4.5/5 stars rounded up!

Short(ish) and Sweet:

If you know me at all, you know Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale, and I have a minor* obsession with it. I stumbled upon this incredible comic series by Megan Kearney here while doing research for my thesis, and I was amazed. Only glancing through her site, I noticed how unique the artwork is and how much research and love she also clearly has for the story. Though she offers her comic free on her site (it’s still ongoing), I decided to purchase the first volume which is available to buy, mainly because I love print. I LOVED her spin on the tale and the beautiful artwork, and I would recommend it for any B&tB fan.
To Elaborate…

Even if you only know the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast, you can likely tell how versatile the story is and how many different angles and perspectives you can take it. If you ever read the original by Gabrielle Suzanne de Villeneuve, you’ll see that times a million. Kearney crafts her own interpretation of the tale and presents it in a gorgeous graphic novel format. The character designs are stunning, and the lines are so clean. The facial expressions add so much to the story and help the reader to tap into the real emotions of the characters.

In some retellings, Beauty’s sisters are left out of the story, and I’m so glad they are included in this one. Temperance and Virtue are interesting characters, and though their roles are minor, they are still fun to get to know. Beauty is headstrong and loving, and her determination is incredible. I especially love her dream scene and the flashbacks of her growing up.

Megan Kearney’s Beauty and the Beast is the perfect addition to the realm of Beauty and the Beast retellings. I can’t wait for the next installment of this addictive comic series.

Originally posted at The Forest of Words and Pages: http://www.forestofwordsandpages.com/2016/01/review-beauty-and-the-beast-act-one-by-megan-kearney/

Fairy tale retellings are my catnip, especially when the story incorporates multiple fairy tales. Both Rapunzel and Jack the Beanstalker take the stage in Grounded, and their story is unlike any other that I have read. The third person narrative packs all the heart, voice, and emotion that first person narratives often do and provides the reader with uncountable moments of witty, hilarious, and meaningful dialogue. There wasn’t a second after I passed the first page that I wasn’t eager to keep reading and desperately hoping the to-do lists of the day would vanish for the sake of adventure.

The quick but steady pace, delicious plot twists, and honest writing set up a heart-pounding fairy tale, but the characters, both main and secondary, are what will steal the hearts of readers. Rapunzel is beautifully flawed, unapologetically herself, and a character whose growth will quite possibly draw a few tears from time to time. She is a top-notch role model whose steadfast sincerity and loyalty will captivate both young and adult readers. Alongside her, Jack is absolutely adorable, a brave dreamer, and a fantastic friend whose own journey is full of meaning and maturing. Megan Morrison does a stunning job of crafting a villain for the story who draws compassion, uncertainty, and above all, complexity.

This invigorating story is perfect for fans of the movie Tangled, readers of fairy tales, and anyone looking for an unforgettable adventure. As one of my favorite reads ever, I can’t wait to flip through these pages again and again, soaking up the magic of Rapunzel and Jack’s journey. Grounded has addicted me to the world of Tyme, and I wish all the speed of the fairies for the next book to come along.

Original review at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/18104-grounded-the-adventures-of-rapunzel