Beauty and the Beast: The Only One Who Didn't Run Away (Twice Upon a Time #3)Who Didn't Run Away

Beauty and the Beast: The Only One Who Didn't Run Away (Twice Upon a Time #3)Who Didn't Run Away
Author(s)
Age Range
8+
Release Date
June 01, 2012
ISBN
978-0545310185
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Wendy Mass tells the story of Beauty and the Beast, as never heard before!

When you’re stuck with the name Beauty, people expect a lot from you — like beauty and grace and courage and a sense of style. But what if you have none of these things? What if all you like to do is read books and search for odd objects that other people drop? Oh, and you have a perfect older sister who really should have had your name instead of you.

And when you’re a prince, you’re supposed to be athletic and commanding and brave and tall. But what if you are none of those things? What if all you like to do is play the bagpipes (badly), study the stars, and try to figure out how to make worms live forever? Oh, and you also have a perfect older brother who is a lot more princely than you’ll ever be.

But when Beauty’s life turns completely upside down and she is forced to head out into the world, she has to figure out just who she wants to be. And when Prince Riley suddenly grows fur, and nails as sharp as sticks, he has to learn that appearances can be deceiving. Before Beauty and Riley can save each other, they have to save themselves.

So journey back to the time when fairy tales were real, and discover the story of Beauty and the Beast like you’ve never heard it before.

Editor reviews

2 reviews
A Meandering Fairy Tale
Overall rating
 
3.0
Plot
 
N/A
Characters
 
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Despite its modern cover, Wendy Mass’ Beauty and the Beast, The Only One Who Didn’t Run Away is set in the era of fairy tales, when beautiful girls live in thatched roof cottages in the woods and princes ride in carriages to visit other kingdoms. Sure, the beautiful girl is named Clarissa and she is the sister of our heroine, Beauty. And Prince Riley is the younger brother, not destined to run the kingdom, and perfectly content to do science experiments in the castle. Other than that, the story sticks to traditional fairy tale tropes.

Since this is the third novel in a series, it must have found its market, but unfortunately, Beauty and the Beast, was not the book for me. I found the plot to meander too much. Beauty is fired pointlessly from several jobs and must go on a separate quest before her storyline begins to intersect with the prince’s. In addition to a plot that is all over the place, there is an excess of dialogue. Unlike the lonely beast that we picture from previous versions of the tale, Prince Riley’s family is made invisible, but do not lack in opportunities to add their voices to the story. It all amounts to a book that had too many elements for me to enjoy.

While it isn’t my new favorite book, there are readers to whom Beauty and the Beast will appeal. Beauty and Prince Riley are both sweet science nerds and their romance is chaste. The families in the novel are supportive and involved in their children’s lives. Parents who want their middle grader readers to enjoy an innocent fairy tale romance may want to consider this novel.
Good Points
The characters have supportive families.
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