The Beast of Ten

Would the light overcome the darkness? The struggle is here. It is daily. It is yes, it is no. I was kept wondering every step of the way. Hope and courage. A very satisfactory ending.

The Beast of Ten is a beautiful redemption story.Sperro, the Bleak, had done horrible things on his way to try to become a Beast of Ten. The Beast of Ten is darkness itself, as evil as you can get. He’s one blood gain (killing someone for their blood) away from accomplishing it.Ember is the one blood gain Sperro needs to become the Beast of Ten, but Ember is also the one who can guide him back to the light.Spoilers up ahead*****Sperro and Ember’s bickering was so heartwarming at times. It brought humor to this darker story. It created a nice balance.Sperro’s transition back to the light was beautiful and realistic. I’m not just saying this because I love long books, but the length of this story really lets you see the gradual change.At first the romantic in me was a bit bummed that Ember and Sperro didn’t fall in love. I started this book thinking it would be more like a beauty and the beast retelling. But as I saw how beautiful their friendship was, I think that was best for Sperro, Ember, and the story. Plus Astrick and Ember seem much more suited for each other.This book was so good! It’s intense, deep. Yes, it is long, but I never felt like it dragged. Beth Brower is such a talented author! If you haven’t read The Q yet by her, you should! It’s more lighthearted, but is soooo good! I can’t wait to see what story she’ll write next!Content: clean except for a few damneds. Nothing too gory, no sexual content.

I found the world confusing for a bit in the beginning, but the story is worth hanging in there. This is an intriguing take on the Beauty and the Beast tale with many differences. There’s a whole magic system at play. It’s also not really a romantic story, and I couldn’t predict how the story would resolve until it finally did.

Oh friends. I was SO not prepared for this story. At all! Having read, and loved, Ms. Brower's The Q, I couldn't resist checking this one out. I thought I might enjoy it and might even become drawn in. Oh, but! I was NOT expecting to become so entranced with Sperro and Ember that I could barely sleep because I couldn't wait to find out how things were going to end! Because of real life, it took me a few days to finish and, oh my goodness, how I squeezed in every available moment of time I could in order to read just a page or two more! Ms. Brower, I applaud you. You have outdone yourself and I cannot wait to see how you will top this with your next book. You have risen on my list of favorite authors and are now firmly entrenched in my top ten list! But you aren't reading this review simply to watch me gush, are you? So I shall get on with it.Where, oh where to begin? This story has similarities to Beauty and the Beast, but trust me when I say it is so much more than that! It is a fantastical look at darkness and light, and how those two things are constantly circling and drawn to each other. It is two people who are unprepared for the other to come into their life and what effect they'll have. It is a deep love that barely flickers during the first pages, yet despite everything that happens, every choice made to deny it, its growth is slow, steady, and beautiful to watch. It is heart-wrenching emotions, impossible choices, and a glorious testimony of redemption unlike anything I've ever read before.But! It is not always a happy story. There are choices made which create chaos, bitterness, and rage. The "beastliness" of certain characters is menacing, the darkness powerful and tangible. And yet... The light is just as fierce! Hope is always weaving in and out of every moment and refuses to give up. And the battle between the two is simultaneously intense and fascinating. I simply could not look away, always on pins and needles to see which side pulled hardest. When I closed the final pages, it was with tears running down my cheeks and feeling utterly wrung out, yet gloriously inspired!In short, this story is phenomenal. Sperro is a character I was fully prepared to hate, just as Ember was. And yet, my fascination grew steadily as the story progressed until he was firmly woven into my heart. I was as committed to him as Ember is and completely unable to prevent it. He is an incredibly well written character! And dearest Ember as well. This is a love story, yes, but not the sort you're thinking. Trust me though. You want to read this one! It is highly imaginative, with vivid descriptions (the world-building! Just wow!), and, to put it simply, utterly unforgettable. If you enjoy fantasy with a lot of depth, then I HIGHLY recommend this one! It's a keeper, folks, and that's putting it very mildly. :)

A great fantasy novel that shows how even the most unredeemable can be redeemed and have hope. I liked the unexpected ending in particular.

Soon after this book and I were properly introduced, I realized I had vastly underestimated its depth. Originally, when I had met a few of the main characters, I'd thought that the story would be a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. A wicked creature, a kind-hearted girl, a bargain to save her father, a castle locked out of time... While a few hints of that lovely story flavor this novel, it is altogether very much so its own story--and in the most fascinating way.I've read few fantasy novels that don't rely heavily on systems of magic already created. It's difficult to come across refreshing, new ideas. Ms. Brower, however, has managed to capture a world unique to any I've visited. Her detail in this realm was incredibly intricate and rivaled the creativity I've so admired in Brandon Sanderson's books (and if you know how I feel about Sanderson, comparing any book to his is an immense compliment).But above all, the character development winding through the thick plot was what BLEW me away! It really is masterful, a storyteller who can pull off such a drastic character change without it seeming fabricated or rushed. Few have the patience reality requires. Luckily for us, Ms. Brower does.Oh, and the cover artwork!! It looks lovely on my shelf, as an added bonus. Well worth the cost of a physical copy. If you're in the mood for an enchanting world, witty humor, and characters that will undoubtably steal your heart, this is your book!

Super interesting story at the intersection of fantasy and psychological and philosophical questions about who people are verses what they do. Loved it. Beth is a genius writer.

This is one of those books you want to last forever but can't put down. I was hooked from page one and only managed to make it last 3 days. Hope there is a sequel.