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Beastly #1
Beastly
I am a beast.
A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright—a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.
You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell.
Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.
A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright—a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.
You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell.
Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2007
About the author
Alex Flinn
21 books5,645 followersLove Jacaranda is out in the world! Hope you'll check out this fun wish-fulfillment romance!
Now, bio:
I grew up on a street called Salem Court. This probably influenced my interest in witches. When I was five, my mom said I should be an author. And when I was eight, I got my first rejection letter from Highlights Magazine.
I learned to read early. But I compensated for this early proficiency by absolutely refusing to read the programmed readers required by the school system -- workbooks where you read the story, then answered the questions. When the other kids were on Book 20, I was on Book 1! My teacher, Mrs. Zeiser, told my mother, "Alexandra marches to her own drummer." I don't think that was supposed to be a compliment.
My family moved to Miami when I was in middle school. I had a really hard time making friends, so I spent a lot of time reading and writing then. By high school, I'd made some friends and gotten involved in various "gifted and talented" performing arts programs. I studied opera in college (I'm a coloratura -- the really loud, high-pitched sopranos.) and then went to law school.
It was law school that probably helped with my first novel. Breathing Underwater deals with the serious and all-too-common problem of dating violence. I based the book on my experiences interning with the State Attorney's Office and volunteering with battered women. I thought this was a really important topic, as 27 percent of teenage girls surveyed have been hit by a boyfriend. I'm happy that the book is so popular, and if you are reading this bio because the book was assigned for school, I'm happy about that too.
I think I write for young-adults because I never quite got over being one. In my mind, I am still 13-years-old, running laps on the athletic field, wearing this really baggy white gymsuit. I’m continually amazed at the idea that I have a checking account and a mortgage. So I try to write books that gymsuit girl might enjoy. It’s a way of going back to being thirteen . . . knowing what I know now.
Right now, I live half a mile away from my old middle school, in Palmetto Bay, a suburb of Miami, with my husband, daughters, dogs, and cats.
Now, bio:
I grew up on a street called Salem Court. This probably influenced my interest in witches. When I was five, my mom said I should be an author. And when I was eight, I got my first rejection letter from Highlights Magazine.
I learned to read early. But I compensated for this early proficiency by absolutely refusing to read the programmed readers required by the school system -- workbooks where you read the story, then answered the questions. When the other kids were on Book 20, I was on Book 1! My teacher, Mrs. Zeiser, told my mother, "Alexandra marches to her own drummer." I don't think that was supposed to be a compliment.
My family moved to Miami when I was in middle school. I had a really hard time making friends, so I spent a lot of time reading and writing then. By high school, I'd made some friends and gotten involved in various "gifted and talented" performing arts programs. I studied opera in college (I'm a coloratura -- the really loud, high-pitched sopranos.) and then went to law school.
It was law school that probably helped with my first novel. Breathing Underwater deals with the serious and all-too-common problem of dating violence. I based the book on my experiences interning with the State Attorney's Office and volunteering with battered women. I thought this was a really important topic, as 27 percent of teenage girls surveyed have been hit by a boyfriend. I'm happy that the book is so popular, and if you are reading this bio because the book was assigned for school, I'm happy about that too.
I think I write for young-adults because I never quite got over being one. In my mind, I am still 13-years-old, running laps on the athletic field, wearing this really baggy white gymsuit. I’m continually amazed at the idea that I have a checking account and a mortgage. So I try to write books that gymsuit girl might enjoy. It’s a way of going back to being thirteen . . . knowing what I know now.
Right now, I live half a mile away from my old middle school, in Palmetto Bay, a suburb of Miami, with my husband, daughters, dogs, and cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 9,377 reviews
December 31, 2019
You know those rare special times when the movie is better n the book? JACKPOT! This is one.To be honest the movie is way way better than this.
Yeah love may never be ugly,but for sure this book is.
As much as I want to talk about how slow this book is and how incredibly boring and how you can't stand it,I don't want to spoil anything.
*"CHEESY"*
My advice to you is :
"WATCH THE MOVIE"
May 8, 2023
So this book has been around for awhile and my sister actually had read it when it first came out and when I asked her how she liked it she said, "It was interesting but kind of cheesy with the internal dialogue. It was eh." But then I saw the movie trailer so of course I had to read the book and see what the deal was. This always happen to me, I think, It's going to be made into a movie? Oh I gotta read that. Then I whip my head around and see I do the same thing like everyone else! Final verdict: I'm definitely more romantic than my sister is.
Kyle Kingsbury seems to have everything and anything you would want. He's good-looking, dad is loaded, and is envied by his peers. With his sense of entitlement he doesn't mind gloating and shining his ego on others, and he might as well crush other people's self-esteem while he's at it. Well karma (or in this case magic) will not let him get away so easily with that. He makes the mistake of blowing a girl off, and pays dearly for that mistake. Kyle gets turned into an actual beast and he has two years from the date to find true love. Someone has to love him, and more importantly he has to love them back. But is there anyone really out there who can love a beast?
No wonder Kendra, the witch who places the curse, gave him two years because Kyle has a lot of things to sort through. He reacts how you would expect, devastated (I would be pretty bummed too, everyone is at least a little vain) and he has to figure out who he is without his looks. He had wrapped up his worth with his appearance and so it comes as quite a shock when that's stripped from him. I loved the side characters of the blind tutor and housekeeper. They keep him from going insane. I enjoyed seeing Kyle's character arc (who later renames himself Adrian), and just how much his perspective shifts. I wish I had copied down the quote, but I really liked the line that Lindy says. The basic gist was that once you know someone you see past their looks. It's like their looks is not what you first see, it's who they are that comes out more. I believe that's true. You do start seeing people for who they are, and not what they look like. Key message in this book.
It was a bit painful to see how "out of touch" Kyle was, but it does portray his desperation well. I rolled my eyes a couple of times when I saw references to Shakespeare, but people who read books love to hear about people who love to read books. Jane Eyre makes quite a presence here as well, and I thought the loose correlation between the two stories was interesting. Despite a bit of cheesiness I thoroughly enjoyed reading how Kyle changes to Adrian, and how beauty is more than skin deep.
Extra note: This has almost nothing to do with the book, but every time I would see the word beastly I would think about how for awhile people would say that to substitute cool or awesome. You know, like say this book was beastly!
And for those of you who didn't know they made a movie of the book!
Kyle Kingsbury seems to have everything and anything you would want. He's good-looking, dad is loaded, and is envied by his peers. With his sense of entitlement he doesn't mind gloating and shining his ego on others, and he might as well crush other people's self-esteem while he's at it. Well karma (or in this case magic) will not let him get away so easily with that. He makes the mistake of blowing a girl off, and pays dearly for that mistake. Kyle gets turned into an actual beast and he has two years from the date to find true love. Someone has to love him, and more importantly he has to love them back. But is there anyone really out there who can love a beast?
No wonder Kendra, the witch who places the curse, gave him two years because Kyle has a lot of things to sort through. He reacts how you would expect, devastated (I would be pretty bummed too, everyone is at least a little vain) and he has to figure out who he is without his looks. He had wrapped up his worth with his appearance and so it comes as quite a shock when that's stripped from him. I loved the side characters of the blind tutor and housekeeper. They keep him from going insane. I enjoyed seeing Kyle's character arc (who later renames himself Adrian), and just how much his perspective shifts. I wish I had copied down the quote, but I really liked the line that Lindy says. The basic gist was that once you know someone you see past their looks. It's like their looks is not what you first see, it's who they are that comes out more. I believe that's true. You do start seeing people for who they are, and not what they look like. Key message in this book.
It was a bit painful to see how "out of touch" Kyle was, but it does portray his desperation well. I rolled my eyes a couple of times when I saw references to Shakespeare, but people who read books love to hear about people who love to read books. Jane Eyre makes quite a presence here as well, and I thought the loose correlation between the two stories was interesting. Despite a bit of cheesiness I thoroughly enjoyed reading how Kyle changes to Adrian, and how beauty is more than skin deep.
Extra note: This has almost nothing to do with the book, but every time I would see the word beastly I would think about how for awhile people would say that to substitute cool or awesome. You know, like say this book was beastly!
And for those of you who didn't know they made a movie of the book!
May 10, 2017
It's hard to feel interest in characters who are so shallow and dull. An interesting concept, but a book lacking in any real depth or beauty or emotion.
November 16, 2018
Esta vez lo he hecho al revés, es decir, he visto primero la película que leído el libro. Es más, no tenía ni idea de que este libro existía. Pero me ha encantado. Deseando leer el siguiente.
August 12, 2010
Kyle Kingsbury is rich, tall, blond, perfect 
.... and a spoiled teenager that take pleasure breaking young girls hearts. Really a awful person that deserve a witch lesson about inside beauty.
Well... books exist to this motive...
take us to charming and delight worlds helping us to forget the real world we live... place that acclaim anorexic models (that look like dead womans walking) as feminine beauty to follow.
No place to moral lesson, so going on with my review, I may say that this book (as you notice reading the title) is a fairy tale on ours moderns days.
You should read it?
- YES if you are a romantic person interesting in find a well written story that will make you cry (a little tear go down my face reading his despair at the final subway scene)
- NO if you don't believe in rewrite classics.
I was the second kind of person, but Alex Flinn surprised me. After this book if I find another classic fairy tale take to ours days I'll give a try. Maybe I'll have a great time and fun like I just had reading Beastly.
5 stars
.... and a spoiled teenager that take pleasure breaking young girls hearts. Really a awful person that deserve a witch lesson about inside beauty.Well... books exist to this motive...
take us to charming and delight worlds helping us to forget the real world we live... place that acclaim anorexic models (that look like dead womans walking) as feminine beauty to follow. No place to moral lesson, so going on with my review, I may say that this book (as you notice reading the title) is a fairy tale on ours moderns days.
You should read it?
- YES if you are a romantic person interesting in find a well written story that will make you cry (a little tear go down my face reading his despair at the final subway scene) - NO if you don't believe in rewrite classics.I was the second kind of person, but Alex Flinn surprised me. After this book if I find another classic fairy tale take to ours days I'll give a try. Maybe I'll have a great time and fun like I just had reading Beastly.
5 stars
November 5, 2021
i have to trust that i read this book, because goodreads says i did, which means that past me says i did.
but i do not have even one memory of it.
apparently, six-years-ago-me thought it was a three star read. that's all i've got for all of us.
part of a series i'm doing in which i review books i read a long time ago, mostly to ensure i never have to think about them again
but i do not have even one memory of it.
apparently, six-years-ago-me thought it was a three star read. that's all i've got for all of us.
part of a series i'm doing in which i review books i read a long time ago, mostly to ensure i never have to think about them again
January 21, 2020
'Beauty and the Beast' has always been a favorite fairy tale for me. Therefore reading this had me quite exciting. I had already seen the movie and enjoyed it and I was pleasantly surprised when I learned about the book.
This retelling takes place in a more modern day world, and starts with our "Beast" - Kyle. A rich, spoiled, popular pretty-boy who seems to have it all. When he plays a prank on the wrong girl he is cursed into a beast and we quickly learn this guy had nothing beyond his looks and money. He is moved to a private apartment, hidden away from the rest of the world. While at first he comes off as selfish and shallow (and in many ways is) it is quick to learn where his habits come from. His desire to change and grow after awhile impresses me. Especially his love toward his garden.
I was surprised to find myself so sympathetic to Kyle. At first I wasn't but how his dad behaves was crushing to witness. His friends were no surprise. I wish I better understood his interest in Linda though. Like we never get a good feel for why he likes her. Is it just that she is his age and treats him like a typical human? Hmmm...
One huge difference between the book and the movie is that in the book he is truly a beast (hair, claws, snout etc) yet the movie adds hair loss, tattoos, scars and metal grafting. While I am okay with this difference I do not feel they should have EVER used the movie cover on the book. Very misleading.
One annoyance in the book that bugged me the most was the chatroom stops throughout the book. While amusing it doesn't fit. Especially since they are not mentioned in Kyle's actual thought. No reference to his chat with others about curses, love, etc. One reference to a chatroom but he never thinks about Silent or the others or seems to actually check back in with them. And Getting Lindy to go along with it at one point, even more off. While the chats were somewhat amusing I overall though it to be a waste and took too much time from the real story.
Kyle really grew on me. At first annoying but about halfway though we start to see that heart of gold shining through. His caring for his companions to his love for his garden. Heartwarming. True to the tale, we are stuck waiting until the last minute for any resolution to his curse. Alex Finn did a great job keeping the the concept for the original tale and making it work in today's world.
This is a good book for teens and even enjoyable for adults. While the teen drama is a bit heavy at parts it soon dies off about 1/3 the way in. Any fairy tale fans should be sure to check this one out. While there is room for improvement on the writing, the story is sound.
This retelling takes place in a more modern day world, and starts with our "Beast" - Kyle. A rich, spoiled, popular pretty-boy who seems to have it all. When he plays a prank on the wrong girl he is cursed into a beast and we quickly learn this guy had nothing beyond his looks and money. He is moved to a private apartment, hidden away from the rest of the world. While at first he comes off as selfish and shallow (and in many ways is) it is quick to learn where his habits come from. His desire to change and grow after awhile impresses me. Especially his love toward his garden.
I was surprised to find myself so sympathetic to Kyle. At first I wasn't but how his dad behaves was crushing to witness. His friends were no surprise. I wish I better understood his interest in Linda though. Like we never get a good feel for why he likes her. Is it just that she is his age and treats him like a typical human? Hmmm...
One huge difference between the book and the movie is that in the book he is truly a beast (hair, claws, snout etc) yet the movie adds hair loss, tattoos, scars and metal grafting. While I am okay with this difference I do not feel they should have EVER used the movie cover on the book. Very misleading.
One annoyance in the book that bugged me the most was the chatroom stops throughout the book. While amusing it doesn't fit. Especially since they are not mentioned in Kyle's actual thought. No reference to his chat with others about curses, love, etc. One reference to a chatroom but he never thinks about Silent or the others or seems to actually check back in with them. And Getting Lindy to go along with it at one point, even more off. While the chats were somewhat amusing I overall though it to be a waste and took too much time from the real story.
Kyle really grew on me. At first annoying but about halfway though we start to see that heart of gold shining through. His caring for his companions to his love for his garden. Heartwarming. True to the tale, we are stuck waiting until the last minute for any resolution to his curse. Alex Finn did a great job keeping the the concept for the original tale and making it work in today's world.
This is a good book for teens and even enjoyable for adults. While the teen drama is a bit heavy at parts it soon dies off about 1/3 the way in. Any fairy tale fans should be sure to check this one out. While there is room for improvement on the writing, the story is sound.
March 17, 2015
I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. It might even be my favorite fairy tale retelling that I've read so far.
August 31, 2021
2.5 stars
I don’t know how to feel about this book. I did not hate it but I also didn’t love it. It was dull and uneventful. Kyle and Lindy’s romance was a bit rushed so I didn’t feel the connection between them. The author focused too much on the internal monologue of the hero which turned out to be pretty meh most of the time.
————————————————————————-
This is my 4th beauty and the beast retelling for the month of August. I think I’m developing a b&b retelling kink...
I don’t know how to feel about this book. I did not hate it but I also didn’t love it. It was dull and uneventful. Kyle and Lindy’s romance was a bit rushed so I didn’t feel the connection between them. The author focused too much on the internal monologue of the hero which turned out to be pretty meh most of the time.
————————————————————————-
This is my 4th beauty and the beast retelling for the month of August. I think I’m developing a b&b retelling kink...
February 1, 2011
So, I am very, VERY relieved that I enjoyed this. I was beginning to wonder if I just didn't like Fairy Tale Re-tellings, but this one pulled me out of the slump!
I am so glad that Alex Flinn stuck with the "Beauty and the Beast" story... She made it modern, but didn't change the BIG details.
Our Beast, Kyle is a high schooler, a very rich, very good looking (as he describes himself, so obviously he's totally modest right?!?!?) one. He values looks and money over everything. He can't even look at "Ugly" people. There are beneath him. One day he messes up, he invites a "goth/non-pretty" Girl to a dance, but he is tricking her. All he wants to do is just laugh in her face.... Not such a nice guy. But, he screws himself over because she wants her 'comeuppance'. She's a witch, she turns him into a Beast. He loathes himself, he thinks it is the worst possible thing that could have ever happened. But, what do you expect from the child of a TV News Dad who would rather risk his child's life than to have him looking like a monster, a Dad who ships his kid of to a house to live alone with the exception of a maid and tutor. He isolates his own child, so he doesn't effect his image. Pathetic. But, our Beast has a possible out of his condition-to find true love and have her kiss him true loves kiss. He thinks it is impossible. But, circumstances fall to his advantage when a drug dealer comes along and tries to rob him. Instead of just taking a beating like a man, the dead-beat Dad offers his Daughter in return. He GIVES AWAY HIS DAUGHTER!!!! Ack! We get to witness the Daughter, Lindy and our beast (who has now renamed himself Adrian) grow to become friends and possibly even love each other? Will she be the one to break the curse? Is it to late?
At First, I was a little thrown off by the Chat's, but they grew on me. A little Cheesy at times, but it wasn't a huge part of the story.. it didn't make or break anything.
I am uber excited to see the Movie!
Here's the trailer
[image error]
Desktop Nexus: Wallpapers > Entertainment Wallpapers > Movies Wallpaper
why does he look like that though?? In the book he really is a beast, you know the hairy kind....
Something along these lines
And, NPH is the blind teacher!!!
AND one of the Olsen twins is the Witch... she is creepy though!!!
Ok, off my movie rant....
seriously I think you should read this if you
a: like fairy tale retellings
b: are into coming of age, realizing the importance of living type books
c. like beauty and the beast
d. or if your just curious about it
Sidenote: I really don't like the cover on this one. I understand what is represents, but it didn't do its job to reel me in (being the cover judger that I am). I wish it was more modern looking, because the story being told is a Way modernized version of the classis, 'Beauty and the Beast". So I wish the cover matched that. I like it a little more now that I have read the book and understand the meaning behind it, but they could have been Way more creative with it!!!!!
I am so glad that Alex Flinn stuck with the "Beauty and the Beast" story... She made it modern, but didn't change the BIG details.
Our Beast, Kyle is a high schooler, a very rich, very good looking (as he describes himself, so obviously he's totally modest right?!?!?) one. He values looks and money over everything. He can't even look at "Ugly" people. There are beneath him. One day he messes up, he invites a "goth/non-pretty" Girl to a dance, but he is tricking her. All he wants to do is just laugh in her face.... Not such a nice guy. But, he screws himself over because she wants her 'comeuppance'. She's a witch, she turns him into a Beast. He loathes himself, he thinks it is the worst possible thing that could have ever happened. But, what do you expect from the child of a TV News Dad who would rather risk his child's life than to have him looking like a monster, a Dad who ships his kid of to a house to live alone with the exception of a maid and tutor. He isolates his own child, so he doesn't effect his image. Pathetic. But, our Beast has a possible out of his condition-to find true love and have her kiss him true loves kiss. He thinks it is impossible. But, circumstances fall to his advantage when a drug dealer comes along and tries to rob him. Instead of just taking a beating like a man, the dead-beat Dad offers his Daughter in return. He GIVES AWAY HIS DAUGHTER!!!! Ack! We get to witness the Daughter, Lindy and our beast (who has now renamed himself Adrian) grow to become friends and possibly even love each other? Will she be the one to break the curse? Is it to late?
At First, I was a little thrown off by the Chat's, but they grew on me. A little Cheesy at times, but it wasn't a huge part of the story.. it didn't make or break anything.
I am uber excited to see the Movie!
Here's the trailer
[image error]
Desktop Nexus: Wallpapers > Entertainment Wallpapers > Movies Wallpaper
why does he look like that though?? In the book he really is a beast, you know the hairy kind....
Something along these lines
And, NPH is the blind teacher!!!
AND one of the Olsen twins is the Witch... she is creepy though!!!
Ok, off my movie rant....
seriously I think you should read this if you
a: like fairy tale retellings
b: are into coming of age, realizing the importance of living type books
c. like beauty and the beast
d. or if your just curious about it
Sidenote: I really don't like the cover on this one. I understand what is represents, but it didn't do its job to reel me in (being the cover judger that I am). I wish it was more modern looking, because the story being told is a Way modernized version of the classis, 'Beauty and the Beast". So I wish the cover matched that. I like it a little more now that I have read the book and understand the meaning behind it, but they could have been Way more creative with it!!!!!
August 15, 2019
“Magic. It was magic, and the magic is called love.”
Beastly is a heartwarming, wonderful retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It is a very delightful read, with the chat sessions, the modern-day setting, the wide range of emotions, lots of references to classics, and tons of roses. It is just perfect. I expected a fairy tale retold, and I’m not disappointed.
The story deals with important issues, such as inner values over appearance, abandoned children, parent-child relationships, friendship, empathy, patience, and love.
BeastNYC: OK. It all started because of a witch.
Froggie: thts hw they all strt
The story is told from Kyle’s (a.k.a. Adrian’s) point of view. His character is credibly drawn. Kyle has to reevaluate everything he thought to be right and worth following before: his values and beliefs in life, friendship, love, his relationship with his father, and his attitude toward people as a whole.
Lindy appears in the middle of the book. She comes from terrible family circumstances. She is a strong and courageous character, she is smart and independent. Lindy’s character is not fully elaborated, so to understand her thoughts and feelings Lindy’s Diary is highly recommended.
It is a slow-paced read, because the setting spans two years. Although I usually don’t, I enjoyed every moment of that in this story. There are no surprises in the plot, but the ‘hows’ are interesting.
The book is filled with references to classics, represented in an attractive way. For example, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is a meaningful symbol in the book.
I liked when Rochester and Jane was separeted he went to the window and called her name: ‘Jane! Jane! Jane!’ And she heard him, and even answered. That’s what love should be like – the person should be part of your soul and you should know what they’re feeling all the time.
I loved the movie too, with all the changes compared to the book. And of course, the cast is amazing! :)
My favorite quotes.
August 12, 2024
(Read in 2012)
Modern take on the classic Beauty and the Beast tale. Interesting to hear the story from the beast's point of view.
Overall, well written and a tad dark, which helped overcome the "more than unbelievable" plot twists.
Modern take on the classic Beauty and the Beast tale. Interesting to hear the story from the beast's point of view.
Overall, well written and a tad dark, which helped overcome the "more than unbelievable" plot twists.
December 22, 2022
kinda ironic that a beauty and the beast retelling managed to be so profoundly shallow
(adaptation analysis and film reaction to come)
(adaptation analysis and film reaction to come)
June 27, 2015
Oh my heart just melted into a gooey mozzarella cheese... ❤
"That's what true love should be like - the person should be a part of your soul and you should know what they're feeling all the time."
Beastly is a fun, quick, enjoyable re-telling of the popular fairytale; Beauty and the Beast.
Well written, with great characters and a great plot, I finished the book in one sitting and went out to recommend it to anyone who'll listen a second after.
The first thing that attracted me to the book was the chat forum it opens with, introducing our main character, Kyle. In this chat gather people who are "monsters". People who have been cursed, and most amusingly - people from fairytales we know; The Frog Prince, The Little Mermaid, etc.
through the chat, Kyle ends up telling his story to the rest of the cursed.
The chat form continues to accompany us throughout the story, and I absolutely adore it!
This story of Beauty and the Beast is set in modern times, in the city of New York.
It's written in a way that made me believe that if witches and beasts existed, this is how things will go. Flinn just made it so real. The characters were completely believable, the setting very real and the plot fantastic.
I was completely drawn into the book and events, to the point of picking up the book, reading for five hours and putting the book away; finished.
I loved how the story took the guy in your school everyone pretends to like cause he's rich/hot/successful but secretly hate because he is condescending and cruel, broke him into little bits, scattered them around and left Lindy to gather only the better parts and discard the rest.
Kyle , as mentioned before, is that arrogant, rich, handsome guy each school (or at least each fictional school) has. He's one of those popular for his power rather than personality. He is vain, knows how he looks and doesn't have any problem with flaunting it. His idea of entertainment is to laugh at the less fortunate, look-wise and money-wise.
That's how his trouble begins, by deciding to put a prank on an ugly girl called Kendra . Only Kendra's not a girl - she's a witch, and she puts a curse on him, to become as ugly outside as he is inside.
It was lovely watching Kyle change and grow throughout the story, learn the importance of being a good person, becoming someone who judges based on personality and not by how someone looks or how much money he has. Learning that nothing real comes when you buy it, that you've got to earn someone's respect and trust. Learning he can't get everything he wants, and that the heart is not for sale.
I thought his growth in the story was just honestly charming.
For all his flaws, you couldn't help but love the guy at the end.
**swoons**
Lindy is the simple girl - she isn't a beauty, and she most definitely isn't rich. Her father's a scumbag; one willing to sell her to Kyle in exchange of not being imprisoned.
Lindy, in a way, is one of us. There is nothing extraordinary about her, aside maybe her mental strength, but she's the one who manages to save Kyle, both from his curse and himself. She's the one to teach him money and looks don't matter as long as you've got a good heart.
Add to that a cute blind teacher and a maid who sometimes speaks perfect English even though she shouldn't be able to, and you've got a great set of character that really make the book worth reading.
As for the romance, I found it lovely. It doesn't develop over night, but over a long period of time, which I adore. Instant love isn't my thing, and this ain't it. You could see the process of them falling in love and you fall together with them, and I loved it. Some parts of this book were just darn right adorable.
Overall, Beastly is a heartwarming, wonderfully retold version of Beauty and the Beast. It is a very delightful read, with the chat sessions, the modern-day setting, the wide range of emotions, lots of references to classics, and tons of roses. It is just perfect. I expected a fairy tale retold, and I’m not disappointed. The story dealt with important issues, such as inner values over appearance, abandoned children, the parent-child relationship, true friendship, empathy, patience, and love.
"That's what true love should be like - the person should be a part of your soul and you should know what they're feeling all the time."
Beastly is a fun, quick, enjoyable re-telling of the popular fairytale; Beauty and the Beast.
Well written, with great characters and a great plot, I finished the book in one sitting and went out to recommend it to anyone who'll listen a second after.
The first thing that attracted me to the book was the chat forum it opens with, introducing our main character, Kyle. In this chat gather people who are "monsters". People who have been cursed, and most amusingly - people from fairytales we know; The Frog Prince, The Little Mermaid, etc.
through the chat, Kyle ends up telling his story to the rest of the cursed.
The chat form continues to accompany us throughout the story, and I absolutely adore it!
This story of Beauty and the Beast is set in modern times, in the city of New York.
It's written in a way that made me believe that if witches and beasts existed, this is how things will go. Flinn just made it so real. The characters were completely believable, the setting very real and the plot fantastic.
I was completely drawn into the book and events, to the point of picking up the book, reading for five hours and putting the book away; finished.
I loved how the story took the guy in your school everyone pretends to like cause he's rich/hot/successful but secretly hate because he is condescending and cruel, broke him into little bits, scattered them around and left Lindy to gather only the better parts and discard the rest.
Kyle , as mentioned before, is that arrogant, rich, handsome guy each school (or at least each fictional school) has. He's one of those popular for his power rather than personality. He is vain, knows how he looks and doesn't have any problem with flaunting it. His idea of entertainment is to laugh at the less fortunate, look-wise and money-wise.
That's how his trouble begins, by deciding to put a prank on an ugly girl called Kendra . Only Kendra's not a girl - she's a witch, and she puts a curse on him, to become as ugly outside as he is inside.
It was lovely watching Kyle change and grow throughout the story, learn the importance of being a good person, becoming someone who judges based on personality and not by how someone looks or how much money he has. Learning that nothing real comes when you buy it, that you've got to earn someone's respect and trust. Learning he can't get everything he wants, and that the heart is not for sale.
I thought his growth in the story was just honestly charming.
For all his flaws, you couldn't help but love the guy at the end.
**swoons**
Lindy is the simple girl - she isn't a beauty, and she most definitely isn't rich. Her father's a scumbag; one willing to sell her to Kyle in exchange of not being imprisoned.
Lindy, in a way, is one of us. There is nothing extraordinary about her, aside maybe her mental strength, but she's the one who manages to save Kyle, both from his curse and himself. She's the one to teach him money and looks don't matter as long as you've got a good heart.
Add to that a cute blind teacher and a maid who sometimes speaks perfect English even though she shouldn't be able to, and you've got a great set of character that really make the book worth reading.
As for the romance, I found it lovely. It doesn't develop over night, but over a long period of time, which I adore. Instant love isn't my thing, and this ain't it. You could see the process of them falling in love and you fall together with them, and I loved it. Some parts of this book were just darn right adorable.
Overall, Beastly is a heartwarming, wonderfully retold version of Beauty and the Beast. It is a very delightful read, with the chat sessions, the modern-day setting, the wide range of emotions, lots of references to classics, and tons of roses. It is just perfect. I expected a fairy tale retold, and I’m not disappointed. The story dealt with important issues, such as inner values over appearance, abandoned children, the parent-child relationship, true friendship, empathy, patience, and love.
July 2, 2010
One of my favorite fairytales as a child was Beauty and the Beast. I liked the Disney cartoon, loved the wonderful creepiness of Jean Cocteau’s La belle et la bête, yet my absolute favorite version of the tale was Marianna Meyer’s Beauty and the Beast with Mercer Mayer’s great illustrations. When I picked up Beastly, I was looking forward to reading a modern retelling of the story. However, as I finished it, I was ultimately disappointed.
The book starts off well enough. Kyle Kingsbury’s the Adonis of Tuttle Prep—tall, blond, rakishly handsome, and best of all rich—the ultimate chick magnet. His one flaw: he’s an utter creep, with no conscience or remorse. He decides to play a trick on an ugly fat girl in class, but in the end the joke’s on him. The girl’s a witch, and as punishment curses him for his own good.
There are some good moments in the book. Kyle's actually a good narrator, having a typical teenage boy voice, which at times can be rather funny. I also liked Kyle’s growing fondness for his roses. In a way, he reminded me of a young Anthony Zacchara, the crazy NYC mobster from General Hospital, who used to coo over his rose garden. I also thought Froggie from the web chats was precious, “stil no hop here. I meen ther is hop but not HOPE” So cute!
But there were problems. I think this story would have worked better if the characters were a little older. At the start, Kyle’s only a freshman 14/15 years old. In my head, I kept picturing someone older, at least a junior or senior. Also, I found some of the scenes a bit creepy. For instance, when Kyle sneaks back up into the attic and takes the dress Lindy had tried on back to his room to sleep with. I have read books and seen films where a suitor discreetly takes a handkerchief/glove that his lady love has dropped and sniffs it, taking in its perfume, but this… I found it bordering on the obsessive.
Ultimately the end killed this book for me. It was too cutesy, too sugary sweet, like when little girls dot their i’s with little hearts. I lost all my respect for Lindy, fawning all over Kyle; she lost her backbone. Also, I feel that the author could have left out the epilogue. It didn’t really add anything, and also it takes away from the belief that Kyle’s a changed man. With those final paragraphs, I found a little sliver of the old Kyle Kingsbury.
Regardless, I can see young teens loving this book, especially since it’s been made into a film. But for me, Beastly was only OK.
The book starts off well enough. Kyle Kingsbury’s the Adonis of Tuttle Prep—tall, blond, rakishly handsome, and best of all rich—the ultimate chick magnet. His one flaw: he’s an utter creep, with no conscience or remorse. He decides to play a trick on an ugly fat girl in class, but in the end the joke’s on him. The girl’s a witch, and as punishment curses him for his own good.
There are some good moments in the book. Kyle's actually a good narrator, having a typical teenage boy voice, which at times can be rather funny. I also liked Kyle’s growing fondness for his roses. In a way, he reminded me of a young Anthony Zacchara, the crazy NYC mobster from General Hospital, who used to coo over his rose garden. I also thought Froggie from the web chats was precious, “stil no hop here. I meen ther is hop but not HOPE” So cute!
But there were problems. I think this story would have worked better if the characters were a little older. At the start, Kyle’s only a freshman 14/15 years old. In my head, I kept picturing someone older, at least a junior or senior. Also, I found some of the scenes a bit creepy. For instance, when Kyle sneaks back up into the attic and takes the dress Lindy had tried on back to his room to sleep with. I have read books and seen films where a suitor discreetly takes a handkerchief/glove that his lady love has dropped and sniffs it, taking in its perfume, but this… I found it bordering on the obsessive.
Ultimately the end killed this book for me. It was too cutesy, too sugary sweet, like when little girls dot their i’s with little hearts. I lost all my respect for Lindy, fawning all over Kyle; she lost her backbone. Also, I feel that the author could have left out the epilogue. It didn’t really add anything, and also it takes away from the belief that Kyle’s a changed man. With those final paragraphs, I found a little sliver of the old Kyle Kingsbury.
Regardless, I can see young teens loving this book, especially since it’s been made into a film. But for me, Beastly was only OK.
December 8, 2010
This book is a charming retelling of the story of Beauty and the Beast. The author added some twists and turns to make the story differ from the original version. And this is what that makes it an enjoyable book.
Kyle Kingsbury is the son of a famous and wealthy newsman, and he also has what it takes to make girls swoon over him - good looks. His life is perfect, yet deep inside, he isn't. When he plays an evil trick on a fat, ugly girl named Kendra, he is cursed to become what he really is - a beast. He is given a chance to reverse the curse - he must fall in love with a girl who loves him back within 2 years. Or else, he will remain as a beast forever.
The story is set in a modern New York, and this is definitely refreshing. After Kyle turns from a handsome, popular kid into an ugly, terrifying beast, his father tries to bring him to seek medical help, but they come to no avail. At last, Rob Kingsbury decides to refrain his son in a secluded area so that no one would notice his presence.
To me, Kyle isn't really a bad guy, he just likes to act like he is. I always think that there is still some goodness in him. At first, he denies the beauty of a rose and think of it as a cheap, ugly flower, but when he becomes a beast, he cares for the roses he planted as if they were his treasure.
This story tells us not to judge someone based on their appearance, but rather what they really are on the inside because what you see is not necessary real. Looks do not determine everything, so even if you don't have an attractive mien, that doesn't mean that you're going to be despised and shunned by others. As time goes by, others will learn to see the goodness/evil in your heart. If you have a kind, caring heart - then you are beautiful.
Will Kyle finally find his true love and break the curse? Will he change his attitude towards the better side? Will he learn to observe the beauty in his daily life? Read this book to find out.
I'll end my review with a quote from Beastly:
Kyle Kingsbury is the son of a famous and wealthy newsman, and he also has what it takes to make girls swoon over him - good looks. His life is perfect, yet deep inside, he isn't. When he plays an evil trick on a fat, ugly girl named Kendra, he is cursed to become what he really is - a beast. He is given a chance to reverse the curse - he must fall in love with a girl who loves him back within 2 years. Or else, he will remain as a beast forever.
The story is set in a modern New York, and this is definitely refreshing. After Kyle turns from a handsome, popular kid into an ugly, terrifying beast, his father tries to bring him to seek medical help, but they come to no avail. At last, Rob Kingsbury decides to refrain his son in a secluded area so that no one would notice his presence.
To me, Kyle isn't really a bad guy, he just likes to act like he is. I always think that there is still some goodness in him. At first, he denies the beauty of a rose and think of it as a cheap, ugly flower, but when he becomes a beast, he cares for the roses he planted as if they were his treasure.
This story tells us not to judge someone based on their appearance, but rather what they really are on the inside because what you see is not necessary real. Looks do not determine everything, so even if you don't have an attractive mien, that doesn't mean that you're going to be despised and shunned by others. As time goes by, others will learn to see the goodness/evil in your heart. If you have a kind, caring heart - then you are beautiful.
Will Kyle finally find his true love and break the curse? Will he change his attitude towards the better side? Will he learn to observe the beauty in his daily life? Read this book to find out.
I'll end my review with a quote from Beastly:
"Those who do not know how to see the precious things in life will never be happy."
January 5, 2011
Official Movie Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZmOm3...
...Love is never ugly...
***Movie Poster***
[image error]
Book Review
I've been curious to read this ever since I've watched the new movie trailer of this book which will stars Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Hudgens, and that would be showing on March 2011. I love Alex Pettyfer and I really wanted to read the book first so I'll have an idea what will be going on when I'm gonna watch the film.
The reason that I gave it 3 stars is because I have actually a very high expectations that this book will gonna be amazing since actually the Beauty and the Beast was among my favorite fairytale and my other favorites includes The Little Mermaid and Rumpelstiltskin. Actually The Little Mermaid has somewhat like a subplot in here, wherein the mermaid, the frog prince and the bear from Snow White and Rose red were chatting to Mr. Anderson.
I really liked it but I'm not really amazed by it but I think it's a great retelling and I still looking forward to watching it come to life in the film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZmOm3...
...Love is never ugly...
***Movie Poster***
[image error]
Book Review
I've been curious to read this ever since I've watched the new movie trailer of this book which will stars Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Hudgens, and that would be showing on March 2011. I love Alex Pettyfer and I really wanted to read the book first so I'll have an idea what will be going on when I'm gonna watch the film.
The reason that I gave it 3 stars is because I have actually a very high expectations that this book will gonna be amazing since actually the Beauty and the Beast was among my favorite fairytale and my other favorites includes The Little Mermaid and Rumpelstiltskin. Actually The Little Mermaid has somewhat like a subplot in here, wherein the mermaid, the frog prince and the bear from Snow White and Rose red were chatting to Mr. Anderson.
I really liked it but I'm not really amazed by it but I think it's a great retelling and I still looking forward to watching it come to life in the film.
August 10, 2017
Beastly just goes to show that you can be beautiful of the face,but be a monster inside. I loved this up to date retelling of beauty and the beast.it was very well written.This was the very first beast that I felt not pity for at first,but as I found out about him I started to understand him better,that's the sign of a great storyteller.Adrian hides himself in a apartment with only his housekeeper Magda and his blind tutor will.The only pleasure he has is a greenhouse were he grows rose's,but when he finds a robber their he tells him he will let him go if he brings his daughter Linda to him.When Adrian see's her he realizes she's the girl he gave the rose corsage to a year ago on the night that the witch kendra cursed him.Linda is Adrian's last chance to break the spell before he remains the beast forever!
July 25, 2018
So I've had this book in my TBR list since it came out a believe almost ten years ago i think and I wish I had read it when I was younger.....because I just couldn't get into it. for me the message was as deep as a kitty cool, don't judge people by their appearance is something I learned when I was I kid, and it felt very, very forced in this book, with the dad being awful along with ever background character the one character I loved will who had learned to deal with his disabilly had it cured by magic......he was blind!! he had learned to deal with it al his life and fixing it like it didn't happen was a step back. The relationship between the main character was cute and sweet but it felt i little off with how quickly it when. *sigh* I know I would have loved this book when i was a young teen with it's cheesy massage and it's lovey dovey couple, maybe i'm too old for it now. butttt i have to say more anime voice actors should do audiobooks Chris Patton was the narrator and I loved hearing Naoya from Another.
March 8, 2011
Beastly by Alex Flinn is a creative, modern telling of the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. In this book, Flinn develops a twist to the story by narrating the events from the Beast’s perspective but in a current day setting. I was rather pleased with the book in many regards, and I’m looking forward to seeing this book translated to screen ((not just for obvious reasons... ahem...ahem... Prettyface)) but I think there’s an opportunity to see a few themes pulled from Beastly, so I’m curious to see how it turns out.
Overall, though, I feel the Beast was punished unfairly. Now yes, I realize that because of his curse, he learned the err of his ways and matured once he was stripped of his beauty and confidence, but if good looks and confidence were his only crime (at age of sixteen) I feel the witch was too flippant with her curse. In the book Kyle/Adrian has what many other people want- money, looks, and everything that labels him hawt and popular. And unfortunately for him, he knows it and plays the part well.
Now one might say looks aren’t important and money can’t buy you everything... well if most people had the opportunity to be pretty and wealthy or fugly and poor, I think the choice is pretty obvious and most honest people would choose the former rather than the latter. Kyle ((IMO)) wasn’t preaching or practicing anything different than what most people want, but he spoke the truth out loud and got cursed for it.
So pretty much I think it sucked that Kyle was cursed by the witch because he knows he’s hawt and enjoyed flaunting it. Even from Lindy’s perspective, she described Kyle as confident, good looking, fearless, spoke his mind. Yes, he did something shallow toward the witch, but the way it all went down, I call that entrapment. The witch set him up, and he reacted like a guy that just needs some time to mature a bit. I’ve seen some fugly sixteen year olds do worse, so where’s the witch’s curse when you really need it?
Did I miss the growth opportunity that Kyle/Adrian experience? Nope, not at all, I caught that loud and clear… I saw him change his ways and I was proud of his development. I just felt bad that he was cursed in the first place and any time the witch made an appearance, I sort of disliked her for bestowing a punishment that wasn’t deserved or quite fair.
That’s just my opinion, and I know it’s possibly flawed, but hale aren’t all opinions flawed in some way? ^^
Overall though, I enjoyed the book and looking forward to the movie.
Overall, though, I feel the Beast was punished unfairly. Now yes, I realize that because of his curse, he learned the err of his ways and matured once he was stripped of his beauty and confidence, but if good looks and confidence were his only crime (at age of sixteen) I feel the witch was too flippant with her curse. In the book Kyle/Adrian has what many other people want- money, looks, and everything that labels him hawt and popular. And unfortunately for him, he knows it and plays the part well.
Now one might say looks aren’t important and money can’t buy you everything... well if most people had the opportunity to be pretty and wealthy or fugly and poor, I think the choice is pretty obvious and most honest people would choose the former rather than the latter. Kyle ((IMO)) wasn’t preaching or practicing anything different than what most people want, but he spoke the truth out loud and got cursed for it.
So pretty much I think it sucked that Kyle was cursed by the witch because he knows he’s hawt and enjoyed flaunting it. Even from Lindy’s perspective, she described Kyle as confident, good looking, fearless, spoke his mind. Yes, he did something shallow toward the witch, but the way it all went down, I call that entrapment. The witch set him up, and he reacted like a guy that just needs some time to mature a bit. I’ve seen some fugly sixteen year olds do worse, so where’s the witch’s curse when you really need it?
Did I miss the growth opportunity that Kyle/Adrian experience? Nope, not at all, I caught that loud and clear… I saw him change his ways and I was proud of his development. I just felt bad that he was cursed in the first place and any time the witch made an appearance, I sort of disliked her for bestowing a punishment that wasn’t deserved or quite fair.
That’s just my opinion, and I know it’s possibly flawed, but hale aren’t all opinions flawed in some way? ^^
Overall though, I enjoyed the book and looking forward to the movie.
October 13, 2018
I didn’t like this book, which is pretty much opposing to how the majority of people felt about it. I loved the idea but it was poorly executed. I found it clichéd, boring and shallow. as a retelling, it wasn't enticing enough.
Kyle is still kind of a dick at the end. And I wasn't interested in his redemption story, and I am pretty sure I started skim-reading two thirds of the way through.
March 15, 2015
it was better then the movie, truer to the original story.
April 30, 2009
I enjoyed this new take on Beauty and the Beast. It was definitely an easy read, I finished this 300-page book within about 3 hours. The message about inside and outside beauty is a good one for young teens. I don't really think this book would have been very interesting for older teens, 10-13 year-olds is a target audience.
Having said that, this was an uneven book. It started very strong, but fizzled a little by the end. It just became a bit too simplistic and cheesy and the lessons learned in the beginning lost their value.
Beastly is recommended by Amazon along with Unwind and Hunger Games. Unfortunately, Beastly has a long way to go to reach the quality of these two excellent YA books.
Having said that, this was an uneven book. It started very strong, but fizzled a little by the end. It just became a bit too simplistic and cheesy and the lessons learned in the beginning lost their value.
Beastly is recommended by Amazon along with Unwind and Hunger Games. Unfortunately, Beastly has a long way to go to reach the quality of these two excellent YA books.
May 24, 2017
This was fun..... but I guess I was just hoping for something darker. Happy ending can be such a drag..... LOL all in all I enjoyed the story it just was not what I wanted it to be.
March 13, 2019
Ich liebe Märchen. Und die Neuinterpretation von "Die Schöne und das Biest" als modernes Märchen, mitten in New York City.
Von der ganzen Geschichte bin ich begeistert. Ein zauberhaftes Buch, voller Liebe, Drama und Magie. Natürlich auch kitschig und mit Happy End. Aber auch wenn man weiß wie es verläuft und ausgeht, lässt der humorvolle und jugendliche Schreibstil sich toll lesen und macht es kurzweilig.
Kyle ist gut aussehend, beliebt und reich aber auch selbstverliebt, oberflächlich und überheblich.
Alle, die nicht seinem Ideal entsprechen, behandelt er herablassend bis er sich mit der Falschen anlegt. Verflucht durch Hexe Kendra, wird er zum haarigen Biest, badet im Selbstmitleid und wird schließlich sogar von seinem Vater abgeschoben. Nur die wahre Liebe kann ihn retten ...
Die kommt in Form der schüchternen Lindy. Sie ist unscheinbar, total lieb und man mag sie direkt.
Lindys Rolle, die mal nicht die bildschöne Erscheinung ist, sondern ein durchschnittliches Mädchen, hat mir gefallen genauso wie die Entwicklung von Kyle zu Adrian. Auch Will, der blinde Hauslehrer und die Magd Magda, so wie Kendra sind tolle Figuren.
Von der ganzen Geschichte bin ich begeistert. Ein zauberhaftes Buch, voller Liebe, Drama und Magie. Natürlich auch kitschig und mit Happy End. Aber auch wenn man weiß wie es verläuft und ausgeht, lässt der humorvolle und jugendliche Schreibstil sich toll lesen und macht es kurzweilig.
Kyle ist gut aussehend, beliebt und reich aber auch selbstverliebt, oberflächlich und überheblich.
Alle, die nicht seinem Ideal entsprechen, behandelt er herablassend bis er sich mit der Falschen anlegt. Verflucht durch Hexe Kendra, wird er zum haarigen Biest, badet im Selbstmitleid und wird schließlich sogar von seinem Vater abgeschoben. Nur die wahre Liebe kann ihn retten ...
Die kommt in Form der schüchternen Lindy. Sie ist unscheinbar, total lieb und man mag sie direkt.
Lindys Rolle, die mal nicht die bildschöne Erscheinung ist, sondern ein durchschnittliches Mädchen, hat mir gefallen genauso wie die Entwicklung von Kyle zu Adrian. Auch Will, der blinde Hauslehrer und die Magd Magda, so wie Kendra sind tolle Figuren.
May 1, 2016
This is a retelling of the Beauty & the Beast from the Beast's point of view.
It's set in modern times in NYC.
The beast is Kyle Kingsbury, a spoiled, selfish, narcissistic, extremely good-looking teen who gets away with much with only his winning smile.
After a cruel joke on a homely, overweight classmate, a witch turns him into the beast.
He has 2 years to find someone who will truly love him as he is, and whom he must also love.
When she kisses him, the curse is lifted.
But if he fails to find her, he will remain a beast forever.
Kyle's transition from selfish bad-boy to considerate human is very believable, interesting & enjoyable to watch.
I'm not a huge fan of fairytale re-tellings, and I'll admit, I was a little disappointed when I realized this was a beauty & the beast story.
But I still enjoyed it.
Even though I'm years behind, I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
It's set in modern times in NYC.
The beast is Kyle Kingsbury, a spoiled, selfish, narcissistic, extremely good-looking teen who gets away with much with only his winning smile.
After a cruel joke on a homely, overweight classmate, a witch turns him into the beast.
He has 2 years to find someone who will truly love him as he is, and whom he must also love.
When she kisses him, the curse is lifted.
But if he fails to find her, he will remain a beast forever.
Kyle's transition from selfish bad-boy to considerate human is very believable, interesting & enjoyable to watch.
I'm not a huge fan of fairytale re-tellings, and I'll admit, I was a little disappointed when I realized this was a beauty & the beast story.
But I still enjoyed it.
Even though I'm years behind, I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
October 25, 2010
A modern Beauty & the Beast, this story has it all - romance, angst, realism, humour & action. I loved every moment of it.
Honestly, I learned about Beastly through the news that Alex Pettyfer was going to play the main hero in the movie adaptation, but it was the fact that the plot was based on my favourite fairytale that made me eager to read it. I was a little cautious about starting it, but once I began, there was no stopping.
Beastly is a modern rendition of a man without kindness changing from the outside-in - the perfect, rich and handsome Kyle who thinks that ugly, or even plain people are not worth looking at, turns into the dark, brooding and lonely Adrian who seeks the beauty of his roses in order to forget about his own hidious appearance.
The story being told through his eyes, the reader sees how isolation and pain slowly mend Kyle's soul, turn it to seeking inner beauty and create Adrian - a guy who descriminates between shallowness and true kindness. Kyle never saw Lindy as someone beautiful, but for Adrian, she's like one of his roses - pure, and gentle, and shining from the inside-out.
The shallow playboy learns to love for the first time, and to sacrifice - to let the one most precious to him go free and choose her own destiny, even though that means that he may never return to his human form. Yet, as his friends tell him - there is more humanity in his beastly form than in most people.
I was charmed by how the classic love and transformation affected a spoiled, shallow New York City guy. There was a lot of the dark sins of our current reality in this book, but also a look deeper into the souls of those who have it all and those, who fight with life every day yet retain their inner beauty. Beastly can teach us a lot about people in these times of fallen taboos and lack of values, but also about the kindness and the beasts within our own souls.
A truly beautiful story.
Honestly, I learned about Beastly through the news that Alex Pettyfer was going to play the main hero in the movie adaptation, but it was the fact that the plot was based on my favourite fairytale that made me eager to read it. I was a little cautious about starting it, but once I began, there was no stopping.
Beastly is a modern rendition of a man without kindness changing from the outside-in - the perfect, rich and handsome Kyle who thinks that ugly, or even plain people are not worth looking at, turns into the dark, brooding and lonely Adrian who seeks the beauty of his roses in order to forget about his own hidious appearance.
The story being told through his eyes, the reader sees how isolation and pain slowly mend Kyle's soul, turn it to seeking inner beauty and create Adrian - a guy who descriminates between shallowness and true kindness. Kyle never saw Lindy as someone beautiful, but for Adrian, she's like one of his roses - pure, and gentle, and shining from the inside-out.
The shallow playboy learns to love for the first time, and to sacrifice - to let the one most precious to him go free and choose her own destiny, even though that means that he may never return to his human form. Yet, as his friends tell him - there is more humanity in his beastly form than in most people.
I was charmed by how the classic love and transformation affected a spoiled, shallow New York City guy. There was a lot of the dark sins of our current reality in this book, but also a look deeper into the souls of those who have it all and those, who fight with life every day yet retain their inner beauty. Beastly can teach us a lot about people in these times of fallen taboos and lack of values, but also about the kindness and the beasts within our own souls.
A truly beautiful story.
January 19, 2019
2.5 stars
I could see myself possibly liking this book while I was younger but honestly, it isn’t that great. There is many “Beauty and the Beast” retellings out there and many are better than this one, both in story and in writing.
I would consider this a less than average retelling and I would not recommend it but at the same time, I would not say that it’s terrible.
Also, random side note: if you watch the movie after reading the book, do not be surprised that it feels like the movie is very LOOSELY adapted from the book. But with that being said, I think I may have liked it better than the book...
I could see myself possibly liking this book while I was younger but honestly, it isn’t that great. There is many “Beauty and the Beast” retellings out there and many are better than this one, both in story and in writing.
I would consider this a less than average retelling and I would not recommend it but at the same time, I would not say that it’s terrible.
Also, random side note: if you watch the movie after reading the book, do not be surprised that it feels like the movie is very LOOSELY adapted from the book. But with that being said, I think I may have liked it better than the book...
May 17, 2010
I liked this one. It's an interesting retelling of the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast, because it's set in modern day New York, and told from the Beast's point of view. There were some annoying aspects to the book, but I blame that on the fact that it's YA. If you want to read a fairytale with a twist, then this is one I would definitely recommend.
January 10, 2011
Perhaps I was tired and feeling a little raw when I read this in one four-hour sitting, but that isn't the only reason I got a catch in my throat and a drop in my eye. It follows the fairy tale closely, and I still was taken in by this story. This might be a love story that male readers can stomach, even enjoy. Could the female character have been more richly developed? Sure. Could either of the fathers in the book have been more fully-formed? You bet. But I think this is a good story, well told and enjoyable all the way through.
I do have a major complaint about how Flinn handles the disability of one character. I know it is YA, but her treatment of blindness just came off as condescending. I don't want a spoiler, so let me just wish for more disabled characters who are also whole people, not damaged goods awaiting repair. And let's hope for more books that flesh such characters out beyond the obvious fact of their difference. This was such a sharp thorn in an otherwise beautiful story.
Update 1/8/2011 - Yep, the movie of the same name staring Vanessa Hudgens, Peter Kraus, and Mary-Kate Olsen is an interpretation of Flinn's book.
I do have a major complaint about how Flinn handles the disability of one character. I know it is YA, but her treatment of blindness just came off as condescending. I don't want a spoiler, so let me just wish for more disabled characters who are also whole people, not damaged goods awaiting repair. And let's hope for more books that flesh such characters out beyond the obvious fact of their difference. This was such a sharp thorn in an otherwise beautiful story.
Update 1/8/2011 - Yep, the movie of the same name staring Vanessa Hudgens, Peter Kraus, and Mary-Kate Olsen is an interpretation of Flinn's book.
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