Review: Beastly by Alex Flinn

Release Date: October 16 2009
Publisher: HarperTeen
Reading Level: Young Adult
Pages: 300
Type: Paperback
Source: Bought from B & N
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I am a Beast.

A beast. Not quite wolf or gorilla or dog, but a horrible new creature with fangs, claws, and hair springing from every pore. I am a walking monster. You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. And I'll stay this way forever........unless I can break the spell. Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, the perfect girl, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became...........beastly.

-- Back Cover Description




I have to be honest. The first thing that drew me to this book was the movie. I wanted to read the book first before I watched the movie, but didn't quiet get around to it. So I read it after. If you have seen the movie it is nothing like the book. The underlining story is the same, but the book is more closely related to the original Beauty and the Beast, in which he actually turns into a beast. I am not downing the movie, not at all, I enjoyed both. You could almost view them as separate stories.

In Beastly the rich, breathtakingly handsome, Kyle Kingsbury is on top of the world. Every guy wants to be him, and every girl wants to date him, and he doesn't want for anything. Instead of being happy for the blessings he has; he is mean, cocky, and makes fun of those who are less fortunate. However, one day he picks on the wrong person. A girl that is not so pretty, and a bit strange is actually a witch. For his bullying he is cursed to look like a beast, until someone falls in love with him. With is outside appearance now matching his inside beauty, he must find someone to look at him without being disgusted, much less fall in love with him.

I really enjoyed this book. My favorite fairy tale of all time, since I was a little girl, is Beauty and the Beast. Beastly is a very enjoyable, modern retelling of that classic tale. I wanted to smack Kyle in the beginning, but then felt sorry for him after he was cursed, and by the end I was rooting for him. I felt sorry for him not because he turned into a beast, but because everyone he thought cared for him abandoned him when he needed them the most. Even his own father.

I also loved Lindy. She comes from a horrible background, but doesn't let that stop her from being a sweet person. She is also the perfect match for Kyle to show him the true meaning of love. They were meant to meet, and meant to save each other.

If you enjoy Beauty and the Beast or just a love story with a bit of magic thrown in you will enjoy Beastly.

Overall Rating = B+

If you have read the book check out the movie. It's a bit different, but still very good.