Belle: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast

Cameron Dokey is a fantastic story teller. She is able to weave in character’s insecurities that are relatable. My only complaint about this retelling is that I wish there would have been more about the Beast and Belle’s time spent with him. That part of the story felt rushed.

I love Beauty and the Beast, so this was an amazing adaptation. It feels like it blends the original tale with elements of the Disney animated movie <3

I was a bit worried about this book when I initially started reading it as I dislike reading about whiney, shallow people and Belle is so hung up on her looks. But I was quite surprised and delighted with all the character development that occurred, not just with Belle but with her family and the Beast. A Romantic at heart, I loved the end.

Considering that Robin McKinley has written what I consider to be the definitive retellings of Beauty and the Beast [...] I enjoyed Dokey's version way more than I expected. Annabelle, or Belle as she's more commonly known, has spent most of her life feeling inferior to her spectacularly beautiful older sisters - when in their presence, she's so overshadowed by their beauty she's been known to disappear. For one whose very name means "beauty," not living up to the expectations set by such a name is a heavy burden indeed. Dokey takes her time developing the story, and she places a great emphasis on developing Belle's character and her relationships with her parents and sisters. Due to the short length of the Once Upon a Time novels, this leaves less time than I would have preferred for detailing Belle's interactions with the Beast. However, I loved the addition of the Heartwood Tree and the role it plays in their relationship. In order for the curse to be broken, both Belle and the Beast must learn to truly see each other - to see not with physical eyes, but with the eyes of the heart. Belle's heart's desire to is to be loved for herself, and she discovers that her own special brand of beauty was there all along - it only needed to be recognized by the eyes of her true love. Belle took a while to win me over (she's hung up on her looks - or lack thereof - for a little too long), but Dokey's sweet wrap-up of the story won me over. All in all, I found this to be a quite satisfying spin on the Beauty & the Beast tale, and I appreciate the unique touch, like Belle's desire to be seen, that Dokey brings to the old familiar tale.

It is hard for me not to enjoy this book simply because this is one of my favorite fairy tales. On top of that, Cameron Dokey is the best out of all the authors writing for the Once Upon a Time series. Although Belle may have similarities to McKinley's book, it should not be dismissed. While McKinley is a master when it comes to re-telling Beauty and the Beast, Dokey adds her own elements to the story. While the author does not fully describe certain aspects of the original fairy tale, such as the magical element, I do feel she has added her own twist upon the tale in the form of the heartwood tree. There is just something that rings true about wanting to see your true love's face. The book deals with the idea of true beauty in a unique way. By not being able to see what the heartwood branch holds, Belle starts to question herself and the world around her. She learns that she has to have patience and see the people around her in a different light than she is used to. Of course, this transformation does not start when she joins the Beast in his castle. All the members in her family (except perhaps her father) start to change as soon as they move into the country. Still, the symbolism found throughout the castle serve to further her realization. I suppose what I like best about this book is how deftly the author has interwoven the theme of true beauty. She doesn't waste any words, she doesn't have any unnecessary side plots. And it's a tale that needs to be heard. After all, don't we all need to learn how to see true beauty in both ourselves and others?

Having been a fan of this series, especially Snow and both Dokey's and Wryn's tales, I eagerly anticipated this novel. I bought it the day it came out and read it before going to bed. It was a quick and easy read, holding my attention. Dokey does an excellent job at creating lovable and realistic characters complete with human nuances and flaws. I adored Belle's oldest sister, the realness about her, and the relationship between her and Belle seemed tangible. Belle's family unit was fun to watch and learn about. The stories of the Wood, incorporating the Beast, and creating a visually delicious setting also added to the retelling of the story. I liked the unusual "rose" of the story, and enjoyed the tales behind the tale. Dokey's unique twist on the story did not take away any of the essence of Beauty and the Beast. The one complaint I had for the story was it was more a story of Belle and less of Beauty and the Beast. I know the title of the story is called Belle, but the interaction with the Beast did not come into play until halfway through the novel. While I feel this is not necessarily a flaw, I found myself impatiently waiting for the conversations and interaction of Belle and the beast. When they did meet, I felt it was slightly rushed. While I believed the relationship between the two characters, it was not as potent as Beauty Sleep, Story-teller's Daughter, and other romances in her other novels. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, and enjoyed seeing more of Belle's life and how she became who she was. I just wanted a bit more of her time with the beast, too. The story is well worth the read if you are a fan of the fairytale and series, and definitely a good rainy day read.

Belle lives a comfortable life with her merchant father, loving mother, and two elder, beautiful sisters. Since she was very young, she has always felt invisible in the shadow cast by her sisters who are much more beautiful and elegant than she. Because of this, she chooses to pour all of her energy into her woodcarving while her sisters attend parties and balls and make a place for themselves in Society. Then all of their lives are shattered when Belle's father's ships are lost at sea, and with them all of their wealth. Belle and her family are forced to sell everything and retreat through the mysterious woods into the country to a much simpler life. But one stormy night drives Belle's father to a mysterious manor in the heart of the woods, home to a magnificent beast and Heartwood tree, which, if carved, will show the heart's desire. Now Belle must journey to the Heartwood, to face the beast, her insecurities, and her destiny. Once again Cameron Dokey dazzles readers into the realm of magic with her ability to fashion more descriptive and palpable tales out of beloved fairy tale classics. Belle's lyrical and starkly honest voice is mesmerizing, especially as she divulges all of her insecurities and describes her sisters without loathing or outright jealousy, but depicts them as they truly are. Though Dokey takes her time setting the scene of the story, her vivid characters and imagery make the wait worthwhile until Belle faces the Beast. The romance is quick and sweet in classic fairy tale fashion, and the conclusion is wonderfully light and romantic. Belle is more than a romance and tale of first impressions inner beauty, but one about finding self confidence in who you are, making it another wonderful addition to the Once Upon a Time... series.