Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Beast's Heart by Leife Shallcross Published by Berkley on February 12, 2019
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 416
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Barnes & Noble
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.
The Beast’s Heart is a Beauty and the Beast retelling from the Beast’s point of view. I am uncertain if I have read one with only the Beast perspective. I know I have had the female one and a dual. It’s a great story in modern or historical setting; it’s magic. The setting here is historical and definitely magic is involved.
I loved the magical touches of the mirror and the letters which give a view as to what is going on with her family. These details provided added layers to the story which are much needed. In fact, they are more varied than the routine schedule Isabeau and Beast follow. But they didn’t tell each other about these things for a long time, which is a bit odd.
I found it really difficult to not know what was going on with Isabeau. She liked the Beast, enjoyed the life he provided and his company. Their routine with little change except seasons and unknown emotional upsets provided little story. Beast had seemingly limited information and strategy on how to improve things or further his cause.
The emotions from Beast, Isabeau and her father did not seem quite authentic at times. I didn’t like her father. He’s had some real tough setbacks but he left too much work to his daughters. They all used Isabeau before she went to live with Beast. Isabeau is a fan of musical instruments and having Beast read to her, rather than being much of a reader herself.
I cared about these characters and wanted to see them thrive. There was more than one happy ending here.
Giveaway:
A print ARC copy of The Beast’s Heart (with the gorgeous cover) US only
About Leife Shallcross
Leife Shallcross’s first novel, The Beast’s Heart, a “luxuriously magical retelling of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale”, will be published by Hodder & Stoughton in May 2018. She is also the author of several short stories, including Pretty Jennie Greenteeth, which won the 2016 Aurealis Award for Best Young Adult Short Story. Leife has a bit of a thing for fairy tales, and is particularly inspired by those characters that tend to fall into the cracks of the usual stories.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2019 Releases
- COYER WINTER
Yeah, same here. I’ve not read a retelling entirely from Beast’s point of view, either. At this point, it probably wouldn’t feel I was missing Belle since I’ve read so many retellings, but I’m curious about it.
It was an interesting take but not highly romantic. There was much more in the personal growth here – which personal growth is a good thing.
huh….I’ve read a few books that have 2 PoVs that are Beauty and the Beast retellings. It would be interesting to see it just from his side.
It was interesting but also a bit frustrating to not understand Isabeau’s reactions / actions for most of the time.
I absolutely adore anything and everything BatB-related, so I’ve read many, many retellings. I think my favorite is Cruel Beauty, but I’m reading A Curse So Dark and Lonely right now and it’s wonderful. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
I don’t think I have read as many BatB retellings as you. I have enjoyed the ones I have. You’re welcome. I decided to giveaway some of my paper ARCs after reading as I am mostly digital. In this case, I also have the digital ARC so it is unused.
I really like the cover and getting the beast’s POV. I haven’t read that before. She sounds like she’ll be an author to watch. Good review!
Thank you! I love the cover too. I enjoyed the magic and the uniqueness of the story.
I was so curious because of the themeand the cover but well maybe one day
It is a different version with some different characters, for example, Isabeau has 2 sisters. I really enjoyed their story as well.
Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome. Thanks for visiting.
I haven’t read too much in the way of Beauty and the Beast retellings, aside from Hunted by Meagan Spooner and A Court of Thorns and Roses by SJM. At least I think those are the only two, I’m not sure. At any rate, the cover for this one is so lovely! Thanks so much for the chance 🙂
Of course, I’m happy to have someone else have the chance to read it too. There are a few other retellings I’d like to read yet. This one was rather unique having some different characters than the ones I have read previously. I really enjoyed Isabeau’s sisters.
Lovely review, Anne! I have this one coming up this weekend. It is interesting to hear the Beast’s side of the story.
Yes and this beast seemed particularly lost at times, not angry as much as I would expect.
That’s one of my favorite tropes, so I’ve read a lot of them.
Do you have any favorites? Or have you read any others from the beast POV?
I haven’t read too many retellings but I really do like Beauty and the Beast. I love the fact that this one is told from the Beast’s point of view.
Yes I thought that was a unique and fun take on things.
I don’t think I’ve come across a B&B retelling from the Beast’s point of view either so this book definitely has me curious in that sense. I think having the Belle character not be much of a reader herself would bother me a bit, just because that’s one of those things I always loved most about Belle and that made her such an easy character to relate to. Still sounds like a pretty solid read though. Great review!
Yes exactly so. I found the Beast’s pov to be something I wanted to read as it is different. Also Isabeau (Belle) not being a reader was odd.