Book Review: Lost in a Book

Book: Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelly

Edition: Hardcover

Description:

Smart, Bookish Belle, a captive in the Beast's castle, has become accustomed to her new home and has befriended its inhabitants. When she comes upon Nevermore, an enchanted book unlike anything else she has seen in the castle. Belle finds herself pulled into its pages and transported to a world of glamour and intrigue. The adventures Belle has always imagined, the dreams she was forced to give up when she became a prisoner, seem within reach again.

The charming and mysterious characters Belle meets with the pages of Nevermore offer her glamorous conversation, a life of dazzling Parisian luxury, and even a reunion she never thought possible. Here Belle can have everything she has ever wished for. But what about her friends in the Beast's castle? Can Belle trust her new companions inside the pages of Nevermore? Is Nevermore's world even real? Belle must uncover the truth about the book, before she loses herself in it forever.




Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Lost in a Book is truly an enchanting story that has a bet at the center of it which could cost Belle not only her freedom but her life.

The story follows Belle who was still trying to get used to living in the Beast's castle. And with the Beast knowing how unhappy she was he gave Belle an incredible gift, his magnificent library filled with books. However, the room was in need of a thorough cleaning, Belle along with Mrs. Potts and her son Chip, Lumiere, Plumette and Cogsworth set about doing just that. It was a happy atmosphere as they all cleaned, even the Beast joined in to help but a little fall nearly ruined the mood. The castle's enchanted staff were so used to the Beast's anger that they were silenced when he had a different reaction. Belle had seen the emotions that were warring across his face and was able to reach him on a very human level.

After the Beast left, Belle and her friends continued cleaning but it wasn't until she was finally alone in the clean library that she stumbled upon a hidden room at the back of the library. Inside she found what used to be the librarian's old office and an interesting looking book laying on a table. The book was titled Nevermore but the strangest thing happened after she picked it up. It started to grow and the pages unveiled a wonderful image and sounds of music and people dancing and celebrating. Belle was so captivated by the image, it had her longing for human companionship that she reached out and touched the book. The strangest thing happened, she was able to walk into the book and what she found was so amazing she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

Belle was near a vast estate where she could see horse drawn carriages dropping off guests at an exquisite chateau. She was content to view this from afar but was also curious to know what was happening inside. She was going to get her chance to find out thanks to the book somehow transforming her old dress, boots and disheveled hair into a beautiful gown, dainty heels and a glamorous hairstyle along with sparkly jewels around her neck.

She was a little hesitant to attend the party but her curiosity won out and she was soon meeting a new acquaintance, Henri, duc des Choses-Passées (or Duke of Things-Past) as well as interacting with amusing guests including meeting the host, Comtesse des Terres des Morts (or Countess of the Lands of the Dead). Belle found out a little something about Nevermore from the Countess, who is the book's author. The Countess may be the author but Belle was told the story was hers and that she can visit Nevermore anytime she wanted. As Belle was leaving Nevermore, she was already anticipating her next visit.

Despite the Beast gifting Belle a wonderful library and planning a delightful winter outing, it still felt like no matter how hard Belle tried to befriend him there was a wall up between them. Which made Nevermore an even more perfect escape because she missed her father and was also dealing with feelings of isolation.

However, the more time she spent in Nevermore the harder it was for her to want to return to her life in the castle. And as much as she loved her new friends, the enchanted castle staff, she was relishing every opportunity to spend time with her new friends in the pages of the book. Unknowingly, someone was working to trap Belle in the book and with her increasing desire to stay in Nevermore she was making it easier for that to occur.

Is Belle destined to be lost in a book or can she find her way out?

I really enjoyed reading this, it's an interesting tale that had Belle getting drawn into an enticing story. However, things were not as they seemed but Belle was unaware of what was happening to temp her into staying in Nevermore.

I think the author wrote an amazingly well-written story that will have you getting as drawn into the story as Belle was in hers. Throughout the story, I like that you could see the friendship building between Belle and the Beast. You could also see how the Beast was dealing with the consequences of his actions that caused himself and his staff to be cursed. While Belle was dealing with so many emotions from sadness to a bit of anger over her current situation of living in the castle. Although, she was moderately happy spending time with the enchanted staff who were quickly becoming her friends and trying to get to know the Beast, however that didn't make her sadness disappear. But I also don't think she was realizing how much the Beast was trying to befriend her and she didn't see how much he was changing in trying to be a good friend. Which is probably why it was so easy for her to become so captivated by Nevermore because it gave her a chance to experience things she thought she never would such as traveling and meeting interesting people. She also overlooked the dangers of being in Nevermore because she was searching for something to distract her from her current situation but is the irresistible story worth what it might cost her.

I'm going to end this review before it becomes any longer by saying this is a great read. It's a tantalizing story that I really couldn't put down and I think it's a perfect tie-in to the 2017 live action Beauty and the Beast movie.