The Beast and the Beauty by Aya Ling Review

After reading and enjoying Till Midnight, I knew the next logical step was to read its sequel The Beast and the Beauty. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale, but I had never read a reverse gender retelling of this beloved tale. I do not know why I have not gotten around to it sooner since I want to read Ogre Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, and Beasts of Beauty by Celeste Baxendell for quite a while. However, it is better to start late than never. Anyway, the book was good, and I had a fun time reading it. But compared with the other two books in the trilogy I would have to say this was one was my least favorite. However, it was a good introduction to a gender swapped Beauty and the Beast tale and I think any fairy tale lover would enjoy this book. It should be noted that many spoilers from the first book are brought up, so it is best to read the series in order. If you want to read the series without spoilers, then it is best read this review after finishing the book. For those of you who don't mind a few spoilers than keep reading. 

The book opens with Lady Sybil de la Roche trying and failing to get another man to propose to her. Years ago, Sybil was considered the most beautiful women ever. She had no lack of suitors and even the king himself wished to have her for his wife. All that changed when the evil witch Moira who wished to possess Sybil’s body to become beautiful herself cursed her to become a beast. The only way to break the wicked spell is for Sybil to receive a proposal of marriage. For over forty years she and her cursed servants (who do not age) have lived in her secluded chateau with only lost traveler to visit them. But after 28 rejections Sybil has given up on ever meeting such a man to free her. Fed up with her failed attempts she decides to take matters into her own hands and find a mage who will break the curse for her instead. Meanwhile Prince Gerald is on a mission to find the missing mage Urdu to help vanquish his kingdom vanquish the trolls who could break free at any moment. Losing his way in a snowstorm, he breaks into Sybils mansion using the peerless knife and soon finds himself a guest at the mansion. Forced to wait until the broken bridge is fixed, he is intrigued by the mystery women Alma who always hides her face with a veil. Claiming to be Lady Sybil’s servant, the two discuss favorite books and soon grow fond of each other. But Gerald knows Alma and the chateau’s servants are hiding something. Why can’t he meet Lady Sybil? Why does Alma keep pushing him away? What is she so afraid of? You must read the book to find out how things will turn out. 

It was nice that Gerald got his own story since he was a pretty important character in Till Midnight. I liked him more than Theo, his older brother, and seeing him have his own book was a wonderful surprise. Gerald is known to be a very handsome man who even looks slightly feminine. His younger brothers Ethan and Enzo often tease him about it much to his annoyance. But he is in no way arrogant. He values the mind much more than looks and is intrigued by Sybil’s interest in books. Gerald even comments on how he does not like the main character in a book Sybil lent him because of how he treats women. Their discussions were interesting and nice to read about. Sybil was a good version of the classic beast character. However, unlike Disney’s beast she is not arrogant or short tempered. Instead, she is cynical only because of the years of rejection and pushes Gerald away because she wants to avoid the possibility of getting hurt. The servants were also a great cast who are determined to bring Gerald and Sybil together. The book also showed how their lives were affected too since the curse prevents them from aging. Two servants want to marry each other but are afraid to have a child who would outlive them. Another servant Victorie had to break off an engagement to the man she loved and never saw him again which breaks her heart as well as mine. This book also does not shy away from death and heartbreak. By the end of the story, I was happy yet sad and this would only increase while reading The Cursed Prince, the third and final book in the series. Look out for its review sometime this week. Until next time. E. V. A.