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jasmine_elizabeth's review against another edition
4.0
This was so good, I don't know why it took me so long to finally get around to reading it.
I wish I read it sooner.
I wish I read it sooner.
itsdanysbooks's review against another edition
4.0
hm...
Tak konečne pridávam mini recenziu (na blogu bude... no za pár dní snáď :D)
Takže... nečakala som toho veľa, lebo síce Slováci knihu milovali, ostatné hodnotenia sú dosť také všelijaké a presne taká bola aj kniha. Všelijaká.
Veľmi pomaly sa budoval príbeh a ak mám byť úprimná, tak sa veľa ani nemalo čo budovať, pretože to bol jednoduchý príbeh, ktorý mohol skončiť za pár strán, no celá kniha stojí na tej atmosfére.
Do polovice máte pocit, že čítate nejakú creepy rozprávku, v polke sa diali také veci, že som nevedela knihu položiť, jednoducho som musela vedieť, čo sa stane ďalej, ale od toho momentu to potom išlo už len dolu. Ten koniec mi asi pokazil celý dojem z knihy, pretože jednak som poriadne nerozumela, čo sa deje, keďže autorka píše dosť poeticky a viac opisuje pocity a emócie, ako čo sa v skutočnosti deje, a taktiež to bolo rýchle vyriešenie problému. Celkovo od tých skvelých pasáži kniha strácala tú desivú atmosféru, ktorú si vybudovala a to mi bolo veľmi ľúto.
Ľúto mi bolo aj toho, že okrem hlavnej hrdinky boli zvyšné postavy také nepodstatné, aspoň ja som mala ten pocit, pretože som o nich nič nevedela a nič som k ním necítila, takže mi bol ich osud ukradnutý.
Ale celkovo to nebola zlá kniha. Fakt to má takú atmosféru, ktorú nedokáže vykúzliť len tak hocijaký autor a ani neviem poriadne opísať, aké to bolo. Rozprávkové, desivé, absurdné, temné... A aj napriek tomu, že to nie je kniha plná akcií, autorka píše tak pekne (a to myslím vážne, nemyslím tým, že píše dobre, ale naozaj pekne - Krásne myšlienky, metafory, prirovnania), že vás to dostane. Celé to bolo také surreálne! - presne takýto som z toho mala pocit.
Ak teda máte chuť na niečo, čo nečítate len tak bežne, tak určite po knihe siahnite :)
Tak konečne pridávam mini recenziu (na blogu bude... no za pár dní snáď :D)
Takže... nečakala som toho veľa, lebo síce Slováci knihu milovali, ostatné hodnotenia sú dosť také všelijaké a presne taká bola aj kniha. Všelijaká.
Veľmi pomaly sa budoval príbeh a ak mám byť úprimná, tak sa veľa ani nemalo čo budovať, pretože to bol jednoduchý príbeh, ktorý mohol skončiť za pár strán, no celá kniha stojí na tej atmosfére.
Do polovice máte pocit, že čítate nejakú creepy rozprávku, v polke sa diali také veci, že som nevedela knihu položiť, jednoducho som musela vedieť, čo sa stane ďalej, ale od toho momentu to potom išlo už len dolu. Ten koniec mi asi pokazil celý dojem z knihy, pretože jednak som poriadne nerozumela, čo sa deje, keďže autorka píše dosť poeticky a viac opisuje pocity a emócie, ako čo sa v skutočnosti deje, a taktiež to bolo rýchle vyriešenie problému. Celkovo od tých skvelých pasáži kniha strácala tú desivú atmosféru, ktorú si vybudovala a to mi bolo veľmi ľúto.
Ľúto mi bolo aj toho, že okrem hlavnej hrdinky boli zvyšné postavy také nepodstatné, aspoň ja som mala ten pocit, pretože som o nich nič nevedela a nič som k ním necítila, takže mi bol ich osud ukradnutý.
Ale celkovo to nebola zlá kniha. Fakt to má takú atmosféru, ktorú nedokáže vykúzliť len tak hocijaký autor a ani neviem poriadne opísať, aké to bolo. Rozprávkové, desivé, absurdné, temné... A aj napriek tomu, že to nie je kniha plná akcií, autorka píše tak pekne (a to myslím vážne, nemyslím tým, že píše dobre, ale naozaj pekne - Krásne myšlienky, metafory, prirovnania), že vás to dostane. Celé to bolo také surreálne! - presne takýto som z toho mala pocit.
Ak teda máte chuť na niečo, čo nečítate len tak bežne, tak určite po knihe siahnite :)
laughlinesandliterature's review against another edition
4.0
*I received this book from the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*
The Beast is an Animal is an absolutely chilling, dark, and captivating read. I haven’t had that anxious pit in my stomach for a fantasy book in a long long time. The writing was very, and the descriptions were rich and lush, especially given the fact that the people in the village of Defaid were such a staid, prudish, fanatical bunch. It’s not often that you read a story that intertwines the goodness and badness of people like Van Arsdale does in this novel. The main character Alys is a perfect example of that, she is like the “soul-eaters” but she is NOT like them in ways that matter more. Alys is so refreshing to read about because she is not the perfect girl, but neither is she one of those characters that have a minor flaw that makes them a “terrible person” by the standards of the book. Alys has a darkness that she is constantly battling, the same as the soul-eater twins, but unlike them she had more than a mother who cared about her and she was not removed from the village. This meant that she has a compassion and sense of justice that the other girls don’t have, and that sets her a part.
The pacing in this book is slow, there are no epic battles and sword-fights, but there is a finale that took my breath away. You may feel like you’re constantly waiting, but it’s a delicious kind of waiting that builds intensity and tension until it finally reaches the climax of the story. That being said, there were a few times that the story felt like it jumped ahead without much warning, I think that had more to do with the fact that this book spans like 10 years, but it was jarring at times. As I mentioned earlier in this review, this subject matter is dark. This is not for the faint of heart or younger readers. These girls eat souls, and the descriptions that accompany that are absolutely terrifying although they are brilliantly written. I honestly can’t rave enough about this book, it was just what I needed to read after so much fluff, and a few duds. This book was absolutely wonderful, and I would give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
This review was first posted to Moonlight Gleam Reviews http://moonlightgleam.com/2017/05/the-beast-is-an-animal-by-peternelle-van-arsdale.html*
The Beast is an Animal is an absolutely chilling, dark, and captivating read. I haven’t had that anxious pit in my stomach for a fantasy book in a long long time. The writing was very, and the descriptions were rich and lush, especially given the fact that the people in the village of Defaid were such a staid, prudish, fanatical bunch. It’s not often that you read a story that intertwines the goodness and badness of people like Van Arsdale does in this novel. The main character Alys is a perfect example of that, she is like the “soul-eaters” but she is NOT like them in ways that matter more. Alys is so refreshing to read about because she is not the perfect girl, but neither is she one of those characters that have a minor flaw that makes them a “terrible person” by the standards of the book. Alys has a darkness that she is constantly battling, the same as the soul-eater twins, but unlike them she had more than a mother who cared about her and she was not removed from the village. This meant that she has a compassion and sense of justice that the other girls don’t have, and that sets her a part.
The pacing in this book is slow, there are no epic battles and sword-fights, but there is a finale that took my breath away. You may feel like you’re constantly waiting, but it’s a delicious kind of waiting that builds intensity and tension until it finally reaches the climax of the story. That being said, there were a few times that the story felt like it jumped ahead without much warning, I think that had more to do with the fact that this book spans like 10 years, but it was jarring at times. As I mentioned earlier in this review, this subject matter is dark. This is not for the faint of heart or younger readers. These girls eat souls, and the descriptions that accompany that are absolutely terrifying although they are brilliantly written. I honestly can’t rave enough about this book, it was just what I needed to read after so much fluff, and a few duds. This book was absolutely wonderful, and I would give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
This review was first posted to Moonlight Gleam Reviews http://moonlightgleam.com/2017/05/the-beast-is-an-animal-by-peternelle-van-arsdale.html*
booksfornikol's review against another edition
5.0
Tahle kniha byla všechno, co jsem hledala. Naprosto skvostné dílo. Tajemná atmosféra, fantasy, hlavní postava, kterou jsem okamžitě oblíbila a mnohem víc, ale doporučuji se do knížky ponořit, aniž byste věděli o čem je. Tak jsem to udělala já a zážitek z knížky byl nádherný.
Trochu mi svou atmosférou připomínala film Červená Karkulka s Amandou Seyfried. Styl, jakým autorka píše (nebo aspoň jakým byla knížka přeložena) je kouzelný. Taková směs jednoduchosti a poetičnosti. Snad má autorka v plánu vydat i jiné knížky v podobném stylu, protože Bestie je zvíře se stala jednou z mých nejoblíbenějších knížek.
Trochu mi svou atmosférou připomínala film Červená Karkulka s Amandou Seyfried. Styl, jakým autorka píše (nebo aspoň jakým byla knížka přeložena) je kouzelný. Taková směs jednoduchosti a poetičnosti. Snad má autorka v plánu vydat i jiné knížky v podobném stylu, protože Bestie je zvíře se stala jednou z mých nejoblíbenějších knížek.
lyssabunny's review against another edition
5.0
I'll be posting a full book review of The Beast Is an Animal on my website soon!
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
4.0
I had high hopes for this book and it didn't disappoint, yay! I really enjoyed this dark and atmospheric book with soul eaters and great characters to follow, I enjoyed the main character as she didn't feel bland or boring. I hope this is a series because I want more of it.
bookishblond's review against another edition
4.0
Creepy and atmospheric, The Beast is an Animal is the dark fantasy I was craving. Well, almost.
This book is neatly divided in two - the first half is near perfect and the second half is... disappointing. But let's start with the good: this book is set in a fantasy Medieval Europe, inspired by Wales, that is terrorized by soul eaters, a bird-legged hairy Beast, and other fforest (yes, two f's) dwellers that go bump in the night. Women healers are accused of practicing witchcraft, children are forced to guard the city at night, and clergy rule with an iron fist. Our delightfully creepy heroine, Alys, is increasingly drawn to the Beast, who is apparently the spirit of the forest, and the soul eaters, who used to be little girls not unlike Alys herself. I loved the characters - Alys, the Beast, the soul eater sisters, and Alys' adopted parents (especially her mother). The world is bleak and doleful; I particularly enjoyed the church's suspicion and distrust of wise women and the overall feeling of doom and gloom. Hopelessness.
The first half of the book is soooo creepy, and I loved it. Grotesque horror is juxtaposed with brief moments of compassion and kindness, and it just works. But then the focus shifts from Alys and her hero's journal of an internal struggle to a love interest. Suddenly Alys is focused on her new man and building a life with him. This could have worked, possibly, but it didn't work for me here because the romance is so out-of-the-blue. This book would have been so much stronger without instalove or any love interest at all. The ending was also frustrating. I like where van Arsdale was going, but the ending was underwhelming, so much so that this book went from a 4.5 star rating down to a 3.5. I'm rounding up to 4 here because the first half was just that strong.
Still, I am impressed that this is a first novel. I do believe that any issues with this book are completely fixable. Van Arsdale is a strong writer, especially world building, which is no easy feat, and I will be reading more of her books sooner rather than later.
This book is neatly divided in two - the first half is near perfect and the second half is... disappointing. But let's start with the good: this book is set in a fantasy Medieval Europe, inspired by Wales, that is terrorized by soul eaters, a bird-legged hairy Beast, and other fforest (yes, two f's) dwellers that go bump in the night. Women healers are accused of practicing witchcraft, children are forced to guard the city at night, and clergy rule with an iron fist. Our delightfully creepy heroine, Alys, is increasingly drawn to the Beast, who is apparently the spirit of the forest, and the soul eaters, who used to be little girls not unlike Alys herself. I loved the characters - Alys, the Beast, the soul eater sisters, and Alys' adopted parents (especially her mother). The world is bleak and doleful; I particularly enjoyed the church's suspicion and distrust of wise women and the overall feeling of doom and gloom. Hopelessness.
The first half of the book is soooo creepy, and I loved it. Grotesque horror is juxtaposed with brief moments of compassion and kindness, and it just works. But then the focus shifts from Alys and her hero's journal of an internal struggle to a love interest. Suddenly Alys is focused on her new man and building a life with him. This could have worked, possibly, but it didn't work for me here because the romance is so out-of-the-blue. This book would have been so much stronger without instalove or any love interest at all. The ending was also frustrating. I like where van Arsdale was going, but the ending was underwhelming, so much so that this book went from a 4.5 star rating down to a 3.5. I'm rounding up to 4 here because the first half was just that strong.
Still, I am impressed that this is a first novel. I do believe that any issues with this book are completely fixable. Van Arsdale is a strong writer, especially world building, which is no easy feat, and I will be reading more of her books sooner rather than later.
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: None, I bought this book on my own.
Rating: 4.5/5
Publication Date: February 28, 2017
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (creepy moments, death, demons, murder, possession)
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 352
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A girl with a secret talent must save her village from the encroaching darkness in this haunting and deeply satisfying tale.
Alys was seven when the soul eaters came to her village.
These soul eaters, twin sisters who were abandoned by their father and slowly morphed into something not quite human, devour human souls. Alys, and all the other children, were spared—and they were sent to live in a neighboring village. There the devout people created a strict world where good and evil are as fundamental as the nursery rhymes children sing. Fear of the soul eaters—and of the Beast they believe guides them—rule village life. But the Beast is not what they think it is. And neither is Alys.
Inside, Alys feels connected to the soul eaters, and maybe even to the Beast itself. As she grows from a child to a teenager, she longs for the freedom of the forest. And she has a gift she can tell no one, for fear they will call her a witch. When disaster strikes, Alys finds herself on a journey to heal herself and her world. A journey that will take her through the darkest parts of the forest, where danger threatens her from the outside—and from within her own heart and soul.
Review: This book is really interesting. It’s told in a creepy way without being overly cheesy, the book continues the creepy vibe throughout the book. The plot is intriguing and the writing flows really well. The book is also very well paced and I didn’t feel there was any lag at any point in the book.
However, I was confused by the ending and I was left with a sense of lose at the end. I also feel that some of the characters weren’t as well developed as others. Some of them were repeating characters in the narrative but they were hardly developed.
Verdict: A creepy story perfect for Halloween.
Rating: 4.5/5
Publication Date: February 28, 2017
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 15+ (creepy moments, death, demons, murder, possession)
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 352
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A girl with a secret talent must save her village from the encroaching darkness in this haunting and deeply satisfying tale.
Alys was seven when the soul eaters came to her village.
These soul eaters, twin sisters who were abandoned by their father and slowly morphed into something not quite human, devour human souls. Alys, and all the other children, were spared—and they were sent to live in a neighboring village. There the devout people created a strict world where good and evil are as fundamental as the nursery rhymes children sing. Fear of the soul eaters—and of the Beast they believe guides them—rule village life. But the Beast is not what they think it is. And neither is Alys.
Inside, Alys feels connected to the soul eaters, and maybe even to the Beast itself. As she grows from a child to a teenager, she longs for the freedom of the forest. And she has a gift she can tell no one, for fear they will call her a witch. When disaster strikes, Alys finds herself on a journey to heal herself and her world. A journey that will take her through the darkest parts of the forest, where danger threatens her from the outside—and from within her own heart and soul.
Review: This book is really interesting. It’s told in a creepy way without being overly cheesy, the book continues the creepy vibe throughout the book. The plot is intriguing and the writing flows really well. The book is also very well paced and I didn’t feel there was any lag at any point in the book.
However, I was confused by the ending and I was left with a sense of lose at the end. I also feel that some of the characters weren’t as well developed as others. Some of them were repeating characters in the narrative but they were hardly developed.
Verdict: A creepy story perfect for Halloween.
rachelwrites007's review against another edition
4.0
This was probably more of a 3.5. I really enjoyed the writing style and story but I just didn't love it. It was creepy and haunting and reminded me of 'The Village' with it's fear of 'outside'