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crystalstarrlight's review against another edition
3.0
Tale as old as last year's Bop Magazine
Kyle Kingsbury is Mr. Popularity. His dad is rich, he is gorgeous, and he can get away with anything. He also belittles anyone who doesn't conform to his perception of superficial, physical beauty. So when the opportunity arises to humiliate the "ugly" Kendra Hilferty, a fellow student, Kyle jumps on it. Little did he know that Kendra wasn't a student, but a witch, and one that curses him to become a beast until he can love someone and that person can love him in return. But who could fall in love with someone as ugly as Kyle is now?
How I found out about this novel is a somewhat interesting story. I first saw it on one of my scouting missions to Borders. It definitely looked interesting (I had read Robin McKinley's "Beauty" ages ago and loved it), but I didn't immediately buy it, instead logging it into my "Will Read Eventually" category. Then I saw the trailer of the movie, which looked pretty interesting. I might still have procrastinated reading it had I not A) found it cheap at Goodwill, B) needed something fluffy to read and C) wanted to read the book before watching the movie in theaters. But since A, B, and C all applied, I pulled this off the bookshelf to read it.
"Beastly" was an entertaining, if clunky read. Kyle's character was pretty decently drawn. I loved how we have a male narrator (there is a preponderance of female perspectives, not bad, but also not that well done). His portrayal in the beginning as an arrogant @ss was pretty well done, and his transformation into the kindly beast even better. I liked how he gradually got interested in reading and gardening, and even how at the end, he still wasn't a brilliant student. I did think that his lapses into archaic speech were weird. Also, I really wished we could have seen more of his "beastly" actions, sort of like how the Beast in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" tore up the West Wing of his house (and can fight off wolves). It would have made the ending more believable.
Linda, or shall I say "Lindy" (not a fan of that nickname personally), was another matter. In the beginning, she had a spark of something to make her interesting, and I do love how she was a bookworm, but God, at the end, she fell in love with the Beast too fast and with too little connection.
Other characters were on the "meh" side of the radar. Magda felt too cliched, Sloane was decent (nothing remarkable, but nothing horrible either), the father was absolutely unbelievable (does he have absolutely NO love to his own flesh and blood?), Kyle's old friends were forgettable, and what was the point of Kendra staying around when she did absolutely nothing other than curse Kyle? About the only side character I really liked was Will, but he didn't get as much screen time as I would like.
As for the Linda-Kyle relationship, it made me cringe in so many places. I actually didn't mind Linda's dad dumping her on the beast, as it did sound likely. But Kyle holding her hostage? It may have worked in the original "Beauty and the Beast" story, but it is rather awkward here. I couldn't help but think that Linda was developing a case of Stockholm syndrome...even though I know that Kyle didn't mean her harm. In addition, Kyle's feelings to Linda smart of the stalkerish actions that have become so popular with "Twilight". Spying on her with the mirror. Sneaking into her room to see if she's there. Sleeping next to a dress she wore. All a little freaky, if you ask me.
We all know the basic plot of the story, as most of us have heard the story of Beauty and the Beast in one form or another (probably the Disney movie for us 80's kids). And this story stays extremely faithful to the source; so faithful, there are absolutely no plot twists you can't guess a million miles away. Finn did try to modernize her story, but as I hinted above, it comes with mixed results. It was interesting how Kyle was hidden away in a home in Brooklyn, but the "kidnapping" of Linda doesn't come off as well. Also, not so fond of all the name dropping, particularly of the classics. It felt clumsy and forced most of the time. "Oh, lookie here, this book is like Phantom of the Opera!!" And, I doubt a newscaster could make anywhere near the income to support a spendthrift like his son (totally redecorating an entire floor for Linda, INCLUDING buying out the entire Junior's department in her size??).
The writing itself was serviceable. It flowed nicely, kept up a brisk pace, and wasn't too challenging. It was terribly cheesy in places, but I expected it. Also, each part was divided with a chat transcription that actually wasn't too bad (Froggie was the cutest!).
My final complaint: the epilogue. 100% unnecessary. Finn did a great job wrapping up the story earlier, and the epilogue added nothing new, closed up no loose ends, and was entirely pointless.
This book was a fun timewaster, but I think it could have been a lot better. I remember reading Robin McKinley's "Beauty" and being enchanted; years later, I hunted down the book and bought it (and have plans to reread--eventually). But I just don't see this book lasting very long, not with the very specific culture references.
Now that I've read it, I think I'm probably going to sell it back; it's just not one of those books I want to keep on my shelf and reread. However, I do have plans to see the movie; hopefully, the movie will bring some new insights. (NOTE: This movie is definitely one of the bottom of the barrel book to movies. Vanessa Hudgeons nails Linda in that Linda is completely boring with no personality. Alex Pettyfer looks ridiculous in his "beastly" makeup, like a robot with the wiring all exposed. Hard to believe that this film was to catapult him into being a household name. 2011 was his year.)
Kyle Kingsbury is Mr. Popularity. His dad is rich, he is gorgeous, and he can get away with anything. He also belittles anyone who doesn't conform to his perception of superficial, physical beauty. So when the opportunity arises to humiliate the "ugly" Kendra Hilferty, a fellow student, Kyle jumps on it. Little did he know that Kendra wasn't a student, but a witch, and one that curses him to become a beast until he can love someone and that person can love him in return. But who could fall in love with someone as ugly as Kyle is now?
How I found out about this novel is a somewhat interesting story. I first saw it on one of my scouting missions to Borders. It definitely looked interesting (I had read Robin McKinley's "Beauty" ages ago and loved it), but I didn't immediately buy it, instead logging it into my "Will Read Eventually" category. Then I saw the trailer of the movie, which looked pretty interesting. I might still have procrastinated reading it had I not A) found it cheap at Goodwill, B) needed something fluffy to read and C) wanted to read the book before watching the movie in theaters. But since A, B, and C all applied, I pulled this off the bookshelf to read it.
"Beastly" was an entertaining, if clunky read. Kyle's character was pretty decently drawn. I loved how we have a male narrator (there is a preponderance of female perspectives, not bad, but also not that well done). His portrayal in the beginning as an arrogant @ss was pretty well done, and his transformation into the kindly beast even better. I liked how he gradually got interested in reading and gardening, and even how at the end, he still wasn't a brilliant student. I did think that his lapses into archaic speech were weird. Also, I really wished we could have seen more of his "beastly" actions, sort of like how the Beast in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" tore up the West Wing of his house (and can fight off wolves). It would have made the ending more believable.
Linda, or shall I say "Lindy" (not a fan of that nickname personally), was another matter. In the beginning, she had a spark of something to make her interesting, and I do love how she was a bookworm, but God, at the end, she fell in love with the Beast too fast and with too little connection.
Other characters were on the "meh" side of the radar. Magda felt too cliched, Sloane was decent (nothing remarkable, but nothing horrible either), the father was absolutely unbelievable (does he have absolutely NO love to his own flesh and blood?), Kyle's old friends were forgettable, and what was the point of Kendra staying around when she did absolutely nothing other than curse Kyle? About the only side character I really liked was Will, but he didn't get as much screen time as I would like.
As for the Linda-Kyle relationship, it made me cringe in so many places. I actually didn't mind Linda's dad dumping her on the beast, as it did sound likely. But Kyle holding her hostage? It may have worked in the original "Beauty and the Beast" story, but it is rather awkward here. I couldn't help but think that Linda was developing a case of Stockholm syndrome...even though I know that Kyle didn't mean her harm. In addition, Kyle's feelings to Linda smart of the stalkerish actions that have become so popular with "Twilight". Spying on her with the mirror. Sneaking into her room to see if she's there. Sleeping next to a dress she wore. All a little freaky, if you ask me.
We all know the basic plot of the story, as most of us have heard the story of Beauty and the Beast in one form or another (probably the Disney movie for us 80's kids). And this story stays extremely faithful to the source; so faithful, there are absolutely no plot twists you can't guess a million miles away. Finn did try to modernize her story, but as I hinted above, it comes with mixed results. It was interesting how Kyle was hidden away in a home in Brooklyn, but the "kidnapping" of Linda doesn't come off as well. Also, not so fond of all the name dropping, particularly of the classics. It felt clumsy and forced most of the time. "Oh, lookie here, this book is like Phantom of the Opera!!" And, I doubt a newscaster could make anywhere near the income to support a spendthrift like his son (totally redecorating an entire floor for Linda, INCLUDING buying out the entire Junior's department in her size??).
The writing itself was serviceable. It flowed nicely, kept up a brisk pace, and wasn't too challenging. It was terribly cheesy in places, but I expected it. Also, each part was divided with a chat transcription that actually wasn't too bad (Froggie was the cutest!).
My final complaint: the epilogue. 100% unnecessary. Finn did a great job wrapping up the story earlier, and the epilogue added nothing new, closed up no loose ends, and was entirely pointless.
This book was a fun timewaster, but I think it could have been a lot better. I remember reading Robin McKinley's "Beauty" and being enchanted; years later, I hunted down the book and bought it (and have plans to reread--eventually). But I just don't see this book lasting very long, not with the very specific culture references.
Now that I've read it, I think I'm probably going to sell it back; it's just not one of those books I want to keep on my shelf and reread. However, I do have plans to see the movie; hopefully, the movie will bring some new insights. (NOTE: This movie is definitely one of the bottom of the barrel book to movies. Vanessa Hudgeons nails Linda in that Linda is completely boring with no personality. Alex Pettyfer looks ridiculous in his "beastly" makeup, like a robot with the wiring all exposed. Hard to believe that this film was to catapult him into being a household name. 2011 was his year.)
slvrdragon1090's review against another edition
3.0
It took me a good 150 pages to get into the swing of the book. After that it was really good.
goodyeargoodbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I was put off reading 'Beastly', as I was told that the film was so much better than the book, and I had already seen the film. Because of this, it took me a while to pick this up and read it, however I am glad that I did.
The main character, Kyle, starts off as incredibly cruel and arrogant. At this point, he is (unfortunately if you think about it) very realistic, and reminds me of a vast amount of guys I have encountered who have similar damaging views and expectations of society as Kyle does in the beginning. The fact that he is so out-of-order to start with leads to the thing I found most enjoyable about this book; the development. My main peeve with the film adaptation was that Kyle actually didn't change his approach too visibly; he was not too bad to begin with, nor did he have a hugely different approach in the end. In the book, we see such a change in him, in a very gradual manner. I find this very readable, as it aids the book fulfil its purpose; to teach a lesson which impacts a person.
I found the story very satisfying. The romance between Adrian and Lindy is not clichéd from the start, and it is nice to see the interest build slowly, rather than the tacky 'love-at-first-sight' approach we normally see. After all the twists and turns, the ending reaches a natural conclusion, and nothing feels rushed or missing.
I did really enjoy 'Beastly' and will be sure to read another Alex Flinn book soon.
The main character, Kyle, starts off as incredibly cruel and arrogant. At this point, he is (unfortunately if you think about it) very realistic, and reminds me of a vast amount of guys I have encountered who have similar damaging views and expectations of society as Kyle does in the beginning. The fact that he is so out-of-order to start with leads to the thing I found most enjoyable about this book; the development. My main peeve with the film adaptation was that Kyle actually didn't change his approach too visibly; he was not too bad to begin with, nor did he have a hugely different approach in the end. In the book, we see such a change in him, in a very gradual manner. I find this very readable, as it aids the book fulfil its purpose; to teach a lesson which impacts a person.
I found the story very satisfying. The romance between Adrian and Lindy is not clichéd from the start, and it is nice to see the interest build slowly, rather than the tacky 'love-at-first-sight' approach we normally see. After all the twists and turns, the ending reaches a natural conclusion, and nothing feels rushed or missing.
I did really enjoy 'Beastly' and will be sure to read another Alex Flinn book soon.
brigii's review against another edition
5.0
My young teenage self's favorite book. I reread it several times and I still have it on my bookshelf.
breezy610's review against another edition
5.0
the book is soo much better than the movie. I actucally read this book way before the movie came out, but watching the movie renew my interest in re-reading the book and like so many book-turned-movie, the book is a lot better than the movie. the Movie was good in it's own right, but the movie could never do justice to the book.
jgurniak's review against another edition
4.0
I love retellings, it's so interesting to see each authors take on fairy tales that have already been told many times over. Beastly will not disappoint.
viachu888's review against another edition
4.0
A fairly good book overall. I really enjoyed reading it. It felt a little creepy and forced at times, like Kyle talking to frogs and stuff on a fairy tale creatures IM or whatever. It was a great concept, well written, though it could have been more. A perfect read for the romance loving teen.
kmparsons's review against another edition
4.0
This is one book that I actually enjoyed the movie more. The book was good, I guess, but the actors just fit the parts so well. I would definitely read this book and fun watch the movie before you come to my conclusion or your own.
clowdywings's review against another edition
3.0
I realized on my reread today what was weird about this book.
1. The writing. It was quite bad at some times. It was sweet but not quite what they were going for.
2. The overall story. This is an adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, told from the Beast's side. It starts out from his perspective as a spoiled popular brat attending an exclusive (messed up) school. I hated this kid so much.
3. How much the MC changed. He had an entire personality change in what seemed like a year. I don't believe someone who was who he was would change that fast just because he realized how he acts. It would be gradual, not nearly this fast (Don't get started on his vanity.) He also acts so creepy as part of his change.
4. The IM. They seemed so pointless and just like a filler.
But I liked what the author was going for. The MC and his love interest had some cute scenes. I liked his love interest since she seemed sweet and wicked smart. We should get more of her.
1. The writing. It was quite bad at some times. It was sweet but not quite what they were going for.
2. The overall story. This is an adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, told from the Beast's side. It starts out from his perspective as a spoiled popular brat attending an exclusive (messed up) school. I hated this kid so much.
3. How much the MC changed. He had an entire personality change in what seemed like a year. I don't believe someone who was who he was would change that fast just because he realized how he acts. It would be gradual, not nearly this fast (Don't get started on his vanity.) He also acts so creepy as part of his change.
4. The IM. They seemed so pointless and just like a filler.
But I liked what the author was going for. The MC and his love interest had some cute scenes. I liked his love interest since she seemed sweet and wicked smart. We should get more of her.