No Such Thing - Nissa Harlow

AUTHOR: Nissa Harlow

GENRE:YA Fantasy, Retelling

RATING: 4 stars.

In a Nutshell: A YA adaptation of ‘Beauty & the Beast’, presented from the perspective of the ‘Beast’. A fun and entertaining read, with some thoughtful moments. Leaves a few things unexplained, but on the whole, it was enjoyable.

Story Synopsis:

When Sam Woroniecki was seven , he ended up being cursed by an old “aunt”. Now Sam is forced to live his days in the basement of a hospital as a strange winged beast that cant fly. Sam knows that he is cursed but the doctor ‘treating” him refuses to believe this. Sam also remembers the old woman’s warning of what would happen on his eighteenth birthday, which is just a few weeks away. As Sam doesn’t want to spend the rest of his life cooped up in his prison, he escapes.

When he bumps into Tegan, a young girl living with her father in a small farmhouse, Sam’s life begins to change and he begins to hope. But is there really any chance that Tegan will accept him as the hideous beast that he is?

The story is written in the first person perspective of Sam.

Where the story worked for me:

😍 The book is marked as a YA fantasy, and it delivers on this promise perfectly. No needless complications, no verbose writing. Perfect for its target age group.

😍 The book is not just short (just about 235 pages) but also fast-paced to a great extent. Perfect for when you want a quick light story.

😍 As a narration is from Sam’s perspective, it offers a different perspective into the classic story. It irons out most of the issues and unlike in the Disney version, doesn’t make Sam the villain but the victim, as he was in the original too but for different reasons.

😍 Tegan is fabulous. Brave, spunky, humorous, and a book lover as well, she represents all that ‘Beauty’ was in the Disney version, and goes even further. Her connection with Sam comes across as believable.

😍 Unlike in the original, which has often been accused of being an example of ‘Stockholm Syndrome’, there is no love under duress in this version.

Where the book could have worked better for me:

😔 Some of the scenes, especially when in the forest where Sam is alone and keeps repeating the same thoughts, feel dragged.

😔 The ending, while complete, is a bit abrupt. I would have loved to know more about what happened next. An epilogue would have worked wonders.

😔 MINOR SPOILER: I would have liked to know more about the curse. The explanation was brief and incomplete, leaving me with more questions than answers.

All in all, I did want a little more from the book at the end, but mostly, I find myself pretty satisfied with this read. It isn’t too fancy or literary in its writing, but it delivers on what it promised.

My thanks to author Nissa Harlow and BookSirens for the DRC of “No Such Thing”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

TRIGGER NOTE: MINOR SPOILER

There are quite a few gruesome animal-eating scenes in the story. These are properly justified in the plot, but might not click with you if you have an overactive imagination and a sensitive stomach. If it helps, no household pets are harmed.