I am neither monster nor man—yet I am both. I am the Beast.
Rating: 5/5
I am neither monster nor man—yet I am both. I am the Beast.
Honestly, I really enjoyed this retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I thought it was an extremely unique take on this old tale especially being strictly told in the Beast’s point of view too. Being able to see his thoughts, how he did every possible thing to please Isabeau. I found that being able to see his guilt for his actions was heartening and also very captivating for his character. It honestly made me fall in love with the Beast. He felt like such a genuine character, so generous and loving. I wanted to be Isabeau and be read to every day. That seemed like such a lovely way to spend the day, though I would maybe suggest we just read together in each other’s presence.
It took something I love and gave it a new very unique spin. Although it’s not the same as the original tale, it was sincerely a joy to read. This retelling is refreshing. It was exciting watching the Beast fall in love, being able to see his thoughts.
I will say though, it really only takes the core part of the Beauty and the Beast tale, the prince was cursed to a beast and was to learn to love another and earn her love in return, or else he remains a beast for all eternity. Everything else about this tale was different and unique. Really only the Beast and Isabeau are the same within this book compared to the original tale.
Everything else about this tale was different and unique. Really only the Beast and Isabeau are the same within this book compared to the original tale.
I absolutely loved how detailed all the descriptions were throughout this book. It really painted a picture in my mind. I could imagine the scenes so vividly that I felt I could step through in my mind right into the story. As I mentioned, I wanted to be Isabeau. For my state of mind at the time of reading this, it was honestly the best book to be reading. I was kind of in a low place, and I wanted to just escape reality and this book really helped me do just that. Even if I didn’t actually get to disappear.
I wanted to just escape reality and this book really helped me do just that.
Overall, I really loved this retelling. It’s easily one of my favorites now. Anyone who’s a fan of Beauty and the Beast or loves fantasy and fairytales will enjoy this one. I know I did. I want my own Beast. He sounds much better than any guy I know. Sorry, not sorry?
Warning! Mild Spoilers :)
Apart from being strictly in the Beast’s point of view, I found it intriguing that the servants were invisible. Instead of the talking furniture, they were unseen, unheard but always there. I was a bit disappointed nothing was mentioned of them after the spell was broken. I would have liked to know they were real people like the furniture were actual servants. Not that it was just magic doing all the bidding. I did miss the talking candlestick.
In a way, this new take on the enchanted castle, the servants, and the forest surrounding the castle made a bit more sense. Especially the castle, which changed appearance based on the Beast’s feelings and mood. At the start of the book, before Isabeau arrives, the castle was very distraught and in shambles, but once Isabeau’s father came it immediately brightened and appeared almost brand new. Even more so when Isabeau arrived. Yet when Beast felt sadness or anger, there would be descriptions of how books were falling apart, the paint on the walls was peeling, things like that. It really added to the universe of this old tale. It just made it all that more immersive.
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