352 p.
Publisher: HarperTeen
Published: 3/14/17
Source: From Edelweiss and publisher for review
Beauty knows the Beast’s forest in her bones—and in her blood. Though she grew up with the city’s highest aristocrats, far from her father’s old lodge, she knows that the forest holds secrets and that her father is the only hunter who’s ever come close to discovering them.My thoughts:
So when her father loses his fortune and moves Yeva and her sisters back to the outskirts of town, Yeva is secretly relieved. Out in the wilderness, there’s no pressure to make idle chatter with vapid baronessas…or to submit to marrying a wealthy gentleman. But Yeva’s father’s misfortune may have cost him his mind, and when he goes missing in the woods, Yeva sets her sights on one prey: the creature he’d been obsessively tracking just before his disappearance.
Deaf to her sisters’ protests, Yeva hunts this strange Beast back into his own territory—a cursed valley, a ruined castle, and a world of creatures that Yeva’s only heard about in fairy tales. A world that can bring her ruin or salvation. Who will survive: the Beauty, or the Beast?
I should probably recuse myself from reviewing this one because I love Beauty and the Beast retellings. I really loved this one, not for the romance (actually there was very little of it until the end) but because it is usually the heroine that is the strong one of the tale. This one holds to that tradition and makes Yeva (aka Beauty) a unusually strong woman who loves to hunt and go out into the wood exploring and finding that fairy tales are real.
The core of this tale is also not the romance. That may put off some readers but the theme is really about want and desire. Do we know what we really want? Do we understand what we really desire? The mythos is based on that premise as well as the tale she finds herself a part of. A tale told to Beauty which became her favorite which she starts to fully understand while living it. That does make for an interesting twist as it also becomes her real mission is to see what is before her and know what she really wants out of life. This is also not one where once you figure it out it is all solved, but knowing human nature and that wanting the next thing will always be around the corner. We can only hope our next want will accompany wisdom as well.
I give this tale 4 1/2 stars and highly recommend it to those, like me, that love a Beauty and the Beast retelling. Do be aware that the romance is minimal until the end but the hero is still the Beauty of the tale.
I loved the core elements of this book too, especially the heroine, but I do wish there had been more romance only because I wasn't entirely sold on this couple by the end. But, this was such a creative imagining that I couldn't resist. :) Wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteIt didn't bother me, but I read a lot of fantasy where the romance takes a back seat. I do get what you mean though. :)
Deleteyes I agree I really enjoyed this one as well
ReplyDeleteIt was fun. :)
DeleteI was really anticipating this book, so I'm glad you enjoyed it! Lovely review :)
ReplyDeleteBrittany @ Brittany's Book Rambles
If you love the B&B retellings, then I think you'll love it. :)
DeleteI'd totally read it for the re-telling
ReplyDeleteI did! :D
DeleteI want this book so bad, need to order it :D
ReplyDeleteIt was fun and I really enjoyed it. :)
DeleteI need to go look this one up, I only ever seen Beauty and the Beast from Disney, never even considered it as a book, what does that say about me!
ReplyDeleteLainy http://www.alwaysreading.net
There are so many good retellings of the story. They are just fun for me. :)
DeleteThis sounds good - because of your review. I am not a big YA reader, but I would consider this one. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh I know of an adult B&B you might like! :D
DeleteI had fun with it and as long as you like retellings, you'll enjoy some aspect of this one. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's kind of neat about the focus being on her strengths and discovering herself a bit. I do love my Beauty and the Beast retellings so I'll have to give it a go. Thanks, Melissa!
ReplyDeleteOh I hope you enjoy as much as I did! :)
DeleteI've seen this one around a lot. I do like retellings so I have this one in my maybe pile. It looks so good!
ReplyDeleteRebecca @ The Portsmouth Review
Oh I'm a sucker for a B&B retelling. :D
DeleteHmm, glad this had a strong heroine! I've seen some mixed reviews but it does look pretty good. Glad this one worked. :)
ReplyDeleteI think some were disappointed with the romance, which does take a back seat to the tale.
DeleteI am a fan of Beauty and the Beast retellings, too. But I haven't found one that's live up to my expectations. Rosemund Hodge's didn't do well with me, but I'm willing to give this one a try. Though, now that you mentioned the very little romance this book has, I'm a little wary.
ReplyDeleteYes, the romance doesn't play a main role, but it is in there. I tend to be a bit more lenient with my B&B retellings which is why I almost want to recuse myself in the reviews. :)
DeleteI've been curious about this one. I love Beauty and the Beast retellings!
ReplyDeleteYou will probably find something to like here if you also love the retellings! :)
DeleteI normally don't like fairytale retellings but I do love Beauty and the Beast. Glad this was a good one for you, but I probably would be wanting more romance. Or maybe not. I want to see the new movie that's coming out soon!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if this would be for you since the romance takes a back seat. I also want to see the live action B&B! :D
DeleteIs it weird that I think it's really interesting that the romance isn't the main focus or theme here? I have this ARC, too, but I've been holding off, as Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairy tales...Now, I feel like I'd be happy with it, so thanks for the great review, Melissa!
ReplyDeleteLexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
Not weird at all. I tend to like UF which also tends to make the romance more background. :) I hope you enjoy as much as I did!
DeleteI believe that the original B&B was more about sacrifice and desires. only Disney made it into a romantic notion
ReplyDeleteTrue, but I did like the romantic angle even if I don't mind it playing in the background. :)
DeleteI had seen al to of mixed reviews on this and I think it came down o the lack of romance. Gad you enjoyed it though!! Great review!
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think that was the key to a lot of people's view of the book. :)
Deletethis makes me so happy to hear that the romance wasn't the main focus point of the book :D I love retellings, so excited.
ReplyDeleteI also love retellings and I do hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
DeleteGreat review! This is on my TBR and I'm excited to read it so I'm happy to hear you enjoyed it. The lack of romance is actually rather intriguing :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you have as much fun as I did! Curious to know what you think!
DeleteWell now you have me curious and I too love all things Beauty and the Beast. I do not need a romance, and appreciate the direction this took.
ReplyDeleteIt is there, but plays a small role until the end. :) I'd love to know what you think about this one!
DeleteThanks for the heads up about the romance situation. I'm really looking forward to reading this one since I won't be seeing the new live action Disney movie for a while.
ReplyDeleteIt is different from Disney, but you could see elements in it. :) I hope you enjoy both! :)
DeleteI am seeing a lot of good and bad reviews on this one. happy you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on what you want to take away from it. :)
DeleteOh yes. I'm a sucker for Beauty and the Beast retellings, too. Love the cover on this one :) Glad to see you enjoyed this!
ReplyDeleteI did! But be warned that the romance isn't what most want.
DeleteSo glad that you enjoyed this! I've always loved beauty and the beast so I can't wait to read this! It sounds like I'm going to really enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteI hope you do!
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