I gained’t lie, seeing this e book (or any) pitched as a retelling of The Magnificence and the Beast is what caught my eye. I’m what the youngsters name “a sucker.” However we will unpack all that later.

Brielle and Bear may need the obscure skeleton of the traditional fairy story it was based mostly on, but it surely positively has its personal narrative—a undeniable fact that I feel is a constructive for the story.

That being stated, this story is slightly arduous to get into. There may be actually lots to love, however finally this e book is the other of the entire being better than the sum of its elements.

Brielle is our heroine, and she or he is aware of it. She exudes Important Character Confidence and narrates her life utilizing a algorithm that she pulled from her familiarity with fairy tales. She meets Atohi “Bear” Yona whereas at work at As soon as Upon A Time College’s bookshop. It’s charmed at first sight, and the story expands on their relationship and the buddies they encompass themselves with.

Earlier than I get into criticism, let’s have a look at what slaps:

The artwork is attractive. Brielle and Bear is filled with shade, whimsy, visible motifs, and exquisite homage to each western-style animation and manga. The environment (and names of each location and character) may be very dreamy and excellent for this fairy tale-esque story.

The solid may be very numerous. The writer particularly wrote that she needed to create a solid that mirrored her time at college, and there was care taken to make each identification distinctive and particular.

There may be some very sort and sympathetic dialogue of neurodiversity and bodily incapacity. Brielle has vitiligo, it’s seen as operating in her household. Bear has dyslexia. One of many issues I believed was actually lovely concerning the story was how a lot Bear enjoys writing poetry and studying—passions that I do no usually see paired with this specific situation.

Sadly, every of these things are likely to crumble beneath shut scrutiny. The artwork for the settings and environments and areas is so lovely, but it surely tends not get middle stage with plenty of rendering and shade. The road drawings are lovely, however the buildings sit with a particular shade pallet for the web page and stay, effectively, within the background. It’s a logical alternative, but it surely does really feel like leaving free factors on the ground.

The solid is numerous, however then what? Other than some phrases in Spanish, that is a facet of the story that isn’t referenced or acknowledged. Once more, maybe I’ve misinterpreted this alternative. It is likely to be good to simply see this as a approach issues are, with out it being worthy of commentary.

The vitiligo and dyslexia do pertain to the plot, however it’s extremely minimal. Every character has already overcome the trauma and issue that comes with having these situations. I might say that is constant by means of the story as a complete – the stakes are extremely low. I used to be by no means frightened a couple of decision to a difficulty, and every situation was small; the most important one being 2 arguments between Brielle and Bear which might be resolved by means of easy communication.

I concern this comedian is attempting to push its fairy story origins into its pages, however there actually is not any want for that. There doesn’t appear to be any magical components to this world—there are not any spells, curses, prophecies, and positively no beasts. I might have favored to see this story develop by itself, flown removed from its magical origins. It appears like extra volumes are popping out, and perhaps these books will handle a few of my considerations, however for now, this story is a slice of cake that’s principally frosting.

Though I personally didn’t get pleasure from this narrative, I might encourage everybody to take a look at Doku’s web site to take a look at the visible growth journey that these illustrations went on—they’re merely attractive.

NOTE: Creator is black and from England; African-American was picked as creator illustration as this was the closest choice that’s obtainable by means of NFNT.

Brielle and Bear
By Salomey Doku
Harper Collins, 2024
ISBN: 9780008617561

Firm Age Ranking: 13+

NFNT Age Suggestion: Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16)
Creator Illustration:  African-American,
Character Illustration: African-American, First Nations or Indigenous, Incapacity,