Review: The Beast’s Heart by Leife Shallcross

Berkley, 2019

⭐⭐⭐(.5)

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Synopsis

Well, folks. You know the story. A cold-hearted prince meets Fairy Justice. Except this time the story is told entirely from the perspective of the Beast. Will the beautiful Isabeau fall in love with him and break the curse? (Yes. Obvi!)

My Thoughts

Full disclosure…I’ve always been in love with fairytales and I am a super-mega-raging Beauty and the Beast fangirl. I was just about six years old when the original Disney phenomenon hit the theaters and I remember watching it on the big screen like it was yesterday. It sounds ridiculous but this movie did alter the course of my little life. It ignited my love for epic romance. It set my standard for brainy, beautiful book loving heroines. Everyone who knows me knows that I’m obsessed with this story.

So I was excited to read a version of this story from the Beast himself. And, generally, I liked it. There’s a heavy fantastical feeling threaded through the entire story and Leife Shallcross is a talented author who writes vividly and emotionally. If you like fantasy, and I do, you will probably enjoy this book.

However, and maybe it’s just the reading mood I’m currently in, but I do wish that there was a little bit more going on in this story. A little more action. As this story is told from the perspective of the Beast A LOT of the story is happening inside his own head. It’s a lot of inner monologue. And while it’s executed superbly, I thought a little more action would have been nice. There were a few scenes that felt prolonged to me and I was tempted to skip ahead.

But, again, Ms. Shallcross is a very talented writer and weaves magic very prettily throughout this adored classic tale. If you’re in the mood for something with an epic, contemplative feeling, check out The Beast’s Heart! It’s set to release on February 12, 2019. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Happy Romance Reading!