Thief of Roses

by Valtinen Erik Karille

When a Rivani woman faces a series of misfortunes on the road, she takes shelter in a crumbling fortress where old magic slumbers. When she discovers roses, long believed to be extinct, she makes a fateful decision that brings her face to face with the Fir'Darl, the most terrifying of the Rivan gods.

Thief of Roses is a romantic fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a full cast of PoC characters and gender diverse representation.

Genres: Fantasy

295 pages, Paperback

Published September 27, 2024

About the author

Little is known about this writer. The city hall has received numerous complaints of public indecency regarding a nude humanoid figure wandering the grounds of his 1871 fortress residence. These have largely been ignored due to the typical inclusion of horns in witness descriptions. Additional municipal violations include sky burials for roadkill, midnight outbursts of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" from his balcony, and the unlawful presence of a bison on residential property within city limits. Internet statements positively attributed to this writer claim a birth year of 1638, intensive training in Liberace Fashion Principles, and the discovery of a sixth-dimensional cube in his cereal in 2002. Sightings have spiked since mid-2024 with independent investigators suggesting that he has come out of seclusion to vindicate and canonize an ancestral Russian prince.

Reviews

[Kiersten Christman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know how to start with this. Maybe I should start by saying I’m definitely not the intended audience for this because I’m not a big romance reader and typically go for fantasy series. I picked this up on a whim and went in blind and I was hooked by page 3 (literally). I think that says a lot about it honestly.

I don’t think I can accurately put into words how beautiful this was. Beauty and the Beast is a story that has been told so many times and has been twisted in all sorts of ways trying to be unique but this author found the perfect way to do that without deviating from the true meaning behind the tale. And also adding just enough personal touches that give the reader a “if you know you know” type of feeling.. or maybe it was just me. The characters and their depth were so good. Their ability to work to understand each other and the relationship they formed was just so refreshing and beautiful to see when you live in a world with books filled with unhealthy depictions of love. This is my favorite version of a “beast” I’ve ever read. There are themes/discussions of past SA but handled so delicately that I wouldn’t even think a trigger warning is needed. Just amazing in every way.

[Rachel Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent retelling of Beauty and the Beast! I loved all the characters and the wonderful story line. The writing had me imagining the book as if I was watching a movie. It is also a bit spicy in just the best ways. My only complaint is of wanting more. The book is a bit short for me and I’d prefer if the author expanded on the relationships but it is amazing. I cannot wait to read future books by this author.

[Jamie Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beauty and the Beast was one of my favorite movies when I was little, and this take on the story is one of the best I've ever read! The feels hit hard with this one.

[Shellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fairy tale retellings are usually a safe bet for me, but I was not expecting this to be such a refreshing spin on Beauty and the Beast. Somehow the author subverted every trope that retellings usually fall back on, while maintaining what was great about the original story. This novel doesn't glorify toxic or problematic behaviors like a lot of recent "romance" stories seem to do lately. As I read, I continued to be pleasantly surprised by all the little details that I didn't realize I'd been missing in other books; neither of the leads have conventionally attractive features or body types, they communicate and strive to be better for one another, I could go on and on! The story does mention some dark topics including S.A. but does so in a gentle and caring way that I did not find triggering at all. This is a book I will be rereading again and again. If you're looking for something different from the usual, I highly recommend you give this one a try.

[Margaret Hemphill-Wysong]

Mr. Karille is a new author. This is his first book. WOW!! Excellent story telling. I was captivated from the fist page. This is an incredible twist in the "Beauty and The Beast" genre. The plot is twisted and interesting. He writes well, and is easy to follow. He makes his characters very realistic and believable. I hope he writes more stories!!

[Chelsea Moreton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Such a great retelling of beauty and the beast.
Once I started I couldn't put it down, I love how the characters just keep growing and how everything just keeps getting better and better.
So much better than what Disney could ever do.

I would read this again and would recommend it to others.

#bookloungreviewteam

[Bridie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a die-hard fan of beauty and the beast and its retellings i had high hopes for this from the beginning! It surpassed my expectations within the first few pages! It was everything I wanted and more! Im only sad I read it so fast and now its finished

[Gabby Gilliam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for a good retelling, and this one felt pretty fresh. While the main elements we know are still there, the story contains a lot of unexpected details. Definitely hoping to see more from this author.

[Jennifer Wamsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent retelling of Beauty and the Beast

A talents old as time....but not like this. I was hooked with the first chapter, forgoing anything else until I was done. The twists, turns, and unique takes on the expected elements is masterful. 11/10 would (and have) recommend.

[CC · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love a romance and this provides. I adore something a bit different - and yes, this book ticks that box too.
If you enjoy a slow burn romance, can see the inner beauty in a character and loved Beauty and the Beast you will adore this book.
I do like a quirky writer and I’m so glad the characters developed and grew the way they did. It was well written although I can see how others may feel the pacing was slow, for me it was perfect.
I am sorry I don’t write good reviews - I feel like I’ve failed the author. This really is a good book - read it!!

Here are the three notes I made during reading:
30% read: so the old fashioned words are kinda difficult to read at first but just replace all the Y’s with i’s and you’re good. It tones down a lot after 30%. Probably not the easiest for someone with dyslexia to read. I liked having to slow down to understand it though since I’m such a speed reader usually.

50% read: Finally! A book where the first kiss doesn’t happen at 30% and intercourse at 50%! 🎉🎉So refreshing to read something formed outside of a mould.

Ok. Didn’t expect a part on gender identity… not unwelcome but I’m wondering how I downplayed earlier mention of gender in reference to the Ravani culture. Unexpected but cool to read about and enhanced the story for me.

[Jackie Call · Rating 5 out of 5]

While it is clear that this story is inspired by Beauty and the Beast it is not just an 18+ version of the classic children's story. This author took the beloved childhood story and created something amazing. I truly love this book and think that it is a great twist to a classic story. I recommend this book to those who grew up loving Beauty and the Beast though this book has different characters, that still feel so familiar.

[Jamie Byers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though some of the language threw me off at times, this retelling of Beauty and the Beast was really good. I believe it makes it a lot more relatable. Both characters had really good growth. Also once you start reading the ending isn't what you expect. Though maybe toward the end it all comes together for you?

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

The characters were familiar yet new. A Beauty and the Beast, but with so much more to it than Disney could ever do. Amazing. I could have kept on reading, if it were longer.

[Bethany Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book was recommended by a friend! And I loved it! Such a unique Beauty and the Beast retailing!! I loved the characters. Loved the old time talk, beautiful written! I need more retellings from the author!

[Elizabeth Shefchuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's so well written and the characters are amazing to follow through a gripping, heartfelt story. I couldn't recommend enough

[Crystal Beach · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was okay until the very end

[A.L. L. Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this a few days ago, and I was really happy that it was low spice (I try to avoid spice). It was a cute reimagining of Beauty and the Beast. I highly recommend it if you like themes of redemption and acceptance. Definitely suggested this to other friends while I was reading and after I had finished it.