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Disney – Dangerous Secrets #2
Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Middle Grade & Children's (2017)Smart, bookish Belle, a captive in the Beast’s castle, has become accustomed to her new home and has befriended its inhabitants. When she comes upon Nevermore, an enchanted book unlike anything else she has seen in the castle, Belle finds herself pulled into its pages and transported to a world of glamour and intrigue. The adventures Belle has always imagined, the dreams she was forced to give up when she became a prisoner, seem within reach again.
The charming and mysterious characters Belle meets within the pages of Nevermore offer her glamorous conversation, a life of dazzling Parisian luxury, and even a reunion she never thought possible. Here Belle can have everything she has ever wished for. But what about her friends in the Beast’s castle? Can Belle trust her new companions inside the pages of Nevermore? Is Nevermore’s world even real? Belle must uncover the truth about the book, before she loses herself in it forever.
The charming and mysterious characters Belle meets within the pages of Nevermore offer her glamorous conversation, a life of dazzling Parisian luxury, and even a reunion she never thought possible. Here Belle can have everything she has ever wished for. But what about her friends in the Beast’s castle? Can Belle trust her new companions inside the pages of Nevermore? Is Nevermore’s world even real? Belle must uncover the truth about the book, before she loses herself in it forever.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2017
About the author
Jennifer Donnelly
35 books7,497 followersJennifer Donnelly is the author of thirteen novels - Poisoned, Stepsister, Lost in a Book, These Shallow Graves, Sea Spell, Dark Tide, Rogue Wave, Deep Blue, Revolution, A Northern Light, The Tea Rose, The Winter Rose and The Wild Rose - and Humble Pie, a picture book for children. She is a co-author of Fatal Throne, which explores the lives of King Henry VIII's six wives, for which she wrote the part of Anna of Cleves, Henry's fourth wife.
She grew up in New York State, in Lewis and Westchester counties, and attended the University of Rochester where she majored in English Literature and European History.
Jennifer’s first novel, The Tea Rose, an epic historical novel set in London and New York in the late 19th century, was called “exquisite” by Booklist, “so much fun” by the Washington Post, a “guilty pleasure” by People and was named a Top Pick by the Romantic Times. The Rose trilogy continued with The Winter Rose and The Wild Rose.
Her second novel, A Northern Light, set in the Adirondacks of 1906, against the backdrop of an infamous murder, won the Carnegie Medal, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Borders Original Voices Award, and was named a Printz Honor book. Described as “rich and true” by The New York Times, the book was named to the Best Book lists of The Times (London), The Irish Times, The Financial Times, Publishers Weekly, Booklist and the School Library Journal. In 2015, TIME Magazine named it one of the 100 best young adult books of all time.
Revolution was named a Best Book by Amazon, Kirkus, School Library Journal, and the Chicago Public Library, and was nominated for a Carnegie Medal. The audio edition was awarded an Odyssey Honor for Excellence.
In 2014, Jennifer teamed up with Disney to launch the bestselling Waterfire Saga, an epic series about six mermaids on a quest to rid the world of an ancient evil. The first book in the series, Deep Blue, was released in May, 2014; the second, Rogue Wave, launched in January 2015; the third, Dark Tide, came out in October 2015; and the fourth, Sea Spell, is scheduled for release in June 2016.
In November 2015, Jennifer released the historical novel These Shallow Graves, which received starred reviews from Booklist, Publishers Weekly and Shelf Awareness, and was named a Junior Library Guild Selection.
Jennifer worked with Disney again in 2017, when she published Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book, an original story to accompany the blockbuster Beauty and the Beast film. Lost in a Book expands on the classic tale, exploring the growing friendship between Belle and the Beast as well as Belle's ordeal within the pages of Nevermore, a magical book from which she narrowly escapes.
Jennifer returned to historical fiction with Fatal Throne, a book about Henry VIII and his six wives published by Random House/Schwartz & Wade in 2018. For this project, Jennifer joined six other authors (Candace Fleming, M.T. Anderson, Stephanie Hemphill, Deborah Hopkinson, Linda Sue Park, and
She grew up in New York State, in Lewis and Westchester counties, and attended the University of Rochester where she majored in English Literature and European History.
Jennifer’s first novel, The Tea Rose, an epic historical novel set in London and New York in the late 19th century, was called “exquisite” by Booklist, “so much fun” by the Washington Post, a “guilty pleasure” by People and was named a Top Pick by the Romantic Times. The Rose trilogy continued with The Winter Rose and The Wild Rose.
Her second novel, A Northern Light, set in the Adirondacks of 1906, against the backdrop of an infamous murder, won the Carnegie Medal, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Borders Original Voices Award, and was named a Printz Honor book. Described as “rich and true” by The New York Times, the book was named to the Best Book lists of The Times (London), The Irish Times, The Financial Times, Publishers Weekly, Booklist and the School Library Journal. In 2015, TIME Magazine named it one of the 100 best young adult books of all time.
Revolution was named a Best Book by Amazon, Kirkus, School Library Journal, and the Chicago Public Library, and was nominated for a Carnegie Medal. The audio edition was awarded an Odyssey Honor for Excellence.
In 2014, Jennifer teamed up with Disney to launch the bestselling Waterfire Saga, an epic series about six mermaids on a quest to rid the world of an ancient evil. The first book in the series, Deep Blue, was released in May, 2014; the second, Rogue Wave, launched in January 2015; the third, Dark Tide, came out in October 2015; and the fourth, Sea Spell, is scheduled for release in June 2016.
In November 2015, Jennifer released the historical novel These Shallow Graves, which received starred reviews from Booklist, Publishers Weekly and Shelf Awareness, and was named a Junior Library Guild Selection.
Jennifer worked with Disney again in 2017, when she published Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book, an original story to accompany the blockbuster Beauty and the Beast film. Lost in a Book expands on the classic tale, exploring the growing friendship between Belle and the Beast as well as Belle's ordeal within the pages of Nevermore, a magical book from which she narrowly escapes.
Jennifer returned to historical fiction with Fatal Throne, a book about Henry VIII and his six wives published by Random House/Schwartz & Wade in 2018. For this project, Jennifer joined six other authors (Candace Fleming, M.T. Anderson, Stephanie Hemphill, Deborah Hopkinson, Linda Sue Park, and
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,374 reviews
May 3, 2017
To see this review and others please visit www.readrantrockandroll.com
This review may contain spoilers...
Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book is comparable to the classic Beauty and the Beast, yet so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed the introduction which was so unique. It pulled me right in with the interaction between Love and Death-so intriguing. It's no surprise that Death would cheat, but who will win?
The story starts with Belle in Beast's castle after she's been imprisoned. Beloved Belle and her love for books begins the journey into Nevermore which is so imaginative and pulls you in like you've entered an enchanting dream you don't ever want to leave. Can Beast change and will Love prevail, or will Belle be so enticed that she'll be lost forever?
I loved the author's writing style and this is a super simple read that even young readers at the age of 10-12 can enjoy as it's YA. Even though the story is simple, I believe adults can enjoy it as well. It took me extra time to finish it because I'm reading so many books right now, but one could easily have it read in half a day. Some of the characters are a little lackluster at times but there's plenty of other detail and depth to the story which makes up for it in my opinion, like learning more about the Beast's background. I loved the addition of the new characters in Nevermore. I also love the beautiful cover which fits the story so well.
My only issue with the story is that I wanted a different ending or perhaps MORE of an ending. It was so abrupt and not what I expected. I'm really hoping there's another book on the way! I'll be forgiving if there is! *Excessive Sobbing*
If you're a Beauty and the Beast fan, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this even more magical version of Beauty and the Beast. I highly doubt you'll be disappointed. Now I'm off to discover more books by Jennifer Donnelly and to see the movie!
4****
This review may contain spoilers...
Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book is comparable to the classic Beauty and the Beast, yet so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed the introduction which was so unique. It pulled me right in with the interaction between Love and Death-so intriguing. It's no surprise that Death would cheat, but who will win?
The story starts with Belle in Beast's castle after she's been imprisoned. Beloved Belle and her love for books begins the journey into Nevermore which is so imaginative and pulls you in like you've entered an enchanting dream you don't ever want to leave. Can Beast change and will Love prevail, or will Belle be so enticed that she'll be lost forever?
I loved the author's writing style and this is a super simple read that even young readers at the age of 10-12 can enjoy as it's YA. Even though the story is simple, I believe adults can enjoy it as well. It took me extra time to finish it because I'm reading so many books right now, but one could easily have it read in half a day. Some of the characters are a little lackluster at times but there's plenty of other detail and depth to the story which makes up for it in my opinion, like learning more about the Beast's background. I loved the addition of the new characters in Nevermore. I also love the beautiful cover which fits the story so well.
My only issue with the story is that I wanted a different ending or perhaps MORE of an ending. It was so abrupt and not what I expected. I'm really hoping there's another book on the way! I'll be forgiving if there is! *Excessive Sobbing*
If you're a Beauty and the Beast fan, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this even more magical version of Beauty and the Beast. I highly doubt you'll be disappointed. Now I'm off to discover more books by Jennifer Donnelly and to see the movie!
4****
August 30, 2017
نحن، معشر القراء، نجد أنفسنا فعلا مفقودين، هائمين في عالم الكتب
لدرجة أن بعضنا فعلا -وأنا منهم- ننسي أن هناك بشر حولنا يجب ان نقتتطع وقتا من صحبة الكتب لصالح صحبة البشر
هروب، نعم هو هروب من واقع قاس "وحشي"، هروب من مشاعر بالحيرة او الفقدان او اي مشاعر سلبية، نهرب منها لعوالم مختلفة، "جميلة" كاملة، بشخصيات مثيرة لن توجعك ولن تتغير عليك، وأماكن مختلفة ممتعة، ونهايات سعيدة
وبطلتنا هنا كان لها كل الحق الهروب من واقعها، حبيسة بعيدة عن ابيها الذي هو كل من لها في الحياة ، مع رجل وحشي فظ غير اجتماعي
لكنها للاسف اختارت الكتاب الخطأ لتهرب به
فليس لكل الكتب نهايات سعيدة
بعض الحكايات قد تجبرك علي تغيير حياتك وكأنها من تكتب قصتك
فلا تدعها تفعل ذلك وأكتب انت قصتك بنفسك
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
تقييمي للكتاب هو تقييم حكاية لطيفة من نوعية أدب النشء او حتي المستوي المتوسط ، لكنها تخاطب روح القارئ فينا بشكل ممتاز وجميل ، ومبسط بالطبع
عدا ذلك، فهي قصة عادية الحبكة ، متوقعة..لكنها بها الكثير من المشاعر والحكم..قراءة مفيدة للنشء ومسلية وظريفة للكبار
الاحداث
هي قصة مرتبطة بقصة فيلم ديزني الاخير "الجميلة والوحش"، بالأخص في نسخته الحديثة، وليست الكارتونية، بكل الاضافات التي تم اضافاتها للقصة لتمنح شخصياتها عمق اكبر
لتأتي تلك الرواية كحكاية حدثت مابين طيات احداث الفيلم، قبل منتصف الاحداث عندما أكتشف الوحش حب بيلي للقراءة وأهداها مكتبته
وعن شخصيتين خياليتين "الحب" و"الموت" ، واذا كنت قابلت "الحب" في احداث الفيلم، هي من تجسدت في شكل عجوز أول الفيلم وقامت بذلك الدرس علي الامير الذي قسي قلبه وحولته لوحش واعطته الوردة بأول الاحداث ..فإن "الموت" هي شخصية تظهر ﻻول مرة هنا وتحاول أن تكسب الرهان وتثبت لشقيقتها "الحب" أن الوحش لن يقع في الحب أبدا
وعندما تري أن بيلا بدأ يلين قلبها تجاهه بعد أن أهداها المكتبة ، وأكتشاف ان عشق القراءة مشترك بينهما، فقررت بالحيلة أن تكسر هذه الصداقة الوليدة قبل ان تكسب "الحب" الرهان
فتلجأ لحيلة سحرية مستغلة عشق القراءة والهروب بين صفحات الكتاب.. لتستدرج بيلا لأرضها...مملكة الموت
ولكن الخطة تحتاج الكثير من المجهود لاقناع بيلا للهروب بالكتاب لوقت اطول
فما دوافع بيلا للهروب؟ وما دوافعها للعودة؟ وكيف ستدرك أنها هي من يجب أن يكون بيدها كتابة قصة حياتها وليس بيد غيرها
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
القصة بها أكثر من أقتباس جميل عن الحب وكيف أن ما يراه البعض حماقة وآلم دون جدوي هو في الحقيقة تضحية في سبيل الحب
عن الاصدقاء وعن كيف ان البعض قد يخفي آلامه بقناع من القسوة والوحشية من خلال قصة الاسد والفارس من قصص أيسوب الحكيم التي ستلعب دورا في تلك الحكاية
الخيال في الأحداث بداخل الكتاب كان جيدا لكن كان من الممكن ان يكون اقوي من ذلك لكن اعتقد ان احداث القصة الاصلية للجميلة والوحش كانت طاغية اكثر
وربما في الربع الاخير فقط بدأت الاحداث في التصاعد عندما اكتشفت بيللا انها مفقودة في الكتاب
ولكن ما يدور بشكل اكبر في نصف الكتاب الاول ليس القصة الجديدة بقدر ماهي اضافات زادت من عمق حكاية الجميلة والوحش والتي قدمها الفيلم تتطور من خلال مشاهد بسيطة مابين مشهد المكتبة ومشهد الرقصة الساحرة الاولي
هنا ستجد كيف تحول الامر لصداقة مع بعض المشاهد الشبيهة لما حدث بالفيلم والكثير من "الفلاش باك" التي تسترجع القصة الاصلية
وبنفس الوقت ، يمكنك ألا تكون شاهدت الفيلم وتفهم الحكاية بشكل كامل ولن تؤثر في الامر شيئا، وقد تشاهد الفيلم ايضا ولا تشعر ان الرواية دخيلة عليه او انها غير مرتبطة باحداثه
الشخصيات
------
اعتقد انني احببت الشخصيات كلها، لومير وكوجسورث ومسز بوت بالاخص تشيب الفنجان ، الحوار بينهم ظريف ومسلي وشخصياتهم كل لها طابع مختلف ظريف
وحكاية اللعنة علي القصر ظاهرة هنا بشكل حزين ايضا
وربما الاكثر حزنا مشاعر الوحش تجاه خدمه ، بالاخص مشاعره تجاه تشيب، الفنجان الصغير
تشيب وأمه من الشخصيات المفضلة لي منذ الجزء الاول ، لكن فعلا تلك القصة والنسخة الجديدة اضافت بعدا جميلا للشخصية
بيلا وعشقها للقراءة ليس مختلفا عن الفيلم لكن رغبتها في الهروب هنا مبررة ومكتوبة بشكل ممتاز يمس فعلا اغلب القراء
اما الوحش ، فرغم انه كان يتعثر كثيرا هنا الا انه امتداد جيد لشخصيته المثقفة التي اضافها فيلم ديزني الحديث، فعشق الكتب هو من اهم ما جمع فعلا بين روحه وروح بيلي
وقد اضافت الحكاية هنا بالتفصيل كيف بدأ الاعتياد بين بيلا والوحش يزداد عمقا لدرجة الانجذاب الذي بدأ يولد منذ بعد مشهد المكتبة ثم مشهد الجليد والذي ايضا تم تقديمه بالرواية هنا بشكل موسع اكبر
من الشخصيات الجديدة المميزة هي شخصية الملك أوتو ، عروس ماريونيت تتحكم بها الدوقة "الموت"، ولكن المشاعر التي تشعر بها تلك الدمية كانت اضافة ممتازة ومهمة بالنهاية
النهاية
هي قصة بسيطة ، صراع بين الحب والموت او بالاصح، بين الحب وغير المؤمنين به ، حب البشر والصداقة..والا يجعل حب القراءة عائقا له ...بل ان يجمع بينهم
فمن رأيي حب القراءة فعلا قد يجمع بين القلوب كما حدث في الفيلم… تخيل الساعات التي قد تجمع عشاق القراءة في النقاش
فقط اختر الكتاب الصحيح، وعلي الاقل كتاب تستطيع ان تعرف كيف تعود منه للحياة مرة اخري
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
محمد العربي
من 1 ابريل 2017
الي 3 ابريل 2017
لدرجة أن بعضنا فعلا -وأنا منهم- ننسي أن هناك بشر حولنا يجب ان نقتتطع وقتا من صحبة الكتب لصالح صحبة البشر
هروب، نعم هو هروب من واقع قاس "وحشي"، هروب من مشاعر بالحيرة او الفقدان او اي مشاعر سلبية، نهرب منها لعوالم مختلفة، "جميلة" كاملة، بشخصيات مثيرة لن توجعك ولن تتغير عليك، وأماكن مختلفة ممتعة، ونهايات سعيدة
وبطلتنا هنا كان لها كل الحق الهروب من واقعها، حبيسة بعيدة عن ابيها الذي هو كل من لها في الحياة ، مع رجل وحشي فظ غير اجتماعي
لكنها للاسف اختارت الكتاب الخطأ لتهرب به
فليس لكل الكتب نهايات سعيدة
بعض الحكايات قد تجبرك علي تغيير حياتك وكأنها من تكتب قصتك
فلا تدعها تفعل ذلك وأكتب انت قصتك بنفسك
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
تقييمي للكتاب هو تقييم حكاية لطيفة من نوعية أدب النشء او حتي المستوي المتوسط ، لكنها تخاطب روح القارئ فينا بشكل ممتاز وجميل ، ومبسط بالطبع
ربما اكثر ما اعجبني بها هو ارتباطها بقصتي المفضلة، بالأخص في نسختها الاجمل
عدا ذلك، فهي قصة عادية الحبكة ، متوقعة..لكنها بها الكثير من المشاعر والحكم..قراءة مفيدة للنشء ومسلية وظريفة للكبار
الاحداث
هي قصة مرتبطة بقصة فيلم ديزني الاخير "الجميلة والوحش"، بالأخص في نسخته الحديثة، وليست الكارتونية، بكل الاضافات التي تم اضافاتها للقصة لتمنح شخصياتها عمق اكبر
لتأتي تلك الرواية كحكاية حدثت مابين طيات احداث الفيلم، قبل منتصف الاحداث عندما أكتشف الوحش حب بيلي للقراءة وأهداها مكتبته
وعن شخصيتين خياليتين "الحب" و"الموت" ، واذا كنت قابلت "الحب" في احداث الفيلم، هي من تجسدت في شكل عجوز أول الفيلم وقامت بذلك الدرس علي الامير الذي قسي قلبه وحولته لوحش واعطته الوردة بأول الاحداث ..فإن "الموت" هي شخصية تظهر ﻻول مرة هنا وتحاول أن تكسب الرهان وتثبت لشقيقتها "الحب" أن الوحش لن يقع في الحب أبدا
وعندما تري أن بيلا بدأ يلين قلبها تجاهه بعد أن أهداها المكتبة ، وأكتشاف ان عشق القراءة مشترك بينهما، فقررت بالحيلة أن تكسر هذه الصداقة الوليدة قبل ان تكسب "الحب" الرهان
فتلجأ لحيلة سحرية مستغلة عشق القراءة والهروب بين صفحات الكتاب.. لتستدرج بيلا لأرضها...مملكة الموت
ولكن الخطة تحتاج الكثير من المجهود لاقناع بيلا للهروب بالكتاب لوقت اطول
فما دوافع بيلا للهروب؟ وما دوافعها للعودة؟ وكيف ستدرك أنها هي من يجب أن يكون بيدها كتابة قصة حياتها وليس بيد غيرها
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
القصة بها أكثر من أقتباس جميل عن الحب وكيف أن ما يراه البعض حماقة وآلم دون جدوي هو في الحقيقة تضحية في سبيل الحب
عن الاصدقاء وعن كيف ان البعض قد يخفي آلامه بقناع من القسوة والوحشية من خلال قصة الاسد والفارس من قصص أيسوب الحكيم التي ستلعب دورا في تلك الحكاية
الخيال في الأحداث بداخل الكتاب كان جيدا لكن كان من الممكن ان يكون اقوي من ذلك لكن اعتقد ان احداث القصة الاصلية للجميلة والوحش كانت طاغية اكثر
وربما في الربع الاخير فقط بدأت الاحداث في التصاعد عندما اكتشفت بيللا انها مفقودة في الكتاب
ولكن ما يدور بشكل اكبر في نصف الكتاب الاول ليس القصة الجديدة بقدر ماهي اضافات زادت من عمق حكاية الجميلة والوحش والتي قدمها الفيلم تتطور من خلال مشاهد بسيطة مابين مشهد المكتبة ومشهد الرقصة الساحرة الاولي
هنا ستجد كيف تحول الامر لصداقة مع بعض المشاهد الشبيهة لما حدث بالفيلم والكثير من "الفلاش باك" التي تسترجع القصة الاصلية
وبنفس الوقت ، يمكنك ألا تكون شاهدت الفيلم وتفهم الحكاية بشكل كامل ولن تؤثر في الامر شيئا، وقد تشاهد الفيلم ايضا ولا تشعر ان الرواية دخيلة عليه او انها غير مرتبطة باحداثه
الشخصيات
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اعتقد انني احببت الشخصيات كلها، لومير وكوجسورث ومسز بوت بالاخص تشيب الفنجان ، الحوار بينهم ظريف ومسلي وشخصياتهم كل لها طابع مختلف ظريف
وحكاية اللعنة علي القصر ظاهرة هنا بشكل حزين ايضا
وربما الاكثر حزنا مشاعر الوحش تجاه خدمه ، بالاخص مشاعره تجاه تشيب، الفنجان الصغير
تشيب وأمه من الشخصيات المفضلة لي منذ الجزء الاول ، لكن فعلا تلك القصة والنسخة الجديدة اضافت بعدا جميلا للشخصية
بيلا وعشقها للقراءة ليس مختلفا عن الفيلم لكن رغبتها في الهروب هنا مبررة ومكتوبة بشكل ممتاز يمس فعلا اغلب القراء
اما الوحش ، فرغم انه كان يتعثر كثيرا هنا الا انه امتداد جيد لشخصيته المثقفة التي اضافها فيلم ديزني الحديث، فعشق الكتب هو من اهم ما جمع فعلا بين روحه وروح بيلي
وقد اضافت الحكاية هنا بالتفصيل كيف بدأ الاعتياد بين بيلا والوحش يزداد عمقا لدرجة الانجذاب الذي بدأ يولد منذ بعد مشهد المكتبة ثم مشهد الجليد والذي ايضا تم تقديمه بالرواية هنا بشكل موسع اكبر
من الشخصيات الجديدة المميزة هي شخصية الملك أوتو ، عروس ماريونيت تتحكم بها الدوقة "الموت"، ولكن المشاعر التي تشعر بها تلك الدمية كانت اضافة ممتازة ومهمة بالنهاية
النهاية
هي قصة بسيطة ، صراع بين الحب والموت او بالاصح، بين الحب وغير المؤمنين به ، حب البشر والصداقة..والا يجعل حب القراءة عائقا له ...بل ان يجمع بينهم
فمن رأيي حب القراءة فعلا قد يجمع بين القلوب كما حدث في الفيلم… تخيل الساعات التي قد تجمع عشاق القراءة في النقاش
فقط اختر الكتاب الصحيح، وعلي الاقل كتاب تستطيع ان تعرف كيف تعود منه للحياة مرة اخري
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
محمد العربي
من 1 ابريل 2017
الي 3 ابريل 2017
May 14, 2017
3.75
This book mix between Beauty and the Beast and Alice in wonderland
This book mix between Beauty and the Beast and Alice in wonderland
April 13, 2017
I really wanted to love this book but I just couldn't. It was enjoyable at times though. The book starts off when the Beast shows Belle the library. Love and Death have been watching the Beast and Belle and made a wager with each other. Death, of course, tries to cheat and almost succeeds. Nevermore, the enchanted book is appealing to Belle so much so that she is willing to stay within its pages forever. When Belle finally realizes the truth about the book, it seems like she might get lost in it forever. I didn't like how the author portrays Belle in this book. Belle seemed quite naive and weak and even unlikable at times. That's not how I see Belle and I just thought that her character was flawed.
February 15, 2017
Oh.... Oh my gosh.
Astonishing! This has got to be the best retelling I have EVER read. I am in tears.
This book was phenomenal! All retellings I have ever read tend to plat close to the chest and not change very much... or change it all together so the original gets lost.
But... Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book totally changed AND challenged them all. It's a one of a kind!
I will say this, I pre-ordered it the SECOND I knew about it. Being a fanatic of Beauty and the Beast there is no possible way I could pass this up. The waiting game drove me insane but it was TOTALLY WORTH IT! I mean it is so epic, even halfway through the book I told my local library they HAD to buy a copy for others to read.
The story line was unexpected and so different I really didn't think it would work. Boy oh boy. I was wrong. Jennifer Donnelly has some SERIOUS talent. I have a feeling if someone tried to one up this book, they would fail.
The writing was awesome and flowed so perfectly that there is no way you would want to put it down and if someone made you, you would possibly beat them over the head with the book WHILE reading it. It is just that awesome. Lol
The characters were so strong and so powerful that you bond over a whole new level. Just being smoldering, sexy, sassy like Death. Sweet, charming, and beautiful like Love. Adventurous, strong, and bookwormy like Belle ... I mean the list goes on. Even Beast, Chip, and the rest of the gang is so powerful that you not only feel what they fell, you ARE them.
Ugh stop reading my review and go by this book! RIGHT NOW! What are you still reading for!? YOU NEED THIS BOOK! Go! Go get it!
(Also....can I please rate HIGHER than 5 stars! It deserves more!)
Astonishing! This has got to be the best retelling I have EVER read. I am in tears.
This book was phenomenal! All retellings I have ever read tend to plat close to the chest and not change very much... or change it all together so the original gets lost.
But... Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book totally changed AND challenged them all. It's a one of a kind!
I will say this, I pre-ordered it the SECOND I knew about it. Being a fanatic of Beauty and the Beast there is no possible way I could pass this up. The waiting game drove me insane but it was TOTALLY WORTH IT! I mean it is so epic, even halfway through the book I told my local library they HAD to buy a copy for others to read.
The story line was unexpected and so different I really didn't think it would work. Boy oh boy. I was wrong. Jennifer Donnelly has some SERIOUS talent. I have a feeling if someone tried to one up this book, they would fail.
The writing was awesome and flowed so perfectly that there is no way you would want to put it down and if someone made you, you would possibly beat them over the head with the book WHILE reading it. It is just that awesome. Lol
The characters were so strong and so powerful that you bond over a whole new level. Just being smoldering, sexy, sassy like Death. Sweet, charming, and beautiful like Love. Adventurous, strong, and bookwormy like Belle ... I mean the list goes on. Even Beast, Chip, and the rest of the gang is so powerful that you not only feel what they fell, you ARE them.
Ugh stop reading my review and go by this book! RIGHT NOW! What are you still reading for!? YOU NEED THIS BOOK! Go! Go get it!
(Also....can I please rate HIGHER than 5 stars! It deserves more!)
March 13, 2017
When I finished this book and got on here to rate it, I honestly wasn't expecting to see all of these glowing reviews. I was surprised at how many people seemed to sincerely like this book!
Maybe I'm just being overly critical, (with the movie being released soon and all) but I can't say that I enjoyed this book. To me at least, Belle was a pretty flat character, and I couldn't relate to her at all. I didn't feel any suspense during the parts that were supposed to be exciting, and I didn't feel touched at the moments that were supposed to be heart-warming. That's saying a lot, as I usually get very emotionally connected to the characters in the books I read.
Now, I'm not trying to say that this is a horrible book. It just wasn't enjoyable to me. When I was reading it, I found myself skipping lines, or just letting my mind wander instead of caring about what was going on in the story. I think all book readers know that's never a good sign. It took me quite a while to get around to finishing, but I felt that I had a responsibility to, as I had already started it.
After all I've said in this review, you might be surprised to know that I actually do like the author Jennifer Donnelly. I loved some of her other books, I just didn't love this one. I respect anyone who has the will and creativity to sit down and commit to writing a book, and the guts to put themselves out there to be judged and criticized by complete strangers.
Even though this book was a swing and a miss for me, I'm glad that so many people seemed to enjoy it! Don't let my review deter you from reading this book yourself if it seems intriguing. Read it yourself and let me know what you thought. Who knows, maybe I'll reread this book one day and find myself enjoying it more than I did the first time.
Maybe I'm just being overly critical, (with the movie being released soon and all) but I can't say that I enjoyed this book. To me at least, Belle was a pretty flat character, and I couldn't relate to her at all. I didn't feel any suspense during the parts that were supposed to be exciting, and I didn't feel touched at the moments that were supposed to be heart-warming. That's saying a lot, as I usually get very emotionally connected to the characters in the books I read.
Now, I'm not trying to say that this is a horrible book. It just wasn't enjoyable to me. When I was reading it, I found myself skipping lines, or just letting my mind wander instead of caring about what was going on in the story. I think all book readers know that's never a good sign. It took me quite a while to get around to finishing, but I felt that I had a responsibility to, as I had already started it.
After all I've said in this review, you might be surprised to know that I actually do like the author Jennifer Donnelly. I loved some of her other books, I just didn't love this one. I respect anyone who has the will and creativity to sit down and commit to writing a book, and the guts to put themselves out there to be judged and criticized by complete strangers.
Even though this book was a swing and a miss for me, I'm glad that so many people seemed to enjoy it! Don't let my review deter you from reading this book yourself if it seems intriguing. Read it yourself and let me know what you thought. Who knows, maybe I'll reread this book one day and find myself enjoying it more than I did the first time.
March 9, 2017
4.5 Stars!
Oh goodness! This book was so good!
Everything from the plot, to seeing Belle, the Beast, and the gang back in action and more fleshed out than their animated movie counterparts.
This is pretty much a tie-in for the upcoming live action movie that can placed when the Beast show and give Belle the library. So it takes place a little after their initial meeting,her going to the west wing thus leaving and him saving her from the wolves. Just think of Belle's Enchanted Christmas which was a tie in for the animated version but a whole lot better. Belle's realtionship with everyone is way more fleshed out and her character as well. ( Her relationship with the Beast with her trying to figure him out and trying figure out does she want to be friends with him.. .. Oh my heart) You can feel her sadness and loneliness about her situation and understand why she got "lost in a book" where she can forget about her troubles and be happy. But sometimes escapism can be more trouble than dealing with real life and your problems which Belle figured out. The Original Characters to story was delight as well. It honestly gave me Caroline vibes on how Lady Death acted towards Belle. It was almost like how the Caroline fake mother acted towards her. ( So Terri Hatcher for Lady Death if they ever do a movie.)
There are two reasons why I gave it a 4.5 instead of a full five.
1. Without any spoilers the ending felt a little Deux Ex Machina to me and how everything got resolved. I honestly wanted a little bit more like maybe Belle and Beast actually talking about it.
2. The chapters are way too short. Now I have read some of Jennifer Donnelly before ( I need to go back to Resolution asap) and that always been my biggest gripe with her. Her writing is simple but amazing but her chapters are too damn short. I don't like super like 20 plus chapters but 2 page chapters are extremely too short. She could have really combined like four -five chapters together and it could have been like 10-12 pages which is a nice chapter size. So instead of 65 chapters plus prologue and epilogue it could have been 13 chapters with prologue and epilogue.
Other than than this book was such a good read and really got me hype for the movie!
Oh goodness! This book was so good!
Everything from the plot, to seeing Belle, the Beast, and the gang back in action and more fleshed out than their animated movie counterparts.
This is pretty much a tie-in for the upcoming live action movie that can placed when the Beast show and give Belle the library. So it takes place a little after their initial meeting,her going to the west wing thus leaving and him saving her from the wolves. Just think of Belle's Enchanted Christmas which was a tie in for the animated version but a whole lot better. Belle's realtionship with everyone is way more fleshed out and her character as well. ( Her relationship with the Beast with her trying to figure him out and trying figure out does she want to be friends with him.. .. Oh my heart) You can feel her sadness and loneliness about her situation and understand why she got "lost in a book" where she can forget about her troubles and be happy. But sometimes escapism can be more trouble than dealing with real life and your problems which Belle figured out. The Original Characters to story was delight as well. It honestly gave me Caroline vibes on how Lady Death acted towards Belle. It was almost like how the Caroline fake mother acted towards her. ( So Terri Hatcher for Lady Death if they ever do a movie.)
There are two reasons why I gave it a 4.5 instead of a full five.
1. Without any spoilers the ending felt a little Deux Ex Machina to me and how everything got resolved. I honestly wanted a little bit more like maybe Belle and Beast actually talking about it.
2. The chapters are way too short. Now I have read some of Jennifer Donnelly before ( I need to go back to Resolution asap) and that always been my biggest gripe with her. Her writing is simple but amazing but her chapters are too damn short. I don't like super like 20 plus chapters but 2 page chapters are extremely too short. She could have really combined like four -five chapters together and it could have been like 10-12 pages which is a nice chapter size. So instead of 65 chapters plus prologue and epilogue it could have been 13 chapters with prologue and epilogue.
Other than than this book was such a good read and really got me hype for the movie!
April 13, 2018
PROS: Great prose, especially for a media tie-in. And what an atmosphere!
CONS: But what was that plot?
RTC
CONS: But what was that plot?
RTC
March 24, 2018
This is a must read for fairy tale fans. It is enchanting and beautifully written. There are twists and turns, suspense, friendship and journeys. I can't thank the author enough for bringing new pieces and answers to the tale of Beauty and the Beast.
August 5, 2017
Lost in a Book es un libro mucho más oscuro de lo que me esperaba para una historia infantil.
Todo empieza con el Amor y la Muerte, dos hermanas, apostando sobre el futuro de la Bella y la Bestia: el Amor insiste en que todo saldrá bien y la Bella se enamorará a tiempo de la Bestia; pero la Muerte dice que ella siempre gana al final y que nada sucederá antes de que caiga el último pétalo de la rosa. Así pues, las hermanas sellan la apuesta y lo primero que hace la Muerte tras ver al Amor partir es hacer trampa y plantar un libro mágico en la biblioteca de la Bestia. El libro es Nevermore y su función es atrapar a una persona dentro de las historias de lo que más desea y no dejarla salir nunca más al mundo real.
Todo Lost in a Book sucede dentro de la línea temporal de la historia que conocemos de la Bella y la Bestia, concretamente cuando ella ya lleva varias semanas en el castillo y la Bestia le regala su biblioteca completa. A pesar de que Bella ya tolera muchísimo más a la Bestia, aún extraña muchísimo a su padre y su libertad, así que cuando encuentra Nevermore y descubre que puede vivir aventuras e incluso volver a ver a su padre gracias a las promesas de una misteriosa mujer que se encuentra cada que entra al libro, decidirá empezar a perderse en esas páginas sin decirle a nadie sobre su curioso descubrimiento.
Como les decía antes, este es un libro mucho más oscuro de lo que a simple vista podría parecer. Los escenarios con los que se encuentra Bella dentro de Nevermore pasan de ser idílicos a dignos de una pesadilla. ¡Y qué decir de la mujer misteriosa! Es absolutamente aterradora. Quizá una de las cosas que más me gustó es el sistema de magia y de trampas que ata a los visitantes de Nevermore a esta tierra de mentiras.
Ahora, si bien el libro es oscuro y adoro la historia de la Bella y la Bestia, siento que Lost in a Book en particular se extendió demasiado. Llegó un punto en el que todo lo que estaba pasando era bastante predecible, aunque, oye, estaba claro que todo iba a terminar bien porque Lost in a Book es tan solo un paréntesis en la verdadera historia Disney de la Bella y la Bestia, así que no sé por qué esperaba algo diferente.
Todo empieza con el Amor y la Muerte, dos hermanas, apostando sobre el futuro de la Bella y la Bestia: el Amor insiste en que todo saldrá bien y la Bella se enamorará a tiempo de la Bestia; pero la Muerte dice que ella siempre gana al final y que nada sucederá antes de que caiga el último pétalo de la rosa. Así pues, las hermanas sellan la apuesta y lo primero que hace la Muerte tras ver al Amor partir es hacer trampa y plantar un libro mágico en la biblioteca de la Bestia. El libro es Nevermore y su función es atrapar a una persona dentro de las historias de lo que más desea y no dejarla salir nunca más al mundo real.
Todo Lost in a Book sucede dentro de la línea temporal de la historia que conocemos de la Bella y la Bestia, concretamente cuando ella ya lleva varias semanas en el castillo y la Bestia le regala su biblioteca completa. A pesar de que Bella ya tolera muchísimo más a la Bestia, aún extraña muchísimo a su padre y su libertad, así que cuando encuentra Nevermore y descubre que puede vivir aventuras e incluso volver a ver a su padre gracias a las promesas de una misteriosa mujer que se encuentra cada que entra al libro, decidirá empezar a perderse en esas páginas sin decirle a nadie sobre su curioso descubrimiento.
Como les decía antes, este es un libro mucho más oscuro de lo que a simple vista podría parecer. Los escenarios con los que se encuentra Bella dentro de Nevermore pasan de ser idílicos a dignos de una pesadilla. ¡Y qué decir de la mujer misteriosa! Es absolutamente aterradora. Quizá una de las cosas que más me gustó es el sistema de magia y de trampas que ata a los visitantes de Nevermore a esta tierra de mentiras.
Ahora, si bien el libro es oscuro y adoro la historia de la Bella y la Bestia, siento que Lost in a Book en particular se extendió demasiado. Llegó un punto en el que todo lo que estaba pasando era bastante predecible, aunque, oye, estaba claro que todo iba a terminar bien porque Lost in a Book es tan solo un paréntesis en la verdadera historia Disney de la Bella y la Bestia, así que no sé por qué esperaba algo diferente.
March 27, 2021
Before reading this, I'd only read Donnelly's These Shallow Graves- so it was a fun and entertaining experience to read a fantasy middle-grade novel! I loved her writing style in both of these! I definitely enjoy this writing style much more than I did in Poisoned!
When Belle falls into the land through the pages of Nevermore, she is enchanted by the seemingly perfect Parisian type world. Belle is given a chance she thought she would never have, and she has to decide who to trust, and what lengths she is willing to go to for a high reward.
I like Belle as a character, she's loving and everything I thought and wanted her to be. She's compassionate and is willing to give people second chances. I can't say she's one of my favorites, but she made for an entertaining MC!
I LOVE how Love and Death are each characters- one of Donnelly's strengths is definitely smaller things that add up to the full picture. (No hideous pun intended)
I devoured the plot, filled with twists and enchantment. I was amused at the way different elements were revealed! The plot moved at the right pace and everything felt RIGHT. This book was so genius and the settings and descriptions were done to perfection!
There isn't much reason as to why this book isn't 5 stars, the reason being just my enjoyment level! I loved each part of this book with different amounts, and some parts I just didn't love as much- I felt like Donnelly didn't explore the characters so I couldn't really FEEL.
I recommend this book to fans of twisty retellings and people who have enjoyed Donnelly's other novels!
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Review to come!
When Belle falls into the land through the pages of Nevermore, she is enchanted by the seemingly perfect Parisian type world. Belle is given a chance she thought she would never have, and she has to decide who to trust, and what lengths she is willing to go to for a high reward.
I like Belle as a character, she's loving and everything I thought and wanted her to be. She's compassionate and is willing to give people second chances. I can't say she's one of my favorites, but she made for an entertaining MC!
I LOVE how Love and Death are each characters- one of Donnelly's strengths is definitely smaller things that add up to the full picture. (No hideous pun intended)
I devoured the plot, filled with twists and enchantment. I was amused at the way different elements were revealed! The plot moved at the right pace and everything felt RIGHT. This book was so genius and the settings and descriptions were done to perfection!
There isn't much reason as to why this book isn't 5 stars, the reason being just my enjoyment level! I loved each part of this book with different amounts, and some parts I just didn't love as much- I felt like Donnelly didn't explore the characters so I couldn't really FEEL.
I recommend this book to fans of twisty retellings and people who have enjoyed Donnelly's other novels!
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Review to come!
March 26, 2019
Una historia en apariencia interesante. Hubo cosas que me gustaron como lo fueron los personajes principales, los que están narrando esta historia y de dan vida con esta posibilidad que le dan a Bella para conocer otro mundo.
Es creativo, la fantasía quedó muy bien lograda, y sentirla como parte de la historia de la Bella y La Bestia que todos conocemos no es una tarea sencilla, pero en este caso la autora supo hacerlo.
Conocer un poco más a fondo sobre la bestia aunque fuera en dosis pequeñas fue un acierto, aunque al menos en mi gusto personal, fue imposible que no se sintiera forzado.
Todo se desenvolvió muy sin chiste, para llegar justo a la misma conclusión que la historia original.
Es creativo, la fantasía quedó muy bien lograda, y sentirla como parte de la historia de la Bella y La Bestia que todos conocemos no es una tarea sencilla, pero en este caso la autora supo hacerlo.
Conocer un poco más a fondo sobre la bestia aunque fuera en dosis pequeñas fue un acierto, aunque al menos en mi gusto personal, fue imposible que no se sintiera forzado.
Todo se desenvolvió muy sin chiste, para llegar justo a la misma conclusión que la historia original.
February 7, 2017
I have to start with nostalgia.
My first princess was, admittedly, Aurora. She was followed by Cinderella and Snow White. In the 1980s, there were only those three until Ariel graced the screens in 1989. Finally, Belle arrived in a swirl of yellow skirts in 1991.
Belle was me. Brown hair, green eyes. She loved books. She fell in love with Beast for who he was. Maybe the library helped.
And here we learn a little more about the library, and a lot more about Belle.
Love and Death are playing a chess game. It's filled with glorious imagery and wordage.
As we all know, Belle is unhappy with the Beast in the enchanted castle. We all know that from the animated film. This story goes further into the relationship Belle has with the enchanted objects, mainly Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs Potts, and Chip. To a lesser extent, we learn more about Plumette (the feather duster) and Froufrou (the dog/ottoman).
Because of her unhappiness, Belle uses books to escape. Like the title, Belle is literally lost in a book. She is trapped!
So we follow Belle into Nevermore, the book in which she is lost. It's perfect. It's inhabited by wonderful beings and the Comtesse du Terre de las Morte. Or something like that. Know what that means?
How will she get out?
I really did love the imagery of the book. The chapters were suspenseful, some short and some long, and it flipped now and then, going from Belle-in-the-book to the Beast-in-the-enchanted-castle. The pacing is something I really liked. It didn't drag, like some novels based on movies tend to do, and it didn't just rehash a movie I know and love so much. It gave me something new.
Cogsworth is much more grumpy and lovable.
Lumiere is still in love with Plumette, but it's a little more loving and less lascivious.
Chip is charming and adorable, but he also has many more speaking lines, as it were.
Mrs Potts is still cuddly. She cares deeply for Belle, and it shows so well here.
The Beast is also more complex. He's gruff and grumpy, sure, but he also has his moments of doubt, insecurity, and also kindness.
Altogether, I was really pleased with this story. The author didn't set out to completely re-imagine Belle and the Beast. She didn't set out to change the Disney story, since this book is based around the live-action remake film. Rather she took established characters and gave them an original story. She succeeded. The characters were themselves, the same characters that I loved back in 1991, when I was nine years old. She just deepened them.
I highly suggest anyone who loves Beauty and the Beast read this story. You'll get lost in it.
My first princess was, admittedly, Aurora. She was followed by Cinderella and Snow White. In the 1980s, there were only those three until Ariel graced the screens in 1989. Finally, Belle arrived in a swirl of yellow skirts in 1991.
Belle was me. Brown hair, green eyes. She loved books. She fell in love with Beast for who he was. Maybe the library helped.
And here we learn a little more about the library, and a lot more about Belle.
Love and Death are playing a chess game. It's filled with glorious imagery and wordage.
As we all know, Belle is unhappy with the Beast in the enchanted castle. We all know that from the animated film. This story goes further into the relationship Belle has with the enchanted objects, mainly Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs Potts, and Chip. To a lesser extent, we learn more about Plumette (the feather duster) and Froufrou (the dog/ottoman).
Because of her unhappiness, Belle uses books to escape. Like the title, Belle is literally lost in a book. She is trapped!
So we follow Belle into Nevermore, the book in which she is lost. It's perfect. It's inhabited by wonderful beings and the Comtesse du Terre de las Morte. Or something like that. Know what that means?
How will she get out?
I really did love the imagery of the book. The chapters were suspenseful, some short and some long, and it flipped now and then, going from Belle-in-the-book to the Beast-in-the-enchanted-castle. The pacing is something I really liked. It didn't drag, like some novels based on movies tend to do, and it didn't just rehash a movie I know and love so much. It gave me something new.
Cogsworth is much more grumpy and lovable.
Lumiere is still in love with Plumette, but it's a little more loving and less lascivious.
Chip is charming and adorable, but he also has many more speaking lines, as it were.
Mrs Potts is still cuddly. She cares deeply for Belle, and it shows so well here.
The Beast is also more complex. He's gruff and grumpy, sure, but he also has his moments of doubt, insecurity, and also kindness.
Altogether, I was really pleased with this story. The author didn't set out to completely re-imagine Belle and the Beast. She didn't set out to change the Disney story, since this book is based around the live-action remake film. Rather she took established characters and gave them an original story. She succeeded. The characters were themselves, the same characters that I loved back in 1991, when I was nine years old. She just deepened them.
I highly suggest anyone who loves Beauty and the Beast read this story. You'll get lost in it.
May 24, 2017
So I'm doing the reading challenge this year and this book is perfect for the category a story within a story.
I absolutely love everything Disney. So how could I resist a new Disney Beauty and the Beast inspired book.
This is has been one that I have wanted to read for a while now. So I am extremely happy to finally have it in my hands and to have read it.
I am also pleased to say that it is a really good book. Unlike the other Disney books where the characters name are not used. Which is highly annoying the names of characters are lovingly used in this book. Which makes it feel like it could actually take place within the movie itself.
Belle has just exchanged her life for the freedom of her father and is being held captive by the Beast in his castle.
The books picks up from when Beast is giving Belle the library. Inside the library Belle finds a book called Nevermore. One that when opened, opens a portal into the Nevermore world. Where you can actively take part in the story.
Sadly thou things in Nevermore are not quite as they seem and are more deadly and sinister then Belle could ever imagine. As Nevermore tries to claim a stake over Belle and suck her into the world forever. Can Belle realise what's going on before it's too late? Or will she be trapped in Nevermore forever? Will Belle get out to save the Beast and her friends from the curse?
I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves Disney and Beauty and the Beast. This will add another dimension to the beloved classic ad it also hints at a few things from the new movie.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
Happy reading everyone
I absolutely love everything Disney. So how could I resist a new Disney Beauty and the Beast inspired book.
This is has been one that I have wanted to read for a while now. So I am extremely happy to finally have it in my hands and to have read it.
I am also pleased to say that it is a really good book. Unlike the other Disney books where the characters name are not used. Which is highly annoying the names of characters are lovingly used in this book. Which makes it feel like it could actually take place within the movie itself.
Belle has just exchanged her life for the freedom of her father and is being held captive by the Beast in his castle.
The books picks up from when Beast is giving Belle the library. Inside the library Belle finds a book called Nevermore. One that when opened, opens a portal into the Nevermore world. Where you can actively take part in the story.
Sadly thou things in Nevermore are not quite as they seem and are more deadly and sinister then Belle could ever imagine. As Nevermore tries to claim a stake over Belle and suck her into the world forever. Can Belle realise what's going on before it's too late? Or will she be trapped in Nevermore forever? Will Belle get out to save the Beast and her friends from the curse?
I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves Disney and Beauty and the Beast. This will add another dimension to the beloved classic ad it also hints at a few things from the new movie.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
Happy reading everyone
July 10, 2019
If Lewis Carroll & Cassandra Clare wrote a book together and then dropped said book into the middle of Disney's Beauty & the Beast; I imagine this might be what came of that collaboration.
Had this been an alternate universe kind of thing where a new ending was possible it might have been more interesting for me. As it were this is just an adventure inserted into the middle of the Disney movie. It didn't work for me.
Had this been an alternate universe kind of thing where a new ending was possible it might have been more interesting for me. As it were this is just an adventure inserted into the middle of the Disney movie. It didn't work for me.
April 28, 2017
“Isn’t that what a good story does? It pulls you in and never lets you go.”
DAMMIT, I WANTED THIS STORY TO PULL ME IN AND NEVER LET ME GO.
Lost in a Book replicates its Disney counterpart where Belle is a captive of the Beast in his castle that still includes Cogsworth, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts, Chip, and more. Beast reveals his library to Belle and she is awed, but instead of the bright shiny room of perfection we all have embedded in our minds:
Belle immediately realizes how much the library has fallen into disrepair and needs to be cleaned excessively. Within this library, she finds a room and within this room a special book which transports her to a world of adventure where anything is possible. She quickly becomes enamored with the book and the world it shows her, despite her understanding that it isn’t actually real, and is constantly sneaking away to be in this world. When she isn’t hiding in the book, she’s complaining ad nauseam about her provincial life.
Good gawd, we get it, you hate your life. Lost in a Book quickly becomes less about the Beast and all about Belle… more scenes from his point of view would have been welcome. Any scenes that showed the Beast’s feelings for Belle grow felt lacking any sort of emotion and instead felt like all it was was a last ditch effort to save his servants. Maybe those parts were left out with the understanding that we knew, based on the Disney production, how Beast actually felt, but I wanted to see it included in the story itself since there were so many changes I felt it should have been able to stand on its own. Especially in regards to the villain: Gaston was absent completely in exchange for a female villain: Death. Yes, Death. You see, the story actually starts with Death and her sister Love.
Indeed. See Death and Love made a bet that Belle wouldn’t be the one to break the spell (Death obviously bet against her) and when she began to realize that Love might actually win, she set out to make sure that didn’t happen. *yawn* This could have been a charming addition to Beauty and the Beast retellings but the story lacked any real substance and most definitely lacked the magic the original tale had.
DAMMIT, I WANTED THIS STORY TO PULL ME IN AND NEVER LET ME GO.
Lost in a Book replicates its Disney counterpart where Belle is a captive of the Beast in his castle that still includes Cogsworth, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts, Chip, and more. Beast reveals his library to Belle and she is awed, but instead of the bright shiny room of perfection we all have embedded in our minds:
Belle immediately realizes how much the library has fallen into disrepair and needs to be cleaned excessively. Within this library, she finds a room and within this room a special book which transports her to a world of adventure where anything is possible. She quickly becomes enamored with the book and the world it shows her, despite her understanding that it isn’t actually real, and is constantly sneaking away to be in this world. When she isn’t hiding in the book, she’s complaining ad nauseam about her provincial life.
Good gawd, we get it, you hate your life. Lost in a Book quickly becomes less about the Beast and all about Belle… more scenes from his point of view would have been welcome. Any scenes that showed the Beast’s feelings for Belle grow felt lacking any sort of emotion and instead felt like all it was was a last ditch effort to save his servants. Maybe those parts were left out with the understanding that we knew, based on the Disney production, how Beast actually felt, but I wanted to see it included in the story itself since there were so many changes I felt it should have been able to stand on its own. Especially in regards to the villain: Gaston was absent completely in exchange for a female villain: Death. Yes, Death. You see, the story actually starts with Death and her sister Love.
Indeed. See Death and Love made a bet that Belle wouldn’t be the one to break the spell (Death obviously bet against her) and when she began to realize that Love might actually win, she set out to make sure that didn’t happen. *yawn* This could have been a charming addition to Beauty and the Beast retellings but the story lacked any real substance and most definitely lacked the magic the original tale had.
March 10, 2020
Ах, невероятната Донъли! Не 5, а 50 звезди заслужава тази книга :)
September 18, 2020
Изключителен фен съм на филма от 2017 година, гледал съм го няколко пъти, а Ема Уотсън (освен че ми е любима актриса) е наистина перфектна в ролята на Бел, за съжаление обаче тази книга е доста далеч от нивото на филма и образа на онази Бел – умната, смелата и различната от всички в онова селце. В тази книга имаме една наивна и лековерна Бел, отказваща да прозре истината, дори когато я предупреждават многократно за опасностите, та на моменти чак дразни с поведението си.
А пък и самата история на „Изгубена в книга“, когато Бел открива странната омагьосана книга, в която попада, не успя да ме очарова достатъчно.
Затова давам една звезда заради хубавия филм, една заради симпатичната корица и една заради единствените два момента от книгата, които ми харесаха – първият бе за една история, свързана с Агата и един мъж от селото, и вторият е за партито за рождения ден на Чип. Иначе книгата си заслужава твърдо две звезди.
А пък и самата история на „Изгубена в книга“, когато Бел открива странната омагьосана книга, в която попада, не успя да ме очарова достатъчно.
Затова давам една звезда заради хубавия филм, една заради симпатичната корица и една заради единствените два момента от книгата, които ми харесаха – първият бе за една история, свързана с Агата и един мъж от селото, и вторият е за партито за рождения ден на Чип. Иначе книгата си заслужава твърдо две звезди.
June 17, 2019
I picked this up as I had seen it often, and wondered how it would put a twist on Disney's version. Beauty and the Beast was always my favourite animation, and this narrative fits in nicely with the core story. Although, I don't think Belle would have acted as she did in this story at times, it was still a nice, quick read. It would appeal to any age, and plays with the idea of 'getting lost in a book'. Definitely one for bookworms! And, of course, fans of the films.
April 6, 2017
I absolutely loved this book!
I thought the story fit very well into the movie's timeline. It also did a nice job of briefly going over some of the things that happened in the movie in case you haven't seen it yet.
I loved the whole idea of Belle getting lost in an enchanted book. I loved all the things Belle's said about how she felt about reading.
Overall, this book was just so perfect.
Also, the cover is just so gorgeous.
I thought the story fit very well into the movie's timeline. It also did a nice job of briefly going over some of the things that happened in the movie in case you haven't seen it yet.
I loved the whole idea of Belle getting lost in an enchanted book. I loved all the things Belle's said about how she felt about reading.
Overall, this book was just so perfect.
Also, the cover is just so gorgeous.
July 20, 2017
This was so cute. I really enjoyed this book. So similar to the original story and yet so different. Really original.
October 7, 2017
I have a real love of Belle, she was always one of my favourite Disney Princesses, especially because of her love of books. I think this novel portrayed her well, she's strong and interesting and this was a fun story to read.
March 12, 2018
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfer...
3.5/5 Stars
Belle has been imprisoned in the Beasts' tower after she switches places with her father. The Beast, wanting her to be happy, gives her his library. One day, while exploring she discovers a strange book called 'Nevermore'. She quickly realizes that she can travel into the pages of Nevermore and live a fairytale life there. But, as Belle spends more time in this strange new world, she doesn't know who she can trust.
Beauty and the Beast is one of my favourite Disney movies so I loved this spin off! I really enjoyed how the movie timeline could be seen in this story as well. I loved how we saw all the characters we love from the original movie and a few new ones as well! Overall, a cute, fun and quick read!
3.5/5 Stars
Belle has been imprisoned in the Beasts' tower after she switches places with her father. The Beast, wanting her to be happy, gives her his library. One day, while exploring she discovers a strange book called 'Nevermore'. She quickly realizes that she can travel into the pages of Nevermore and live a fairytale life there. But, as Belle spends more time in this strange new world, she doesn't know who she can trust.
Beauty and the Beast is one of my favourite Disney movies so I loved this spin off! I really enjoyed how the movie timeline could be seen in this story as well. I loved how we saw all the characters we love from the original movie and a few new ones as well! Overall, a cute, fun and quick read!
October 28, 2017
This book is nice but I found Belle character totally out of character!
She’s always been my favourite Disney princess but in this book I can’t stand her, she was so annoying and stupid!
The Belle we all know is totally more intelligent and wiser than Belle of this book! She would got that the Countess was Death in half a second
She’s always been my favourite Disney princess but in this book I can’t stand her, she was so annoying and stupid!
The Belle we all know is totally more intelligent and wiser than Belle of this book! She would got that the Countess was Death in half a second
March 13, 2017
There were things that I found to be problematic with this book. One of the characters, Love is a woman of color which is amazing and I loved seeing that in a middle-grade retelling. What I didn't like and what I had issues with, is how Love is described by her sister, Death. Death describes Love as "a ferocious, sweet-faced little savage" (pg. 9). Love is also described as a madwoman and deranged (pg. 84). I really loved Love as a character, and she followed one of the main themes that nothing is as it seems. Love is nothing like how she is described by Death, she is the 100% complete opposite. Love is smart and kind. Despite the problems, there were things that I did enjoy. There was a story within the story. Belle finds a magic book titled "Nevermore" in the library of the castle and travels inside the book. "Nevermore" is full of shady characters and shady things happen, nothing in "Nevermore" is what it seems. The story within the story makes the book interesting. The other thing that I really loved about this book is that there is a positive message that we are the authors of our own stories. Despite the book's problems, I was still able to find good things about it.
September 19, 2017
4.5 rating!
"Isn't that what a good story does? It pulls you in and never lets you go."
This was so lovely! I'm a huge fan of Jennifer Donnelly and I'm shocked I didn't pick this up sooner.
As with many people, Beauty and the Beast holds such a special place in my heart and Donnelly did a fantastic job writing this and creating an original story within the timeline of the classic. It really is a tale as old as time and these characters I will cherish and love forever.
Cogsworth and Lumiere will always remain my favorite; I was so glad their humor was shown!
The added elements of the characters of Love and Death was so creatively done. I never would have thought to bring them out in human form, but it makes so much sense to the classic story.
I've got to get my hands on the few books I have left to read from Donnelly; she is a gifted storyteller!
"Isn't that what a good story does? It pulls you in and never lets you go."
This was so lovely! I'm a huge fan of Jennifer Donnelly and I'm shocked I didn't pick this up sooner.
As with many people, Beauty and the Beast holds such a special place in my heart and Donnelly did a fantastic job writing this and creating an original story within the timeline of the classic. It really is a tale as old as time and these characters I will cherish and love forever.
Cogsworth and Lumiere will always remain my favorite; I was so glad their humor was shown!
The added elements of the characters of Love and Death was so creatively done. I never would have thought to bring them out in human form, but it makes so much sense to the classic story.
I've got to get my hands on the few books I have left to read from Donnelly; she is a gifted storyteller!
February 21, 2017
I have mentioned multiple times that I absolutely adore Beauty and the Beast. It is my favorite Disney movie. A beautiful dance scene, a strong female lead who loves to read, and quirky characters were everything I could ask for and much more. For the past several months, I have been eagerly awaiting the release of the upcoming Beauty and the Beast live action movie. In anticipation of the upcoming movie, Disney has released an original story that involves all our favorite Disney characters.
Lost in a Book has all the favorite characters from the animated film and even introduces some of the other background characters that are playing a bigger role in the live action film. The story takes place shortly after Belle walked through the West Wing and ran out of the castle only to be almost attacked by wolves and the Beast saves her. Belle is extremely lonely and desperate to connect with the Beast, but is unable to do so because he is so standoffish.
The Beast in a desperate attempt to win Belle's heart – or just be nice – shows her the library and the original tale begins. Belle discovers a mysterious book which allows her to go to a world known as Nevermore. In Nevermore, Belle befriends a countess who promises to give Belle the world and fix everything that is wrong while giving her the life she has always dreamed of.
I am torn on how to react to this novel. On one level, a very small, nostalgic part of me loved the book. Another part of me was a bit aggravated with some of the changes that were teased for the upcoming movie. And another part of me just felt that there were a lot of overused YA tropes used throughout the novel.
Lost in a Book involves jumping through a book and living in a book world. In the past year or so, this has been a theme used in many books. The books that I have read that used this type of storyline were a lot stronger and better than this novel. That isn't to say this is a bad novel or poorly written, the theme is just overused and other books did it better.
In addition to the whole traveling through a book theme, there is the whole Death vs. Love as characters theme going on. Again, this just seemed like an overused theme. It was done alright, but I would have liked to see more of an original story in the Beauty and the Beast world than a story that was a hodge podge of themes from other novels.
There are several aspects of the book that really didn't vibe with me. Belle came across as a very unreliable character. She would easily get mad at the Beast for not opening up, not being kind. Even after she knew his secrets and why he was so standoffish she still kept harping on him and wouldn't budge. However, the minute she goes into Nevermore she becomes BFFs with people she has known for a nanosecond and they barely told her stuff either. It just seemed a bit of a double standard.
Another aspect that I struggle with is who the novel is geared towards. It has some pretty dark elements to it that make it not really a younger children's book, but the writing was very juvenile at times. An example of this is the fact that for humor or comedic relief a scene almost always included someone slipping/tripping/falling and getting mud/water/bubbles on them. It just came across as humor that would be more appealing to younger children.
I did like exploring the library that Belle loved so much. That was a fun aspect of the book. The library has always intrigued me. It was also fun to visit some of the characters again and see them in a new setting, new storyline – even if it was flawed.
I also really enjoyed that it was a quick, fun read. I read the entire book in 1 day. The chapters were short and sweet. Jennifer Donnelly is a very strong writer who is amazingly talented.
Overall, I think Lost in a Book relies on people's love of all things Disney or Beauty and the Beast. It isn't an overly complex novel. It is short, sweet and fun, but it has its flaws. I wish I has loved it. I really do, but I just liked it. I highly recommend it for any fan of Disney movies or anyone who loves Beauty and the Beast, but anyone who wants a truly original story will have to look elsewhere.
Lost in a Book has all the favorite characters from the animated film and even introduces some of the other background characters that are playing a bigger role in the live action film. The story takes place shortly after Belle walked through the West Wing and ran out of the castle only to be almost attacked by wolves and the Beast saves her. Belle is extremely lonely and desperate to connect with the Beast, but is unable to do so because he is so standoffish.
The Beast in a desperate attempt to win Belle's heart – or just be nice – shows her the library and the original tale begins. Belle discovers a mysterious book which allows her to go to a world known as Nevermore. In Nevermore, Belle befriends a countess who promises to give Belle the world and fix everything that is wrong while giving her the life she has always dreamed of.
I am torn on how to react to this novel. On one level, a very small, nostalgic part of me loved the book. Another part of me was a bit aggravated with some of the changes that were teased for the upcoming movie. And another part of me just felt that there were a lot of overused YA tropes used throughout the novel.
Lost in a Book involves jumping through a book and living in a book world. In the past year or so, this has been a theme used in many books. The books that I have read that used this type of storyline were a lot stronger and better than this novel. That isn't to say this is a bad novel or poorly written, the theme is just overused and other books did it better.
In addition to the whole traveling through a book theme, there is the whole Death vs. Love as characters theme going on. Again, this just seemed like an overused theme. It was done alright, but I would have liked to see more of an original story in the Beauty and the Beast world than a story that was a hodge podge of themes from other novels.
There are several aspects of the book that really didn't vibe with me. Belle came across as a very unreliable character. She would easily get mad at the Beast for not opening up, not being kind. Even after she knew his secrets and why he was so standoffish she still kept harping on him and wouldn't budge. However, the minute she goes into Nevermore she becomes BFFs with people she has known for a nanosecond and they barely told her stuff either. It just seemed a bit of a double standard.
Another aspect that I struggle with is who the novel is geared towards. It has some pretty dark elements to it that make it not really a younger children's book, but the writing was very juvenile at times. An example of this is the fact that for humor or comedic relief a scene almost always included someone slipping/tripping/falling and getting mud/water/bubbles on them. It just came across as humor that would be more appealing to younger children.
I did like exploring the library that Belle loved so much. That was a fun aspect of the book. The library has always intrigued me. It was also fun to visit some of the characters again and see them in a new setting, new storyline – even if it was flawed.
I also really enjoyed that it was a quick, fun read. I read the entire book in 1 day. The chapters were short and sweet. Jennifer Donnelly is a very strong writer who is amazingly talented.
Overall, I think Lost in a Book relies on people's love of all things Disney or Beauty and the Beast. It isn't an overly complex novel. It is short, sweet and fun, but it has its flaws. I wish I has loved it. I really do, but I just liked it. I highly recommend it for any fan of Disney movies or anyone who loves Beauty and the Beast, but anyone who wants a truly original story will have to look elsewhere.
February 7, 2017
Donnelly hooked me big-time with Revolution (still one of the most powerful books I have ever read), and I have hung with her as she has bounced from one genre to another ever since. I read somewhere that she wanted to write for her own middle-grade daughter and her friends, which I think explains her plunge into the Disneyverse in the last few years.
I just finished "Lost in a Book," and like the Waterfire Saga, her last Disney project, she brings a level of depth and nuance that's rarely (if ever) seen in its genre -- in this case, movie spin-off books. "Lost" is an original story that expands on the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale (and presumably the new movie), but doesn't repeat it or contradict it. It's a completely different story set in the same world and with the same characters (plus a few new ones). It follows the lives of Belle (mostly) and Beast and the rest of the crew when they're offscreen, if you will -- away from the main storyline, and before the movie's big romance.
You can read the book description for the story, but the amazing thing to me is how much goes on: this is not a throwaway tangential plotline. It's a grand adventure, as the blurb says -- but more importantly, it provides a lot of backstory and inner-life action that flesh out Belle (and Beast) as characters. It adds a big dimension to the overall B&B story -- I'm guessing this new addition will become part of the main tale from now on.
And this is a Donnelly book, so there's a lot happening beneath the words on the page: big themes of love and death (actually, in this rendering, Love vs. Death -- literally!), coming-of-age, forgiveness, redemption, a love of books and literature (yes, Belle adores Shakespeare, Chaucer and Milton; A Northern Light fans will definitely see shades of Mattie Gokey in her!). But it's not heavy or academic -- it's an easy read and a lot of fun.
It's a kids' book, but like the best Disney movies, there's plenty going on here to engage and entertain the grownups. If you're a Beauty and the Beast fan (or a Donnelly fan) of any age, I think you'll love this.
I just finished "Lost in a Book," and like the Waterfire Saga, her last Disney project, she brings a level of depth and nuance that's rarely (if ever) seen in its genre -- in this case, movie spin-off books. "Lost" is an original story that expands on the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale (and presumably the new movie), but doesn't repeat it or contradict it. It's a completely different story set in the same world and with the same characters (plus a few new ones). It follows the lives of Belle (mostly) and Beast and the rest of the crew when they're offscreen, if you will -- away from the main storyline, and before the movie's big romance.
You can read the book description for the story, but the amazing thing to me is how much goes on: this is not a throwaway tangential plotline. It's a grand adventure, as the blurb says -- but more importantly, it provides a lot of backstory and inner-life action that flesh out Belle (and Beast) as characters. It adds a big dimension to the overall B&B story -- I'm guessing this new addition will become part of the main tale from now on.
And this is a Donnelly book, so there's a lot happening beneath the words on the page: big themes of love and death (actually, in this rendering, Love vs. Death -- literally!), coming-of-age, forgiveness, redemption, a love of books and literature (yes, Belle adores Shakespeare, Chaucer and Milton; A Northern Light fans will definitely see shades of Mattie Gokey in her!). But it's not heavy or academic -- it's an easy read and a lot of fun.
It's a kids' book, but like the best Disney movies, there's plenty going on here to engage and entertain the grownups. If you're a Beauty and the Beast fan (or a Donnelly fan) of any age, I think you'll love this.
November 13, 2020
Belle is captive in the Beast's castle🏰. But apart from all her worries, she has friends in his castle. Is the Beast a friend too? She finds a book that takes her away from her worries, Literally and Figuratively.
My favorite character was of course, Belle. I think me and her have a lot in common and are alike in many ways. I am really connected to her. I loved how Belle felt so real to me but the rest of the characters didn't. The last hundred pages were the best part of the book for me. They just started feeling so real and active. I even took some Quotes from the book:
"She doesn't get tell my story, I do" -BELLE
"I always win" Said Love
Another thing I liked about the book is how the story gripped me and had me Turing pages. Most of us know the story of Beauty and the Beast. It's my favorite story, it shows how love always overcomes. That's another reason why I love this book. But it this book kinda changed the way I thought of of the original story. I didn't like how plain the book was though it does have a strong message. I also feel like the book is trying too hard.
I think younger readers would enjoy this book. Also fans of Beauty and the Beast!
My favorite character was of course, Belle. I think me and her have a lot in common and are alike in many ways. I am really connected to her. I loved how Belle felt so real to me but the rest of the characters didn't. The last hundred pages were the best part of the book for me. They just started feeling so real and active. I even took some Quotes from the book:
"She doesn't get tell my story, I do" -BELLE
"I always win" Said Love
Another thing I liked about the book is how the story gripped me and had me Turing pages. Most of us know the story of Beauty and the Beast. It's my favorite story, it shows how love always overcomes. That's another reason why I love this book. But it this book kinda changed the way I thought of of the original story. I didn't like how plain the book was though it does have a strong message. I also feel like the book is trying too hard.
I think younger readers would enjoy this book. Also fans of Beauty and the Beast!
June 14, 2017
“Reading became my sanctuary,” Belle continued. “I found so much in those books. I found histories that inspired me. Poems that delighted me. Novels that challenged me…” Belle paused, suddenly self-conscious. She looked down at her hands, and in a wistful voice, said, “What I really found, though, was myself.”
This book was enchanting. It pulled me in and made me invested in the story.
This would have been 4 stars if it weren't for one thing. I thought that the first 250 pages were kind of slow and boring. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't totally DNF-THIS-IS-A-WASTE-OF-TIME boring, but I felt like it could've had a little more action.
This book was enchanting. It pulled me in and made me invested in the story.
This would have been 4 stars if it weren't for one thing. I thought that the first 250 pages were kind of slow and boring. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't totally DNF-THIS-IS-A-WASTE-OF-TIME boring, but I felt like it could've had a little more action.
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