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divergent159's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, and Murder
ambaright's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-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
3.25
This book was a nice quick read to end my 2022 reading goal! I’ve always been such a Disney fan, and specifically loved Beauty and the Beast growing up. Belle always was my favorite princess due to her beauty, stubbornness, curiosity, and love for books.
The Beast Within is a fantastic story that adds to the classic fairytale by layering a dark undertone to the curse placed on the Prince. We learn how vain and cruel he really was before Belle, and how it truly was a miracle that she came into his life. Otherwise who knows maybe he really would have stayed a beast.
The Beast Within is a fantastic story that adds to the classic fairytale by layering a dark undertone to the curse placed on the Prince. We learn how vain and cruel he really was before Belle, and how it truly was a miracle that she came into his life. Otherwise who knows maybe he really would have stayed a beast.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Suicide
chloelj27's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Minor: Death
shannasbooksnhooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"They had always been alike, Gaston and the Prince, and the Prince supposed that was why they had enjoyed each other's company so well. Or perhaps he had felt it was better to keep his competition close at hand."
Once I read Fairest of All, I immediately jumped into The Beast Within. The first 16 chapters were great. However, once I hit chapter 17, the book just felt like too much in too little space. I enjoyed it, which is why I felt it deserved 4 stars. However, if the last 10 chapters didn't feel overloaded and too fast-paced, it would have been 5 stars. This book had such an interesting concept, and it almost reached it. Lucinda, Ruby, and Martha (who we're introduced to in Fairest of All) got too involved in the Beast's fate. From the beginning, we know that Gaston and the Prince were childhood friends, which is a unique take that I actually enjoyed. However, I do wish that Gaston was more in character with the original animated film because that would have added to why he and the Prince got along so well. However, I felt like the last 38% or so, as I've said, was just too inundated with information, and that Valentino had added too many plot points for a 215-page book that needed to be wrapped up. However, I do recommend this as a read. Although, as mentioned in other reviews (mainly on Goodreads), the Prince/Beast is more of an anti-hero, and despite all the chaos in the last 10 capters, it still was a fun book.
Once I read Fairest of All, I immediately jumped into The Beast Within. The first 16 chapters were great. However, once I hit chapter 17, the book just felt like too much in too little space. I enjoyed it, which is why I felt it deserved 4 stars. However, if the last 10 chapters didn't feel overloaded and too fast-paced, it would have been 5 stars. This book had such an interesting concept, and it almost reached it. Lucinda, Ruby, and Martha (who we're introduced to in Fairest of All) got too involved in the Beast's fate. From the beginning, we know that Gaston and the Prince were childhood friends, which is a unique take that I actually enjoyed. However, I do wish that Gaston was more in character with the original animated film because that would have added to why he and the Prince got along so well. However, I felt like the last 38% or so, as I've said, was just too inundated with information, and that Valentino had added too many plot points for a 215-page book that needed to be wrapped up. However, I do recommend this as a read. Although, as mentioned in other reviews (mainly on Goodreads), the Prince/Beast is more of an anti-hero, and despite all the chaos in the last 10 capters, it still was a fun book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Alcohol
z_thatsit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Death, Suicide, and Alcohol