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Of Beast and Beauty
by
In the beginning was the darkness, and in the darkness was a girl, and in the girl was a secret...
In the domed city of Yuan, the blind Princess Isra, a Smooth Skin, is raised to be a human sacrifice whose death will ensure her city’s vitality. In the desert outside Yuan, Gem, a mutant beast, fights to save his people, the Monstrous, from starvation. Neither dreams that tog ...more
In the domed city of Yuan, the blind Princess Isra, a Smooth Skin, is raised to be a human sacrifice whose death will ensure her city’s vitality. In the desert outside Yuan, Gem, a mutant beast, fights to save his people, the Monstrous, from starvation. Neither dreams that tog ...more
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Hardcover, 391 pages
Published
July 23rd 2013
by Delacorte Press
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Chloe
The ending is happy, but the book is defiantly darker.
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4.5 stars
Growing up, Beauty and the Beast was my favorite Disney movie. C’mon, a chick that likes to read, a spooky castle, evil townies, a Tauren love interest, plus some homoerotic household goods? What’s not to love?
So it’s understandable that I was a little nervous that this book would take those wonderful childhood memories and shit all over them. It didn’t. It took everything that I loved about that movie and made it darker.
Stacey Jay took Belle and said “Fuck what you think you know abo ...more

May 14, 2013
Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
on-the-run,
romance,
ya,
fantasy,
high-school,
mystery,
asian-culture,
quest,
sci-fi,
magic
Actual rating: 3.5
This book is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, where Beast is the captive, and Beauty is neither a beauty nor a paragon. Isra is not Belle, she is Rapunzel, she is Sleeping Beauty. She is a princess in a tower, locked up safe, coddled, and infuriatingly protected from the real world.
I wanted desperately to love this book, but it just didn't turn out as well as I had hoped. I absolutely love alternate versions of fairy tales, and let's face it, those of us who have watched Di ...more
This book is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, where Beast is the captive, and Beauty is neither a beauty nor a paragon. Isra is not Belle, she is Rapunzel, she is Sleeping Beauty. She is a princess in a tower, locked up safe, coddled, and infuriatingly protected from the real world.
I wanted desperately to love this book, but it just didn't turn out as well as I had hoped. I absolutely love alternate versions of fairy tales, and let's face it, those of us who have watched Di ...more

This one was a very low 3 stars for me. I probably would have rated less than 3, but I didn't think it would be fair to the book, because it wasn't badly written.
But I was so BORED the entire time I was reading. I kept waiting for whatever awesomeness was supposed to happen that made (seemingly) every other reviewer fall in love with it.
It never happened for me.

I didn't hate the characters, but I never fell in love with the idea of Isra & Gem together. Part of that reason may have been because ...more
But I was so BORED the entire time I was reading. I kept waiting for whatever awesomeness was supposed to happen that made (seemingly) every other reviewer fall in love with it.
It never happened for me.

I didn't hate the characters, but I never fell in love with the idea of Isra & Gem together. Part of that reason may have been because ...more

Read for the 2015 Reading Challenges #28 A book with antonyms in the title.
4.5 This is definitely a must for any Beauty and the Beast fanlike me. We all know that story, so expect this book to be a romance, centered a lot on the character development and love aspects, not too deep into the fantasy world it creates but involved in a very fantastical atmosphere improved by the beautiful writing. It has the classical B&B elements, but overall it follows its own rules. A fresh retelling for what,
...more
4.5 This is definitely a must for any Beauty and the Beast fan

Continuing my Beauty and the Beast Month and that's right . . . that's right. Another five star Beauty and the Beast read. And this one COMPLETELY different from the last one, and yet equally compelling in its own way!
Visit my website to see all of my Beauty and the Beast reads!
Though I have to say, this wasn't as much of a Beauty and the Beast retelling as I thought it would be. That is NOT a knock on the book, so don't consider it a critique! I was simply expecting more ties to the or ...more

Visit my website to see all of my Beauty and the Beast reads!
Though I have to say, this wasn't as much of a Beauty and the Beast retelling as I thought it would be. That is NOT a knock on the book, so don't consider it a critique! I was simply expecting more ties to the or ...more

Beautiful writing and a gorgeous ending!!! Review on blog https://literarydust.wordpress.com/20...
...more

The BatB checklist:
☑ Beauty
Isra is not the conventional Beauty. For one she is blind, but her narrative didn't really feel like she is blind. I mean dude, she rappells from her tower to the garden way below. Daredevil is the only blind person I know who can do that. Second, she wasn't a beauty, at least for the entire first 70% or so. I was under the impression that she isn't conventionally beautiful bordering on hideous, what with the reaction of the people around her. Then in the last 30%, tad ...more
☑ Beauty
Isra is not the conventional Beauty. For one she is blind, but her narrative didn't really feel like she is blind. I mean dude, she rappells from her tower to the garden way below. Daredevil is the only blind person I know who can do that. Second, she wasn't a beauty, at least for the entire first 70% or so. I was under the impression that she isn't conventionally beautiful bordering on hideous, what with the reaction of the people around her. Then in the last 30%, tad ...more

Rating: 4.5 Stars
Every good fairy tale has a few critical elements. We have our heroine and our hero, their epic tale of romance, the obstacle in their way, and, most likely, there is a curse to break as well. “Beauty and the Beast” is easily the best of these fairy tale stories, far more romantic than “Snow White,” much darker than “Sleeping Beauty,” and all together more satisfying than “Cinderella”. With Of Beast and Beauty, however, Stacey Jay has managed to mix together all of the correct i ...more
Every good fairy tale has a few critical elements. We have our heroine and our hero, their epic tale of romance, the obstacle in their way, and, most likely, there is a curse to break as well. “Beauty and the Beast” is easily the best of these fairy tale stories, far more romantic than “Snow White,” much darker than “Sleeping Beauty,” and all together more satisfying than “Cinderella”. With Of Beast and Beauty, however, Stacey Jay has managed to mix together all of the correct i ...more

Jan 28, 2013
♥ Rebecca ♥
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of Under the Never Sky
Shelves:
sci-fi,
standalone,
own-physical-copy,
reviewed,
young-adult,
romance,
dystopian,
retellings
This book was absolutely nothing like I expected. Even the blurb didnt give away the fact that this was a futuristic sci-fi and not a high fantasy. And it wasnt much of a Beauty and the Beast retelling, either. There was not much left of the original tale. The only similarities I saw was that their love could break a curse, but even the details of that were very different. Besides the drastic change in story and setting, one of the more major changes is the fact that there is no clear beauty and
...more

Final rating: 4.5/5 stars
I liked this book. It was a lovely retelling, with a different perspective and nice characterization.
LIKED:
☑ Isra's and Gem's and Needle's characters and their characterization.
☑ Passage of time. Months pass in this book.
☑ I LOVED the fact that Gem hated them all in the beginning, and even later on, and didn't falter in that unti ...more
I had nothing left to give. I had lost everything but my voice.
And what good is a voice when so few will listen?
Will you listen, child?
I liked this book. It was a lovely retelling, with a different perspective and nice characterization.
LIKED:
☑ Isra's and Gem's and Needle's characters and their characterization.
☑ Passage of time. Months pass in this book.
☑ I LOVED the fact that Gem hated them all in the beginning, and even later on, and didn't falter in that unti ...more


If you are into animation movies, then I'll easily describe this as some sort of 'Shrek' meets 'Tangled' (I don't know about you, but I loved them both!). And I won't even bother with the other end of the 'if' :p
Absolutely lovely! Why didn't I know about it sooner? 4.5 stars.
FULL REVIEW:
It’s not a secret that I have a crush on historical-fantasy alike stories. Ever since the Lumatere Chronicles my heart roots for this type of stories, sometimes I find something that I like, sometimes the sea ...more

Beauty and the Beast is by far my most favorite childhood fairy tale. Who didn't love the beautiful brown eyed girl who love to read and had a heart of gold?
Being a brown eyed bookworm myself, she was the princess I related to the most. And who wouldn't want to marry a handsome prince?
Being a lover of both the Beauty and the Beast fairytale and of re-tellings, I couldn't resist Stacye Jay's spin on the classic tale. Already loving her spin on the classic Romeo and Juliet in her Juliet Immortal s ...more
Being a brown eyed bookworm myself, she was the princess I related to the most. And who wouldn't want to marry a handsome prince?
Being a lover of both the Beauty and the Beast fairytale and of re-tellings, I couldn't resist Stacye Jay's spin on the classic tale. Already loving her spin on the classic Romeo and Juliet in her Juliet Immortal s ...more

Actual rating: 4.5
This book = <3
This book = <3

THE REVIEW
Why this book?
Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairytale

What I thought
Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairytale. So I knew I had to give this one a try. This was the most unique retelling of Beauty and the Beast I've read, and I've read many. It was captivating and beautifully written. The emotions in this book were palpable and it just grabs you. Gem's and Isra's relationship was so complicated and yet so well written it leaves you wanting more. Some p ...more
Why this book?
Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairytale

What I thought
Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairytale. So I knew I had to give this one a try. This was the most unique retelling of Beauty and the Beast I've read, and I've read many. It was captivating and beautifully written. The emotions in this book were palpable and it just grabs you. Gem's and Isra's relationship was so complicated and yet so well written it leaves you wanting more. Some p ...more

Apr 16, 2017
sunny
marked it as to-read
I was going to read this but then started doing math problems instead, who am i anymore 🙃🙃🙃

"The summer star split down the middle, leaving two stars in its place.
One was white and pale as Queen Isra's skin when she was a girl, the other a luminous orange like King Gem's scales when he sat before the fire. They were celebrated and named Beauty and the Beast, but none of the King or queens people would ever say which star was which. They would only look kindly on the stranger who'd asked and say, 'Beauty is wherever you find it, and Beast is there when you need to defend it.'"
Guys thi ...more
One was white and pale as Queen Isra's skin when she was a girl, the other a luminous orange like King Gem's scales when he sat before the fire. They were celebrated and named Beauty and the Beast, but none of the King or queens people would ever say which star was which. They would only look kindly on the stranger who'd asked and say, 'Beauty is wherever you find it, and Beast is there when you need to defend it.'"
Guys thi ...more


IN the beginning was the darkness, and in the darkness was a girl, and in the girl was a secret. The secret was as old as the cracked cobblestone streets of Yuan, as peculiar as the roses that bloom eternally within the domed city’s walls, as poisonous as forgotten history and the stories told in its place.
Of Beast and Beauty isn't a book full of sunshine. It is a dark book, a scary fairytale. It has little resemblance to Beauty and the Beast, but that was ok. This book was beautiful in its ...more

From my own scientific research with extensive Excel spreadsheets (ok not really, but from my equally impressive informal observations), I have come to the conclusion that behind Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast is the most retold fairy tale. And it’s for a good reason. There is something so alluring about breaking a curse with true love.
This retelling takes some liberties from the original tale. While there is the curse, captivity, and a beauty and beast (kind of), this is set, from what I can ...more
This retelling takes some liberties from the original tale. While there is the curse, captivity, and a beauty and beast (kind of), this is set, from what I can ...more

Amazing Buddy Read with Chelsea, Jen, Laura, Kat Stark, Sarah, Jenny, Harriet, Portia, Destini Mia, Maria & Elena for ❦ Chelsea's birthday ❦.
Joyeux anniversaire en avance ma belle!!

This gonna be short, sorry. Because Ash's waiting for me. I might re-write a proper review later.
Rating clarification : 3.5/5
Joyeux anniversaire en avance ma belle!!

This gonna be short, sorry. Because Ash's waiting for me. I might re-write a proper review later.
Rating clarification : 3.5/5
The girl's misery and rage slipped away, and the secret sank like a stone,...more
deep,
deep,
deep
inside her, until the truth was as forgotten as hope and beauty and all the other things given to th

Original review found http://www.awesomebooknut.com
4.5 LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!
I love retelling of fairy tales, and this is no exception. This author was able to take the idea of a beauty and a beast and completely spin it in a way that makes it fun, unique and completely enjoyable.
The beginning of the story was a bit to get through in order to connect with the characters. Although the author did a grand job of creating her own world that is rich with imagery.
Here in this story it's Beast that i ...more
4.5 LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!
I love retelling of fairy tales, and this is no exception. This author was able to take the idea of a beauty and a beast and completely spin it in a way that makes it fun, unique and completely enjoyable.
The beginning of the story was a bit to get through in order to connect with the characters. Although the author did a grand job of creating her own world that is rich with imagery.
Here in this story it's Beast that i ...more

Buddyread this book with all of these wonderful ladies: Chelsea, Laura,Jen , Anna, Kat Stark, Sarah, Jenny, Harriet, Portia, Destini Mia and Maria :)
I truly enjoyed Of Beast and Beauty! I was sucked in right at the beginning. The world and the characters seemed strange, out of this world even. Something I had to get used to but intrigued me nonetheless!
It is kind of a reversed Beauty & the Beast retelling. Gem, who is our ''beast'', becomes Isra's prisoner. Which means: they HATE each other.
H ...more
I truly enjoyed Of Beast and Beauty! I was sucked in right at the beginning. The world and the characters seemed strange, out of this world even. Something I had to get used to but intrigued me nonetheless!
It is kind of a reversed Beauty & the Beast retelling. Gem, who is our ''beast'', becomes Isra's prisoner. Which means: they HATE each other.
H ...more

"Beauty is wherever you find it, and Beast is there when you need to defend it."
I’m such a sap for fairytale retellings and this book gave me everything I want from one. Stacey Jay managed to maintain enough of the original’s iconic moments and plotlines, while serving something fresh, inventive and beautiful. While I don’t usually like to compare, this was the exact type of story I was looking for in Rosamund Pike’s Cruel Beauty, but was unable to find.
Told in dual perspective (with a very ...more
I’m such a sap for fairytale retellings and this book gave me everything I want from one. Stacey Jay managed to maintain enough of the original’s iconic moments and plotlines, while serving something fresh, inventive and beautiful. While I don’t usually like to compare, this was the exact type of story I was looking for in Rosamund Pike’s Cruel Beauty, but was unable to find.
Told in dual perspective (with a very ...more

Jan 04, 2016
rachel ☾
rated it
it was amazing
Recommended to rachel ☾ by:
Nick's Book Club (Jan 2016 BOTM)
It seems that every time I read a book worthy of five stars I write the same sentence to start my reviews: People say that bad reviews are the hardest to write, but I find it impossible to review my favourite books and do them justice. And once again, I have to agree with myself. If the words could exist to explain to you just how much this book effected me emotionally, I would pour them onto this page without hesitation - so you could understand, so you would go out and pick up this book right
...more

Oh, how refreshing it is to read a YA fantasy novel that is not part of a series.
How invigorating it is to read of a fairytale that stays faithful to the original while deviating from the standard to create a world that is incomparable in characters and prose.
Recently, I read a novel based on Beauty and the Beast--Cruel Beauty, by Rosamond Hodge (here is ze review) and while I do admit it was quite good, albeit peculiar, it didn't wow me as much as I'd hoped it would. That cannot be said of Jay ...more
How invigorating it is to read of a fairytale that stays faithful to the original while deviating from the standard to create a world that is incomparable in characters and prose.
Recently, I read a novel based on Beauty and the Beast--Cruel Beauty, by Rosamond Hodge (here is ze review) and while I do admit it was quite good, albeit peculiar, it didn't wow me as much as I'd hoped it would. That cannot be said of Jay ...more

Beauty is wherever you find it, and Beast is there when you need to defend it.
A Blind Beauty.
A Humane Beast.
Our beast Gem isn’t cursed, selfish, or ugly.
Our beauty Isra isn’t loved, pure, or untouchable.
As a matter of fact, Isra and Gem practically have death sentences hanging over their heads.
My life grows shorter than the rose on the royal roses.
These characters’ journey is heartwarming and raw with emotions of anger, hatred, doubt, pity, fear and . . . lust. I fucking love it.

However, ...more

I have a confession to make. I adore all things Disney. If I pass a Disney Store, I must venture inside. If a new Disney movie comes out, I must go and watch it. It's a weakness, but I regret NOTHING. My absolute favorite movie from Disney, watched more than a two dozen times over more than a dozen years is Beauty and the Beast.
If you're about to run and grab Of Beast and Beauty, thinking it's a sweet fairy tale full of rainbows and unicorns, don't. It has the feel of the enchanted movie, bu ...more

If you're about to run and grab Of Beast and Beauty, thinking it's a sweet fairy tale full of rainbows and unicorns, don't. It has the feel of the enchanted movie, bu ...more

Okay, so Of Beast and Beauty is a Beauty and the Beast retelling (obviously) which I thought was very interesting. I've heard of Cinderella retellings, Snow White retellings and others but I haven't really heard of a Beauty and the Beast retelling. But this one was done PERFECTLY!
Isra was amazing. She was my favorite character! Everything she goes through in this book is so terrible and awful but she keeps moving on no matter what. Gem. What do I even say about Gem? He was the perfect Beast. H ...more
Isra was amazing. She was my favorite character! Everything she goes through in this book is so terrible and awful but she keeps moving on no matter what. Gem. What do I even say about Gem? He was the perfect Beast. H ...more

I think that writing a coherent review currently is impossible. It’s been a really long time since a book made my heart speed up, my breathing shallow because I was so engrossed. It’s been a really long time since I thought that a writer’s writing style is really beautiful and went out of my way to tell others that. It’s just been a while since a book managed to truly blow me away and make me love it so much. OF BEAST AND BEAUTY, the first book I’ve ever read by Stacey Jay, managed to do all tha
...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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YA Buddy Readers'...: Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay - GBR - Starting March 22nd 2017 | 12 | 137 | Mar 30, 2017 08:01AM | |
YA Buddy Readers'...: Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay - Starting May 12th, 2016 | 15 | 16 | May 26, 2016 05:12PM | |
Crazy for Young A...: Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay→ Start Date: September 07, 2015 | 22 | 28 | Oct 09, 2015 06:00PM | |
Addicted to Ink: * The Characters (SPOILERS) | 6 | 22 | Mar 20, 2015 08:52PM | |
Addicted to Ink: * Favorite Part (SPOILERS) | 8 | 20 | Mar 20, 2015 08:42PM | |
Addicted to Ink: * Overall Enjoyment (SPOILERS) | 11 | 22 | Mar 20, 2015 08:32PM |
Stacey Jay is a recovering workaholic (or at least working hard at recovering) with three pen names, two small children, and a passion for playing pretend for a living. She’s been a full time mom-writer since 2005 and can't think of anything she'd rather be doing. Her former careers include theatre performer, professional dancer, poorly paid C-movie actress, bartender, waiter, math tutor (for real
...more
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“Beauty is wherever you find it, and Beast is there when you need to defend it.”
—
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“And what good is a voice when so few will listen?”
—
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