lazygal's review against another edition
4.0
This isn't as much of a fractured fairy tale as it is the Beast's story (you know, the one from Beauty and...). I'm giving it a 4 even though the overly heavy Disney-effect - all the characters have Disney-designated names, names that will resonate with teens who grew up knowing that version and not, like older readers, using their imagination about who and what worked in the castle. There's a Dorian Grey-like portrait, which deviates from that story in that the portrait starts to match reality (or perhaps I've got that backward). Since I never saw the movie, how closely this hews to the story of what happened to turn the Prince into the Beast is unknown, but the story certainly worked for me.
Probably better for teens who loved the movie than anyone else, given the character names.
ARC provided by publisher.
Probably better for teens who loved the movie than anyone else, given the character names.
ARC provided by publisher.
books4annie's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
groofey's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The ending is abrupt.
blondeeishere's review against another edition
4.0
So good! On to Ursula....I wonder if the three witches are in all of them???
mlovestrand's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting read showing a perspective into the Beast’s life before Belle came to the enchanted castle.
This book traveled at a pretty good pace for most of the story but once Belle came into the picture everything was rushed.
This book traveled at a pretty good pace for most of the story but once Belle came into the picture everything was rushed.
vanessa_issa's review against another edition
3.0
A história desse livro é parecida com a versão da Disney que conhecemos, mas também apresenta muita coisa nova. É narrada por uma perspectiva diferente, levando mais em consideração os pensamentos e os acontecimentos da vida do príncipe, a Fera, e deixando a Bela em segundo plano. Quem sempre gostou dessas personagens com certeza vai curtir esse livro também.
nicolemaat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
lessariel's review against another edition
3.0
Strangest guest appearance in a novel goes to the Weeping Angels!
'The statue would make its way back to the castle ... they never moved or came to him while he was looking at them directly; they were always sneaking up on him while his attentions were elsewhere'.
This is a strange story, one I wasn't expecting. It tells the tale of how The Prince became the beast instead of the story of beauty and the beast from the princes point of view. There are three witches who are defending their baby sister from the prince, who have links to little mermaid and snow white they know Ursula and remember the wicked queen bringing the kingdom to ruin.
Gaston starts out as the princes friend but as the Prince Grows more selfish their friendship dies and he comes to hunt the beast. the castle servants disappear gradually rather than all at once Due to a magically enacted curse and it's just weird.
An interesting book, with good writing that would be shorter if there weren't so many blank pages between chapters where it seems to be missing illustrations I can't tell if this is meant for the tween market or adults with a Disney love, I'm not sure many youngsters would enjoy this but it was ok.
'The statue would make its way back to the castle ... they never moved or came to him while he was looking at them directly; they were always sneaking up on him while his attentions were elsewhere'.
This is a strange story, one I wasn't expecting. It tells the tale of how The Prince became the beast instead of the story of beauty and the beast from the princes point of view. There are three witches who are defending their baby sister from the prince, who have links to little mermaid and snow white they know Ursula and remember the wicked queen bringing the kingdom to ruin.
Gaston starts out as the princes friend but as the Prince Grows more selfish their friendship dies and he comes to hunt the beast. the castle servants disappear gradually rather than all at once Due to a magically enacted curse and it's just weird.
An interesting book, with good writing that would be shorter if there weren't so many blank pages between chapters where it seems to be missing illustrations I can't tell if this is meant for the tween market or adults with a Disney love, I'm not sure many youngsters would enjoy this but it was ok.
destinystowe14's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This was a good second installment in the Villains series. I enjoyed finding out exactly how and why the Prince was cursed, and it was interesting to learn how the changes happened over time. I also liked how certain familiar characters had back stories I was not expecting. The aspect of the Prince seeing the curse differently than everyone else was a nice touch in my opinion.
This was a super fast read. I read this in a day which is unheard of for me! 😱 I really enjoy villain origin stories, and this one did not disappoint. I am looking forward to continuing the series. On to book 3!
This was a super fast read. I read this in a day which is unheard of for me! 😱 I really enjoy villain origin stories, and this one did not disappoint. I am looking forward to continuing the series. On to book 3!
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Murder, Blood, Animal death, and Suicide attempt
bherm23's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
I found it very interesting to read this story from the beasts point of view!