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A review by leilaxx
The Beast's Heart by Leife Shallcross
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.