Beastly by Alex Flinn

Beastly
by Alex Flinn





Genre: Fairy Tale / Urban Fantasy / Paranormal Romance / Young Adult

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.

This modern fairy tale focuses on Kyle, a New York rich kid. He's got a swanky penthouse, his father's a famous national broadcaster, he's got model-good looks, and is one of the most popular guys at school. He doesn't think of anyone else but him, that is until the new goth girl begins to rub him the wrong way. Now, one of his cruel actions has become his last and since being called "Beastly" . . . that is now what he'll become as well - literally.

I picked up this book thinking it'd be a quick read, but it actually ended up surprising me. I liked it . . . really liked it! At times it's very realistic and other times "way out there" - a real fairy tale. It was cute, unique, and I enjoyed the modern curse placed on Kyle. It also had the whole Phantom of the Opera feel to it, since you a rooting for the monster to win throughout. I am excited to hear Alex Flinn just put out a new book as well, A Kiss in Time, which is a modern retelling of Sleeping Beauty. I'm definitely checking that one out!

P.S. Beastly was also just made into a movie!

Likes: I'm glad Alex Flinn kept the importance of roses in the story.

Dislikes: His father's reaction that even their money isn't enough to find a cure, so he banishes his son.

Rating:

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Beauty by Robin McKinley

Beauty
(A Retelling of the Story of Beauty & the Beast)
by Robin McKinley

Genre: Fairy Tale / Fantasy

Beauty has never liked her nickname. She is thin and awkward; it is her two sisters who are beautiful. But what she lacks in looks she can perhaps make up for in courage.

When her father comes home with the tale of an enchanted castle in the forest and the terrible promise he had to make to the Beast who lives there, Beauty declares she must go to the castle, a prisoner of her own free will.

Having two older sisters named Grace and Hope, Honour is nicknamed Beauty and it sticks. While her sisters grow into their names, Beauty feels just the opposite. Upon a financial disaster, the family moves from their comfortable rich life in the city to a small cottage in the country to begin anew. After her father's return from the city, a single enchanted rose is gifted to Beauty. BUT you know the tale--the father met the Beast who demanded one of his daughters in exchange for his life, because he dared to pluck a rose.

I adored this story. I remember attempting to read it when I was much younger, but I loved reading it again years later. No lie, Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale, but this retelling is wonderfully romantic and full of charm. Lots of magic and castles, Beauty truly brings to life a sweet relationship. I especially enjoyed how Robin McKinley didn't alter the tale and kept it as original as possible and her expansion of the characters made the book even more wonderful!

Likes: That Beauty is known more for her brains & guts than just a pretty face.

Dislikes: Her answer to the Beast asking her every night for her hand in marriage . . . so sad!

Rating:

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