The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! π
kappareads's review against another edition
1.0
I hate Dylan.
I hated the main character.
I had my doubts the moment I started reading, but I never expected
The main character was transphobic. And yet Jamie, a trans woman, decided to continue to fall in love with him. She deserves so much better than him. She deserves someone who isn't so blatantly transphobic as Dylan was when he first found out. She deserves someone who doesn't push her away several times.
Obviously, I can't speak for trans women, but this seemed so unbelievable, I was screaming at this book the entire time.
I honestly can't recommend this book to anyone, unless you want a book on how not to write a relationship between a trans person and a cis person.
I'm clearly angry and maybe not in the best place to review this book, but I didn't relate or sympathize with Dylan at all and hated him and hated his transphobia. So, there's my problem with the book. If you can like Dylan and find reasons for Jamie to love him, good on you. I'm gonna blacklist this book, however.
I hated the main character.
I had my doubts the moment I started reading, but I never expected
Spoiler
Dylan to be outwardly transphobic to the trans love interest within the first 100 pages, and for them to get to gether romantically in the end.The main character was transphobic. And yet Jamie, a trans woman, decided to continue to fall in love with him. She deserves so much better than him. She deserves someone who isn't so blatantly transphobic as Dylan was when he first found out. She deserves someone who doesn't push her away several times.
Obviously, I can't speak for trans women, but this seemed so unbelievable, I was screaming at this book the entire time.
Spoiler
Even finding out that Dylan jumped off the roof intentionally and he's just a 15 year old kid and he has trouble making friends because he's 6'7 and hairy as shit didn't make me sympathize with him. Fuck him. Even if Dylan had some funny internal dialogue. Fuck. Him.I honestly can't recommend this book to anyone, unless you want a book on how not to write a relationship between a trans person and a cis person.
I'm clearly angry and maybe not in the best place to review this book, but I didn't relate or sympathize with Dylan at all and hated him and hated his transphobia. So, there's my problem with the book. If you can like Dylan and find reasons for Jamie to love him, good on you. I'm gonna blacklist this book, however.
jmelkw's review
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sarahemily's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thecozyreaderwbo's review against another edition
4.0
An okay read. Enjoyed the first half more than the last half.
thaictaff's review against another edition
2.0
I feel cheated. I stumbled into this book a few days after I read If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo, and I saw that she had loved the beast, so since her book was one of my favorite reads in a long time all I could think about was getting my hands on Beast.
Not only that, it has everything one would think it makes it for an incredible book; unattractive main character, trans love interest, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST RETELLING! I was out of my mind ready to fall in love with this book. Well, I think it's safe to say that I not only didn't get that, but I disliked it so much that I almost gave up on it at multiple parts.
When I got to around 70% of the book I remember thinking, 'how can every character in this book be so horrible?'. Now, looking back, I see that's not exactly true. Jamie was a nice character, a somewhat silver lining in the midst of this mess. She was decent and although she annoyed me sometimes, overall I think she was great and maybe, if the book had dual povs or if it was from her pov, I wouldn't have disliked it so much.
My biggest problem was the main character, Dylan. I thought he'd be relatable, because who hasn't gone through a phase of not accepting yourself and the way you look? But he was the furthest thing from it. He was a whinny and pathetic white boy who thinks he drew the short end of the stick because he's big and hairy. Boo freaking hoo. He walks around thinking he's a 'nice guy' and everyone should admire him for being so nice even though he looks rough on the outside, and then he turns around and judges everyone on their looks. He sees everyone's problems as insignificant compared to his when in reality, they're a lot bigger and more relevant than anything in his life.
Now let's talk about the side characters, JP and Dylan's mom. There are no words for how much I loathe JP, his actions are disgusting, he treats everyone like they're in the world for his use and amusement. Dylan's mom is so manipulative and the way she blames Jamie for her son being an asshole is ridiculous.
The writing isn't bad exactly, it's just vapid and bland. The transphobia and disregard of self-harm are things that bothered me a lot, but I, as a cis woman, don't feel entitle to comment on it. Looking at it now, I don't know how I managed to actually finish this book, it was truly horrible and I don't recommend it at all.
Review also posted at Read. Breathe. Repeat.
Not only that, it has everything one would think it makes it for an incredible book; unattractive main character, trans love interest, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST RETELLING! I was out of my mind ready to fall in love with this book. Well, I think it's safe to say that I not only didn't get that, but I disliked it so much that I almost gave up on it at multiple parts.
When I got to around 70% of the book I remember thinking, 'how can every character in this book be so horrible?'. Now, looking back, I see that's not exactly true. Jamie was a nice character, a somewhat silver lining in the midst of this mess. She was decent and although she annoyed me sometimes, overall I think she was great and maybe, if the book had dual povs or if it was from her pov, I wouldn't have disliked it so much.
My biggest problem was the main character, Dylan. I thought he'd be relatable, because who hasn't gone through a phase of not accepting yourself and the way you look? But he was the furthest thing from it. He was a whinny and pathetic white boy who thinks he drew the short end of the stick because he's big and hairy. Boo freaking hoo. He walks around thinking he's a 'nice guy' and everyone should admire him for being so nice even though he looks rough on the outside, and then he turns around and judges everyone on their looks. He sees everyone's problems as insignificant compared to his when in reality, they're a lot bigger and more relevant than anything in his life.
Now let's talk about the side characters, JP and Dylan's mom. There are no words for how much I loathe JP, his actions are disgusting, he treats everyone like they're in the world for his use and amusement. Dylan's mom is so manipulative and the way she blames Jamie for her son being an asshole is ridiculous.
The writing isn't bad exactly, it's just vapid and bland. The transphobia and disregard of self-harm are things that bothered me a lot, but I, as a cis woman, don't feel entitle to comment on it. Looking at it now, I don't know how I managed to actually finish this book, it was truly horrible and I don't recommend it at all.
Review also posted at Read. Breathe. Repeat.
courtneys__library's review against another edition
1.0
DNF at 40%. The main character is inexcusable. I understand that not all characters have to be likable but this goes beyond that. His reaction to the other main characters identity was disgusting and extremely insensitive. I know this will probably have a "happy ending", however I cannot continue on. I have never in my life not finished a book but this is really something I am not comfortable reading.
alexperc_92's review against another edition
5.0
Review can be found on *Milky Way of Books*
I was very excited for this book! Not only it had a male POV but it also dealt with matters of identity, sexuality and high school drama.
Dylan is an overgrown, too tall, too meaty/strong but overall shy boy. Though he tries to blend in school he has one "good" friend JP and he lives with his mother. When circumstances makes him interact with Jamie, he will find himself questioning both his life and his behavior.
No one is perfect in this book; everyone have flaws and sometimes I found myself groaning in frustration with JP's behavior. But Dylan, despite his mistakes and boyish behavior he is a sweet guy with a golden heart. I really, really like Jamie. She is strong and confident, finally feeling more at ease with herself and many times in the book, she gives to Dylan verbal slaps in order to make him see and understand.
While I thought that Dylan would be like Takeo (from the anime Ore Monogatari), but he proved much smarter and I actually liked his wit and love he has for his mother, even if sometimes she is a lot to handle.
This book was sweet and had a really good ending. I wouldn't mind a companion novel or a sequel to the book. I wanted more of Dylan and Jamie! ;)
I was very excited for this book! Not only it had a male POV but it also dealt with matters of identity, sexuality and high school drama.
Dylan is an overgrown, too tall, too meaty/strong but overall shy boy. Though he tries to blend in school he has one "good" friend JP and he lives with his mother. When circumstances makes him interact with Jamie, he will find himself questioning both his life and his behavior.
No one is perfect in this book; everyone have flaws and sometimes I found myself groaning in frustration with JP's behavior. But Dylan, despite his mistakes and boyish behavior he is a sweet guy with a golden heart. I really, really like Jamie. She is strong and confident, finally feeling more at ease with herself and many times in the book, she gives to Dylan verbal slaps in order to make him see and understand.
While I thought that Dylan would be like Takeo (from the anime Ore Monogatari), but he proved much smarter and I actually liked his wit and love he has for his mother, even if sometimes she is a lot to handle.
This book was sweet and had a really good ending. I wouldn't mind a companion novel or a sequel to the book. I wanted more of Dylan and Jamie! ;)
windermerepeak1's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
π΅βπ«π΅βπ«π΅βπ«
In terms of queer (and specifically trans) rep in books, I donβt think this one is it.Β
In terms of queer (and specifically trans) rep in books, I donβt think this one is it.Β
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
kasperin's review against another edition
3.0
β
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Β½ Like it :)
This is the first book I read with a trans character and I was looking forward to it. You see, I thought I was doing a good job mixing diversity in my readings, but last year I read [book:The Foxhole Court|17259690] (AWESOME TRILOGY BTW, GO READ IT IF YOU HAVEN'T) and when I heard that there was a demisexual character I had to look for the meaning because I haven't heard of that in my life. I noticed then that my "diversity" concept was pretty much limited and decided to change that. And then I found Beast.
[book:Beast|25167846] sounded awesome: beautiful cover, Beauty and the Beast retelling, with a trans beauty and an almost 2 meter, 15 year old boy, aka the beast. I was hoping to REALLY like it, and even when it didn't completely fulfill my expectations it still was a nice read.
I'll start with what I liked:
β Jaime, the trans beauty. She's such a great character! she's brave, honest, and she's gone through a lot. But the thing I like most about her is that she's not afraid of being herself, she's happy with who she is and doesn't allow anyone to change that. Definitely the best character of the book.
And now what I didn't like that much:
β Dylan, the beast. Is not exactly that I didn't liked him, but I was mad at him half the time. The book starts with him complaining about his body, and it didn't stop there. He complains twice at page, all the book. I know is normal for a 15 year old to be insecure about his image, but here it felt forced and overdone. I don't need to be constantly reminded that he was big! (and ugly it seems, but that's not mentioned as much).
The other reason I was pretty mad at him goes on spoilers --> I didn't liked all of Dylan reactions but they were realistic.
Dylan is more immature than Jamie, and I had to remind myself that he was only 15 and as so, propense to do stupidities. Plus, he has to deal with a lot of stuff just because he's big. He has a very traditional beauty concept, that later is changed thanks to Jamie. But he's funny and sarcastic too, and can be really sweet if he wants to.
β JP: I don't know what role of the original retelling he plays, but I didn't liked him since the beginning. He was manipulative and he just used Dylan like a bodyguard, a paid one. JP liked to make a joke of Dylan, and then he would go and had dinner with him and his mom. And just when I was starting to think he wasn't such a bad person, the book ended. Might sound weird since I already said I don't like him, but I'd like to read the book from JP's POV. His character development was so sudden, it would be really interesting to know what happened in between. And I'd like to read how Dylan and Jamie's relationship is understood and seen from an outsider.
β Dylan's mother: she is a present character, that would be great if she weren't so incredible overprotective. Is not exactly a bad thing, but it went crazy at times.
---
Looking at the "likes" and "don't like", it may seem there's more negative things than positive in this book, but is not like that, is just that is easier to write about the things I don't like. But this is a good book, really. It deals with important issues that are not too covered in books, and I learnt a lot from this. I'd read a sequel, different character's POV or a short story!!
This is the first book I read with a trans character and I was looking forward to it. You see, I thought I was doing a good job mixing diversity in my readings, but last year I read [book:The Foxhole Court|17259690] (AWESOME TRILOGY BTW, GO READ IT IF YOU HAVEN'T) and when I heard that there was a demisexual character I had to look for the meaning because I haven't heard of that in my life. I noticed then that my "diversity" concept was pretty much limited and decided to change that. And then I found Beast.
[book:Beast|25167846] sounded awesome: beautiful cover, Beauty and the Beast retelling, with a trans beauty and an almost 2 meter, 15 year old boy, aka the beast. I was hoping to REALLY like it, and even when it didn't completely fulfill my expectations it still was a nice read.
I'll start with what I liked:
β Jaime, the trans beauty. She's such a great character! she's brave, honest, and she's gone through a lot. But the thing I like most about her is that she's not afraid of being herself, she's happy with who she is and doesn't allow anyone to change that. Definitely the best character of the book.
"Talking always feels like defending and Iβm tired of asking for permission to exist.β
And now what I didn't like that much:
β Dylan, the beast. Is not exactly that I didn't liked him, but I was mad at him half the time. The book starts with him complaining about his body, and it didn't stop there. He complains twice at page, all the book. I know is normal for a 15 year old to be insecure about his image, but here it felt forced and overdone. I don't need to be constantly reminded that he was big! (and ugly it seems, but that's not mentioned as much).
The other reason I was pretty mad at him goes on spoilers -->
Spoiler
The way he treats Jamie. He literally ran away when he knew she was trans!! and then he's ashamed to just being associated with her. And when they are together and happy again, he hurts her AGAIN! I don't buy the dead dad signal excuse. I had to stopped and remember "this is probably a normal reaction", "is must be shocking to discover your girlfriend is a trans boy", "they are only 15", "It's a lot to deal with", "it's against the "normal" relationships standar", "Dylan won't broke all his stereotypes just in one day, that's not realistic". I'm glad with the happy ending, but still something feels off on their relationship, maybe it needed some more pages to develop.Dylan is more immature than Jamie, and I had to remind myself that he was only 15 and as so, propense to do stupidities. Plus, he has to deal with a lot of stuff just because he's big. He has a very traditional beauty concept, that later is changed thanks to Jamie. But he's funny and sarcastic too, and can be really sweet if he wants to.
β JP: I don't know what role of the original retelling he plays, but I didn't liked him since the beginning. He was manipulative and he just used Dylan like a bodyguard, a paid one. JP liked to make a joke of Dylan, and then he would go and had dinner with him and his mom. And just when I was starting to think he wasn't such a bad person, the book ended.
Spoiler
Really, the number of pages of him being nice and trying to change to a better human being were so little! I'd love to see him and Dylan being friends again, real friends. And he was nice with Jamie at the end!β Dylan's mother: she is a present character, that would be great if she weren't so incredible overprotective. Is not exactly a bad thing, but it went crazy at times.
---
Looking at the "likes" and "don't like", it may seem there's more negative things than positive in this book, but is not like that, is just that is easier to write about the things I don't like. But this is a good book, really. It deals with important issues that are not too covered in books, and I learnt a lot from this. I'd read a sequel, different character's POV or a short story!!