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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
I'm currently in a very fairytale retelling mood and I don't really know why. It doesn't matter that much either. But I keep on discovering those beautiful retellings and it's as if I only realise now how many books there truly are in the world. As a child I could read every book in the library. I can't do that anymore.
It took me a few chapters to get used to the style of this book. Just like a true fairytale there are moments in the story described in much detail and then there are weeks or months passing in a single sentence. There were moments I would have loved to see a little more of the daily life, of the normal interactions between Isa and Ever and I think there were possibilities to add some more detail and depth, but as a fairytale the story works fine as it is.
And I really enjoyed reading the story. This was partly because of the writing style, that flowed easily and was never too complicated or flowery. And partly because of the characters and the multiple points of view we got helping us to understand all characters in the story a little bit better.
But it was mostly because the characters are likeable and it was easy to identify with them. Isa is a nice mixture between a girl with loads of strengths, but who's also emotional and scared and angry and sad. She's not just a brave and strong warrior. She has a heart and a soul and that makes her more realistic. Ever was the one who had to do most of the growing work in the story, but it was actually nice to see the boy he used to be, the boy his father made him to be and the man Isa awakened in him.
I'm really curious to read the next book in the series, as those two characters have gained a place in my heart during this story.
It took me a few chapters to get used to the style of this book. Just like a true fairytale there are moments in the story described in much detail and then there are weeks or months passing in a single sentence. There were moments I would have loved to see a little more of the daily life, of the normal interactions between Isa and Ever and I think there were possibilities to add some more detail and depth, but as a fairytale the story works fine as it is.
And I really enjoyed reading the story. This was partly because of the writing style, that flowed easily and was never too complicated or flowery. And partly because of the characters and the multiple points of view we got helping us to understand all characters in the story a little bit better.
But it was mostly because the characters are likeable and it was easy to identify with them. Isa is a nice mixture between a girl with loads of strengths, but who's also emotional and scared and angry and sad. She's not just a brave and strong warrior. She has a heart and a soul and that makes her more realistic. Ever was the one who had to do most of the growing work in the story, but it was actually nice to see the boy he used to be, the boy his father made him to be and the man Isa awakened in him.
I'm really curious to read the next book in the series, as those two characters have gained a place in my heart during this story.
books_with_joanne's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
shaunahigh's review against another edition
4.0
New series
If retellings are your thing, then check Brittany Fichter out asap. She’s quickly becoming a QUEEN of retellings. Prolific is not enough to describe her. Look below for a few more titles in her Classical Kingdom Series.
Before Beauty–her Beauty and the Beast retelling–is one of the most beautiful and unique spin-offs of this classical fairytale that I have read in a long time. There is very little “this has been done before” and the transformation of both characters unfolds in a compelling and fresh way.
Characters/Voice: Prince Everard and Isa each have unique voices, back story, personality and roles in this story. Each are unique and relatable and I loved them right away. Isa, who is disabled, brings vulnerability, transparency, and un-dealt with anger to the table that is completely identifiable, while Everard, who must conquer who he truly is–the boy he was designed to be or the boy his father wants him to be –brings reflection, sympathy, and agony as you watch his growth. So good!
Pacing: Does this book keep you up late at night? YES. Don’t read at night unless you want to get caught up in their story, their romance, their battles, their enemies, and their future. The story moves at a perfect pace, increasing with each chapter. I really believe it moves so quickly because it touches on so many deep and real human emotions.
Plot: Perfectly executed and unique. The idea of the “Fortress” and the raging mind battles between Prince Everard and his enemy are a fresh kind of power-set and makes for an interesting setting. Why Isa is the one to be selected, not to mention their past encounters coming in the present time, makes for a complex plot with large pay-offs. I was entirely satisfied and wanted more.
Setting: Fichter’s world building for Destin and the surrounding kingdoms were all well done. The land was easily pictured and likable. The history of Destin was easily understood and believable, which makes it easy to follow the story and its motives.
Themes: This story spins all kinds of universal truths of goodness, humility, faith, hope, strength, identity, and more. I love how it’s all weaved together in the characters. It’s also appropriate for all MG/YA ages and can be a great alternative to other retellings that have adult content or an upper YA/NA feel.
If retellings are your thing, then check Brittany Fichter out asap. She’s quickly becoming a QUEEN of retellings. Prolific is not enough to describe her. Look below for a few more titles in her Classical Kingdom Series.
Before Beauty–her Beauty and the Beast retelling–is one of the most beautiful and unique spin-offs of this classical fairytale that I have read in a long time. There is very little “this has been done before” and the transformation of both characters unfolds in a compelling and fresh way.
Characters/Voice: Prince Everard and Isa each have unique voices, back story, personality and roles in this story. Each are unique and relatable and I loved them right away. Isa, who is disabled, brings vulnerability, transparency, and un-dealt with anger to the table that is completely identifiable, while Everard, who must conquer who he truly is–the boy he was designed to be or the boy his father wants him to be –brings reflection, sympathy, and agony as you watch his growth. So good!
Pacing: Does this book keep you up late at night? YES. Don’t read at night unless you want to get caught up in their story, their romance, their battles, their enemies, and their future. The story moves at a perfect pace, increasing with each chapter. I really believe it moves so quickly because it touches on so many deep and real human emotions.
Plot: Perfectly executed and unique. The idea of the “Fortress” and the raging mind battles between Prince Everard and his enemy are a fresh kind of power-set and makes for an interesting setting. Why Isa is the one to be selected, not to mention their past encounters coming in the present time, makes for a complex plot with large pay-offs. I was entirely satisfied and wanted more.
Setting: Fichter’s world building for Destin and the surrounding kingdoms were all well done. The land was easily pictured and likable. The history of Destin was easily understood and believable, which makes it easy to follow the story and its motives.
Themes: This story spins all kinds of universal truths of goodness, humility, faith, hope, strength, identity, and more. I love how it’s all weaved together in the characters. It’s also appropriate for all MG/YA ages and can be a great alternative to other retellings that have adult content or an upper YA/NA feel.
toriedawn1's review against another edition
5.0
This book adds so much to the traditional fairytale. We get more of a backstory of how Ever became the beast he is and how Isabelle became the strong, determined person she is. We have a real enemy, not just the curse and them runnimg out of time ||(though that is still present)||. I liked the fact that our protagonists had met before and that they had both been such a big part in each others lives. I also enjoyed how our 'beast' was described in this book, more of a withered husk of a man rather than a full on creature. I liked the character development throughout this book and was 100 % rooting for the characters at the end. I would reccomend this book eventhough I do rather feel like it tore my heart out and stomped on it ||I honestly thought he was dead and felt utterly betrayed by the author for a moment there||.
nicmay's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sarah253's review against another edition
3.0
I generally liked the book; however, I was disappointed that Isa was healed in the end. It made her disabilities look like something that needed to be fixed.
brittradomski's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
talesandtreatswithtay's review
4.0
3.75 ⭐️
Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairytale, so I've read quite a few retellings--this one is the most interestingly unique one I've read to date!
The Belle character is typically portrayed as purely good but Isabelle (who associates the nickname Belle with pain in her past, so she goes by Isa) also has deep hurt and anger to work through as well. Ever (the beast character) and Isa both go through quite a transformation by the end of the story-- physically, but more importantly, internally.
Other things that made this particular retelling unique are the magic system and that Belle is crippled from an accident caused by Ever in their youth. Ever wielded power himself, gifted by the fortress, that gave him great strength and was signified by blue fire...until the curse that is.
There is also a unique side character named Garin who is fiercely loyal to Ever and is a being that is more than meets the eye. Elements and explanations of Garin's origins and purpose are slowly revealed throughout the book, making him quite a mysterious component to the story. Garin has strong magic of his own and the reader finally gets a glimpse of his true nature towards the end of the book. One of the best aspects of his character is his care and love for Ever; he has almost a more paternal role as he is more of a father figure to Ever than his own father.
The fortress (the castle) is a character in and of itself as well. The fortress is a gift from the Maker (God) with the role of protecting the royal family who thus leads and protects the people of the land. The Fortress is described as having a presence and having a guiding influence on the main characters. The Fortress itself is responsible for the curse and teaching Ever and Isa life lessons in order to break it.
The writing was reminiscent of a first book at times (some of the dialog seemed a bit unrealistic,etc) and I wish we could have had a bit more detail about some things, but overall it was a good book!
Christian faith rating: 0 or 1/3 I think the author calls this book clean fiction, but I think it could be described as Christian fantasy (Amazon does have this as a type of genre listed). You could definitely see Christian elements, particularly the fortress being an allegory for the Holy Spirit, giving guidance and power--Ever learning that he can't do things on his own and must rely on and trust in the fortress, etc.
Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairytale, so I've read quite a few retellings--this one is the most interestingly unique one I've read to date!
The Belle character is typically portrayed as purely good but Isabelle (who associates the nickname Belle with pain in her past, so she goes by Isa) also has deep hurt and anger to work through as well. Ever (the beast character) and Isa both go through quite a transformation by the end of the story-- physically, but more importantly, internally.
Other things that made this particular retelling unique are the magic system and that Belle is crippled from an accident caused by Ever in their youth. Ever wielded power himself, gifted by the fortress, that gave him great strength and was signified by blue fire...until the curse that is.
There is also a unique side character named Garin who is fiercely loyal to Ever and is a being that is more than meets the eye. Elements and explanations of Garin's origins and purpose are slowly revealed throughout the book, making him quite a mysterious component to the story. Garin has strong magic of his own and the reader finally gets a glimpse of his true nature towards the end of the book. One of the best aspects of his character is his care and love for Ever; he has almost a more paternal role as he is more of a father figure to Ever than his own father.
The fortress (the castle) is a character in and of itself as well. The fortress is a gift from the Maker (God) with the role of protecting the royal family who thus leads and protects the people of the land. The Fortress is described as having a presence and having a guiding influence on the main characters. The Fortress itself is responsible for the curse and teaching Ever and Isa life lessons in order to break it.
The writing was reminiscent of a first book at times (some of the dialog seemed a bit unrealistic,etc) and I wish we could have had a bit more detail about some things, but overall it was a good book!
Christian faith rating: 0 or 1/3 I think the author calls this book clean fiction, but I think it could be described as Christian fantasy (Amazon does have this as a type of genre listed). You could definitely see Christian elements, particularly the fortress being an allegory for the Holy Spirit, giving guidance and power--Ever learning that he can't do things on his own and must rely on and trust in the fortress, etc.