The idea of Belle outright rejecting the title of Queen and all she knows it would do for her and her people felt…off.

I liked that we were taken into the early start of the French Revolution and we got the elegance and sheer pageantry of that era from the aristocracy. Belle was very accepting, though, which I do expect her to be. I also felt uncomfortable when, in order to justify their actions, certain characters had to out themselves to Belle. We also see another character from the original story and I… Well, I simply don’t see him in the way the author made him. Yes, that might be silly to say but at the same time they didn’t feel wholly “true.” Oddly enough I found Cogsworth rather infuriating because I interpreted a lot of open disdain from him. But I still felt some characters weren’t the same. I liked the characters well enough, especially since we see Lio/Adam as a human instead of the Beast. 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.” When she stumbles across a mysterious, ancient magic that brings with it a dire warning, she must question whether she is ready for the power being thrust on her, and if being Queen is more than just a title. But now she finds herself living in a palace, torn between her roots as a commoner, and her future as a royal. But in Paris, the fires of change are burning, and it’s only a matter of time before the rebellion arrives on their doorstep.īelle has always dreamed of leaving her provincial home for a life of adventure.

Belle has finally broken the Enchantress’s curse, restoring the Beast to his human form as Prince Adam, and bringing life back to their castle in the province of Aveyon. It’s 1789 and France is on the brink of revolution.

Synopsis: (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.

Rebel Rose by Emma Theriault