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queen3210's review against another edition
I was misled to believe that the story would be based on the beast depicted on the cover not a totally different version.
lariiii25's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
kycro1129's review against another edition
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
3.25
crystalmbookshelf83's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
sarahrose23's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.75
kittylisha's review against another edition
5.0
This review was originally posted at https://bit.ly/3cPVjrV.
What if instead of Beauty and the Beast from Belle's perspective we learn more about Prince Adam? Spoiled and cruel he was cursed, but not in the way we thought. Now he must come to terms with this new form as well as learn something he was never before capable of: love. But perhaps there is another way.
This book was a suggestion by my best friend. He is well aware of my borderline obsession with Beauty and the Beast as well as how much I loved Tale as Old as Time. So when he said this was a dark retelling from the Beast's perspective I jumped at it. Add to it the fact that this book is available on Kindle Unlimited and I was reading it within minutes of him texting me the suggestion. Let's just say the man knows me and I really loved this book.
While this book is not as good as Tale as Old as Time it is still amazing. I loved the ending on the other book, but this had it's own charms. Instead of the classic cursed for turning someone away Prince Adam was cursed for breaking off an engagement with a young woman because she was the daughter of a pig farmer. In fact I stopped more than once while reading this book to send snippets to my friend asking him what the hell he was thinking sending me a misogynistic book. He'd reply that I needed to keep reading so I did. It got better and I enjoyed the things Beast had to go through as part of the curse to become better.
The Beast was absolutely dreadful, but thinking a woman shouldn't have thoughts of her own and that they were basically pretty decorations wasn't an uncommon opinion during this time period, so I can't say too much. Then there was the prince's relationship with Gaston. We all know Gaston. And I hate to say it, but two characters in this book had a lot in common. Thankfully, not by the end. Still, I wasn't thrilled by their friendship. Something else I found odd was that he is never referred to as Prince Adam in this book. Only by "Prince" or "the Beast". That isn't a yay or a nay in my opinion of the book, just something that I found odd. I mean everyone knows his name, even those who preferred him as the Beast before he changed back.
Something I really liked about this retelling was Circe. Not that Circe, for all of those immediately going to mythology mindset. In this case she was the original fiancée and curse layer. That being said she wasn't unjust and genuinely wanted good things for the Beast. This is evident by her actions throughout as she keeps her sisters in check as well as the end. While I could never choose anyone over Belle Circe would be a second in this story. Also, the way the author mentions Ursula in passing in the book makes me want to track down that story. Maybe another time. She is, after all, my favorite villain.
What if instead of Beauty and the Beast from Belle's perspective we learn more about Prince Adam? Spoiled and cruel he was cursed, but not in the way we thought. Now he must come to terms with this new form as well as learn something he was never before capable of: love. But perhaps there is another way.
This book was a suggestion by my best friend. He is well aware of my borderline obsession with Beauty and the Beast as well as how much I loved Tale as Old as Time. So when he said this was a dark retelling from the Beast's perspective I jumped at it. Add to it the fact that this book is available on Kindle Unlimited and I was reading it within minutes of him texting me the suggestion. Let's just say the man knows me and I really loved this book.
While this book is not as good as Tale as Old as Time it is still amazing. I loved the ending on the other book, but this had it's own charms. Instead of the classic cursed for turning someone away Prince Adam was cursed for breaking off an engagement with a young woman because she was the daughter of a pig farmer. In fact I stopped more than once while reading this book to send snippets to my friend asking him what the hell he was thinking sending me a misogynistic book. He'd reply that I needed to keep reading so I did. It got better and I enjoyed the things Beast had to go through as part of the curse to become better.
The Beast was absolutely dreadful, but thinking a woman shouldn't have thoughts of her own and that they were basically pretty decorations wasn't an uncommon opinion during this time period, so I can't say too much. Then there was the prince's relationship with Gaston. We all know Gaston. And I hate to say it, but two characters in this book had a lot in common. Thankfully, not by the end. Still, I wasn't thrilled by their friendship. Something else I found odd was that he is never referred to as Prince Adam in this book. Only by "Prince" or "the Beast". That isn't a yay or a nay in my opinion of the book, just something that I found odd. I mean everyone knows his name, even those who preferred him as the Beast before he changed back.
Something I really liked about this retelling was Circe. Not that Circe, for all of those immediately going to mythology mindset. In this case she was the original fiancée and curse layer. That being said she wasn't unjust and genuinely wanted good things for the Beast. This is evident by her actions throughout as she keeps her sisters in check as well as the end. While I could never choose anyone over Belle Circe would be a second in this story. Also, the way the author mentions Ursula in passing in the book makes me want to track down that story. Maybe another time. She is, after all, my favorite villain.
thepaperwitch's review against another edition
3.0
Reviewed on Books Cats Tea
While Beauty and the Beast shows us that the Beast was cursed, The Beast Within gives us an insight into how the Beast really came to be. Vain, arrogant, and selfish, the Prince seeks to find marriage to a woman who is meek, quiet, and beautiful. When events transpire that leave the woman he thought he loved spurned for her apparent poverty, the Prince finds himself on the receiving end of a curse. In addition to the curse only being broken by mutual love and a kiss, it also transforms the Prince into the beast his soul really is.
I found The Beast Within to have an interesting plot. Gaston is brought into the story as the Prince's best friend and they both share a love of hunting and beautiful (yet simple minded) women. The curse also is intricately done and I thought it was clever that it affected the servants and the Prince differently. I also really loved that the story of the odd witches was fleshed out more and that Valentino seems to be developing their story concurrently with each book (I accidentally started book 3 and read the first few chapters before I decided that I wanted to read them in order precisely for the witches' story).
What I found lacking was that, for all the intricacy and depth the story touched on, it didn't delve into that depth and explore it. It suggested depth without fleshing it out, so I was left wanting to know more. Additionally, for as much as I enjoyed the witches' story, I felt that it took up a good portion of the book, which left the Beast's story even shorter. I gave the first book (Fairest of All) 4 stars, but I'm only giving The Beast Within 3 stars at most because I feel it could have been more detailed and focused on the Beast. I'm going to keep going with the series because I really want to get to Maleficent (she's my favorite!).
Pick this up if you're looking for an interesting retelling or a quick fantasy or YA read.
While Beauty and the Beast shows us that the Beast was cursed, The Beast Within gives us an insight into how the Beast really came to be. Vain, arrogant, and selfish, the Prince seeks to find marriage to a woman who is meek, quiet, and beautiful. When events transpire that leave the woman he thought he loved spurned for her apparent poverty, the Prince finds himself on the receiving end of a curse. In addition to the curse only being broken by mutual love and a kiss, it also transforms the Prince into the beast his soul really is.
I found The Beast Within to have an interesting plot. Gaston is brought into the story as the Prince's best friend and they both share a love of hunting and beautiful (yet simple minded) women. The curse also is intricately done and I thought it was clever that it affected the servants and the Prince differently. I also really loved that the story of the odd witches was fleshed out more and that Valentino seems to be developing their story concurrently with each book (I accidentally started book 3 and read the first few chapters before I decided that I wanted to read them in order precisely for the witches' story).
What I found lacking was that, for all the intricacy and depth the story touched on, it didn't delve into that depth and explore it. It suggested depth without fleshing it out, so I was left wanting to know more. Additionally, for as much as I enjoyed the witches' story, I felt that it took up a good portion of the book, which left the Beast's story even shorter. I gave the first book (Fairest of All) 4 stars, but I'm only giving The Beast Within 3 stars at most because I feel it could have been more detailed and focused on the Beast. I'm going to keep going with the series because I really want to get to Maleficent (she's my favorite!).
Pick this up if you're looking for an interesting retelling or a quick fantasy or YA read.
lisareusch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jerbearthebearjer's review against another edition
2.0
I was recommended this book by a coworker who thought the idea was an interesting concept. I gave in, intrigued and excited to settle down for a quick read.
I thought this was okay quick read to spend a sick day. Not really great. It reads like pretty bad fan fiction.
However, I laughed out loud at the "wicked butt-chinned brute" description of Gaston, so I gave it one more star for that.
I thought this was okay quick read to spend a sick day. Not really great. It reads like pretty bad fan fiction.
However, I laughed out loud at the "wicked butt-chinned brute" description of Gaston, so I gave it one more star for that.
jaymileehoward's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5