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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Excellent sequel to the movies. Plot was well thought out and intriguing, known characters were true to my memory, new characters were fascinating. Thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really wanted a lot more out of this.
The concept of "what happens after the happily ever after" is one I love but rarely see executed well (see: pretty much all Disney sequels), and I'm sad to say this was not an exception. I liked the idea of it: bringing Belle and the Beast's story into a historical context does give the story itself a much fuller backdrop. The author did a great job explaining how Aveyon and its prince relate to France and French royalty. In fact, I don't have any issues with how the historical fiction element was handled, and would've loved to see more of that in the book. My issue is with the characters.
None of the characters we know and love feel like the Disney characters. Early on in the book, Belle and Lio (aka the Beast) have a discussion where they stress the importance of being honest with one another, and yet all Belle does throughout the story is lie to Lio to save him from the painful facts that he probably can't handle. On his part, instead of remembering that Belle is pretty fierce, Lio tries very hard to confine her to her home because it's not safe outside. We're told that Lio relies on Belle, that she's his anchor, but he doesn't act like it at all, and prefers the advice of a cousin he hasn't seen in over 10 years to the advice of his wife. Even Cogsworth had a distinctly different flavor to him. I don't remember him being so angry, especially not towards Belle. Mrs. Potts and Lumiere at least felt in character.
There's also a mystery plot surrounding a possible revolutionary within the castle, but it's really not that mysterious. Very disappointing with the reveal and how everything went down in the end.
The writing also didn't grab me. There's a lot of unnecessary explanation and telling rather than showing, and I felt entirely disconnected from the characters and the events that were unfolding. The plot lacks urgency until the last 15% of the book, and while I could have been okay with that provided there had been good character development, that was lacking as well. Belle and Lio spent most of the story apart, which is also a shame.
I'm still curious to see what other books in this series will be like and will be continuing, but I wouldn't recommend this one.
The concept of "what happens after the happily ever after" is one I love but rarely see executed well (see: pretty much all Disney sequels), and I'm sad to say this was not an exception. I liked the idea of it: bringing Belle and the Beast's story into a historical context does give the story itself a much fuller backdrop. The author did a great job explaining how Aveyon and its prince relate to France and French royalty. In fact, I don't have any issues with how the historical fiction element was handled, and would've loved to see more of that in the book. My issue is with the characters.
None of the characters we know and love feel like the Disney characters. Early on in the book, Belle and Lio (aka the Beast) have a discussion where they stress the importance of being honest with one another, and yet all Belle does throughout the story is lie to Lio to save him from the painful facts that he probably can't handle. On his part, instead of remembering that Belle is pretty fierce, Lio tries very hard to confine her to her home because it's not safe outside. We're told that Lio relies on Belle, that she's his anchor, but he doesn't act like it at all, and prefers the advice of a cousin he hasn't seen in over 10 years to the advice of his wife. Even Cogsworth had a distinctly different flavor to him. I don't remember him being so angry, especially not towards Belle. Mrs. Potts and Lumiere at least felt in character.
There's also a mystery plot surrounding a possible revolutionary within the castle, but it's really not that mysterious. Very disappointing with the reveal and how everything went down in the end.
The writing also didn't grab me. There's a lot of unnecessary explanation and telling rather than showing, and I felt entirely disconnected from the characters and the events that were unfolding. The plot lacks urgency until the last 15% of the book, and while I could have been okay with that provided there had been good character development, that was lacking as well. Belle and Lio spent most of the story apart, which is also a shame.
I'm still curious to see what other books in this series will be like and will be continuing, but I wouldn't recommend this one.
The only thing that I didn’t like was that the prince’s name was changed. Other than that, it was so fun to read about characters that I have loved ever since I was a kid!
I really wanted to like this book. Truly. I am a giant fan of fairy tale retellings, from straight up once upon a time, to curses and kisses, (a very loose retelling). But this one just didn't get me. It was predictable and only really got good near the end. My main reason I BELIEVE for not liking this was the fact that it was based in the French Revolution, (I DNF'ed Enchantee sooo). I don't entirely understand why BUT, oh well. I will be reading the sequel, however I am glad I didn't purchase it.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's quite a good book, not the best but enjoyable in how it incorporates real-life events into the original Beauty and Beast movie.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews.
---
Thank you to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
All quotes are taken from Rebel Rose by Emma Theriault.
// Content warning: death, beheading, violence, mentions of mature content //
---
// Quick Statistics //
Overall: 3/5 Stars
Plot: 3/5 Stars
Characters: 1/5 Stars
Setting: 4/5 Stars
Writing: 4/5 Stars
Memorability: 2/5 Stars
---
// Quick Review //
I put off reading Rebel Rose until last week, and unfortunately? I was quite disappointed with this novel. Despite it not being my cup of tea, this Beauty and the Beast ‘retelling’ is a sure favorite for fans of the classic fairy tale.
---
---
// Other Information //
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Page Count: 352 pages
Release Date: November 10, 2020
Series: The Queen’s Council #1
Genre: Fiction, Young adult, Fantasy, Retellings, Historical fiction, Fairy tales, Romance, Beauty and the beast
---
// Book Description (via Goodreads) //
Happily ever after is only the beginning as Belle takes on the responsibility of becoming queen and learns to balance duty, love, and sacrifice, all while navigating dark political intrigue—and a touch of magic.
It’s 1789 and France is on the brink of revolution. Belle has finally broken the Enchantress’s curse, restoring the Beast to his human form and bringing life back to their castle in the province of Aveyon. But in Paris, the fires of change are burning, and it’s only a matter of time before the rebellion arrives on their doorstep.
Not so very long ago, Belle dreamed of leaving her provincial home for a life of adventure. But now she finds herself living in a palace, torn between her past as a commoner, and her future as royalty. While Belle grapples with her newfound position, there are those who would do anything to keep her from power.
When she stumbles across a magic mirror that holds a dire warning, Belle wants nothing more than to ignore the mysterious voice calling her to accept a crown she never desired. But violent factions of the revolution may already be lurking within her own castle, and doing nothing would endanger everything she holds dear. With the fate of her country, her love, and her life at stake, Belle must decide if she is ready to embrace her own strength–and the magic that ties her to so many female rulers before her–to become the queen she is meant to be.
Rebel Rose is the first in the Queen’s Council series, an empowering fairy tale reimagining of the Disney Princesses-and the real history behind their stories-like you’ve never seen before.
---
// Characters //
Rebel Rose tells the story of Belle, my favorite Disney princess, and her life after the events of Beauty and the Beast. To be honest, the characters in this novel were my least favorite part of the novel.
It seemed as if the author didn’t spend enough time figuring out and creating authentic characters. First off, the characters are drastically different from the classic tale. Which I would be all for if the characters themselves were well-written. Since the novel is marketed as a retelling, it would have been nice to see a fresh twist on the characters. However, this was not the case.
I had no emotional attachments to the characters and frankly could not have cared less about their journeys in the novel.
The only bright side to the characters is the LGBTQ+ representation. I thought that Emma Theriault actually represented her queer characters very well. Rather than using her characters as tokens, their sexuality is integrated very well into the plot and story. Hercule Garoutte (aka LaFou) is gay like he is in the live-action 2017 Beauty and the Beast. However, rather than making him a stereotype like the movie, the author dove deeper into the reasoning behind his love for Gaston. Another character, Marguerite, is lesbian; her sexuality is also handled well.
The one thing that this novel does well with its characters is its representation. Despite taking place during the French Revolution, Emma Theriault authentically represents LGBTQ+ characters.
---
---
// Writing and Setting //
One of the best parts of this novel is the writing and setting. I found the author’s way of writing beautiful and perfectly descriptive.
I also was intrigued by the way the author grounded the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast in a more realistic world. I found this aspect to be the most exciting for me, as it was a brilliant way that the author attempted to put a spin on the story.
---
// Plot //
The story started off very promising, but as the story continued I became less and less sucked into the novel. The story seemed to drag for a long portion of the story.
However, I did find it interesting how Belle must conquer her struggles in a time when chaos is emerging across the country.
---
---
// Overall Review //
I will most likely not bother reading the rest of the series, as I didn't enjoy most of the novel. However, there are some positive aspects to the novel that makes it a worthwhile read for lovers of the well-known tale.
---
FOLLOW ME: Twitter || TikTok || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts
---
Thank you to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
All quotes are taken from Rebel Rose by Emma Theriault.
// Content warning: death, beheading, violence, mentions of mature content //
---
// Quick Statistics //
Overall: 3/5 Stars
Plot: 3/5 Stars
Characters: 1/5 Stars
Setting: 4/5 Stars
Writing: 4/5 Stars
Memorability: 2/5 Stars
---
// Quick Review //
I put off reading Rebel Rose until last week, and unfortunately? I was quite disappointed with this novel. Despite it not being my cup of tea, this Beauty and the Beast ‘retelling’ is a sure favorite for fans of the classic fairy tale.
---
"The happenstance of someone’s birth should not determine whether or not they are impoverished. It is up to those of us with power in whatever form to work to make the lives of everyone better, starting with those less fortunate than us…"
---
// Other Information //
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Page Count: 352 pages
Release Date: November 10, 2020
Series: The Queen’s Council #1
Genre: Fiction, Young adult, Fantasy, Retellings, Historical fiction, Fairy tales, Romance, Beauty and the beast
---
// Book Description (via Goodreads) //
Happily ever after is only the beginning as Belle takes on the responsibility of becoming queen and learns to balance duty, love, and sacrifice, all while navigating dark political intrigue—and a touch of magic.
It’s 1789 and France is on the brink of revolution. Belle has finally broken the Enchantress’s curse, restoring the Beast to his human form and bringing life back to their castle in the province of Aveyon. But in Paris, the fires of change are burning, and it’s only a matter of time before the rebellion arrives on their doorstep.
Not so very long ago, Belle dreamed of leaving her provincial home for a life of adventure. But now she finds herself living in a palace, torn between her past as a commoner, and her future as royalty. While Belle grapples with her newfound position, there are those who would do anything to keep her from power.
When she stumbles across a magic mirror that holds a dire warning, Belle wants nothing more than to ignore the mysterious voice calling her to accept a crown she never desired. But violent factions of the revolution may already be lurking within her own castle, and doing nothing would endanger everything she holds dear. With the fate of her country, her love, and her life at stake, Belle must decide if she is ready to embrace her own strength–and the magic that ties her to so many female rulers before her–to become the queen she is meant to be.
Rebel Rose is the first in the Queen’s Council series, an empowering fairy tale reimagining of the Disney Princesses-and the real history behind their stories-like you’ve never seen before.
---
// Characters //
Rebel Rose tells the story of Belle, my favorite Disney princess, and her life after the events of Beauty and the Beast. To be honest, the characters in this novel were my least favorite part of the novel.
It seemed as if the author didn’t spend enough time figuring out and creating authentic characters. First off, the characters are drastically different from the classic tale. Which I would be all for if the characters themselves were well-written. Since the novel is marketed as a retelling, it would have been nice to see a fresh twist on the characters. However, this was not the case.
I had no emotional attachments to the characters and frankly could not have cared less about their journeys in the novel.
The only bright side to the characters is the LGBTQ+ representation. I thought that Emma Theriault actually represented her queer characters very well. Rather than using her characters as tokens, their sexuality is integrated very well into the plot and story. Hercule Garoutte (aka LaFou) is gay like he is in the live-action 2017 Beauty and the Beast. However, rather than making him a stereotype like the movie, the author dove deeper into the reasoning behind his love for Gaston. Another character, Marguerite, is lesbian; her sexuality is also handled well.
The one thing that this novel does well with its characters is its representation. Despite taking place during the French Revolution, Emma Theriault authentically represents LGBTQ+ characters.
---
"They could have stood there forever, twined together and perfectly still in the midst of the chaos that had engulfed the castle, and she would have been happy."
---
// Writing and Setting //
One of the best parts of this novel is the writing and setting. I found the author’s way of writing beautiful and perfectly descriptive.
I also was intrigued by the way the author grounded the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast in a more realistic world. I found this aspect to be the most exciting for me, as it was a brilliant way that the author attempted to put a spin on the story.
---
// Plot //
The story started off very promising, but as the story continued I became less and less sucked into the novel. The story seemed to drag for a long portion of the story.
However, I did find it interesting how Belle must conquer her struggles in a time when chaos is emerging across the country.
---
"I told you once before to trust your instincts. You've suppressed them for so long you no longer recognize them for what they are - a warning."
---
// Overall Review //
I will most likely not bother reading the rest of the series, as I didn't enjoy most of the novel. However, there are some positive aspects to the novel that makes it a worthwhile read for lovers of the well-known tale.
---
FOLLOW ME: Twitter || TikTok || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts
I usually read and rate but hardly write a review. But this book made my childhood dreams come true, a continuation of Belle’s journey after the spell had been broken. I loved how the author attached the history of The French Revolution to help with Belle’s inner conflict; where is her place now, since going from commoner to royal. I liked that there was very little magic in the story. Belle had to rely on her mind (as well as friends and books) to help her.
For YA Disney, the characters were written very well. I ended up admiring LeFou towards the end. I appreciated the story arc the author gave to him. However, it felt a little rushed and short during his and Belle’s dialogue (if you have read the book already, you may know what I am talking about). At the time, Belle’s character did annoy me with the back and forth she did, but that was part of her conflict and part of her growth as a character. And in the end, I was glad she had been written differently than the Belle of the original Disney Beauty and the Beast version.
I am looking forward to the other stories in the series.
For YA Disney, the characters were written very well. I ended up admiring LeFou towards the end. I appreciated the story arc the author gave to him. However, it felt a little rushed and short during his and Belle’s dialogue (if you have read the book already, you may know what I am talking about). At the time, Belle’s character did annoy me with the back and forth she did, but that was part of her conflict and part of her growth as a character. And in the end, I was glad she had been written differently than the Belle of the original Disney Beauty and the Beast version.
I am looking forward to the other stories in the series.