Scan barcode
A review by annettebooksofhopeanddreams
The Beast Within by Serena Valentino
4.0
I know, I know. I'm weird. I'm one of the very few bookworms who's not a huge fan of Beauty and the Beast. I can explain. I mean, of course I love the library. I just wasn't a huge fan of the Beast turning back into a handsome prince. So, I was already quite sure this book was not gonna be my favorite book in the series and therefore dreaded reading it a little, however, now I've finished I have to admit it was way more interesting than I thought it would be.
And that's mostly because there's not that much material in this from the movie we all know. Most of the story is new, fresh and quite original. I was a little sceptic of the role of the Odd Sisters in the Evil Queen book, because the Queen didn't deserve any of it, but actually the role of the Odd Sisters in this book felt a lot more natural and a lot more fitting. They really did give the story an original spin and I loved seeing it all unfold.
Although everything that happens in the movie also happens in this book, Valentino added an interesting back story. A story where the Beast and Gaston used to be best friends once upon a time and most of all a story where we actually see that the Beast deserved what happened to him. And not just because of that one time he sent an old beggar away. The book really shows us the Beast, how mean he used to be, how he treated humans and how he most of all treated girls.
What I loved most of all, is that the curse in this book was designed to have his looks reflect his soul. He didn't go from Prince to Beast within a day, it grows. Every time he treats someone badly, every time he thinks less of people, every time he blames others for his own mistakes his appearance chances. Becoming the Beast is literally a direct result of his own actions and I loved watching him realize that and I loved his emotions when he figured out the curse was very real.
I'm now even more excited to continue with the rest of the series!
And that's mostly because there's not that much material in this from the movie we all know. Most of the story is new, fresh and quite original. I was a little sceptic of the role of the Odd Sisters in the Evil Queen book, because the Queen didn't deserve any of it, but actually the role of the Odd Sisters in this book felt a lot more natural and a lot more fitting. They really did give the story an original spin and I loved seeing it all unfold.
Although everything that happens in the movie also happens in this book, Valentino added an interesting back story. A story where the Beast and Gaston used to be best friends once upon a time and most of all a story where we actually see that the Beast deserved what happened to him. And not just because of that one time he sent an old beggar away. The book really shows us the Beast, how mean he used to be, how he treated humans and how he most of all treated girls.
What I loved most of all, is that the curse in this book was designed to have his looks reflect his soul. He didn't go from Prince to Beast within a day, it grows. Every time he treats someone badly, every time he thinks less of people, every time he blames others for his own mistakes his appearance chances. Becoming the Beast is literally a direct result of his own actions and I loved watching him realize that and I loved his emotions when he figured out the curse was very real.
I'm now even more excited to continue with the rest of the series!