katekate_reads_'s review against another edition
4.0
I loved the experience of listening to this audiobook production of The Beast’s Heart. This YA retelling of Beauty & the Beast told from the beast’s perspective was exactly what I wanted it to be.
The comfort of returning to a story that I loved from the first time I saw the animated version in 1991 - but updated for a slightly older audience and given to us from a slightly different perspective.
What bookish girl can help but feel warmth in her heart for the Beast with a love of books and a desire to make his beauty happy? But this time we feel Isabeau’s struggle as she is torn between choosing to return to her family or stay with her Beast. I think many people who have felt torn between two options can relate to this.
Making it even better - the audiobook is narrated by Jim Dale who also gives me nostalgic memories of listening to the Harry Potter series. His performance makes this tale even more magical.
I recommend if you are a fan of the Beauty and the Beast movie(s) but aren’t someone who gets upset about details being different.
The comfort of returning to a story that I loved from the first time I saw the animated version in 1991 - but updated for a slightly older audience and given to us from a slightly different perspective.
What bookish girl can help but feel warmth in her heart for the Beast with a love of books and a desire to make his beauty happy? But this time we feel Isabeau’s struggle as she is torn between choosing to return to her family or stay with her Beast. I think many people who have felt torn between two options can relate to this.
Making it even better - the audiobook is narrated by Jim Dale who also gives me nostalgic memories of listening to the Harry Potter series. His performance makes this tale even more magical.
I recommend if you are a fan of the Beauty and the Beast movie(s) but aren’t someone who gets upset about details being different.
missy_reads's review against another edition
4.0
This retelling of Beauty and the Beast is one of the more unique versions of this fairy tale I have read. It is told from the perspective of the beast and shows how he developed great compassion for others through the time of his curse.
justgrace's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
What a pleasant surprise! This book has been on my shelves, in my TBR from some time, and suddenly I was inspired to pick it up and it whisked me away most pleasantly! I laughed, I cried, I swooned. Enough said.
chefgirlsatan's review against another edition
3.0
DNF at 41% into the audiobook. Audiobook narrator is Jim Dale (Harry Potter books) which I why I picked this up - I wanted to hear him! I’m not really into retelling stories although this one was fun but couldn’t keep my interest in the long run.
androids_aliens_wizards's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
slow-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
5.0
kerrisbooks13's review against another edition
3.0
3.75 stars! This was a pretty good retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Told from the perspective of the beast himself you get a different insight. Some points dragged a little and it relied heavily on the sub plot of Isabeau’s sisters but still fun
alyram4's review against another edition
3.0
I'm like a mega-fan for Beauty and the Beast. I will read any and all retellings I can find. This book just didn't quite hit the mark. I didn't care about the pacing, as many retelling tend to have a slow-burn feel to it. My issue with this was that I didn't feel the relationship between Beast and Isabeau grow. It was extremely sudden when her true feelings came out. You don't get the full experience of seeing the friendship blossom into a relationship, and that's what left me disappointed. The characters were quite lacking, which was a disappointment. This just ends up making the book fall into the "average" category of BATB retellings.
frost_witch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0