Reviews

Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales by Soman Chainani

mayonnaise6's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

thedailymartin's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Let me begin by saying that I love the spins on the classic fairy tales. Unfortunately, I don't dig the writing because it's almost too...conversational? That said, I'll bet the audiobook is fantastic.

sofiar10's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional mysterious relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

drdavis23's review against another edition

Go to review page

1.0

I feel like the author really wanted to be seen as edgy without putting in a lot of effort. Decent formula apparently. Step one: take a well known and well loved story. Step two: cram in as much diversity as possible without really thinking about whether or not it made sense. (Optional: change something about the original plot.) Step three: profit.

Personally, I’d rather have a well written story, thanks.

books_and_fairy_lights's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

I can't say it was bad, but it was definitely disappointing. I was expecting something very witty, smart, complex,  political and feminist. Instead it was rather flat and uninventive. There were some interesting bits but also a lot of platitudes. Having read Angela Carter's retellings, this really isn't holding up to her legacy. I know it wasn't destined to the same audience, but still. It could have been a lot better than this.

thenextpaige90's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Wow. What and incredible collection of fairytale retellings!

toriah's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I loved this so much. Each story taking the moral of the original tale and twisting it the way it should be. Reflective and empowering. Hardcover purchase worthy.

birchcreek's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

What a wonderful collection of fairy tale retellings. They are original, sometimes quite surprising and thoroughly entertaining. The prose is magical on its own. Polly Lee truly performs--and not just reads--these stories on the audiobook and is just brilliant. I'll be on the lookout for more of her work, along with the author's, as well.

bookworm_panda's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I really loved these short stories and all the twists on the fairy tales we know. I liked Hansel and Gretel and Sleeping Beauty a lot, as twisted as they were lol
⠀
The illustrations are beautiful and definitely one of my favorite things about this book. Although I believe it’s for MG readers, there are some pretty serious subjects mixed in with some of these short stories. And some are sad - like Beauty and the Beast.

Definitely check out this book!

jojotio's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0