Every reader has genres they gravitate towards and ones that they avoid. However, that can prevent you from discovering great stories that you might find outside of your comfort zone. When I put out calls for book reviews, I’m very particular about what kinds of books that I choose. Usually, I make a point to steer away from fantasy and romance. But when authors seeking reviews send me a strong plot synopsis, I can’t ignore them, and I’m often impressed by them. One such book that lived up to its pitch is an imaginative retelling of Beauty and the Beast which tones down the magic and grounds it in pathos. Below is my review of Cry Wolf: A Tale of Beauty and the Beast by Jacque Stevens.
Cry Wolf book summary
Isabelle and her father are sheep farmers in a small village in France. After her best friend, Jean, comes home a war hero and finds that she has grown into the most beautiful girl in town, he proposes marriage. Isabelle is reluctant to accept. She knows that becoming his wife will mean working at his family’s inn and being his submissive partner. Instead, she prefers her family’s farm where she can raise sheep and read for hours.
But Isabelle’s life changes drastically when her father is killed by a wolf in the forest. Enraged with revenge, she goes after her father’s killer and is saved from attack by a half-human and half-beastly creature who takes her to the ruins of his burned down castle to heal.
While under his watch, Isabelle and the beast, named Howl, grow close. Then, Howl’s true nature is revealed to her. Torn between her feelings for Howl and his wolf pack and her personal longing for independence, Isabelle must decide which life she desires most.
The story
As its subtitle suggests, Cry Wolf is a new take on the classic Beauty and the Beast. However, the author reveals in the afterward that much of her plot was drawn from ancient French folklore, some of which was based on actual historical events. What materializes is an imaginative mash up of history, fantasy, and nods to the famous Disney film.
Beauty and the Beast is considered by modern audiences to be a problematic story, especially for young girls. Some say it deals with a classic case of Stockholm Syndrome rather than an innocent fairy tale about true love. Cry Wolf removes all of that doubt by creating a relationship between Howl and “Belle,” as Howl calls her, based on mutual respect.
Belle is seriously injured when she is brought to the castle and permitted to leave whenever she wishes. It’s her own curiosity and growing fondness for her rescuer that, somewhat unconsciously, keeps her there.
This story element doesn’t feel like it’s forced into the plot to calm potential critics. Instead, it is based on the hierarchy of the classic wolf pack. Howl may be the alpha of his pack, but his mate would be on equal ground with him. As a result, no means no and yes means yes, and he accommodates accordingly.
The characters
The characters of Cry Wolf are very well crafted and distinct from their famous counterparts, though still recognizable. Stevens created well-rounded and original characters that straddle the lines of good and evil while clearly choosing their sides.
Neither Howl nor Belle are characters that need to “change” in order to learn their lesson. They’re just naïve to each other’s lifestyles, and their relationship is based on becoming more informed on those lifestyles and compromising on a way to comfortably coexist. They are open to learning new rules and customs, whether it’s Belle learning the laws of the pack or Howl understanding the boundaries of personal space.
Twists and pacing
The book is told from the point of view of both beauty and the beast. However, most of the story is seen through Belle’s eyes. She’s smart and adventurous but also naïve and unworldly. So, it’s easy for the reader to catch villainous behaviors or misread signals that she misinterprets or explains away. Part of this has to do with already being familiar with this classic story while she’s just now living it.
The story speeds up and slows down in perfect rhythm, allowing time to explore the characters and back story while still advancing the plot and action. There are twists and turns and shocking developments that the reader can’t see coming with the new elements thrown in. This makes for a real page turner which leads to an ending that suggests not so much happily ever after as the beginning of a much larger story.
My recommendation
I highly recommend Cry Wolf not only to Disney princess fans who are looking to relive their favorite childhood stories but to anyone who loves adventure, fantasy, and even horror. It’s all told in such a smart, sophisticated way. A film version could compare with the likes of the Cinderella-based Ever After.
You can read my review of Cry Wolf’s sequel, Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, here!
Buy it!
Buy a copy of Cry Wolf here, and help support local bookstores! This is an affiliate link, and I will earn a commission on any sales.
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