Review: How Beauty Saved the Beast
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 13, 2013
There are many authors releasing books I want to read this year, but the list of books I am watching, eagerly anticipating, forcing myself to sit patiently for is remarkably short. On that list was Jax Garren's sophomore release, How Beauty Saved the Beast. The second installment of the Tales of the Underlight Series and follow-up to last year's How Beauty Met the Beast. I dropped every other book I was reading when I received this book from Netgalley, downloading it on my lunch break and working my way through the first few chapters before going back to work.I am not above admitting the opening made me baulk a little as I expected a smoother transition from book one to two, but other than that I have no complaints. Garren set the bar high with her debut and easily matched my expectations with its sequel, continuing to develop Hauk, Jolie and their relationship against the backdrop of war between the Underlight and the mysterious Order of Ananke.I gushed about the leads in my previous review. This time around I want to draw attention to a particularly notable member of the supporting cast: Catrina. I rarely come across transvestites in my literary wanderings and when I do I find them rather comically depicted. Perhaps other authors allow their perceptions to dictate the nature of their characters or perhaps they find the material awkward and/or intimidating. Garren struggles with neither, creating strength where others show weakness, sophistication and confidence where I usually see simplicity and levity.Another thing I love about this book is how it makes you think. Ashley's journey in particular highlights the question of how we define good from evil and how that question is not always as clear cut as we like to imagine.Finally I want to touch on how the author treats magic. Traditionally it requires no definition or explanation, it simply is. Here again Garren takes initiative and offers the reader something more than expected, incorporating Norse mythology into her work, seamlessly weaving the legend of the einherjar with the steampunk urban fantasy she created under the streets of Austin.Garren's imaginative story is matched only by the brilliance of her pen. How Beauty Saved the Beast is most satisfying follow-up to its predecessor, an absolute must read.