Beastly by Alex Flinn (Review by Lisa)

I am a beast.

A beast. Not quite wolf or gorilla or dog, but a horrible new creature with fangs, claws, and hair springing from every pore. I am a walking monster.

You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. And I'll stay this way forever--unless I can break the spell.

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my english class cast on me. why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, the perfect girl, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly.....beastly.

First off let me say I loved, loved, loved this book. A modern spin on Beauty and the Beast, this story is set in New York City. In the beginning Kyle is a superficial, spoiled jerk. He judges people on their looks instead of who they are on the inside. He crosses paths with Kendra, who he later finds out is a witch. She casts a spell to make him see the error of his ways, she turns him into a beast. Kendra tells Kyle he has two years to find someone who will love him, and kiss him or he will remain a beast forever. Embarrassed and ashamed, Kyle moves to Brooklyn and becomes a shut-in. With only the companionship of his housekeeper and his tutor, Kyle lives a life of loneliness and convinces himself he will never be loved.

As the days pass slowly Kyle changes his name to Adrain and decides to make a green house and fill it with roses that he grows himself. Then one night something happens, and circumstances bring a girl named Lindy into his life. Hoping she will be the one to break the spell, Adrian arranges for her to live with him. They begin to grow closer and he falls deeply in love with her. Can Lindy look beyond the face of a beast and see the beautiful soul of a man?

Once I picked up this book I couldn't put it down. In the beginning Kyle is such a selfish brat, that its hard to like him. But when he becomes a beast and loses his handsome features he becomes a different person altogether, Adrian. He learns that physical appearance doesn't always mirror one's inner self. The more I read, the more I began to root for Adrian and I loved the relationship of him and Lindy. Caring about someone more then yourself, and loving them regardless if they love you back, is so rare and beautiful. Watch Beauty and the Beast as a child, and read Beastly as an adult. I promise you won't be disappointed!!!!!!!!!