Of Beast and Beauty

Of Beast and Beauty
Stacey Jay

My rating: ★★★★½

ISBN: 978-0385743204
Publisher: Delacort
Date of publication: July 23, 2013
Age: Grades 9 and up
Genre: Fantasy

Themes: fairy tale retelling, good vs. evil, monsters, bravery, truth

In the domed city of Yuan, the blind Princess Isra is raised to be a human sacrifice whose death will ensure her city’s continued vitality. Still, she strives to be a good monarch, hoping to help the city's Banished people—second class citizens despised for their flaws. In the desert outside Yuan, Gem, a mutant beast, fights to save his people from starvation—but he's captured while trying to steal Yuan’s enchanted roses. In an effort to escape, he befriends Isra, trying to win her trust. Neither expect to fall in love, or be the key to the balance needed to restore their two kingdoms.

That summary doesn't even begin to cover it. There are so many levels to this story, so many secrets and twists and turns. And it is so well written. Admittedly, some of the plot elements are a little strange, what with a mix of fantasy (magic and gods) and sci-fi (colonizing a new planet and building domed habitats). And fairy tale. But still. The passion. The emotion that comes from Jay's writing is simply brilliant.

The characters, too—my gosh. They're so complex. Maybe, sometimes, a little confusing-ly complex. It was hard to keep track of Bo's bipolar feelings towards Isra, for instance. But Gem and Isra? Wow. There's so much that each care about or are worried about, it provides so much truth and foundation to their rich emotions. They're really well done.

Basically, if you can handle some a pretty fantastical setting (you know, keep pushing through those first few chapters—they'll make sense later), you should read this. Jay has managed to create real emotion and love. It's just so well done! I can't get over it...

Warning: Explicit Content
Some sexuality

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Princess of Thorns

Princess of Thorns
Stacey Jay

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-0385743228
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Date of publication: December 9, 2014
Age: Grades 9 and up
Genre: Fantasy

Themes: family, fate/prophecies, journey, pride

Sleeping Beauty's daughter, Princess Aurora, is fairy-blessed with strength, bravery, and mercy—but also that no man in love with her will defy her. A curse, since any man who kisses her loses his free will. Giving up on love, she disguises herself as a boy and enlists the help of Prince Niklaas—himself cursed—to fight for her throne and kidnapped brother, challenging the ogre queen and her army of monsters that stole the kingdom from her family 10 years previous.

I loved this book. The story itself was interesting with a dark, exciting, Game of Thrones-esque twist on a classic fairy tale. But I was most impressed with Aurora, the character. She's stubborn, prideful, and quite full of herself (she is only barely mortal). When faced with the consequences of her choices, however, she is dealt with a harsh blow to her ego. Her character develops magnificently.

And the ending is fabulous. Well, mostly. The actual climax is a bit hollow, with me doing a "wait, what?" I was doing a lot of "wait, what?"s at the beginning, because you're dropped right in without much of an understanding (hard to tell what is prophecy and what's really happening). But it works out in the end. So not a five-star, but still way good. I recommend it.

Warning: Explicit Content
Sexuality

Pre-Order now on Amazon!
...or wait for it at your library