Beastly

Title: Beastly
Author: Alex Flinn
Publisher: New York : HarperTeen (2007)
ISBN: 9780060874162 0060874163 9780060874179 0060874171
Pages: 304
Characters: Kyle Kingsbury/Adrian King, Linda Owens, Will, Magda, Kendra
Bookmarks: 5

Kyle is "that guy" in school- hot, popular, smart. Only he treats other people like trash. That is until the night of Spring Formal when he plays a trick on a classmate, Kendra. In return for his cruelty, she transforms him into a beast. He is given two years to break the curse by finding his true love and getting a kiss from her. Kyle believes that it is impossible. His father banishes him away from home and Kyle retreats from the world, with only his tutor Will and maid Magda for company and changes his name to Adrian. That is until his home is broken into one night and in return for his freedom the would-be thief gives Kyle/Adrian his daughter, Linda in return. Kyle/Adrian and Linda quickly adjust to being together and you can feel the chemistry between them. Despite having everything she didn't in her previous life, Linda is unhappy due to missing her father. Kyle/Adrian lets her go to him, only for Linda to run into trouble. Will Kyle/Adrian be able to rescue her? Will the curse be broken in time?

I absolutely LOVED this book!!!! Granted, it probably helps that Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairy tales. I loved that Flinn wove in a couple of other fairy tales (Little Mermaid, Snow White & Rose Red, Frog Prince) through a chat group that Kyle/Adrian was a part of. I also loved that Flinn not only completely fleshed out the story, but set it in the modern world, complete with cell phones and Internet. (It would be interesting to see 20 years down the road how the modern world holds up.) The characters in the story are extremely interesting and the plot moves along quickly. I actually listened to this on tape on my way to and from work and was always disappointed to arrive at my destination. More than once, I was almost late because I stayed in my car until the end of a chapter. While it is definitely more of a girl book than a boy book, I highly recommend it!

A Kiss In Time

Title: A Kiss in Time
Author: Alex Flinn
Publisher: New York : HarperTeen (2009)
ISBN: 9780060874193 0060874198 9780060874209 0060874201
Pages: 371
Characters: Talia, Jack, Malvolia
Bookmarks: 4

Talia is the Princess of Euphrasia, a country located near Belgium. That is until she pricks her finger on a spindle (the result of a curse) the day before her 16th birthday and falls asleep for 300 years. She is awakened when Jack kisses her after wandering away from a European tour that his parents sent him on. Jack brings Talia home to American where she learns about modern culture and eventually falls in love with Jack and he with her. Despite their love, Malvolia still intends to get revenge on Talia's father. Which will win- love or Malvolia?

Sleeping Beauty has always been one of my favorite fairy tales, so how could I pass up reading this book? I'm genuinely glad that I did. In it's traditional form, nothing is mentioned about little details like is there food left in the kingdom when the princess awakens and how do her parents react. Flinn fleshes out the story, providing the missing details. I'd never thought about the people in the kingdom not being able to fit in with the world they awaken in. I was glad that this was brought to life in the story. It made the tale almost believable.

Cloaked

Title: Cloaked
Author: Alex Flinn
Publisher: New York : HarperTeen (2011)
ISBN: 9780060874223 0060874228 9780060874230 0060874236
Pages: 341 pages
Characters: Johnny, Princess Victoriana, Meghan
Bookmarks: 3 1/2

Johnny works in the family business repairing shoes. The stall next to him is run by his best friend, Meghan. One day, Johnny is approached by the beautiful Ailoranian Princess Victorianna and sent on quest to find her brother, who has been transformed into a frog. Johnny, tired of living a life repairing shoes and wants to do something else- design shoes and escape from his life at the hotel. Johnny accepts the quest. On the way, Johnny is helped by magic and to his surprise, Meghan. Will he be able to find the frog prince and make him human again?

The premise of this book is really interesting. During our childhood, we are all introduced to fairy tales. What would it be like if these fairy tales are set in the present instead of "once upon a time"? While I liked that the book combined several lesser known tales (frog princess, elves and the shoemaker, fisherman's 3 wishes, and several others). This makes the book seem to be rather busy. It would be improved if it were limited to less fairy tales. It is still an enjoyable and quick read.