Rating: 
Summary: Prince Orasmyn-What You DIDN'T know about the classic tale
Review: This story tells the beasts point of view in the classic tale "Beauty and the Beast." Opening it is like entering a fantasy world... I read it on a trip, and since it was long I figured that was the only book I'd need. I was wrong! I finished it when I was less than halfway through my trip... I LOVE this story. If you haven't read it.. try it out. This is a wonderful book!
Rating: 
Summary: Different, Not As Captivating as the Original Tale
Review: Well I finally finished this book after reading it on and off for like...two years. It wasn't what I expected and in fact it did not meet my original expectations. I think the story could have been developed a little bit better and there not being too much detail on little things such as gardens and the surroundings. Yes, description is needed, but, at time it seemed as if this whole book was just a story of descriptions of the surroundings Orasmyn saw on his journey across Europe and Asia. I liked the twist of this story, though, I will admit that. The setting is more exotic for most of the journey w/ Persian palaces and the Indian wildnerness. The story explains how the Beast became so cruel and nasty, not because of his personality, but because of his new lion-like instincts. There were new characters here. Gone are Lumiere and Cogsworth and in their place is simply a fox, Chou Chou. The characters are well-developed and you can identify with most of them. The writer did a decent job here but I feel as if there was something missing, something that didn't make this story as magical as the real one.
Rating: 
Summary: Okay
Review: Well, there are certain things I liked and did not like about this book. I loved the different look on Beauty and the Beast, and that Belle wasn't so flitzy and airy as she is often portrayed, and that it was from the Beast's point of view, and that you really felt like you knew the characters. It's because of these things I gave it three stars. What prevented me from giving it 4 or 5 was that I didn't like was how it was written. It was too slow in places and the author writes in a style that I don't really like, but I suppose that is different with everybody. That was the main thing I had against it. Perhaps that is a bit harsh because, after all, it's not like I have published anything. Also, I loved the cover illustration. Hope this review helps. P.S. Some parts are NOT appropriate for children under 13.
Rating:
Summary: A Beast with A Heart
Review: Wow, the idea of the infamous Beast being a Persian prince, Orasmyn, is really well thought of. Based of some facts (explained in the end part of the book by Ms. Napoli), it makes sense to pull the story like it is plus it gives the romantic air in the book.
Reciting with style the story of the Beauty and the Beast from the Beast perspective with a fairy as antagonist (not male macho character in Disney version). You really get to know who the man behind the Beast as he grew up all along his journeys and torments. While Belle was a dutiful and smart girl with value which attracted the Beast.
A little too vivid with the lion story part but the feeling added to the drama. Very romantically clever retelling and certainly not boring.
I just wish there was one more chapter or epilog in the ending for explaining some detail undescribed when Orasmyn was still in lion shape (like Bell's color?).
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