What do you think?
Rate this book
Fairytales of Folkshore #5
Beauty of Rosemead
Beauty and the Beast reimagined like never before! Full of magic, adventure and heart-aching romance, this fantastical finale to BEAST OF ROSEMEAD is for fans who loved A Court of Thorns and Roses!
A WILTING ROSE. A TREACHEROUS QUEST. AND A FATEFUL LEGACY.
She's done reading about heroes. Now she needs to become one herself.
With everyone she loves at the mercy of fairies, Bonnie risks everything to cross the forbidden forest at the end of her world to reach them. She arrives in Faerie with unforeseen company, intending to resume the quest to break Leander's curse.
The plan sounds simple enough: Cross every fairy court and bargain with the queen who cast the curse. But as their numbers dwindle, so do the petals of the rose counting down to Leander's doom, and that of everyone bound to him.
As they keep being dragged off course in the uncharted land of unpredictable magic and time, trials and revelations will test all bonds and unearth painful secrets, ones even her insatiable curiosity cannot withstand. But after all their struggles, will they reach the Spring Court in time? And what if Bonnie fails to negotiate with the queen?
How far will she go to save her beastly prince, before the last petal falls?
This is a full-length novel. Book 2 of 2 of the Rosemead duology.
With thousands of copies sold and millions of pages read, Fairytales of Folkshore is a series of interconnected fairytale retellings. The series continues with PRINCESS OF MIDNIGHT.
A WILTING ROSE. A TREACHEROUS QUEST. AND A FATEFUL LEGACY.
She's done reading about heroes. Now she needs to become one herself.
With everyone she loves at the mercy of fairies, Bonnie risks everything to cross the forbidden forest at the end of her world to reach them. She arrives in Faerie with unforeseen company, intending to resume the quest to break Leander's curse.
The plan sounds simple enough: Cross every fairy court and bargain with the queen who cast the curse. But as their numbers dwindle, so do the petals of the rose counting down to Leander's doom, and that of everyone bound to him.
As they keep being dragged off course in the uncharted land of unpredictable magic and time, trials and revelations will test all bonds and unearth painful secrets, ones even her insatiable curiosity cannot withstand. But after all their struggles, will they reach the Spring Court in time? And what if Bonnie fails to negotiate with the queen?
How far will she go to save her beastly prince, before the last petal falls?
This is a full-length novel. Book 2 of 2 of the Rosemead duology.
With thousands of copies sold and millions of pages read, Fairytales of Folkshore is a series of interconnected fairytale retellings. The series continues with PRINCESS OF MIDNIGHT.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2019
161 people are currently reading
516 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Tempest
14 books312 followersAs the spawn of Trekkie comic book nerds, the importance of storytelling is an integral part of my being. Spinning tales since I learned to speak, now my books can take others through my adventures and necessary escapism.
I live with one foot in Florida with my family and two spoiled cats, and the other firmly lodged in fantasy.
Follow me on Bookbub
Join my VIP mailing list by clicking HERE!
I live with one foot in Florida with my family and two spoiled cats, and the other firmly lodged in fantasy.
Follow me on Bookbub
Join my VIP mailing list by clicking HERE!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
September 25, 2019
It's comforting, knowing that no matter the stages life goes through, even if parts of it wither, if cared for and nurtured, it will bloom again.
Beauty of Rosemead is the stunning conclusion to Bonnibel Fairborn's duology tale within the Fairytales of Folkshore world. To those of you playing along at home, you would be aware that I am a huge fan of this world and all the magical tales within it. You can check out my five star review of Beast of Rosemead here. I'm going to make this review as spoiler free as I can, as I strongly encourage everyone to read these books. For the best experience, I would suggest starting at Thief of Cahraman with Ada's story.
We were left at a cliffhanger at the end of Beast of Rosemead of which we weren't too sure where we would end up after that. I started this book with accepting that any path is possible and I was incredibly curious as to which way Lucy Tempest would direct us down. Bonnie and Leander's blossoming love story in Beast of Rosemead was beautifully scripted and held all of the concerns, joys, insecurities and butterflies that a fairytale first love is said to have. I'm pleased to say that all of that magic was carried over into Beauty of Rosemead and developed even more holistically and heartwarming.
Bonnie learns a whole lot more than you might be expecting and the ramifications of this knowledge is felt throughout the entire book. Bonnie is a wonderful female character and displays strength in her kindness, embodying everything that you would think a fairytale role model should be.
It figured that the instant I finally took the leap into the unknown, I'd go from blind thirst for adventure to being crushed under breakers of doubt
One of the things that I love about the Fairytales of Folkshore is the way that all of the stories are interwoven and you are given hints as to what the next tales could possibly be. It's not done in an over the top way either, it's done in an organic way where you genuinely want to read more about these 'side' characters and are looking under every rock and leaf to try and figure it out for yourself. I have a few theories about potentials for the next few books, and I am excited to continue with this series to see if I am on the right path or if I'm lost in the brambles. Either way, it's sure to be a magical journey.
Beauty of Rosemead is the stunning conclusion to Bonnibel Fairborn's duology tale within the Fairytales of Folkshore world. To those of you playing along at home, you would be aware that I am a huge fan of this world and all the magical tales within it. You can check out my five star review of Beast of Rosemead here. I'm going to make this review as spoiler free as I can, as I strongly encourage everyone to read these books. For the best experience, I would suggest starting at Thief of Cahraman with Ada's story.
We were left at a cliffhanger at the end of Beast of Rosemead of which we weren't too sure where we would end up after that. I started this book with accepting that any path is possible and I was incredibly curious as to which way Lucy Tempest would direct us down. Bonnie and Leander's blossoming love story in Beast of Rosemead was beautifully scripted and held all of the concerns, joys, insecurities and butterflies that a fairytale first love is said to have. I'm pleased to say that all of that magic was carried over into Beauty of Rosemead and developed even more holistically and heartwarming.
Bonnie learns a whole lot more than you might be expecting and the ramifications of this knowledge is felt throughout the entire book. Bonnie is a wonderful female character and displays strength in her kindness, embodying everything that you would think a fairytale role model should be.
It figured that the instant I finally took the leap into the unknown, I'd go from blind thirst for adventure to being crushed under breakers of doubt
One of the things that I love about the Fairytales of Folkshore is the way that all of the stories are interwoven and you are given hints as to what the next tales could possibly be. It's not done in an over the top way either, it's done in an organic way where you genuinely want to read more about these 'side' characters and are looking under every rock and leaf to try and figure it out for yourself. I have a few theories about potentials for the next few books, and I am excited to continue with this series to see if I am on the right path or if I'm lost in the brambles. Either way, it's sure to be a magical journey.
September 27, 2019
This is the type of book that makes you lose sleep and not regret showing up to work bleary-eyed and exhausted the next day.
This book is book 5 in the series, but the second half of the Beauty and the Beast duology. These books retell fairy tales, but they are not afraid to take their own path. I had no idea what was going to happen next, even when I caught the glimpses and references to the original fairytale.
From Arebore to Faerie, this book is packed full of adventure and magic. I LOVED the whole section where they ended up traveling through the Faerie courts. So magical and so many questions answered, and yet still more stories and questions are left waiting to be explored.
I can't wait for the next books in this series! Elle's story sounds like it is going to be so exciting, and I've been waiting so impatiently for Fairuza's story, which is planned to be book 7. You better believe I'm going to rush out and buy those just as soon as they are available!
If you like twisty fairytales with plenty of magic, adventure, and humor, then these books are exactly what you're looking for!
This book is book 5 in the series, but the second half of the Beauty and the Beast duology. These books retell fairy tales, but they are not afraid to take their own path. I had no idea what was going to happen next, even when I caught the glimpses and references to the original fairytale.
From Arebore to Faerie, this book is packed full of adventure and magic. I LOVED the whole section where they ended up traveling through the Faerie courts. So magical and so many questions answered, and yet still more stories and questions are left waiting to be explored.
I can't wait for the next books in this series! Elle's story sounds like it is going to be so exciting, and I've been waiting so impatiently for Fairuza's story, which is planned to be book 7. You better believe I'm going to rush out and buy those just as soon as they are available!
If you like twisty fairytales with plenty of magic, adventure, and humor, then these books are exactly what you're looking for!
September 25, 2019
I received an ARC copy of the book for my honest review
Beauty of Rosemead is now one of my favorite retellings of beauty and the beast. The first book in the series beast of Rosemead held your more traditional story of the beauty and the beast and it ended rather abruptly. But beauty of Rosemead picks right up where you left off and takes you on a thrilling adventure in the fairy kingdom. They go through trials learn of her unknown past and find new friends. Lucy tempest has a way with her pen to rival the best of fairytale writers. I love this new twist and while I knew how it would end the middle was quite the speculation of what would happen next. Also if you have t read the thief of caharamen (her reverse Aladdin retelling) go pick up a copy and read it now!!
Beauty of Rosemead is now one of my favorite retellings of beauty and the beast. The first book in the series beast of Rosemead held your more traditional story of the beauty and the beast and it ended rather abruptly. But beauty of Rosemead picks right up where you left off and takes you on a thrilling adventure in the fairy kingdom. They go through trials learn of her unknown past and find new friends. Lucy tempest has a way with her pen to rival the best of fairytale writers. I love this new twist and while I knew how it would end the middle was quite the speculation of what would happen next. Also if you have t read the thief of caharamen (her reverse Aladdin retelling) go pick up a copy and read it now!!
February 12, 2022
I was quite excited to start this second book in the Beauty and the Beast duology set in Folkshore. Especially because it seemed like we had already done the entire original story and were now getting ready for entirely new and original territory. In the previous books we've heard quite a lot about the Fae realm and now it was finally time to get a true look at it. And after the reveal in the first book, I was sure we would learn a lot about Bonnie too.
For a short moment I was afraid that it would take our Beauty and Beast quite some time to find each other. And although I love those stories where lovers are desperate to find each, but always missing each other, I think in this case there was quite some relationship building left to do. I was therefore quite happy that they reunited soon and that loads of challenges were finally forcing those two to actually acknowledge and admit what they were feeling.
And just like expected this book also answered quite a lot of questions about Bonnie, her mother, her past and her heritage. I have to admit that all the information was a little overwhelming at times, especially because we all of a sudden had to remember a lot of names and that's not my strongest suit. I'm however quite sure that most of those characters will get more depth and story in future books and I can't wait to read their stories.
The true focus however was on our Beauty and the Beast. Especially the last 100 pages of the book they were clearly front and centre trying to figure out what they were doing wrong and why they couldn't break the curse. I was quite happy with how everything was resolved eventually and how the curse was broken. Promises and kisses are easy to give and fake, after all, but acts and deeds? Those can only truly come from the heart.
And now I want to know what's happening to Ella! I'm quite sure it will be an exciting story!
For a short moment I was afraid that it would take our Beauty and Beast quite some time to find each other. And although I love those stories where lovers are desperate to find each, but always missing each other, I think in this case there was quite some relationship building left to do. I was therefore quite happy that they reunited soon and that loads of challenges were finally forcing those two to actually acknowledge and admit what they were feeling.
And just like expected this book also answered quite a lot of questions about Bonnie, her mother, her past and her heritage. I have to admit that all the information was a little overwhelming at times, especially because we all of a sudden had to remember a lot of names and that's not my strongest suit. I'm however quite sure that most of those characters will get more depth and story in future books and I can't wait to read their stories.
The true focus however was on our Beauty and the Beast. Especially the last 100 pages of the book they were clearly front and centre trying to figure out what they were doing wrong and why they couldn't break the curse. I was quite happy with how everything was resolved eventually and how the curse was broken. Promises and kisses are easy to give and fake, after all, but acts and deeds? Those can only truly come from the heart.
And now I want to know what's happening to Ella! I'm quite sure it will be an exciting story!
April 17, 2020
Good read! I was honestly wishing I could follow Ornella.
January 3, 2021
In Beauty of Rosemead, Lucy Tempest takes the "Beauty and the Beast" story she followed faithfully in the previous book, and throws it out the window, as beauty Bonnie and beast Leander (along with their friends and her father) go on a quest to the fairy realm to have Leander's curse lifted. It's fun, inventive, and clever. Plus, making Leander the brother of future Sleeping Beauty Fairuza adds depth to the story line (especially . This is one of the best retold fairy tales.
September 22, 2019
I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this book and I couldn't wait to get started on it, which ended with me reading the whole thing in one sitting.
The last book left off close to the ending of the original fairy tale, but with the promise of taking the retelling out of this world. The quest to find a way to break the curse starts off with our heroine reunited with her father and a daring rescue before they go in search of her beast.
Through the course of the book it will have our main characters discovering new things about themselves, and having old secrets surface adds to making their journey and their relations quite the challenge.
I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author collected the loose threads left hanging from the last book and skillfully wove them into a tale worth reading over again, the way I'd always come back to reading the original.
Will the curse be lifted or will the book end some other way? You'll have to read the book to find out as I don't want to give you too many spoilers.
-Elle
The last book left off close to the ending of the original fairy tale, but with the promise of taking the retelling out of this world. The quest to find a way to break the curse starts off with our heroine reunited with her father and a daring rescue before they go in search of her beast.
Through the course of the book it will have our main characters discovering new things about themselves, and having old secrets surface adds to making their journey and their relations quite the challenge.
I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author collected the loose threads left hanging from the last book and skillfully wove them into a tale worth reading over again, the way I'd always come back to reading the original.
Will the curse be lifted or will the book end some other way? You'll have to read the book to find out as I don't want to give you too many spoilers.
-Elle
September 24, 2019
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I loves the first trilogy, and was super excited to read Beast of Rosemead as that’s my favorite fairy tale. I must have missed that this was a duology, so I was a bit disappointed to have to wait for the conclusion. However, this book was totally worth the wait! I very much enjoyed the trip into faerie and getting lots of my questions answered about Bonnie. I also loved that Ella was a more main character in this story. Personally, I love it when stories overlap/intertwine like that! I don’t want to give away any surprises, but everything does end happily ever after! I definitely recommend this whole series to anyone who loves fairy tale retellings as the author does a wonderful job both keeping enough true to the original tale and introducing enough magic, other characters, and situations that it becomes a whole new and fresh take on these stories!
September 24, 2019
Creative addition to Beauty and the Beast
I love Lucy Tempest’s creativity in this story. In the traditional telling of Beauty and the Beast, there is no time between the castle being attacked and the beast being saved. This book is 100% in that gap, so I had no idea what was going to happen. It was so fun to read!
The author has done and excellent job pulling you into a magical kingdom with a lot of detail. I particularly enjoyed the fairy land and the descriptions of the seasons. I also was so intrigued by the answers we get about Bonnie and her family.
This book is action packed. There is less internal character development and more action that is building on the personalities that were established in the first book.
There are quite a few teasers for potential future stories- I can’t wait!
I love Lucy Tempest’s creativity in this story. In the traditional telling of Beauty and the Beast, there is no time between the castle being attacked and the beast being saved. This book is 100% in that gap, so I had no idea what was going to happen. It was so fun to read!
The author has done and excellent job pulling you into a magical kingdom with a lot of detail. I particularly enjoyed the fairy land and the descriptions of the seasons. I also was so intrigued by the answers we get about Bonnie and her family.
This book is action packed. There is less internal character development and more action that is building on the personalities that were established in the first book.
There are quite a few teasers for potential future stories- I can’t wait!
September 30, 2019
I was absolutely dying with curiosity after the end of the Beast of Rosemead so I was soooo excited when this came out! Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! What a stunning conclusion to Bonnie and Leander’s story! Their love story was beautiful and inspiring. I immensely enjoyed seeing their journey of understanding what true love actually is and learning to try to understand the motives of others rather than just writing them off as a bad guy and blaming all of your problems on them.
For anyone wondering, these books are all clean and family friendly.
For anyone wondering, these books are all clean and family friendly.
September 26, 2019
Gripping, in the sense that I was not able to put it down. Stayed up way too late to finish from about halfway through to the end!
I love how the author weaves everything in her worlds together very well, without an obvious plug for a future book. Instead, it's more like 'yes, there will be another story here, but now I MUST wait anxiously for it!'
And, with all sorts of subtle hints about places, events, and other characters, there is also a lot of re-readability to her books.
Excellent!
I love how the author weaves everything in her worlds together very well, without an obvious plug for a future book. Instead, it's more like 'yes, there will be another story here, but now I MUST wait anxiously for it!'
And, with all sorts of subtle hints about places, events, and other characters, there is also a lot of re-readability to her books.
Excellent!
September 22, 2019
Once again, I am in awe of Lucy Tempest's storytelling. Any preconceived ideas I had about where the plot was going flew out the window two pages in. This richly imagined world was a delight to explore. The characters were easy to love with their depth and distinct personalities. I cannot wait for the next book!
October 19, 2019
To make a long story short, the book droned on and on to the point it went from I story I really enjoyed to a story I could not wait to get to the end of, way to much rambling and inconsistent behavior and useless pages. Loved the ending but it was painful for me as a reader to get there, should have been 1 book
September 30, 2019
Thrilling
I loved reading the conclusion of this two part Beauty and the Beast retelling. Bonnie and Leander's story was beautiful and thrilling. I can't wait to see what happens in the other stories in this world.
I loved reading the conclusion of this two part Beauty and the Beast retelling. Bonnie and Leander's story was beautiful and thrilling. I can't wait to see what happens in the other stories in this world.
October 4, 2019
I’m in love with this world Lucy Tempest has created <3
The book starts where the last one ended, old secrets comes out, the characters learn new things about themselves, and the questions from the last book gets answered.
It’s a must read for fans of fairytale retellings!
The book starts where the last one ended, old secrets comes out, the characters learn new things about themselves, and the questions from the last book gets answered.
It’s a must read for fans of fairytale retellings!
September 26, 2019
I live the whole lot
This story never takes the path I think it will but always ends where I hope. I adore her ability to weave other (future) stories in, wheting our appetite.
This story never takes the path I think it will but always ends where I hope. I adore her ability to weave other (future) stories in, wheting our appetite.
October 6, 2019
Amazing
The way she has written this book makes you want to keep reading. The story line is incredible! The love and adventure is one of the best I've ever read!
The way she has written this book makes you want to keep reading. The story line is incredible! The love and adventure is one of the best I've ever read!
September 28, 2020
I don't know what it is about the Fairytales of Folkshore series that makes me rush out and buy the next one immediately, especially since I shouldn't be buying any more ebooks of them because I'm putting hard copies of all of them on my Christmas list anyway. But there's just something about the way Lucy Tempest hooks you from book to book and character to character that makes this series impossible not to read all the way through.
I loved the secrets that were revealed in this installment. Similar to Queen of Cahraman, many things about Bonnie's past are revealed, and though some of them are what I expected, others strayed far from my predictions.
Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my favorites, and the iterations I've read always have intriguing twists. I also love the idea of the two sides of Folkshore, which are explored together more in this novel than any of the previous ones I've read in the series.
I'm super excited that we got to know Ornella better in this story as well; I was honestly wondering how she would make her appearance in Folkshore for her novel, the sixth installment in the series. I did not expect that she, too, would have a connection to Faerie and the Folkshore. From the little we saw of her in this novel before the incident that I'm sure begins her novel, I resonate with her a lot, especially in her awe at finding a group of people who want to spend time with her, for her and not anything she can give.
I loved this, it was a rollercoaster of emotions, and honestly I was worried up until the end that the characters would not meet the happy ending I know I can expect and love in retellings. Another beautifully written installment! I'm so excited to get to Princess of Midnight: A Retelling of Cinderella, probably sometime in October.
I loved the secrets that were revealed in this installment. Similar to Queen of Cahraman, many things about Bonnie's past are revealed, and though some of them are what I expected, others strayed far from my predictions.
Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my favorites, and the iterations I've read always have intriguing twists. I also love the idea of the two sides of Folkshore, which are explored together more in this novel than any of the previous ones I've read in the series.
I'm super excited that we got to know Ornella better in this story as well; I was honestly wondering how she would make her appearance in Folkshore for her novel, the sixth installment in the series. I did not expect that she, too, would have a connection to Faerie and the Folkshore. From the little we saw of her in this novel before the incident that I'm sure begins her novel, I resonate with her a lot, especially in her awe at finding a group of people who want to spend time with her, for her and not anything she can give.
I loved this, it was a rollercoaster of emotions, and honestly I was worried up until the end that the characters would not meet the happy ending I know I can expect and love in retellings. Another beautifully written installment! I'm so excited to get to Princess of Midnight: A Retelling of Cinderella, probably sometime in October.
March 28, 2024
I didn't know what to expect out of this book. Usually fairy tale retelling follow the same lines as the original. I'm so happy with how this book played out! First off, Bonnie is just amazing! I love her strength and cunning. As well as her softer side. She is vicious for those she loves! I love how the story deviated from the original tale. As well as how they went from Arbore to faerie. Adding the fey into it was perfection!! I love how it mixed. Leander grew so much. Actually, both Bonnie and Leander did. They discovered new things about themselves, the past, and made new friends. I really loved the ending. The party and Bonnie finding her family. Everyone happy and together. I love the mix of the other fairy tales too and I hope I get their stories too.
October 30, 2021
The more I read of Lucy Tempest the more I like.. Her characters have great character development and personalities. She weaves a great tale in a classic fairytale with adventure, friendship, romance, magic, and more. Bonus it is a clean read!
October 4, 2021
This book has left me in a quandary. I feel overjoyed and extremely happy after experiencing Bonnie and Leander's story. But I am left wanting - needing - more. I have become so connected with all of the characters in this and there are certain scenes that I want to be a part of.
I am so excited to be able to follow another characters story. But I desperately want to know what happens next with Fairuza. I am determined to read this series in the correct series order so I will have to read Ella's story first. And I will be perfectly satisfied once I get reading it because I know that Lucy Tempest will draw me in just as she has done with her previous books.
I have continually been impressed throughout this whole series by the depth of all the characters from villain to maid. We are able to get to know all of them better and understand motivations and emotions. I am so excited to meet even more in Ella's story.
I am going to be reading the next book in this series immediately and I could definitely see myself rereading this series in the future.
Romance content: Super sweet. Sweet kisses and hugs.
I am so excited to be able to follow another characters story. But I desperately want to know what happens next with Fairuza. I am determined to read this series in the correct series order so I will have to read Ella's story first. And I will be perfectly satisfied once I get reading it because I know that Lucy Tempest will draw me in just as she has done with her previous books.
I have continually been impressed throughout this whole series by the depth of all the characters from villain to maid. We are able to get to know all of them better and understand motivations and emotions. I am so excited to meet even more in Ella's story.
I am going to be reading the next book in this series immediately and I could definitely see myself rereading this series in the future.
Romance content: Super sweet. Sweet kisses and hugs.
October 7, 2019
AMAZING conclusion to the perfect Beauty and the Beast retelling!
I can't believe how absolutely entertaining and engrossing this series is. Nothing goes as I expect but exactly as I hope for in terms of stellar writing, character development, romance, world building and story. This conclusion to Bonnie's and Leander's duology is so satisfying and surprising, for once in a retelling of the beloved tale taking a totally different path to the curse resolution and a very deep and poignant examination of true love.
Thank you Lucy Tempest for turning all those age-old fairytales on their ear and producing those memorable and addictive tales I'll re-read constantly to savor even more of their endless nuances.
I can't believe how absolutely entertaining and engrossing this series is. Nothing goes as I expect but exactly as I hope for in terms of stellar writing, character development, romance, world building and story. This conclusion to Bonnie's and Leander's duology is so satisfying and surprising, for once in a retelling of the beloved tale taking a totally different path to the curse resolution and a very deep and poignant examination of true love.
Thank you Lucy Tempest for turning all those age-old fairytales on their ear and producing those memorable and addictive tales I'll re-read constantly to savor even more of their endless nuances.
September 24, 2019
I love a book that you can get lost in! This was a story that I just couldn't put down. It stared off right where Beast of Rosemead ended. It started off with adventure and just kept going until the end. You get to see old characters from the series and get to know fun new characters. The world building is great and it's so fun to "see" the faery world. This book is a perfect combination of action packed adventure, humor, magic, and sweet clean romance! I can't wait to read more in the series!
December 22, 2019
It's been a while since I read Beast of Rosemead by Lucy Tempest. By the time I got around to its sequel, Beauty of Rosemead, I remembered very little except that the first book was very similar to the Disney adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast." Thankfully, Beauty of Rosemead had more than enough exposition to refresh my memory. As the fifth book in the Fairy Tales of Folkshore series and conclusion of Bonibel's story, I found it pretty enjoyable for what it was. I liked that Lucy shortened this story to two books since the Thief of Cahraman trilogy, her gender-swapped retelling of "Aladdin," ran a little too long with three books to tell a single story filled with exposition. She continues to shrink her garrulity with Princess of Midnight, the next book in the series, which is going to be a single standalone book. Beauty of Rosemead contained some of the same unnecessary exposition as the Thief of Cahraman and put too much focus on the eastern storytelling trope that children must take on responsibility for their parents' past mistakes when they come of age, but I liked it better than the Cahraman books overall.
Beauty of Rosemead picks up right where Beast of Rosemead left off with Leander pushing Bonnie into a portal that would take her back to her home village for her own protection. Of course, Bonnie wasn't the type to sit around and wait while her loved ones were in trouble, so she chased right after Leander alongside her father and her friend Ella (who the next book will be about). The biggest overarching theme of Beauty of Rosemead is that sheltering someone under the guise of wanting to protect them will only result in resentment later on. Everyone in Bonnie's life treats her like a damsel in distress when in reality, she is the only one who can decide what sort of princess she wants to be. When she learns the truth about her past, it has a negative impact on every aspect of her life. Not only was she angry with her parents for hiding it from her, but Leander also assumed that she was intentionally hiding her true self from him as well, creating another obstacle in proving her love for him to turn him and his servants back into humans.
It was a little hard for me to keep track of all the characters in this book. Even though Bonnie and Leander as the main couple, there were also Leander's servants from the previous book, Ada and the other characters from the Thief of Cahraman trilogy, and all the fairy people Bonnie meets when she crosses over into the magical land of Faerie. There were a lot of details about Bonnie's family history that I found I simply wasn't that interested. I cared more about her current relationship with Leander than learning all the mistakes her parents made prior to her birth. Even though Lucy Tempest is an American writer, her books have themes that more common in Asian stories such as Dyesebel or Ashes of Love in which the main couple learns that the actions of their parents had a major impact on how they met and fell in love. This was just as pertinent in Beauty of Rosemead as it was in the Thief of Cahraman trilogy except that here it was more related to Leander's curse to become a beast than to how Bonnie fell in love with him. I would have liked to see this book go in a different direction. It would irk me if every adaptation in the Fairy Tales of Folkshore series is really about the protagonists' parents.
Unlike other "Beauty and the Beast" adaptations I've read in the past, this one was more about self-discovery than it was about romance. I didn't buy that Bonnie and Leander were this epic couple whose love was so powerful that it could overcome any curse, especially when the terms of Leander's curse were so vague that Bonnie wasn't even certain if she was the one who broke it at the end. I appreciated that most of the book was an original fantasy story and that Bonnie is a unique version of the "Beauty" character instead of another cookie-cutter bookworm. The ending was virtually identical to the Disney movie and felt as though Lucy was afraid to take the story her own direction for the big finale. I would have preferred for Bonnie to restore Leander's true form in a way that was specific to her character and more active than a mere a promise about their future. Though the book contains a detailed world with a map and a family tree of all the characters in the series, it still felt like something was missing when it came to the story.
Beauty of Rosemead is an adequate conclusion to Beast of Rosemead. It did an excellent job of building a rich world with a detailed history. I liked the themes of independence and self-discovery, but I wish that Bonnie and Leander were a stronger couple considering that the story theirs is inspired by what is considered one of the greatest love stories of all time. Though I had fun discovering Bonnie's past at first, the details became a little too heavy-handed after a while. The writing in this book was an improvement over the Thief of Caharaman trilogy. I hope that the future iterations of Fairy Tales of Folkshore will continue to improve. If you are a fan of the "Beauty and the Beast" fairy tale, I think it would be worth at least checking out Beast of Rosemead and continuing with Beauty of Rosemead if you enjoy it.
Beauty of Rosemead picks up right where Beast of Rosemead left off with Leander pushing Bonnie into a portal that would take her back to her home village for her own protection. Of course, Bonnie wasn't the type to sit around and wait while her loved ones were in trouble, so she chased right after Leander alongside her father and her friend Ella (who the next book will be about). The biggest overarching theme of Beauty of Rosemead is that sheltering someone under the guise of wanting to protect them will only result in resentment later on. Everyone in Bonnie's life treats her like a damsel in distress when in reality, she is the only one who can decide what sort of princess she wants to be. When she learns the truth about her past, it has a negative impact on every aspect of her life. Not only was she angry with her parents for hiding it from her, but Leander also assumed that she was intentionally hiding her true self from him as well, creating another obstacle in proving her love for him to turn him and his servants back into humans.
It was a little hard for me to keep track of all the characters in this book. Even though Bonnie and Leander as the main couple, there were also Leander's servants from the previous book, Ada and the other characters from the Thief of Cahraman trilogy, and all the fairy people Bonnie meets when she crosses over into the magical land of Faerie. There were a lot of details about Bonnie's family history that I found I simply wasn't that interested. I cared more about her current relationship with Leander than learning all the mistakes her parents made prior to her birth. Even though Lucy Tempest is an American writer, her books have themes that more common in Asian stories such as Dyesebel or Ashes of Love in which the main couple learns that the actions of their parents had a major impact on how they met and fell in love. This was just as pertinent in Beauty of Rosemead as it was in the Thief of Cahraman trilogy except that here it was more related to Leander's curse to become a beast than to how Bonnie fell in love with him. I would have liked to see this book go in a different direction. It would irk me if every adaptation in the Fairy Tales of Folkshore series is really about the protagonists' parents.
Unlike other "Beauty and the Beast" adaptations I've read in the past, this one was more about self-discovery than it was about romance. I didn't buy that Bonnie and Leander were this epic couple whose love was so powerful that it could overcome any curse, especially when the terms of Leander's curse were so vague that Bonnie wasn't even certain if she was the one who broke it at the end. I appreciated that most of the book was an original fantasy story and that Bonnie is a unique version of the "Beauty" character instead of another cookie-cutter bookworm. The ending was virtually identical to the Disney movie and felt as though Lucy was afraid to take the story her own direction for the big finale. I would have preferred for Bonnie to restore Leander's true form in a way that was specific to her character and more active than a mere a promise about their future. Though the book contains a detailed world with a map and a family tree of all the characters in the series, it still felt like something was missing when it came to the story.
Beauty of Rosemead is an adequate conclusion to Beast of Rosemead. It did an excellent job of building a rich world with a detailed history. I liked the themes of independence and self-discovery, but I wish that Bonnie and Leander were a stronger couple considering that the story theirs is inspired by what is considered one of the greatest love stories of all time. Though I had fun discovering Bonnie's past at first, the details became a little too heavy-handed after a while. The writing in this book was an improvement over the Thief of Caharaman trilogy. I hope that the future iterations of Fairy Tales of Folkshore will continue to improve. If you are a fan of the "Beauty and the Beast" fairy tale, I think it would be worth at least checking out Beast of Rosemead and continuing with Beauty of Rosemead if you enjoy it.
January 24, 2020
I can’t believe that I have finally reached the end of Bonnie’s books, I mean it has only been two books, but still. :) This was such a great conclusion to Bonnie’s books! This is the fifth book written by Lucy Tempest, and the second book in Bonnie’s collection of books. Beauty of Rosemead has everything you could look for in a book - lovable characters, action, and a great romance.
Bonnie has found herself in yet another adventure, and it has not gone quite the way she thought. She thought that she was going to go help Leander find a way to end his curse. But instead Leander has sent her and she has to find her way back to Faire. So now Bonnie has to find her way into Faire and try to help Leander end his curse. But things never go quite as planned.
Leander just wants his curse to be over. He just wants to protect those he cares about. But as he goes on this journey, he comes to see that often things do not go his way. He will have to learn how to trust others.
It was so cool to see Bonnie come to understand what love means. And what it means to love Leander and to help him as he tries to break his curse. You also see Leander learn how to let Bonnie in, and that he can’t do things on his own. He learns that sometimes you have to ask for help. They really grew from the first book to this one and they balanced each other perfectly. He was more stable, while she had a huge imagination.
This was a great book, even better than the first book. I loved that she has made a second book for Bonnie, because you already know the characters. I adored Clancy and Jessamine's relationship, it got even cuter in this book. But it was also neat to see new characters come onto the scene. The characters were so cool, and made me laugh.
This was a delightful book! I totally recommend it, 5 stars! I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the next books to come out. Great job, Lucy Tempest!
Bonnie has found herself in yet another adventure, and it has not gone quite the way she thought. She thought that she was going to go help Leander find a way to end his curse. But instead Leander has sent her and she has to find her way back to Faire. So now Bonnie has to find her way into Faire and try to help Leander end his curse. But things never go quite as planned.
Leander just wants his curse to be over. He just wants to protect those he cares about. But as he goes on this journey, he comes to see that often things do not go his way. He will have to learn how to trust others.
It was so cool to see Bonnie come to understand what love means. And what it means to love Leander and to help him as he tries to break his curse. You also see Leander learn how to let Bonnie in, and that he can’t do things on his own. He learns that sometimes you have to ask for help. They really grew from the first book to this one and they balanced each other perfectly. He was more stable, while she had a huge imagination.
This was a great book, even better than the first book. I loved that she has made a second book for Bonnie, because you already know the characters. I adored Clancy and Jessamine's relationship, it got even cuter in this book. But it was also neat to see new characters come onto the scene. The characters were so cool, and made me laugh.
This was a delightful book! I totally recommend it, 5 stars! I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the next books to come out. Great job, Lucy Tempest!
December 1, 2019
Finally finished reading Beauty of Rosemead!
Book 5 of the Fairytales of Folkshore series (and book 2 of the Rosemead Duology), the story picks up after the events that happened in Beast of Rosemead, with the main character Bonnie Fairborn trying to break the curse of Prince Leander of Rosemead. Unlike the other Beauty and the Beast retellings, this book offers so much more than just a girl breaking a curse for the beast to turn into a prince again. Lucy Tempest took a fairytale we all know and love and add depth to create a beautiful and magical retelling of Beauty and the Beast. She also weaves other legends, fairytales, and myths to the story to give you a new twist on a tale that is old as time.
Overall, I love this book so much! I love the vivid details that Lucy Tempest create: from the world-building, the adventures, the swoon worthy romance (I love the romance and the banter between Bonnie and Leander;), the characters (I love Keenan and Miss Etheline…hoping to see more of them in the future). I love that we also got a chance to learn more about Ella and looking forward to her story next: The Princess of Midnight, a Cinderella Retelling!
This is a must read if you enjoy Fairytale retellings, Beauty and the Beast retellings, or anything by A.G. Marshall, K.M. Shea, Melanie Cellier, Camille Peters, and J.M.Stengl.
Also read books 1-3 of the Fairytales of Folkshore: The Cahraman Trilogy by Lucy Tempest and Beast of Rosemead book 1 of the Rosemead Duology.
Book 5 of the Fairytales of Folkshore series (and book 2 of the Rosemead Duology), the story picks up after the events that happened in Beast of Rosemead, with the main character Bonnie Fairborn trying to break the curse of Prince Leander of Rosemead. Unlike the other Beauty and the Beast retellings, this book offers so much more than just a girl breaking a curse for the beast to turn into a prince again. Lucy Tempest took a fairytale we all know and love and add depth to create a beautiful and magical retelling of Beauty and the Beast. She also weaves other legends, fairytales, and myths to the story to give you a new twist on a tale that is old as time.
Overall, I love this book so much! I love the vivid details that Lucy Tempest create: from the world-building, the adventures, the swoon worthy romance (I love the romance and the banter between Bonnie and Leander;), the characters (I love Keenan and Miss Etheline…hoping to see more of them in the future). I love that we also got a chance to learn more about Ella and looking forward to her story next: The Princess of Midnight, a Cinderella Retelling!
This is a must read if you enjoy Fairytale retellings, Beauty and the Beast retellings, or anything by A.G. Marshall, K.M. Shea, Melanie Cellier, Camille Peters, and J.M.Stengl.
Also read books 1-3 of the Fairytales of Folkshore: The Cahraman Trilogy by Lucy Tempest and Beast of Rosemead book 1 of the Rosemead Duology.
December 8, 2019
I teared up in a few places. This was a really well done book. I enjoyed Bonnie and Leander's interactions and their journey through Faerie and everything. What a lovely story that really does a great job at retelling Beauty and the Beast without being another reiteration of the many other retellings there are.
There's not a whole lot to comment on with this because I was really satisfied. If I had to think of anything to say wasn't the best, I suppose I'd have to say that maybe I was expecting a few things to not go so smoothly or take more time to resolve, but it ultimately didn't impact my enjoyment.
I give full recommendations to this entire series so far. Ada's trilogy and Bonnie's duology were both fantastic reads.
I also want to mention that, unlike a lot of other series that try to introduce plots to be explored in other books, this one does so without it overshadowing or detracting from the story at hand. Ella's inclusion was worked in very well; it never felt like suddenly the story had divulged, but rather that hers had naturally crossed and converged with it on its own journey. It has me excited for Princess of Midnight: A Retelling of Cinderella and for the series as a whole to continue exploring more characters' stories.
There's not a whole lot to comment on with this because I was really satisfied. If I had to think of anything to say wasn't the best, I suppose I'd have to say that maybe I was expecting a few things to not go so smoothly or take more time to resolve, but it ultimately didn't impact my enjoyment.
I give full recommendations to this entire series so far. Ada's trilogy and Bonnie's duology were both fantastic reads.
I also want to mention that, unlike a lot of other series that try to introduce plots to be explored in other books, this one does so without it overshadowing or detracting from the story at hand. Ella's inclusion was worked in very well; it never felt like suddenly the story had divulged, but rather that hers had naturally crossed and converged with it on its own journey. It has me excited for Princess of Midnight: A Retelling of Cinderella and for the series as a whole to continue exploring more characters' stories.
May 30, 2020
I want this to never end.... the book took by breathe away.... the feels are indescribable... I love it unbelievably much!! I am in complete awe...
Bonnie and Leander... this love....
Bonnie is now more determined than ever to break the curse, she is resilient, braver and incredible
Leander stole my heart again, his character is remarkable, his love for bonnie is sooo romantic. I love them soo much
Inportant events:
-bonnie is back home and goes to her home where she finds HER FATHER!! he was send back. They save Ella from her stepfamily WHO ARE FAIRY CREATURES!! they escape in the nick of time
-her father lead them to Nexia and through faery. They got attacked by faeries who abduct Bonnie. She is locked up in prison with Leander, SHE SLAPS HIM!!
-the bicker and Clany tells what happend. They too were ambducted. The Abducter in question is Alan. Ella and father are thrown too. Funny scene with ella.
-father tells them that he and bonnie's uncle have visited Faery before!!
-Alan 'releases' them only to find themself IN THE FAERY Equinox games!!
-they have to survive the trials of summer, autumn and Winter to win a magical gift from the spring queen (asksing her to lift the curse!!)
-summer trial: water, drowning, sea creature, Leander saves them - WATER REVEALED BONNIE'S TRUE FEATURES, SHE IS A FAERY!!
-Autumn: giant centaur creature talks in the voice of loved ones to lure them to their doom!! In this case Bonnie, she can leap (faery trait) still saved by Jessamine!!
-winter trial: mirages of loved ones (ada, fairazu, mother) only to freeze their victums to death!! Ella slams the poker in her 'mother' bonnie wakes up and saves the crew
-father tells bonnie her mother was a fairy!!
-friendship between ella, jessamine grows, cute scenes
-they recieve the 'gift' of the queen: 2 magic mirrors
-Alan takes them to Autumn Court. He is the prince of Autumn real name Keenan, and bonnie's cousin!! So that means her aunt is the Queen of Autumn Rowena and her husband is her uncle Ossian who have little children who are her cousins! WHICH MAKES HER MOTHER A PRINCESS AND BONNIE A PRINCESS!! Father fell in love with mother fairy princess of autumn
-ballroom scene: ICONIC AND ROMANTIC, - Clany proposes to Jessamine!! Endearing!! - leander almost tells bonnie he loves her only to disappear... for she hadn't anything to confess which makes him devastated.
-bonnie, Alan and Ella go after him to the Wintercourt. Dangerious quest, stepfamily attacks, ella and Keenan separate themselves from Bonnie- Bonnie finds leander with the king of Winter court Yulian - Heated and emotional argument, results in declaration of Leander's love !!! So emotionally romantic
-leander and Bonnie resume their Quest while Ella and Keenan go their own way.
-LOVELY ROMANTIC, EMOTIONAL, BEAUTIFUL SCENE (northerlight) they are engaged!!!!
-arrive in the Spring court, Hedge maze (meanwhile the almost all pettles have fallen, alnost fully beast) they are trapped which means: the spring queen planned for the beast to fully transform AND DEVOUR BONNIE!!!
-bonnie risks her life for their escape. -meet Spring Queen, SHE IS MISS ETHERLINE (of bonnie's local tavern!!)
-etherline's story: she and Leander's father met at the border and fell in love, were engaged, but his father refused to let them. He instead married Leander's mother without telling or explaining to her... also, they were to have an alliance between Arbore and Faery and their offspring to be heirs. As compromise she was to be married with Leander's vicious uncle, she declined and wanted to marry Leander instead and for Fairuza her nephew. Mother Leander taunted her with not inviting her and threatening her to kill her. Hence the curse...
-revalation bonnie's mother: Bailada, was engaged to Yulian King winter, but she broke it off for father bonnie, to break a promise they were both punished, her to wither like Autumn leaves and he to slowly die of turing into ice sculpture. Bonnie was to be engaged to him, but her mother glamoured her in the human world so she wouldn't he found
-etheline can't break the curse because she says it's to late so its all for nothing... - they protal back to Rosemead castle. The treeroses: 2 roses remained when they left and the took 1, during their quest the 2 withered in rosemead while the one in the glass withered slowly in faery....
- THE MOST EMOTIONAL HEARTBREAKING DEVASTING SCENE!! The roses are all withered... time is up.... no words left, leander is now fully beast and dying, so are all the other creatures... Soooo emotional, bonnie gives everything up to be with him, tells him she loves him in the most beautiful emotional way...
-the roses envelop Leander and transform him back to human!! LOVE CONQUERS ALL!!
-epilogue: they are all back home in Rosemead, jssamine and Clancy have married officially in Rosemead, Etheline tells Bonnie that her love specifically for him broke the curse, though she loved him, her act of giving up everythung for him was the break through. She tells her, she hopes to find her own love and that her job isn't done...
-leander gives Bonnie the letter from Ada which is an invitation for the wedding!!!! Bonnie and Leander will marry when fairuza is saved (sleeping beauty book)
I love it i love it i love it
Bonnie and Leander... this love....
Bonnie is now more determined than ever to break the curse, she is resilient, braver and incredible
Leander stole my heart again, his character is remarkable, his love for bonnie is sooo romantic. I love them soo much
Inportant events:
-bonnie is back home and goes to her home where she finds HER FATHER!! he was send back. They save Ella from her stepfamily WHO ARE FAIRY CREATURES!! they escape in the nick of time
-her father lead them to Nexia and through faery. They got attacked by faeries who abduct Bonnie. She is locked up in prison with Leander, SHE SLAPS HIM!!
-the bicker and Clany tells what happend. They too were ambducted. The Abducter in question is Alan. Ella and father are thrown too. Funny scene with ella.
-father tells them that he and bonnie's uncle have visited Faery before!!
-Alan 'releases' them only to find themself IN THE FAERY Equinox games!!
-they have to survive the trials of summer, autumn and Winter to win a magical gift from the spring queen (asksing her to lift the curse!!)
-summer trial: water, drowning, sea creature, Leander saves them - WATER REVEALED BONNIE'S TRUE FEATURES, SHE IS A FAERY!!
-Autumn: giant centaur creature talks in the voice of loved ones to lure them to their doom!! In this case Bonnie, she can leap (faery trait) still saved by Jessamine!!
-winter trial: mirages of loved ones (ada, fairazu, mother) only to freeze their victums to death!! Ella slams the poker in her 'mother' bonnie wakes up and saves the crew
-father tells bonnie her mother was a fairy!!
-friendship between ella, jessamine grows, cute scenes
-they recieve the 'gift' of the queen: 2 magic mirrors
-Alan takes them to Autumn Court. He is the prince of Autumn real name Keenan, and bonnie's cousin!! So that means her aunt is the Queen of Autumn Rowena and her husband is her uncle Ossian who have little children who are her cousins! WHICH MAKES HER MOTHER A PRINCESS AND BONNIE A PRINCESS!! Father fell in love with mother fairy princess of autumn
-ballroom scene: ICONIC AND ROMANTIC, - Clany proposes to Jessamine!! Endearing!! - leander almost tells bonnie he loves her only to disappear... for she hadn't anything to confess which makes him devastated.
-bonnie, Alan and Ella go after him to the Wintercourt. Dangerious quest, stepfamily attacks, ella and Keenan separate themselves from Bonnie- Bonnie finds leander with the king of Winter court Yulian - Heated and emotional argument, results in declaration of Leander's love !!! So emotionally romantic
-leander and Bonnie resume their Quest while Ella and Keenan go their own way.
-LOVELY ROMANTIC, EMOTIONAL, BEAUTIFUL SCENE (northerlight) they are engaged!!!!
-arrive in the Spring court, Hedge maze (meanwhile the almost all pettles have fallen, alnost fully beast) they are trapped which means: the spring queen planned for the beast to fully transform AND DEVOUR BONNIE!!!
-bonnie risks her life for their escape. -meet Spring Queen, SHE IS MISS ETHERLINE (of bonnie's local tavern!!)
-etherline's story: she and Leander's father met at the border and fell in love, were engaged, but his father refused to let them. He instead married Leander's mother without telling or explaining to her... also, they were to have an alliance between Arbore and Faery and their offspring to be heirs. As compromise she was to be married with Leander's vicious uncle, she declined and wanted to marry Leander instead and for Fairuza her nephew. Mother Leander taunted her with not inviting her and threatening her to kill her. Hence the curse...
-revalation bonnie's mother: Bailada, was engaged to Yulian King winter, but she broke it off for father bonnie, to break a promise they were both punished, her to wither like Autumn leaves and he to slowly die of turing into ice sculpture. Bonnie was to be engaged to him, but her mother glamoured her in the human world so she wouldn't he found
-etheline can't break the curse because she says it's to late so its all for nothing... - they protal back to Rosemead castle. The treeroses: 2 roses remained when they left and the took 1, during their quest the 2 withered in rosemead while the one in the glass withered slowly in faery....
- THE MOST EMOTIONAL HEARTBREAKING DEVASTING SCENE!! The roses are all withered... time is up.... no words left, leander is now fully beast and dying, so are all the other creatures... Soooo emotional, bonnie gives everything up to be with him, tells him she loves him in the most beautiful emotional way...
-the roses envelop Leander and transform him back to human!! LOVE CONQUERS ALL!!
-epilogue: they are all back home in Rosemead, jssamine and Clancy have married officially in Rosemead, Etheline tells Bonnie that her love specifically for him broke the curse, though she loved him, her act of giving up everythung for him was the break through. She tells her, she hopes to find her own love and that her job isn't done...
-leander gives Bonnie the letter from Ada which is an invitation for the wedding!!!! Bonnie and Leander will marry when fairuza is saved (sleeping beauty book)
I love it i love it i love it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2020
Good story
The world building and character development is excellent. It took a chapter to become interested in the story as the beginning is somewhat abrupt. The storyline is interesting, but the Queen of Spring is completely ignorant of what true love is and the big moral reveal fails because of it.
God is love and one of the fruits of the Spirit is Self-control. To love your neighbor as yourself means insisting on maintaining your own self-control over your own life and equally honoring their self-control by refusing to take it from them. Taking someone’s control of their life is spiritually and emotionally abusive and leads lifelong injuries. Attempting to control who someone marries is sexual abuse because it takes their choice away. Taking someone’s self-control by using personal influence, manipulation, blackmail, or threats can lead to post traumatic stress syndrome when the victim feels powerless and experiences physical or emotional injury. Exercising self-control is a form of self protection leading to spiritual life. People aren’t designed to live without self-control, which is part of seeking to remain alive spiritually as well as emotionally and physically.
By accusing Bonnibel’s mother of selfishness if she refuses accept her family’s dictatorial control over her life, marriage, and future, the Spring Queen is accusing her of selfishness because she refused to spiritually die without a fight. The Spring Queen doesn’t understand that failing to fight for freedom would plants the seeds of spiritual death in her life. The queen also fails to realize that those attempting to coerce Bonnibel’s mom to surrender her self-control had already planted the seeds of death in their own lives by being accomplices to spiritual murder. Giving Bonnibel the name Bonnibel was the only way her mother could figure out to protect Bonnibel’s right to have self-control and determine her own future, away from the court that tried to spiritually kill her mother, in order to assure Bonnibel’s spiritual survival. So in her name, Bonnibel’s mom gave Bonnibel the future she died to secure for herself, a future with the right to self-control. In this way she loved her neighbor as much as herself and demonstrated true love. True love is not sacrificing yourself, it’s fighting as hard for others to be free as you fight for yourself to be free because God to give us a choice and self-control, set us free for freedom, and said we’re not to become slaves again. Christ fought with everything he was to be free to be himself and be with God and he fought just as hard for us to have those same gifts when he died on the cross.
If you don’t value yourself then valuing your neighbor likewise in a relationship means there are two worthless people in every interaction. If you value yourself as highly as God values you and love your neighbor likewise, then every interaction takes place between two people that are priceless. To respect the self-control of your neighbor you first have to respect the self-control that you own and not allow anyone to take it, ever. Then you can fight just as hard for the others you interact with to reach their goals too.
Further, the Spring Queen doesn’t understand how to actually protect herself. Honoring someone’s self-control also means admonishing their faithfulness when they sin and withdrawing the relationship of your whole community from them if they don’t repent. Perverting the meaning of justice by attacking innocent children and pretending it’s ok because other people sin too doesn’t protect her, resolve her problem, or help her process her injuries and grief so she can move on. She’s still stuck because she still hasn’t dealt with the problem of establishing safe boundaries and helping her community to support her and protect themselves from unfaithfulness by refusing to interact with a promise breaker.
However, these basic life skills require information and training that the Spring Queen doesn’t have, which is why she is stuck grieving and denying that she is still in pain. Punishing sin with emotional and spiritual abuse doesn’t protect anyone. Admonishing sin brings it out in the open and refusing to maintain any interaction with any unrepentant abusers will protect her. She can find another way to work on her own goals without taking revenge in the innocent and planting seeds of spiritual death in her own life by trying to control others so they behave the way she wants them to. Like everyone, the only person she can control is herself.
4 stars for a good story, minus one star because the culture tells fairy tales to pass in symbolic life skills to the next generation and this particular book fails to pass on the importance of loving yourself as well as you love other’s by refusing to spiritually die yourself as well as fighting just as hard for others.
The world building and character development is excellent. It took a chapter to become interested in the story as the beginning is somewhat abrupt. The storyline is interesting, but the Queen of Spring is completely ignorant of what true love is and the big moral reveal fails because of it.
God is love and one of the fruits of the Spirit is Self-control. To love your neighbor as yourself means insisting on maintaining your own self-control over your own life and equally honoring their self-control by refusing to take it from them. Taking someone’s control of their life is spiritually and emotionally abusive and leads lifelong injuries. Attempting to control who someone marries is sexual abuse because it takes their choice away. Taking someone’s self-control by using personal influence, manipulation, blackmail, or threats can lead to post traumatic stress syndrome when the victim feels powerless and experiences physical or emotional injury. Exercising self-control is a form of self protection leading to spiritual life. People aren’t designed to live without self-control, which is part of seeking to remain alive spiritually as well as emotionally and physically.
By accusing Bonnibel’s mother of selfishness if she refuses accept her family’s dictatorial control over her life, marriage, and future, the Spring Queen is accusing her of selfishness because she refused to spiritually die without a fight. The Spring Queen doesn’t understand that failing to fight for freedom would plants the seeds of spiritual death in her life. The queen also fails to realize that those attempting to coerce Bonnibel’s mom to surrender her self-control had already planted the seeds of death in their own lives by being accomplices to spiritual murder. Giving Bonnibel the name Bonnibel was the only way her mother could figure out to protect Bonnibel’s right to have self-control and determine her own future, away from the court that tried to spiritually kill her mother, in order to assure Bonnibel’s spiritual survival. So in her name, Bonnibel’s mom gave Bonnibel the future she died to secure for herself, a future with the right to self-control. In this way she loved her neighbor as much as herself and demonstrated true love. True love is not sacrificing yourself, it’s fighting as hard for others to be free as you fight for yourself to be free because God to give us a choice and self-control, set us free for freedom, and said we’re not to become slaves again. Christ fought with everything he was to be free to be himself and be with God and he fought just as hard for us to have those same gifts when he died on the cross.
If you don’t value yourself then valuing your neighbor likewise in a relationship means there are two worthless people in every interaction. If you value yourself as highly as God values you and love your neighbor likewise, then every interaction takes place between two people that are priceless. To respect the self-control of your neighbor you first have to respect the self-control that you own and not allow anyone to take it, ever. Then you can fight just as hard for the others you interact with to reach their goals too.
Further, the Spring Queen doesn’t understand how to actually protect herself. Honoring someone’s self-control also means admonishing their faithfulness when they sin and withdrawing the relationship of your whole community from them if they don’t repent. Perverting the meaning of justice by attacking innocent children and pretending it’s ok because other people sin too doesn’t protect her, resolve her problem, or help her process her injuries and grief so she can move on. She’s still stuck because she still hasn’t dealt with the problem of establishing safe boundaries and helping her community to support her and protect themselves from unfaithfulness by refusing to interact with a promise breaker.
However, these basic life skills require information and training that the Spring Queen doesn’t have, which is why she is stuck grieving and denying that she is still in pain. Punishing sin with emotional and spiritual abuse doesn’t protect anyone. Admonishing sin brings it out in the open and refusing to maintain any interaction with any unrepentant abusers will protect her. She can find another way to work on her own goals without taking revenge in the innocent and planting seeds of spiritual death in her own life by trying to control others so they behave the way she wants them to. Like everyone, the only person she can control is herself.
4 stars for a good story, minus one star because the culture tells fairy tales to pass in symbolic life skills to the next generation and this particular book fails to pass on the importance of loving yourself as well as you love other’s by refusing to spiritually die yourself as well as fighting just as hard for others.
June 18, 2020
This book was pretty awful. I just could not get interested in it. I don’t know how many times it almost put me to sleep. Bonnie just isn’t a great character at all. She says so herself many times over that she just keeps slowing everyone down and being a burden and everyone complains about her flaws so you would think with a character like that that her flaws would help her beast overcome his curse but even that fails her when it comes down to it. I enjoyed learning about Bonnie’s family and who she really was but it just seemed so far stretched. Adelaide’s story of learning who she was made sense as she put the pieces together to make her who she was but Bonnie’s just really didn’t. Honestly her story could have ended in the last book in the typical Beauty and the Beast retelling fashion and everything would have been fine and they could have lived happily ever after. Instead this whole pointless books takes you through her pointless quest for the curse to be broken in the typical Beauty and the Beast retelling fashion just so many endless pages later. Also there needs to be some series editing done on this book. It’s hard to follow a conversation and stay interested in a book with so many grammatical and wording errors that you honestly can’t understand what’s going on sometimes unless you’ve read it multiple times over to try and fill in the missing words or take out the extra words. I was definitely not a fan of this book and I am really hoping the next book is better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews