The Beast's Heart

A richly magical retelling of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale, from the point of view of the Beast.

'The best fairy-tale retelling I have read' - Read the Write Act 'Utterly Enchanting' - Kate Forsyth, author of Bitter Greens and The Wild Girl ' 5 out of 5 stars . . . magical romance at its best ' - Sam Hawke, author of City of Lies * I am neither monster nor man - yet I am both. I am the Beast. The day I was cursed to this wretched existence was the day I was saved - although it did not feel so at the time. My redemption sprung from contemptible roots; I am not proud of what I did the day her father happened upon my crumbling, isolated chateau. But if loneliness breeds desperation then I was desperate indeed, and I did what I felt I must. My shameful behaviour was unjustly rewarded. My Isabeau. She opened my eyes, my mind and my heart. She taught me how to be human again. And now I might lose her forever. Lose yourself in this gorgeously rich and magical retelling of The Beauty and the Beast that finally lays bare the Beast's heart. * Further praise for The Beast's Heart 'What a delight! This is a beautifully crafted, deeply romantic reworking of the fairy tale. Leife Shallcross opens a brand new window onto the old story, creating a cast of engaging characters whose fates we really care about' - Juliet Marillier, author of the Blackthorn & Grim series 'Leife Shallcross weaves her words like a fairytale enchantment. The Beast's Heart is like nothing you've read. Welcome to a glorious darkness' - Angela Slatter, World Fantasy Award-winning author of The Bitterwood Bible and Other Recountings' 'A complex, charming, romantic , and richly detailed story about the redemptive power of love' - Readings Magazine 'Wow oh wow. I was hooked from page one . . . I think I want a Beast of my own! Honestly I think I'd give this more than 5 stars if I could ' - Books and Lemon Squash book blog 'The writing was beautiful, and I was really immersed in the story from the start . . . It was a different take on a classic story, but one done with care and love and I am definitely a huge fan' - Between the Pages book blog 'This is not only the most vulnerable Beast I have come across, but also my favourite one . . . [ The Beast's Heart ] offered a perspective I didn't know I needed ' - Violette Books book blog 'This book is so beautifully written, you'll feel the magic , the intricate storytelling, the love, all the feels that you can expect from a Beauty and the Beast retelling . . . This is a wonderful, magical and timeless book . . . There are so many parts that hit me right in the heart' - 5-star reader review ' I had a wonderful time reading this book , I think that if you're the kind of person who lives and breathes fairy-tale retellings you will most certainly enjoy this book. It's a great addition to any YA fantasy-lover's shelf' - 5-star reader review ...

A beautiful retelling . . . poetical, imaginative, and inventive

Autorentext

Leife Shallcross lives at the foot of a mountain in Canberra, Australia, with her family and a small, scruffy creature that snores. She has a tendency to overindulge in reading fairy tales, then lie awake at night listening to trolls (or maybe possums) galloping over her tin roof. Ever since she can remember, she has been fascinated by stories about canny fairy godmothers, heroic goose girls and handsome princes disguised as bears. She is particularly inspired by those characters that tend to fall into the cracks of the usual tales. She is the author of several short stories, including Pretty Jennie Greenteeth, which won the 2016 Aurealis Award for Best Young Adult Short Story. The Beast's Heart is her first novel.

Klappentext

I am neither monster nor man - yet I am both.

I am the Beast.

The day I was cursed to this wretched existence was the day I was saved - although it did not feel so at the time.

My redemption sprung from contemptible roots; I am not proud of what I did the day her father happened upon my crumbling, isolated chateau. But if loneliness breeds desperation then I was desperate indeed, and I did what I felt I must. My shameful behaviour was unjustly rewarded.

My Isabeau. She opened my eyes, my mind and my heart; she taught me how to be human again.

And now I might lose her forever.