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.

A little slow to start, but it picked up the pace about a third of the way in. I enjoyed this gender-swapped spin on Beauty and the Beast with it's mix of fairy tale elements and modern language. It was a bit heavy-handed with the symbolism, but overall the story was enjoyable.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

This book was SO HARD TO FOLLOW! I had no idea who the characters were/where this story was going for the first 75% of the book. I expected more of a romance between two characters based on the description but the FMC and MMC had hardly any interaction and the ending was very rushed.

A Beauty and the Beast fairytale retelling with a twist! Now, I’m a sucker for Beauty and the Beast retellings and I will always pick up one I come across, but I’ve never read anything quite like this before.

Beastly Beauty tells the tale as old as time but from swapped viewpoints. In this story the female is the Beast, and the male is the Beauty. I thought it was brilliant of Jennifer Donnelly to write the story swapping the gender roles. It’s what most intrigued me about the book and it’s something I’ve never seen done before.

I loved the concept of this book. I appreciated how this book gave you a backstory from each of the characters own perspectives. You see the diversity Arabella is faced with being a woman in her time period. You see the challenges Beau must cope with being a poor member of society. Throughout the book you see more and more of their past and the choices that led them to get to where they have gotten. It really humanized them to me and made me understand them better. I also really enjoyed how the story dived deep into the exploration of human emotion and the effect that can have on us and those around us. I found the books exploration of the good, the bad, and the ugliest parts of us fascinating. It brought to light how the dark things we tell ourselves in the corners of our minds and how the way we see ourselves can so strongly influence how our own stories are told.

While I did feel the book was a bit slow paced in the beginning, it picked up pace about halfway through the book. The ending was very satisfying and well done. The message it was trying to send was beautiful. This truly is a unique spin to the classic fairytale while still managing to stay true to the original story we all know and love.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who also loves fairytale retellings and empowering feelings.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Scholastic Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Jennifer Donnelly once again proves her prowess in redefining classic fairy tales with a dark twist in "Beastly Beauty," a mesmerizing retelling of Beauty and the Beast that delves into themes of identity, acceptance, and the power of love. If you love Disney retellings, especially ones where roles are swapped, you will definitely enjoy this book. I absolutely loved the perspective of a “Beast” that is a woman in this book. The gender-reversed retelling of Beauty and the Beast is a refreshing take on a beloved classic, with Arabella embodying the beastly traits typically associated with the male protagonist. Through her journey of self-discovery, you are reminded of the importance of embracing one's true self, flaws and all, which is a message that is extremely important for teen readers. Donnelly’s writing managed to bring a whole new life to “Beauty and the Beast” in a way I have never seen before in a YA book.

Arabella is a delightful mix of intelligence, refinement, and emotional depth. Trapped in a castle with a mysterious curse, she grapples with her inner turmoil while facing earth-shattering tragedies and uncovering secrets hidden within the castle walls. Donnelly's rich symbolism and magical realism create a captivating narrative that kept me invested the entire time as I wanted to learn more about Arabella and her curse. The dynamic chemistry between Arabella and Beau made the book even more enjoyable. Their witty banter add layers of intrigue to the story. Donnelly expertly explores their burgeoning connection amidst danger and deception. I found the story to be absolutely enchanting while also so much fun to read.

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.

"Beastly Beauty" is not just a fairy tale retelling; it's a thought-provoking exploration of societal expectations, gender roles, and the complexity of human nature. Whether you're a fan of fairy tale retellings or simply looking for a story with depth and heart, this book is sure to enchant and inspire.

Omg I loved this book so much without giving too much away the whole gender swap was amazing a female beast so good. I loved that the love interest initially didn’t want to start just like in the Disney movie but comes around. The fractured fairytale series is amazing and I’m so honored that I got to read and review this book because beauty and the beast is still my favorite Disney movie to date and my moms

The formatting for kindle was messed up. I did not read. Leaving five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for the ARC.