Review: Nameless by Lili St Crow

Nameless (Tales of Beauty & Madness #1) by Lili St Crow
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication date: April 4th, 2013
Number of pages: 304
Format: E-format
Source: E-copy via Netgalley and publisher.
Preorder a copy: Amazon | The Book Depository

When Camille was six years old, she was discovered alone in the snow by Enrico Vultusino, godfather of the Seven—the powerful Families that rule magic-ridden New Haven. Papa Vultusino adopted the mute, scarred child, naming her after his dead wife and raising her in luxury on Haven Hill alongside his own son, Nico.

Now Cami is turning sixteen. She’s no longer mute, though she keeps her faded scars hidden under her school uniform, and though she opens up only to her two best friends, Ruby and Ellie, and to Nico, who has become more than a brother to her. But even though Cami is a pampered Vultusino heiress, she knows that she is not really Family. Unlike them, she is a mortal with a past that lies buried in trauma. And it’s not until she meets the mysterious Tor, who reveals scars of his own, that Cami begins to uncover the secrets of her birth…to find out where she comes from and why her past is threatening her now.

I was THRILLED when I discovered that Lili was coming out with a new YA series. A fairytale re-telling at that. It seems this kind of thing is quite the thing these days.
If you couldn't tell by the description, then I am sure the cover is a BIG hint as to what re-telling this novel is about. Yes. Snow White, but it's certainly not your average version of the story.
No. This is a version you have never seen before.
This story will leave you panting with anticipation and breathless from excitement.

After my disappointment toward her ending of her Strange Angels series. Yes, that is NOT how I envisioned it ending, and I am still bitter about that to this very day. Lili, if you are listening... how about like.. a novella that will tell the events of after the ending... after like Graves returns, eh?
Anyway different story. Lets keep to topic now.

Lili does an amazing job on this re-telling. It's dark, romantic and dangerous.

We are first introduced to Cami as a young girl as she is found by the head of one of the most powerful families residing in magical-town, New Haven. She is mute. We then skip over the next ten years and things have changed. Sure,  Cami can now speak, but there are certain factors that have stayed the same.

Cami finds herself falling in love with the one person who hated her as a child. She is someone close to her, and the story between there is sweet, sensual and perfect. Niko, is the son to  Papa Vultusino, he will do anything for Cami. Protecting her. Loving her. There is nothing.. no cost less. Nothing that will change the way he feels about her. But Niko himself has Family stuff to deal with when things suddenly change in the household.

Cami knew she was different from them. She is Mortal, and they weren't... and she has always felt that she shouldn't be included as one of them. We soon discover there is more to her past than she knows, or remembers.
Things start to come to light upon the new arrival of Tor.. who seems to know more than he is letting on, and the friendship he forms with her will either help or destroy her.
It's knowing who to trust, and whether to believe in what feels the impossible.
Does Cami's flashes of memory mean something? Or are they just useless pieces of information that will lead nowhere?

I'm interested to see whether these characters will carry on throughout the series and the characters connect to one another like Marissa Meyer's series does, or whether each book will be a stand alone story. I suppose we'll discover at some point that answer.

I do look forward to see the next installment. To see what fairytale it shall be. 

If you are wondering on whether you want to read something else by Lili after the disaster of the ending to Strange Angels, fear not... this is not a book which will disappoint. It will take you through twists and turns. It's a journey of self discovery, of a love so tender and passionate. 
This is a story you will never forget....

Be sure to pick this book up once it releases in April.