The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

In the world of Orleans, beauty is one of the most prized commodities. This is a world where everyone is born ugly, with red eyes, pale skin, and straw-like hair. Every generation, a handful of young women called The Belles are born who have been granted the ability to craft beauty.  The Belles have varied body shapes and skin tones and all are considered beautiful. Camillia is one of six young Belles who’ve just turned 16 and are about to enter society and begin their service with the Queen’s court. Camillia is willing to do just about anything to become the Queen’s favorite. But we start to notice that something is amiss. The clients pay incredible sums of money for treatment, which is often incredibly painful. The treatments in turn drain the Belles of their magical ability, which must be restored with blood treatments. Camillia slowly realizes that nothing is exactly what it seems, and that there is a very dark secret lurking just beneath the surface of what she and her sisters are doing.

Dhonielle Clayton has crafted a powerful start to this fantasy series. In Camillia she has written a complex lead character of color who tries to tackle the hefty philosophical question of the true cost of beauty in society.  But other topics come up, including rape culture, classism, and an obsession with luxury that few can actually afford. There is a cliff-hanger ending, so expect a sequel soon for The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton.