Thursday, November 8, 2018

Audio Book Review: Beauty and Beastly

Beauty and Beastly

By:  Melanie Karsak

Publish Date:  December 6, 2017, Audiobook Release July 26, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 6 hrs 4 mins
Narrated By:  Lesley Parkin

Genre:  Steampunk, Fairy Tale

Series:  3rd in Steampunk Fairy Tales series; 1st Book ~ Curiouser and Curiouser

Impression:  Steampunk and magical blend of a classic fairy tale.

Synopsis:
In this tale as old as time, Isabella Hawking must tinker a solution to a heartbreaking mystery.

When Isabelle and her papa set out from London on a sea voyage, Isabelle was thrilled. Visiting foreign courts, learning from master tinkers, and studying new ways to manipulate mechanicals sounded like a dream. But an unexpected gale turns the waters violent, and the ship is lost. Isabelle survives the tempest only to be shipwrecked on a seemingly-deserted island. Dotted with standing stones, faerie mounds, and a crumbling castle, the haunting place hints of a magical past. Isabelle may be an unwitting guest, but her arrival at the forgotten citadel heralds a new beginning for the beastly residents inside.

Beauty and Beastly is a retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast fairy tale set in 1814 Regency England.

First Sentence:
"Isabelle, are you coming?"

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I've listened to Lesley before. She did Curiouser and Curiouser as well. Her proper speech of words and her accent adds to the drawing of the characters. She brings each character to life with their own vocal personality as she narrates, acting out the story for us. I believed the characters as she voiced them with heart.

I really enjoy Melanie's steampunk twist to the fairy tales. She keeps key ingredients but transforms the story. Here we have the rose, the mirror, the garden, the offer for dinner, and Be Our Guest, don't go in this area, spot of missing painting, the library, the dance, and more. But she turns the events to work as a new tale with strong old tale influences. This keeps the story true to it's nature and easily recognizable for all.

I love the creations in the world. The steampunk creations and ideas here. The world shines with the feel of it. Oh the place where the Beast lives. Wow. It sounds stunning and so special in it's own way. It sounds like a place I'd enjoy visiting.

I love how the story is of steampunk and clockwork, but it also holds an element of magic to it. Lovely blend of the two to create this tale. There is magic present in more than one way. There is magic in the world, of course. But there is magic in the relationships created.

*sigh* For me this is a golden charm. I'm afraid if I get going on about the story that I'll give too much away and you won't be able to experience and enjoy it as I did. Melanie is amazing at turning the fairy tale to her telling yet keeping the essence of the story true. I'm once again taken with the talent.

Totally worth listening to the story.



****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you!

2 comments:

Sorry, got 106 spam comments in less than 24hrs. Had to turn on again.

I love comments! Please share your thoughts. I will respond here in the comments back to you.

Thank you for visiting!