Summary
Prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey through the pages of this captivating audiobook. Whether you’re an avid reader or a newcomer to the world of audiobooks, this unique listening experience is sure to leave a lasting impression. With a perfect blend of engaging storytelling and skilled narration, this audiobook transports you into a realm where the boundaries between reality and fantasy seamlessly blur.
Audiobook Info
- Author: Alex Flinn
- Narrator: Simon Vance
- Duration: 9 hours and 47 minutes
- Publisher: Listening Library
- Release Date: January 1, 2009
Review
With so many retellings of classic fairy tales flooding the shelves, it takes something truly special for one to stand out – and Alex Flinn’s “Beastly” does just that. What makes this young adult novel particularly enchanting in audio form is not only its modern twist on “Beauty and the Beast,” but also how masterfully narrator Simon Vance breathes life into every beat of Kyle Kingsbury’s transformative journey.
Let’s start with performance: Simon Vance is already an audiobook legend, known for his remarkable range and emotional depth. In “Beastly,” he delivers one of his most nuanced performances yet. His voice captures Kyle’s initial arrogance – the snarky confidence of a high school golden boy – as well as the painful vulnerability that emerges once Kyle is cursed into beastly isolation. The distinction between characters is sharp yet subtle; Vance shifts effortlessly from biting sarcasm to raw confessionals as we witness Kyle slowly strip away layers of vanity and bitterness.
But what truly elevates this narration are those quiet moments: when self-loathing gives way to hope, or when uncertainty softens into tenderness – Vance handles each with understated grace, letting listeners feel every tremor in Kyle’s transformation without ever overplaying it. For fans who appreciate immersive voice acting that doesn’t overshadow story or character development, Vance’s rendition here will be an absolute delight.
The story itself pulses with contemporary energy while never losing sight of its fairytale heart. Alex Flinn crafts a compelling protagonist in Kyle – a popular teen whose fall from grace after being cursed by Kendra (the book’s enigmatic witch) forces him not only into physical isolation but also deep self-reflection. What starts as superficial penance soon morphs into something more profound: an exploration about beauty versus worthiness, forgiveness versus revenge, and – ultimately – the liberating power found within empathy.
Flinn deftly updates familiar motifs for modern listeners (think roses swapped for online chats), making age-old lessons accessible to today’s audience without feeling heavy-handed or clichéd. While some secondary characters might lack complexity compared to our main players – a criticism echoed by some reviewers – it hardly detracts from the central arc or emotional resonance at the core of Beastly.
Perhaps what lingers most after listening isn’t just witnessing outward change but recognizing how real transformation always begins from within – a message underscored by both Flinn’s prose and Vance’s heartfelt delivery.
Download & Listen
If you’re looking for an audiobook that reinvents a beloved classic while delivering both wit and wisdom, “Beastly” should be at the top of your list. Between Alex Flinn’s fresh storytelling approach and Simon Vance’s outstanding narration, every minute offers something new – whether it’s heartbreakingly honest introspection or wry humor amid magical mayhem. Don’t miss your chance to experience Kyle Kingsbury’s redemption arc; download “Beastly” today from KTAudiobooks.com and let yourself be swept away by a tale where true beauty goes far beyond skin-deep!
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