Sunday, October 11, 2009

Belle by Cameron Dokey

Genre: YA Fiction

One Word Review: Charming

First Line: “I’ve heard it said—and my guess is you have too—that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

Synopsis: “Belle is convinced she has the wrong name, as she lacks her sisters' awe-inspiring beauty. So she withdraws from society, devoting her time to wood carving. Secretly, Belle longs to find the fabled Heartwood Tree. If carved by the right hands, the Heartwood will reveal the face of one's true love. During a fierce storm, Belle's father stumbles upon the mysterious Heartwood -- and encounters a terrifying and lonely Beast. Now Belle must carve the Heartwood to save her father, and learn to see not with the eyes of her mind, but with the eyes of her heart.” –GoodReads

Kathy’s Review: This was a fun retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I really enjoyed Belle’s character, she was very likable. I also really enjoyed her family and her two older sisters. I like the side story of April and Dominic, I do wish something more would have happened with Celeste. The ending came up too quickly and I thought it was all wrapped up a too fast. I would have enjoyed more time and interaction between Belle and the Beast. It was very well written though and had a great fairytale feel throughout the whole story. I love the Once Upon a Time series! They are all a little too short, but still a fun way to revisit some of your favorite fairy tales.

Throughout the whole book I kept thinking I had read it before, as I thought more about it I realized the story is very similar to
Beauty by Robin McKinley. There are some differences, but I was surprised by just how similar they really were.

5 comments:

  1. I have the Mulan book at home by Dokey in the same series. But interesting that this book and the McKinley story are alike. Great review.

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  2. I've enjoyed all the Dokey re-tellings. I haven't read this one. I'll have to check it out.

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  3. I love the cover on this one! I think I would get it just for the cover alone.

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  4. I love retellings. Cameron Dokey usually does a fantastic job. I just reserved this.

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  5. I didn't like this as much as I have her other books. I feel like she didn't spend enough time with the beast to develop anykind of relationship.

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