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emiharpreads's review against another edition
2.0
I sooo loved the beginning of this book but as I hit the 70% mark and there was still no action or suspense or even the tiniest twinge of tension, I had to DNF. The lack of dialogue was so engaging at first but it was unbearable with little else to drive the plot forward as I reached the end.
The Beast rubbed me really wrong. He was 200 years old but acted more like a teenager with ever changing moods that shifted within a second.
The Beast rubbed me really wrong. He was 200 years old but acted more like a teenager with ever changing moods that shifted within a second.
lisamchuk's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book every summer as a junior high aged kid (it was my most favourite for a long time) and was a huge fan of the author back then. Picking it up now, as an adult, all these years later, I can happily say it retained its charm. Beauty and the Beast is one of my favourite fairy tales, and the author does a great job retelling it, with her own minor twists and changes. I can see how I related to the heroine as a teen, as she’s not quite your regular princess - McKinley’s main characters are always strong females and this one is not the beauty of her nickname, which spoke to me as a plain, mousy reader. Highly recommended for those who like fairy tale retellings.
annashiv's review against another edition
3.0
A bit too slow. It lacks enough conflict to make it compelling or interesting and you don't even meet the beast until literally halfway through the book. It was fine, but it didn't add anything that special to the original tale. It's a faithful adaptation and well written, but I just didn't get really into it. It was too distant and mediocre. I'm not sure why so many other reviews think it's so similar to the Disney version. It's nothing like it. Anyway, maybe I would have liked it when I was younger, but it just felt like it wasn't anything special.
kabookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
purps's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was a pretty standard retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I enjoyed it, but she didn't do anything particularly creative or interesting with the plot. I liked the characters well enough but the ending felt kind of anticlimactic.
fmcfranny's review against another edition
3.0
so this had no beauty or beast connection. They barely talked or interacted. And none of the interactions they did have jump out at me as a moment of real connection. I liked the amount of detail when it describes beauty as a child but honestly, during this story, I kept going 'how are they in love they haven't spoken'! I am certain one of the other sisters interacts more with beast than with beauty. Also way to steal from disney. I hope they don't sue. Love the interaction between sisters.
erinrebecca922's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
By this being a "slow" read, I mean it is for a children's book, as it has very deep imagery.
This is a very beautifully written book. However, my main gripe is the chapters are very long with few breaks within the chapters.
This is a very beautifully written book. However, my main gripe is the chapters are very long with few breaks within the chapters.
bookwoman1967's review against another edition
5.0
What a great retelling of the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. The author develops and brings the characters to life, something that traditional fairy tales are weak at.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
I finished this book this morning and ever since I finished I've been thinking about what to write about it and how to write it down. Does that mean this was a bad book? Not at all. It's just, not an easy book to write a review for, because I'm not entirely sure how to find the words to explain this book to anyone else.
The easiest thing to write down is that it's actually just an extended, very well worded, version of the fairytale as we know it. There are not really many original twists and turns in it. There are no huge surprises. It's not some interesting spin on a story we all know. For the biggest part it's the story as we know it written out to last 320 pages. Side note: It never gets boring, but there were moments I still felt the story could use a little more depth.
Which brings me to the second thing I certainly want to write down. The story is really told like a fairytale. And don't get me wrong, I love those, but it also creates a certain distance between the reader and the characters. I could identify with them and understand them, but I didn't really feel for them, I didn't feel their emotions while reading their story. And personally I think that could have made this book stand out, especially without the surprises or turns or twists.
But, I do have to admit that I really enjoyed this book. I was never much of a fan of this fairy tale. I don't even really know why I bought this book and why I read it, but I'm glad I did. The writing style was enchanting and magical and this version really made a beautiful transition from Beauty disliking her beast (never truly hating him) to her realising she has fallen in love with him.
So, all in all, this is actually a book I'd need half stars for, but because I really enjoyed reading it I'll give half a star extra, as some sort of early Christmas present.
The easiest thing to write down is that it's actually just an extended, very well worded, version of the fairytale as we know it. There are not really many original twists and turns in it. There are no huge surprises. It's not some interesting spin on a story we all know. For the biggest part it's the story as we know it written out to last 320 pages. Side note: It never gets boring, but there were moments I still felt the story could use a little more depth.
Which brings me to the second thing I certainly want to write down. The story is really told like a fairytale. And don't get me wrong, I love those, but it also creates a certain distance between the reader and the characters. I could identify with them and understand them, but I didn't really feel for them, I didn't feel their emotions while reading their story. And personally I think that could have made this book stand out, especially without the surprises or turns or twists.
But, I do have to admit that I really enjoyed this book. I was never much of a fan of this fairy tale. I don't even really know why I bought this book and why I read it, but I'm glad I did. The writing style was enchanting and magical and this version really made a beautiful transition from Beauty disliking her beast (never truly hating him) to her realising she has fallen in love with him.
So, all in all, this is actually a book I'd need half stars for, but because I really enjoyed reading it I'll give half a star extra, as some sort of early Christmas present.
catmegz's review against another edition
5.0
One of my all-time favorite books. I re-read it at least once a year.