Review: Before Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast by Brittany Fichter

Before Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast by Brittany Fichter

Paperback, 220 pages

Published March 9th 2015 by CreateSpace 

Source: I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review

Description: Prince Everard’s father spent the boy's youth forging the prince into a warrior. Upon the king’s death, however, Everard realizes he’s lost himself somewhere along the way, and in his pain, makes a decision that brings a dark curse upon both him and the great Fortress that has so long guarded the people of Destin.

The prince's sin doesn’t simply affect those of his citadel, however. Isa, the daughter of a local merchant, has suffered the prince’s hasty temper before, and it changed her life forever. When Everard’s final outburst cuts off his people’s source of protection with the curse, he demands that she, a crippled commoner, come to help him break it. All the while, Destin’s northern enemy crouches at the foot of the Fortress’s mountain, waiting for the right moment to capture the stronghold that has stood for a thousand years.

With the freedom of Destin at stake, can both Everard and Isa find ways to move beyond their brokenness and hatred for one another, not only to break the curse, but to find love as well? Or will they and their beloved kingdom remain under darkness forever?

My Review: Beauty and the Beast is one of my all-time favorite fairy tales and I love reading different versions of it. Each has a unique spin and this one was no different.

Prince Ever is taught to push emotion aside. He's been raised to be a warrior and has a bad temper that he can't always control. One such instance caused him to bring upon him and his kingdom a curse. The Fortress that has always guarded the people of the kingdom and is now dark--the light is gone.

Years earlier, his temper caused him to push a young girl, permanently injuring her. Unbeknownst to him, he demands that she is brought to the Fortress to help him break the curse because he heard of her great strength.  

"Sometimes we can get so caught up in protecting ourselves that we forget to see what's truly before us."

I enjoyed watching the characters learn and grow. They were both pushed to their limits which brought about change. I would have liked to see a little more of their thoughts and feelings, but their struggles were real. I loved the unique way the story came together and wrapped up.

Content: mild romance; mild violence; no language or religious elements. Clean!

 

 

About the Author:

When she’s not writing fantasy, Brittany Fichter writes about her experience with neurological disorders and education on her website, "Brittany Fichter Writes." She’s a Las Vegas native, and earned her elementary education degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She’s had articles published in magazines such as, "The Old Schoolhouse," "Kids’ Ark Magazine," and "The Autism Notebook."

Growing up with Tourette Syndrome, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and chronic anxiety meant childhood was often full of angst. Reading fantasy stories with heroes conquering evil helped her to better understand her personal struggles. Now she writes stories to reflect how the parts of us that seem broken are often what God uses to fulfill our purposes.

Brittany lives with her husband, daughter, and spoiled black Labrador wherever the Air Force has most recently placed them. When she’s not writing, she loves reading, dancing, decorating cakes, and belting Disney princess songs at the top of her lungs. 

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