REVIEW: Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelley

Genre: Fantasy/Re-tellings/Young Adult

Publisher: Disney Press

ISBN: 1484780981

Format: Hardcover/E-Book/Paperback

Published: Jan 31st 2017


Links: Goodreads Amazon.com B&N
Indigo Website


Rating: 7/10


Synopsis:

Smart, bookish Belle, a captive in the Beast’s castle, has become accustomed to her new home and has befriended its inhabitants. When she comes upon Nevermore, an enchanted book unlike anything else she has seen in the castle, Belle finds herself pulled into its pages and transported to a world of glamour and intrigue. The adventures Belle has always imagined, the dreams she was forced to give up when she became a prisoner, seem within reach again.

The charming and mysterious characters Belle meets within the pages of Nevermore offer her glamorous conversation, a life of dazzling Parisian luxury, and even a reunion she never thought possible. Here Belle can have everything she has ever wished for. But what about her friends in the Beast’s castle? Can Belle trust her new companions inside the pages of Nevermore? Is Nevermore’s world even real? Belle must uncover the truth about the book, before she loses herself in it forever.

Review:

Oh my goodness this book was good.

Okay so first things first. If you haven't seen the new film go see it! You will not regret it!

This book is very much a tie in with the movie. I wouldn't say you HAD to see the movie before reading it but I highly reccomend you do. I'm a huge Beauty and the Beast fan so of course I had to pick this up the second I saw it was released. Boy am I glad I did.

This is such  a wonderful story.

We get to see the Beast and Belle interact with one another so much more than in the film. They go ice-skating, Belle cares for him when he becomes ill and they celebrate Chip's birthday. Her relationship with the characters is far more devloped. She acutally cares about them, worries about them and wants to help them. You can feel Belle's sadness at having to leave her Father behind and being trapped in the castle. Her escape is her becoming 'lost in a book' (much like I'm sure many of our escapes are).

I enjoyed the expansion into the world along with the introduction of the characters Love and Death. It was a nice edition to the already magical story.

Now Nevermore was an interesting edition. I did prefer reading about Belle in the castle and her interaction with everyone but Nevermore added a darker tone to the story.

I did feel that the ending was rushed... maybe that's just me. I would have loved to learn more about the relationship between Belle and the Beast (that we don't see in the film) as well as learning more about Nevermore, Death and Love. Having Beast and Belle talk about what had happened would have also been a great addition. But hey, the book is still good and I recommend you try it out.

If you've read this book let's discuss it down below!