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mnmtbookworm's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
All of the same problems about promoting unhealthy relationships that exist in the Disney version also exsist in this version but this version is deeper and still a great read.
thephdivabooks's review against another edition
4.0
Whimsical and enchanting!
Leife Shallcross’s latest reimagining of the classic storyof Beauty and the Beast is more similar to Beaumont’s 18th century abridgedLa Belle et la Bête than it is the Disneyclassic—which is a total compliment! No offense to Disney, but the classic version of this story really has much more depth and darkness.
Reflection
In The Beast’s Heart,the story is retold from the perspective of The Beast. After spending over 100years trapped in an enchanted and dark forest, with no company but the unseenmagic of his stately home, The Beast longs to meet another soul. But he is confused, he has very little memory of who (if anyone) he was before and whathis curse entails. All he knows is that he is doomed to this body, unable to connect with others due to his appearance.
When he lures Isabeau to this chateau, he never dreamed offalling in love with her. But soon the magic of Isabeau’s kindess and lightseems to outshine even the most fantastic magic in his home. The Beast wantsIsabeau to himself, but he also desperately wants her to be happy. In a heart-warmingtale of healing, heart, and finding happiness, The Beast’s Heart shows a new and fresh perspective on a classictale.
I’m so happy that Leife Shallcross drew so many elementsfrom Beaumont’s version of the story. I’ve always found the complexity of Isabeau(Belle, for you Disney fans) to be related to her family, rather than just herfather. Though they don’t reference the brother’s in this version, she doeshave sisters and they play such an important role in the story.
I loved Claude and Marie. Rather than being one-dimensionalor paling in comparison to the perfect leading lady, Claude and Marie are sofilled with love and have such unique characterization. I would love to read aspinoff about Claude and Marie, and I’m delighted by how much we got to see ofthem!
There is a total YA vibe to this book that really worked. Iread the Beaumont version in high school myself, so this seems like the perfectgenre to place the story in. It crosses the threshold of “ageless”, where I cansee a parent reading this to a child, a young adult finding their own readinginterests, or an adult who loves whimsy enjoying this.
Fantastic work from Leife Shallcross, who is certainly a much-welcomed voice in fiction. Thank you to Berkley for my copy.
Leife Shallcross’s latest reimagining of the classic storyof Beauty and the Beast is more similar to Beaumont’s 18th century abridgedLa Belle et la Bête than it is the Disneyclassic—which is a total compliment! No offense to Disney, but the classic version of this story really has much more depth and darkness.
Reflection
In The Beast’s Heart,the story is retold from the perspective of The Beast. After spending over 100years trapped in an enchanted and dark forest, with no company but the unseenmagic of his stately home, The Beast longs to meet another soul. But he is confused, he has very little memory of who (if anyone) he was before and whathis curse entails. All he knows is that he is doomed to this body, unable to connect with others due to his appearance.
When he lures Isabeau to this chateau, he never dreamed offalling in love with her. But soon the magic of Isabeau’s kindess and lightseems to outshine even the most fantastic magic in his home. The Beast wantsIsabeau to himself, but he also desperately wants her to be happy. In a heart-warmingtale of healing, heart, and finding happiness, The Beast’s Heart shows a new and fresh perspective on a classictale.
I’m so happy that Leife Shallcross drew so many elementsfrom Beaumont’s version of the story. I’ve always found the complexity of Isabeau(Belle, for you Disney fans) to be related to her family, rather than just herfather. Though they don’t reference the brother’s in this version, she doeshave sisters and they play such an important role in the story.
I loved Claude and Marie. Rather than being one-dimensionalor paling in comparison to the perfect leading lady, Claude and Marie are sofilled with love and have such unique characterization. I would love to read aspinoff about Claude and Marie, and I’m delighted by how much we got to see ofthem!
There is a total YA vibe to this book that really worked. Iread the Beaumont version in high school myself, so this seems like the perfectgenre to place the story in. It crosses the threshold of “ageless”, where I cansee a parent reading this to a child, a young adult finding their own readinginterests, or an adult who loves whimsy enjoying this.
Fantastic work from Leife Shallcross, who is certainly a much-welcomed voice in fiction. Thank you to Berkley for my copy.
leilaxx's review
2.0
This book was a simple retelling of beauty and the beast. Too simple.
Initially, this story was very intriguing, especially when the new character was introduced. I was curious to see how the plot would grow. But unfortunately, we follow a polite, kind girl who lives and accompanies the beasts for a year because she feels terrible about his solitude, and he has given her this bargain. That was it. Most of the plot was them eating together, walking, reading to each other, playing music, eating again, and of course, one-sided pining. If he wasn't paying close attention to Isabeau, the beast was watching the family, and in all honesty, those moments were the most interesting. The side characters had more personality and conversation than these two locked in this castle.
Also felt the beast was slightly too needy and forceful with his emotions, being surprised by the rejection but continuously pursuing it. His lonely state deprived him of any other worldly interaction, specifically with women, so he baited the poor dad to send his youngest daughter. It was hard trying to sympathise with him. Especially when he suddenly realised he was in love out of thin air. It was repetitive, very slow-paced, and, truly, nothing exciting: no significant plot shifts or character development.
Initially, this story was very intriguing, especially when the new character was introduced. I was curious to see how the plot would grow. But unfortunately, we follow a polite, kind girl who lives and accompanies the beasts for a year because she feels terrible about his solitude, and he has given her this bargain. That was it. Most of the plot was them eating together, walking, reading to each other, playing music, eating again, and of course, one-sided pining. If he wasn't paying close attention to Isabeau, the beast was watching the family, and in all honesty, those moments were the most interesting. The side characters had more personality and conversation than these two locked in this castle.
Also felt the beast was slightly too needy and forceful with his emotions, being surprised by the rejection but continuously pursuing it. His lonely state deprived him of any other worldly interaction, specifically with women, so he baited the poor dad to send his youngest daughter. It was hard trying to sympathise with him. Especially when he suddenly realised he was in love out of thin air. It was repetitive, very slow-paced, and, truly, nothing exciting: no significant plot shifts or character development.
starfleeting's review
1.0
It's always disappointing when a BatB retelling sucks, but man, this one was not good. The writing was subpar, the characters irritating, and everything else about it was incredibly lackluster. No thank you.
baby_casserole's review against another edition
Incredibly slow paced. Felt like nothing was even happening
rmizerek's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
mousereader's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bhrach's review
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
While it was a bit slow to start, I quickly fell in love with this retelling. I am a sucker for a good beauty and the beast tale, and this one did not disappoint.
caitofthebook's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
2.5
jane_kelsey's review
1.0
Unfortunately, this book was not for me and I did try. This story is told from the Beat's perspective and I was super excited because The beauty and the beast is my favourite, but the writing style really did not gel with me or bridged any emotional connection to the character. Heavy descriptors bored me rather than draw me into the world.