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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Turns out I had read this before but it took until about 40% through to actually recognize it. The implications of the library fascinate me. I liked a lot about this book, even if it's a very straightforward retelling that's just nicely written. As someone with a just-about-two-year-old niece, the ages of the children and their independence here bewilders me. They're like... Almost one when she leaves? Presumably something like 18 months when one of them says a full on sentence? Are they staying on that horse completely by themselves? Only their treatment of cutlery really makes sense to me. Lastly, and this thought did not originate with me, but what are the political implications of a castle reappearing? Is he just rich now?
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Abandonment
Minor: Child death, Death
I don't remember this book, but I remember my high school self loved it.
“He cannot be so bad if he loves roses so much.”
I realized that what made his gaze so awful was that his eyes were human.
This book is a traditional Beauty and the Beast retelling with very classic story feels to it. Children named after virtues, magical castles that clean themselves, a rustic village that rests as a background for the story before it actually begins.
That is not to say that Robin McKinley does not do anything of her own. She adds little tidbits that help build the characters of Beauty and her family. It makes the reader sympathise a little more with her family and her sisters who ere poorly depicted in the original tale.
I think everyone's favourite part is got to be the Beast and his castle. I liked how Beauty got to know the Beast but then that's really not saying much because I always love that part. What I liked about this version of the story is that here the Beast is more gentle and kind than that of any other version. He seems more lonely and sad than tortured and frustrated. I liked how gentle both Beauty and the Beast were to each other. It didn't seem like a toxic relationship at all. I wish there was more confessions of love at the end but everything was magically resolved like a good fairy tale. I suppose its good that way.
This was a very sweet retelling. I didn't love it as I did [b:Cruel Beauty|15839984|Cruel Beauty|Rosamund Hodge|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1371652590l/15839984._SY75_.jpg|21580669] but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It's a good read when you are looking for something familiar and easy going and when you want something to remind you of a good night story that you used to read as a kid.
Some bits from the book
“We are not asking that I be killed in your stead, but that I be allowed to save your life. It is an honourable Beast at least; I am not afraid.” Father stared at me, as if he saw the Beast reflected in my eyes. I said: “He cannot be so bad if he loves roses so much.”
“But he is a Beast,” said Father helplessly.
I saw that he was weakening, and wishing only to comfort him I said, “Cannot a Beast be tamed?”
-----------
“Can you see the future, then?” I asked uneasily.
“Not exactly,” said the shadow. “But I can see you.”
-----------
It was he who had cruelly taken me away from my family in the first place; how could they or I forgive him that? How could I make excuses? I couldn’t tell them that I—loved him. This thought came to me with an unpleasant jolt. Loved him?
Great book up until the ending. It's very rushed and lacking, but I knew that before I started reading.