BOOK REVIEW: The Beast’s Heart by Leife Shallcross @leioss @berkleyromance @berkleypub #bookbestiesbeastsheart #thebeastsheart
Whimsical and enchanting!
Leife Shallcross’s latest reimagining of the classic storyof Beauty and the Beast is more similar to Beaumont’s 18th century abridgedLa Belle et la Bête than it is the Disneyclassic—which is a total compliment! No offense to Disney, but the classicversion of this story really has much more depth and darkness.
(Sidebar: Did you ever watch the HBO series Sex and the City? The final season has this pretty great song La Belle et le Bad Boy that I think of every time I read this title! It’s pretty amazing as far as French rap songs go. Linking it here for your pleasure!)
About the Book
A luxuriously magical retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in seventeenth-century France–and told from the point of view of the Beast himself.
I am neither monster nor man—yet I am both.
I am the Beast.
He is a broken, wild thing, his heart’s nature exposed byhis beastly form. Long ago cursed with a wretched existence, the Beast prowlsthe dusty hallways of his ruined château with only magical, unseen servants tokeep him company—until a weary traveler disturbs his isolation.
Bewitched by the man’s dreams of his beautiful daughter, the Beast devises a plan to lure her to the château. There, Isabeau courageously exchanges her father’s life for her own and agrees to remain with the Beast for a year. But even as their time together weaves its own spell, the Beast finds winning Isabeau’s love is only the first impossible step in breaking free from the curse …
Reflection
In The Beast’s Heart,the story is retold from the perspective of The Beast. After spending over 100years trapped in an enchanted and dark forest, with no company but the unseenmagic of his stately home, The Beast longs to meet another soul. But he isconfused, he has very little memory of who (if anyone) he was before and whathis curse entails. All he knows is that he is doomed to this body, unable toconnect with others due to his appearance.
When he lures Isabeau to this chateau, he never dreamed offalling in love with her. But soon the magic of Isabeau’s kindess and lightseems to outshine even the most fantastic magic in his home. The Beast wantsIsabeau to himself, but he also desperately wants her to be happy. In a heart-warmingtale of healing, heart, and finding happiness, The Beast’s Heart shows a new and fresh perspective on a classictale.
I’m so happy that Leife Shallcross drew so many elementsfrom Beaumont’s version of the story. I’ve always found the complexity of Isabeau(Belle, for you Disney fans) to be related to her family, rather than just herfather. Though they don’t reference the brother’s in this version, she doeshave sisters and they play such an important role in the story.
I loved Claude and Marie. Rather than being one-dimensionalor paling in comparison to the perfect leading lady, Claude and Marie are sofilled with love and have such unique characterization. I would love to read aspinoff about Claude and Marie, and I’m delighted by how much we got to see ofthem!
There is a total YA vibe to this book that really worked. Iread the Beaumont version in high school myself, so this seems like the perfectgenre to place the story in. It crosses the threshold of “ageless”, where I cansee a parent reading this to a child, a young adult finding their own readinginterests, or an adult who loves whimsy enjoying this.
Fantastic work from Leife Shallcross, who is certainly a much-welcomedvoice in fiction!
With many thanks to our partners at Berkley Publishing, I had the pleasure to read this book with two of my book besties, Jennifer at Tarheel Reader and Berit at Audio Killed the Bookmark. Make sure to visit their blogs, which I’ve linked here!
20 Comments
sunflowerbooklvr
Excellent review Kenzie! So glad that you loved this one <3.
Mackenzie
Thanks, Kendie!!! 💕💕
Darinda @ Nightcap Books
Sounds like a great retelling. Wonderful review, Mackenzie!
Mackenzie
Thank you, Darinda!!!
Stephanie
This sounds amazing, Mackenzie, and I love fairy tale retellings! I love how you compared it to Beaumont’s La Belle et la Bête, which I love. I’ll definitely be adding this one. That cover alone is enough to buy the books–gorgeous! Wonderful review! Happy weekend!
Mackenzie
Yes, I liked that it was more similar to that version, because I think it’s interesting to work with the story of her family!!! 💕
Stephanie
It really is! I love reading books that incorporate a lot of dynamics (as long as they don’t go crazy!). <3
Yesha - Books Teacup and Reviews
Sounds little similar to original version but yet different. Great review!
jennifertarheelreader
I would love a spinoff too! Fantastic review, Mack! Loved reading this special fairy tale with you!
Mackenzie
Me too, Jenni!!!
Berit@Audio Killed the Bookmark
Lovely review! I think I’m going to try to watch the movie not the animated one this weekend! I am maturing!🌹
Mackenzie
Yes!!! You’ll love it 💕
Jee Wan
You had me at the first paragraph! I love lovr love retellings! I’d love to read this! Lovely review, Mack!
Mackenzie
It’s really good, Jee! I hope you enjoy it!
RoseMarie
Excellent review Mack. I love the story of beauty and the beast, this retelling sounds really fantastic😊
Shalini
I want this book… You besties are killing my TBR mountain. It is toppling over. Fab review 😍
Mackenzie
Thanks, Shalini!!! All good ones, I swear!!! 😂
carhicks
Wonderful review Mackenzie. I enjoy retellings and this one seems like it is more like the original than the Disney version.
Mackenzie
Thanks, Carla!!! It’s definitely more original than Disney, and it has some interesting context with her family and their stories 💕
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