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Legends of Light #1
Rose of the Oath: A Beauty and the Beast Novella
Picking a rose was a stupid way to trigger a curse, in Elissa’s opinion. But there’s no arguing with the strange, scarred host of a hidden valley who’s taken her brother captive.
Without the resources to mount a rescue, Elissa desperately settles for the next best thing: exchanging her freedom for her brother.
But the longer she stays in the valley, the more Elissa realizes it isn’t just her prison. It holds secrets that her host jealously guards. Secrets that could hold the key to her escape.
Except maybe the curse isn’t a curse at all. And maybe secrets are the only thing keeping her alive.
A Beauty and the Beast retelling, Rose of the Oath weaves the timeless elements of roses and captors and beauties with deeper shades of betrayal, sorrow, and sacrifice.
The first novella in the Legends of Light series, this short novel is a stand-alone story and contains a handful of allegorical themes.
Without the resources to mount a rescue, Elissa desperately settles for the next best thing: exchanging her freedom for her brother.
But the longer she stays in the valley, the more Elissa realizes it isn’t just her prison. It holds secrets that her host jealously guards. Secrets that could hold the key to her escape.
Except maybe the curse isn’t a curse at all. And maybe secrets are the only thing keeping her alive.
A Beauty and the Beast retelling, Rose of the Oath weaves the timeless elements of roses and captors and beauties with deeper shades of betrayal, sorrow, and sacrifice.
The first novella in the Legends of Light series, this short novel is a stand-alone story and contains a handful of allegorical themes.
129 pages, ebook
Published June 3, 2017
163 people are currently reading
562 people want to read
About the author
Hope Ann
16 books184 followersHope Ann likes to think of herself as an undercover resistance fighter in the battle for truth. In reality, her bluntness and sarcasm make her anything but ‘undercover.’ The oldest of nine children, she has an arsenal of experience ranging from jiu-jitsu, living in the Dominican Republic for two years, and working with troubled teenagers.
Her greatest struggle is realizing she can’t do everything, but it hasn’t stopped her from periodically trying.
Based in central Indiana, her day-to-day life involves brainstorming theories about Sanderson’s Cosmere with her husband, collecting situation-perfect memes, and struggling to remember the difference between ‘effect’ and ‘affect’. She is the author of nine fantasy books, a writing coach, and a founding board member of Story Embers.
Her greatest struggle is realizing she can’t do everything, but it hasn’t stopped her from periodically trying.
Based in central Indiana, her day-to-day life involves brainstorming theories about Sanderson’s Cosmere with her husband, collecting situation-perfect memes, and struggling to remember the difference between ‘effect’ and ‘affect’. She is the author of nine fantasy books, a writing coach, and a founding board member of Story Embers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
January 25, 2022
2022 update: Love the new cover! 😍😍
Original review
A darling Beast who has to communicate through writing and just got himself a new fighting buddy? All. The. Cuteness. <3 I had half-decided not to like this book for the sole reason it is replacing Rose of Prophecy.
After reading it and the prequel leading into it, my mind is very much changed. I LOVE them. They start the series off so much better, setting the tone and filling us in on the Separation, the Stieg Der, and the King’s Oath. And they told me again the beautiful message of redemption and true love and never letting go of hope even when we can’t see how God is good during such an evil time.
This book definitely wasn’t all serious--the cuteness between Elissa and the Beast was in there--and the library did make it in. ;) Just a note that there are some very intense scenes including children in danger from wolf attacks and one very descriptive fight with a wolf.
Best quotes: Dust motes floated through the air, dancing along golden beams sliced between the books--rows of books, arching upward. Rolling ladders leaned against several shelves. I traced my fingers along the spines of ancient tomes as I wound my way inward.
“The Legends do not tell the half of what the King did for us. They are true, Beauty. True and much more besides. Don’t you ever doubt them.”
Altogether--time to reread the whole series. And then read it again. ;)
P.S. LOVE the cover. ;)
Original review
A darling Beast who has to communicate through writing and just got himself a new fighting buddy? All. The. Cuteness. <3 I had half-decided not to like this book for the sole reason it is replacing Rose of Prophecy.
After reading it and the prequel leading into it, my mind is very much changed. I LOVE them. They start the series off so much better, setting the tone and filling us in on the Separation, the Stieg Der, and the King’s Oath. And they told me again the beautiful message of redemption and true love and never letting go of hope even when we can’t see how God is good during such an evil time.
This book definitely wasn’t all serious--the cuteness between Elissa and the Beast was in there--and the library did make it in. ;) Just a note that there are some very intense scenes including children in danger from wolf attacks and one very descriptive fight with a wolf.
Best quotes: Dust motes floated through the air, dancing along golden beams sliced between the books--rows of books, arching upward. Rolling ladders leaned against several shelves. I traced my fingers along the spines of ancient tomes as I wound my way inward.
“The Legends do not tell the half of what the King did for us. They are true, Beauty. True and much more besides. Don’t you ever doubt them.”
Altogether--time to reread the whole series. And then read it again. ;)
P.S. LOVE the cover. ;)
June 12, 2017
Beauty and the Beast has never been my favorite fairytale, but I went in to reading this with an open mind.
The result?
Because of this beautiful retelling, Beauty and the Beast is now one of my favorite fairytales!
Rose of the Oath is a true Legends of Light novella with siblings who would do anything to keep each other safe, a rebel who wants his way, and a touch of allegory with a Prince who has come to save His people, all packed together in a short, snappy read with the complexity of a full-length novel!
The Plot
All the basics of the original fairytale are there -- a brave young woman, a beast, a castle, a curse, a rose. But the author takes it to whole new level! I loved the twist with Elissa's (Beauty's) brother and the rebels. It really brought the whole novella together and upped the stakes. The entire plot kicks into motion the war with the rebels and the Prince, a war which affects everything that happens in the rest of the Legends of Light novellas.
I did have some moments of confusion with the plot. There's a lot of backstory involved, backstory that is told in the prequel, Rose of the Night. It's a little hard to follow at times, but you get it at the end.
The Characters
OMW THE CHARACTERS ARE AWESOME. The characters made everything for me. They were... incredible. Even Helene and Klara, Elissa's little sisters, were fully fleshed-out, believable characters. Eldric was wonderful and Dachs was brilliant.
And the beast? I loved him. He was quite the epic character, slashing at wolves all the time. But his faith was incredible. He was such a well-rounded, complex character that it was impossible not to love him. There was one part where he was laughing (I won't tell when ;) and I could picture it so well that I smiled myself.
Lastly, Elissa. She's... phenomenal. She is seriously one of my favorite characters ever! If you're looking for a strong female character, look no further. Elissa is witty (her sense of humor is hilarious!), stubborn, but still feminine, and with just enough sass. Even with her doubts, her courage and character are inspiring. She and the beast really made the entire novella for me!
Anything Else?
- If you are afraid of wolves, don't read this. This novella and the prequel have a way of making you fear ever running into a wild pack of wolves. ;)
- The plot was a little confusing, as I said above. Not to the point of frustration, but I was lost a few times with the whole "Oathkeeper" thing and how the barricade worked.
- There's "magic," as with the other novellas. Again, I'm not bothered by it.
- It's Christian. Beautifully Christian. Seeing Elissa doubt and grow and change was wonderful.
- There was one quote that was so profound that I have to share it in this review: "To doubt something, I need to believe it to start with." That was just... brilliant.
In conclusion, I'd recommend this lovely novella to anyone who likes fairytale retellings, complex, lovable characters, and a beautiful touch of faith and fantasy!
The result?
Because of this beautiful retelling, Beauty and the Beast is now one of my favorite fairytales!
Rose of the Oath is a true Legends of Light novella with siblings who would do anything to keep each other safe, a rebel who wants his way, and a touch of allegory with a Prince who has come to save His people, all packed together in a short, snappy read with the complexity of a full-length novel!
The Plot
All the basics of the original fairytale are there -- a brave young woman, a beast, a castle, a curse, a rose. But the author takes it to whole new level! I loved the twist with Elissa's (Beauty's) brother and the rebels. It really brought the whole novella together and upped the stakes. The entire plot kicks into motion the war with the rebels and the Prince, a war which affects everything that happens in the rest of the Legends of Light novellas.
I did have some moments of confusion with the plot. There's a lot of backstory involved, backstory that is told in the prequel, Rose of the Night. It's a little hard to follow at times, but you get it at the end.
The Characters
OMW THE CHARACTERS ARE AWESOME. The characters made everything for me. They were... incredible. Even Helene and Klara, Elissa's little sisters, were fully fleshed-out, believable characters. Eldric was wonderful and Dachs was brilliant.
And the beast? I loved him. He was quite the epic character, slashing at wolves all the time. But his faith was incredible. He was such a well-rounded, complex character that it was impossible not to love him. There was one part where he was laughing (I won't tell when ;) and I could picture it so well that I smiled myself.
Lastly, Elissa. She's... phenomenal. She is seriously one of my favorite characters ever! If you're looking for a strong female character, look no further. Elissa is witty (her sense of humor is hilarious!), stubborn, but still feminine, and with just enough sass. Even with her doubts, her courage and character are inspiring. She and the beast really made the entire novella for me!
Anything Else?
- If you are afraid of wolves, don't read this. This novella and the prequel have a way of making you fear ever running into a wild pack of wolves. ;)
- The plot was a little confusing, as I said above. Not to the point of frustration, but I was lost a few times with the whole "Oathkeeper" thing and how the barricade worked.
- There's "magic," as with the other novellas. Again, I'm not bothered by it.
- It's Christian. Beautifully Christian. Seeing Elissa doubt and grow and change was wonderful.
- There was one quote that was so profound that I have to share it in this review: "To doubt something, I need to believe it to start with." That was just... brilliant.
In conclusion, I'd recommend this lovely novella to anyone who likes fairytale retellings, complex, lovable characters, and a beautiful touch of faith and fantasy!
September 5, 2019
Oh my. It's so beautiful. 💔
June 27, 2017
Really enjoyed this novella and read it in one sitting. Hope Ann has a wonderful writing style that keeps you turning the pages. She does a great job of blending allegory with great characters and a gripping story line.
I love Beauty and the Beast retellings and this one is no exception. All the novellas in this series are really special. I know this story replaced a previous B&B retelling and I have to say that this one adds more to the series, I think, giving us the background of the Stieg Der and more on the Oath.
I really liked Elissa and especially Adrian! I'd have liked to see more of her brother though.
Definitely recommend this book as well as the others in the Legends of Light series. If you enjoy Christian allegory/fantasy you won't be disappointed! And make sure to check out the prequel story as well!
I love Beauty and the Beast retellings and this one is no exception. All the novellas in this series are really special. I know this story replaced a previous B&B retelling and I have to say that this one adds more to the series, I think, giving us the background of the Stieg Der and more on the Oath.
I really liked Elissa and especially Adrian! I'd have liked to see more of her brother though.
Definitely recommend this book as well as the others in the Legends of Light series. If you enjoy Christian allegory/fantasy you won't be disappointed! And make sure to check out the prequel story as well!
August 5, 2019
It actually took me two tries to get through this story, due to no fault of its own. I tried to read it around this time last year, but was so not in the mood for it that I only got two pages in before switching to another book. Again, it wasn't the story's fault. I just wanted to read something else at the time. This year, however, I was in the mood for it and when I tried it again I enjoyed it this time and got to the end.
There are ways this retelling is very similar to the original and ways it is very different. I like when the author brings new things to the story, so it was a good balance for me. The beginning is nearly identical to the original, with the main character's brother leaving and promising to bring back a rose, the fulfillment of which gets him in trouble with a "beast" and results in his sister trading places with him. From there, though, the world in which the story is set begins to dictate changes, and the author did a great job of creating a world to put this story in that has a distinct (and allegorical) history that is important to the events in this story.
That reminds me to make say: I don't know if this story is readable without the prequel. I did read the prequel and feel I would have been confused without the information I learned from it, but others may feel differently. If anyone reading this review read this book without reading the prequel, feel free to chime in with a comment to say how it went. :)
Overall, I enjoyed the feel of the story as well as the story itself. It was on the dramatic side, but not too dark, and it was encouraging to see Elisse go from bitter about her situation to finally having hope and embracing the King's promise.
It's not my favorite retelling ever, but it was entertaining, unique, and definitely deserving of 4 stars. I'm looking forward to the next book.
Content Advisory:
Violence: One character has a long scar on her arm and several times has flashbacks to the day it happened: The day her parents were attacked and killed by wolves. The flashbacks are generally vague, but there is menion of two figures lying on the ground with blood around them.
Three other wolf attacks occur, and some characters do get bitten and scratched and blood and pain are briefly mentioned.
A character stabs a wolf and feels warmth flow over their hand.
Mention of seeing blood on a knife.
Many mentions and mild descriptions of scars.
Several mentions of new wounds, but they are only sometimes mildly described if they're described at all.
Mention of several enemy soldiers' bodies lying along a path, and many mentions of wolves being killed and their bodies falling and lying on the ground. Bodies only mildly described, if at all.
Mild description of a field after a big battle and brief mention of blood.
Sexual: Two young men are attracted to the young woman, and one of them needs her to love him to break the curse he's under. There's a hand kiss, a couple of blushes, both male characters call the young woman beautiful, and there's an offer of marriage.
There are ways this retelling is very similar to the original and ways it is very different. I like when the author brings new things to the story, so it was a good balance for me. The beginning is nearly identical to the original, with the main character's brother leaving and promising to bring back a rose, the fulfillment of which gets him in trouble with a "beast" and results in his sister trading places with him. From there, though, the world in which the story is set begins to dictate changes, and the author did a great job of creating a world to put this story in that has a distinct (and allegorical) history that is important to the events in this story.
That reminds me to make say: I don't know if this story is readable without the prequel. I did read the prequel and feel I would have been confused without the information I learned from it, but others may feel differently. If anyone reading this review read this book without reading the prequel, feel free to chime in with a comment to say how it went. :)
Overall, I enjoyed the feel of the story as well as the story itself. It was on the dramatic side, but not too dark, and it was encouraging to see Elisse go from bitter about her situation to finally having hope and embracing the King's promise.
It's not my favorite retelling ever, but it was entertaining, unique, and definitely deserving of 4 stars. I'm looking forward to the next book.
Content Advisory:
Violence: One character has a long scar on her arm and several times has flashbacks to the day it happened: The day her parents were attacked and killed by wolves. The flashbacks are generally vague, but there is menion of two figures lying on the ground with blood around them.
Three other wolf attacks occur, and some characters do get bitten and scratched and blood and pain are briefly mentioned.
A character stabs a wolf and feels warmth flow over their hand.
Mention of seeing blood on a knife.
Many mentions and mild descriptions of scars.
Several mentions of new wounds, but they are only sometimes mildly described if they're described at all.
Mention of several enemy soldiers' bodies lying along a path, and many mentions of wolves being killed and their bodies falling and lying on the ground. Bodies only mildly described, if at all.
Mild description of a field after a big battle and brief mention of blood.
Sexual: Two young men are attracted to the young woman, and one of them needs her to love him to break the curse he's under. There's a hand kiss, a couple of blushes, both male characters call the young woman beautiful, and there's an offer of marriage.
Want to read
June 16, 2017That cover. <3
June 18, 2018
Title: Rose of the Oath
Written By: Hope Ann
Genre: Christian Fantasy Romance/Fairy Tale retelling
Recommended Ages: 13 & up
Introduction:
I've been wanting to read something by this author for a while and was excited when I got this one for free. I had a bit of time to read, so I decided to do this one. It helps that my favorite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast. I'm glad I read it. [Read more…]
Characters: .75/1
There were a couple times when the characters felt a little flat, but for the most part, they were well-developed and written with the ease of an experienced author.
Dialogue: 1/1
The dialogue was well written and moved the story line along perfectly.
Plot/Storyline: 1/1
This was a unique twist on the classic fairy tale. On the surface, much of the details were similar, but then there was the oath that Hope Ann introduced. The oath makes the fairy tale much deeper than the tale itself.
Overall Writing Quality: 1/1
The author did a great job writing and editing this book. I enjoyed reading the book.
Un-put-down-ability: .75/1
There were a couple times something confused me and I had to read it over again, but otherwise, I really did not want to put the book down at all. It kept me interested from beginning to end.
Conclusion: 4.5/5
If you are looking for a unique Beauty and the Beast retelling, you should try reading this book. It may be fantasy, but this book didn't have any magic in it.
Written By: Hope Ann
Genre: Christian Fantasy Romance/Fairy Tale retelling
Recommended Ages: 13 & up
Introduction:
I've been wanting to read something by this author for a while and was excited when I got this one for free. I had a bit of time to read, so I decided to do this one. It helps that my favorite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast. I'm glad I read it. [Read more…]
Characters: .75/1
There were a couple times when the characters felt a little flat, but for the most part, they were well-developed and written with the ease of an experienced author.
Dialogue: 1/1
The dialogue was well written and moved the story line along perfectly.
Plot/Storyline: 1/1
This was a unique twist on the classic fairy tale. On the surface, much of the details were similar, but then there was the oath that Hope Ann introduced. The oath makes the fairy tale much deeper than the tale itself.
Overall Writing Quality: 1/1
The author did a great job writing and editing this book. I enjoyed reading the book.
Un-put-down-ability: .75/1
There were a couple times something confused me and I had to read it over again, but otherwise, I really did not want to put the book down at all. It kept me interested from beginning to end.
Conclusion: 4.5/5
If you are looking for a unique Beauty and the Beast retelling, you should try reading this book. It may be fantasy, but this book didn't have any magic in it.
June 23, 2018
Charming, clean, and full of adventure.
The theme of love runs deep in this story. There is some excellent spiritual content to be found in too -- just hidden in allegory. I found this to beautify the story all the more, and created more realism and feeling in this fantasy world of Aslaria.
+ I'm so glad the beautiful, ginormous library made it in to the story. Ahhh. If only my bookish dreams could come true in real life. (If I was being held captive in the Beast's castle... and it contained a library beyond my wildest dreams... I'm not sure if I would have the strength to tear myself away from it. Therefore, Elissa has guts for trying.)
I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in a Beauty and the Beast retelling. Particularly, teen girls (or maybe even a little younger) will definitely eat it up.
The theme of love runs deep in this story. There is some excellent spiritual content to be found in too -- just hidden in allegory. I found this to beautify the story all the more, and created more realism and feeling in this fantasy world of Aslaria.
+ I'm so glad the beautiful, ginormous library made it in to the story. Ahhh. If only my bookish dreams could come true in real life. (If I was being held captive in the Beast's castle... and it contained a library beyond my wildest dreams... I'm not sure if I would have the strength to tear myself away from it. Therefore, Elissa has guts for trying.)
I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in a Beauty and the Beast retelling. Particularly, teen girls (or maybe even a little younger) will definitely eat it up.
ebooks-i-own
May 28, 2023I got this free on Kindle from Amazon, 5/28/2023, so I guess a sale might be going on right now. I'm interested in this series, so I snatched this up.
August 3, 2020
Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairy tales. As a book lover, I always wanted her library more than anything else (though romance is nice too). I’ve read two Beauty and the Beast retellings (Beauty and The Merchant’s Daughter), so that makes this one my third. This book is a short and sweet read that I really enjoyed.
Characters
There are several main characters: Elissa and the Beast (Narrators) and Dachs (supporting character).
Elissa is the one who narrates the majority of the story in first person. She cares deeply for her family, including her brother Eldric, and her sisters, Helene and Klara. Caring for her family is how she ended up in trouble with the beast. Her brother discovered the beast’s secret castle and took one of its roses. The rose appeared on Elissa’s doorstep, and she came to the castle, exchanging her life for her brother’s life. Her self-sacrifice, as well as internal struggle about what to do, made the book a compelling read. She doesn’t believe in or trust the King, which adds another layer of depth to the narrative.
The Beast narrates the story during the Italic sections. At first perceived to be cold and cruel, his true nature is eventually revealed. He shows how he is actually defending Elissa in ways that she can’t even understand. His unwavering faith and trust in the King is admirable, even if it doesn’t make sense to Elissa or us as readers, since we have such a limited scope. I liked how the author had the Beast convey his emotions through hand gestures and facial expressions. It made his character more interesting.
Dachs was a different sort of character. As a scout for the army of the King, he has the ability to get into places others can’t. He is caring and kind to Elissa for reasons the readers don’t understand at first. He falls in love with Elissa, so there’s a bit of a love triangle going on between him and the Beast. The surprise about his character I saw coming, but I wonder if everyone will.
Plot
There are two main plots: Elissa’s attempts to get free and the rebellion against the King. The rebellion is a threat to Elissa’s family and home. They use wolves as their partners and terrorize local towns and villages as well. Eldric joins the King’s army to help fend off the soldiers, and Elissa worries often about him and her sisters. However, since she is imprisoned in the castle, she can’t do anything to help them. This drives her crazy, and she makes many attempts to be free. The tension between these two things was very clear, making even the “peaceful” times at the castle frustrating for Elissa. I liked how the author kept building up the tension between what was happening outside the castle and what was happening within Elissa’s heart as well. There was a ton of mystery to it that made it even more compelling.
Setting
The story centers around a cabin somewhere in the woods of Aslaria and a castle, hidden in that forest. The author doesn’t delve into deep detail about each of those settings, but offers enough that you can get the picture. She also explains how the castle seems never ending, with tons of secret passageways. There’s also a description of the library, which is just as epic as people would want from a Beauty and the Beast retelling. Even though not all of her descriptions are fleshed out, there was enough in the story to make sense, which is the most important thing.
Overall Rating 4 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this novella, but I felt like the romance wasn’t as well-developed as I would have liked. I couldn’t understand why the Beast or Elissa loved each other because their love felt more like friendship. And even though I am pretty conservative, the fact that the Beast never kissed Elissa, either on the hand or mouth is a bit weird. There was more romantic tension between Dachs and Elissa than Elissa and the Beast, which was sad! I get friendship romances (after all, friendships with one’s spouse are important!) but there’s got to be some physical interaction between them, right? Maybe I’ve read too many romance novels….
Content Notes: There’s nothing wrong with this book. For those scared of wolves or violence, they might not like it, but I can’t see why. It’s not that scary, but definitely tense. And as I mentioned above, there’s no physical interactions (beyond the one kiss on the hand).
Characters
There are several main characters: Elissa and the Beast (Narrators) and Dachs (supporting character).
Elissa is the one who narrates the majority of the story in first person. She cares deeply for her family, including her brother Eldric, and her sisters, Helene and Klara. Caring for her family is how she ended up in trouble with the beast. Her brother discovered the beast’s secret castle and took one of its roses. The rose appeared on Elissa’s doorstep, and she came to the castle, exchanging her life for her brother’s life. Her self-sacrifice, as well as internal struggle about what to do, made the book a compelling read. She doesn’t believe in or trust the King, which adds another layer of depth to the narrative.
The Beast narrates the story during the Italic sections. At first perceived to be cold and cruel, his true nature is eventually revealed. He shows how he is actually defending Elissa in ways that she can’t even understand. His unwavering faith and trust in the King is admirable, even if it doesn’t make sense to Elissa or us as readers, since we have such a limited scope. I liked how the author had the Beast convey his emotions through hand gestures and facial expressions. It made his character more interesting.
Dachs was a different sort of character. As a scout for the army of the King, he has the ability to get into places others can’t. He is caring and kind to Elissa for reasons the readers don’t understand at first. He falls in love with Elissa, so there’s a bit of a love triangle going on between him and the Beast. The surprise about his character I saw coming, but I wonder if everyone will.
Plot
There are two main plots: Elissa’s attempts to get free and the rebellion against the King. The rebellion is a threat to Elissa’s family and home. They use wolves as their partners and terrorize local towns and villages as well. Eldric joins the King’s army to help fend off the soldiers, and Elissa worries often about him and her sisters. However, since she is imprisoned in the castle, she can’t do anything to help them. This drives her crazy, and she makes many attempts to be free. The tension between these two things was very clear, making even the “peaceful” times at the castle frustrating for Elissa. I liked how the author kept building up the tension between what was happening outside the castle and what was happening within Elissa’s heart as well. There was a ton of mystery to it that made it even more compelling.
Setting
The story centers around a cabin somewhere in the woods of Aslaria and a castle, hidden in that forest. The author doesn’t delve into deep detail about each of those settings, but offers enough that you can get the picture. She also explains how the castle seems never ending, with tons of secret passageways. There’s also a description of the library, which is just as epic as people would want from a Beauty and the Beast retelling. Even though not all of her descriptions are fleshed out, there was enough in the story to make sense, which is the most important thing.
Overall Rating 4 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this novella, but I felt like the romance wasn’t as well-developed as I would have liked. I couldn’t understand why the Beast or Elissa loved each other because their love felt more like friendship. And even though I am pretty conservative, the fact that the Beast never kissed Elissa, either on the hand or mouth is a bit weird. There was more romantic tension between Dachs and Elissa than Elissa and the Beast, which was sad! I get friendship romances (after all, friendships with one’s spouse are important!) but there’s got to be some physical interaction between them, right? Maybe I’ve read too many romance novels….
Content Notes: There’s nothing wrong with this book. For those scared of wolves or violence, they might not like it, but I can’t see why. It’s not that scary, but definitely tense. And as I mentioned above, there’s no physical interactions (beyond the one kiss on the hand).
October 3, 2017
[Shared some thoughts for this in my review for Burning Rose, here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...]
April 22, 2018
I picked up Rose of the Oath because I am a Beauty & The Beast fanatic and read every retelling I can get my hands on. Up to this point, there has only been 1-2 that I have really loved. This one is getting added to the top 3.
Things I loved:
Elissa has spirit/spunk and won't stop trying to escape.
The 'Beast' is unable to speak
The WOLVES
Mingling of the original tale with Disney elements
I was fascinated by the way the author wove religious elements throughout the tale, slowly but surely steeping the read in the hope of the Prince's coming. I don't think it's so much that it will scare off secular readers, but for myself as a Christian it was like finding Easter eggs of my faith sprinkled throughout.
As an overly romantic heart, I could have wished for a bit more on that front between Elissa and the beast, but I'm forgiving that perceived lack in light of the originality of this retelling.
Things I loved:
Elissa has spirit/spunk and won't stop trying to escape.
The 'Beast' is unable to speak
The WOLVES
Mingling of the original tale with Disney elements
I was fascinated by the way the author wove religious elements throughout the tale, slowly but surely steeping the read in the hope of the Prince's coming. I don't think it's so much that it will scare off secular readers, but for myself as a Christian it was like finding Easter eggs of my faith sprinkled throughout.
As an overly romantic heart, I could have wished for a bit more on that front between Elissa and the beast, but I'm forgiving that perceived lack in light of the originality of this retelling.
September 30, 2017
Rose of the oath introduces the world of Aslaria a land gripped in war between the king and a group of rebels who want to take control of the land. The strong character of Elissa is the charater witch carries this story for me.
You could find a silmilar character in Beauty and the Beast but Hope Ann maken the story her own with the war and some very strongh faith components. Elissa has lost faith in the king due to a tragedy revealed as the story progresses. Her soul focus is on keeping her family safe. The Beast seems determined to keep her locked up and al she can think of is getting away.
It took me by surprise how much action and suspence a novella could hold. I was bitting me nails worried About what was going to happen to Elisa and the Beast throughout the story.
You could find a silmilar character in Beauty and the Beast but Hope Ann maken the story her own with the war and some very strongh faith components. Elissa has lost faith in the king due to a tragedy revealed as the story progresses. Her soul focus is on keeping her family safe. The Beast seems determined to keep her locked up and al she can think of is getting away.
It took me by surprise how much action and suspence a novella could hold. I was bitting me nails worried About what was going to happen to Elisa and the Beast throughout the story.
March 15, 2018
A retelling of Beauty & The Beast, with enough of an original spin to be refreshing and enough of a tale-as-old-as-time side to satisfy purists. There is an allegorical backbone present, as well, and though I am not the biggest fan of allegory (outside of Narnia), I give the author credit for mostly pulling it off.
My expectations were not the highest, given that this ebook was 100% free on Amazon. But, as George Will once said, the nice thing about being a pessimist is you're constantly either being proven right, or pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the read, and was not in the least sorry to be proven wrong this time.
My expectations were not the highest, given that this ebook was 100% free on Amazon. But, as George Will once said, the nice thing about being a pessimist is you're constantly either being proven right, or pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the read, and was not in the least sorry to be proven wrong this time.
April 10, 2018
A very unique story. It went in a completely direction than I expected. I give the author props for creativity. But I also couldn't help feeling that it wasn't really a beauty and the beast retelling at moments, because it was so very different. I also struggled at moments to make sense of some of the history and how pieces fit together. For instance, I never understood how the rose ended up at her door, or why "the beast" had to keep a prisoner.
There were some awesome moments in this novella too, and images that have stuck in my mind. The concept of Adrian fighting off wolves every night was pretty moving.
Overall, an interesting story with lots of creativity.
There were some awesome moments in this novella too, and images that have stuck in my mind. The concept of Adrian fighting off wolves every night was pretty moving.
Overall, an interesting story with lots of creativity.
September 14, 2017
2.5
I know everyone really likes this, and I did enjoy it. But I really just wasn't feeling it. I wasn't really shipping or picking up chemistry between the two main characters either. The writing style was very pleasing, though, and the plot made sense, so it was well done.
I know everyone really likes this, and I did enjoy it. But I really just wasn't feeling it. I wasn't really shipping or picking up chemistry between the two main characters either. The writing style was very pleasing, though, and the plot made sense, so it was well done.
July 15, 2017
I love this book so much! :D I'm beaming by the end every time I reach the end. Great characters, and a simply beautiful retelling! This is my favorite all of Hope Ann's books. :)
February 17, 2019
Once upon a time...
4.5 Stars.
This retelling of Beauty and the Beast was so refreshing! In many ways it was different than most of the typical YA books of today where there's a female protagonist who can take on twenty men by herself with a hand tied behind her back. Elissa was a strong character but not unrealistically so, and I loved that about her. I loved the Beast and his design, the way they interacted with each other. I was constantly fascinated with both Elissa and Beast, it was almost like they were both the Beast in some ways. I enjoyed watching them grow and develop together and, in Elissa's case, singularly (there wasn't enough of the Beast in this book to see him grow singularly all that much, but his character grew and developed around Elissa's and I thought that was really interesting). The story was well told, well written, and creative. It was truly a wonderful experience.
I do think there were a few places where things could have been described better, which would have left out some confusion, and where things could be explained better, but other than that I really didn't have much of a problem with the book.
Also the villain's identity was pretty predictable to me, but that could just be me.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm so glad I read it (I'm also very happy that I stumbled across it accidentally or else I wouldn't know about it!), and I would recommend it to any and everyone who loves a good, clean, creative, and wholesome story!
You will not regret picking up this book! I hope you enjoy it like I did!
Happy reading!
4.5 Stars.
This retelling of Beauty and the Beast was so refreshing! In many ways it was different than most of the typical YA books of today where there's a female protagonist who can take on twenty men by herself with a hand tied behind her back. Elissa was a strong character but not unrealistically so, and I loved that about her. I loved the Beast and his design, the way they interacted with each other. I was constantly fascinated with both Elissa and Beast, it was almost like they were both the Beast in some ways. I enjoyed watching them grow and develop together and, in Elissa's case, singularly (there wasn't enough of the Beast in this book to see him grow singularly all that much, but his character grew and developed around Elissa's and I thought that was really interesting). The story was well told, well written, and creative. It was truly a wonderful experience.
I do think there were a few places where things could have been described better, which would have left out some confusion, and where things could be explained better, but other than that I really didn't have much of a problem with the book.
Also the villain's identity was pretty predictable to me, but that could just be me.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm so glad I read it (I'm also very happy that I stumbled across it accidentally or else I wouldn't know about it!), and I would recommend it to any and everyone who loves a good, clean, creative, and wholesome story!
You will not regret picking up this book! I hope you enjoy it like I did!
Happy reading!
October 3, 2017
I really loved this read. It was sweet and gripping and exciting all in one. The style of the writing really pulled me in, and I connected with the characters so well.
There were a few plot twists, though I did guess them before they happened.
The characters were really intriguing, and I particularly liked watching the development that both Elissa and the beast went through. It was honestly just really cool.
I highly recommend this—for ages 13+ probably.
There were a few plot twists, though I did guess them before they happened.
The characters were really intriguing, and I particularly liked watching the development that both Elissa and the beast went through. It was honestly just really cool.
I highly recommend this—for ages 13+ probably.
October 6, 2020
I rated this three stars at first, thinking that while I appreciated the unusual take on the story, I still found some details lacking, and others a bit overdone (does ANY brother/sister relationship really look like that in real life?). After a bit of thought, I realized I found the story satisfying anyway, enough to bump it up half a star or so. Not a favorite, but it did make for an enjoyable afternoon.
Hardly any content concerns, though just enough violence and injury that it might be upsetting to some very young readers, and there is also some tension of loyalties as well.
Hardly any content concerns, though just enough violence and injury that it might be upsetting to some very young readers, and there is also some tension of loyalties as well.
did-not-finish
October 2, 2023(Soft-ish) DNF for now because I got about halfway and was still very confused about what was going on. Looking at reviews of this book, it sounds like reading the prequel novella would have helped me understand what was happening. The writing style is pretty, but a little too much for my tastes which I don't think is helping.
Has potential, but it's not sucking me in like I wished it was. :(
Has potential, but it's not sucking me in like I wished it was. :(
June 12, 2017
Good, sweet allegory. This beauty and the beast retelling did have some interesting twists, however, some things were not always too clear. A bit more time on development would have been helpful, particularly on the romance. Like most batb retelling's i've read, the romance is underdeveloped and you really don't feel much between the main characters. It was a fun read though.
February 4, 2022
A simple and sweetly done retelling! I love the family closeness portrayed in this version
November 8, 2022
10/10!!! As soon as I started this, I couldn’t stop! I am a huge lover of Beauty and the Beast retellings, and this one is definitely one of my new favorites! 🥀
June 4, 2017
This book was REALLY good guys!!! :D I was not really expecting to like it this much! :) Just the feel of it, and the characters were amazing. It was very well written too. There is nothing I can think of that I didn't like. It was all just so good! Yeah, I finished it in like......Less than a day. :D There was action, adventure, and i wasn't bored at any point in the book. I would recommend it to ages 13-up, maybe 14-up. Just depending on what they can handle. There was some more dark-ish intense scenes, so yeah. Just stop reading my rambling and go read it!! :D
November 6, 2017
A striking and unusual retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The Biblical symbolism reigned supreme over other matters and that part was invigorating. The author’s voice is suspenseful and gripping. Where it fell a star short for me is with the romance. I suppose I was seeking more development with the relationship between Beauty (Elissa) and the Beast (Adrian), but that element seemed plugged in rather than possessing a natural flow. Honestly, there was more chemistry between Elissa and her brother Eldric. In fact, in the beginning of the novella I thought those two were in love before I learned Eldric was her brother rather than husband or betrothed. Also, while I deeply appreciated the author’s talent for highly descriptive phrases, sometimes the passages were a bit abstract and my mind had to work harder to grasp clarity. That is, I had to reread certain paragraphs to understand them as either literal or figurative. As an example, if fiery claws stabbed into the protagonist’s chest, I had to assess whether the wolves indeed clawed into her at that moment or she was reeling with intensely heartfelt emotion while surrounded by wolves. Beautiful and dynamic in how they were written, those descriptions, just abundant and slightly confusing at specific moments. But I cared enough to take the time to reread and understand those moments! So, overall, this allegorical rendition of a classic fairytale made for an excellent read.
January 22, 2018
Language, abuse, and lust ratings: all 5 stars!
I liked all of the Biblical allegories and references that I found sprinkled throughout the work. It really had me guessing what Adrian's role really was. Elissa's character arc was also splendidly done.
I liked all of the Biblical allegories and references that I found sprinkled throughout the work. It really had me guessing what Adrian's role really was. Elissa's character arc was also splendidly done.
September 26, 2020
This story felt very incomplete and I had a hard time following parts of it. I did not buy the romance and while there were unique aspects to this retelling, it needed more depth and connection of plot points.
Content:
Sexual: none
Violence: mild
Language: none
Content:
Sexual: none
Violence: mild
Language: none
June 19, 2017
With the enemy armies approaching and her brother Eldric not yet returned from his trading trip, Elissa leaves her younger sisters and following the pull of a magical rose, finds Eldric held captive by a strange man in a rose filled valley. Knowing that he is needed back home more then herself, she takes his place and as the days pass, finds that the stranger isn't as much of a beast as she once thought. Raging against the King whom she feels cares naught for her, Elissa is torn between her growing feelings for her host, with whom she has grown comfortable, and the young captain, Dachs, who brings her news and insists that the Beast really is a beast and cares nothing about her at all. Frustrated and confused, Elissa struggles to understand the strange events surrounding her and to find answers to her myriad of questions. Can Elissa renew her faith and find her courage before it's too late?
Elissa: I like Elissa. She is strong, determined, responsible and loving. She is also stubborn, bossy (in good way) and she has her share of flaws, but she is fiercely protective of those she loves. Hope Ann also does a good job of portraying in Elissa how someone with a painful past can reject God thinking he doesn't care.
Beast: I very much enjoy this version of the Beast. He isn't actually a beast, just a very shaggy man who wears a cloak made of wolf skins. He is smart, witty, charming (when he wants to be), occasionally growly, but always sorry afterwards and very sweet. Now, he is by no means your perfect Prince Charming, he has made a lot of mistakes in his life, oh boy! has he ever. But he learns from them and more importantly, he repented of his wrong doings and has been forgiven. He is an excellent example of how someone with a strong faith can weather the storms and come out stronger.
The Bad Guy: I can't say very much on this subject due to spoilers, but as I have said before, Hope Ann knows how to write baddies! I detest him!
Elissa's Siblings: Helene and Klara were adorable, but since we don't see very much of them, there isn't much to say about them. Eldric is great. I love his devotion, his determination and his protectiveness of his siblings.
This book doesn't have a very large cast of characters, which I don't mind, because there are less people to keep track of. It does have some very well woven threads. Also, though you don't have to read the short story prequel in order to enjoy and understand Rose of the Oath, some things will make more sense and you might be able to figure out plot lines more quickly if you do.
On the whole I think this is a very well done re-telling of a classic fairytale. I like how Hope Ann mixes fairytales and God's Word in a fresh and interesting way, that doesn't read like a sermon.
I would rate this a 4 out of 5 stars because I loved it, but I have read Beauty and the Beast re-tellings that I enjoyed more.
Warning: It does contain wolf attacks on humans, some of them little children, and other minor violence.
Also, the Beast and Beauty are alone in the castle (though absolutely nothing happens), there are no invisible or visible servants or servants transformed into magical household objects.
May 12, 2020
This novella-sized story really should have been upfront about being Christian fiction. Had I known that the religious elements were so pronounced, I would have skipped it. The King is basically God, and the Prince is Christ, and the Beast is along the lines of a saint with getting scripture passed down to him by God, that he writes at almost every chance that he gets. The religious aspects were fascinating how they were re-named and twined into a medieval fantasy. Problems with doing it that way, was that as a medieval fantasy, I wasn’t sure most of the time through on whether the king was supposed to be God, or an actual king who ruled over their land. The Prince really wasn’t fleshed out. They just referenced his coming so often during the book, and then he just popped up without any character description and saved the day. The largest issue of the book is actually the Beauty and the Beast retelling. Call me crazy, but I expected a romance. Thing is, the Beast does nothing to woo or even win over Beauty/Elissa. There really aren’t any feelings between the two of them, or even any getting to know each other as friend, so the marriage proposal feels totally out of the blue. In fact, when the brother just had to get the sister a rose, it felt rather incestuous. I did like Beast as a scarred man. He had a lot of humor to his dialogue and made quite a few mis-steps around Elissa making him more real of a character. And I liked the idea that Elissa was brave, could attempt to fight (and I liked that her fighting wasn’t the greatest), and loved her siblings. I especially loved her twin sisters. In the Beauty and the Beast story, the sisters are selfish, vain creatures. I loved that they, yes, wanted frivolous things, but then they were kids and adorable kids at that. The other large issue was that the scripture/lore in this was a confused mess that I really couldn’t make heads or tails of, and really wanted the Beast to just spell out the entirety of the scripture in plain English without trying to make it sound like old English. There were a lot of things that just weren’t answered (like why was picking a rose a reason to be cursed, why were so many of the characters in this long lived, why/how were wolves being controlled, how did Beast first get in contact with her brother, why was it critical to plan for Beauty to be in love with the Beast, had the forces always been under the control of the bad guy for the last 200-something years and why had it taken them this long to get around pillaging the nation?). Some of my answers are bound to be in the prequel, so word to the wise might be to read that first before embarking on this novella.
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