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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
This book was a lot of fun and I went through it pretty fast. It's a light, but entertaining read. I liked the meshing of modern day and fantasy (though, if written well, I'd have loved it leaning either way just fine, too-I do really like when fairy tales are used to tell a *completely* realistic story). Anyway, I did find the first half or 2/3rds of this book better than the last. Sadly, I think I found the mean Kyle more entertaining? And he got generally a little more boring and depressing (understandably, I suppose). Lindy was OK, but I didn't have much love for her. I felt like the beginning was more creative, with more possibilities, and the longer it went on, the more the author was boxed into keeping with the original Beauty and the Beast story.
I loved the idea of having more focus on the beast, he does have the more interesting story-well, other than being kidnapped by a beast, I guess that's pretty interesting.
To make up for the fact that I liked mean Kyle more than nice Kyle, my favorite guy was Will, who was nice but not really boring or depressed. I liked the witch, too, but I liked her best in the beginning of the story as well. After that she didn't do a whole lot of interesting things.
But I felt like it was just a tiny notch better than a lot of the YA novels I read, so it gets 4 stars. Now, if I can find a theater that's still playing it, and time to go. (Even though I'm pretty sure tattoos and scars make a guy even hotter, not a beast. Dumb.)
I loved the idea of having more focus on the beast, he does have the more interesting story-well, other than being kidnapped by a beast, I guess that's pretty interesting.
To make up for the fact that I liked mean Kyle more than nice Kyle, my favorite guy was Will, who was nice but not really boring or depressed. I liked the witch, too, but I liked her best in the beginning of the story as well. After that she didn't do a whole lot of interesting things.
But I felt like it was just a tiny notch better than a lot of the YA novels I read, so it gets 4 stars. Now, if I can find a theater that's still playing it, and time to go. (Even though I'm pretty sure tattoos and scars make a guy even hotter, not a beast. Dumb.)
Not only did this book not need to exist, it definitely doesn't need to be part of a series. A retelling of Beauty and the Beast has potential, but this was just done poorly.
When I saw a retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales, Beauty and the Beast, I thought I'd try this book out. Overall, I'd say this book did pretty well for a retelling of the classic fairy tale set in modern day New York City.
There are some elements, however, that could be improved. The writing style was ok, though it could definitely use improvement. The style the author used seemed like a young child was trying to write about a 16-year-old with a rich dad and a snobby personality. That brings up another point. I hated the main character's personality. He didn't go through too much noticeable change, and in the beginning he bothered me so much that I felt like throwing the book across the room. This book also focused heavily on physical appearances, which I didn't like as much. A book should focus on the inner changes of a character, which was shown just a little bit, even though the tale of Beauty and the Beast is focused on inner changing. There was one more thing that bothered me, and that is the supposedly blind character, Will, who acts like he can see, and makes comments on Kyle's appearance. I think that one should do more research on how blind people act before writing about one.
Other than that, I really liked this book.
There are some elements, however, that could be improved. The writing style was ok, though it could definitely use improvement. The style the author used seemed like a young child was trying to write about a 16-year-old with a rich dad and a snobby personality. That brings up another point. I hated the main character's personality. He didn't go through too much noticeable change, and in the beginning he bothered me so much that I felt like throwing the book across the room. This book also focused heavily on physical appearances, which I didn't like as much. A book should focus on the inner changes of a character, which was shown just a little bit, even though the tale of Beauty and the Beast is focused on inner changing. There was one more thing that bothered me, and that is the supposedly blind character, Will, who acts like he can see, and makes comments on Kyle's appearance. I think that one should do more research on how blind people act before writing about one.
Other than that, I really liked this book.
This was a decent book. It was kind of childish and fake at times but overall it wasn't bad.
When I read this book the first time years ago, I gave it 3 stars. I gave it 4 this time because I liked the book and wasn't upset that I had reread it. I reread it because I wanted to read the other books in the series and I was planning to read this fast and "get it over with"... but I found myself really enjoying it. The only part I still don't get and think could be easily deleted and make the book better is the online messaging with the other "animals"... it just feels detached from the book and doesn't add anything to the story for me.
I loved this book. I have never really read, or watched beauty and the beast but I thought this was awesome. Definately going to see this movie. (Even if it is different than the book) Look forward to reading more by Alex Flinn.