The Belles (2018) The Belles, published February 6, 2018 by Disney-Hyperion, is a
New York Times best seller. The book received starred reviews from
Kirkus as well as positive reviews from
School Library Journal, Horn Book, and
Publishers Weekly. Booklist applauded Clayton's examination of "the price of beauty in a society that reveres it," refusing to "shy away from facing uncomfortable truths in our own society." The
Chicago Public Library and
Kirkus named
The Belles one of the best young adult books of the year. and
Booklist, as well as positive reviews from
The Horn Book and
School Library Journal.
Booklist preferred the sequel to the original book, stating, "Although
The Belles is a phenomenal read, this is even more staggering. Clayton seizes the opportunity to expound upon Orléans, rendering a world that is breathtaking and crushing, beautiful and vile, and whimsical and terrifying. She poignantly uses a harrowing, fantastical tale to illuminate the very real horrors of unattainable beauty standards and the enslavement of marginalized bodies. As relevant as it is exquisite."
The Horn Book disagreed with the improvement, noting, "This second installment in the series is more repetitively plotted than the first, and particularly overuses a device of an ally dying mere moments after being reunited with Camille." == Awards and honors ==