kjrollins's review
medium-paced
4.0
This is the first retelling of beauty and the beast I’ve read and I’m so glad I read these books in order! These books are very detailed and on the slower side. The build up is CRUCIAL for the last 20% of the books though! Every time I get to the climax it’s amazing. I also love the world building in this series. These romances have me swooning and I love the subtle classic details of each fairytale. Beauty and the beast tends to hit you over the head with Disney characteristics because it’s so memorable but this book was very delicate with the nostalgia and wove the new parts of the story perfectly with the classic tale.
leahegood's review against another edition
5.0
"If I truly believed I had power over my own actions and choices, then my apologies and thanks couldn't be conditional on his."
"My gratitude for his rescue was not contingent on his gratitude for me rescuing him back. The beast might not deserve my good attitude, but I did. I wanted to be a royal who earned respect, not one who demanded it."
I'm so happy to have found a retelling of Beauty and the Beast that rivals [b:Beauty|41424|Beauty A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast|Robin McKinley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1294192311l/41424._SY75_.jpg|2321285], by Robin McKinley in how much I enjoyed it. The story mostly follows the traditional plot line, but there are some interesting variations that lend depth to the story world and character motivations.
Near the end of the story, when you are fully invested in the relationship between beauty and beast but everything is falling asleep, I must admit to audibly scolding Sophie for not seeing the reality of the situation! Funny how even knowing the general idea of how the story will end doesn't reduce the mounting tension of the lead-up to the climax.
The one thing that bothered me a bit early on was how often Sophie referenced the beast's appearance. I wanted to tell her, "Yes, yes. I got it the first 50 times. You can stop now." But honestly it was a pretty minor irritation amid wonderful character development and story-telling.
Definitely would recommend this book, especially to lovers of stories such as Robin McKinley's Beauty.
"My gratitude for his rescue was not contingent on his gratitude for me rescuing him back. The beast might not deserve my good attitude, but I did. I wanted to be a royal who earned respect, not one who demanded it."
I'm so happy to have found a retelling of Beauty and the Beast that rivals [b:Beauty|41424|Beauty A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast|Robin McKinley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1294192311l/41424._SY75_.jpg|2321285], by Robin McKinley in how much I enjoyed it. The story mostly follows the traditional plot line, but there are some interesting variations that lend depth to the story world and character motivations.
Near the end of the story, when you are fully invested in the relationship between beauty and beast but everything is falling asleep, I must admit to audibly scolding Sophie for not seeing the reality of the situation! Funny how even knowing the general idea of how the story will end doesn't reduce the mounting tension of the lead-up to the climax.
The one thing that bothered me a bit early on was how often Sophie referenced the beast's appearance. I wanted to tell her, "Yes, yes. I got it the first 50 times. You can stop now." But honestly it was a pretty minor irritation amid wonderful character development and story-telling.
Definitely would recommend this book, especially to lovers of stories such as Robin McKinley's Beauty.
connie_a's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mxacp96's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I love this retelling of my favorite story. I have been slowly working through the series. Book number 3 has been on hold since halfway through book 2.
okale4me's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
abbythebibliophile's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
scarletthills's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
loliamkara's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kristinasshelves's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars, rounded up
After taking a bit for the story to pick up, this was a fantastic retelling of a beloved fairy tale! I love how Cellier puts her own twist on such well-known stories and she delivered so well with the story of Sophie and Dominic. It's also so cool to see the little elements introduced in previous stories come to fruition and become cohesive.
Far more than the original series, Beyond the Four Kingdoms needs to be read in order as to not miss the overall story.
After taking a bit for the story to pick up, this was a fantastic retelling of a beloved fairy tale! I love how Cellier puts her own twist on such well-known stories and she delivered so well with the story of Sophie and Dominic. It's also so cool to see the little elements introduced in previous stories come to fruition and become cohesive.
Far more than the original series, Beyond the Four Kingdoms needs to be read in order as to not miss the overall story.