Review: Brava!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 18, 2011
I've always been a sucker for fantasy and romance, so this book, a retelling of the classic "Beauty and the Beast" story, was a wonderful find.  It is an extraordinarily well-crafted tale, and a poignant romance with a real message about the meaning of beauty and of love.  Excellent, poetic narration worthy of a fairy tale, lots of beautiful angst and very sexy love scenes.  A must-read, in my book!  And I will read it - again and again and again!MILD SPOILERS FOLLOWThere are really two "beasts" in this story - the beast that Naef ("Knife") believes himself to be and Aerie-Smith's enchanted body (a lion that walks upright).  Naef has been abused by the villagers on his small island, but he has the powerful and healing love of his mother and sister which shines like a bright light on his dark world.  He believes himself horribly deformed, and has crafted a persona to match his physical appearance.  Aerie-Smith is a prince whose island has been cursed because of a single act of foolishness - his people transformed into animals as punishment for his wrong.Aerie-Smith wishes to lift the curse and free his people, and he sees that possibility in Naef's kind heart.  He offers Naef a dowry for his sister if Naef will spend a year on his island and take care of a "regrettable task" at the end of the year.  But when they return to Aerie-Smith's island, Naef is transformed, as well, and his transformation causes him surprising grief.After some time, the two men fall in love, and Naef discovers that he can "feel" the man beneath the enchantment if he closes his eyes.  He "sees" Aerie-Smith as he truly is.  We can guess at what this "regrettable task" is, and at the pain these men must suffer to be free of the curse.The end is hauntingly beautiful and, although I guessed at the stunning revelation to be found there, that did not diminish the beauty of it.