Beasts and Beauty Published by HarperCollins on September 21, 2021 Source: Review copy
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / General, Juvenile Fiction / Fantasy & Magic, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Pages: 336
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Format: ARC
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You think you know these stories, don't you?
You are wrong.
You don't know them at all.
Twelve tales, twelve dangerous tales of mystery, magic, and rebellious hearts. Each twists like a spindle to reveal truths full of warning and triumph, truths that free hearts long kept tame, truths that explore life . . . and death.
A prince has a surprising awakening . . .
A beauty fights like a beast . . .
A boy refuses to become prey . . .
A path to happiness is lost. . . . then found again.
New York Times bestselling author Soman Chainani respins old stories into fresh fairy tales for a new era and creates a world like no other. These stories know you. They understand you. They reflect you. They are tales for our times. So read on, if you dare.
Review
The cover of this book is the perfect reason to open up and start reading this collection of fairy tale retellings. Little Red Riding Hood is first up for its twisted retelling that contains all the elements from the tale we know but gives a tremendous modern perspective. Now I’m sure you wonder these are fairy tales, but these are not for young ones to hear. These are perfect for the age group who has moved on but still wouldn’t mind a story or two before they head off to dreamland. The book is laid out to read one or all the stories simultaneously and opens up a way for modern teens to discuss how the author has changed the stories to fit a modern listening age. The one key element that all fairy tales have is the truth that is hidden inside the adventure. This collection is no exception, and I think this would be a valuable gift to pass on to any young adult in your life.
About Soman Chainani
Soman Chainani’s debut series, THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL, has sold more than 2 million copies, been translated into 29 languages across six continents, and will soon be a major motion picture.
Each of the five books in the series — THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL, A WORLD WITHOUT PRINCES, THE LAST EVER AFTER, QUESTS FOR GLORY, and A CRYSTAL OF TIME — have debuted on the New York Times Bestseller list. Together the books have been on the print and extended lists for more than 35 weeks.
The sixth and final book in the series will be released in 2020.
A graduate of Harvard University and Columbia University’s MFA Film Program, Soman began his career as a screenwriter and director, with his films playing at over 150 film festivals around the world. He has been nominated for the Waterstone Prize for Children’s Literature, been named to the Out100, and also received the $100,000 Shasha Grant and the Sun Valley Writer’s Fellowship, both for debut writers.
Soman lives in New York City.
