Recent Reads: The Beast's Heart by Leife Shallcross

Source: From Netgalley and Berkeley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

Also bought the Audible audiobook.

The Beast's Heart by Leife Shallcross
Publisher:  Berkeley Publishing Group
Publication Date:  February 12, 2019

 

Format: Ebook 


Rating:






Goodreads Synopsis: 

A sumptuously magical, brand new take on a tale as old as time—read the Beast's side of the story at long last.

I am neither monster nor man—yet I am both.
I am the Beast.
The day I was cursed to this wretched existence was the day I was saved—although it did not feel so at the time.
My redemption sprung from contemptible roots; I am not proud of what I did the day her father happened upon my crumbling, isolated chateau. But if loneliness breeds desperation then I was desperate indeed, and I did what I felt I must. My shameful behaviour was unjustly rewarded.
My Isabeau. She opened my eyes, my mind and my heart; she taught me how to be human again.
And now I might lose her forever.

Lose yourself in this gorgeously rich and magical retelling of The Beauty and the Beast that finally lays bare the beast's heart.

Review: 
Jim Dale reads the audiobook and does an amazing job. I love when he narrates them. 

This retelling is told from the point of view of the Beast as he comes to realize his fate and tries to adapt, learn about himself though this new lens life has handed him. It is a similar story to many Beauty and the Beast retellings however as it is told from his perspective there is the addition of essentially a new story - you get to learn how he feels about everything that is happening. 

Beast's tale is one of depression and confusion and he is just trying to figure out what happened and if it can be alleviated. He is impulsive but kind and in this book seems very sensitive and overly aware of his beastly form. He is a wonderful main character and it is almost sad to hear his feelings and thoughts as the tale progresses, you just want the best for him. What makes this possible though, is that the curse is told a little differently - the best has not necessarily done anything wrong yet, but the fairy sees evil in his heart and is trying to circumvent it.  

Isabeau, is a captive as she was previously, but she does choose to be imprisoned and her story involves two other sisters, which is a slight break from the Disney version.  She was a bit somber at first but really turns it around and wants to genuinely befriend Beast and help him through his struggles.

Overall, this was a great retelling and I really enjoyed that it was told from the Beast's side. I liked the changes that were implemented to make it more modern and believable.  So why not 5 stars? When you pick up this book, you have to understand that there is not really a full on climax to the story. There is no grand battle, all of it is emotional battles being fought by both Beast and Isabeau, so it takes a bit longer to get through than your typical fantasy novel. Otherwise, it was a wonderful listen.