I really liked this little book. With elements from [b:Beauty and the Beast|41424|Beauty A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast|Robin McKinley|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1169613617s/41424.jpg|2321285], Cinderella, Joan of Arc, Diane Stanley wove a captivating little tale of a courageous girl with a huge heart. It wasn't as magical as I was expecting, though there were some elements of magic. It was more religious than I was expecting (the climax is attributed to a miracle of God), but I feel that's what this story needed, especially since Bella had a role similar to Joan of Arc.