Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
This is a sweet story following the same vein of Beauty and the Beast with some twists and differences. I kept waiting for more of a conflict to happen, but even with the absence of suspense, it’s such an enjoyable story!
This is my second Robin McKinley book, the first being Deerskin which touched me so deeply and has become a favorite. With this book, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me, I constantly found myself wanting more from the story. Overall, I wanted deeper character development between our two love interests. The plot also felt lacking— it followed the traditional tale too closely and I needed something more interesting to be happening to add conflict. It had some lovely moments, Robin does a wonderful job immersing you in the world of the story. Looking forward to reading other Robin McKinley books.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
A nicely written, but fairly unoriginal, retelling of Beauty and the Beast... until the last quarter of the novel. McKinley dropped the plot at the end.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is the second work i read from this Author and wow. I don't think I'll ever tire of Robin Mckinley's writing style.
It immediately transports me into a different world.
<blockquote> Grey gave way to pink, and then to deep flushed rose edged with gold; there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and I could see the morning star shining like hope from the bottom of Pandora’s box. I opened a section of the window and a little wind slipped inside to play with my rumpled hair and tickle me back into the beginnings of a good mood </blockquote>
Reading "Deerskin" was like <i>dreaming with my eyes wide open</i>. "Beauty" was no different.
<blockquote>The breeze giggled and chirped at me as if I were a reluctant horse, and then dashed off before me into the hall [...] The clicking of my boot-heels had as much effect on that massive silence as the sweep of a butterfly’s wings might.</blockquote>
I love especially how Mckinley always writes about heroines who have deep unbreakable bonds with their animal companion. Like Ash and Lissar or in this case Greatheart and Honour (nicknamed Beauty)
The only thing i wish was different was that it felt <b>too short</b>. Beauty didn't get to meet Beast until 40% through the book, and that didn't leave much to see their love developing for each other. 7 months have passed while she was in the castle, but it didn't feel like it.
Their relationship felt a bit rushed, i didn't even beleive her when she declared her love for him at the end. Wish there was a bit of banter between the two, maybe even more of Beauty putting on her detective hat and try to understand who actually the beast was, why was he 'cursed, why is he so adamant at marrying her.
I found it hard to beleive that the smartest and bravest of all the three sisters didn't think to question her role in the story.
Nonetheless, this was a delightful read. I cannot wait to read other works from her!!
It immediately transports me into a different world.
<blockquote> Grey gave way to pink, and then to deep flushed rose edged with gold; there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and I could see the morning star shining like hope from the bottom of Pandora’s box. I opened a section of the window and a little wind slipped inside to play with my rumpled hair and tickle me back into the beginnings of a good mood </blockquote>
Reading "Deerskin" was like <i>dreaming with my eyes wide open</i>. "Beauty" was no different.
<blockquote>The breeze giggled and chirped at me as if I were a reluctant horse, and then dashed off before me into the hall [...] The clicking of my boot-heels had as much effect on that massive silence as the sweep of a butterfly’s wings might.</blockquote>
I love especially how Mckinley always writes about heroines who have deep unbreakable bonds with their animal companion. Like Ash and Lissar or in this case Greatheart and Honour (nicknamed Beauty)
The only thing i wish was different was that it felt <b>too short</b>. Beauty didn't get to meet Beast until 40% through the book, and that didn't leave much to see their love developing for each other. 7 months have passed while she was in the castle, but it didn't feel like it.
Their relationship felt a bit rushed, i didn't even beleive her when she declared her love for him at the end. Wish there was a bit of banter between the two, maybe even more of Beauty putting on her detective hat and try to understand who actually the beast was, why was he 'cursed, why is he so adamant at marrying her.
I found it hard to beleive that the smartest and bravest of all the three sisters didn't think to question her role in the story.
Nonetheless, this was a delightful read. I cannot wait to read other works from her!!
I liked this, but the romance of it felt a little empty and easy to me. I mean, he's a Beast. I guess I just wanted more of a connection, more of a push.
Still one of my favorite books of all time. I've read it and reread it, and it never gets old. Ah, romance. My favorite fairy tale.
4 stars. I love a good Beauty and the Beast retelling when it’s done well. I feel like I haven’t read one that was all that great in a very long time but this one definitely did it for me. I adored it and blew through this book in just a few hours. The writing is absolutely beautiful, the setting and world building is lush and vivid and the characters were likable. I think my one complaint was the ending wrapped up really quickly and I would’ve loved for it to have went on for just a little bit longer. Other than that this was really great and I enjoyed it thoroughly.