Author: Alex
Flinn
Title: Beastly
Series:
Kendra Chronicles #1
ISBN: 9780060874162
Publisher: Harper
Teen (October 2nd 2007)
| 
| 
| 
My rating: 4
of 5 stars
“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.” GoodReads’ blurb
Beautiful
doesn’t even begin to describe this story. I mean, sure, it’s Beauty and the
Beast set in modern day New York City, so it’s not exactly surprising or
twisting, but there’s something to be said about how raw it was. I decided to
go on audiobook for this one, and the voice acting was excellent too.
I’ll confess:
I stayed up listening till 4.30am so I could finish the story.
Is that
enough of a review? It almost is, isn’t it? Well, here’s something else for you
to consider: I didn’t cry, not really, but I did feel my gut wrenching in all
the appropiate parts, as if I was suffering the same real emotional pain the
main character experienced. It was that good.
There’s not
much more to say. The characters, of course, were simpathetic. I loved the spin
on why Lindy was forced to stay with Kyle—actually, with Adrian. I thought the
details, with the rose gardens and the literature classes, they were touching. The
end was surprisingly good, too, because it was fairy-tale worthy but also real:
there was teasing and insecurities and tenderness. But in truth, this was just
like Beauty and the Beast: a story about a hideous person becoming beautiful,
and how sometimes a curse is actually a gift.
If you liked
at all the movie, or the fairy tale, you need to check this one!
I've been reluctant to read this one. I did like the movie so I may have to give the book a chance, thanks to you. If i get the chance I will definitely have to read this one.
ReplyDeleteHehehe! If you do have the chance, I'd definitely pick it up. It was highly emotive!
DeletePS. Beauty and the Beast is a lot like this book... but the movie they actually made for the book, Beastly, is quite different, I'm told. I hope you enjoy it!
I read this one about a year before the movie mainly because it was a retelling of my favorite fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast! And indeed, it was one of my favorite modern adaptions too. The story itself was very beautiful and I loved every minute of it. I especially loved the rose garden and the winter trip that they did away from their home. The movie was alright, though I think I would have liked it better as a standalone movie rather than to know that it was adapted from the book.
ReplyDeleteRecently (I think?), there was an edition of Beastly that offers Lindy's Diary as a bonus feature. It has various events of the book in her point of view. I would recommend checking it out if you enjoyed Beastly!
The rose garden was perfect! And the hope and crushing despair from the winter trip was great, too. Beastly movie is different from the book, yes, or so I've been warned... still, I think I'll have to see it, keeping an open mind, to check if it's half as touching.
DeleteLindy's Diary... that sounds promising! I wonder if it captures the feeling from the original Beastly? I must check! Thanks for letting me know! :)
I didn't know there was a Beauty and the Beast retelling out there! I've never heard of this before, and although I tend to shy away from retellings in general, you've really made me curious about this one.
ReplyDeleteThe last BatB-like story I've read was Firelight, recommended to me by Ann Aguirre, and I enjoyed it a lot, though not as much as she did.
I'm glad you liked this, Ron, even though you ended up sleep deprived. :)
Hehe! I have mixed feelings about retellings in general too... But I read Cinder and now this one, and I think I might be onto something. Plus, there's always the "oh... What have they done to this-or-that story this time?" factor!
DeleteAdded recommendation: if you do check this one out, go for the audiobook: I know you enjoy those from time to time, and this one is very well read!
I might have to check out Firelight now :)
Yay, I downloaded this one not too long ago. I don't know when I'll actually get to it, but I glad to know you enjoyed it so much!
ReplyDeleteI know you'll love it when you get to it, Christy! I'll keep my eyes open for your thoughts ;)
DeleteI have this one, and a book about the witch herself, her story. I know there is a Lindy's diary out there too.
ReplyDeleteI should give it a shot. I tried it once upon a time and all I remember was a scene where he was in a support group for others like himself. Creatures basically. Is that the right book?
I linked up on FF and will do so this friday too but I cant find any graphics. Did u make one for FF?
Ah... The chat scene. Yeah, that got a raised eyebrow out of me too... but it's actually nice and kind of funny. It's like, the book is divided into parts, and at the beginning of each part there's a short scene of the creatures, like "monsters anonymous" supporting each other and cheering for the goals. You'll recognize most of the other "monsters" in there, too!
DeleteYay, you read Beastly. I am so glad I read it before the movie came out. It is a very beautiful book.
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking of reading Lindy's Diary as well as book 2 in the Kendra Chronicles series. Let's see when that happens.
Sana @ artsy musings of a bibliophile
I've been told that I'm supposed to approach book and movie as different entities if I don't want to go ballistic :) I think I'm going to read book two, definitely, and I will consider Lindy's diary... Though I'm not sure. The story was so perfect from his point of view that I'm almost scared of polluting it now! :)
DeleteI absolutely loved this story. The premise seemed cheesy -- a modern day, stuck up New Yorker gets turned into a Beast by a freaking witch in his class. Sounds lame, but it absolutely works on every level.
ReplyDeleteRecommended Alaska fishing lodge info…