Of Beast and Beauty

I've been wanting to read this book since the first time I saw it in my high school’s library four years ago. I love the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. I am open to any retelling of the story. My favorite retelling is, of course, Disney's Beauty and the Beast. When I started the book, and having only the knowledge that it's a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, I expected to follow the same formula as the story it was based on, like for example Beastly by Alex Flinn. I had no idea what to expect aside from what was already implied from the title. I assumed it was going to be another version of A guy who was cursed and became a beast and the Beauty who had to save him. I did not read the overview. I always prefer to go into a book blind and be hooked by the title and/or the cover. I fell in love with both aspects of this book. With that being said, I did not truly know what the book was about when I bought it. Needless to say I was not disappointed in any way. It is a new and it's own fairy tale, so to speak. It has enough elements for the reader to know that it used The Beauty and The Beast as an inspiration but it doesn't rely on it to carry the book too much. It becomes it's own original story. I loved the writing style of Stacey Jay and this is the first book that I have read from her. I do not want to give any spoilers for those who like to go in blind like me. The two main characters were great. Usually in The Beauty and The Beast, the Beast is the one who learns, grows and changes. [Going from Disney's version and all others who follow the same formula.] The Beauty does learn but she is always true to herself and doesn't need to change the way she is. In this story I love that it's both of our main characters who grow and change not just one. The way Stacey allows us to understand and go thru the changes the main characters have is wonderful. The book goes back and forth from each point of view and it helps understand and see, and connect to them. It's something that I felt I can relate to. I feel she explains the history of this new world very well. At the end of the book, I found myself knowing that I could read it again after time has passed and I would still love it and feel the same rush I did the first time. If you love Beauty and the Beast and are completely open to a new and different retelling, I think you should give this book a try. I looked all over the internet for a review or someone else’s thoughts on it and found myself disappointed with the very few reviews and negative thoughts. I hope my short and positive, spoiler free, review encourages you to read this book and give it a try. I hope I get to hear your thoughts on it on this page. Thank you for reading.