Reviews

Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelly

charlieteuthis's review against another edition

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4.0

This book was such an enjoyable read! The plot was well-structured, and was an interesting spin on a classic tale. Belle’s moral struggle also added to the book’s appeal for me, since most books of its kind don’t seem to discuss internal conflict as much as this one did. I felt like I got to know the characters and their motives well in this book. The story went at a perfect pace, taking time to develop the relationship between Belle and the Beast, without making things too rushed, with a satisfying conclusion. My one major complaint about this book is that the quality of the writing style isn’t very good. However, this didn’t deter me, because the other aspects of the story were so well done.

dreamingreader's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

This was a very good book! I found that Belle acted out of character from how I know her, but I loved the idea between Love and Death. I wouldn't mind a whole book on their story; it was very whimsical and mysterious.

amanda1793's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5 stars.

I've spent a couple hours finishing this one and I have to say, very good read!

I enjoyed seeing the classic characters of this story in a new light and presented in a new way. Belle is for sure a strong character in her own rite and this story just adds to that knowledge. I loved experiencing a "side story" to the tale/movie. I will say that I wished the book could've included more things to do with the movie and tale, but I understand we will get more of that in the up coming movie!

I'd recommend this one for sure!

wangliv's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted slow-paced

3.75

love_books_2009's review against another edition

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5.0

Amei!!!

maddie_orart's review against another edition

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3.0

Full review posted on Of Reading and Random Things

I really like how this book explores more about the curse and also the Beast’s backstory, and does it in a realistic and believable way. Beast’s childhood is revealed, and it explains how Beast ended up being the arrogant guy that he was before he was cursed. There is a more detailed explanation on the curse and the enchantress, which I think is a very interesting take on the story. I like how it gives more insight on Belle’s life in the Beast’s castle, her interactions with the other characters and how her feelings for the Beast change over time.

Even though I wasn’t blown away by Lost in a Book, I still appreciate the new additions to my favorite fairy tale. It delves further into the familiar story of Beauty and the Beast and gives more insight to our favorite characters. If you’re a fan of Beauty and the Beast, you should definitely read this book.

tanya_tate's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5 Stars!

Oh goodness! This book was so good!

Everything from the plot, to seeing Belle, the Beast, and the gang back in action and more fleshed out than their animated movie counterparts.

This is pretty much a tie-in for the upcoming live action movie that can placed when the Beast show and give Belle the library. So it takes place a little after their initial meeting,her going to the west wing thus leaving and him saving her from the wolves. Just think of Belle's Enchanted Christmas which was a tie in for the animated version but a whole lot better. Belle's realtionship with everyone is way more fleshed out and her character as well. ( Her relationship with the Beast with her trying to figure him out and trying figure out does she want to be friends with him.. .. Oh my heart) You can feel her sadness and loneliness about her situation and understand why she got "lost in a book" where she can forget about her troubles and be happy. But sometimes escapism can be more trouble than dealing with real life and your problems which Belle figured out. The Original Characters to story was delight as well. It honestly gave me Caroline vibes on how Lady Death acted towards Belle. It was almost like how the Caroline fake mother acted towards her. ( So Terri Hatcher for Lady Death if they ever do a movie.)

There are two reasons why I gave it a 4.5 instead of a full five.

1. Without any spoilers the ending felt a little Deux Ex Machina to me and how everything got resolved. I honestly wanted a little bit more like maybe Belle and Beast actually talking about it.

2. The chapters are way too short. Now I have read some of Jennifer Donnelly before ( I need to go back to Resolution asap) and that always been my biggest gripe with her. Her writing is simple but amazing but her chapters are too damn short. I don't like super like 20 plus chapters but 2 page chapters are extremely too short. She could have really combined like four -five chapters together and it could have been like 10-12 pages which is a nice chapter size. So instead of 65 chapters plus prologue and epilogue it could have been 13 chapters with prologue and epilogue.

Other than than this book was such a good read and really got me hype for the movie!

shaunie991's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5 stars

This book was much more enjoyable than I thought it would be. Pleasantly surprised. A great middle-grade story.

rosatulipan's review against another edition

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4.0

3.8

I really enjoy it! I believe if you are a B&B fan you are gonna love it as well. i adored the parts with the Beast, he' so sweet!

mersaddles's review against another edition

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5.0

An interesting take on Good and Evil with the complications of deciding what reality would be the better escape.