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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
A charming retelling with a very lackluster ending - 4 stars for the first 85% of the book, 2 stars for the last 15%.
This was lovely! I really enjoyed McKinley’s prose and characterization. I think perhaps if I’d read this physically it would have felt too slow for me, but the audio experience was great. I loved all the accents and the narrators expressiveness. The story felt whimsical and cozy, and I found myself smiling ear to ear reading it. This is very different from the more spicy modern retellings of this story, which was refreshing to me.
The beast isn’t introduced until about 40% into the story, and so if you’re wanting a strictly romance story you may be disappointed. I’d love to read her other non romance books, because to me the romance was the least important part of the story. I deducted a star because I wasn’t very invested in the romance at all, I was more invested in beauty as a person, her family, and their journey together. Although beast was the ultimate gentleman, which I loved, I just really enjoyed their friendship. There wasn’t much built up romantically in my opinion.
Also, I found the ending to be a tad bit rushed. I wish there was an extra 20 pages or so to really bask in the moment.
But I really enjoyed this and I’m so glad I was able to grab the audiobook. I look forward to reading more from this author!
The beast isn’t introduced until about 40% into the story, and so if you’re wanting a strictly romance story you may be disappointed. I’d love to read her other non romance books, because to me the romance was the least important part of the story. I deducted a star because I wasn’t very invested in the romance at all, I was more invested in beauty as a person, her family, and their journey together. Although beast was the ultimate gentleman, which I loved, I just really enjoyed their friendship. There wasn’t much built up romantically in my opinion.
Also, I found the ending to be a tad bit rushed. I wish there was an extra 20 pages or so to really bask in the moment.
But I really enjoyed this and I’m so glad I was able to grab the audiobook. I look forward to reading more from this author!
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
I'm not saying this was a bad book but I couldn't finish it.
IT WAS SOOOOOOO SLOW! I didn't see the point in many aspects of what the author put in the story which caused the story to DRAG!
I am still hoping to try again maybe in the future but for now it's on my DNF list cause I couldn't get through it and I was almost half way through!
Oh and Beauty can stop letting the reader know how "unpretty" she was, we got the first 100 times you let us know.
IT WAS SOOOOOOO SLOW! I didn't see the point in many aspects of what the author put in the story which caused the story to DRAG!
I am still hoping to try again maybe in the future but for now it's on my DNF list cause I couldn't get through it and I was almost half way through!
Oh and Beauty can stop letting the reader know how "unpretty" she was, we got the first 100 times you let us know.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed the first like two thirds of this book--the stuff with Beauty and her family is lovely and charming, and then she gets to the castle and it's so... dull? the Beast has zero personality and I don't really get why she falls in love with him. also I think the ending is too hasty and not very satisfying. would have loved to see a bit more conflict/resolution between Beauty and Beast.
glad I finally read this classic but I don't think it's one I'll come back to.
glad I finally read this classic but I don't think it's one I'll come back to.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was one of my favorites when I was a teenager. Rereading was very nostalgic.
I really enjoyed this book! I love McKinley's writing and it was wonderful getting a retelling of it! I would definitely recommend this book! I know we all know the story, but it's nice to hear it again in a different voice!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes