Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
If you’re looking for a great read that mixes a bit of magic with a heartfelt story, then Beastly Beauty by Jennifer Donnelly is just the book for you!
With its rich storytelling and memorable characters, this tale pulls you into a world where beauty and beastliness go hand in hand. It’s all about love, change, and learning to accept ourselves.
So, grab a warm cup of tea and settle in as we explore this charming journey that’s sure to stick with you long after you finish!
Book info
book title: Beastly beauty
Author:Jennifer donnelly
Genre: Fairytale fiction
Pages: 336 pages
Beastly Beauty is a fairytale retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but with a twist: the genders are swapped!
So instead of the beast being a guy it’s the beautiful princess whose cursed.
The story follows Beau, a charming thief who travels with fellow rogues. Known for his good looks, Beau is often tasked with seducing women as a distraction while his crew raids their homes for gold, jewelry, and other treasures.
One day, their plan goes sideways when the sheriff comes home early, and they have to make a quick escape. They find a mysterious castle that seems empty, but the table is set for a feast, as if someone was expecting them. Ignoring the odd vibe, they dig in. But when the clock strikes, a fearsome beast—wolf-like and menacing—attacks.
Beau’s friends basically leaves him there as a distraction to the beast for them to escape, promising they’ll come back for him but they were obviously lying. They never had any intention on saving him because they broke the bridge they rode in on.
So now he’s trapped in the castle
Beastly beauty Characters
The Thieves:
- Beau: The charming protagonist, a thief with a heart. He’s driven by his love for his sick younger brother, Matteo, whom he left in a nun’s care while trying to make enough money to provide for them both.
- Raphael: The leader, he ensures that nobody is keeping anything from him by patting down the crew after every job.
- Miguel: The fool of the group, with no hair and rotten teeth,
- Rodrigo, Ramon, Carlos, Antonio: the rest of thieves
- Matteo (Matti): Beau’s sick younger brother, he serves as Beau’s motivation and moral compass throughout the story.
Castle Characters:
- Lady Arabella: The female main character with green eyes and blonde hair, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and healing.
- Valmont: The loyal butler, serving Lady Arabella with unwavering dedication.
- Percival: The keymaster, suspected of treachery, as Lady Arabella believes he may have opened the portcullis for the thieves.
- Camille: The chef who actually lured the thieves in, not with any malice intent but because she really wants to break the curse and be reunited with her husband and baby.
- Remy: A small young boy who’s also a chef. He helps Camille.
The rest of the servants:
- Josephine: The friendly washerwoman who always has a kind word.
- Lucile: The gardener’s supportive wife, full of warmth.
- Claudette: A sweet soul who’s head over heels for Florian.
- Philippe: A hardworking servant who keeps things running smoothly.
- Gustave: A loyal hand with a knack for fixing things.
- Martin: The down-to-earth farmer, always connected to the land.
- Jacques: The skilled huntsman, proud of his abilities.
- Josette: The cheerful maid who brightens everyone’s day.
- Henri: A steadfast presence, reliable and strong.
- Florian: A charming figure who captures hearts effortlessly.
The Emotions: Lady Arabella’s emotions are personified as characters, which some readers might find corny at times.
because personally i found them super corny. I know they’re a big part of the narrative and why Arabella is the way she is but their bickering was distracting. Especially at one point where Beau was literally pouring his heart out to Arabella.
There was one part i found super funny- one of them said “have you heard what people say about you” lol like okay come through Regina George.
Lady Arabella’s Emotions (in human form):
- Lady Espidra: Embodiment of despair, always lingering in the shadows.
- Lady Hesma: Personification of shame, quietly reminding her of past mistakes.
- Lady Rega: A fiery figure representing rage, passionate and intense.
- Lady Lajoyuse: The embodiment of jealousy, always watching.
- Lady Rafe: A cautious presence, representing fear and doubt.
- Lady Sadini: A cold figure of disdain, critical and unyielding.
- Lady Romeser: The face of remorse, filled with regret.
- Lady Camposino: A gentle spirit of compassion, offering solace.
- Lady Orrsow: The personification of sorrow, bringing heaviness.
The Clockmaker: A figure who represents death. He cast the spell that curses Lady Arabella and the castle. His intentions shift throughout the story, initially appearing helpful but later becoming cold and distant.
The Frozen Figurines: Representing loved ones trapped in time, they symbolize the stakes of breaking the curse. When the curse lifts, these figurines return to human form, emphasizing the theme of redemption.
Themes of Self-Love
Beastly Beauty isn’t just a magical enchanting story, not just a tale of enchantment; it’s also a journey of self-love for both Beau and Lady Arabella.
Arabella learns to forgive herself and reclaim her emotions, while Beau grapples with his past as a thief and his feelings of unworthiness. Raised without parents and burdened with caring for Matteo, he sees himself as undeserving of love and goodness.
This dual journey of self-discovery adds to the story.
Character Development
I really love how Lady Arabella’s character grows throughout the story. As she starts to develop feelings for Beau, she finds herself in a tough spot.
With the clock ticking down to break the curse—or face some serious consequences—she knows how much Beau wants to go back to his brother.
Yet, she holds back from telling him how she feels because she doesn’t want to keep him from leaving. It’s so sweet and selfless of her, even as she’s dealing with her own struggles.
Quotes I loved
Clockmaker on pg 291 “The only way out of the darkness was to go deeper in” BARS
Pg 384 “ It’s you, it’s been you all along. Oh bells can’t you see? You’re the one you’ve been waiting for”😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😢
“The three times the clockmaker had come to call, beau had been a boy. This time, he was a man. And this time he would fight back” I know thats right save your girl beau!
Pg 42 “how fortunate you are, said Arabella as she left the room. I myself lost hope a century ago”
“The clockmaster cursed me for the terrible thing I did”
“Then he ran, not for his life, not this time. For hers”
😭 This moment is such a powerful turnaround from the beginning of the story, when Beau was running away for his own life. It beautifully captures his transformation and the depth of his love for Arabella. Seeing him shift from self-preservation to selfless bravery made me tear up—it’s a testament to how far he’s come and the bond they’ve built together.
Q&A {MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS}
Why did the Clockmaker curse Arabella and those who lived in the castle?
Arabella accidentally killed the man she was arranged to marry while trying to protect her servant. This tragic event shattered her soul—not because she loved him, but due to the immense social pressure she faced. As her soul fragmented, despair manifested in human form, touching everyone in the castle and turning them into clockwork figurines. The Clockmaker couldn’t undo the damage caused by despair, so instead, he locked the castle to prevent her from infecting others. He revealed that the curse would only lift once Arabella learned to love herself and befriend an outsider. It’s such a powerful journey of self-discovery!
Why didn’t the kiss work between Beau and Arabella the first time?
The kiss didn’t work because Arabella hadn’t fully forgiven herself yet. Throughout the story, she believed she needed someone else to love her, but the truth was that she needed to learn to love herself first. It’s such a beautiful message about self-acceptance!
Why does Beau want to fix the bridge so badly?
Beau is desperate to return to his sick brother, Matti. A letter from the nun caring for Matti revealed that his condition was worsening, and Beau feels an urgent need to be there for him. This motivation adds so much heart to his journey!
If you want more adult retellings check out my review on Uprooted by Naomi Novik about a girl who gets taken by a wizard to live in a castle that she can’t escape from!
