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A Realm of Revelry
Beast and Thorn
Not yet published
Expected 3 Jun 26Reshina, Ravenfae Goddess, has relinquished her title of Cursebringer but has kept a select few of her powers. After using them to punish a man stealing from her people, she stumbles into the winter lands of Heartstone Castle. When a thorn from a frosted rosebush spills her blood onto the snow, an old curse she once delivered there awakens, dragging her into the Underrealm and binding her to its king.
Arthur, long since obsessed with Reshina after devouring the book she wrote years ago, roams the surface as a Beast and rules below as a haunted man. He offers her the only way to break the curse—drive a dagger through his heart. Refusing to take his life, she is drawn deeper into his grasp with every attempt to escape. The Beast marks her above the realm, and the man below soothes her wounds, taking her into his care. Caught between hunger and tenderness, Reshina must decide whether to break the curse… or surrender to the dangerous intimacy of the king who knows her far too well.
Beast & Thorn is a tender gothic retelling of Beauty and the Beast, infused with shades of Hades and Persephone.
This is the third interconnected standalone fairytale retelling in A Realm of Revelry Series. You can read these books in any order.
Arthur, long since obsessed with Reshina after devouring the book she wrote years ago, roams the surface as a Beast and rules below as a haunted man. He offers her the only way to break the curse—drive a dagger through his heart. Refusing to take his life, she is drawn deeper into his grasp with every attempt to escape. The Beast marks her above the realm, and the man below soothes her wounds, taking her into his care. Caught between hunger and tenderness, Reshina must decide whether to break the curse… or surrender to the dangerous intimacy of the king who knows her far too well.
Beast & Thorn is a tender gothic retelling of Beauty and the Beast, infused with shades of Hades and Persephone.
This is the third interconnected standalone fairytale retelling in A Realm of Revelry Series. You can read these books in any order.
- GenresFantasy
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 3, 2026
About the author
Chelsey Ann Tompkins
6 books134 followersChelsey Ann Tompkins writes romance in a fantasy setting with some good twists and spice along the way. Though she grew up in a small town in the desert, she found her true home near Seattle where she loves to read on the rainiest days with a good cup of coffee. She lives with her husband and two wildly imaginative children.
Find her on Instagram @chelseyanntompkins
Find her on Instagram @chelseyanntompkins
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 12, 2026
Have you ever read a book and felt somehow lighter and happier? It’s literally me at the moment 🥹🫶
It was my first book from Chelsey, but after this one i am definitely convinced that I need to read them all.
The story was retelling of Hades and Persephone ir Beauty and the Beast, but better and it just took my heart page by page! The way the romance was entangled- exquisite!
Reshina and Arthur felt natural, like how could they not? And my very own most beloved character in this book - PIFFLE 🥲♥️❤️🩹 Can we have his personal retelling???
That said - I endure you to fall in love with this lighthearted story and just get lost in it🌊❤️
It was my first book from Chelsey, but after this one i am definitely convinced that I need to read them all.
The story was retelling of Hades and Persephone ir Beauty and the Beast, but better and it just took my heart page by page! The way the romance was entangled- exquisite!
Reshina and Arthur felt natural, like how could they not? And my very own most beloved character in this book - PIFFLE 🥲♥️❤️🩹 Can we have his personal retelling???
That said - I endure you to fall in love with this lighthearted story and just get lost in it🌊❤️
March 12, 2026
Thank you so much to the author for the gifted eARC!
Reshina the Ravenfae goddess finds herself trapped by the very curse she once placed on Heartstone and becomes bound to Arthur, its king. Escape should be simple, but each time she is hunted by the Beast and must return to the Underrealm to evade him. You’d think as the bringer of this curse Arthur would hate her. But no. He’s absolutely obsessed with her and keeps an annotated copy of her book in his nightstand 😍.
These two had me from start to finish, and I absolutely adored them. They’re so obsessed with each other, and the tension is DELICIOUS. And so is the spice 👀. And yes, the Beast is his own character.
But this book would not exist without the love of my life, Piffle. Guys I need him. I’m in love. He’s a Changling fae who yells before he transforms into anything to “warn” people. And he’s so devoted to Arthur and Reshina. And I swear he can do ANYTHING. Piffle deserves the best happily ever after of all time, and I will cry if we don’t see him again in the future.
I just love the Realms of Revelry series. Each one uncovers new details of the world and I’m enjoying learning more each entry. And they all fit so well together into the fabric of this universe. I highly recommend checking the series out if you’re looking for some spicy fairytale retellings.
Reshina the Ravenfae goddess finds herself trapped by the very curse she once placed on Heartstone and becomes bound to Arthur, its king. Escape should be simple, but each time she is hunted by the Beast and must return to the Underrealm to evade him. You’d think as the bringer of this curse Arthur would hate her. But no. He’s absolutely obsessed with her and keeps an annotated copy of her book in his nightstand 😍.
These two had me from start to finish, and I absolutely adored them. They’re so obsessed with each other, and the tension is DELICIOUS. And so is the spice 👀. And yes, the Beast is his own character.
But this book would not exist without the love of my life, Piffle. Guys I need him. I’m in love. He’s a Changling fae who yells before he transforms into anything to “warn” people. And he’s so devoted to Arthur and Reshina. And I swear he can do ANYTHING. Piffle deserves the best happily ever after of all time, and I will cry if we don’t see him again in the future.
I just love the Realms of Revelry series. Each one uncovers new details of the world and I’m enjoying learning more each entry. And they all fit so well together into the fabric of this universe. I highly recommend checking the series out if you’re looking for some spicy fairytale retellings.
March 16, 2026
“I’d been a man (woman) obsessed, reading its entirety in one night only to sleep a few hours and pick it up to read again.”
Honestly, that line from the book might be the perfect way to describe my experience with this one. I’ve completely fallen in love with story retellings, and it’s all thanks to Chelsey’s books.
I don’t know what kind of sorcery this is, but I finished it so quickly because I simply couldn’t stop reading. There’s something so unique about the world building that it pulls you in so effortlessly while also stirring those childhood memories of growing up loving tales like Beauty and the Beast.
No matter how many promises of a happily ever after there may be, her writing is so captivating that I still find myself biting the ends of my nails, praying they somehow make it together. And my goodness, the chemistry between these two? Absolutely chef’s kiss.
If anyone ever has a problem with my incredibly high standards for men, they need to have a conversation with Chelsey, and read all her books while they’re at it. I’m pretty sure you’ll forgive me by the end. It’s well known that her MMCs never disappoint, and Arthur is no exception.
That said, I have to admit that this time Piffle completely stole the show for me. He was such a charming character; cheerful, funny, kind, and genuinely lovely. He made the story a hundred times better, to the point that I wish I had my own Piff in my life.
All in all, this book was absolutely worth the wait. I loved it as a standalone, but I loved it even more because of the appearances from other characters that made it feel like a little family reunion. It just makes me so grateful to keep reading Chelsey’s stories and the ones to come.
Honestly, that line from the book might be the perfect way to describe my experience with this one. I’ve completely fallen in love with story retellings, and it’s all thanks to Chelsey’s books.
I don’t know what kind of sorcery this is, but I finished it so quickly because I simply couldn’t stop reading. There’s something so unique about the world building that it pulls you in so effortlessly while also stirring those childhood memories of growing up loving tales like Beauty and the Beast.
No matter how many promises of a happily ever after there may be, her writing is so captivating that I still find myself biting the ends of my nails, praying they somehow make it together. And my goodness, the chemistry between these two? Absolutely chef’s kiss.
If anyone ever has a problem with my incredibly high standards for men, they need to have a conversation with Chelsey, and read all her books while they’re at it. I’m pretty sure you’ll forgive me by the end. It’s well known that her MMCs never disappoint, and Arthur is no exception.
That said, I have to admit that this time Piffle completely stole the show for me. He was such a charming character; cheerful, funny, kind, and genuinely lovely. He made the story a hundred times better, to the point that I wish I had my own Piff in my life.
All in all, this book was absolutely worth the wait. I loved it as a standalone, but I loved it even more because of the appearances from other characters that made it feel like a little family reunion. It just makes me so grateful to keep reading Chelsey’s stories and the ones to come.
March 16, 2026
✨Beast and Thorn✨
Piffle is THE BEST. So hilarious.
I feel like these two quotes encompass this beautiful and heart felt story:
“Previously infatuated, quickly obsessed, I recognized that something more had grown within me. And until I was dead, I’d be tormented with her presence, never resting, always filled with hunger for her.”
“You became my savior. First through the lines of a book. Then in the flesh and blood, spilling onto my lands to save me from a cruel and dire fate...”
The 3rd in Chelsey’s Realm of Revelry interconnected standalone series, Beast & Thorn is a Beauty and the Beast meets Hades x Persephone retelling. It is short, spicy, and so emotional for being so few pages. I truly don’t know how Chelsey did it, but she made me feel SO MUCH in such little time. I laughed and even cried!
When the goddess who was Arthur’s saving grace in his younger years is dragged beneath the ground as their two individual curses collide, Arthur and Reshina must decide whether escape, death, or contentment to live a half life is most worthwhile. Within are multiple curses, some delightful cameos, the bestest changlingfae helper, and a man that IS UTTERLY PERFECT. And Piff desperately needs an award for being the funniest and sweetest little thing around.
Tropes you may find in BAT are forced proximity, she’s cursed to never love, only he can soothe her wounds, beastly cinnamon roll with an obsession, medium spice, wound tending, whimsy, banter, so much yearning, and a HEA.
Chelsey, thank you for allowing me to be an arc reader for you once again! I loved this tale soooo much.
Piffle is THE BEST. So hilarious.
I feel like these two quotes encompass this beautiful and heart felt story:
“Previously infatuated, quickly obsessed, I recognized that something more had grown within me. And until I was dead, I’d be tormented with her presence, never resting, always filled with hunger for her.”
“You became my savior. First through the lines of a book. Then in the flesh and blood, spilling onto my lands to save me from a cruel and dire fate...”
The 3rd in Chelsey’s Realm of Revelry interconnected standalone series, Beast & Thorn is a Beauty and the Beast meets Hades x Persephone retelling. It is short, spicy, and so emotional for being so few pages. I truly don’t know how Chelsey did it, but she made me feel SO MUCH in such little time. I laughed and even cried!
When the goddess who was Arthur’s saving grace in his younger years is dragged beneath the ground as their two individual curses collide, Arthur and Reshina must decide whether escape, death, or contentment to live a half life is most worthwhile. Within are multiple curses, some delightful cameos, the bestest changlingfae helper, and a man that IS UTTERLY PERFECT. And Piff desperately needs an award for being the funniest and sweetest little thing around.
Tropes you may find in BAT are forced proximity, she’s cursed to never love, only he can soothe her wounds, beastly cinnamon roll with an obsession, medium spice, wound tending, whimsy, banter, so much yearning, and a HEA.
Chelsey, thank you for allowing me to be an arc reader for you once again! I loved this tale soooo much.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rating: 3.5 stars
*Please note, I was provided with an ARC version of this book by the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review*
Beauty and the Beast AND Hades and Persephone? It was literally impossible for me to not sign up for this ARC. This third book in the series definitely has a darker feel to it than its predecessors, and the story itself hits differently too. Because of my love of retellings of these particular tales, my expectations were that much higher... so it had a tough job on its hands to impress!
There is a maturity to this tale that stems from the fact our FMC is the mother of two of our precious main characters, Korven and Morella. Her attitude and outlook are certainly more measured and a sense of world-weariness comes off of her in waves. When you do see her happy, it really is like a ray of sunshine, but for the majority of the story, for whatever reason I could only picture her as the Wicked Queen from Snow White (young version), which kind of threw me off a bit. Nonetheless, her character development and whole personality was really well portrayed throughout. I wouldn't say she's likeable in the traditional sense, but her story makes her appealing.
I was surprised to find the MMC was someone we'd met before, and I'll admit it did take me a moment to get his new role comfortable in my mind. But having that history with him gives you just a little bit of context that really helps in grounding his character and come to terms with the darker, more jaded version you are now presented with. His role as the Beast is really well portrayed, and having the insight into the wrestle for control between man and beast is fascinating.
However, while I understood the idea of the curse trapping Reshina in the Underrealm and the idea of how the Beast's curse could be broken, I felt that almost too much of the story revolved around Reshina (who is the Goddess of Curses and so should know better!) blatantly ignoring the stipulations. Ultimately, it felt to me like they were almost too stubborn to acknowldge the curse and content to let it stand before their relationship had developed enough for that to make sense. Similarly, one of the plot points regarding the bite of the Beast appears out of thin air and, while it is a nice little preview of the budding romance, something about it just didn't quite sit right; again, I think it's potentially down to the order of events - the relationship hasn't developed enough at that point to allow you to feel comfortable with an act that feels strangely intimate, even if there is a justifiable reason for it.
Piffle absolutely will steal your heart. He's just so stinkin' sweet! And definitely the warm heart at the centre of the story. He reminds me a lot of Archer from the Fae and Alchemy series; a genuine, happy, lovely soul who serves with unfailing loyalty. His character brings out the brightness in both Arthur and Reshina, and I would love to read more about him!
I can see how it pulls on the the Hades and Persephone myth as well as Beauty and the Beast, but certain moments do just feel 'thrown in' as convenient plot devices. This is the first book of the series that I've felt is probably the 'right' length, but equally there is so much that could have been developed further to really pull the reader into the story headfirst. In particular, the last 10% of the book felt incredibly fast paced compared to the remainder, and as such left me feeling a little disappointed that there wasn't more depth to the conclusion (although I didnlove the epilogue!).
I would love to see what the author could do with a full length novel in development and giving us more depth to these wonderful stories she's created. And I'll certainly be coming back to future books in the series.
*Please note, I was provided with an ARC version of this book by the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review*
Beauty and the Beast AND Hades and Persephone? It was literally impossible for me to not sign up for this ARC. This third book in the series definitely has a darker feel to it than its predecessors, and the story itself hits differently too. Because of my love of retellings of these particular tales, my expectations were that much higher... so it had a tough job on its hands to impress!
There is a maturity to this tale that stems from the fact our FMC is the mother of two of our precious main characters, Korven and Morella. Her attitude and outlook are certainly more measured and a sense of world-weariness comes off of her in waves. When you do see her happy, it really is like a ray of sunshine, but for the majority of the story, for whatever reason I could only picture her as the Wicked Queen from Snow White (young version), which kind of threw me off a bit. Nonetheless, her character development and whole personality was really well portrayed throughout. I wouldn't say she's likeable in the traditional sense, but her story makes her appealing.
I was surprised to find the MMC was someone we'd met before, and I'll admit it did take me a moment to get his new role comfortable in my mind. But having that history with him gives you just a little bit of context that really helps in grounding his character and come to terms with the darker, more jaded version you are now presented with. His role as the Beast is really well portrayed, and having the insight into the wrestle for control between man and beast is fascinating.
However, while I understood the idea of the curse trapping Reshina in the Underrealm and the idea of how the Beast's curse could be broken, I felt that almost too much of the story revolved around Reshina (who is the Goddess of Curses and so should know better!) blatantly ignoring the stipulations. Ultimately, it felt to me like they were almost too stubborn to acknowldge the curse and content to let it stand before their relationship had developed enough for that to make sense. Similarly, one of the plot points regarding the bite of the Beast appears out of thin air and, while it is a nice little preview of the budding romance, something about it just didn't quite sit right; again, I think it's potentially down to the order of events - the relationship hasn't developed enough at that point to allow you to feel comfortable with an act that feels strangely intimate, even if there is a justifiable reason for it.
Piffle absolutely will steal your heart. He's just so stinkin' sweet! And definitely the warm heart at the centre of the story. He reminds me a lot of Archer from the Fae and Alchemy series; a genuine, happy, lovely soul who serves with unfailing loyalty. His character brings out the brightness in both Arthur and Reshina, and I would love to read more about him!
I can see how it pulls on the the Hades and Persephone myth as well as Beauty and the Beast, but certain moments do just feel 'thrown in' as convenient plot devices. This is the first book of the series that I've felt is probably the 'right' length, but equally there is so much that could have been developed further to really pull the reader into the story headfirst. In particular, the last 10% of the book felt incredibly fast paced compared to the remainder, and as such left me feeling a little disappointed that there wasn't more depth to the conclusion (although I didnlove the epilogue!).
I would love to see what the author could do with a full length novel in development and giving us more depth to these wonderful stories she's created. And I'll certainly be coming back to future books in the series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A cursed goddess.
A king who cannot control the Beast within him.
And a love story that began long before they ever met.
Chelsey Ann Tompkins has such a gift for writing romantasy that feels sweeping and emotional, and Beast & Thorn absolutely delivers.
When Ravenfae goddess Reshina falls under the same curse she once delivered to Heartstone, she is dragged into the Underrealm and bound to a cursed king named Arthur. Determined to break the magic binding them together, she sets out to outwit the curse and reclaim her freedom.
But escaping isn’t that simple.
Because when Reshina runs… the Beast hunts her.
But I would be committing a crime if I didn’t talk about Piffle.
A tiny changeling fae who can transform into anything and politely shouts what he’s turning into first so he doesn’t startle anyone.
“POCKET WATCH!”
He’s adorable, loyal, and quietly takes such good care of both Arthur and Reshina. I loved him.
This story also ties beautifully into the wider Realm of Revelry world and brings threads from the earlier books together in such a satisfying way.
Heart-stopping romance.
A fiercely clever goddess.
And a Beast who has loved her for years.
If you love devoted monsters, cunning goddesses, and adorable magical companions, you need Beast & Thorn.
A king who cannot control the Beast within him.
And a love story that began long before they ever met.
Chelsey Ann Tompkins has such a gift for writing romantasy that feels sweeping and emotional, and Beast & Thorn absolutely delivers.
When Ravenfae goddess Reshina falls under the same curse she once delivered to Heartstone, she is dragged into the Underrealm and bound to a cursed king named Arthur. Determined to break the magic binding them together, she sets out to outwit the curse and reclaim her freedom.
But escaping isn’t that simple.
Because when Reshina runs… the Beast hunts her.
But I would be committing a crime if I didn’t talk about Piffle.
A tiny changeling fae who can transform into anything and politely shouts what he’s turning into first so he doesn’t startle anyone.
“POCKET WATCH!”
He’s adorable, loyal, and quietly takes such good care of both Arthur and Reshina. I loved him.
This story also ties beautifully into the wider Realm of Revelry world and brings threads from the earlier books together in such a satisfying way.
Heart-stopping romance.
A fiercely clever goddess.
And a Beast who has loved her for years.
If you love devoted monsters, cunning goddesses, and adorable magical companions, you need Beast & Thorn.
Review of advance copy received from Author
There's not a single one of these novellas I haven't devoured! This one just might have been the best yet, I can't decide!
I love that the'yre all interconnected. I didn't expect to be so invested in Reshina's story, but I loved both of her children's tales and hers turned out to be absolutely exquisite!
The character's personalities, lore, emotions, and their hopes and dreams shone through the pages and completely stole my heart, not returning it until the very last page.
Arthur made the perfect gentle and charming love interest to Reshina's fierce and cunning nature. He treated her so softly (sometimes 🤭), and he was quite the contrast from the Beast - who I loved equally and found to be a brilliant character too!
Their love was devastatingly romantic and so emotional 🥺
I was full of anticipation for how the story would go, and the chase between the Beast and Reshina was thrilling!
The moody almost gothic underground setting beneath a castle feels like it could have been a difficult one to capture but I was so drawn into this dark and delicious tale.
The magic of the world is so wonderful and whimsical, and of course a little dark. I love the curses so much, they're so unique and fascinating!
This story has been so cleverly thought out, with just the right amount of detail at the right moments, making the pacing for the slightly shorter length of this tale just perfect!
This book was beautifully and exceptionally written, and it absolutely took my breath away! It was utterly captivating from start to finish!
Piffle was also a delightfully heartwarming addition, I adored him! He was so funny and sweet 🥹
♥︎ 𝒎𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔 ♥︎
'I loved her beyond the limits of skin and bone and sinew. I loved her everlasting, ferally, completely, and that would be my legacy.'
"I would not have left her."
"I am by your side until the day my heart fails and it cannot beat in your name."
"I would take this dagger to my chest a hundredfold if it meant these last months were real. That you were real."
~
Thank you so so much to the author for the e-arc, I am so grateful!
* this is my voluntary review, all thoughts are my own *
🏰🥀📖
I love that the'yre all interconnected. I didn't expect to be so invested in Reshina's story, but I loved both of her children's tales and hers turned out to be absolutely exquisite!
The character's personalities, lore, emotions, and their hopes and dreams shone through the pages and completely stole my heart, not returning it until the very last page.
Arthur made the perfect gentle and charming love interest to Reshina's fierce and cunning nature. He treated her so softly (sometimes 🤭), and he was quite the contrast from the Beast - who I loved equally and found to be a brilliant character too!
Their love was devastatingly romantic and so emotional 🥺
I was full of anticipation for how the story would go, and the chase between the Beast and Reshina was thrilling!
The moody almost gothic underground setting beneath a castle feels like it could have been a difficult one to capture but I was so drawn into this dark and delicious tale.
The magic of the world is so wonderful and whimsical, and of course a little dark. I love the curses so much, they're so unique and fascinating!
This story has been so cleverly thought out, with just the right amount of detail at the right moments, making the pacing for the slightly shorter length of this tale just perfect!
This book was beautifully and exceptionally written, and it absolutely took my breath away! It was utterly captivating from start to finish!
Piffle was also a delightfully heartwarming addition, I adored him! He was so funny and sweet 🥹
♥︎ 𝒎𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔 ♥︎
'I loved her beyond the limits of skin and bone and sinew. I loved her everlasting, ferally, completely, and that would be my legacy.'
"I would not have left her."
"I am by your side until the day my heart fails and it cannot beat in your name."
"I would take this dagger to my chest a hundredfold if it meant these last months were real. That you were real."
~
Thank you so so much to the author for the e-arc, I am so grateful!
* this is my voluntary review, all thoughts are my own *
🏰🥀📖
Review of advance copy received from Author
*Thank you Chelsey for this ARC!*
Chelsey said Hades x Persephone, Beauty and the Beast and I didn’t even listen to the rest because those are two of my favorite things 😭 and she absolutely delivered.
This was a mature retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I actually have not read the other books in the series, but I don’t think it’s entirely necessary. I was able to put everything together so I did like that. This book really leans into that darker, slightly gritty fantasy romance vibe with a strong focus on the dynamic between the main characters. And that’s where it really shines. The Goddess and the Beast 😌 The tension was enough to drive me insane 🫠 I was rooting for the Beast the whole time so if that tells you anything about me lolll.
I was happy with the romance development. It felt intentional and layered, not just thrown together for the sake of it. Like we knew where it was going, but it still took a minute. Also, there’s something about a rough around the edges connection softening over time that I personally love. I mean, who wouldn’t want the cinnamon roll Beast/Arthur to fall in love with them? 👀
AND! I love a good side character. Piffle has my whole heart lol. He was funny and charming and just added that delightful extra layer to the story.
That said, I do think it could’ve used a little more depth in certain areas. Some plot points felt a bit rushed or not as fully explored as they could have been, and I found myself wanting just a little more. Maybe more worldbuilding, more detail, more time to sit in certain moments. I think the story may have been intentionally short, but I would’ve easily eaten up another 200 pages.
All in all, I really enjoyed it! If you’re looking for a quick read to get lost in for a few hours with the perfect amount of spice and plot, this is the one 🖤
Chelsey said Hades x Persephone, Beauty and the Beast and I didn’t even listen to the rest because those are two of my favorite things 😭 and she absolutely delivered.
This was a mature retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I actually have not read the other books in the series, but I don’t think it’s entirely necessary. I was able to put everything together so I did like that. This book really leans into that darker, slightly gritty fantasy romance vibe with a strong focus on the dynamic between the main characters. And that’s where it really shines. The Goddess and the Beast 😌 The tension was enough to drive me insane 🫠 I was rooting for the Beast the whole time so if that tells you anything about me lolll.
I was happy with the romance development. It felt intentional and layered, not just thrown together for the sake of it. Like we knew where it was going, but it still took a minute. Also, there’s something about a rough around the edges connection softening over time that I personally love. I mean, who wouldn’t want the cinnamon roll Beast/Arthur to fall in love with them? 👀
AND! I love a good side character. Piffle has my whole heart lol. He was funny and charming and just added that delightful extra layer to the story.
That said, I do think it could’ve used a little more depth in certain areas. Some plot points felt a bit rushed or not as fully explored as they could have been, and I found myself wanting just a little more. Maybe more worldbuilding, more detail, more time to sit in certain moments. I think the story may have been intentionally short, but I would’ve easily eaten up another 200 pages.
All in all, I really enjoyed it! If you’re looking for a quick read to get lost in for a few hours with the perfect amount of spice and plot, this is the one 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
Beast and Thorn by Chelsea Ann Tompkins is a one-of-a-kind fae x Sleeping Beauty retelling that is both unique and deeply atmospheric. I was swept away by the lush world-building, the dark fairytale vibes, and the creative twists on classic tropes. If you enjoy retellings that truly stand out, this is a must-read.
The story follows Reshina, the Ravenfae Goddess who has relinquished her title of Cursebringer but still wields some of her powers. After punishing a thief and wandering into the winter lands of Heartstone Castle, Reshina’s blood awakens an old curse she once cast, binding her to Arthur, the Underrealm’s king. Arthur, haunted and obsessed with Reshina after reading her book years ago, offers her a grim way out—stab him through the heart to break the curse. But as she refuses and the curse draws them ever closer, Reshina finds herself torn between the Beast’s hunger and the man’s tenderness, facing an impossible choice between breaking the curse and surrendering to a dangerous, intimate connection. The tale is a gothic blend of Beauty and the Beast with a Hades and Persephone twist, and works as a standalone in the A Realm of Revelry Series.
Tropes you’ll love:
-Yearning for each other
-He falls first
-Cursed individuals
-Forced proximity
My absolute favorite character is Piffle, the changeling fae who brings comic relief to the book’s darker moments. His ability to transform into anything just by announcing it is endlessly entertaining—I especially loved the scenes where he creates fabulous dresses for Reshina. Honestly, everyone could use a little Piffle in their lives!
Overall, I thought Best and Thorn was a fantastic, imaginative retelling that blends the best of Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty in a way I’ve never seen before. I only wish Goodreads allowed half-star ratings, because this would be a solid 4.5 stars from me!
The story follows Reshina, the Ravenfae Goddess who has relinquished her title of Cursebringer but still wields some of her powers. After punishing a thief and wandering into the winter lands of Heartstone Castle, Reshina’s blood awakens an old curse she once cast, binding her to Arthur, the Underrealm’s king. Arthur, haunted and obsessed with Reshina after reading her book years ago, offers her a grim way out—stab him through the heart to break the curse. But as she refuses and the curse draws them ever closer, Reshina finds herself torn between the Beast’s hunger and the man’s tenderness, facing an impossible choice between breaking the curse and surrendering to a dangerous, intimate connection. The tale is a gothic blend of Beauty and the Beast with a Hades and Persephone twist, and works as a standalone in the A Realm of Revelry Series.
Tropes you’ll love:
-Yearning for each other
-He falls first
-Cursed individuals
-Forced proximity
My absolute favorite character is Piffle, the changeling fae who brings comic relief to the book’s darker moments. His ability to transform into anything just by announcing it is endlessly entertaining—I especially loved the scenes where he creates fabulous dresses for Reshina. Honestly, everyone could use a little Piffle in their lives!
Overall, I thought Best and Thorn was a fantastic, imaginative retelling that blends the best of Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty in a way I’ve never seen before. I only wish Goodreads allowed half-star ratings, because this would be a solid 4.5 stars from me!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Beast & Thorn was such a fun, charming read. I hadn’t even heard of the A Realm of Revelry series before picking this up, but now? The rest of the series is firmly on my TBR.
This is an interconnected series that can be read in any order, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite formats. That said, this was my first book in the series but not the first overall, so I did feel like the world-building was just a bit light for me. It’s there, just not as detailed as I personally prefer, but I fully take the blame for jumping in mid-series.
The concept alone had me hooked: a Beauty and the Beast retelling with hints of Persephone and Hades. Not a combination you’d expect to work, but it absolutely does. The author weaves the two together seamlessly, and it feels surprisingly natural.
What I really loved is how focused the story is. It centers primarily on just two characters, with one standout little side character, Piffle, who completely stole the show for me.
Reshina and Arthur are both broken in very different ways, and that’s what makes their dynamic so compelling. Neither of them is perfect, but they’re written in a way that makes their flaws feel real and meaningful. Reshina, a goddess, cast a curse years ago and ends up entangled in it herself. The curse can only be broken in one of two ways, one of which involves killing Arthur (don’t worry, you learn that early on). Watching them navigate that tension, along with their growing feelings, was one of the best parts of the book.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read. If you love broken characters, curses, and fairytale retellings with a unique twist, this is definitely worth picking up.
This is an interconnected series that can be read in any order, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite formats. That said, this was my first book in the series but not the first overall, so I did feel like the world-building was just a bit light for me. It’s there, just not as detailed as I personally prefer, but I fully take the blame for jumping in mid-series.
The concept alone had me hooked: a Beauty and the Beast retelling with hints of Persephone and Hades. Not a combination you’d expect to work, but it absolutely does. The author weaves the two together seamlessly, and it feels surprisingly natural.
What I really loved is how focused the story is. It centers primarily on just two characters, with one standout little side character, Piffle, who completely stole the show for me.
Reshina and Arthur are both broken in very different ways, and that’s what makes their dynamic so compelling. Neither of them is perfect, but they’re written in a way that makes their flaws feel real and meaningful. Reshina, a goddess, cast a curse years ago and ends up entangled in it herself. The curse can only be broken in one of two ways, one of which involves killing Arthur (don’t worry, you learn that early on). Watching them navigate that tension, along with their growing feelings, was one of the best parts of the book.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read. If you love broken characters, curses, and fairytale retellings with a unique twist, this is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 – 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮.
There’s just something about a 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 retelling that has me immediately feral… and add fae?? Say less.
I devoured 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘯 in one sitting—like fully “just one more chapter” until suddenly it’s the end and I’m staring at the wall processing my life choices. The atmosphere was lush, a little dark, and had that addictive, magical pull that makes you forget everything else exists.
The dynamic between the characters really carried this for me (I love a broody, cursed situation 👀), and the fae twist added just enough intrigue to keep things feeling fresh while still giving those familiar, comforting vibes of the original tale.
BUT we need to talk about the real star of the show: Piffle 🥹
A changeling fae who can cook, tailor, and be the ultimate confidant?? Immediately obsessed. The way he announces what he’s about to change into is actually the cutest thing ever and I would protect him at all costs. Truly stole every scene he was in.
I 𝘥𝘰 have a few lingering questions—mostly the kind that make me tilt my head and go “wait… but what about—” BUT honestly, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the ride.
Overall, this was such a fun, bingeable read and if you’re a sucker for:
✨ cursed beasts
✨ fae magic
✨ romantic tension
✨ beauty & the beast vibes
…you’re going to want this on your radar before it releases on June 3.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
There’s just something about a 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 retelling that has me immediately feral… and add fae?? Say less.
I devoured 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘯 in one sitting—like fully “just one more chapter” until suddenly it’s the end and I’m staring at the wall processing my life choices. The atmosphere was lush, a little dark, and had that addictive, magical pull that makes you forget everything else exists.
The dynamic between the characters really carried this for me (I love a broody, cursed situation 👀), and the fae twist added just enough intrigue to keep things feeling fresh while still giving those familiar, comforting vibes of the original tale.
BUT we need to talk about the real star of the show: Piffle 🥹
A changeling fae who can cook, tailor, and be the ultimate confidant?? Immediately obsessed. The way he announces what he’s about to change into is actually the cutest thing ever and I would protect him at all costs. Truly stole every scene he was in.
I 𝘥𝘰 have a few lingering questions—mostly the kind that make me tilt my head and go “wait… but what about—” BUT honestly, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the ride.
Overall, this was such a fun, bingeable read and if you’re a sucker for:
✨ cursed beasts
✨ fae magic
✨ romantic tension
✨ beauty & the beast vibes
…you’re going to want this on your radar before it releases on June 3.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another amazing fairytale retelling from Chelsey Ann Tompkins! I really love that we finally get the story of Korven and Morella's mother Reshina. Her story brings with just such loneliness. A goddess cursed never to love. The journey she goes on in this book is just heartwarming. You get to see different sides of her and the changes she goes through once she meets Arthur.
Arthur is just so swoon-worthy. He harbors a secret that he knows of Reshina and his obsession turning into love is just beautiful. I just ATE it up. His care and affection for Reshina is just, I was blown away. And their spicy times???? Oooh I was giggling and kicking my feet, it was so good. I love a feral spicy moment and you definitely get a few in here.
And of course Piffle is the real MVP of this story 🤣. He just goes about his business having faith that everything will work out in the end. He is the friend that everyone needs in their life.
We also get some cameo moments with characters from the first two novellas, which I absolutely loved. A dire situation arises that brings about the most heartbreakingly beautiful scenes ever! I was sobbing, the emotions were high and I just didn't know how everything was going to be okay!!! Just know, Arthur is top tier MMC in this scene.
Just a beautiful love story of two lost characters who fight their way to a happily ever after.
Arthur is just so swoon-worthy. He harbors a secret that he knows of Reshina and his obsession turning into love is just beautiful. I just ATE it up. His care and affection for Reshina is just, I was blown away. And their spicy times???? Oooh I was giggling and kicking my feet, it was so good. I love a feral spicy moment and you definitely get a few in here.
And of course Piffle is the real MVP of this story 🤣. He just goes about his business having faith that everything will work out in the end. He is the friend that everyone needs in their life.
We also get some cameo moments with characters from the first two novellas, which I absolutely loved. A dire situation arises that brings about the most heartbreakingly beautiful scenes ever! I was sobbing, the emotions were high and I just didn't know how everything was going to be okay!!! Just know, Arthur is top tier MMC in this scene.
Just a beautiful love story of two lost characters who fight their way to a happily ever after.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
💫Cursed MMC and FMC
❤️🔥Beauty and the Beast Retelling
💘Forced Proximity
This is an excellent, faster paced (just under 250 pages) Beauty and the Beast Retelling that hits all the right notes and does so with some originality.
My favorite part is how undeniably selfless, kind and loving this MMC is and how he fights an inner war constantly with his "Beast" side. It's kind of Jekyll and Hyde with the warring sides and I ate that tension up! Restraining himself and the physical manifestations at times of his Beast is wonderfully dramatic and the origins of his curse was quite neat too.
The MVP is Piffle as well! Shout out to this comic relief and lovable friend to Arthur who always stands by his side. I really loved the story and only wish it was longer, to explore more angsty moments, more times of him fighting his Beast nature. Because they were done so well and at times I my heart broke with how Arthur had given up on her or anyone loving him, he'd rather her be free and his life end.
But worry not, because these two do have such chemistry! Her being a Goddess was a different choice, I personally still prefer the FMC to be human traditionally BUT this was an original spin and was pleasantly surprised by it. The last act moved a little fast, and sometimes I wanted more focus on Arthur. But easily reccomend for Beauty and the Beast lovers.
🌶🌶
💫Cursed MMC and FMC
❤️🔥Beauty and the Beast Retelling
💘Forced Proximity
This is an excellent, faster paced (just under 250 pages) Beauty and the Beast Retelling that hits all the right notes and does so with some originality.
My favorite part is how undeniably selfless, kind and loving this MMC is and how he fights an inner war constantly with his "Beast" side. It's kind of Jekyll and Hyde with the warring sides and I ate that tension up! Restraining himself and the physical manifestations at times of his Beast is wonderfully dramatic and the origins of his curse was quite neat too.
The MVP is Piffle as well! Shout out to this comic relief and lovable friend to Arthur who always stands by his side. I really loved the story and only wish it was longer, to explore more angsty moments, more times of him fighting his Beast nature. Because they were done so well and at times I my heart broke with how Arthur had given up on her or anyone loving him, he'd rather her be free and his life end.
But worry not, because these two do have such chemistry! Her being a Goddess was a different choice, I personally still prefer the FMC to be human traditionally BUT this was an original spin and was pleasantly surprised by it. The last act moved a little fast, and sometimes I wanted more focus on Arthur. But easily reccomend for Beauty and the Beast lovers.
May 4, 2026
Thank you so much to Chelsey Ann Tompkins for an ARC of Beast & Thorn!!! I had a fantastic time reading and diving into this magical world! This is book 3 in the series, but they are interconnected standalones. I will absolutely be circling back to read the others since I already have Curse & Spindle 😆.
Beast & Thorn follows Reshina the Ravenfae Goddess who delivers curses while also carrying a curse of her own and Arthur, a King who is carrying a familial curse delivered by Reshina. I particularly enjoyed the complex and intricate nature of curses woven into their story. They aren’t cutesy curses, they are BRUTAL and devastating. We see both Arthur and Reshina struggling not only with their own curses, but also the struggle of watching each other suffer because of them. I really appreciated learning about Reshina’s backstory because of this too.
The slowburn is delicious. The banter and tension-building was amazing! The part where “Run”, comes into play? Steamy!! Of course we also have one of my favorite things: YEARNING.
I also want to mention how much I enjoyed other characters present. Especially, Piffle. The way he was yelling out objects he would use changeling magic around Reshina sent me into orbit, LMAO. I thought I would get used to it over the course of the book but every time, I found myself legitimately laughing!
Beast & Thorn releases on June 3rd!!
Beast & Thorn follows Reshina the Ravenfae Goddess who delivers curses while also carrying a curse of her own and Arthur, a King who is carrying a familial curse delivered by Reshina. I particularly enjoyed the complex and intricate nature of curses woven into their story. They aren’t cutesy curses, they are BRUTAL and devastating. We see both Arthur and Reshina struggling not only with their own curses, but also the struggle of watching each other suffer because of them. I really appreciated learning about Reshina’s backstory because of this too.
The slowburn is delicious. The banter and tension-building was amazing! The part where “Run”, comes into play? Steamy!! Of course we also have one of my favorite things: YEARNING.
I also want to mention how much I enjoyed other characters present. Especially, Piffle. The way he was yelling out objects he would use changeling magic around Reshina sent me into orbit, LMAO. I thought I would get used to it over the course of the book but every time, I found myself legitimately laughing!
Beast & Thorn releases on June 3rd!!
March 20, 2026
I absolutely loved this book!
When I found out we were getting Reshina’s story I was so excited because I needed to learn more about her after getting her kids stories.
Arthur was a sweetheart! It wasn’t his fault he was cursed to begin with. The curse was initially put on his father and then passed to him when it wasn’t broken and his parents died. The funny part is when the person who cursed him is the one who got stuck having to somehow break it. The only problem is she is also cursed and her curse prevents her from breaking his. Will his curse ever be broken or will he be the beast forever?
Reshina didn’t plan on bleeding that day and locking herself into a curse she cast. I loved watching her become the best version of herself in this book. She deserves happiness just as much as anyone else. Will she get it is the question.
I loved Piffle!! That guy was so stinking cute and funny. I loved how he yelled before changing into anything to not scare her. How could you not laugh when the guy literally screams things like notebook or bandage out of the blue before turning into that item.
I also liked how the beast was its only being. It was a fun twist on the story.
Overall I really loved this book and these characters. I read this book as an arc.
When I found out we were getting Reshina’s story I was so excited because I needed to learn more about her after getting her kids stories.
Arthur was a sweetheart! It wasn’t his fault he was cursed to begin with. The curse was initially put on his father and then passed to him when it wasn’t broken and his parents died. The funny part is when the person who cursed him is the one who got stuck having to somehow break it. The only problem is she is also cursed and her curse prevents her from breaking his. Will his curse ever be broken or will he be the beast forever?
Reshina didn’t plan on bleeding that day and locking herself into a curse she cast. I loved watching her become the best version of herself in this book. She deserves happiness just as much as anyone else. Will she get it is the question.
I loved Piffle!! That guy was so stinking cute and funny. I loved how he yelled before changing into anything to not scare her. How could you not laugh when the guy literally screams things like notebook or bandage out of the blue before turning into that item.
I also liked how the beast was its only being. It was a fun twist on the story.
Overall I really loved this book and these characters. I read this book as an arc.
March 28, 2026
I received an eARC directly from the author, and this is my honest review.
- dual POV
- beauty and the beast retelling
- older MCs
- can be fully read within a few hours.
This book was good. I loved the older, goddess MFC with the younger man who had a beast within him. I liked the storyline of the MFC cursing the MMC’s father and she ended up being the one to also get stuck in the curse and break it with MMC. At the beginning, the MFC was incredibly entitled, arrogant, and selfish (she was a goddess, so not surprised). At one point, she even gaslit the MMC. The MMC was hopeless and stubborn regarding how to solve the problem, not listening to the MFC. Additionally, I absolutely loved the side character that had to yell to warn people he was shifting into an item to not surprise or scare them. This was funny and added a comedic component to the storyline.
Despite this book being good, it was not excellent, in my opinion. I loved Straw & Gold, and found that this book didn’t meet the same level of Straw & Gold. At times, I was bored and skipped paragraphs, finding I didn’t miss much. It just didn’t have the same pull, pacing, and intrigue as the previous books in the series. Again, it was not bad and I’m sure a lot of people will love it more than I did.
- dual POV
- beauty and the beast retelling
- older MCs
- can be fully read within a few hours.
This book was good. I loved the older, goddess MFC with the younger man who had a beast within him. I liked the storyline of the MFC cursing the MMC’s father and she ended up being the one to also get stuck in the curse and break it with MMC. At the beginning, the MFC was incredibly entitled, arrogant, and selfish (she was a goddess, so not surprised). At one point, she even gaslit the MMC. The MMC was hopeless and stubborn regarding how to solve the problem, not listening to the MFC. Additionally, I absolutely loved the side character that had to yell to warn people he was shifting into an item to not surprise or scare them. This was funny and added a comedic component to the storyline.
Despite this book being good, it was not excellent, in my opinion. I loved Straw & Gold, and found that this book didn’t meet the same level of Straw & Gold. At times, I was bored and skipped paragraphs, finding I didn’t miss much. It just didn’t have the same pull, pacing, and intrigue as the previous books in the series. Again, it was not bad and I’m sure a lot of people will love it more than I did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2026
Rounded up from 4.5 stars.
You definitely need to be in the right mood to read this one. If you’re looking for something with intense world building or drawn out plots or anything like that, you won’t find it here. But if you’re looking for a fairytale, filled with obsession and secret desire and just a smidge of mystery, this one is for you.
This is a series of interconnected standalones, with characters from the other books appearing, but you don’t need to read the books in order (unless you want to avoid some spoilers in terms of romance).
If you’re looking for a love story that defies reality, expectation, and is genuinely a fairytale; a female main character who is full of rage and yet just wants to be loved; a male main character who is full of yearning and obsession while also willing to do whatever it takes for her; and an incredible sidekick character who made me laugh more than once, Beast & Thorn is definitely the book for you.
I’d you’re known to cry during sad moments, you might cry in this one. If you’re known to cry at super happy endings, you might cry in this one.
Thank you so much to Chelsey Ann Tompkins for an arc of this book. Can’t wait for the next!
You definitely need to be in the right mood to read this one. If you’re looking for something with intense world building or drawn out plots or anything like that, you won’t find it here. But if you’re looking for a fairytale, filled with obsession and secret desire and just a smidge of mystery, this one is for you.
This is a series of interconnected standalones, with characters from the other books appearing, but you don’t need to read the books in order (unless you want to avoid some spoilers in terms of romance).
If you’re looking for a love story that defies reality, expectation, and is genuinely a fairytale; a female main character who is full of rage and yet just wants to be loved; a male main character who is full of yearning and obsession while also willing to do whatever it takes for her; and an incredible sidekick character who made me laugh more than once, Beast & Thorn is definitely the book for you.
I’d you’re known to cry during sad moments, you might cry in this one. If you’re known to cry at super happy endings, you might cry in this one.
Thank you so much to Chelsey Ann Tompkins for an arc of this book. Can’t wait for the next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to the author, Chelsey, for the ARC!
Beast and Thorn is a Beauty and the Beast retelling with a dash of Persephone/Hades, full of yearning, reading, biting, and curses. I absolutely loved this one. When I saw the email offering the ARC, I immediately made plans to read it ASAP. After finishing the first two books, I was completely locked in to learn more about Reshina and her curse.
I really enjoy Chelsey Ann Tompkins’s writing and world-building and was more than ready to jump back into this world, especially after all the teasing on Instagram! If you haven’t already, definitely check out the character art there. 10/10.
Reshina, the Ravenfae goddess, accidentally triggers a curse she placed on Heartstone decades ago when she was a cursebringer. As a result, she finds herself trapped in the Underrealm with the king of Heartstone, Arthur (oh noooo). Reshina must work to uncover how to break the curse while also grappling with her growing attraction to the beast… I mean, Arthur.
And we can’t forget our friend Piffle. He is absolutely wonderful, and I loved how integral he is to the story. NOTEBOOK!!!
Beast and Thorn is a Beauty and the Beast retelling with a dash of Persephone/Hades, full of yearning, reading, biting, and curses. I absolutely loved this one. When I saw the email offering the ARC, I immediately made plans to read it ASAP. After finishing the first two books, I was completely locked in to learn more about Reshina and her curse.
I really enjoy Chelsey Ann Tompkins’s writing and world-building and was more than ready to jump back into this world, especially after all the teasing on Instagram! If you haven’t already, definitely check out the character art there. 10/10.
Reshina, the Ravenfae goddess, accidentally triggers a curse she placed on Heartstone decades ago when she was a cursebringer. As a result, she finds herself trapped in the Underrealm with the king of Heartstone, Arthur (oh noooo). Reshina must work to uncover how to break the curse while also grappling with her growing attraction to the beast… I mean, Arthur.
And we can’t forget our friend Piffle. He is absolutely wonderful, and I loved how integral he is to the story. NOTEBOOK!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for the ARC! I have read all of the A Realm of Revelry series so far - and I have loved every story so differently. I think what resonated the most about these characters is they feel like they are the same age as me (mid 30s) and so there is a lot of experience, and tragedy, and resilience that they bring to the narrative!
I love a hades & persephone twist in a story - even if its a hint. Reshina briefly makes an appearance in the other standalones so to get a full story of her in all her glory was amazing. I especially enjoyed the dual pov because you see arthur in all his yearning and you realize how deep it truly is, as well as you see the beast. I like the way Arthur and Reshina slowly & deeply share parts of themselves, from parenting to being parented, to past romantic entanglements, their perceived mistakes & shortcomings - all of it. The conflict between goddess’ adds a really interesting component to the narrative as well. my top favorite part of the whole thing though is the spiceeee!!! its done so well & it adds so much & its just hot.
Definitely another you should read!
I love a hades & persephone twist in a story - even if its a hint. Reshina briefly makes an appearance in the other standalones so to get a full story of her in all her glory was amazing. I especially enjoyed the dual pov because you see arthur in all his yearning and you realize how deep it truly is, as well as you see the beast. I like the way Arthur and Reshina slowly & deeply share parts of themselves, from parenting to being parented, to past romantic entanglements, their perceived mistakes & shortcomings - all of it. The conflict between goddess’ adds a really interesting component to the narrative as well. my top favorite part of the whole thing though is the spiceeee!!! its done so well & it adds so much & its just hot.
Definitely another you should read!
April 8, 2026
I’m as obsessed with this series as Arthur is with Reshina.
I have been hooked on the Realm of Revelry since Straw and Gold, and I am so lucky to have stayed on as an arc reader as the series continues to grow and explore more characters.
Since I've been here from book one, I am so glad to finally have more insight into Reshina, the former curse bringer, before passing that title onto her son, Korven. And Arthur, who was a minor character who played a big part in the ending of book one.
I am so glad these two finally got their happy ending. The chasing, marking, feeding, and the slow-burning of their relationship just fit these two so perfectly. Reshina cursed to not be able to say or share love, and Arthur's curse only broke when someone could love him as both man and beast.
If Beauty and the Beast was your bread and butter like it was mine growing up, this tale is the perfect adult twist that I think you would love!
The only reason this wasn't a five-star for me like book one was that the spice scenes felt a touch rushed once we did get to them, and certain elements of the plot were explored but were left slightly annoyingly unanswered (like the vampirism of the underfae).
I will continue to excitedly read this series, but so far, the pairing in book one has continued to be my all-time favorite!
I have been hooked on the Realm of Revelry since Straw and Gold, and I am so lucky to have stayed on as an arc reader as the series continues to grow and explore more characters.
Since I've been here from book one, I am so glad to finally have more insight into Reshina, the former curse bringer, before passing that title onto her son, Korven. And Arthur, who was a minor character who played a big part in the ending of book one.
I am so glad these two finally got their happy ending. The chasing, marking, feeding, and the slow-burning of their relationship just fit these two so perfectly. Reshina cursed to not be able to say or share love, and Arthur's curse only broke when someone could love him as both man and beast.
If Beauty and the Beast was your bread and butter like it was mine growing up, this tale is the perfect adult twist that I think you would love!
The only reason this wasn't a five-star for me like book one was that the spice scenes felt a touch rushed once we did get to them, and certain elements of the plot were explored but were left slightly annoyingly unanswered (like the vampirism of the underfae).
I will continue to excitedly read this series, but so far, the pairing in book one has continued to be my all-time favorite!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Story: 4.5⭐ rounded up
Spice: mid.... It's takes a while but they it goes from 0 to 60 in like 2.5 sec
I love novellas, especially ones that are beauty and the beast coded that I can finish in one day. This is book 3 in the Realm of Revelry. You can read this as a stand alone but would suggest read it the others do get some backstory on the other characters.
This is the story of Reshina and Arthur, both cursed beings who find themselves cursed together. Stuck in the below. You get delicious forced Proximity, tension, pining, an obsessive MMC, and adorable side character who made me smile consistently.
I do feel with romance novellas you don't get a lot plot or there are holes but I felt like Chelsey did a great job at telling their story and included a great plot to assist with their romance.
Spice: mid.... It's takes a while but they it goes from 0 to 60 in like 2.5 sec
I love novellas, especially ones that are beauty and the beast coded that I can finish in one day. This is book 3 in the Realm of Revelry. You can read this as a stand alone but would suggest read it the others do get some backstory on the other characters.
This is the story of Reshina and Arthur, both cursed beings who find themselves cursed together. Stuck in the below. You get delicious forced Proximity, tension, pining, an obsessive MMC, and adorable side character who made me smile consistently.
I do feel with romance novellas you don't get a lot plot or there are holes but I felt like Chelsey did a great job at telling their story and included a great plot to assist with their romance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I didn’t realize this book was part of a series and honestly, you don’t have to read the other books to understand what’s going on in this story. Our mfc, Reshina, is a curse bringer goddess of the raven fae and stumbles across the land of a beast she cursed years earlier. Because she accidentally bleeds on the land, she’s now tied to the beast (and man) who is cursed to go between the Revelry (upperworld) and the underworld. Arthur (the beast) has inherited the curse from his father at his death and is now trapped between being a man and beast. Reshina has limited time to break the curse and free herself from the underworld. This story was beautifully written and immersive. I loved the dynamic between Arthur and Reshina and it felt so genuine. I plan on reading the other books in this series, which I’m sure are just as good as this book. Thank you to the author for an arc of this book!
April 24, 2026
I have wondered about this goddess and her curse for the last two books of revelry, because she is the mother of the two other characters. If you haven’t read those two books yet you should before entering this.
Now we know! She laid the curse, but only remembered part of it…….. can they break each others? Is that the gist of not being a curse bringer anymore?
He has her original “diary” tale of origin and believes no one can break his curse that she laid on his father. However…..
Biting and claiming and so much character development happens. Yes there is smut as with all of this authors books, but it aides and completes the plot.
And the sheer amount of fairy tale cameos!!!! Lumier is that you!?!?
Please move over beauty and the beast
Please move over persephone x hades retellings
And enter this expertly written mix of REVELRY!!!
Now we know! She laid the curse, but only remembered part of it…….. can they break each others? Is that the gist of not being a curse bringer anymore?
He has her original “diary” tale of origin and believes no one can break his curse that she laid on his father. However…..
Biting and claiming and so much character development happens. Yes there is smut as with all of this authors books, but it aides and completes the plot.
And the sheer amount of fairy tale cameos!!!! Lumier is that you!?!?
Please move over beauty and the beast
Please move over persephone x hades retellings
And enter this expertly written mix of REVELRY!!!
Review of advance copy
Honest review, no spoilers.
The blurb for this book said 'Beauty and the Beast meets Hades and Persephony', and this did not disappoint! I think this is the best summary they could have given.
This story took the classic fairy tale with a curse, beast and necessary love to break the curse as a base. Twisted it with godly and supernatural powers and beings (including a very funny, cute sidekick). Added some more fantasy, added a good amount of spice, and voila! An original story that is not easy to put down.
Many times while reading I thought I knew what would happen next. Because it is Beauty and the Beast isn't it? But no, it is not. It really is not. You can guess the general direction, but everything else is new and refreshing.
I loved it from start to finish.
The blurb for this book said 'Beauty and the Beast meets Hades and Persephony', and this did not disappoint! I think this is the best summary they could have given.
This story took the classic fairy tale with a curse, beast and necessary love to break the curse as a base. Twisted it with godly and supernatural powers and beings (including a very funny, cute sidekick). Added some more fantasy, added a good amount of spice, and voila! An original story that is not easy to put down.
Many times while reading I thought I knew what would happen next. Because it is Beauty and the Beast isn't it? But no, it is not. It really is not. You can guess the general direction, but everything else is new and refreshing.
I loved it from start to finish.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Every book in this series has been fantastic, and this one did not disappoint.
Now, I honestly wasn't sure how I felt about Reshina getting her own story, but I completely loved it! She always seemed standoffish and now we know why! How tragic that she's been stuck with a curse to now show love for over 500 years.
Arthur was amazing. His character is one of my favorites because who doesn't love a beast?
The star of the show was Piffle. I loved, loved, loved his character so much and he added such wonderful humor and joy to this tragic story. I also loved how characters from the other books showed up in this one.
Loved the ending and hoping we get another one to see what happens next with the Underfae.
Now, I honestly wasn't sure how I felt about Reshina getting her own story, but I completely loved it! She always seemed standoffish and now we know why! How tragic that she's been stuck with a curse to now show love for over 500 years.
Arthur was amazing. His character is one of my favorites because who doesn't love a beast?
The star of the show was Piffle. I loved, loved, loved his character so much and he added such wonderful humor and joy to this tragic story. I also loved how characters from the other books showed up in this one.
Loved the ending and hoping we get another one to see what happens next with the Underfae.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2026
I love this book so much!
Beauty and the Beast was my number one as a kid and will always have a special place in my heart, the adult retelling is so uniquely well done!! While the story is different, the magic, the chemistry, the sacrifice, and the love is all there!
Reshina is a Goddess cursed to never be able to love.
Arthur is a king cursed, only to be saved by someone who can truly love all of him.
The only way out is death. That we know of.
The Beast is feral and knows what he wants, honestly a king in his own way!
Piffle is the real star of the show and steals every scene he is in, respectfully!
This book made me laugh out loud, snuggle my dog, cry, emotionally snack, and laugh again!!
Beauty and the Beast was my number one as a kid and will always have a special place in my heart, the adult retelling is so uniquely well done!! While the story is different, the magic, the chemistry, the sacrifice, and the love is all there!
Reshina is a Goddess cursed to never be able to love.
Arthur is a king cursed, only to be saved by someone who can truly love all of him.
The only way out is death. That we know of.
The Beast is feral and knows what he wants, honestly a king in his own way!
Piffle is the real star of the show and steals every scene he is in, respectfully!
This book made me laugh out loud, snuggle my dog, cry, emotionally snack, and laugh again!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I want to say thank you for this ARC.
I’ve enjoyed all the tales in this series. They are the perfect short stories for in between or after a long series read.
Beast & Thorn is a Beauty and the Beast retelling.
We met Korven in book 1, his sister, Morella, in book 2. Now we get Mom, Reshina.
I wasn’t sure how I was going to enjoy her since we know how she was with her kids, because of her curse.
But it was a warming story. And getting another character back from the 1st book. (I had to do a double-check with book 1 to see if that was him before it was explained.)
I throughly enjoyed this and read it basically in 1st sitting. I want a Piff.
I can’t wait to see what the next fairy tale is spun out next.
I’ve enjoyed all the tales in this series. They are the perfect short stories for in between or after a long series read.
Beast & Thorn is a Beauty and the Beast retelling.
We met Korven in book 1, his sister, Morella, in book 2. Now we get Mom, Reshina.
I wasn’t sure how I was going to enjoy her since we know how she was with her kids, because of her curse.
But it was a warming story. And getting another character back from the 1st book. (I had to do a double-check with book 1 to see if that was him before it was explained.)
I throughly enjoyed this and read it basically in 1st sitting. I want a Piff.
I can’t wait to see what the next fairy tale is spun out next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a standalone book in a interconnected series based on
fairytales, currently there is 3 books. I did read book 2 which is
Gold & Straw and the events happen the same time as this book.
I do think Gold & Straw should be read Before Beast & Thorn as it flows very well ans would contain spoilers .I felt this book was really slow in areas where I felt extremely bored but it eventually picked up. My favorite character was Piffle and he made me giggle through out the book! He definitely made things interesting. I definitely will go back and read Curse & Spindle as I did enjoy the world the world they are setin and Im excited to learn about Seraphinas and Korvan's story
Thank you Grimm &Co and Chelsea Tompkins for this ARC
fairytales, currently there is 3 books. I did read book 2 which is
Gold & Straw and the events happen the same time as this book.
I do think Gold & Straw should be read Before Beast & Thorn as it flows very well ans would contain spoilers .I felt this book was really slow in areas where I felt extremely bored but it eventually picked up. My favorite character was Piffle and he made me giggle through out the book! He definitely made things interesting. I definitely will go back and read Curse & Spindle as I did enjoy the world the world they are setin and Im excited to learn about Seraphinas and Korvan's story
Thank you Grimm &Co and Chelsea Tompkins for this ARC
Review of advance copy received from Author
I want to thank the author for sending me a eARC of this book! I ended up finishing this book at 2am because of how sucked in I got, and I have no regrets. This is the first book of Chelsey's that I've read, but I'm instantly curious about her other works, especially the others in this series! I love that this is an independent standalone and a fantasy, I feel like those are hard to find! The tension and banter between the two characters had me giggling and kicking my feet, and I couldn't put it down. Piffle was of course my favorite character. I felt like I had a few questions at the end though, but nothing deep enough to truly bother me. All in all, I loved the story and will be adding more of Chelsey's books to the TBR!
Review of advance copy received from Author
From the author of A Conduit of Light trilogy and A Realm of Revelry - Curse & Spindle and Straw & Gold comes another incredible story... a Beauty and the Beast retelling with a touch of Hades & Persephone that you will not want to miss
I devoured this book in no time it was so good! The chemistry between Reshina and Arthur and their slow burn was so fun to read, with a bit of heartbreak and a quirky side character, be sure to pick this up!
I’m so glad they both got their happy ending, Arthur got the woman of his dreams that he’s been obsessing over for years, and Reshina got a man who deserves it because she is literally a goddess!
I devoured this book in no time it was so good! The chemistry between Reshina and Arthur and their slow burn was so fun to read, with a bit of heartbreak and a quirky side character, be sure to pick this up!
I’m so glad they both got their happy ending, Arthur got the woman of his dreams that he’s been obsessing over for years, and Reshina got a man who deserves it because she is literally a goddess!
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