A review by ashleyreads88
Rebel Rose by Emma Theriault

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

Rebel Rose was so different than other Beauty and the Beast books that I have read.  What I loved and appreciated about Rebel Rose is that it wasn't a retelling, it's more of an extension as we see what married life is like for Belle and the Beast (Lio) since the curse has been broken.  Belle and Lio are both great characters together and independent from one another.  Lio is very loving towards Belle and respects that she doesn't want the title of Princess and never pushes her to assume it.  The growth and development of them as a married couple and independently were well-written.  Of course, this wouldn't be a Beauty and the Beast story without Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, and Chip, all these characters provide voices of reason and support.  Another character is Bastien, Lio's cousin who has lived his entire life in Paris is an interesting character.  Bastien is a well-written unlikeable character, who after Belle and Lio goes to Paris to attend to business insists on going back to Aveyon to help Lio go from Prince to King.  Bastien has ulterior motives for going to Aveyon and Belle never trusts him.  While Bastien is unlikeable, I loved his interactions with Belle, who isn't afraid to put Bastien in his place.  Another character that I loved was Marguerite, who Belle meets in Paris and extends an invitation to Aveyon.  Marguerite becomes almost like a sister to Belle, and I loved their friendship.  Readers also get the backstory of the Enchantress who placed the curse on the castle and essentially all of Aveyon.  I very much enjoyed this story, Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorites.