Main Characters: Kyle Kingson, Lindy
Series: None
A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright — a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster. You think I’m talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City.
The time is now. It’s no deformity, no disease. And I’ll stay this way forever — ruined — unless I can break the spell.Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I’ll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.
I started this book and then had to stop reading it because my niece wanted to read it. I had other books up for review that I had to read so I let her read it first. When I finally came back to reading it, enough time had passed that I had to start all over from the beginning and holy goodness am I glad that I came back to this book.
This book has got me so excited for the movie that will be released next year starring Vanessa Anne Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer, oh and Mary-Kate Olsen. I’m going to be honest and say that I heard about the book because I saw the trailer for the movie. I was super excited for the movie and can happily report that I’m super excited for the movie now, because I’m excited to see how different the movie will be from the book.
This book is a modern re-telling of Beauty and the Beast. We’ve got our beast, Kyle Kingsbury and our beauty, Lindy. When we first meet Kyle, he’s the hottest teenager around and he knows it. He’s popular, he’s good looking and he’s an asshole. He thinks that just because he’s one good looking little you know what that he could get away with anything. He doesn’t have to mind his manners, he doesn’t have to be a decent human being because pretty people can do whatever the heck they want. Well, they can until they piss off a witch.
Kyle pisses off Kendra the witch and she puts him under a spell that he has two years to break. She turns him into a beast that is as ugly on the outside as he is on the inside. He has two years to change his ways and find someone to love him before she turns him back to his once beautiful self. If he fails then he’ll live the rest of his life as the beast and that’s the last thing Kyle wants.
Kyle’s father is all about the looks and when he finds his son is turned into a hairy beast, he ditches him and leaves Kyle to deal with everything on his own. There was only two people in the whole world that stuck by Kyle right from the beginning and I adored both Magda and Will. Will was the bomb and so was Magda.
The emotional journey that Kyle goes through in this story is at times touching and at times maddening. He had a short temper and he was always lashing out but once he started getting the lesson and applying himself to actually changing, he turned into such a beautiful character who captured your heart and didn’t let go. Finn did a phenomenal job of sucking you into the story between Kyle/Adrian and Lindy.
As much as you felt for Kyle, you felt just as much for Lindy. Lindy was a fantastic character and her reaction to everything that happened to her was totally believable and knowing her made me want to be her friend. She was perfect for Kyle and once she comes into the picture, you won’t be able to help cheering these two on. Finn weaved a tale that is captivating, enchanting and leaves you wanting more. I enjoyed the chat sessions between Silent, Grizzly and the other characters from the other fairy tales. From my understanding, more of these re-tellings are in the works? Cloaked sounds like it would be the frog’s story and I can’t wait to read it.
If you’re a fan of fairy tales than I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading this book. It was beautifully written and you’ll find a cast of characters that you won’t want to leave. It’s a great book and I highly recommend everyone read it.
Such a great book, you are right. I loved it, and really can’t wait for the movie!
I’ve been wanting to read this since it came out, but just never got around to it. Seeing the preview for the movie renewed my interest in picking it up. Glad you liked it!
I totally agree. Lindy really made this book for me. I did not see her coming the way she was. And I love how much they save each other.
I’m doing a guest review on this 🙂 I really loved it…but they are changing a lot in the movie…its almost a completly different story so i’m kind of sceptical…
No shame in reading a book b/c of the movie. Rob Pattinson’s casting is what got me to read Water For Elephants (highly recommended). I just gave you an award on my blog. http://alisoncanread.blogspot.com/2010/07/prolific-blogger-award.html
now I really want to read this book. Great review.
Amy,
I’m so anxious for the movie to come out and I adore the people that they cast as Kyle and Lindy. I cannot wait for 2011 already! Welcome!
Mollie,
I’ll read Graceling if you read this one. You won’t be sorry!
Angie,
You know, I agree with you. I loved the way that it wasn’t just Lindy who saved Kyle but Kyle saved Lindy as well from her no good father. They needed each other and the love that sparked between them in the process was just too good!
Khadija,
Oh yay, I can’t wait to read your thoughts on this book. Did you love it as much as I did?
Alison,
Welcome! Thanks so much for the award, I’m speechless and totally grateful! How wonderful!
Izzy,
You should totally read this book, I highly, highly recommend that you read this considering how much you loved Disney’s Beauty and the Beast! =)
Wena,
Can’t wait to read this book and the others you gave me. Looks like I have a lot of reading to do.
Your review was great and even though I wont read it now, I’m anxious!
Thanks.
I really enjoyed Beastly, but I’m more than a little unsure about Vanessa Hudgens as Lindy. I’ll probably still check out the movie, but probably more because Neil Patrick Harris is in it!
Nice review! I really loved the character arch for Kyle in this book.
Haven,
You must read this book now. Brenna’s reading it but after she’s done, I’ll swap it with you, what do you say?
Litsnit.com,
Welcome to my blog and thanks! I think Vanessa is cute and so I’m okay with the casting…the casting for Kyle is fantabulous though. Can’t wait to see Will come to life through NPH. Oh man, I can’t wait!
I really enjoyed this book too, although I am not a fan of movie adaptations (at all). Hate them…
Anyway, great review! I really liked reading this one, and watching as our ‘beast’ realizes there are more important things in life.
@Ashley: I can’t say that I blame you for your thoughts on movie adaptations. It’s so rare that a movie gets it right but still, I’m excited for this movie.
Welcome to my blog, hope you stick around and discuss the other books you’ve enjoyed.