kris asks about your favourite

Now that I have encouraged you to totally diss the Handsome Prince thing, I thought why not do an about face and talk about our favourite stories.

It's really not as hypocritical as it seems.

Maybe.

Moving on...

This is mine:

Truth In The Dark by Amy Lane is an m/m fantasy romance reinterpreting the Beauty and the Beast fairytale. I read it recently and was completely taken by it.

One of the things I really liked was that both heroes were complex and tortured as well as each having beast-like characteristics - physically and emotionally. *That actually sounds mean, doesn't it. Oh, well. This is me, after all. ;)*

What I loved the most about it however, was the way in which the author twisted and turned the idea of 'the transformation' to give the reader a dark, unique yet deeply satisfying story. Great stuff and an insta-fave.

So, what about you? What 'Beast' or 'Ugly Duckling' book would you recommend and why did it appeal to you?

kris asks more about the crappy prince thing

I guess I should have probably asked you all yesterday if you were fans of the Beauty and the Beast theme, but:

(a) you would have already been struck down by The Romance Genre Gods if you weren't;

(b) I am random and why give you a false impression of myself; and,

(c) I would have had to think up some other shit to post about today.

So getting back to my sort-of-related topic for today...

My response to wanting the Beast to stay in his form, whilst icky in a shifted sex way, reminded me that I was also one of those who preferred the Ugly Duckling to remain his adorable little ungainly self and for him to tell his siblings to fuck off.

Yes, although it is quite possible I have image issues, what about you?

Do you reckon the whole Beautiful Swan thing is over-rated, not to mention high maintenance? Or are you a fan of this romantic trope?

Some thinking music: