I have a soft spot for fairytale retellings, but especially Beauty and the Beast retellings. This version turns many of the typical plot points on their heads in the best way.

This book is set in France during the time of Voltaire and features a band of wayward backstabbing thieves on the run from the law. It's got so much of what I loved about Tangled but also has the gender swapped Beauty and the Beast. This book is just a fun ride beginning to end and has beautiful writing. The midpoint turn was fantastic.

The main characters are so good for each other!! They heal and learn and grow together. Both guarded their hearts and both learned to let each other in and work through and overcome their guilt and despair. Just an absolutely beautiful love story. Everything you'd want with this style retelling and so much more.

The premise for the curse is different than other iterations I've read. There's something about it that I don't quite like (hence the four stars), but her whole personality and self doubts are all very relatable.

TROPES/THEMES:
Gender swapped Beauty and the Beast
Cursed x Handsome Thief (a la Tangled)
Shrek style consuming of raw onions
Magical mirrors showing glimpses of past
Insta attraction, beautiful love story
THE invitation to dinner, complete with the fancy clothes and the dancing, *chef's kiss*
Beast only calms down for him
Fairytale commentaries nestled into story
Unique chapter style that grows on you
THE wolf attack, as every good Beauty and the Beast retelling must include
Overcoming negative self talk and doubts
They heal and grow together.

Content: unfaithful wealthy mistress, n*ked scene (makes plot sense, the act does not happen), accidental cleavage groping, kissing, shaming women for having ideas and wanting to do more with their lives, accidental m*rder

Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review is voluntarily written and the thoughts and opinions contained in this review are my own.

Beastly Beauty by Jennifer Donnelly

4.9⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Dark Fairy Tale Retelling/Fantasy
Format: ebook ARC (thanks NetGalley)

Loved:
*Awesome characters
*Gender swap fairy tale retelling
*Court of ladies
*Few curse words
*Children

Loved Less:
* The only thing I can complain about is the formatting for the ebook was off making it difficult to read at times

Description:
That's the problem Arabella faces when she makes her debut in society. Her parents want her to be sweet and compliant so she can marry well, but try as she might, Arabella can't extinguish the fire burning inside her -- the source of her deepest wishes, her wildest dreams.
When an attempt to suppress her emotions tragically backfires, a mysterious figure punishes Arabella with a curse, dooming her and everyone she cares about, trapping them in the castle.
As the years pass, Arabella abandons hope. The curse is her fault -- after all, there's nothing more "beastly" than a girl who expresses her anger -- and the only way to break it is to find a boy who loves her for her - a cruel task for a girl who's been told she's impossible to love.
When a handsome thief named Beau makes his way into the castle, the captive servants are thrilled, convinced he is the one to break the curse. But Beau - spooked by the castle's strange and forbidding ladies-in-waiting and by the malevolent presence that stalks its corridors at night - only wants to escape. He learned long ago that love is only an illusion.
If Beau and Arabella have any hope of breaking the curse, they must learn to trust their wounded hearts and realize that the cruelest prisons of all are the ones we build for ourselves.

My opinion:
Medium to fast-paced storyline with characters who are so well-written and well-developed. I really loved the idea of a gender swap Beauty and the Beast fairy tale retelling. This is one of my favorite B & B retellings. Each of Arabella's court of ladies are fabulously written with so much depth to them...includingtheir names! Arabella is not your typical young lady in this era, making her character very intriguing. Her relationship with Beau is so interesting to see from the start, with their "banter" being so titillating. The children in this novel are also wonderfully composed. This is definitely a dark retelling, but not too dark, in my opinion. I highly recommend this be added to your list of novels to be read.

A gender reverse beauty & the beast?? YES PLEASE!

If there is one story I love more than the rest it’s definitely beauty and the beast. With that being said I’m constantly on the watch for retellings.

Beastly beauty is a great dark retelling of beauty and the beast mixed with some Allison wonderland vibes.

This is a fast moving, always something happening type of read. This book is perfect for fans of A Curse so dark and lonely and The Caravel series.

Any mention of Beauty and the Beast inspired pieces will have me excited to dive in and read. Having a gender bent Beauty and the Beast was next level. What was going on in the court was not immediately obvious, and it was a good twist without being too cheesy. The story was propelled along on an appropriate timeline, leaving me hooked and wanting to continue reading to find out the ending.

Arabella is supposed to be seen not heard. A beautiful thing to look at with no emotions. She tries to be the good girl that her parents and society expect, but her emotions burn too hot. Arabella unleashes her anger and is punished harshly for it. Beau is a handsome thief that gets trapped inside a castle that time forgot. He becomes captivated by it's beautiful owner, but he knows that beauty hides treachery and cruelty. Arabella knows time is running out to break her curse, but she doesn't see how anyone can love a beastly beauty.

Thank you to netgalley and scholastic for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I thought this was a great Beauty and the Beast retelling. I enjoyed all of the characters and world building. I love the final twist to the curse. This is a retelling done right.

I screamed when I received an ARC of Beastly Beauty from NetGalley! Jennifer Donnelly's feminist fairytale retellings have added years to my life and I thank her every day for it. I have been looking forward to this ever since I finished Poisoned, her Snow White retelling. And this did not disappoint. This book was full of such intriguing and thought-provoking twists. I didn't any of them coming! It was such a unique take I have never seen in another book. The story was engaging and thrilling and enchanting! However, despite the great storytelling, where Jennifer's tales shine is the heart she puts into her stories. Her takeaways for life always hit you right in the feels and are deeply poetic and moving. I had a few tears spring to my eyes in the end because of how beautiful the twist and message was. I knew I would love this book, and I'm so glad it exceeded all expectations. Cannot wait for her to write more retellings, because they are healing my soul. Bless her beautiful storytelling skills. This was a masterpiece.

I absolutely adore dark fantasy versions of fairy tale retellings! A midnight tale, indeed! Previously overlooked characters from our favorite classic novels are thrown under a new vantage point and I am loving it.

Beauty and the Beast meets a gender-swapped twist with elements of lycanthropy and there we meet the main character Arabella.

Quirky, cute, and charming are all attributes I would give to our relatable MC. This endearing character has an obsession and fiery passion for architecture.

I loved the atmospheric setting. The giant and refined and elegant castle, a women-led council, mysterious kidnappings, and terrifying monsters.

Thief Beauregard Armando Fernandez de Navare, quite a mouthful, swoops in and makes a pact with Arabella out of love for his brother.

There are Gothic romance elements to this story, combined with magical realism, is made even more unique and rounded out with werewolf aspects.

A love begins to simmer and boil, ending in a raging flame of chemistry. Definitely recommend to any reader who love fairy tale retellings. Thank you to NetGalley, who allowed me to read Rhys intriguing tale 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars!

It appears I will read any Beauty and the Beast retelling put in front of me...

...even if the very YA brand of insta-love romance in this one did make me roll my eyes a few times.

Overall, it was still an enjoyable read! I loved the symbolism most, and the plot twist at the end which makes the moral of the story decidedly more satisfying than I thought it would be. The main characters are okay, but I loved the side characters best. In particular, Camille.

The pacing felt off at times, I wasn't fond of the modern dialog, and I'm not sure I enjoyed the occasional head-hopping. But, the plot was interesting enough to keep me reading and the side characters loveable enough to make me desperate to know how their story ends.

So I suppose I would recommend this to anyone who loves retellings, but who must also necessarily really enjoy YA because this one does feel a bit on the younger side.

This was a fun twist on beauty and the beast! I loved how the characters still seemed like their Disney counterparts but also being brand new. I wish this was a series.

4/5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. Beauty and the Beast was one of my favorite movies growing up and I was so excited to see a book spin off of the original tale. I love that she was the “beast” in this story but not because of doing something terribly bad but for going against societal norms of the time and wanting to be something more. I did not expect this book to be SO funny at times it truly was entertaining and so interesting. I like that the story wasn’t all smut and only romance it had depth and meaning that went beyond the romance aspect.

ARC by NetGalley and the publisher.

Arabella is anything but the silent beautiful flower of a young lady that her parents want her to be. She has ambition and a fire within her that she can’t seem to tame, but should she really have to. When an attempt to surprise her emotions backfires Arabella finds herself cursed. But when a handsome thief enters her cursed home she is given a glimpse of acceptance and love. How could anyone love such a beast though. With time running out can the curse truly be lifted before it’s too late.

Beastly Beauty is a YA Beauty and the Beast retelling with the beast being Arabella and our beauty is the charismatic thief Beau. This was a cute fairytale retelling that had some great themes for younger readers such as embracing who you are rather than allowing yourself to shrink to others wills of who you “should” be. Our main characters are very much opposites as they come from differing social circles. Where Arabella was a part of glittering upper society, while Beau has had to fight for everything he has ever had. In most cases for the time period in which the story is set they would never co-mingle with and yet here they were helping one another to grow. Their attachment to one another did feel rather insta-love, however how could it not when the curse looms very closely to claiming them as permanent victims so I found this to be expected. The pacing does feel slightly off as the beginning is a bit on the slower side but once you hit half way it does pick up more with twists and reveals. Again I have to note that at the heart of this retelling is an exploration of human emotions and acceptance and in this aspect the book most definitely shines.

Overall this was a fast cute and fun retelling. I without a doubt recommend it to YA readers and anyone who has a nostalgic love of the source material Beauty and the Beast.

Beastly Beauty comes out May 7th, 2024

Thank you again NetGalley and Scholastic Press for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I’m a sucker for retelling of classic Fairytales especially, Beauty and the Beast. While the story’s plot is sometimes slow-paced, the exceptional character development more than makes up for the pace as I was extremely invested in the characters and their growth. Arabella's transformation from rebellious youth to resigned acceptance is heartbreakingly portrayed, while Beau's evolution from a witty thief to a compassionate ally is equally compelling.

This book was a breath of fresh air for me this month. A gender-swapped dark and twisty version of Beauty & the Beast.
She's the beast... He's the beauty.
This story had such a unique style and I loved all the characters involved. It gave the classic tale justice but was its own unique story, you couldn't help be sucked in to.
Highly recommend!
Thank you NetGalley & Scholastic for this ebook advanced reader copy!

3/5⭐️
Fantasy, Disney fairytale retelling, fiction
Beastly beauty the modern day retelling of beauty and the beast with a twist. The girl is the beast ! This book was enjoyable and I liked the twists in it but it took awhile to get into and get going. The real meat of the story didn’t really feel interesting into about halfway through. I love retellings of classic stories and I even love when the twists or characters get switched so that part I really liked . The entire book felt more modern and humanized than the original fairytale so it didn’t feel childish or animated which I think made it feel more natural. My favorite parts where the part where she invited him to dinner and the part where he learned the truth .would I read it again? Probably in the future. Would I recommend it? Yes .In my opinion it wasn’t the best retelling I’ve ever heard or read but I enjoyed it and I think it’s worth the read. Thank you to the author and netfalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review .

In this gender-swapped retelling of Beauty and the Beast, we meet Beau and Arabella. In both their cases, first impressions aren't really that revealing. The further along we find ourselves in the story, the more we start to see their true character.
I really loved the secondary characters in the story. We have a set of ruthless thieves, a collection of unique women, and (my favorite) the group of peasants who keep the castle running. The differences in each group really pulls you into being able to imagine what these people are really like.
The description of the locations is sometimes hit or miss, but you still get a good idea of where you are and what is going on.
There are a few twists that you see coming and a few that will hit you out of nowhere.
Overall, it was a pretty good book.

This retelling masterpiece flawlessly reimagines a familiar fairy tale, injecting it with inventive twists, an upgraded cast of characters, and a refreshing gender swap. The narrative centers on Beauty as the Beast, offering a refreshing departure from the traditional storyline.

A major strength lies in the vibrant characterization; the beast possesses a personality both equal to and independent of Arabella. The castle itself becomes a character, with entities like The Clockmaker (Death) transforming into personified emotions. The story, while simple, unfolds with complexity, and poignant moments where the narrator dissects fairy tales and real-life resonate powerfully.

As a fan of Beauty and the Beast retellings, the reversal of roles and the raw storytelling had me eagerly diving into this book. The concept of taming the beast by setting her free adds a unique layer to the narrative.

Jennifer Donnelly once again proves her skill in taking beloved stories and leaving a lasting impression. The gender-swapped dynamic introduces Beau and Arabella, trapped in a cursed castle. Beau, the witty thief, is determined to uncover the truth behind Arabella's origins and find a way to leave the castle alive.

The chemistry between the lead characters, Beau and Arabella, adds depth to the story. Beau's wit complements Arabella's intelligence, and their journey to break the curse becomes emotionally resonant. Despite occasional sluggish moments, the narrative swiftly returns to its central theme: embracing emotions and fighting for the life one desires.

Arabella's struggle in a restrictive time period is poignant, highlighting the challenges women faced. Beau becomes the catalyst for her self-discovery and finding her voice. Overall, a compelling 4-star read, Jennifer Donnelly's ability to leave a lasting impression shines through. Recommended for fairy tale retelling enthusiasts seeking narratives with deep, resonating lessons.

A sincere thank you to NetGalley for providing the opportunity to read this ARC. This review reflects my honest sentiments towards the book.

Overall: 4.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Plotline: 4/5
World-Building: 4/5

Romance: 4/5
Spice Factor: .5
Themes: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment Factor: 4.5/5
Review: Beastly Beauty surprised me; I have always loved Jennifer Donnelly's writing, so a gender-bent Beauty and the Beast sounded exciting and sweet. While this book provides some fun, lovely scenes, this was more poignant and an inner look at yourself and your emotions. I loved how the Beast, who was the woman in this, did not take away the fierceness and violence we are accustomed to. I will say the story was a bit slow and had more of a mystery element. Once you started putting pieces together, everything about this world unfolded in such a unique way.

3.5 stars, rounded down.
This was a unique and lovely re-capturing of the classic fairytale 'Beauty and the Beast',
It has a very YA feel, so don't expect extremely detailed depictions or explanations and plot twists. In fact, I was confused with how the villains of the story appeared for most of the book, even when explained. I was also thrown off with how easily and instantly Arabella and Beau fell in love- it felt very fairytale-like in that sense, especially for two people who were supposed to be closed off.
I loved the idea of emotions coming to life after being suppressed for so long. and the lessons of self acceptance, embracing your emotions, and following your dreams.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for providing me with an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

On some days it is hard to silence the negative thoughts in your head: you’re not good enough, pretty enough, smart enough. Maybe they are the voices from society: act like a girl, you’re not a real man, everyone is doing more and better than you. Those voices can drag us down, make us loose faith, hope and the love we should have for ourselves. In this gorgeous reimagining of Beauty and the Beast (don’t worry she still has her books) Arabella and her castle have been urged for 100 years and she needs true love to end the curse. That part we all know-except the beast is a bit different- and Arabella has been fighting who she is for years. Enter Beau, a thief by trade, who has a heart buried under years of trauma. Can these two live each other and end the curse? I LOVED LOVED LOVED this books which is so much more than a “fairy tale” it weaves in issues of elitism, wealth, gender roles and expectations and a few evil “fairies” along the way! This one is a must read!!

This is definitely not your typical fairy tale based novel, as it has many more components and the pace of the story is somewhat slow in the first half of the book. There are many characters inside the castle and each one has their own story. It is interesting that the author has given Beau and Arabella a past and we get to understand a little more about their actions. It is a novel full of mystery and not as much romance as I expected. Lots of symbolism and messages for the reader. I would definitely not place it for children but for high schoolers.

Thank you NetGalley and Scholastic Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.