The Beasts of Paris

This is a terrific read. As the characters were introduced the direction of the story was a little tentative at first but I was drawn in slowly but surely.It was so interesting though, the setting, the history and as the characters developed and grew I began to really care what happened to them. I loved the way that their lives began to connect despite the diversity of background and the circumstances that had brought them to Paris. The developing love between Ellis and Lawrence was very moving as was the fate of the zoo animals becoming so relevant in the human strife. The rise in tension made it difficult to put the book down and I grew anxious for the fate of the characters, all of whom played their part in the ensuing fight and the way the author moved location to tell their differing stories shows what a great storyteller she is.
The pictures of Paris were very sobering as the events were described and the newspaper reports illustrated harsh reality with a bald simplicity.
A wonderful story that was both engrossing and a joy to read. I was sorry to finish .

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

This book was quite unexpected pick for me, but I have to say I feel something warm inside that I had indeed read it. It was a wild ride of love, danger, power and want: and lets just say the beasts in Paris are not the animals.

It was based around one of the many riots and revolutions in Paris in the 1800's. There are many characters the story revolves around, and while I formed some misconceptions at the start, I am glad that the story took us in a much different direction.

It is beautifully written, focussing on people's desires, no matter which way they are driven. I loved this book, and I think it is one that will stay with me for a long time.