Beast

Beast

by Donna Jo Napoli
published by: Simon Pulse

Summary: Orasmyn is the prince of Persia and he loves his land and his religion. One day though, the day of the great sacrifice of the camel, he is lazy for five minutes and makes a grave mistake that will land him in a curse. His father is about to perform the annual hunt of the lion, when Prince Orasmyn wakes to find that he is the lion. He is a beast. He travels first to India because it is the land of the lions. But when he finds no luck there, he returns to his home and finds his answer in a book his mother bought for his when he was still human. He must go to France where the roses are the most beautiful. He knows that the only way to break the curse is to be truly loved by a human woman. And he feels strongly that he will find that woman in France. "But who could ever love a Beast?"

Personal Review: This was such a different perspective on the story of Beauty and the Beast, and I loved it! So the prince wasn't heartless and shallow as the Disney movie portrays him. I like how he had resigned himself to being a lion forever and trying to move on and continue living a happy life among the beasts. I also love the character of Belle, she is patient and submissive yet full of passion.

Cautionary Notes: sex among animals, and lots of blood