Of Beast and Beauty

This is a retelling of Beauty & The Beast but, with a Dystopian and otherworldly twists.I'm a huge fan of Fairy Tale retellings. Even though I already know the basis of the story things can and will be different. I love seeing different authors' takes on the same story.  The summaries I read didn't really inspire me but, I gave it a shot anyhow and I'm SO glad I did. 
Brief Summary:

The world is divided.

Princess Isra lives in one of the few remaining domed cities where the Smooth Skins live. She has been raised knowing that one day she will be sacrificed to the roses for the vitality of her city to continue on. Before she dies she wants to help her people in other ways because, even her sacrifice won't help the Banished and the deformed who live outside her Palace.

Gem is a warrior for the Desert people (a Monstrous according to the Smooth Skins). His people are dying from starvation and they are desperate. If they don't find a way to help them live soon, they will all die.

I will hold her tightly and tell her I love her, last thing before she closes her eyes and first thing when she wakes in the morning. I will tell her every day for the rest of our lives, and more important, I will show her.
I will show her that loving her is my greatest truth, and the most beautiful thing I have ever known.

ugh

They had to love each other more than anyone else for the curse to be broken. I see that the author wanted a the two people to love the other even with their differences but, more than everyone else? Yes, I have a city FULL OF PEOPLE DYING and I'm going to trade them for the love of my life.... Maybe it is just me but, this kind of selfish thinking is really harmful. It is a 'We are more important' mindset that literally the noble Smooth Skins had. While Isra and Gem still care for their people and are actually trying to do best by them, this thinking isn't present but, it was sort worded that they should have that mindset. I just think this part could have been tweaked a little better. Like the curse would break if they fully and completely loved each other. I don't know... 

“Beauty is wherever you find it, and Beast is there when you need to defend it.”

squeal!!