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poisoned_icecream's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a delightful sapphic retelling of the classic fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast. It starts off the way it always does, but with some differences. For example, in this book Alys, the daughter who goes to live with Phillippe (the beast), is aromantic. Another difference is that the beast lives with a sister named Grace who is kind to Alys. They work together to keep each other as safe as they can from Phillippe, who is emotionally abusive towards them. I've read many retellings of fairy tales, and this is going to be one of my all-time favorites now. I will definitely reread this over and over.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Emotional abuse
aroace_bookaholic's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
druv's review against another edition
5.0
One of Heather Rose Jones' best. This novella is about love in a mysterious and dark castle, but love from a different perspective than so many tales are obsessed with. It explores a character that gives up herself for the sake of her family and get thrust into a situation she has no way of understanding, an intrigue of fae and passions at odds. Much like in the Disney version, the library is a great solace to the main character, but for quite a different reason - one I find just as understandable as the ability to spend your time reading books.
This novella also explores the many guises beasts can appear around us, and finding the power to overcome and walk away.
This novella also explores the many guises beasts can appear around us, and finding the power to overcome and walk away.
booksthatburn's review
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
*I received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review of this book.
THE LANGUAGE OF ROSES is an excellent retelling of Beauty and the Best, with an aromantic heroine asked to love and marry a beastly man before his and his sister's transformations are made permanent. When her father plucks a rose from a garden, Alys is sent to live with the Beast (Philippe) and his sister (Grace) as payment. Alys could marry him, but he asks for love with marriage and she cannot promise that. It's an excellent portrayal of emotional abuse exacerbated by sexism and social structures. There are so many little things done so well in this novella, it stays true to the bones of the original story without forcing Alys to fit the mold of a romantic heroine against her nature. This is perfect for those who love retellings and anyone who's tired of romance being required for a happily ever after.
THE LANGUAGE OF ROSES is an excellent retelling of Beauty and the Best, with an aromantic heroine asked to love and marry a beastly man before his and his sister's transformations are made permanent. When her father plucks a rose from a garden, Alys is sent to live with the Beast (Philippe) and his sister (Grace) as payment. Alys could marry him, but he asks for love with marriage and she cannot promise that. It's an excellent portrayal of emotional abuse exacerbated by sexism and social structures. There are so many little things done so well in this novella, it stays true to the bones of the original story without forcing Alys to fit the mold of a romantic heroine against her nature. This is perfect for those who love retellings and anyone who's tired of romance being required for a happily ever after.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Sexism, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Abandonment, Sexual content, and Domestic abuse
jamietherebelliousreader's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars. Very unique spin on the classic Beauty and the Beast story. For one, this one isn’t a romance at all and I didn’t mind that. The writing is gorgeous and moody and I liked the main character Alys. I also liked the Beast’s sister, Grace and her story with Eglantine and I wanted more of that. This is a super short read and I definitely wanted more but for what it is it’s entertaining and different.
vasha's review
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Violence
smartie_chan's review against another edition
5.0
I'd like to thank NetGalley & the publisher for providing me with an E-Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
5 / 5 Stars
The Beauty & The Beast has always been one of my favourit fairytails when I was little and it still is to this day. Which is why I'm very picky when it comes to retellings. If I were to tell you all about why the story is that dear to me, we'd be sitting here for a while. So let's not do that.
When I saw that this book featured an aromantic MC I knew that I had to read it. And I'm very glad I did.
In case you cared, I'm glad to report that a book titled
'The Language of Roses' does indeed feature some very beautiful prose and writing style, such as multible distinctive voices. The very first chapter, for example, read like a poetry book and for a second I was a little confused, but later on, after realising who it was that spoke to me, I couldn't help but smile.
This is still a story about love, but it's also a story about toxicity, abuse and neglect. It's a story about setting yourself free.
But It's not a story about redemption.
It’s funny how forgiveness has almost become the destination for all journeys to healing. It’s become commercialized and exploited to the extent that forgiveness loses its true meaning, becoming a cover for abusers. Because if forgiveness is the end of all paths to healing, if you're going to forgive me anyways, no matter what, then the act of abuse doesn’t really matter.
Victims are supposed to erase their anger, hurt and pain. They are expected to suffer and forgive again and again and again, while society ignores one crucial thing:
Forgiveness is a privilege, and those who want it have to earn it.
While
You have the right to not forgive your abusers at all.
You don't have to forgive, even if they changed, even if they didn't mean it and even if they're sorry. Your feelings matter. Your pain matters. And the book does an amazing job in embodying that. I could say more, but I don't wanna spoil too much. So I'm just gonna leave it at that.
The end of the book had me more than a little emotional, I'm not gonna lie. Because it's filled with a lot of theme, a lot of heart and a lot of love. Truly a great retelling and an amazing and powerful story.
5 / 5 Stars
The Beauty & The Beast has always been one of my favourit fairytails when I was little and it still is to this day. Which is why I'm very picky when it comes to retellings. If I were to tell you all about why the story is that dear to me, we'd be sitting here for a while. So let's not do that.
When I saw that this book featured an aromantic MC I knew that I had to read it. And I'm very glad I did.
In case you cared, I'm glad to report that a book titled
'The Language of Roses' does indeed feature some very beautiful prose and writing style, such as multible distinctive voices. The very first chapter, for example, read like a poetry book and for a second I was a little confused, but later on, after realising who it was that spoke to me, I couldn't help but smile.
This is still a story about love, but it's also a story about toxicity, abuse and neglect. It's a story about setting yourself free.
But It's not a story about redemption.
It’s funny how forgiveness has almost become the destination for all journeys to healing. It’s become commercialized and exploited to the extent that forgiveness loses its true meaning, becoming a cover for abusers. Because if forgiveness is the end of all paths to healing, if you're going to forgive me anyways, no matter what, then the act of abuse doesn’t really matter.
Victims are supposed to erase their anger, hurt and pain. They are expected to suffer and forgive again and again and again, while society ignores one crucial thing:
Forgiveness is a privilege, and those who want it have to earn it.
While
You have the right to not forgive your abusers at all.
You don't have to forgive, even if they changed, even if they didn't mean it and even if they're sorry. Your feelings matter. Your pain matters. And the book does an amazing job in embodying that. I could say more, but I don't wanna spoil too much. So I'm just gonna leave it at that.
The end of the book had me more than a little emotional, I'm not gonna lie. Because it's filled with a lot of theme, a lot of heart and a lot of love. Truly a great retelling and an amazing and powerful story.
unorgaynized's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you, NetGalley and Queen of Swords Press for the chance to read this ARC!
Four out of five stars, I truly did enjoy it. I am very much on the aroace spectrum, and while there is not explicit confirmation Alys is, she feels real and true enough along that I can find myself relating to her easily. To be asked to marry and to be in love with someone-- one of those things is easier than the other, on any level. Like Alys, I cannot force myself to love if I have never romantically loved and it does not come so naturally to me.
A beautiful spin of Beauty and the Beast-- but with him was cursed his sister, who holds the servants. Alongside them are familiar figures from other fairy tales: a girl who dropped jewels and flowers from her mouth with every word, a grieving enchantress-mother who cannot see what has happened, the man who broke his promise and struck his wife thrice.
Alys and Grace grow in companionship against Grace's oppressive Beast brother, trying to soothe his personality, coax him into a better frame of mind, tailor their behaviors to please his moods. A love cannot easily grow between a beauty and the beast she attempts to pacify-- but a deep relationship can grow between herself and his sister.
This is, of course, sapphic-- it's a book by Heather Rose Jones, of course-- and I really appreciated the relationship, as well as the neat storylines tied off at the end.
Four out of five stars, I truly did enjoy it. I am very much on the aroace spectrum, and while there is not explicit confirmation Alys is, she feels real and true enough along that I can find myself relating to her easily. To be asked to marry and to be in love with someone-- one of those things is easier than the other, on any level. Like Alys, I cannot force myself to love if I have never romantically loved and it does not come so naturally to me.
A beautiful spin of Beauty and the Beast-- but with him was cursed his sister, who holds the servants. Alongside them are familiar figures from other fairy tales: a girl who dropped jewels and flowers from her mouth with every word, a grieving enchantress-mother who cannot see what has happened, the man who broke his promise and struck his wife thrice.
Alys and Grace grow in companionship against Grace's oppressive Beast brother, trying to soothe his personality, coax him into a better frame of mind, tailor their behaviors to please his moods. A love cannot easily grow between a beauty and the beast she attempts to pacify-- but a deep relationship can grow between herself and his sister.
This is, of course, sapphic-- it's a book by Heather Rose Jones, of course-- and I really appreciated the relationship, as well as the neat storylines tied off at the end.
jennieartemis's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
TL;DR: A Beauty and the Beast reworking that is short and sweet, posing wonderfully queer questions to the tradition
(eARC provided by Netgalley)
The Language of Roses feels like a genuinely fresh and radical take on the Beauty and the Beast tale, and does it without throwing in too many twists to lore or worldbuilding. This version manages to hit all the familiar beats, but it is evident just how modern its approach is, both in the centrality of queerness (aromanticism and sapphic love truly are at the heart of this) and in its approach to the complexity of humanity. This is not a story meant to be "dark" in the way some retellings have been: it is rather focused on toxic relationships, as opposed to evil individuals. I love its lyrical moments, and honestly craved more of them, and I can't say this ultimately blew me away emotionally; it is more a work of stylistic efficiency and thematic power that I truly admire.
9/10 in personal rating system
(eARC provided by Netgalley)
The Language of Roses feels like a genuinely fresh and radical take on the Beauty and the Beast tale, and does it without throwing in too many twists to lore or worldbuilding. This version manages to hit all the familiar beats, but it is evident just how modern its approach is, both in the centrality of queerness (aromanticism and sapphic love truly are at the heart of this) and in its approach to the complexity of humanity. This is not a story meant to be "dark" in the way some retellings have been: it is rather focused on toxic relationships, as opposed to evil individuals. I love its lyrical moments, and honestly craved more of them, and I can't say this ultimately blew me away emotionally; it is more a work of stylistic efficiency and thematic power that I truly admire.
9/10 in personal rating system