Thursday, June 25, 2015

Review: Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay


Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey JayOf Beast and Beauty
by Stacey Jay
July 23, 2013
391 pages


Goodreads Summary:
In the beginning was the darkness, and in the darkness was a girl, and in the girl was a secret...

In the domed city of Yuan, the blind Princess Isra, a Smooth Skin, is raised to be a human sacrifice whose death will ensure her city’s vitality. In the desert outside Yuan, Gem, a mutant beast, fights to save his people, the Monstrous, from starvation. Neither dreams that together, they could return balance to both their worlds.

Isra wants to help the city’s Banished people, second-class citizens despised for possessing Monstrous traits. But after she enlists the aid of her prisoner, Gem, who has been captured while trying to steal Yuan’s enchanted roses, she begins to care for him, and to question everything she has been brought up to believe.

As secrets are revealed and Isra’s sight, which vanished during her childhood, returned, Isra will have to choose between duty to her people and the beast she has come to love.



Review
 
Of Beast and Beauty is a book where I feel like I have so many things to say but when I sat down to write my thoughts, nothing came out. I was finding it hard to put my thoughts into coherent sentences and when I tried to, nothing sounded right. So here's my attempt at sorting through my thoughts, please bear with me :)

I had some issues with this one but I really think it was a beautiful story. The writing was magnetic drawing you in and the characters were flawed but very relatable. Even though the city was on the brink of destruction, I can definitely sense its former glory and its potential to be better.

Isra and Gem were beautiful people no matter what they looked like on the outside. Both of them made infuriating but understandable moves. I also found it quite discouraging to see the way Isra doubted herself as a result of her father's actions. I shudder at thinking what would happen if Gem hadn't appeared in her life :S Truths like the unimaginable cruelty the people suffered from would never get out and the evil would get to keep its clutch on the city. Ya no good.

I have to admit that I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as I wanted to but that is entirely due to my personal preference. I like fantasy stories with a fair amount of action and while this book seemed to have that, it didn't quite reach my expectation. I found the climax of the story lacking. Basically there was a ton of buildup towards the city collapsing and when it happens, it just sort of happens. Rather quickly too.

Of Beast and Beauty wrapped up beautifully so I am happy about that! It really is a story that gets you thinking. Do our looks really matter that much? Or at all? Don't let other people dictate your life, live it yourself!
 
4 Cats

10 comments:

  1. I keep meaning to read this and then forget about it again! I'm so glad you enjoyed this, I really liked her Juliet Immortal duology.

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    1. I haven't read that duology but I've picked up Princess of Thorns and so far so good :D Hope you read this one soon and let me know what you think!!

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  2. Wow, this sounds interesting. I like a bit of action in my fantasy as well, so I'll have to remember that this isn't as action-y when I read it, but it sounds great otherwise! Nice review. :)

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  3. OOh nice review! Yet again, this is one I still need to read! I love a good fairytale retelling! Beauty & the Beast is my favorite so I am excited to see how Stacey writes this one! I too still need to read her first duology as well, but I have read Princess of Thorns! Yes! 1 book down! LOL! I really liked that one, so I expect that I should like this one too! Again, great review!

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    1. Hahaha we're both at 1 down ;) I've started Princess of Thorns and it's very promising! Can't wait to keep reading and I hope you love Of Beast and Beauty when you get to it!

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  4. I have this one somewhere in my parents' house, or maybe in a box in my apartment... either way, it's in my TBR pile and I'm glad to hear that you liked it, even if you didn't totally love it per se!

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    1. It was good and I seriously loved the writing. I hope you'll love it when you find it Pili hee ;)

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  5. Great review. I have wanted to watch this one for quite some time. I love Beauty and the Beast and am always excited to find another retelling. ACOTAR is my favourite so far, but I definitely want to try this one.

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    1. I have ACOTAR so I need to get on that asap! I hope this one is just as good for you Charnell :D

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