1) | Dhonielle Clayton
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First book in a series, a bit of a rollercoaster of a read. I wasn‘t a big fan of the main character but she‘s interesting and does grow throughout the books. In this book beauty is a hot commodity and very controlled, the belles have the ability to reshape a persons beauty but there is a very ugly side to all of this as well. Intriguing world.

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StaceyKondla
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Pickpick

I‘ve had this audiobook sitting in my Kobo app for a while and finally decided to give it a go. I started listening on the first and just finished. The writing is lush, the story is good, and I enjoyed the characters. I found myself getting a bit impatient with some of the bad choices, but overall really enjoyable and I will likely give the sequel, Everlasting Rose, a listen

LibrarianRyan I agree with you. I still haven't read Everlasting Rose but that is more because I have a not reading sequels in a timely manner problem. 4y
63 likes1 stack add1 comment
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SiameseCatsRead
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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#June2020reads (I know, a little late...I had major surgery July 2, so I've been down and out for a bit.)
There were a lot of great reads, but I think my favorite was The Belles. Runner-up would be A Study in Charlotte, which got me interested in reading some classic Sherlock Holmes stories.

What were your favorite June 2020 reads?

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LibrarianRyan
The Belles (The Belles, #1) | Dhonielle Clayton
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I was going to pick Long Way Down by Reynolds, but everyone pics his books. They are just so good.

So I want to go with a book that is not an “issue“ book. The Belles is about a special group of young ladies who have the ability to make people beautiful. Beauty is a tool and a threat.

This was a fun sci-fi adventure with some great world building. I till need to read book 2 but i thoroughly enjoyed book 1.

#BlackVoices @shybookowl

thewallflower0707 It also has a gorgeous cover! 4y
71 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Deifio
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Pickpick

This was amazing! I enjoyed it so much! The setting was great, everyone was obsessed by beauty. And the mystery of the Belles is pretty cool.
@maich definitely recommend it!

maich I will read it! 5y
26 likes1 comment
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Jasxnicole
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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This was pitched to me as a mixture of Marie Antoinette and magic and I could not have been more in love. It was a great take on how obsessed we are as a society with beauty and just how far people are willing to go to gain their definition of perfection.

#bookquotewednesday

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JeniReadABook
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟

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MidnightBookGirl
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Pickpick

Clayton does some very impressive world building, and I loved the idea of beauty magic and the ugliness behind it. There's some romance, but at the heart of the book is a young woman desperate to make her mark, and later desperate to save her sisters. Also, teacup animals abound.

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CaitlinSiem
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Pickpick

This was interesting. I enjoyed the world building and the details that went into this book. There were definitely some dreadful people which is always fun. And I liked seeing how everything played out.

I liked it but it didn‘t draw me in enough to love. I‘ll continue on with the second book though.

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MidnightBookGirl
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Enjoying this!

ChaoticMissAdventures I really enjoyed it too! I thought the world building was really unique and fun - though I hear book 2 is not so good. 5y
Tracyantoon I also loved this one! It was a 5 ⭐️ read for me. Totally surprised how much I enjoyed it. Planning on reading the 2nd one soon. 5y
49 likes1 stack add2 comments
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brandierickson
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Really, really liking this so far. It‘s pretty dark which wasn‘t what I expected but I dig it!

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ChaoticMissAdventures
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed everything about this! The mixed reviews on Goodreads probably helped. But I was impressed with the world building, the drawing of the characters, and the pacing. Each time I out the book down I was excited to get back to it.
Such a fun romp that also had a bit of a dark side to keep the suspense on.

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Lovesbooks87
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Pickpick

First book of 2020 is complete!!! Wow this book was a wild ride. At first I wasn‘t too sure about it. But about 100 pages in I was hooked! Camellia is part of a twisted world where she is a Belle given the power to change people‘s physical appearances. When she is chosen to work with the queen she is excited. She has no idea that she will be dealing with a very evil princess. I am so glad that I have the next book so I can start it next!

57 likes1 stack add
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Karisa
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Mehso-so

The Belles is set in a world where most are born gray and plain. They, of course, value beauty/color with the only way to obtain being through magical young women called Belles. Wicked royals, lavish parties, jealousy, chaos ensues.

As a read, it was okay. I was expecting a YA, but it just felt like it was more suited for middle school. It did have some things to say about beauty and defintely more going on in this world to explore in sequels.

cariashley I was really disappointed with this one when it came out 😕 5y
Karisa @cariashley I was hoping for more somehow too. Seems like her worldbuilding was good. It just became repetitive and seemed like somethings I had read before. Not much edge to it. 5y
43 likes3 comments
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Curly_Reader
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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While cleaning my book shelf. I found this beauty from last years book con and had it signed. Might be my next read.. 🤔
#tmskellington #wintergames @Crimson613 #bookcon

Karisa That's what I'm reading. I'm going to have to finish fast because it's a digital library borrow. The holds list is long for it too! So far, I like it but very YA as @BethM was saying about her current read too. 5y
BethM @Karisa my favorite YA don‘t feel YA 😂 5y
coffees 1pt!! 12-26 5y
Curly_Reader Did you both enjoy it? @Karisa @BethM 5y
Karisa @Curly_Caffeinated_Reader I'm a third in and the verdict is still out for me. 😊 5y
7 likes5 comments
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Deifio
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Thank you @maich! Everything is lovely! My daughter already wants one of the magnetic bookmarks. 😉 And both of us can't stop brushing over that lovely pillowcase! 😍 Thank you soooo much! Can't wait to start reading tonight
@MaleficentBookDragon
#jolabokaflodswap

MaleficentBookDragon Such a nice gift. ♥it! Happy #Jolabokaflod! 5y
maich I'm glad you like it. Merry Christmas and happy holidays. Enjoy reading! ❤😍 5y
28 likes2 comments
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Mleanne
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Pickpick

Epic Reads suggested The Belles as an engaging audiobook and I agree. I loved listening to it. The world creation is fascinating and I enjoyed the plot. However, I will say I was getting very frustrated at the end. Clayton does a great job of making you hate the antagonist for sure!

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jploves2read
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Pickpick

I actually really enjoyed this. I‘m not a super fantasy reader at all. This book actually helped me to see why; it takes too long to set up the alternative world. I want to jump straight into the story that grabs me. With that being said I really LOVED this book. Once the action got started it was non-stop and there were even a few surprises that I didn‘t see coming at all. I‘m glad I already have book two but I may wait to read it. We‘ll see.

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MicrobeMom
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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I am about to start the tagged book. I love a book with a map and this is a very beautiful one.

Soubhiville Wow that is pretty. 5y
38 likes1 comment
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Jasxnicole
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Taking a trip to Orléans for #mapmonday ?

rather_be_reading beautiful! 5y
10 likes1 comment
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GypsyKat
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Pickpick

I‘d heard conflicting opinions on this one, so I wasn‘t sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised! I thought the world building was excellent, and the rich descriptions made the book come alive. Some expected YA tropes, and the characters could have been a bit more developed, but overall I thought it was really well done. I had some very strong feelings about some of the characters. It left me wanting more. I‘ll definitely read the next one!

76 likes2 stack adds
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Squidapus
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Pickpick

So good that Squidapus committed identity theft and signed into my Amazon account to preorder the next book. An absolutely fascinating world where beauty is everything and a populous cursed by a god to look ugly are transformed by Belles with the power to change appearance. A world of excess where only looks matter that can really be extrapolated to our lives today. Even tho it took Squidapus a while to read this it never felt overong or slow

20 likes1 stack add
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GypsyKat
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Starting this one today.

LibrarianRyan I'll be interested to hear your take. I bought book 2 but have not read it yet. 5y
GypsyKat @LibrarianRyan I like it so far! 5y
71 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Squidapus
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Ooooo, Squidapus has been excited to read this one for a while. A fantasy New Orleans where the Belles use their powerful magic for the upper class. Seemed like a really unique world and could be quite the novel!

LibrarianRyan It‘s very unique. 5y
17 likes1 comment
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alloriea
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
Pickpick

Stunning writing that made the world come alive in my brain, I didnt love it in the beginning, it was actually a little hard to get into, but by the end I was a fan, I started book 2 as soon as I finished book one.

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Lucy_Anywhere
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Mehso-so

I liked this lush YA fantasy, but I didn't love it. The premise is fascinating, as is the world building which shows a society obsessed with beauty and celebrity. However, the book was slow to get going and the characters weren't as full-blooded as I like them to be. Still, it was a pleasant way to spend a sunny afternoon.

#fantasy #youngadult

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AlizaApp
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Pickpick

The first in a YA trilogy about what people will pay (also spiritually and emotionally) for beauty. In a world of gray people, only the Belles and their magic can make people beautiful. Great world building and lots of compelling characters, especially the unstable princess. Can‘t wait for book two!

41 likes1 stack add
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EclecticReaders
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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It‘s time for the last interview of #EclecticSpringBreak! We interviewed Dhonielle Clayton and all agreed that adulting is hard, then discussed the idea of beauty, and, if you had the chance, how far you would go to change yourself… down to your very bones. eclecticreaders.fireside.fm/64

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EclecticReaders
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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We‘re a week out from the release of the 5th and final #EclecticSpringBreak podcast episode with Dhonielle Clayton and it‘s one you definitely don‘t want to miss! #EclecticReaders

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Blerdgal_Fenix
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
Pickpick

Enjoyed this quick read. There is a cliffhanger - so it makes you read book 2. I give it 7 out of 10. #commuterreads #ya #girlsofcolor #poc #diversity #womenofcolor #pocauthor #girlsthatlooklikeme

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Blerdgal_Fenix
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton

So far an interesting read. I got it from the library on my kindle. I would love to se SyFy or Netflix turn this into a movie.

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jmtrivera
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Lots of imagery related to #flowers in this series.
Yes, my father really did give me my very own Beauty and the Beast rose. 🌹🥀
#SpringIntoReading #DaddysGirl

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful 💜💜 6y
vkois88 Love everything about this photo!!! 6y
29 likes1 stack add2 comments
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LibrarianRyan
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Mehso-so

3⭐️ I had to let it sink in to determine what I wanted to say. This book is a fantasy that doesn‘t feel like a fantasy. But it also doesn‘t feel like a teen drama. In ways it reminds me of Rapunzel and Flowers in the Attic without the incest. Full review on GR and LT

#MountTBR
#ReadHarder
#Booked2019 - #newtoyouauthor
#LittenLoveBingo - #PrettyCover
#NancyDrewChallenge - #9 - #MCusesacandle
#KillYourTBR - #woninabookishfirstraffle

51 likes1 stack add
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LibrarianRyan
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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I had a dismal reading month in March. Between Letters about Lit, and a dismal work month, yikes!! I didn‘t even read one book. Just the end of one and the beginning of another.

Here is hoping for a better April.

49 likes1 stack add
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Chelleo
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️🎧📕2019.03.31 Overall a good read. The main character was a bit annoying. LOTS of details & inner dialogue slowed the pace. The villain was most enjoyable bc she was so unnerving & unpredictable. The world-building was nice...would make for an interesting on-screen adaptation. I want to know what happens in book 2 but not sure I wouldn‘t just skip to the middle to see how things ends up.

Thanks @Endowarrior21 for this #BHMSwap book.

MrsGagnonreads2024 Your welcome 6y
100 likes1 comment
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Chelleo
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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I have the house to myself and am listening to my audiobook via my Google Home speaker. Belles is such an interesting story. Not sure I like any of the characters and this extreme take on beauty is wild. Still reading RPP which is slow going because of my schedule but I am enjoying it knowing it‘s the last book of the series.

LibrarianRyan Belles was interesting. I agree with you and even when I got the end I was okay. But I do want to know what happens next so I bought book 2. 6y
hannahx I'm reading China Rich Girlfriend when I need a break from The Castle. I find the series to be the perfect mindless entertainment. Kind of like reading trashy real housewives TV. 6y
118 likes2 comments
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hes7
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Pickpick

I wish there had been a bit more explanation to the world-building, but overall, it was still an intriguing YA fantasy.

(Substitute for Children of Blood and Bone)

#MarchMadnessChallenge

Jedi_Bruno You have read so many books. I have so much catching up to do! What are you reading now? 6y
Ravenpuff I had my copy signed by her. I haven‘t read it yet and I wanted to buy “Everlasting Rose,” so I can have her sign that as well. But I felt so bad for having not read the first one yet that I decided against it. 😂 6y
100 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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GirlofPaperandFire
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton

Is My Life Not Worth The Lives Of So Many Others?

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GirlofPaperandFire
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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May You Always Find Beauty 💖

CaliforniaCay Welcome to litsy 🤗 6y
50 likes1 comment
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LibrarianRyan
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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1. Corned beef and cabbage in the crockpot
2. Probably not being able to get a job in the sciences and going into libraries instead
3. Done
4.hummmm. Tesla.
5. 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

#friyayintro

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GirlofPaperandFire
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Which bok should I read next? Comment below Xx

The belles
Renegade
Two dark thrones
Red queen

Dragon Red Queen 6y
Johanna414 I like that cover of Renegades! 6y
GirlofPaperandFire English Cover xxxxx 6y
See All 10 Comments
sprainedbrain The only one I‘ve read is Red Queen, so I will pick that one. 😃 6y
booklahoma I enjoyed Red Queen and the other books in that series. 6y
night_shift I've read Red Queen and the one just after it, but haven't gotten around to the third. The Belles was pretty good, though. 6y
GirlofPaperandFire Red Queen will be a reread for me but I'm happy to reread it I loved it so much first time round ❤ 6y
readinginthedark I haven't read any of these, but they're all on my TBR! 6y
Slajaunie I have read the Red Queen series and all but the last book of the Three Dark Crowns series. Really enjoyed them. 6y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 🤗 6y
56 likes1 stack add10 comments
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ItsAnotherJen
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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🍀It's my birthday that day!! Hopefully my husband and I will be going out and spending time together. He has been busy calving 800 head of cows the last 3 months and has not left the farm since he started. He needs a break (and I need some time w/him!💓)
🍀Finding someone that puts up with me every day and still likes me after all this time.
🍀Done!
🍀Maya Angelou
🍀 @TheReadingMermaid @RvnclawWhovian

🍀🌈☘🍀🌈☘

#friyayintro
@howjessreads

Mollyanna Happy Birthday! 🎁🎈🎁 6y
BeansPage Happy early birthday sweetie 🎈🎂🎉 and thank you for the tag ❤️🤗❤️ 6y
RvnclawWhovian Hope you have an awesome birthday!! And thanks for the tag 😊💙 6y
See All 11 Comments
TheLibrarian Happy Birthday!! 6y
Sarah83 Happy birthday 🎂 6y
Cathythoughts Happy Birthday 💚💚💚 6y
Erofan Happy birthday!!! 🎁🎈🎂🎉 6y
tournevis Happy birthday! 🎂🎈🎁🎉 6y
youneverarrived Happy Birthday 🍷🎂🥳 6y
JessClark78 Happy Birthday! 🎊🎂🎉 6y
70 likes11 comments
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LibrarianRyan
The Belles | Dhonielle Clayton
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Pickpick

I have finally finished this book. It took forever. I give it a pick but I need to let it stew before I write my review.

Bklover For me “taking forever” is generally not a good thing, even when I enjoyed the book. 6y
LibrarianRyan @Bklover it depends. Sometime I set it aside and come back later or in this case I was intrigued enough to keep reading. I think part of it was that so much was about being beautiful it was annoying. 6y
TieDyeDude I bought this when I saw the author speak, but I haven't gotten around to it. It is high on my list of book I already own, if I can keep my library holds list short, especially since the sequel comes out soon 6y
LibrarianRyan @TieDyeDude sequels out. I picked up a copy last week. But it‘s much shorter. 6y
97 likes5 stack adds4 comments