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Beast Hunters #1
Kill the Beast
Ro remembers the castle before. Before the gates closed. Before silence overtook the kingdom. Before the castle disappeared. Now it shimmers to life one night a year, seen by her alone.
Once a lady, now a huntress, Ro does what it takes to survive--just like the rest of the kingdom plunged into despair never before known.
But a beast has overtaken the castle. A beast that killed the prince and holds the castle and kingdom captive in his cruel power. A beast Ro has been hired to kill.
Thankful the mystery of the prince's disappearance has been solved, furious the magical creature has killed her hero, Ro eagerly accepts the job to end him.
But things are not as they seem.
Trapped in the castle, a prisoner alongside the beast, Ro wonders what she should fear most: the beast, the magic that holds them both captive, or the one who hired her to kill the beast.
A Beauty and the Beast retelling.
Once a lady, now a huntress, Ro does what it takes to survive--just like the rest of the kingdom plunged into despair never before known.
But a beast has overtaken the castle. A beast that killed the prince and holds the castle and kingdom captive in his cruel power. A beast Ro has been hired to kill.
Thankful the mystery of the prince's disappearance has been solved, furious the magical creature has killed her hero, Ro eagerly accepts the job to end him.
But things are not as they seem.
Trapped in the castle, a prisoner alongside the beast, Ro wonders what she should fear most: the beast, the magic that holds them both captive, or the one who hired her to kill the beast.
A Beauty and the Beast retelling.
463 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2018
5 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Michele Israel Harper
19 books105 followersMichele Israel Harper spends her days as a stay-at-home mom and her nights spinning her own tales. Sleep? Sometimes…
She has her master's degree in publishing, is obsessed with all things French—including Jeanne d’Arc and La Belle et la Bête—and loves curling up with a good book more than just about anything else.
Author of 12 published books, Michele prays her involvement in writing, editing, and publishing will touch many lives in the years to come.
Visit micheleisraelharper.com to learn more about her.
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/michele_israel_harper
She has her master's degree in publishing, is obsessed with all things French—including Jeanne d’Arc and La Belle et la Bête—and loves curling up with a good book more than just about anything else.
Author of 12 published books, Michele prays her involvement in writing, editing, and publishing will touch many lives in the years to come.
Visit micheleisraelharper.com to learn more about her.
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/michele_israel_harper
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February 21, 2025At this point, I do not know what to rate this book. I don’t like leaving bad reviews, and it always hurts my heart to do so. I know how much time and effort goes into a novel, and so I want to be careful how I talk about this, but still be honest.
I think the author did a good job writing this book, and definitely had lots of creative twists and fun adventure. I enjoyed the weapons and the huntress aspect of it. She did a good job with the faith, though I wish there had been more of that.
First off, I’m not a huge fan of the french words (no offense to anyone who is French or loves it, it’s just not my thing) so having it throughout the book was a bit hard for me to read.
The magic was pretty heavy through this book, and made me uncomfortable several times.
I felt like the book dragged on in several places, and found myself skimming a bit.
For the final thing is the romance.
For spoiler reasons, I don’t want to say what all it entailed, but I was not expecting what happened at the end. It took me by surprise, and at first made me angry.
Content:
Battles, blood, injuries, magic, death, kissing
I’m going to put spoilers down below so if you don’t want that, please don’t look.
SPOILERS
So she doesn’t get the Prince, but Liam…why couldn’t she have a romance with him? Why couldn’t that have at least started? Why have her not have any?
I think the author did a good job writing this book, and definitely had lots of creative twists and fun adventure. I enjoyed the weapons and the huntress aspect of it. She did a good job with the faith, though I wish there had been more of that.
First off, I’m not a huge fan of the french words (no offense to anyone who is French or loves it, it’s just not my thing) so having it throughout the book was a bit hard for me to read.
The magic was pretty heavy through this book, and made me uncomfortable several times.
I felt like the book dragged on in several places, and found myself skimming a bit.
For the final thing is the romance.
For spoiler reasons, I don’t want to say what all it entailed, but I was not expecting what happened at the end. It took me by surprise, and at first made me angry.
Content:
Battles, blood, injuries, magic, death, kissing
I’m going to put spoilers down below so if you don’t want that, please don’t look.
SPOILERS
So she doesn’t get the Prince, but Liam…why couldn’t she have a romance with him? Why couldn’t that have at least started? Why have her not have any?
Want to read
October 18, 2021Looks like too straightforward a retelling with little added in, and a Beauty character that's not compelling nor has chemistry with Beast.
September 18, 2018
I love a good fairy tale retelling. And this is a good one!
Let’s start with the characters. I LOVED Ro! She’s a young woman who is doing her very best to care for her family, especially her younger sister in a France where people are starving. Ro – her full name is Rosette – is a huntress. And she’s the only one who can see the palace appear one day every year. Crazy! As soon as she sees it appear, she makes her way inside. It’s like the palace is just waiting for her. She has no problem entering. But as soon as she enters, the problems start.
One thing I really loved about this one was the way you saw most of the story through Ro’s eyes. There were a few times you could see things through the beast’s eyes. And the flashback scene was so cool. The reader sees things through several perspectives giving a very full picture of what had happened in the past.
I also really loved that this one was not predictable. At. All. I had no idea how it was going to end, it ended so differently from what I thought. The palace and everything in it take so many twists and turns, it was a little crazy to try to keep up with.
This one is a perfect book to hand to your teenager. She’ll love it and so will you! I loved every minute of reading this one and I can’t wait for the sequel!
Let’s start with the characters. I LOVED Ro! She’s a young woman who is doing her very best to care for her family, especially her younger sister in a France where people are starving. Ro – her full name is Rosette – is a huntress. And she’s the only one who can see the palace appear one day every year. Crazy! As soon as she sees it appear, she makes her way inside. It’s like the palace is just waiting for her. She has no problem entering. But as soon as she enters, the problems start.
One thing I really loved about this one was the way you saw most of the story through Ro’s eyes. There were a few times you could see things through the beast’s eyes. And the flashback scene was so cool. The reader sees things through several perspectives giving a very full picture of what had happened in the past.
I also really loved that this one was not predictable. At. All. I had no idea how it was going to end, it ended so differently from what I thought. The palace and everything in it take so many twists and turns, it was a little crazy to try to keep up with.
This one is a perfect book to hand to your teenager. She’ll love it and so will you! I loved every minute of reading this one and I can’t wait for the sequel!
October 3, 2018
Another favorite book for this year!!
Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney cartoon. Maybe because of the ability for Belle to see past the beast and see into his heart. Maybe because of the catchy music. Maybe because of the love story. But probably because of the massive library the beast gives to Belle. What bookworm doesn't dream and envy Belle for having access to that massive library? In Michele Israel's Harper's first novel in her Beast Hunters' series, Kill the Beast, she took me for a ride back to the familiar story, but with a twist. A twist I really enjoyed.
The writing is clear and concise. I really enjoy how the story is told from Ro's perspective for majority of the story. I learned her inner struggle and felt her external and internal pain. She brought Ro to life with her ability to dive into her mind. Also, the setting of this hidden and enchanted castle sprung to life on the pages. It was definitely a weird castle with many twists and turns. Ro barely ever visited the same place in the castle twice.
What happened to Belle while she hung out in the castle? That is exactly, in my honest opinion, what Harper does with Kill the Beast. She explains and shows what kept Ro there. What happened to Ro while she was there? She dug deep into the background of the curse and gave valid reasons for why the town didn't remember this castle being there. She showed the past of how the curse happened in a unique and different way. The story also ended in a twist I didn't see coming. I really enjoyed this story. Harper's writing style and the story itself kept me spellbound. I had a hard time putting it down. I took it shopping with me and while my husband went into the store, I read in the car.
The characters of Ro, Cosette, and the beast were unique and strong. Ro is a strong, yet determined heroine planning to support her sister by killing the beast. Her entire reasoning for hunting is to provide a better life for her little sister. I admire her ability to think of others over herself. Cosette is a pawn in a web of lies. I feel bad for her. The Beast was a selfish man who needed to think of others instead of himself. Through most of the novel, he is caught in the curse, so he has a hard time remembering anything. Hopefully, he catches for the better for the rest of his life, not just to end the curse.
Overall, Kill the Beast is a fascinating tale with enduring characters. Harper wrapped me in an enchantment as I spent two days lost in the castle roaming the world and learning about the curse with Ro. I believe this is one of my favorite books of the year. I anxiously await book two in the series. Fans of Melanie Dickerson's fairy tales should go out and purchase this novel.
I received a complimentary copy of Kill the Beast by Michele Israel from Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney cartoon. Maybe because of the ability for Belle to see past the beast and see into his heart. Maybe because of the catchy music. Maybe because of the love story. But probably because of the massive library the beast gives to Belle. What bookworm doesn't dream and envy Belle for having access to that massive library? In Michele Israel's Harper's first novel in her Beast Hunters' series, Kill the Beast, she took me for a ride back to the familiar story, but with a twist. A twist I really enjoyed.
The writing is clear and concise. I really enjoy how the story is told from Ro's perspective for majority of the story. I learned her inner struggle and felt her external and internal pain. She brought Ro to life with her ability to dive into her mind. Also, the setting of this hidden and enchanted castle sprung to life on the pages. It was definitely a weird castle with many twists and turns. Ro barely ever visited the same place in the castle twice.
What happened to Belle while she hung out in the castle? That is exactly, in my honest opinion, what Harper does with Kill the Beast. She explains and shows what kept Ro there. What happened to Ro while she was there? She dug deep into the background of the curse and gave valid reasons for why the town didn't remember this castle being there. She showed the past of how the curse happened in a unique and different way. The story also ended in a twist I didn't see coming. I really enjoyed this story. Harper's writing style and the story itself kept me spellbound. I had a hard time putting it down. I took it shopping with me and while my husband went into the store, I read in the car.
The characters of Ro, Cosette, and the beast were unique and strong. Ro is a strong, yet determined heroine planning to support her sister by killing the beast. Her entire reasoning for hunting is to provide a better life for her little sister. I admire her ability to think of others over herself. Cosette is a pawn in a web of lies. I feel bad for her. The Beast was a selfish man who needed to think of others instead of himself. Through most of the novel, he is caught in the curse, so he has a hard time remembering anything. Hopefully, he catches for the better for the rest of his life, not just to end the curse.
Overall, Kill the Beast is a fascinating tale with enduring characters. Harper wrapped me in an enchantment as I spent two days lost in the castle roaming the world and learning about the curse with Ro. I believe this is one of my favorite books of the year. I anxiously await book two in the series. Fans of Melanie Dickerson's fairy tales should go out and purchase this novel.
I received a complimentary copy of Kill the Beast by Michele Israel from Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
August 8, 2020
FAN-MADE BOOK TRAILER HERE: https://youtu.be/gx3DqOs9uTM
This was an extremely creative tale! I've never read the original Beauty and the Beast and can't compare this retelling to the original, but I still very much appreciate the imagination the author has brought into her story.
It was very different than I expected! I don't mean this in a bad way as I honestly didn't expect so many twists and turns (usually literally) in the story. I was also surprised at how similar Ro was to a certain someone. It made that said character look less like a "bad guy" and one who could be any one of us.
The role of Magic and magic in general was also SO fascinating. I wasn't prepared for how she would affect the story so greatly as well as a few other characters who had some unique abilities. :o :o :o <— Me when reading those parts.
The beginning seemed a tad slow, despite that I loved how the story was unfolding. I also secretly may have been bummed that Ro did not get the "happily ever after" I expected. LOL! The author did a wonderful job of turning tropes or ideas linked with fairytales into something that was not only realistic, but beautiful all on its own.
My heart may have been "saddened" that things didn't unfold in the typical Disney fairy tale way at the end, but I still massively enjoyed this retelling of a "tale as old as time." It was bold, had an epic (though SUPER stubborn) heroine, and a love much greater then one of romantic feelings. It also warmed my heart to know that regardless of how stubborn we may be, our loving Creator is always with us and hears our deepest cries.
Definitely recommend to Beauty and the Beast fans as well as fairytale lovers. A stunning tale that captivates in all the right ways and leaves you eagerly waiting for book two.
*(Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me an ARC. I was not required to write a review or positive one. All thoughts expressed are my own.)*
This was an extremely creative tale! I've never read the original Beauty and the Beast and can't compare this retelling to the original, but I still very much appreciate the imagination the author has brought into her story.
It was very different than I expected! I don't mean this in a bad way as I honestly didn't expect so many twists and turns (usually literally) in the story. I was also surprised at how similar Ro was to a certain someone. It made that said character look less like a "bad guy" and one who could be any one of us.
The role of Magic and magic in general was also SO fascinating. I wasn't prepared for how she would affect the story so greatly as well as a few other characters who had some unique abilities. :o :o :o <— Me when reading those parts.
The beginning seemed a tad slow, despite that I loved how the story was unfolding. I also secretly may have been bummed that Ro did not get the "happily ever after" I expected. LOL! The author did a wonderful job of turning tropes or ideas linked with fairytales into something that was not only realistic, but beautiful all on its own.
My heart may have been "saddened" that things didn't unfold in the typical Disney fairy tale way at the end, but I still massively enjoyed this retelling of a "tale as old as time." It was bold, had an epic (though SUPER stubborn) heroine, and a love much greater then one of romantic feelings. It also warmed my heart to know that regardless of how stubborn we may be, our loving Creator is always with us and hears our deepest cries.
Definitely recommend to Beauty and the Beast fans as well as fairytale lovers. A stunning tale that captivates in all the right ways and leaves you eagerly waiting for book two.
*(Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me an ARC. I was not required to write a review or positive one. All thoughts expressed are my own.)*
September 20, 2018
An enjoyable retelling of the ORIGINAL Beauty and the Beast! Forget Disney -- this is French inspired with delicious food, disappearing castles, and fairies. The lead character is tough, feisty and not your traditional beauty. I stayed up (too late) reading this one. If you like fairy tale retellings, check out Kill The Beast!
May 17, 2020
5 stars! I think
Maybe 4.5
Kill The Beast is a beautiful retelling of the classic story Beauty and the Beast. Harper draws mostly from the original French version, so whilst some of the stuff from the Disney version I’m familiar with pinged, there were also lots of additional story things that didn’t. I still liked it.
Kill the Beast is wonderfully complex (definitely more layered than Disney!) and the point where it usually starts resolving in the Disney version turned out to be something like the middle of the book. That initially puzzled me—like what? Why are there so many more pages? Isn’t this supposed to end soon? No, because there’s so much more to unpack in the tale! Harper does a great job in unpacking those things.
In this way, Kill the Beast is much more plot-twisty than what we (I at least) expected from a simple Beauty and the Beast retelling. There’s also the way that Harper simply drops in little bits of French expression, subtle enough to remind you that you’re not exactly in an English village, but not so jarring that it annoys.
My main quibble is with the insertion of the God/creator narrative into the fairy tale. It doesn’t actually feel like it serves any purpose and therefore feels extraneous to the text, especially when someone appears at the end (I can’t say who, that would be a spoiler) which fit much better in the mythology of this world. Still, it didn’t do any harm to the story, so *shrug*.
My other quibble, because I’m getting more quibbly the older I grow, is that it feels like the book ends several times. You reach points in the narrative where you’re like ah, what a great ending, and then you realise there are more pages to go, and it’s even more resolution to the story! Personally, I felt some of it could have been left out and used as a great beginning to the next book, rather than a “oh look, there will be book 2” teaser as it’s currently used. But that’s mostly just a personal quibble.
Maybe 4.5
Kill The Beast is a beautiful retelling of the classic story Beauty and the Beast. Harper draws mostly from the original French version, so whilst some of the stuff from the Disney version I’m familiar with pinged, there were also lots of additional story things that didn’t. I still liked it.
Kill the Beast is wonderfully complex (definitely more layered than Disney!) and the point where it usually starts resolving in the Disney version turned out to be something like the middle of the book. That initially puzzled me—like what? Why are there so many more pages? Isn’t this supposed to end soon? No, because there’s so much more to unpack in the tale! Harper does a great job in unpacking those things.
In this way, Kill the Beast is much more plot-twisty than what we (I at least) expected from a simple Beauty and the Beast retelling. There’s also the way that Harper simply drops in little bits of French expression, subtle enough to remind you that you’re not exactly in an English village, but not so jarring that it annoys.
My main quibble is with the insertion of the God/creator narrative into the fairy tale. It doesn’t actually feel like it serves any purpose and therefore feels extraneous to the text, especially when someone appears at the end (I can’t say who, that would be a spoiler) which fit much better in the mythology of this world. Still, it didn’t do any harm to the story, so *shrug*.
My other quibble, because I’m getting more quibbly the older I grow, is that it feels like the book ends several times. You reach points in the narrative where you’re like ah, what a great ending, and then you realise there are more pages to go, and it’s even more resolution to the story! Personally, I felt some of it could have been left out and used as a great beginning to the next book, rather than a “oh look, there will be book 2” teaser as it’s currently used. But that’s mostly just a personal quibble.
January 23, 2019
I absolutely loved the premise of this book - a beauty sent to kill the beast. Such a fun spin on the classic fairy tale! Ro frustrated me at times, but overall she was an easy to character to root for as she tried to adapt to her unusual surroundings and come up with plan after plan to fulfill her mission. I enjoyed getting to know the beast, especially his history and the ways in which the curse had changed him. My only complaints were that I never felt like I fully understood the magic system, and there were some aspects of the ending (especially Cosette's behavior) that really threw me for a loop. But on the whole I really enjoyed this new take on Beauty and the Beast, complete with a feisty heroine, lush descriptions of a vivid setting, and the promise of more adventures to come!
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.*
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.*
October 20, 2018
What an interesting take on Beauty and the Beast. The story was intense throughout with Beauty having to overcome her desire for revenge against the Beast (whom she thought killed the Prince) and having to battle Magic who was stuck in the "castle" with Beast when she cursed him. I thought the back story to that was really interesting. Beast was a complex character with two sides, a beast and a human. Magic played to his beast side trying to keep Beauty from loving him. The ending was very interesting and not at all like one would expect! A Christian theme ran throughout the story with God encouraging Beauty to do the right thing and trust in Him.
This is a clean read.
This is a clean read.
December 10, 2018
Interesting take on the beauty and the beast story. I read this before bed, thinking I would just read a couple chapters and then go to sleep. (don't do that. Luckily I didn't have to go to work the next morning since I stayed up late finishing it)
Overall great characters a good story line. I was very confused at first, much like the MC but it all comes together in the end. Some things were still up in the air but overall I didn't feel like I was left hanging or the author just hand waved it by saying, "because, magic". The flashbacks and dream sequences were great. I know a lot of people skip that part of the story, but I think it adds an extra dimension to the story.
Characters helped to drive the plot along.
Beauty/Ro was a great character. Although the story focused more on her mentally as opposed to her great huntress skills. Not that, it's a bad thing, I enjoyed the story I mean she's good I get the sense of that, the way she handles herself, I believe her when she says she's the best Huntress the Duke/Lord/Steward I'm not sure what he was ,got. but the majority of her time in the Cheateau she's trying to outsmart the beast and Magic. We do get great action scenes in the beginning and with the whole mob scene. So at least we know she's got brains and brawn. I liked that she wasn't all on board with the beast and it took her a while to accept him. But she didn't loose her head. when she started developing feelings for him.
The beast I liked this take on him. He's got dual personalities, the full on feral side, and his princely side and he's battling to stay himself instead of succumbing to the beast. (I've seen this done before and this part of the story was done very well.)
Magic was interesting. You can't help but feel sorry for her, and the fact she'd trapped just as much by her hatred and bitterness as the prince is by the curse
The sister. Um Clare I think I have to go back and check .
The evil dude. Yeah wasn't really into him. I mean he was evil enough but honestly I didn't care about him. I even skipped his added chapters at the end of the story because I honestly didn't care about his backstory. Gavin I think his name was Gavin or something.
Overall I did enjoy myself. I couldn't put the book down. There is a thread of Christianity in this book. Which I don't mind, it was done right. We're introduced to the Creator, and Ro's tumultuous relationship with him, and the fact he was always there and was willing and wanting to help her if only she would accept him. Looking forward to seeing that relationship grow in the next book.
Recommended? Yes
Buy/Borrow? Either or
Overall great characters a good story line. I was very confused at first, much like the MC but it all comes together in the end. Some things were still up in the air but overall I didn't feel like I was left hanging or the author just hand waved it by saying, "because, magic". The flashbacks and dream sequences were great. I know a lot of people skip that part of the story, but I think it adds an extra dimension to the story.
Characters helped to drive the plot along.
Beauty/Ro was a great character. Although the story focused more on her mentally as opposed to her great huntress skills. Not that, it's a bad thing, I enjoyed the story I mean she's good I get the sense of that, the way she handles herself, I believe her when she says she's the best Huntress the Duke/Lord/Steward I'm not sure what he was ,got. but the majority of her time in the Cheateau she's trying to outsmart the beast and Magic. We do get great action scenes in the beginning and with the whole mob scene. So at least we know she's got brains and brawn. I liked that she wasn't all on board with the beast and it took her a while to accept him. But she didn't loose her head. when she started developing feelings for him.
The beast I liked this take on him. He's got dual personalities, the full on feral side, and his princely side and he's battling to stay himself instead of succumbing to the beast. (I've seen this done before and this part of the story was done very well.)
Magic was interesting. You can't help but feel sorry for her, and the fact she'd trapped just as much by her hatred and bitterness as the prince is by the curse
The sister. Um Clare I think I have to go back and check .
The evil dude. Yeah wasn't really into him. I mean he was evil enough but honestly I didn't care about him. I even skipped his added chapters at the end of the story because I honestly didn't care about his backstory. Gavin I think his name was Gavin or something.
Overall I did enjoy myself. I couldn't put the book down. There is a thread of Christianity in this book. Which I don't mind, it was done right. We're introduced to the Creator, and Ro's tumultuous relationship with him, and the fact he was always there and was willing and wanting to help her if only she would accept him. Looking forward to seeing that relationship grow in the next book.
Recommended? Yes
Buy/Borrow? Either or
December 28, 2018
*I received an ARC from the author. All opinions are my own. This review was originally published on RachelPoli.com.
Book Cover
I like the book cover. It’s realistic. The colors match the tone of the book and it’s fairly simple. However, at first glance before I realized it was a Beauty and the Beast retelling, I thought this was going to be Little Red Riding Hood hunting the wolf.
First Thoughts
If you’ve been following my blog for long, you’ll know that I love my fair share of fairy tale retellings. So, I wasn’t going to say no to this one.
Plot
I found this one to be an interesting take on Beauty and the Beast. Rosette – or Ro for short – is a huntress who is hired to kill the beast. As a retelling, it’s easy to assume what the ending will be like. However, there are a lot of twists, turns, and lore packed into this one. It was darker than most but very well done and unique.
Characters
While the story itself was good, I had a hard time clicking with the characters. I had a hard time caring about Ro’s family and her sister Cosette mostly because we don’t see them much until later. So I just had to take Ro’s word for it and I didn’t click with Ro, so I didn’t really care too much about what her goals were.
The characters were very different from one another and had their own voices, though they developed kind of fast. I had a hard time connecting with Ro because of this.
Writing Style
The author does a great job getting the story across the page. It’s well written, easy and fun to read, and it’s overall just a great story. However, it’s almost 500 pages long and I didn’t feel as though the story really got started until halfway through. The description and dialogue were both great, but I felt there was a lot of filler that might not have been needed.
Overall
This was a good read. I’ll admit, it wasn’t my favorite, but it was a good retelling. The characters were interesting, it was written well, and the plot was unique. I’ll be interested in reading the sequel.
Favorite Quote:
“She almost matched him growl for growl.” -Michele Israel Harper, Kill The Beast (Beast Hunters 1)
Book Cover
I like the book cover. It’s realistic. The colors match the tone of the book and it’s fairly simple. However, at first glance before I realized it was a Beauty and the Beast retelling, I thought this was going to be Little Red Riding Hood hunting the wolf.
First Thoughts
If you’ve been following my blog for long, you’ll know that I love my fair share of fairy tale retellings. So, I wasn’t going to say no to this one.
Plot
I found this one to be an interesting take on Beauty and the Beast. Rosette – or Ro for short – is a huntress who is hired to kill the beast. As a retelling, it’s easy to assume what the ending will be like. However, there are a lot of twists, turns, and lore packed into this one. It was darker than most but very well done and unique.
Characters
While the story itself was good, I had a hard time clicking with the characters. I had a hard time caring about Ro’s family and her sister Cosette mostly because we don’t see them much until later. So I just had to take Ro’s word for it and I didn’t click with Ro, so I didn’t really care too much about what her goals were.
The characters were very different from one another and had their own voices, though they developed kind of fast. I had a hard time connecting with Ro because of this.
Writing Style
The author does a great job getting the story across the page. It’s well written, easy and fun to read, and it’s overall just a great story. However, it’s almost 500 pages long and I didn’t feel as though the story really got started until halfway through. The description and dialogue were both great, but I felt there was a lot of filler that might not have been needed.
Overall
This was a good read. I’ll admit, it wasn’t my favorite, but it was a good retelling. The characters were interesting, it was written well, and the plot was unique. I’ll be interested in reading the sequel.
Favorite Quote:
“She almost matched him growl for growl.” -Michele Israel Harper, Kill The Beast (Beast Hunters 1)
February 22, 2022
felt like there were multiple endings or like the ending dragged out too long but it's based on the Villeneuve fairytale so that just means it's accurate
September 9, 2018
What to say about Kill the beast? It is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. It is not the Disney version. Though there are plenty of things reminiscent of the Disney movie to make your inner princess smile.
In a castle in the heart of France there lives a prince (HE HAS A NAME! ). Cursed to live out his days as a hideous beast until he can learn to love another and be loved in return. Stop me if you've heard this story before.
Rosette is not your typical Beauty. She lives to hunt the strange, the magical, and the Dangerous. So when she is hired for a very special job, she sets out to finish it. Will she learn to love, or will she Kill the Beast?
I waited 84 years for this book to come out! Well maybe not that long, but it sure felt long. So the biggest question is did it live up to the hype?
Yes. It really did it was magical and mysterious and kept me guessing right up to the twisted, glorious unexpected ending. The ending that I can't talk about because of spoilers. Needless to say, If you think you know the story of Beauty and the Beast, You don't know the real story.
*I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of early reviews. My opinions are my own.*
In a castle in the heart of France there lives a prince (HE HAS A NAME! ). Cursed to live out his days as a hideous beast until he can learn to love another and be loved in return. Stop me if you've heard this story before.
Rosette is not your typical Beauty. She lives to hunt the strange, the magical, and the Dangerous. So when she is hired for a very special job, she sets out to finish it. Will she learn to love, or will she Kill the Beast?
I waited 84 years for this book to come out! Well maybe not that long, but it sure felt long. So the biggest question is did it live up to the hype?
Yes. It really did it was magical and mysterious and kept me guessing right up to the twisted, glorious unexpected ending. The ending that I can't talk about because of spoilers. Needless to say, If you think you know the story of Beauty and the Beast, You don't know the real story.
*I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of early reviews. My opinions are my own.*
January 2, 2022
I do like an original spin on a familiar fairy tale. This one is particularly spinny. I liked the heroine, who was both tough and believably flawed, and the magic surrounding the castle. Other things are harder to talk about without doing spoilers (which is generally a problem with Michele's books for reviewing them. The details I really want to get into are ALWAYS spoilers). I think the ending might be a controversial choice for some readers, but I felt it made sense with the way the characters developed. Honestly, the only thing that kept this from being higher on the stars that it has a VERY extended battle scene right in the middle which I am not a fan of. I am the sort of reader who skims action to get to the talky parts (this will not be a problem for you if you happen to like a lot of action, obviously), so for me that was a long bit of skimming.
August 14, 2019
A creative retelling of the Beauty and the Beast tale. To be fair to anyone reading this, this book is outside my normal preferred genre. That said, speaking as a guy who likes to read about explosions and battles and Jack Reacher-style action, this story did end up entertaining me. A little too much romance for my taste and the story moved too slowly for me, but I can see where this mix of fantasy, romance, and fairy-tale action would truly appeal to others. It is smart and well-written. By the way, there are battles...Ro is no girl to be messed with. If you like traditional stories retold, this would be a good one to pick up.
March 2, 2020
“Kill the Beast” is basically a retelling of the classic fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast.” There are several plot twists, including supernatural and vindictive Magic and a heroine who’s supposed to kill Beast. This book also includes a small faith element that’s very understated. Overall, this book is an enjoyable read especially for sci-fi fans.
January 1, 2019
I wanted to love it.
I tend to love fairy tale remakes. This one was long. It was interesting, and I liked the main character, but there were more slow parts than I wanted. Also, the ending was both frustrating and unexpected and cool. I'm really torn about it.
I tend to love fairy tale remakes. This one was long. It was interesting, and I liked the main character, but there were more slow parts than I wanted. Also, the ending was both frustrating and unexpected and cool. I'm really torn about it.
June 10, 2019
A retelling of "The Beauty and the Beast" fairy tale, with some iconic scenes from other fairy tales added. There is a prequel, which I wish I had read, as it would have been easier to follow the book. Liked the twist at the end.
January 16, 2019
Interesting twist on the classic tale. I appreciated the unexpected and look forward to Ro's next adventure. 😊
February 22, 2021
I’ll start with the good, of which there is undoubtedly very much. Kill the Beast is a unique retelling of Beauty and the Beast that, while it does inevitably borrow some concepts from the Disney movie, branches off quite a bit and doesn’t feel at all like a copy off of Disney. I especially liked the backstory for the sorceress and the Beast, adding a personal connection that I hadn’t seen before. Was the sorceress truly a villain, or simply a mother desperate to protect her daughter? It’s a situation that makes you think, and keep thinking after the book’s done.
For the most part, I liked Ro as a protagonist. She’s a fearless go-getter, fiercely in control of her own destiny, and stubborn as a mule (which gets her in trouble more than once, in the best kind of way). There were times, however, when I felt like I couldn’t quite get a hold of her character or motivations.
The plot was…good and bad. I was a little confused at first, trying to follow all the plot threads and the way the magic worked, but that cleared itself up as the story went along, with some interesting revelations. The middle seemed to drag a bit…the pacing was odd. That’s the only way I know how to say it, and I’m not sure exactly what about it was odd, it just didn’t click for me. I lost a bit of interest about a third of the way through. I think it was because it felt like the plot kept retracing ground that had already been covered, with stretches where there were no significant developments.
My interest picked back up at the end, though, and although I would have liked the ending to be what everyone expected, I actually ended up really liking the way it ended up with the Beast and Ro. Cossette could have been that annoyingly perfect character, but she had a nice bit of spark and spunk that made her likeable.
In general, the ending smoothed over quite a few of my quibbles, and it set up so nicely for the next story that I simply must read the next book when it comes out, because the concept seems absolutely fascinating, and I’m interested to see where Ro’s character goes next!
For the most part, I liked Ro as a protagonist. She’s a fearless go-getter, fiercely in control of her own destiny, and stubborn as a mule (which gets her in trouble more than once, in the best kind of way). There were times, however, when I felt like I couldn’t quite get a hold of her character or motivations.
The plot was…good and bad. I was a little confused at first, trying to follow all the plot threads and the way the magic worked, but that cleared itself up as the story went along, with some interesting revelations. The middle seemed to drag a bit…the pacing was odd. That’s the only way I know how to say it, and I’m not sure exactly what about it was odd, it just didn’t click for me. I lost a bit of interest about a third of the way through. I think it was because it felt like the plot kept retracing ground that had already been covered, with stretches where there were no significant developments.
My interest picked back up at the end, though, and although I would have liked the ending to be what everyone expected, I actually ended up really liking the way it ended up with the Beast and Ro. Cossette could have been that annoyingly perfect character, but she had a nice bit of spark and spunk that made her likeable.
In general, the ending smoothed over quite a few of my quibbles, and it set up so nicely for the next story that I simply must read the next book when it comes out, because the concept seems absolutely fascinating, and I’m interested to see where Ro’s character goes next!
March 19, 2022
I think that the book is very interesting as it takes place in France, and it was a big surprise that Ro did not get married to Prince Treve, but it was Colette’s who won him with her sweetness. To be honest, I kind of hope that Ro and Liam get together… I cannot wait to read “Silence the Siren”. Oh and fans of twisted tales can read books by Melanie Dickerson, Liz Braswell, Jen Calonita and Elizabeth Li.m.
Read
May 7, 2025Note to self: After looking at reviews, I'm going to pass on this due to the romance. And also, looking at the page count of a whopping 460 odd pages, there is little chance of it being paced well. I know I will get frustrated.
October 26, 2025
Not what I expected at all. I was torn on rating it higher since there are ideas I’ve never heard before. Alas, the writing was clunky and confusing quite a bit. It was repetitive a couple times, too. Overall, nice story and would probably recommend.
Spoiler: It was very annoying that it wasn’t a love story. I’m a sucker for b&b love story.
Spoiler: It was very annoying that it wasn’t a love story. I’m a sucker for b&b love story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2025
I have to start the review with a confession. This was my second read through. I was not a huge fan of it the first time I read it, but let me tell you why. I was expecting a different story, if you are looking for a direct retelling of Beauty and the Beast, this is not the book for you.
However if you are
* a fan of the original French version by Villeneuve
* a fan of strong heroines
* a fan of fairy tale retellings with a twist
This is the book for you!
Kill the Beast is based on the original La Belle et la Bete by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, but Ro is certainly no damsel in distress.
I do recommend reading the prequel novella, Beast Hunter, it gives you a better understanding of Ro's character and where she is coming from. I did not read that before my first reading, but I did before my second and it made me enjoy Kill the Beast so much more.
Kill the Beast has a lot of substance. Frankly it's hard to review with no spoilers because I want to gush about scenes and about Ro.
One thing I really enjoyed is Michele's subtle nod to the Christian faith. Ro believes in a Creator, but she's not happy with Him right now. He's still talking to her, but she's effectively responding with a talk to the hand. However the moment she is in danger and in need, He is there and she is unable to defeat the evil without His help. This a perfect picture of our own battles in life and how God is always there for us even when we turn away from Him. He never leaves us nor forsakes us and we don't have to do anything to earn back His help when we need Him.
~My Breakdown~
What I loved:
- strong heroine
- not your typical beauty and the beast story
- nods and tributes to the Disney Beauty and the Beast
- Christian elements
- great world building
What I didn't like:
- You really need to read Beast Hunter for complete understanding.
- Some scenes were jumpy, but I think it was to represent the antagonist's control over what was going on, so I can accept it, but I did have to go back and reread scenes which broke the flow for me.
- Who ends up with who, no spoilers. I'm ok with it now, because I know what is coming.
I very much enjoyed Kill the Beast and getting to know Ro. I can't wait for more of her adventures. On to the wide open sea! (Silence the Siren, book 2)
However if you are
* a fan of the original French version by Villeneuve
* a fan of strong heroines
* a fan of fairy tale retellings with a twist
This is the book for you!
Kill the Beast is based on the original La Belle et la Bete by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, but Ro is certainly no damsel in distress.
I do recommend reading the prequel novella, Beast Hunter, it gives you a better understanding of Ro's character and where she is coming from. I did not read that before my first reading, but I did before my second and it made me enjoy Kill the Beast so much more.
Kill the Beast has a lot of substance. Frankly it's hard to review with no spoilers because I want to gush about scenes and about Ro.
One thing I really enjoyed is Michele's subtle nod to the Christian faith. Ro believes in a Creator, but she's not happy with Him right now. He's still talking to her, but she's effectively responding with a talk to the hand. However the moment she is in danger and in need, He is there and she is unable to defeat the evil without His help. This a perfect picture of our own battles in life and how God is always there for us even when we turn away from Him. He never leaves us nor forsakes us and we don't have to do anything to earn back His help when we need Him.
~My Breakdown~
What I loved:
- strong heroine
- not your typical beauty and the beast story
- nods and tributes to the Disney Beauty and the Beast
- Christian elements
- great world building
What I didn't like:
- You really need to read Beast Hunter for complete understanding.
- Some scenes were jumpy, but I think it was to represent the antagonist's control over what was going on, so I can accept it, but I did have to go back and reread scenes which broke the flow for me.
- Who ends up with who, no spoilers. I'm ok with it now, because I know what is coming.
I very much enjoyed Kill the Beast and getting to know Ro. I can't wait for more of her adventures. On to the wide open sea! (Silence the Siren, book 2)
February 4, 2024
Let's just put it this way, I really tried to love the book :') and at the start I did - it was a legit whirlwind of emotions with the whole beauty and the beast retelling but the ending kinda just made me sad :(( I was so close to giving 4 stars because I seriously loved the MC, but I am so sorry that I just didn't like the ending. (but perhaps it's to really build up to the next book but I seriously hope Ro finds her happily ever after as well)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2019
Fabulous retelling of a classic tale!
I loved this book so much! Beauty and the Beast (the Disney version) was never my favorite, but this book has my vote! The characters come to life on the pages and you are transported to another time and place, laughing, crying, and holding your breath to see what happens next! I can’t wait for the next part of Ro’s story!!!
I loved this book so much! Beauty and the Beast (the Disney version) was never my favorite, but this book has my vote! The characters come to life on the pages and you are transported to another time and place, laughing, crying, and holding your breath to see what happens next! I can’t wait for the next part of Ro’s story!!!
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