jordana_b_bookish's review against another edition
1.0
I was expecting an epic 'Beauty and the Beast' retelling and it was not good. I do not recommend if you are reading this as a retelling. The plot was very scattered and confusing, I thought this was actually a role reversal where the princess was actually the beast until like page 200 then it was explained.
lissajean7's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. It was an interesting take on the fairy tale. I liked the secondary world magic idea. The main characters were compelling. I was a bit annoyed at most of the secondary characters--they didn't feel like fully fleshed out people. Overall, I really enjoyed it.
saluki's review against another edition
4.0
This fairytale retelling of Beauty and the Beast is an enthralling reinvention that questions external and internal beauty by the differences between the Smooth Skins who live in domed cities and the Monstrous desert people. The monstrous people are mutated, an evolutionary response to survive harsh environments and disease and it is their imminent starvation in an inhospitable climate, plus their hatred toward the greedy Smooth Skins who have sucked the life from the planet outside the domes, that force them to attempt to steal the magical roses from the domed city in hopes of healing their own.
It isn't a strict telling of the original tale. Gem and Isra are almost a futuristic casting of Romeo & Juliette and it didn't escape my notice the folktales concerning stars and love, plus there are nods toward other fairytales too... Isra is locked away in a tower for most of her life and has the naivety of Rupunzel and the blood and thorny roses are characteristic of Sleeping Beauty yet darker and deadlier. I liked this interweaving of other fairytale elements.
I loved the lyrical writing, the characters show plenty of depth and the plot is twisty as hidden truths slowly come to light. One I'll be recommending.
aya_neela's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a fantastic twist of the Beauty and the Beast fairytale.
I really appreciated the unique take.
I really appreciated the unique take.
gonzohiccups's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Oof. I never write out reviews but I am passionate about my beauty and the beast retellings.
The way disability is handled in this is... not good. People getting their disabilities "cured" and then getting called "complete" or "made whole".
Also on the same note: it's one thing to have an abilist character. It's another when the text itself feels like it's calling an entire class of people in the city "incomplete" and that they would be so much happier if they weren't physically disabled.
Aside from that, it took me so long to understand when the setting took place. I didn't know this was supposed to be post-apocalyptic sci-fi until several chapters in which I then had to reframe the entire way I imagined this world. The lore and exposition are poorly done, meanwhile she spends way too much time rehashing the things we definitely already understand. (We GET it, we KNOW she doesn't feel like she should find Gem attractive. There is way more telling than showing in this book and that's just not a personal favorite for me either.)
I have less than an hour of the audiobook left and I simply cannot find it within myself to care about any of these characters. During the climax!
The way disability is handled in this is... not good. People getting their disabilities "cured" and then getting called "complete" or "made whole".
Also on the same note: it's one thing to have an abilist character. It's another when the text itself feels like it's calling an entire class of people in the city "incomplete" and that they would be so much happier if they weren't physically disabled.
Aside from that, it took me so long to understand when the setting took place. I didn't know this was supposed to be post-apocalyptic sci-fi until several chapters in which I then had to reframe the entire way I imagined this world. The lore and exposition are poorly done, meanwhile she spends way too much time rehashing the things we definitely already understand. (We GET it, we KNOW she doesn't feel like she should find Gem attractive. There is way more telling than showing in this book and that's just not a personal favorite for me either.)
I have less than an hour of the audiobook left and I simply cannot find it within myself to care about any of these characters. During the climax!
halcyon_rising's review against another edition
4.0
Of Beast and Beauty was a book I remember liking very much after I first read it back in 2015, so naturally it found itself on my 'reread and review this book, please' shelf as soon as I made it. I did not remember much of the story itself, minus the obvious part of it being a retelling, and I think that has lead me to liking the story as much the second time around as it did the first time.
I'm happy this tale was not of
I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in retellings, and who has not read this one yet. Happy reading!
I'm happy this tale was not of
Spoiler
love at first sight, but one where despite the upbringing of Isra and Gem being enemies, there's cracks forming in the hatred where moments of liking and friendship shine through, and that same as in Beauty and the Beast, the prisoner is let go and then comes back in search of their love and has to save it in order to have a future.I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in retellings, and who has not read this one yet. Happy reading!
blakehalsey's review against another edition
5.0
Unique and beautifully written retelling. Loved it!
ninjabunneh's review against another edition
4.0
I have a confession to make. I adore all things Disney. If I pass a Disney Store, I must venture inside. If a new Disney movie comes out, I must go and watch it. It's a weakness, but I regret NOTHING. My absolute favorite movie from Disney, watched more than a two dozen times over more than a dozen years is Beauty and the Beast.
If you're about to run and grab Of Beast and Beauty, thinking it's a sweet fairy tale full of rainbows and unicorns, don't. It has the feel of the enchanted movie, but is a story all its own.
The curse isn't what you think. Of Beast and Beauty twists the Beauty and the Beast story in new ways, gives it a bit more darkness, and throws in unexpected things along the way.
It does ask the age old question. Can true love save what is lost, repair what is broken, heal what is damaged? I leave you to read the book and find out.
To those who still have an inner child that whispers their ear to make a wish when blowing out birthday candles. One that makes you still wonder what could be up there when gazing at the stars. One that allows you to still believe in fairy tales and dream of happily ever afters. If that child still lives inside you, however quiet he or she may be at times, this book is for you.
4.5 ninja bunnehs throwing rose petals stars
If you're about to run and grab Of Beast and Beauty, thinking it's a sweet fairy tale full of rainbows and unicorns, don't. It has the feel of the enchanted movie, but is a story all its own.
"My new body dying and my hopes for peace shattered, I gathered the last of my magic and sent a curse sweeping across the world."
The curse isn't what you think. Of Beast and Beauty twists the Beauty and the Beast story in new ways, gives it a bit more darkness, and throws in unexpected things along the way.
It does ask the age old question. Can true love save what is lost, repair what is broken, heal what is damaged? I leave you to read the book and find out.
"Beauty is wherever you find it, and Beast is there when you need to defend it."
To those who still have an inner child that whispers their ear to make a wish when blowing out birthday candles. One that makes you still wonder what could be up there when gazing at the stars. One that allows you to still believe in fairy tales and dream of happily ever afters. If that child still lives inside you, however quiet he or she may be at times, this book is for you.
4.5 ninja bunnehs throwing rose petals stars
gregoreads's review against another edition
3.0
Good, but a bit odd. I feel like the world and the descriptions of the Monstrous were kind of vague and unsettled. It dragged on at times. And honestly, it has very little relation to Beauty and the Beast. Like I can see how it was the initial inspiration for the story but it really veered way off as everything developed; so, I feel a bit misled having picked it up based on the title being "Of Beast and Beauty." Good twists and turns, though, and an easy read.