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Average rating: 4/5

Based on 127 ratings

Beastly

by Alex Flinn

Harpercollins Publishers | September 15, 2008 | Trade Paperback

A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright-a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.

You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll stay this way forever-ruined-unless I can break the spell.

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.

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  • Community Reviews
    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    I saw that there is going to be a movie based on this book so I though I should read this before going to see it.

    It is a retelling of the fairytale story Beauty and the Beast. I never liked Beauty and the Beast as a kid. I have seen all the Disney movies but never really felt something about this story, except for the little mermaid... I loved that one!
    Anyway so I thought why not reading this book. I may actually like the story if it is on today's terms.

    It's about a boy named Kyle and he is obsessed with his own vanity. He thinks, people that being less than perfect doesn't deserve any attention at all. And perfect, by his terms, is anyone who has money and beauty.
    He doesn't behave nice to people that aren't perfect like him but a witch comes to put an end to that.

    Sendra, is a witch that has been watching him for a while and feel discussed by what he is doing.... so she decides to give him a lesson.... an ugly one...

    She transforms hims into a beast and the only way to get out of this curse is to find someone to love him in this form.
    He has to find a girl to love him and of course he has to love her back in order to break the curse. And all that in two years notice.

    I wouldn't say that I loved the book and that is because I don't like Beauty and the Beast so much.... but I can say that I enjoyed it.
    I liked that the book was told by the boy point of view. I liked how his character changed after his transformation. He wasn't a good guy and I didn't like him at all how he was at the beggining. A guy that was only interested in money and beauty living by his Dad's money and fame.
    But all that changed when he became a beast. He became more aware that there is more out there aside from money and beauty.

    He relises that he had never loved or been loved before and that seems impossible now that he is a beast.
    A girl though comes to prove him wrong.
    If you like fairytales being told in today's world and like the Beauty and the Beast... this is for you.

    • Was this review
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    Rating: 4/5

    awsome

    This review is from: Beastly (Trade Paperback)

    Zachary Randle

    4 months ago

    prehaps the best modern adaptation of the tale beauty and the beast. this book tells the perfect story toldfrom the beasts point of view.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 5/5

    Good Read

    This review is from: Beastly (Trade Paperback)

    melii90

    6 months ago

    Very good book, easy to read and very quick to read as well. Saw both the movie and read the book and I enjoyed the book more, I thought it was more in depth on the feelings and all the details that make it even more interesting to read. I recommend this book it's a very good read.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 5/5

    Awesome Read!

    This review is from: Beastly (Trade Paperback)

    Jessica Etches

    9 months ago

    I read this before the movie came out and although the movie was great and true to the story I found more in depth feelings in the book and more in depth thought. This book is something I borrowed from the Library then bought it when I was done reading it. Its something I know I will read again. I loved the story and the characters and even more I loved the modern twist on the classic tale. Great stuff!

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 4/5

    Great Modern Fairytale

    This review is from: Beastly (Trade Paperback)

    Heather Wilson

    9 months ago

    I haven't seen the movie, but this book is really great. It's a pretty quick read, but it has all the elements of being really enjoyable. It's go the right amount of romance, the dark and mysterious beast we adore and a happily-ever-after ending. Flinn did a great job of modernizing a classic story.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    for anyone who liked the story of beauty and the beast as a child will love this modern take on the classic story...

    - NOTHING like the movie- the book is so much betterr!!

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Such an intriguing take on the Beasts perspective. It's the character you love to hate, sadly the ending was predictable but I'm usually pretty good at sniffing that sort of thing out. Great character development obviously. I recommend it to anyone who loves little romance mixed with action, it's a great quick read. The movie is going to be completely wrong so read the book instead.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 5/5

    Amazing!

    ashley troigen

    12 months ago

    This book was amazing. It was my perfect type of read. Hostile, funny, and downright romantic. I wouldn't change a thing about this book and it is one of my favorite reads. I highly request this book for 13-17 year olds :) ENJOY!

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    This is such a beautiful story! To anyone who has loved watching the movie Beauty and The Beast, I would definitely recommend reading this book! I have not yet watched the movie and I'm looking forward to!

    Brief description of the book:

    Kyle is a spoiled rich teenager, very handsome, and all the popular girls in school like him. He treats those who are different and less "perfect" as freaks and decides to play a prank on a girl in school at a dance. Soon he discovers that she isn't just another teenager in school, but a witch. Cursed by this witch, he must discover that beauty is only skin deep and how to truly love another and not just oneself.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 5/5

    Fantastic Twist on a Fairy Tale

    Lady Grey

    17 months ago

    I read this book in one sitting. I picked it up last night at 830, and finished it as the clock rolled to 1130. Let me start by prefacing, not many books have the power to do that for me. Especially considering I am batalling a horrendous cold, and have been exhausted for the last 3 or so days. Any way to the review at Hand

    The story revolves around Kyle Kingsbury (or as he becomes known later Adrian King)who is a selfish, pretentious jackass high school student (and trust me I am an expert on these kind of kids, they were responsible for my high school torment for 3 years, but i digress) who makse the sorry mistake of playing a cruel prank on a girl in his english class. Of course with most fairytales, he is given a chance to redeem himself and doesnt, ergo the witch (his classmate) turns him into a beast, so he is as ugly on the outside as he is on the inside. Soon after he finds himself removed from his horrible fathers presence, put up in a house with a maid, and a blind tutor. Adrian soon learns that there is more to life then outward beauty, he learns there is more to his maid then just a poor woman, more to his tutor then just a man paid to care for him. Through these revelations, he discovers true love, and what it means to be loved for who you are on the inside not just wha you look like.

    The story could have been ripped from Disneys Beauty and the Beast screen play, and put into a book, but with its modern updates, quirky characters, and lessons to be learned the book is a masterpiece for teen fiction.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 3/5

    Modern take on old story

    sarossi

    2 years ago

    This story is well written, easy to read and contemporary. However, there are no twists...it's the same old story. The only thing I disliked about the book is that the first 3/4 of it is about the main character (which is necessary for his character development, I guess) and then enters the girl only at the very end. It seem (to me) like the developing relationship between the two is rushed, and thus you don't really 'get into' their romance.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Kyle Kingsbury is that guy. You know? THAT guy. The one who has it all; The money, the looks, the popularity, the girls, and the friends. He's the guy who expects to win everything, and this year, he already knows that he'll be crowned The Ninth-Grade Prince. His dad is a big shot, news reporter who has brought up Kyle to think that "ugly" people should be treated differently. Kyle parades around school judging people on how they look, and he basically thinks that if you are "ugly", you should be doing something to fix it. He's self-absorbed, selfish and conceeded. He thinks that everyone worships him, and looks up to him, but one English class changes everything.

    Kendra Hilferty is basically what one would think when looking at her. She looks like a witch. What she does proves the obvious. She confronts Kyle, and tells him that he is ugly on the inside, and that he is beastly. She thinks this whole popularity stuff is nonsense, but Kyle just laughs and thinks this is another one of those ugly girls who has a crush on him; Well Kyle, don't be too sure about that.

    Her words impacted and freaked Kyle out a great deal, and he's not going to just ignore her, he wants payback, and to teach her a lesson; don't mess with Kyle. Though, what he decides to do isn't smart, and Kendra knows that Kyle will is going to mess with her somehow, it's all a test.
    Kyle asks Kendra out to the dance, but still plans on going with his girlfriend, Sloane. She's snotty, picky and self-absorbed, and demands that Kyle must get her a purple orchid to match her dress. Well, that didn't happen and Kyle ends up getting a white rose, which makes Sloane VERY angry. She says it clashes with her outfit, and that Kyle has ruined her night. Well, Kyle doesn't know what to do with the corsage so he just gives it to this random girl working at the dance that night, and then pulls through with his plan. He makes sure Kendra can see him when he kisses Sloane. Kyle did exactly what Kendra expected, and now his life will change dramatically.

    There's no changing her decision, and now Kendra has transformed Kyle into a beast. He's hairy, ugly, scary and monstrous. Now, he knows what it feels like to be to be "ugly" and know how it feels when people don't look past your looks. The only way to become himself again, is to find TRUE love in only two years, and a kiss will break the spell. Okay, Kyle thinks, I'll just go on MySpace. Well, it's not that simple, and he knows that no one will ever love him. His dad has abandoned him, and keeps him confined in another house. All he can do is sit, read, and get tutored by the blind tutor that his father hired for him.

    This is the story of a boy who's life changes dramatically, page by page, he changes on the inside and he becomes that much closer to going back to what he he looked like on the outside....Will he be able to find true love in only two years?


    I liked this story. Of course, the characters weren't likable in the beginning but towards the middle they become interesting and intriguing. I enjoyed this story, and all the little things that made this story so unique; like the roses, made it even more enjoyable. It was a very magical story, that was a really good read.I look forward to reading more of Flinn's books, and see the movie based on Beastly!

    3.5/5
    2010-0047

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 5/5

    Lovely Take on a Classic Fairy Tale

    Cathy B

    • Top Blogger

    2 years ago

    Beastly Is a beautiful story, A Modern day Beauty and The Beast. The Book is about Kyle Kingsbury, a 16 year old highschool student who seems to have it all, The Looks, Popularity, Money, But what he doesn't have is a kind heart. Kyle would go out of his way to humiliate and tease the "average" or "Less than average" kids at his school. But someone is watching, A witch. Someone who sees the error of his ways and decides to teach Kyle a lesson. One Night Kyle has a confrontation with this witch, Bad Idea. She casts a spell on Kyle that turns him into a beast, He will be as ugly on the outside as he is on the inside. He has 2 years to find someone to love him for who he is on the inside, and accept him for who and what he is on the outside and seal it with a kiss for the curse to be broken.

    Throughout the whole book you notice a big transformation in kyle. The author really did a wonderful job on the character development of this book. It is one of the best adaptations of "The Beauty and the Beast" tale I've ever read. You will laugh and cry. I read this book in one day, I couldn't put it down. I was eager to find out if Kyle would find his true love and get his kiss. It was a wonderful story and I would recommend it to anyone.

    • Was this review
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    Rating: 5/5

    Perfectly Beastly...

    Reema ♥

    • Top Blogger

    2 years ago

    This book has been on my reading list for a long time, and I WISH I read it earlier!

    Beastly is about a young man named Kyle Kingsbury, he's got the perfect looks, he's got loads and loads of money, all the girls are inlove with him, and he gets away with everything, based on his looks.

    Until, in English class for the voting, a girl named Kendra claimed that they people being elected were unfair. She was over weight, with green hair dressed up in all black. Kyle obviously had to comment on her looks to get her to shut up.

    But, that's not all he did, he also asked her to the dance! Kendra did say yes, and Kyle's girlfried Sloane, really got pissed, but he said it was just a joke. So he ended up taking Sloane and she freaked out when his maid Magda didn't get the right flower, and orchid, but rather than a beautiful white rose. So he gave it to the teen at the desk who was taking the tickets, just some red head, crooked teeth, and she was obviously someone he would have never noticed.

    When Kyle returns home, guess who he finds? Kendra! She turns out to be a beautiful witch, and she's there to place a spell on him for always making fun of people, and for standing her up. So as her curse, she turns him into a beast. A creature with claws and fangs, as well as fur all over his body. To break the curse he must find love in two years, and a kiss to break the spell.

    Will Kyle break the spell? Will he become the handsome man he used to be? This book was AMAZING! BEST FAIRY TALE EVER! I couldn't put it down! Honestly, I stayed up till 12:30am to finish it! If you're a fairy tale lover, then this book is definetley for you!

    • Was this review
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    Rating: 4/5

    Relive the fairy tale

    Jessie Wilson

    2 years ago

    Beastly was a great book it was really well written and Alex Flinn did a great job modernizing the Beauty And The Beast story, I also found it very interesting that we got to read it in the Beasts point of view, it made the book and story different. Overall it was a great book and I'm a really big fan of the Disney movie ( i have the original version on VHS) and the book followed that stoyline really well but made it in this day and age. If your a fan of Beauty And The Beast check this book out.

    Comments on this review:
    AlbertaJenn

    I knew you would like it! I (personally) thought it was better than any adaptation of Beauty and the Beast that I have seen. Hopefully, the movie will be, too.

    Jessie Wilson

    Ya I realy did like it I'm happy I got it. I am a little unsure about the movie cause I saw the trailer today and it looks ok but there somehting thats bugging me about it, we'll have to see.

    • Was this review
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    Rating: 4/5

    Beastly

    Charlene

    2 years ago

    Beastly was a verry well told remaking of beauty and the beast. it was captivating and addicting all the way through. Although, i found that the ending was lacking the intensity that the end of a book should have. Overall though a terrific book. I recomend it.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    being a fan of the Disney's Beauty and the Beast, i absolutly loved this book! it really makes you wonder how it was from the beast's point of view. you may hate him at the beginning, but by the end, you realize the transformation was totally worth it! who wouldn't love the beast??!!

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 4/5

    Awesome twist on an old tale

    Steph Cybulski

    • Top Reviewer
    • Top List Publisher

    2 years ago

    What would happen if in present day society, someone could be turned into a beast? This book plays out that scenerio. Kyle is our lead character; good-looking, rich and full of himself. After he plays a cruel joke on a fellow classmate, he is cursed into a beast. If in two years he can't find someone to love him for what's on the inside, he will remain that way. Well, he has always depended on his looks to get girls, since his personality is severly lacking. Luckily, a girl does come along, but will she fall for him looking the way he does?
    This novel is really good. I love how it's a modern Beauty and the Beast tale. Also, it goes to show that looks are only skin deep.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 4/5

    Retelling of a Classic!

    Tiffany

    • Most Helpful
    • Top Blogger

    2 years ago

    A great retelling of a fairytale story!

    Kyle Kingsbury has it all. He's handsome, rich, all the powerful friends anyone would want. Though he's selfish, greedy, and cruel to all people he thinks that are "beneath" him. Though one night that changes. Kyle invites a girl to the prom, knowing that he would never go out with a person like her. While there he gives the girl at the door a rose because his girlfriend didn't want it. When his "date" does show up, he makes out with the girl he's with, humiliating the girl he invited. Upon arriving home he see's her standing in his room. She end's up being a witch, putting a curse on him, making him look ugly on the outside like he is on the inside. Though she does give him one break. Because he did one good deed before he was changed (giving the rose to the girl) she'll give him two years to break the spell.

    Upon his father finding out, his father takes him to all the best doctors and specialist in New York. The doctors tell him there's nothing they could do. Once his fathers finds this out he buys a house in Brooklyn, stuffing Kyle there, never to be seen again. While there Kyle get's a tutor, though there's one reason his father hired him. He's blind. Taking all the company he can get, Kyle, Magda the maid , and Will his teacher live together in this house. Kyle learns to live like the beast, bot going out, staying inside all day, reading. He picks up a hobby, he plants roses.

    One night someone breaks into his greenhouse. Kyle catches him and he begs Kyle for his life. He exchanges his life for his daughter. Kyle takes her in, hoping she could fall in love with him, breaking the curse. Enter Lindy, the daughter of the druggie and the girl who Kyle gave the rose to.

    I loved this story because the character's really grow before your eyes. Kyle, Lindy. The story keeps you captivated from beginning to end. Though the beginning is a little slow, I liked it. I also liked the conversations Beast has with the other magical creatures. It shows that you have to love yourself before you could love others. That if you only look for outside beauty, that sometimes they're ugly on the inside. I give it a 4.

    Comments on this review:
    **Darien**

    great review, yo tiffy isnt this gonna be a movie starring not so talented hudgens.

    Tiffany

    yeah the movie is coming out in July. Though hudgens will be in it I'll be seeing it for Alex Pettyfer, the guy who plays Kyle lol

    Roger Whissel

    Great review Tiff...has that Beauty and the Beast feel to it.

    • Was this review
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    Rating: 5/5

    Awesome read! :D

    Ambur Hostyn

    2 years ago

    I've always loved Disney's Beauty and the Beast, so I was excited to read this book, and I definitely wasn't disappointed. It was interesting to see it from the Beast's perspective. I loved being able to see what got him into the situation, and how he changed during his time as the beast. He was angsty and easy to relate to because he has doubts just like everyone else. He transformed in so many ways, and by seeing the story through the Beast's eyes we learnt the lesson along with him. The way his "Belle" comes to live with him is pretty different from the Disney version, but it definitely fit with the rest of the story. Told during our time, and in an urban setting, it's definitely an interesting spin on the story most of us have grown up with thanks to Disney. I loved this book! I'd recommend it to anyone who was looking for anything to read. I think this book would appeal to many, so if you're thinking about reading it, you definitely should. :D

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