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Fairy Tale Royals #2
Thorn of Rose
Beauty is a curse.
It attracts the basest sort of men, even a beast.
With her father deathly ill, Isabel Bielsa throws herself into their mutual passion: bookbinding. Hiding in the library also allows her to avoid the unwanted attentions of the local self-absorbed noblemen. But, there is only so many times one can read the same book. When the governing council demands her father's skills she happily goes in his stead.
However, her new library assignment is far from private. Prince Aden of Iseldis, cursed into the form of a beast, keeps interrupting her work. With his idealistic standards and comfortable self-righteousness, she sees him as just another man besotted by her beauty. That is, until Isabel discovers that his curse has also affected his eyesight.
As her feelings for him grow, Isabel nears the end of her assignment. Can she break Aden's curse before the magical attacker comes back to finish him off for good?
Thorn of Rose is a fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It is a sequel to Shard of Glass, but can be read out of order. If you love sweet romance, a little bit of magic, and a self-assured heroine, than this story was written for you.
It attracts the basest sort of men, even a beast.
With her father deathly ill, Isabel Bielsa throws herself into their mutual passion: bookbinding. Hiding in the library also allows her to avoid the unwanted attentions of the local self-absorbed noblemen. But, there is only so many times one can read the same book. When the governing council demands her father's skills she happily goes in his stead.
However, her new library assignment is far from private. Prince Aden of Iseldis, cursed into the form of a beast, keeps interrupting her work. With his idealistic standards and comfortable self-righteousness, she sees him as just another man besotted by her beauty. That is, until Isabel discovers that his curse has also affected his eyesight.
As her feelings for him grow, Isabel nears the end of her assignment. Can she break Aden's curse before the magical attacker comes back to finish him off for good?
Thorn of Rose is a fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It is a sequel to Shard of Glass, but can be read out of order. If you love sweet romance, a little bit of magic, and a self-assured heroine, than this story was written for you.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2020
297 people are currently reading
798 people want to read
About the author
Emily Deady
11 books158 followersEmily Deady was as an avid reader who hated writing. But one day she realized that most authors loved cats and tea, her two favorite things. So, she stopped fighting the inevitable and she began to write. She loves a good romance, her real life hero who patiently listens to all her plotlines, and hitting the trails for light hike in sunny San Diego.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
April 12, 2025
3 stars ⭐️ Clean Fiction - Fairytale Retelling
I didn’t like this one as much as the first book in the series, but by the end, I was smiling, so I suppose that’s okay.
Isa was a very rude brat that had a chip on her shoulder so honestly I didn’t like her much. The Gaston character was just as annoying as you expect a Gaston character to be. Aden was handling things much better than I feel like most beasts do and I actually really liked him in general. Because of Isa being so rude, I found myself not really caring about the romance or connected to her. She was a bit dramatic as well for my tastes.
It was an interesting twist because this beast is stuck at her family’s home with her and her servants, not the usual she is stuck with him and his servants. She becomes better about 64% in and I was glad to finally see it, even if it felt like a 180 on her personality.
There was a chapter in the middle of the book that I think leads into the next book of the series and I think I will take a break from the series for now and continue it later.
Main Content-
Majis are the magic users of this world and have been locked away for 250 years with their return coming soon and many believe they are going to be back for vengeance; It’s said that everyone agrees that the Majis were exceptionally cruel and oppressive rulers, but some scholars do not believe they truly had wielded magic; Majis have unique powers over the sea and they can create unnatural storms; Majis seem to have thrived on chaos.
*Spoilers for Book 1* *Major Spoilers* ; A woman’s ancestors were Maji and she tries to sing some of their songs to try to balance out the chaos of a curse & Aden feels peace come over him and a bit better afterwards.
Mentions of prayers & praying (but not saying towards Whom); Mentions of Majis, magical items, them doing spells, dark magic and magic (which are illegal), & curses; Mentions of a monastery, monks, & their singing prayers (Isa also visits with and has discussions with a monk); Mentions of destiny & someone believing we control our destinies or do not control it; A few mentions of wicked ideas; A couple mentions of a magician and an evil enchanted in a story; A mention of someone suggesting to sacrifice another to “whatever gods the Majis worshipped” in an attempt to break Aden’s curse.
Language: 1 “damned” (Aden thinks “curses be damned”), otherwise no other language stronger than ’stupid’ or ‘idiot’ which are both used a handful of times; The fictional phrase “what in the five kingdoms” is said once; Isa mutters “curses” when upset and Aden comments “present” (as if taking attendance); Eye rolling & Sarcasm.
Fighting, Being stabbed, Pain, Injuries, & Blood/Bleeding (up to a few sentences); Seeing someone die & grief (up to a few sentences).
Aden has moments of panic after the curse happens and he can’t see anything/much; Aden becomes angry a few times and roars/lashes out at others; Aden wonders if it would be better to be killed than to be a beast (a couple times); Aden tries to deceive Isa once (meant well/for her sake).
Isa’s father is very ill and near death; Isa is upset that woman can’t take a scholar test & that some men think of her as someone who can’t think for herself (she has a handful of moments of being bitter and/or upset about girls not being able to do something or not being known as being smart).
Isa & Aden drink wine with dinner.
Mentions of Aden possibly killing or harming others in his cursed state; Mentions of deaths, wars, battles, fighting, & possible deaths; Mentions of a shipwreck & disappearance of a family member; Mentions of threats (of harm and death); Mentions of arrests & jail; Mentions of fights/fighting, weapons, pain, injuries, & blood/bleeding; A few mentions of lies, lying, & deceit; A few mentions of hatred (including self-hatred which Aden battles at times); A few mentions of alcohol & drinking; A couple mentions of nightmares; A mention of possible execution.
2 cheek/nose kisses (from her to him when he is a beast),
1 kiss lasting a sentence,
1 kiss lasting a couple sentences,
1 kiss lasting a few sentences,
Staring at lips (once).
Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Nearness, & Smelling (up to a few sentences); Blushes; Noticing & Staring (up to a couple sentences).
Isa faces men trying to be too close to her, staring at her and her chest, & making crude comments about her appearance (none are written out, but it’s implied it’s because she is beautiful and has curves); Isa dislikes her beauty because of the attention and trouble it has caused her; The Gaston character is annoying as all get-out and touches Isa without her permission and does not listen to her when she tells him to stop; Gaston/Macklin tries to kiss her and she slaps him; Isa’s sister likes Macklin and is upset that he likes Isa (she yells at Isa about it).
Mentions of jealousy & crushes; A few mentions of flirting; A couple mentions of kisses.
I didn’t like this one as much as the first book in the series, but by the end, I was smiling, so I suppose that’s okay.
Isa was a very rude brat that had a chip on her shoulder so honestly I didn’t like her much. The Gaston character was just as annoying as you expect a Gaston character to be. Aden was handling things much better than I feel like most beasts do and I actually really liked him in general. Because of Isa being so rude, I found myself not really caring about the romance or connected to her. She was a bit dramatic as well for my tastes.
It was an interesting twist because this beast is stuck at her family’s home with her and her servants, not the usual she is stuck with him and his servants. She becomes better about 64% in and I was glad to finally see it, even if it felt like a 180 on her personality.
There was a chapter in the middle of the book that I think leads into the next book of the series and I think I will take a break from the series for now and continue it later.
Main Content-
Majis are the magic users of this world and have been locked away for 250 years with their return coming soon and many believe they are going to be back for vengeance; It’s said that everyone agrees that the Majis were exceptionally cruel and oppressive rulers, but some scholars do not believe they truly had wielded magic; Majis have unique powers over the sea and they can create unnatural storms; Majis seem to have thrived on chaos.
*Spoilers for Book 1* *Major Spoilers* ; A woman’s ancestors were Maji and she tries to sing some of their songs to try to balance out the chaos of a curse & Aden feels peace come over him and a bit better afterwards.
Mentions of prayers & praying (but not saying towards Whom); Mentions of Majis, magical items, them doing spells, dark magic and magic (which are illegal), & curses; Mentions of a monastery, monks, & their singing prayers (Isa also visits with and has discussions with a monk); Mentions of destiny & someone believing we control our destinies or do not control it; A few mentions of wicked ideas; A couple mentions of a magician and an evil enchanted in a story; A mention of someone suggesting to sacrifice another to “whatever gods the Majis worshipped” in an attempt to break Aden’s curse.
Language: 1 “damned” (Aden thinks “curses be damned”), otherwise no other language stronger than ’stupid’ or ‘idiot’ which are both used a handful of times; The fictional phrase “what in the five kingdoms” is said once; Isa mutters “curses” when upset and Aden comments “present” (as if taking attendance); Eye rolling & Sarcasm.
Fighting, Being stabbed, Pain, Injuries, & Blood/Bleeding (up to a few sentences); Seeing someone die & grief (up to a few sentences).
Aden has moments of panic after the curse happens and he can’t see anything/much; Aden becomes angry a few times and roars/lashes out at others; Aden wonders if it would be better to be killed than to be a beast (a couple times); Aden tries to deceive Isa once (meant well/for her sake).
Isa’s father is very ill and near death; Isa is upset that woman can’t take a scholar test & that some men think of her as someone who can’t think for herself (she has a handful of moments of being bitter and/or upset about girls not being able to do something or not being known as being smart).
Isa & Aden drink wine with dinner.
Mentions of Aden possibly killing or harming others in his cursed state; Mentions of deaths, wars, battles, fighting, & possible deaths; Mentions of a shipwreck & disappearance of a family member; Mentions of threats (of harm and death); Mentions of arrests & jail; Mentions of fights/fighting, weapons, pain, injuries, & blood/bleeding; A few mentions of lies, lying, & deceit; A few mentions of hatred (including self-hatred which Aden battles at times); A few mentions of alcohol & drinking; A couple mentions of nightmares; A mention of possible execution.
2 cheek/nose kisses (from her to him when he is a beast),
1 kiss lasting a sentence,
1 kiss lasting a couple sentences,
1 kiss lasting a few sentences,
Staring at lips (once).
Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Nearness, & Smelling (up to a few sentences); Blushes; Noticing & Staring (up to a couple sentences).
Isa faces men trying to be too close to her, staring at her and her chest, & making crude comments about her appearance (none are written out, but it’s implied it’s because she is beautiful and has curves); Isa dislikes her beauty because of the attention and trouble it has caused her; The Gaston character is annoying as all get-out and touches Isa without her permission and does not listen to her when she tells him to stop; Gaston/Macklin tries to kiss her and she slaps him; Isa’s sister likes Macklin and is upset that he likes Isa (she yells at Isa about it).
Mentions of jealousy & crushes; A few mentions of flirting; A couple mentions of kisses.
Read
August 25, 2020Okay...cute buuuut....
Positives: The twist on the fairytale was done beautifully. And it tied to the main thread of the series impressively. The plot usually flowed well and the growth of the characters was very nice indeed. I also enjoyed seeing the prejudice against, well, a certain group and how the seeds questioning that prejudice were planted but not fully grown (realistic).
Negatives: While not as abrupt, in your face, as most abrupt character change or the like, I DID find the heroines change in perspective...a little fast. Maybe it's because it wasn't explored extensively, but it felt that she changed from her irate wish to get rid of the hero for him to stay a leeetle fast. Also, the hero's attraction to love for the heroine also felt rather quick...maybe that's me.
Opinion: Overall, I liked the story but I'm not rating it because it just...I don't know how to rate it. On the one hand, I really loved the twist on the tale and further exploration of the world. However, I REALLY hated the heroine's... rage towards the beast. Yes, I get realistic and all with all the prejudice and such going on (which again, I really liked seeing put in the heroes, for once), but you'd think after him proving himself, she'd start NOT judging so harshly?
But honestly, that isn't what bothered me at all (it made sense). (Slight spoiler up ahead) it was when she... exercised unfair power over him that really got to me. Luckily, she apologized, but I HATED how a girl who apparently does have enough strength to stand up to people did it so...cruelly to a beast after he proved himself mostly trustworthy (and he did ask her to stop) and mostly politely to her harassers. So yes, salt there (But it's just an opinion...I may be wrong).
But don't let that deter you from the story. It WAS fun, particularly the last half...and who doesn't enjoy world building of legends and myths??? BOOKS!
Content: There is some talk about men being crude and staring at the protagonist, but it's all done very cleanly. A little violence but gory
Positives: The twist on the fairytale was done beautifully. And it tied to the main thread of the series impressively. The plot usually flowed well and the growth of the characters was very nice indeed. I also enjoyed seeing the prejudice against, well, a certain group and how the seeds questioning that prejudice were planted but not fully grown (realistic).
Negatives: While not as abrupt, in your face, as most abrupt character change or the like, I DID find the heroines change in perspective...a little fast. Maybe it's because it wasn't explored extensively, but it felt that she changed from her irate wish to get rid of the hero for him to stay a leeetle fast. Also, the hero's attraction to love for the heroine also felt rather quick...maybe that's me.
Opinion: Overall, I liked the story but I'm not rating it because it just...I don't know how to rate it. On the one hand, I really loved the twist on the tale and further exploration of the world. However, I REALLY hated the heroine's... rage towards the beast. Yes, I get realistic and all with all the prejudice and such going on (which again, I really liked seeing put in the heroes, for once), but you'd think after him proving himself, she'd start NOT judging so harshly?
But honestly, that isn't what bothered me at all (it made sense). (Slight spoiler up ahead) it was when she... exercised unfair power over him that really got to me. Luckily, she apologized, but I HATED how a girl who apparently does have enough strength to stand up to people did it so...cruelly to a beast after he proved himself mostly trustworthy (and he did ask her to stop) and mostly politely to her harassers. So yes, salt there (But it's just an opinion...I may be wrong).
But don't let that deter you from the story. It WAS fun, particularly the last half...and who doesn't enjoy world building of legends and myths??? BOOKS!
Content: There is some talk about men being crude and staring at the protagonist, but it's all done very cleanly. A little violence but gory
August 29, 2020
Eh. The pacing was far too rushed. The consequences of being a beautiful woman were stark and real, but I still was only able to barely connect with the characters. They spent too long being snippy and too little being engaging and interesting.
November 6, 2020
An interesting Beauty and the Beast retelling. I usually struggle with Beauty and the Beast retellings because the beast is usually a jerk and it's so easily overlooked. In this story the Belle of the story, Isa, is the rude, prickly one. I liked that the author mixed it up, but personally I had a hard time liking her and therefore enjoying her relationship with Aden. She did become nicer and apologize for her rude behavior at about 64% of the way through but for me it then didn't leave enough time to believe the romance. I did like that we learned more about the magic system introduced in the first book and I thought the topic of book binding was unique. Blanca was so sweet, she was a favorite of mine. Even though this wasn't my favorite, I still plan on reading the next one.
August 19, 2021
A Great Beauty and the Beast Retelling
I loved this book very much it was just as good as the last book. I loved the characters especially Aden he is a misunderstood character since he was cursed into the form of a beast though as Isa gets to know him she falls for and regrets how she treating how she did at the start. I loved the slow burn romance it was interesting and took to the end for that romance to have a great ending. I loved the plot it started with Aden getting cursed a storm hitting and Aden ending up somewhere he shouldn't be things lead to one thing or another the curse is broken and there is a happy ending.
I loved this book very much it was just as good as the last book. I loved the characters especially Aden he is a misunderstood character since he was cursed into the form of a beast though as Isa gets to know him she falls for and regrets how she treating how she did at the start. I loved the slow burn romance it was interesting and took to the end for that romance to have a great ending. I loved the plot it started with Aden getting cursed a storm hitting and Aden ending up somewhere he shouldn't be things lead to one thing or another the curse is broken and there is a happy ending.
April 26, 2022
I loved this retelling of The Beauty and the Beast. It was original and very grown-up in feel. The story kind of turned the original fairy tale on its head. Very well written and a quick read. This is is second in a series but I missed the first book. I know the third book has some tie-in to this one but I’m not sure if the first one does. I will definitely read more by this author!
January 23, 2021
Ahhh this book was so good!! Thorn of Rose made me laugh, cheer for the characters, and tear up when bad things happened.
I really like how the books all connect together with events and characters. This book starts right around where Shard of Glass ended and told the story of Aden, Onric's brother. Aden was a little self-absorbed, but still such a sweet and caring guy. And Isabel was a great character, and I loved her love for books and how we got to learn about the process of binding books.
I thought the twists on Beauty and the Beast were really cool, with how Aden couldn't see that well and how the "glass" rose came into play.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the rest!
I really like how the books all connect together with events and characters. This book starts right around where Shard of Glass ended and told the story of Aden, Onric's brother. Aden was a little self-absorbed, but still such a sweet and caring guy. And Isabel was a great character, and I loved her love for books and how we got to learn about the process of binding books.
I thought the twists on Beauty and the Beast were really cool, with how Aden couldn't see that well and how the "glass" rose came into play.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the rest!
September 30, 2020
Isa was rude and mean for no reason after she learned about the curse. The transition from hate to love was abrupt. I was disappointed that they didn't read the book the council thought was so important that they'd kill her father to get it. Especially since they had so much time waiting for the bridge to be built. They skimmed a few pages and stopped because it was too boring.
December 13, 2021
DNF 60%
It has been a long time since I have met a protagonist this unlikable. Is the twist of the story that she is really the beast? Even though I’m passionate about books, I’m sure I would find her absolutely insufferable if we met in real life. Ugh.
It has been a long time since I have met a protagonist this unlikable. Is the twist of the story that she is really the beast? Even though I’m passionate about books, I’m sure I would find her absolutely insufferable if we met in real life. Ugh.
August 27, 2020
Rating: 3.0 stars
August 21, 2021
Not as enjoyable as the first book. The romance felt forced. And the action petered out after the first chapter. Then it read like the Disney version.
January 13, 2021
One of the best beauty and the Beast retellings that I have read. It was well done, with the fantasy part, without so much suspension of reality, yet just enough.
June 4, 2021
Oh my lands! Isa and Aden are absolutely ADORABLE!! UwU
November 27, 2020
Beauty and the beast retelling
This is a super cute, fun beauty and the beast retelling. I loved the characters and the adorable romance and all the humor.
This is a super cute, fun beauty and the beast retelling. I loved the characters and the adorable romance and all the humor.
February 9, 2021
KU read
Bit disappointed with this one. Mostly with the FL, despite her being "inspired" by the Disney version and obsessed with books, heh. . However, the plot seems kind of forced and contrived in all places
Next book up is the little mermaid. Which is not one of my faves, so not sure if I'll skip or just stop on this series
Bit disappointed with this one. Mostly with the FL, despite her being "inspired" by the Disney version and obsessed with books, heh. . However, the plot seems kind of forced and contrived in all places
Next book up is the little mermaid. Which is not one of my faves, so not sure if I'll skip or just stop on this series
February 2, 2021
A great retelling of Beauty and the Beast that changes things up from the norm. I love that Beauty in this book is a book-binder, and the Beast still has a family who loves him. I plan to check out the rest of the series!
February 21, 2022
The first beauty and the beast retelling where “belle” is insufferable.
November 28, 2025
I had mixed feelings about this one. I think I read somewhere that even though this is part of a series you can read it without reading the first book. So...yes, you can just jump into this book and you do get a few hints about what happened in book one so you're not entirely lost, but I also felt like I was still missing some needed information about this world as a whole. I got the point more or less but when they were talking about the Majis I kept hitting some areas that I got the point but it was still a little confusing. This book does have a number 2 on its spine for a reason.
Now as for the story itself, I liked how Aden's dog didn't instantly like Isabel. I'm a little tired of every time it seems like when someone throws a dog into any romance kind of book the dog acts like a dork and wants to be buddies with the person their owner is currently arguing with. I have owned dogs and know a lot of people who have dogs and let me tell you, any stranger their owner is arguing with and these dogs see it...you might want to wait until the yelling is done before sticking your hand near them.
I liked Aden, he's a nice guy, but have you ever heard of the saying beauty is a beast? (The saying, not the book title, I'm not referencing the comic.) Well, that sentence sums up Isabel. First off, even though Aden is a prince he runs off for his families safety and a little for his own sanity since he couldn't take their pity anymore. So he finds this villa he assumes is abandoned since it looks like no one has lived in it for a while. Well surprise, it's actually the holiday villa that belongs to Isabel's family and they just haven't been there a while. Yeah, her family is rich.
So Isabel doesn't like Aden because he looks like a beast and she thinks he's going to kill her and her servants she brought with her when they turn their backs on him for most of the book. Funny enough, Aden knows this and tries to leave but everyone decides its safer to keep them with him so they can keep an eye on him until help arrives because the bridge you use to get to the villa got washed out. Which of course she blames on Aden. Then, when they invite him to stay with them she threatens him by saying he better stay in the west wing or else. Yeah, real inviting.
At one point Isabel flat out insults him then when he gets mad she says that proves he can't be trusted, except the servants heard the whole thing and tell her that she was in the wrong. She also gets mad at him when he tells her how a book series ends that she hadn't found the last book to after she asks him to tell her how it ends. After that Aden keeps away from her for two days and then Isabel is up and ready to lock him away and throw away the key, yet up to that point Aden has been respectful and polite to everyone, Isabel and servants alike. At this point the servants have spent more time with him then she has and she's suppose to be the second half of the love story. It's not even until after page 200 that she even really starts to like him and that's only because one of Aden's brothers show up and say that, "yes, everything Aden has told you is true and yeah, he is a nice guy", and also Isabel finds out that ever since he got cursed Aden can't see very well so he has no idea what she really looks like. Then, all the sudden, she starts being nice. Isabel acts so intitled in this book and it makes me not like her.
Also, and this is just a side petty irk of mine so you may disagree. Many beauty and beast retellings usually have the beauty character love reading but she doesn't always have as much time as she would like, so when she suddenly has time to read when she wants to, not just when she can snatch a few minutes of calm, she sort of geeks out which I usually find fun. That's the opposite here. Isabel loves reading and actually spends a lot of the time in the villa locked away in the library. Yes, to be fair she is putting a bunch of delicate old scrolls together into a book and it takes time, but she is pretty much next to locking herself in the library away from everyone and when she isn't working, she's reading to that point that it seems to be all she does. So I'm not sure where the romance actually kicked in. Even the servants tell her she needs to leave the library once in a while.
To end this long winded review, I couldn't decide between a 2 or 3 star and kind of wish I could give a 2.5 star. It's not bad, you won't hate yourself for reading it, but it's not one of the better Beauty and Beast retellings I have read so far.
Now as for the story itself, I liked how Aden's dog didn't instantly like Isabel. I'm a little tired of every time it seems like when someone throws a dog into any romance kind of book the dog acts like a dork and wants to be buddies with the person their owner is currently arguing with. I have owned dogs and know a lot of people who have dogs and let me tell you, any stranger their owner is arguing with and these dogs see it...you might want to wait until the yelling is done before sticking your hand near them.
I liked Aden, he's a nice guy, but have you ever heard of the saying beauty is a beast? (The saying, not the book title, I'm not referencing the comic.) Well, that sentence sums up Isabel. First off, even though Aden is a prince he runs off for his families safety and a little for his own sanity since he couldn't take their pity anymore. So he finds this villa he assumes is abandoned since it looks like no one has lived in it for a while. Well surprise, it's actually the holiday villa that belongs to Isabel's family and they just haven't been there a while. Yeah, her family is rich.
So Isabel doesn't like Aden because he looks like a beast and she thinks he's going to kill her and her servants she brought with her when they turn their backs on him for most of the book. Funny enough, Aden knows this and tries to leave but everyone decides its safer to keep them with him so they can keep an eye on him until help arrives because the bridge you use to get to the villa got washed out. Which of course she blames on Aden. Then, when they invite him to stay with them she threatens him by saying he better stay in the west wing or else. Yeah, real inviting.
At one point Isabel flat out insults him then when he gets mad she says that proves he can't be trusted, except the servants heard the whole thing and tell her that she was in the wrong. She also gets mad at him when he tells her how a book series ends that she hadn't found the last book to after she asks him to tell her how it ends. After that Aden keeps away from her for two days and then Isabel is up and ready to lock him away and throw away the key, yet up to that point Aden has been respectful and polite to everyone, Isabel and servants alike. At this point the servants have spent more time with him then she has and she's suppose to be the second half of the love story. It's not even until after page 200 that she even really starts to like him and that's only because one of Aden's brothers show up and say that, "yes, everything Aden has told you is true and yeah, he is a nice guy", and also Isabel finds out that ever since he got cursed Aden can't see very well so he has no idea what she really looks like. Then, all the sudden, she starts being nice. Isabel acts so intitled in this book and it makes me not like her.
Also, and this is just a side petty irk of mine so you may disagree. Many beauty and beast retellings usually have the beauty character love reading but she doesn't always have as much time as she would like, so when she suddenly has time to read when she wants to, not just when she can snatch a few minutes of calm, she sort of geeks out which I usually find fun. That's the opposite here. Isabel loves reading and actually spends a lot of the time in the villa locked away in the library. Yes, to be fair she is putting a bunch of delicate old scrolls together into a book and it takes time, but she is pretty much next to locking herself in the library away from everyone and when she isn't working, she's reading to that point that it seems to be all she does. So I'm not sure where the romance actually kicked in. Even the servants tell her she needs to leave the library once in a while.
To end this long winded review, I couldn't decide between a 2 or 3 star and kind of wish I could give a 2.5 star. It's not bad, you won't hate yourself for reading it, but it's not one of the better Beauty and Beast retellings I have read so far.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2020
Emily can rewrite all the fairy tales as far as I’m concerned!! She is fabulous!! If you haven’t read
Shard of Glass please pick it up as well as this book
Thorn of Rose; and you will come to the same conclusion I have! The pages just flew by and before I knew it, I was reading the last line of the book.
Reading should be a delightful experience and I would venture to say that I can’t see how everyone who reads this book will not like it-though I must admit I think it would have been better for Macklin the Cowardly to have been pushed off the bridge but that’s just my opinion!
I read with a smile on my face because I have seen Disney’s Beauty and the Beast so I knew pretty much what to expect. Still, I loved Emily’s retelling of the story and the bond that finally formed between Aden and Isa when Isa looked beyond the outward appearance and saw the person within. Isn’t that a
commentary on how we all should conduct ourselves to not judge a “book” by its cover? How many people do we meet that we never give them a chance to be a friend because we judge them by outward appearances or some rules of high society that we look down our noses at them and cast them aside?
Besides being a totally enjoyable book, we should look deeper into it and change our behavior on how we view others. You may just be pleasantly surprised at what you will find!
Emily I congratulate you on another wonderful retelling of a beloved fairy tale! I would give this book a hundred stars instead of 5 if I could. I love fairy tales and the retelling when they are done by such a wonderful author as Emily Deady!! You do not disappoint!!
Shard of Glass please pick it up as well as this book
Thorn of Rose; and you will come to the same conclusion I have! The pages just flew by and before I knew it, I was reading the last line of the book.
Reading should be a delightful experience and I would venture to say that I can’t see how everyone who reads this book will not like it-though I must admit I think it would have been better for Macklin the Cowardly to have been pushed off the bridge but that’s just my opinion!
I read with a smile on my face because I have seen Disney’s Beauty and the Beast so I knew pretty much what to expect. Still, I loved Emily’s retelling of the story and the bond that finally formed between Aden and Isa when Isa looked beyond the outward appearance and saw the person within. Isn’t that a
commentary on how we all should conduct ourselves to not judge a “book” by its cover? How many people do we meet that we never give them a chance to be a friend because we judge them by outward appearances or some rules of high society that we look down our noses at them and cast them aside?
Besides being a totally enjoyable book, we should look deeper into it and change our behavior on how we view others. You may just be pleasantly surprised at what you will find!
Emily I congratulate you on another wonderful retelling of a beloved fairy tale! I would give this book a hundred stars instead of 5 if I could. I love fairy tales and the retelling when they are done by such a wonderful author as Emily Deady!! You do not disappoint!!
November 11, 2020
This is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The primary difference is that the Beast is seeking shelter in the Beauty's house rather than the other way around. But there are tensions at first due to his appearance that eventually give way to love. There is even an enchanted rose.
Aden, the Beast character, is an admirable hero. He does the right thing and is only a little annoying at the beginning. His pup, Warrior, is adorable.
Isabel, the Belle character, is actually quite frustrating. She spends half the book antagonistic to Aden even though he does nothing wrong. Then she precipitously falls in love with him without any real reason. I liked her after that, but I wish it had been a sooner or at least more gradual switch with less time of her hating him so strangely. She has an unusual hobby of book binding, which was enjoyable to imagine.
Macklin, the Gaston character, is so frustrating as to be unrealistic. I don't mind that, but it might be relevant to note.
Blanca is my favorite character. I'm not sure if she's supposed to be like Mrs. Pott. She is very sweet and exactly the kind of maternal woman everyone wants in their life. Interesting that both books I've read in this series had one of those.
The world is set in a generically medieval land that is dealing with the imminent threat of a group of powerful and hostile magic-wielding creatures. I expect them to become less mysterious in the coming books, now that they have begun to appear.
In conclusion: usually in B&B retellings, I dislike the beast. In this one, I thought he was great and I disliked the Beauty. She grew on me, though, and I like her much more than most romance heroines.
Aden, the Beast character, is an admirable hero. He does the right thing and is only a little annoying at the beginning. His pup, Warrior, is adorable.
Isabel, the Belle character, is actually quite frustrating. She spends half the book antagonistic to Aden even though he does nothing wrong. Then she precipitously falls in love with him without any real reason. I liked her after that, but I wish it had been a sooner or at least more gradual switch with less time of her hating him so strangely. She has an unusual hobby of book binding, which was enjoyable to imagine.
Macklin, the Gaston character, is so frustrating as to be unrealistic. I don't mind that, but it might be relevant to note.
Blanca is my favorite character. I'm not sure if she's supposed to be like Mrs. Pott. She is very sweet and exactly the kind of maternal woman everyone wants in their life. Interesting that both books I've read in this series had one of those.
The world is set in a generically medieval land that is dealing with the imminent threat of a group of powerful and hostile magic-wielding creatures. I expect them to become less mysterious in the coming books, now that they have begun to appear.
In conclusion: usually in B&B retellings, I dislike the beast. In this one, I thought he was great and I disliked the Beauty. She grew on me, though, and I like her much more than most romance heroines.
August 25, 2020
⚔️⚔️ONE TANTALIZING TREAT⚔️⚔️
Flabbergasted! Emily brought it with this sweet little number, showcasing one hearts desire, passion and nuance that's as captivating as it is riveting, keeping you frozen to your seat, balancing on a razors edge, catapulting this baby to life beautifully. Disadvantages are heightened and stretched, booting this baby into the eye of the storm, kicking it into a tailspin with an astonishing culmination. Maneuvering the arduous trials and heartfelt triumphs, alongside the daunting twists and intricate turns, drawing our characters closer than they could have ever anticipated. Combined, entwined and tightly woven, unveiling the soaring ups and agonizing downs, beautiful in it's simplicity and breathtaking in it's depth, exposing the fervent facts, feels and fiascos, testing our characters in ways they could have never imagined. The attraction and chemistry spirals as each layer is peeled back, exposing intense emotions, binding them to one another perfectly. The characters, dialogue, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow, transforming into genuinely charismatic personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and graphic descriptions creating an elaborate backdrop that feels as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Incredible job Emily, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.
Flabbergasted! Emily brought it with this sweet little number, showcasing one hearts desire, passion and nuance that's as captivating as it is riveting, keeping you frozen to your seat, balancing on a razors edge, catapulting this baby to life beautifully. Disadvantages are heightened and stretched, booting this baby into the eye of the storm, kicking it into a tailspin with an astonishing culmination. Maneuvering the arduous trials and heartfelt triumphs, alongside the daunting twists and intricate turns, drawing our characters closer than they could have ever anticipated. Combined, entwined and tightly woven, unveiling the soaring ups and agonizing downs, beautiful in it's simplicity and breathtaking in it's depth, exposing the fervent facts, feels and fiascos, testing our characters in ways they could have never imagined. The attraction and chemistry spirals as each layer is peeled back, exposing intense emotions, binding them to one another perfectly. The characters, dialogue, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow, transforming into genuinely charismatic personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and graphic descriptions creating an elaborate backdrop that feels as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Incredible job Emily, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.
June 24, 2021
I liked this a lot. A twist on the "Beauty and the Beast" story, and a follow-up to the first book, where we saw Aden get turned into the beast. The scene happens again here, as we are introduced to Isabel (belle) and how she experienced that night, before the POV then continues to shift between her and Aden. There wasn't much continuation from our "Cinderella" characters, although they make a small appearance.
I really liked some of the little twists - that it was actually Belle's "castle" and library that the beast comes into. The beast is still a prince, although that really isn't a secret. Events are initiated because of Isabelle's father (although he doesn't "give" her to the beast as in some tellings). No magic characters, but there is a rose. There is the scene with the spurned love interest leading the village men to go get the beast.
Unlike book 1, which really set up book 2 ... there was no obvious set-up for book three (I looked it up, and it's Erich's story, with a "Little Mermaid" twist). Looks like the eldest brother doesn't get his love story until book 5.
Borrowed with KindleUnlimited. Text only. No audio available. It took me a little while to get through, as I don't have as much "eye" time for reading as "ear" time, and I kept falling asleep when reading (not at ALL because it was bad, just because I was so tired!)
I really liked some of the little twists - that it was actually Belle's "castle" and library that the beast comes into. The beast is still a prince, although that really isn't a secret. Events are initiated because of Isabelle's father (although he doesn't "give" her to the beast as in some tellings). No magic characters, but there is a rose. There is the scene with the spurned love interest leading the village men to go get the beast.
Unlike book 1, which really set up book 2 ... there was no obvious set-up for book three (I looked it up, and it's Erich's story, with a "Little Mermaid" twist). Looks like the eldest brother doesn't get his love story until book 5.
Borrowed with KindleUnlimited. Text only. No audio available. It took me a little while to get through, as I don't have as much "eye" time for reading as "ear" time, and I kept falling asleep when reading (not at ALL because it was bad, just because I was so tired!)
August 27, 2020
Rating: 4.5 stars
• My thoughts about his story:
• The author caught my attention right from the beginning and drew me into the story with Aden's kindness and selflessness.
• This story presented the dilemma: how do you live your life when your future looks bleak? Will you make the most of each day or will you waste it wallowing in despair?
• Isa and Aden were characters that you wanted to discover more about as you read their story. These characters were multifaceted and likeable.
• The minor players in this story added extra depth to the storyline.
• The descriptions of locations and emotions were well done, easy to visualize, and to feel. I could envision this book's scenes so clearly.
• The pacing of the story was neither too slow nor too fast. There was a smooth, coherent flow to this book.
• This story had a satisfying ending.
• This was a clean story.
I was given a free advance copy of this book by the author. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy novel takes on fairytales. This is usually a genre that I don't read, but I enjoyed this author's unique style so much, that I will be eagerly awaiting more books to read in this series.
• My thoughts about his story:
• The author caught my attention right from the beginning and drew me into the story with Aden's kindness and selflessness.
• This story presented the dilemma: how do you live your life when your future looks bleak? Will you make the most of each day or will you waste it wallowing in despair?
• Isa and Aden were characters that you wanted to discover more about as you read their story. These characters were multifaceted and likeable.
• The minor players in this story added extra depth to the storyline.
• The descriptions of locations and emotions were well done, easy to visualize, and to feel. I could envision this book's scenes so clearly.
• The pacing of the story was neither too slow nor too fast. There was a smooth, coherent flow to this book.
• This story had a satisfying ending.
• This was a clean story.
I was given a free advance copy of this book by the author. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy novel takes on fairytales. This is usually a genre that I don't read, but I enjoyed this author's unique style so much, that I will be eagerly awaiting more books to read in this series.
February 27, 2021
Good 3.8 Stars
I am a hardcore lover of Beauty and the Beast. So it pains me to have to give this retelling less than 5 stars (technically, less than 4). Our beauty in this story was very different than others, which I found very interesting when I started. However, my opinion of her started to lower when she and Aden, our beast, met after he had transformed. I realize based on her history, she is jaded and trying to keep others at arms length, but damn! She has a real mean streak when she gets going! Although, Aden didn't help either when he would bait her - which wasn't all the time. And she did not appreciate the opinions or outlooks of others (she does eventually work past this).
I still think the story was good, and I liked how Deady kept the characters original (I am currently getting into bookbinding, so I was tickled when I found this book) - I personally just had a hard time connecting with Isa and that's mostly because I'm not used to being around someone with her kind of personality.
In the end, I am very pleased with how the story went after Aiden informed Isa the entirety of his curse.
I am going to continue this series for, I want to see the stories for all of the siblings 🤗 *especially Ian's...I have a feeling his will be last 😗
I am a hardcore lover of Beauty and the Beast. So it pains me to have to give this retelling less than 5 stars (technically, less than 4). Our beauty in this story was very different than others, which I found very interesting when I started. However, my opinion of her started to lower when she and Aden, our beast, met after he had transformed. I realize based on her history, she is jaded and trying to keep others at arms length, but damn! She has a real mean streak when she gets going! Although, Aden didn't help either when he would bait her - which wasn't all the time. And she did not appreciate the opinions or outlooks of others (she does eventually work past this).
I still think the story was good, and I liked how Deady kept the characters original (I am currently getting into bookbinding, so I was tickled when I found this book) - I personally just had a hard time connecting with Isa and that's mostly because I'm not used to being around someone with her kind of personality.
In the end, I am very pleased with how the story went after Aiden informed Isa the entirety of his curse.
I am going to continue this series for, I want to see the stories for all of the siblings 🤗 *especially Ian's...I have a feeling his will be last 😗
August 25, 2020
I Loved it!!
I'm really glad that authors (especially ones I like) are starting to write Beauty and the Beast stories, because it is one of my favourite fairytales.
I liked how Emily seemed to have switched Beauty (Isa) and the Beast (Aden) around for some of the story. In all the versions I know, Beauty goes to the Beast's castle to look for her father or with him (I know two different versions) and is the one held captive; in Thorn of Rose, Aden is the one who happens upon Isa's family's mountain villa and is held captive in a sense. Even though Aden is still the one who is cursed and Isa is the one who breaks it. That is why I say they are switched for some of the story.
I'm quite certain (even before I saw the title) that Eric's story is going to be a Little Mermaid variation, which I'm quite excited about even though it isn't one of my favourite fairytales like Beauty and the Beast & Cinderella.
I'm wondering though, when is Ian getting his story and what fairytale is he going to have.
I'm really glad that authors (especially ones I like) are starting to write Beauty and the Beast stories, because it is one of my favourite fairytales.
I liked how Emily seemed to have switched Beauty (Isa) and the Beast (Aden) around for some of the story. In all the versions I know, Beauty goes to the Beast's castle to look for her father or with him (I know two different versions) and is the one held captive; in Thorn of Rose, Aden is the one who happens upon Isa's family's mountain villa and is held captive in a sense. Even though Aden is still the one who is cursed and Isa is the one who breaks it. That is why I say they are switched for some of the story.
I'm quite certain (even before I saw the title) that Eric's story is going to be a Little Mermaid variation, which I'm quite excited about even though it isn't one of my favourite fairytales like Beauty and the Beast & Cinderella.
I'm wondering though, when is Ian getting his story and what fairytale is he going to have.
June 10, 2022
Love, love, loved it
This spin on Beauty and the Beast will be going on my ‘re-read after I stop balling’ list. It’s beautiful, deep, unique, and bold. The two MC’s have sizzling chemistry, while remaining completely clean enough I would recommend this to my mother. Best of all words and just the kind of books I love to find... but then it is over way too soon.
It starts off slow, but stick with it. It defines the characters and gives you a deep glance into their lives and those around them, so give it time. When it picks up, it picks up with a bang.
If you haven’t, read the first in the series first. It’s sweet and gives you a deeper tie to this world. This one could be read as a stand-alone, but the first book is just as good as this one, so go read it first. It’ll help you have an understanding of this world and the problems these countries share as they begin to tie together as the series progresses.
Thank goodness there’s more books in this series. Excuse me while I binge the rest.
Just read this. You’re welcome.
This spin on Beauty and the Beast will be going on my ‘re-read after I stop balling’ list. It’s beautiful, deep, unique, and bold. The two MC’s have sizzling chemistry, while remaining completely clean enough I would recommend this to my mother. Best of all words and just the kind of books I love to find... but then it is over way too soon.
It starts off slow, but stick with it. It defines the characters and gives you a deep glance into their lives and those around them, so give it time. When it picks up, it picks up with a bang.
If you haven’t, read the first in the series first. It’s sweet and gives you a deeper tie to this world. This one could be read as a stand-alone, but the first book is just as good as this one, so go read it first. It’ll help you have an understanding of this world and the problems these countries share as they begin to tie together as the series progresses.
Thank goodness there’s more books in this series. Excuse me while I binge the rest.
Just read this. You’re welcome.
March 7, 2021
3.5 stars rounded down to 3. While a decent twist on Beauty and the Beast, I didn't find myself particularly drawn to this version. I thought the two leads went from distrust and animosity to liking each other too abruptly without either a catalytic event or extended time together to believably change their minds. I just didn't really buy their chemistry.
The story is thoughtful in what it changed to make the story its own. It removes a lot of the problematic aspects of the original by having the Beast being the intruder in a house owned by the Beauty character and the Beast having limited eyesight so he doesn't fall for Beauty due to her looks. It does utilize aspects to the story that Disney added, including a Gaston character, a deadline on the curse, and a mob to kill the Beast, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
This might be right up someone else's ally. It's a competent retelling; it just didn't really speak to me.
The story is thoughtful in what it changed to make the story its own. It removes a lot of the problematic aspects of the original by having the Beast being the intruder in a house owned by the Beauty character and the Beast having limited eyesight so he doesn't fall for Beauty due to her looks. It does utilize aspects to the story that Disney added, including a Gaston character, a deadline on the curse, and a mob to kill the Beast, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
This might be right up someone else's ally. It's a competent retelling; it just didn't really speak to me.
August 30, 2020
An unexpected poignant retelling of the story of Beauty and the Beast.
We revisit how Prince Aden became a monster and the lovely rose that represents his humanity.
Isabel is the beauty of the story. Isa as she is fondly known has learned how to preserve manuscript by binding them into a book format from her father. When Isa travels to their country villa in place of her father who is too ill to travel, she encounters a beast in her bed and after their initial scare, they grow to know one another better, becoming friends.
As time progresses, Isa completes the restoration of a delicate manuscript and rushes home to hand over the manuscript to the governing council. She finds her father still unwell and longs to get back to the villa and the beast.
Beautifully written with enough villains to keep the storyline strong.
We revisit how Prince Aden became a monster and the lovely rose that represents his humanity.
Isabel is the beauty of the story. Isa as she is fondly known has learned how to preserve manuscript by binding them into a book format from her father. When Isa travels to their country villa in place of her father who is too ill to travel, she encounters a beast in her bed and after their initial scare, they grow to know one another better, becoming friends.
As time progresses, Isa completes the restoration of a delicate manuscript and rushes home to hand over the manuscript to the governing council. She finds her father still unwell and longs to get back to the villa and the beast.
Beautifully written with enough villains to keep the storyline strong.
October 24, 2020
Satisfying, light, and interesting.
It's nice to read and understand the perspective and feelings of both main protagonist in the story. The story of Thorn of Rose is light and really relatable, good use of common-sense, relaxing, and intriguing. The only thing I noticed is the lack of solid illustration or description of some of the important subjects. I'm not sure where to pinpoint specifically in the book this observation. I just always have that feeling, same when I read the book 1. There are words and phrases that pulls you deeper into the world in the book, bringing more the feeling of empathy towards the characters and the events, especially in this kind of genre and set-up and I just don't feel it being utilized here. But it is still a great book overall and I'll keep following the whole series.
It's nice to read and understand the perspective and feelings of both main protagonist in the story. The story of Thorn of Rose is light and really relatable, good use of common-sense, relaxing, and intriguing. The only thing I noticed is the lack of solid illustration or description of some of the important subjects. I'm not sure where to pinpoint specifically in the book this observation. I just always have that feeling, same when I read the book 1. There are words and phrases that pulls you deeper into the world in the book, bringing more the feeling of empathy towards the characters and the events, especially in this kind of genre and set-up and I just don't feel it being utilized here. But it is still a great book overall and I'll keep following the whole series.
August 24, 2020
I got a free copy of this book for an honest review. Though this book can be read on its own, it is best to read it after A shard of glass. I really enjoyed the authoress's spin on the classic tale of "beauty and the beast". In the beginning ISA is not a very likable character her harsh personality grated on the nerves. But once it becomes clear as to why she behaves the way she does the reader has sympathy with her and what motivates her. Aden's personality is spot on and I found his internal conversations well written. Warrior is a delightful addition to the story and the storyline seamlessly continue from the previous book with all the noteworthy characters also mentioned in this one. I am looking forward to the next installment.
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