ivegotyourpaperback's review against another edition
2.75
This was just meh for the most part.
Don’t go into this ‘book’ (it’s more of a novella) thinking you’ll get the whole B&tB story. Because this is book 1 of 3 in the series it ends just as the 16 year old (remember this for later) ‘Belle’ character chooses to stay with the Beast.
At the very start of the book it feels a little like we’ve been dropped into the middle of the story with Benella (terrible name btw) being tormented by a couple of village boys. This is not an uncommon occurrence throughout the book and you would think the reason for their hatred for her would be explained. Alas, it does not and their motivation doesn’t make sense.
Then there’s the part that made me feel a little icky and distracted from the B&tB plot I enjoy.
Benella ends up befriending a couple of prostitutes who in turn begin teaching our underage heroine how to get a guy off in the brothel 🤢 I’m sure this little side quest is meant to set up events to come in the books but I felt it was gross and unnecessary. Don’t get me wrong, I like a dark romance…..with consenting adults. If the author wanted this element in the book, I think they should have aged Benella up a couple of years.
There were also a few instances where I felt the text had anti sex worker sentiments. It was difficult to discern whether this was just the characters views or those of the author coming through, as nothing was really done or said to combat this way of thinking. Perhaps it’s too optimistic of me to expect an author in 2015 (when this was published) to rebut centuries of misogyny in a fantasy novella.
In the end, I enjoyed elements of the story but would find myself rewriting scenes in my head.
Though only mildly intrigued so far, I’ve purchased the next book in the hope it improves.
⚠️non consent/sexual coercion
⚠️sexual harassment
⚠️prejudice against sex workers
Don’t go into this ‘book’ (it’s more of a novella) thinking you’ll get the whole B&tB story. Because this is book 1 of 3 in the series it ends just as the 16 year old (remember this for later) ‘Belle’ character chooses to stay with the Beast.
At the very start of the book it feels a little like we’ve been dropped into the middle of the story with Benella (terrible name btw) being tormented by a couple of village boys. This is not an uncommon occurrence throughout the book and you would think the reason for their hatred for her would be explained. Alas, it does not and their motivation doesn’t make sense.
Then there’s the part that made me feel a little icky and distracted from the B&tB plot I enjoy.
Benella ends up befriending a couple of prostitutes who in turn begin teaching our underage heroine how to get a guy off in the brothel 🤢 I’m sure this little side quest is meant to set up events to come in the books but I felt it was gross and unnecessary. Don’t get me wrong, I like a dark romance…..with consenting adults. If the author wanted this element in the book, I think they should have aged Benella up a couple of years.
There were also a few instances where I felt the text had anti sex worker sentiments. It was difficult to discern whether this was just the characters views or those of the author coming through, as nothing was really done or said to combat this way of thinking. Perhaps it’s too optimistic of me to expect an author in 2015 (when this was published) to rebut centuries of misogyny in a fantasy novella.
In the end, I enjoyed elements of the story but would find myself rewriting scenes in my head.
Though only mildly intrigued so far, I’ve purchased the next book in the hope it improves.
⚠️non consent/sexual coercion
⚠️sexual harassment
⚠️prejudice against sex workers
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
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