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Health & Fitness

Book Review- Of Beast and Beauty

Of Beast and Beauty, is a beautiful reinvention of Beauty and the Beast, masterfully retold. Teaching readers that the value of love is the greatest truth.

Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay
publisher: Delacorte Press
♦release date: July 23rd, 2013
♦hardcover, 400 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦from publisher for honest review

♦rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

 One of the most beautiful and engaging stories of the year. A fairytale that surpasses expectations and preconceived notions of how Beauty and the Beast could be retold.

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In the beginning, there was a girl, a secret, and a truth. A battle between the dark hearted and the pure hearted. It would only take the bravest of hearts to hear the truth beyond the story, and soon everything that was from the beginning was lost. Leaving consequences that soon would be called upon.

For centuries, the survival for the people of Yuan has been dependent on the practice of human sacrifice. Isra, the blind princess, has been raised knowing of her duty to her people, “the smooth skins”, and the role she must fulfill. For being the only female of royal blood, only she can lay down her life and pour her blood upon the royal roses. Ensuring that the domed city of Yuan, remains bountiful, as well as safe from the dangers on the outside.

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Due to their faithful sacrifices, the domed city of Yuan is the only one of its kind that hasn’t perished, leaving the smooth skins and the desert dwelling “monstrous people,” as the only ones that remain on the planet. Fear and pride are all that remain of the smooth skins past, keeping them ever vigilant in their sacrifices. For Isra, her destiny is set and there is little that can be done to change a fate that has been set among the stars.

Everything goes as planned until Gem, a monstrous, bridges the city’s walls. Subsequently, landing himself right in the center of the royal garden, only to become a prisoner of Yuan, forever changing the destiny and fate of all their people.

Blindness of the soul, tainted by traditions past slowly dissolves, as fate begins to unweave itself. While Isra and Gem’s hatred for each other, slowly turns into tenderness, allowing affection to grow. Opening both Isra’s eyes through Gem, and Gems’ heart through Isra. Teaching each other to see with their hearts, giving them the ability to look past the traits that make them different, and see themselves for who they truly are.

Ultimately leaving Isra with the greatest decision of mankind: duty to your people or staying true to your heart.

Of Beast and Beauty, is a beautiful reinvention of Beauty and the Beast, masterfully retold. Teaching readers that the value of love is the greatest truth.

 Stacey Jay masterfully resculpts the characters we thought we knew and creates a world of ancient truths and new beginnings. Reimagining Beauty and the Beast in a way that warms the heart and the senses. Creating strength where there once was beauty and beauty where you only could see strength. Redefining beauty in its own form, causing you to take a look at the traits within you that reflect beauty and those that reflect a monstrous beast. 

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