The Beast Within by Serena Valentino

Anyone who knows me knows that I love Beauty and the Beast. It's my favorite fairytale, Disney movie and love story. I can't even count how many times I have watched the Disney movie, and yes I will admit that the movie has plot holes. This book tries to fill those plot holes, and it makes an interesting tale that explains how the Prince became the Beast. 

This book stays true to the Disney film and it answers the questions we all ask when we watch the film: How old was the Prince when he was turned to the Beast? Why don't the villagers know about a castle so close to their town? Who cursed the Beast? Were they good or evil?

All these questions are answered in interesting ways. 

My only complaint is that I wished the story was actually told in Beast's point of view. Due to the title and the obvious focus on the Beast, it would have been interesting to hear his own voice as the events conspire to lead up to the Disney film. 

The story itself echoed Greek mythology and Shakespeare plays. It was unexpected how much Gaston was involved in the story, and we're introduced to Belle pretty early in the Beast's timeline. 

I liked this take on the story and how it echoed a little more of the orginal fairytale in terms of the curse and the rose garden. The story stayed true to the characters, and added depth to background characters as well. 

All in all, I'd give it four out of five rose petals. 

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Four months ago, I picked up a book called Shadow and Bone, and I was blown away! The story echoed the epics, with the conflict of light and dark, the symbolism of life and death, and the mythical creatures of folklore. Alina is a brave soul, and her path begins when she becomes a Sun Summoner, but not by choice. Her title wisks her away through the strange country of Ravka, battling the forces of the Darkling and all the while trying to stay true to herself. The first book, Shadow and Bone begins her tale, and reveals her purpose to find three great amplifiers of power in order to defeat the darkness and save the country of Ravka. The second book reveals the truth behind the legends she must chase.  But her journey is more complicated than it seems, for each amplifier is created at a high price, and none will be higher than her final task, to retrieve the fire bird. As Alina becomes more well known throughout Ravka, she goes from summoner to saint, and becomes more involved in the chaos of the war around her. This book concludes her story, and completes this saga of imagination, adventure and myth. 

Leigh Bardugo is able to create complex characters who are not always good or bad. Many villains have empathetic moments, and in turn, many heroes must make cruel decisions. Alina's decisions become more and more difficult as she chases the firebird, and each confrontation reveals a new dark secret about herself, and the world of Ravka. As the story progresses, Alina must use the strength of her humanity to confront the raw and cruel greed that comes with power.

This trilogy was amazing, and all three books are worth reading. The story is epic, and reflects many myths and legends from Europe, while still creating a mythology and history of its own. 

I give this book five out of five sunbursts!