She's unfailing practical and the play between the two is very rewarding.

Once she comes to his castle, she finally comes into her own, and she seems less wishy-washy than most heroines. There are a LOT of flaws in those first chapters, and this was one of the few books from the 'Once Upon a Time' series that I regretted buying before reading. And the slog to getting to that point is almost not worth the effort. Yes, it takes three-fourths of a book for Belle to FINALLY meet the Beast. Sadly, however, that only happens in the last quarter of the book. Read moreīelle has one of the most interesting takes on Beauty & The Beast that I've read. Belle agrees, never dreaming that she and the Beast have the same wish: to be seen not with the eyes of the mind, but of the heart. One day, during a fierce storm, Belle’s father stumbles upon the fabled tree-only to become ensnarled by it and come face-to-face with a terrifying and lonely Beast, who will set him free on one condition: that Belle carves the Heartwood. Her solace is her wood-carving hobby, and she longs to find the Heartwood tree: Legend has it that, when carved by the right hands, it can reveal the face of one’s true love. She begs to be called by her given name, Annabelle-or even Anna for short-but to no avail. Unlike her older sisters Celeste and April, whose names suit them perfectly, Belle knows that she is not beautiful.

The story of Beauty and the Beast finds new life in this magical and imaginative retelling that’s filled with romance and adventure.īy the time her sixteenth birthday comes around, Belle feels more convinced than ever that she is being called by the wrong name.

Golden by cameron dokey