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The Language of Roses
A Beauty. A Beast. A Curse. This is not the story you know.
Join author Heather Rose Jones on a new and magical journey into the heart of a familiar fairytale. Meet Alys, eldest daughter of a merchant, a merchant who foolishly plucks a rose from a briar as he flees from the home of a terrifying fay Beast and his seemingly icy sister. Now Alys must pay the price to save his life and allow the Beast, the once handsome Philippe, to pay court to her.
But Alys has never fallen in love with anyone; how can she love a Beast? The fairy Peronelle, waiting in the woods to see the culmination of her curse, is sure that she will fail. Yet, if she does, Philippe’s sister Grace and her beloved Eglantine, trapped in an enchanted briar in the garden, will pay a terrible price. Unless Alys can find another way…
This is the third volume of the Queen of Swords Press Mini Series.
Join author Heather Rose Jones on a new and magical journey into the heart of a familiar fairytale. Meet Alys, eldest daughter of a merchant, a merchant who foolishly plucks a rose from a briar as he flees from the home of a terrifying fay Beast and his seemingly icy sister. Now Alys must pay the price to save his life and allow the Beast, the once handsome Philippe, to pay court to her.
But Alys has never fallen in love with anyone; how can she love a Beast? The fairy Peronelle, waiting in the woods to see the culmination of her curse, is sure that she will fail. Yet, if she does, Philippe’s sister Grace and her beloved Eglantine, trapped in an enchanted briar in the garden, will pay a terrible price. Unless Alys can find another way…
This is the third volume of the Queen of Swords Press Mini Series.
216 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2022
11 people are currently reading
422 people want to read
About the author
Heather Rose Jones
20 books184 followersHeather Rose Jones writes fantasy, historic fantasy, and historical fiction, including the Alpennia series with swordswomen and magic in an alternate Regency setting. She blogs about research into lesbian-like motifs in history and literature at the Lesbian Historic Motif Project which provides inspiration for her fiction. She has a PhD in linguistics, studying metaphor theory and the semantics of Medieval Welsh prepositions, and works as an industrial failure investigator in biotech.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
April 10, 2022
Old versus new. This comparison applies to several things I can say about this book. This is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast and while I know the original story pretty well, this one strays from the familiar storyline and had me guessing a couple of times about what would come. The story is a nice mix of a historical time setting with a very clear paternal society, a sapphic couple and an aromantic character, and it also touches upon toxic relationships. I still recognized it clearly as Beauty and the Beast, but I found this a very refreshing and surprising read.
I’m a fan of the Alpennia series by this author especially because of the beautiful prose, which I again immediately recognized in this book. I have to mention though, that I got confused a bit during the first part of the book with the POVs, as it was not always immediately clear in which POV I was in and I realised after a while that the book is also written in both first and third person depending on the POV you’re in, which took some getting used to.
This was a rather quick read, I think the length lies somewhere between a novella and a full-length book and I easily recommend this to those who like a surprising and well written retelling of one of the classic tales.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’m a fan of the Alpennia series by this author especially because of the beautiful prose, which I again immediately recognized in this book. I have to mention though, that I got confused a bit during the first part of the book with the POVs, as it was not always immediately clear in which POV I was in and I realised after a while that the book is also written in both first and third person depending on the POV you’re in, which took some getting used to.
This was a rather quick read, I think the length lies somewhere between a novella and a full-length book and I easily recommend this to those who like a surprising and well written retelling of one of the classic tales.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2022
This was not what I was expecting, at all!
A lot of excellent nuance and points made, but yet it's still not entirely clear like I would have wanted, even at the end.
If you're looking for romance, there's really not much here of that. There's a lot of pinning, trying to figure out curses, various side players, second-guessing and justifying a lot of bad men's behaviours, too. And yet it never did go deep enough, for me.
It's just left me puzzled, and I think perhaps it's on me for expecting something different than what I got?
It's not bad in any way, I think it's beautifully and formally written, but I would have like far more emotion, instead of very formal, stoic, almost sonnet-like odes.
A lot of excellent nuance and points made, but yet it's still not entirely clear like I would have wanted, even at the end.
If you're looking for romance, there's really not much here of that. There's a lot of pinning, trying to figure out curses, various side players, second-guessing and justifying a lot of bad men's behaviours, too. And yet it never did go deep enough, for me.
It's just left me puzzled, and I think perhaps it's on me for expecting something different than what I got?
It's not bad in any way, I think it's beautifully and formally written, but I would have like far more emotion, instead of very formal, stoic, almost sonnet-like odes.
April 8, 2022
"Beauty and the Beast" with an aromantic heroine? Intriguing premise, but does it work for a fairy tale where the relationship between Beauty and Beast is the key plot?
If, like me, you are familiar with the original fairy tale, you'll probably be wondering how this can even be possible. After all, love, romantic love to be specific, is what breaks the curse and an aromantic person can't fall in love. So, how is it done?
Turns out it can be done, and very well at that. It requires subverting the traditional storyline for the main couple, which means it's not what you'd be expecting a B&B retelling to be. But lest you be thinking this is no true B&B story because of this radical plot subversion, I would say that the original tale's core is still used and incorporated here, and therefore very much respected. Just not for the traditional pairing.
And honestly, for someone notoriously opinionated on B&B retellings as me, that was the biggest surprise: that it still worked even if "sideways," so to speak. Now I'm counting this amongst the most original retellings of this tale I've read. The subversion doesn't concern only the traditional pairing, but the whole story is made of new cloth. There's a very dysfunctional family and abuse thematic running throughout every one of the four main character's lives, as Alys, the Beauty figure, has a selfish and self-serving father with abusive tendencies and an absent mother, and Philippe, the Beast figure, is a textbook narcissistic abuser who treats his sister and other women as his possessions, including Alys herself. It'd be a spoiler to detail the other pairing, so suffice to say they're also victims of self-absorbed abusers.
There's no personal redemption to be had here, but there's still the love that transforms, and transitions home life into a haven for the victims once they figure out love, not just romantic love, does transform and redeem and change lives for the better. The ending is beautiful, although you'll wish Alys would toss that selfish bunch that doesn't deserve her.
What could've been better is that the POV structure that makes it difficult to read the novella smoothly. For a short novella, there's about four POV narrators that use a total of three narration styles: first person, second person tense, and third person limited. And sometimes two POV styles happen in the same chapter; one moment you're reading the First Person POV narrator, and next paragraph there's Second Person POV chiming in. It's an irritation and hard to get used to, and it is bound to be confusing to some readers as to what is going on. Which is a pity, because this author's prose is lovely, and she can draw authentic non-traditional characters. I'm not aromantic nor on the spectrum, but I could easily understand Alys and liked her and Beast's sister. But the shifts in narration were constantly kicking me out of the story and forcing me to pause, because for such a short novel, it took me days to finish in spite of really loving the characters and the creativity of the plot, and so I am not rating it higher as I would have. I wouldn't recommend this type of POV shuffling be repeated in future books after this experience, it may be detrimental.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
If, like me, you are familiar with the original fairy tale, you'll probably be wondering how this can even be possible. After all, love, romantic love to be specific, is what breaks the curse and an aromantic person can't fall in love. So, how is it done?
Turns out it can be done, and very well at that. It requires subverting the traditional storyline for the main couple, which means it's not what you'd be expecting a B&B retelling to be. But lest you be thinking this is no true B&B story because of this radical plot subversion, I would say that the original tale's core is still used and incorporated here, and therefore very much respected. Just not for the traditional pairing.
And honestly, for someone notoriously opinionated on B&B retellings as me, that was the biggest surprise: that it still worked even if "sideways," so to speak. Now I'm counting this amongst the most original retellings of this tale I've read. The subversion doesn't concern only the traditional pairing, but the whole story is made of new cloth. There's a very dysfunctional family and abuse thematic running throughout every one of the four main character's lives, as Alys, the Beauty figure, has a selfish and self-serving father with abusive tendencies and an absent mother, and Philippe, the Beast figure, is a textbook narcissistic abuser who treats his sister and other women as his possessions, including Alys herself. It'd be a spoiler to detail the other pairing, so suffice to say they're also victims of self-absorbed abusers.
There's no personal redemption to be had here, but there's still the love that transforms, and transitions home life into a haven for the victims once they figure out love, not just romantic love, does transform and redeem and change lives for the better. The ending is beautiful, although you'll wish Alys would toss that selfish bunch that doesn't deserve her.
What could've been better is that the POV structure that makes it difficult to read the novella smoothly. For a short novella, there's about four POV narrators that use a total of three narration styles: first person, second person tense, and third person limited. And sometimes two POV styles happen in the same chapter; one moment you're reading the First Person POV narrator, and next paragraph there's Second Person POV chiming in. It's an irritation and hard to get used to, and it is bound to be confusing to some readers as to what is going on. Which is a pity, because this author's prose is lovely, and she can draw authentic non-traditional characters. I'm not aromantic nor on the spectrum, but I could easily understand Alys and liked her and Beast's sister. But the shifts in narration were constantly kicking me out of the story and forcing me to pause, because for such a short novel, it took me days to finish in spite of really loving the characters and the creativity of the plot, and so I am not rating it higher as I would have. I wouldn't recommend this type of POV shuffling be repeated in future books after this experience, it may be detrimental.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2022
4.25-4.5 but I'm rounding up because 1) it's a small publisher/small print, 2) I love fairytale retellings, 3) most of my issues are general novella issues.
A magical little retelling of Beauty and the Beast, with some tweaks to the original: In this story, the Beast (Philippe) was cursed along with his sister, Grace. His curse is to transform into a beast, while hers is to eventually transform into a stone statue; neither will be free until true love arrives at the castle. Keeping with the original story, a merchant steals a rose from the Beast's garden, and in return must send one of his daughters to live at the Beast's castle in penance. Enter Alys, his eldest daughter. Alys has never been moved by romantic love; not knowing about the curse, she travels to the Beast's castle to fulfill her father's punishment. This book questions the value of different kinds of love, as well as the constraints that selfish love ("love") can create.
I think what I loved most about this book is the love it shows between women: Alys and her sisters, Alys and Grace, Grace and Eglantine, Eglantine and Alys -- all different types of love, but ones that bind all of these characters together, and create a sense of solace for all of them while under the Beast's oppressive rule.
I found the writing and storyline lovely - I'm a sucker for a fairytale retelling, and I think Heather Rose Jones spins out a story of real love intertwined with toxic "love" in a way that is incredibly touching. The storyline as well as the cause of the curse unfurl over time, leaving you wanting to keep reading to discover what exactly is happening. The writing feels lovely; there's a slight sense of remove, which I think keeps well with the fairytale sense of things, but also some really lovely details and emotions. This book also hops a few different PoV's, not just among character, but also switching between third, first, and second person. I personally really enjoyed the writing shift between different characters, but it may not be to everyone's liking.
I also really appreciate this book's portrayal of toxic and abusive people and relationships. It's sometimes difficult for me to read books that feature abuse, not necessarily because it's so painful, but because it often does not translate well to page, and scenes that would be horrifying in real life feel... almost cartoonishly flat in many books. In this book, the author does a great job of portraying the exhaustion and lack of space that can be caused by a toxic relationship: the way someone has to be pacified, the emotional energy that goes into keeping them pleased, the constant, unrelenting, but not overtly cruel encroachment into one's personal time, space, and agency. Overall, I thought it was so well done.
My biggest issues with this book are the usual novella gripes - I wanted more! I would have liked it to have been a little richer and a little deeper, with more careful plotting. Still, it was a great retelling in terms of story, character, and style - and what else could I ask for? I can't speak to the representation of Alys as far as being aromantic goes, but I did find her to be a compelling and sympathetic heroine, and I think her sense of feeling trapped not just by the Beast, but by the entire societal expectation of romantic love and marriage as the end-all, be-all, to be super compelling.
I would definitely recommend this one to anyone who likes fairytale retellings, especially with a queer bent, such as Roses and Thorns by Chris Anne Wolf (a beauty and the beast retelling which is more focused on the romance, but has a similar quality of writing). I also think a little of A Spindle Splintered by Alix E Harrow, which is very different in tone and has a less dreamy, more modern sensibility, but also walks that path between fairytale fantasy and real-world issues.
A magical little retelling of Beauty and the Beast, with some tweaks to the original: In this story, the Beast (Philippe) was cursed along with his sister, Grace. His curse is to transform into a beast, while hers is to eventually transform into a stone statue; neither will be free until true love arrives at the castle. Keeping with the original story, a merchant steals a rose from the Beast's garden, and in return must send one of his daughters to live at the Beast's castle in penance. Enter Alys, his eldest daughter. Alys has never been moved by romantic love; not knowing about the curse, she travels to the Beast's castle to fulfill her father's punishment. This book questions the value of different kinds of love, as well as the constraints that selfish love ("love") can create.
I think what I loved most about this book is the love it shows between women: Alys and her sisters, Alys and Grace, Grace and Eglantine, Eglantine and Alys -- all different types of love, but ones that bind all of these characters together, and create a sense of solace for all of them while under the Beast's oppressive rule.
I found the writing and storyline lovely - I'm a sucker for a fairytale retelling, and I think Heather Rose Jones spins out a story of real love intertwined with toxic "love" in a way that is incredibly touching. The storyline as well as the cause of the curse unfurl over time, leaving you wanting to keep reading to discover what exactly is happening. The writing feels lovely; there's a slight sense of remove, which I think keeps well with the fairytale sense of things, but also some really lovely details and emotions. This book also hops a few different PoV's, not just among character, but also switching between third, first, and second person. I personally really enjoyed the writing shift between different characters, but it may not be to everyone's liking.
I also really appreciate this book's portrayal of toxic and abusive people and relationships. It's sometimes difficult for me to read books that feature abuse, not necessarily because it's so painful, but because it often does not translate well to page, and scenes that would be horrifying in real life feel... almost cartoonishly flat in many books. In this book, the author does a great job of portraying the exhaustion and lack of space that can be caused by a toxic relationship: the way someone has to be pacified, the emotional energy that goes into keeping them pleased, the constant, unrelenting, but not overtly cruel encroachment into one's personal time, space, and agency. Overall, I thought it was so well done.
My biggest issues with this book are the usual novella gripes - I wanted more! I would have liked it to have been a little richer and a little deeper, with more careful plotting. Still, it was a great retelling in terms of story, character, and style - and what else could I ask for? I can't speak to the representation of Alys as far as being aromantic goes, but I did find her to be a compelling and sympathetic heroine, and I think her sense of feeling trapped not just by the Beast, but by the entire societal expectation of romantic love and marriage as the end-all, be-all, to be super compelling.
I would definitely recommend this one to anyone who likes fairytale retellings, especially with a queer bent, such as Roses and Thorns by Chris Anne Wolf (a beauty and the beast retelling which is more focused on the romance, but has a similar quality of writing). I also think a little of A Spindle Splintered by Alix E Harrow, which is very different in tone and has a less dreamy, more modern sensibility, but also walks that path between fairytale fantasy and real-world issues.
April 18, 2022
Neat retelling with a different approach to Beauty and the Beast which works more as a little mystery than just a pure fairytale romance
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
April 13, 2023
I loved Heather Rose Jones’s “Alpennia” books, with all their derring-do, politics, and intelligent romance, so I grabbed her new book, The Language of Roses, without nary a glance at the description. It soon became clear to me that this was yet another (yawn) retelling of “Beauty and the Beast,” with hints that it will be a lesbian romance. But Jones is a thoughtful author who has never followed the predictable path, so I hung in there during the set-up as the eldest daughter of a merchant who foolishly plucks a rose takes his place in the home of a terrifying Beast and his icy sister, invisible servants and all. This daughter, unlike her boy-crazy sisters, has never fallen in love (hint, hint) and regards marriage as a duty or a financial agreement, with mutual respect and friendship the best she can hope for. Even if she is a stranger to romance, she loves her family deeply and is fearless and passionate in their defense.
From the very beginning, like a twining rose vine, Jones examines the nature and varieties of love. Is it more than intense, all-consuming physical attraction, and if so, how? The story kept remining me of the different hormones involved in infatuation (dopamine and norepinephrine) versus long-lasting, committed love (oxytocin). Jones doesn’t preach or descend into lengthy exposition on the neurochemical nature of love. Instead, she takes the reader on a journey of trust, comfort, cherishing, and self-sacrifice.
As a final note, I encourage readers to not judge this book as a solely a lesbian romance. If you do, and if you think that’s not for you, you’ll miss out on something remarkable. The characters are universally appealing, as are the emotions. There are enough plot twists and unexpected details to keep the pages turning. It’s an absorbing, rewarding read.
From the very beginning, like a twining rose vine, Jones examines the nature and varieties of love. Is it more than intense, all-consuming physical attraction, and if so, how? The story kept remining me of the different hormones involved in infatuation (dopamine and norepinephrine) versus long-lasting, committed love (oxytocin). Jones doesn’t preach or descend into lengthy exposition on the neurochemical nature of love. Instead, she takes the reader on a journey of trust, comfort, cherishing, and self-sacrifice.
As a final note, I encourage readers to not judge this book as a solely a lesbian romance. If you do, and if you think that’s not for you, you’ll miss out on something remarkable. The characters are universally appealing, as are the emotions. There are enough plot twists and unexpected details to keep the pages turning. It’s an absorbing, rewarding read.
April 28, 2022
2/5 ⭐️
This is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but make it aromantic, with fae and LGBTQ+ rep.
The writing is beautiful, very poetic, but every chapter is a new narrator and I was confused for a lot of the book.
There are some strong, flawed and well descripted characters, but none of them evolve over the 2 years of this story. They leave the story has they begun it: with the same flaws.
I get where the author wanted to go (show flawed men that in the end don’t get their happy endings), but the story doesn’t allow this theme to be used in depth. It’s a story with multiple ethics and morals and philosophical points, but they are all depicted in a very shallow way. I would have liked the story to go further with those themes. They live together for two years, how can they not change at all?
I liked the sorcerer’s magic and the invisible ones. I loved the LGBTQ+ rep. And the length of the story was short so it is a very fast read. It is exactly the kind of standalone books I like to read between big books of sagas!
The « plot twist » at the end was foreseeable and included a major chronological mistake ( the mother was gone for 31+ years, and left when Alys was 7 YO. So that makes Alys to be 35 yo minimum at the beginning of the story, so why was Alys still an eligible woman in her town ?! If it’s not a mistake, it was not well explained. Maybe lost in the too many narrator’s POV ?)
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Queen of Swords Press !
This is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but make it aromantic, with fae and LGBTQ+ rep.
The writing is beautiful, very poetic, but every chapter is a new narrator and I was confused for a lot of the book.
There are some strong, flawed and well descripted characters, but none of them evolve over the 2 years of this story. They leave the story has they begun it: with the same flaws.
I get where the author wanted to go (show flawed men that in the end don’t get their happy endings), but the story doesn’t allow this theme to be used in depth. It’s a story with multiple ethics and morals and philosophical points, but they are all depicted in a very shallow way. I would have liked the story to go further with those themes. They live together for two years, how can they not change at all?
I liked the sorcerer’s magic and the invisible ones. I loved the LGBTQ+ rep. And the length of the story was short so it is a very fast read. It is exactly the kind of standalone books I like to read between big books of sagas!
The « plot twist » at the end was foreseeable and included a major chronological mistake ( the mother was gone for 31+ years, and left when Alys was 7 YO. So that makes Alys to be 35 yo minimum at the beginning of the story, so why was Alys still an eligible woman in her town ?! If it’s not a mistake, it was not well explained. Maybe lost in the too many narrator’s POV ?)
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Queen of Swords Press !
December 17, 2025
started this bc we saw the beauty and the beast musical and i finally understood why ppl like to write aspec versions of the story! (there are at least three that i’m aware of, this is the second i’ve read). anyways i liked but didn’t love this. i read half of it on saturday, the other half today. overall short but dragged a little in the middle bc not much was happening tbh (which makes sense for where the story went but doesn’t make it more interesting to read). prof frazier’s anti using questions in prose made me realize How Many Questions were used in this prose and it bothered me ngl. even tho this was short, i feel like it could have been shorter. but! i did rlly like the aro mc and the sorta poly sapphic qpr that happened in the end. and some interesting stuff about living with manipulative men and what it means to be a mother.
overall… not exactly what i wanted to read and at times a little slow but it was still a good book and i liked how it interpreted the story. cool worldbuilding and characters!
overall… not exactly what i wanted to read and at times a little slow but it was still a good book and i liked how it interpreted the story. cool worldbuilding and characters!
May 21, 2022
This was...OK. And it's very hard to say much more about it. The writing was beautiful, as usual for Jones, and it was a really interesting take on the Beauty and the Beast tale, but I couldn't really connect to the characters. This might be partly because the book jumps between multiple POVs and
while they all technically take place chronologically, some mention past events. Additionally, I sometimes needed quite some time to figure out who was talking at the moment (and much longer to figure out about what).
while they all technically take place chronologically, some mention past events. Additionally, I sometimes needed quite some time to figure out who was talking at the moment (and much longer to figure out about what).
October 25, 2022
Beauty and the Beast except everyone agrees The Beast is controlling, awful, and terrible, and the women all just go hmmmm what if.... we were just gay for each other instead....
May 13, 2022
Heather Rose Graham takes on the French folk tale “Beauty and the Beast”, and crafts a lovely, queer retelling involving a beast (naturally), but also the Fae and friendship.
The language throughout is beautiful, and I love how main character Alys finds her voice and what is important to her, while Fae Grace (the Beast’s sister), and her deep love for Eglantine, must find a way to break the curse they all labour under.
It’s a dark tale, but Alys’ friendship with Grace was so integral to my loving this wonderful interpretation.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Queen of Swords Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
The language throughout is beautiful, and I love how main character Alys finds her voice and what is important to her, while Fae Grace (the Beast’s sister), and her deep love for Eglantine, must find a way to break the curse they all labour under.
It’s a dark tale, but Alys’ friendship with Grace was so integral to my loving this wonderful interpretation.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Queen of Swords Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
May 10, 2022
The Language of Roses is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but unlike a lot of the ones we've seen so far. I really enjoyed this story and I'm glad I got it on Netgalley!
When Alys's father trespasses onto the Beast's property and steals one of his roses, a debt must be paid. Alys volunteers to be the one that will now go live with the fae Beast and his sister instead of her sisters. When she gets there, the Beast is temperamental and unpleasant, but he is trying hard around Alys. But, he keeps asking her if she loves him and if she'll marry him. Alys has never been in love - so how can she answer without lying? But she discovers that if she does not, the curse will have dire consequences for the Beast's sister Grace, who Alys has become friends with, and also the mysterious Rose Lady that Alys keeps dreaming of.
Beauty and the Beast has had many retellings, but the ones where it's not as simple as "just fall in love"/ "romantic love fixes all" are always especially interesting and dear to me. With our protagonist being aromantic, I knew I was in for a treat. This story follows much the usual Beauty and the Beast setting, and I really enjoyed the bits of the world we were shown (even if the focus wasn't on that). What this version also does differently is that it adds the Beast's sister, who because of the curse, is turning into stone. My only complaint about the setup of the book was, that initially, I found it hard to understand due to switching POVs - but that confusion was just momentary, and I caught on pretty quickly.
I think the focus of the book, and also my favorite aspect, is the main character Alys. She is caring and compassionate, and also very headstrong and determined. She was really great to follow as a protagonist. I really liked how level-headed she was in all of these situations she found herself in. The other characters were all, for the most part, well-rounded and written well. The Beast in this story is not the typical one you'd be expecting. He is trying to impress Alys in hopes she'll marry him and break the curse - but in truth, he's a temperamental man, who doesn't really take no as an answer. I found the Beast's sister to be a lovely addition, in the way the forms a quiet friendship with Alys, and how she ends up caring so much about her. I also very much enjoy the side plot-line of Grace and Eglantine (I always love a good sapphic rep). I really enjoyed the ending, in terms of the fate of the characters - I don't enjoy the concept of forgiveness and redemption being handed out freely left and right, and this book did exactly what I hoped it would.
The writing style is something that really stood out to me while reading. The prose was quite magical and captivating. Right from the beginning, I was enchanted (pun intended), and wanted to know more, to read more I ended up reading this book in one sitting, start to finish. Didn't even take breaks.
My biggest complaint, and the reason this is 4 and not 5 stars, is the ending. Or rather, the pacing of the ending. As I already said, I truly did enjoy the ending in terms of what happened, but not so much when we consider how quickly it unfolded. The main issue I had with the end being so rushed, is that it left too many unanswered questions. The entire book we, alongside Alys, were discovering pieces of information about the curse and putting it together like puzzle pieces, and a big reveal at the end left me puzzled. I wish some aspects were more explored, and just explained to us more in-depth.
All that said, I still enjoyed this book a lot, and would highly recommend it. I would especially recommend it to people who love good retelling and are looking for something with a new perspective!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
When Alys's father trespasses onto the Beast's property and steals one of his roses, a debt must be paid. Alys volunteers to be the one that will now go live with the fae Beast and his sister instead of her sisters. When she gets there, the Beast is temperamental and unpleasant, but he is trying hard around Alys. But, he keeps asking her if she loves him and if she'll marry him. Alys has never been in love - so how can she answer without lying? But she discovers that if she does not, the curse will have dire consequences for the Beast's sister Grace, who Alys has become friends with, and also the mysterious Rose Lady that Alys keeps dreaming of.
Beauty and the Beast has had many retellings, but the ones where it's not as simple as "just fall in love"/ "romantic love fixes all" are always especially interesting and dear to me. With our protagonist being aromantic, I knew I was in for a treat. This story follows much the usual Beauty and the Beast setting, and I really enjoyed the bits of the world we were shown (even if the focus wasn't on that). What this version also does differently is that it adds the Beast's sister, who because of the curse, is turning into stone. My only complaint about the setup of the book was, that initially, I found it hard to understand due to switching POVs - but that confusion was just momentary, and I caught on pretty quickly.
I think the focus of the book, and also my favorite aspect, is the main character Alys. She is caring and compassionate, and also very headstrong and determined. She was really great to follow as a protagonist. I really liked how level-headed she was in all of these situations she found herself in. The other characters were all, for the most part, well-rounded and written well. The Beast in this story is not the typical one you'd be expecting. He is trying to impress Alys in hopes she'll marry him and break the curse - but in truth, he's a temperamental man, who doesn't really take no as an answer. I found the Beast's sister to be a lovely addition, in the way the forms a quiet friendship with Alys, and how she ends up caring so much about her. I also very much enjoy the side plot-line of Grace and Eglantine (I always love a good sapphic rep). I really enjoyed the ending, in terms of the fate of the characters - I don't enjoy the concept of forgiveness and redemption being handed out freely left and right, and this book did exactly what I hoped it would.
The writing style is something that really stood out to me while reading. The prose was quite magical and captivating. Right from the beginning, I was enchanted (pun intended), and wanted to know more, to read more I ended up reading this book in one sitting, start to finish. Didn't even take breaks.
My biggest complaint, and the reason this is 4 and not 5 stars, is the ending. Or rather, the pacing of the ending. As I already said, I truly did enjoy the ending in terms of what happened, but not so much when we consider how quickly it unfolded. The main issue I had with the end being so rushed, is that it left too many unanswered questions. The entire book we, alongside Alys, were discovering pieces of information about the curse and putting it together like puzzle pieces, and a big reveal at the end left me puzzled. I wish some aspects were more explored, and just explained to us more in-depth.
All that said, I still enjoyed this book a lot, and would highly recommend it. I would especially recommend it to people who love good retelling and are looking for something with a new perspective!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2022
I will always love aspec fairy tale retellings of any kind. But I especially love aspec retellings where the forms of affection and connection the aspec person feels are just as powerful as more conventional romantic or sexual feelings. And then to have a Beauty and the Beast retelling where the Beast is truly a beast, rather than just a gruff or thoughtless person? Well it makes for a truly magical story. The Language of Roses was absolutely beautiful and heart-wrenching and oh so believable beneath the veneer of magic.
February 18, 2022
Gorgeous retelling of “Beauty and the Beast” that interrogates the premise of the original story. What kind of love do you need to free one one you care about? What if the curse should have never been cast? What if breaking it means something very different than the caster intended?
(Thoughts from the early review ARC)
(Thoughts from the early review ARC)
May 6, 2022
What a beautiful book! Loved this interpretation and reimagining of The Beauty and the Beast.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
February 25, 2024
This is a delightful sapphic retelling of the classic fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast. It starts off the way it always does, but with some differences. For example, in this book Alys, the daughter who goes to live with Phillippe (the beast), is aromantic. Another difference is that the beast lives with a sister named Grace who is kind to Alys. They work together to keep each other as safe as they can from Phillippe, who is emotionally abusive towards them. I've read many retellings of fairy tales, and this is going to be one of my all-time favorites now. I will definitely reread this over and over.
February 10, 2022
Beta read this novella and I'm so glad it's finally being published! A retelling of Beauty and the Beast that explores the abusive dynamics and has an aromantic heroine. The language and point of view technique are lovely.
October 1, 2022
I have one nitpick (the resolution of the curse is a bit unclear to me, maybe I read it too fast) but otherwise this was perfect. Loved it. I didn't think I'd read it so fast.
February 4, 2023
The prince and his sister has been cursed, the fairy is just biding her time now and a local traveler enters the castle grounds - this Beauty and the Beast retelling does not involve a romance but an aromantic heroine adrressing the underlying cruelty of it all.
I think the writing is beautiful but left me more confused than enthralled. I love purple prose - when it makes me feel something. I spend more time unraveling all the connections between all the POV characters and I frustrated with the ephemeral writing style. Sometimes, a more overt phrasing, especially in the beginning would have helped to set the scene properly. A little less subtext, more straight up text.
Maybe it's also the fact that I am not one for mysteries or terrible at figuring them out.
For so many chapters with a cast of recurring points of view, I'd wished we had skipped the alluding chapter titles (The Traveler, The Beast, The Watcher, etc.) and just named most or all of as their names instead. Their voices were not distinct enough for me to easily recognize from which perspective I was reading and it made for a frustrating experience. I love an omniscient POV and an outsider perspective that gives hints as to what might come but I could not enjoy these chapters because I was still relocating myself in the story. With thirty chapters to 200 pages, it was just too much.
And we didn't even get the arguably most important voice: Phillippe, the beast. He was so underdeveloped in comparison to everyone else. He did not need to be redeemed or even humanized, I just wanted to see a fuller picture of his character.
But I loved Alys and Grace. Alys, who has no words to describe why won't fall in love but is determind to help out her family and unafraid to step into the unkown. And Grace, who female lover was taken from her and who is stuck with her volatile brother, but still helpful and kind to anyone new she meets. It was those two (and the unnamed narrator of a few chapters) that kept me intrigued enough to go on and follow where the story would take me.
And the ending is very satisfying, I loved the resolution and the final showdown as the magical timer was almost running out. Now, reading back on my notes and quotes, I can appreciate the setup and payoff more. Sadly, it did not make for a good first time reading it.
I received an advanced reading copy from NetGalley and Queen of Swords Press in exchange for an honest review.
Do you understand the language of roses, little one? There are secrets I need to tell you. We need you, she and I, but she is too afraid to speak. And I? I can only speak in roses.
I think the writing is beautiful but left me more confused than enthralled. I love purple prose - when it makes me feel something. I spend more time unraveling all the connections between all the POV characters and I frustrated with the ephemeral writing style. Sometimes, a more overt phrasing, especially in the beginning would have helped to set the scene properly. A little less subtext, more straight up text.
Maybe it's also the fact that I am not one for mysteries or terrible at figuring them out.
For so many chapters with a cast of recurring points of view, I'd wished we had skipped the alluding chapter titles (The Traveler, The Beast, The Watcher, etc.) and just named most or all of as their names instead. Their voices were not distinct enough for me to easily recognize from which perspective I was reading and it made for a frustrating experience. I love an omniscient POV and an outsider perspective that gives hints as to what might come but I could not enjoy these chapters because I was still relocating myself in the story. With thirty chapters to 200 pages, it was just too much.
And we didn't even get the arguably most important voice: Phillippe, the beast. He was so underdeveloped in comparison to everyone else. He did not need to be redeemed or even humanized, I just wanted to see a fuller picture of his character.
But I loved Alys and Grace. Alys, who has no words to describe why won't fall in love but is determind to help out her family and unafraid to step into the unkown. And Grace, who female lover was taken from her and who is stuck with her volatile brother, but still helpful and kind to anyone new she meets. It was those two (and the unnamed narrator of a few chapters) that kept me intrigued enough to go on and follow where the story would take me.
And the ending is very satisfying, I loved the resolution and the final showdown as the magical timer was almost running out. Now, reading back on my notes and quotes, I can appreciate the setup and payoff more. Sadly, it did not make for a good first time reading it.
I received an advanced reading copy from NetGalley and Queen of Swords Press in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2022
I'd like to thank NetGalley & the publisher for providing me with an E-Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
5 / 5 Stars
The Beauty & The Beast has always been one of my favourit fairytails when I was little and it still is to this day. Which is why I'm very picky when it comes to retellings. If I were to tell you all about why the story is that dear to me, we'd be sitting here for a while. So let's not do that.
When I saw that this book featured an aromantic MC I knew that I had to read it. And I'm very glad I did.
In case you cared, I'm glad to report that a book titled
'The Language of Roses' does indeed feature some very beautiful prose and writing style, such as multible distinctive voices. The very first chapter, for example, read like a poetry book and for a second I was a little confused, but later on, after realising who it was that spoke to me, I couldn't help but smile.
This is still a story about love, but it's also a story about toxicity, abuse and neglect. It's a story about setting yourself free.
But It's not a story about redemption.
It’s funny how forgiveness has almost become the destination for all journeys to healing. It’s become commercialized and exploited to the extent that forgiveness loses its true meaning, becoming a cover for abusers. Because if forgiveness is the end of all paths to healing, if you're going to forgive me anyways, no matter what, then the act of abuse doesn’t really matter.
Victims are supposed to erase their anger, hurt and pain. They are expected to suffer and forgive again and again and again, while society ignores one crucial thing:
Forgiveness is a privilege, and those who want it have to earn it.
While
You have the right to not forgive your abusers at all.
You don't have to forgive, even if they changed, even if they didn't mean it and even if they're sorry. Your feelings matter. Your pain matters. And the book does an amazing job in embodying that. I could say more, but I don't wanna spoil too much. So I'm just gonna leave it at that.
The end of the book had me more than a little emotional, I'm not gonna lie. Because it's filled with a lot of theme, a lot of heart and a lot of love. Truly a great retelling and an amazing and powerful story.
5 / 5 Stars
The Beauty & The Beast has always been one of my favourit fairytails when I was little and it still is to this day. Which is why I'm very picky when it comes to retellings. If I were to tell you all about why the story is that dear to me, we'd be sitting here for a while. So let's not do that.
When I saw that this book featured an aromantic MC I knew that I had to read it. And I'm very glad I did.
In case you cared, I'm glad to report that a book titled
'The Language of Roses' does indeed feature some very beautiful prose and writing style, such as multible distinctive voices. The very first chapter, for example, read like a poetry book and for a second I was a little confused, but later on, after realising who it was that spoke to me, I couldn't help but smile.
This is still a story about love, but it's also a story about toxicity, abuse and neglect. It's a story about setting yourself free.
But It's not a story about redemption.
It’s funny how forgiveness has almost become the destination for all journeys to healing. It’s become commercialized and exploited to the extent that forgiveness loses its true meaning, becoming a cover for abusers. Because if forgiveness is the end of all paths to healing, if you're going to forgive me anyways, no matter what, then the act of abuse doesn’t really matter.
Victims are supposed to erase their anger, hurt and pain. They are expected to suffer and forgive again and again and again, while society ignores one crucial thing:
Forgiveness is a privilege, and those who want it have to earn it.
While
You have the right to not forgive your abusers at all.
You don't have to forgive, even if they changed, even if they didn't mean it and even if they're sorry. Your feelings matter. Your pain matters. And the book does an amazing job in embodying that. I could say more, but I don't wanna spoil too much. So I'm just gonna leave it at that.
The end of the book had me more than a little emotional, I'm not gonna lie. Because it's filled with a lot of theme, a lot of heart and a lot of love. Truly a great retelling and an amazing and powerful story.
April 10, 2022
Every Valentine’s Day, I generally see an article which states that roses can have meanings attached to them. Red roses have a meaning, yellow roses have a different, meaning, etc.
This is one of the features of The Language of Roses by Heather Rose Jones, a retelling of the “Beauty and the Beast” tale. In this version, the household consists of Philippe, the man-turned-beast; his sister, Grace; Eglantine, who disappeared after she and Grace fell in love; and Alys. who comes to the residence to pay the penalty her father incurred when he took a rose without permission. Philippe is under a curse to remain a beast unless he is freely loved and married; Grace is under a curse to turn to stone if that does not happen. (Grace and Philippe have magic of their own, though they can’t use it to break the curse.) There is a deadline for these events to happen to avoid the curse, which is approaching.
Alys’s needs are all seen to, but she has to endure Philippe’s stalking behavior. She does not find herself growing fond of him. She continues to answer his questions “Do you love me? Will you marry me?” with a firm “no.” Grace is kind to Alys but distant. Both take care to avoid Philippe’s moods, which are oppressive and can be terrifying. Beyond those concerns, Alys begins to sense the presence of another, who she names Lady Rose.
The strength of the story comes when the characters strive to be true to themselves, especially when being pressured to do otherwise by those close to them. The story shows that such pressure is abusive and can have catastrophic results. There are sufficient clues for the reader to unravel the mysteries within the story, though readers need to be alert to frequent changes in points of view, which sometimes makes following the threads a challenge.
Overall, the story progresses to a satisfying ending which seems appropriate to all the characters. In any retelling of an old story, adding a fresh approach and more depth to the basics of the tale can only enhance the reader experience, and Heather Rose Jones has succeeded in doing this here.
This is one of the features of The Language of Roses by Heather Rose Jones, a retelling of the “Beauty and the Beast” tale. In this version, the household consists of Philippe, the man-turned-beast; his sister, Grace; Eglantine, who disappeared after she and Grace fell in love; and Alys. who comes to the residence to pay the penalty her father incurred when he took a rose without permission. Philippe is under a curse to remain a beast unless he is freely loved and married; Grace is under a curse to turn to stone if that does not happen. (Grace and Philippe have magic of their own, though they can’t use it to break the curse.) There is a deadline for these events to happen to avoid the curse, which is approaching.
Alys’s needs are all seen to, but she has to endure Philippe’s stalking behavior. She does not find herself growing fond of him. She continues to answer his questions “Do you love me? Will you marry me?” with a firm “no.” Grace is kind to Alys but distant. Both take care to avoid Philippe’s moods, which are oppressive and can be terrifying. Beyond those concerns, Alys begins to sense the presence of another, who she names Lady Rose.
The strength of the story comes when the characters strive to be true to themselves, especially when being pressured to do otherwise by those close to them. The story shows that such pressure is abusive and can have catastrophic results. There are sufficient clues for the reader to unravel the mysteries within the story, though readers need to be alert to frequent changes in points of view, which sometimes makes following the threads a challenge.
Overall, the story progresses to a satisfying ending which seems appropriate to all the characters. In any retelling of an old story, adding a fresh approach and more depth to the basics of the tale can only enhance the reader experience, and Heather Rose Jones has succeeded in doing this here.
August 4, 2022
(This review originally appeared at historythatneverwas.com.)
Heather Rose Jones’ book, The Language of Roses, is a retelling of the story of Beauty and the Beast with a series of interesting twists on the original fairy tale.
This version of the story goes into some detail about how the Beast character wound up in his state, and it also gives him a sister, who is very closely tied to what happened to him. The protagonist of the story, Alys, comes into the Beast’s home in much the same way as she always has (as a result of her father’s gluttony and avarice), but with the addition of the sister and the backstory, things don’t necessarily go as expected.
Not present are the talking and singing housewares of the Disney version, but they are truly not missed in this imaginative retelling. Alys and the other female characters have far more agency than they did in other versions of the story, and it’s very much not a story about learning to love a beast. But if you’re a fan of fairy tales retold, especially when the author weaves queer elements in so deftly that you might swear they’d always been there, you will enjoy The Language of Roses!
Heather Rose Jones’ book, The Language of Roses, is a retelling of the story of Beauty and the Beast with a series of interesting twists on the original fairy tale.
This version of the story goes into some detail about how the Beast character wound up in his state, and it also gives him a sister, who is very closely tied to what happened to him. The protagonist of the story, Alys, comes into the Beast’s home in much the same way as she always has (as a result of her father’s gluttony and avarice), but with the addition of the sister and the backstory, things don’t necessarily go as expected.
Not present are the talking and singing housewares of the Disney version, but they are truly not missed in this imaginative retelling. Alys and the other female characters have far more agency than they did in other versions of the story, and it’s very much not a story about learning to love a beast. But if you’re a fan of fairy tales retold, especially when the author weaves queer elements in so deftly that you might swear they’d always been there, you will enjoy The Language of Roses!
June 18, 2024
This was a hard novel for me to rate, but only between degrees of how good it was! Because this was a great novel. Loosely (and not so loosely) based on Beauty and the Beast, this novel is imaginative and original. Part romance, part fairytale and fantasy, I would recommend it to anyone who likes the genre.
Great Parts:
-A “retelling” of Beauty and the Beast, this novel re-worked a lot of elements in unexpected and original ways. The plotline, and my expectations, were subverted considerably and I liked the result! Its nice to read something that’s clearly based on a work we know so well but changed into something very original at the same time. I was surprised how much was changed from the original version (a LOT). That said, I liked how to an outside observer (like someone in the town) these events aligned with the original mythology (what I’m trying to say makes sense if you read the book, lol).
-Piggybacking off the above point; the worldbuilding was original, creative, well done, and just the right amount of detail to be immersive without getting bogged down or clunky.
-The writing was very good. It was descriptive, immersive, and stood on its own quality aside from the novels content.
-The “language of roses”. It was clever! The entire idea of .
Nitpicky Issues:
-The POV changed a lot, between several different characters, and it was not always clear. There were several chapters where I had to stop and read carefully, or go back, and check to see who was narrating. I was always able to figure it out, but it took me out of the reading experience and I think it worked against the novel. Confusing isn’t good (unless its on purpose with a reason)!
-The ending. It was fairly abrupt in some ways, but more so I found that a lot of plot elements were not resolved to my satisfaction. I wish there had been more follow-up, or more time spent in the scenes that we did get, because some things were not clear. . Also,
-
Also, I see other reviewers mentioned the MC Alys being aromantic. I don't know if this is actually the case, as it was never really stated in those terms in the novel. This could somewhat change my read on some of what happened....but also not? I'm genuinely curious if this is actually true (the authors intention) or if readers are just making assumptions.
Great Parts:
-A “retelling” of Beauty and the Beast, this novel re-worked a lot of elements in unexpected and original ways. The plotline, and my expectations, were subverted considerably and I liked the result! Its nice to read something that’s clearly based on a work we know so well but changed into something very original at the same time. I was surprised how much was changed from the original version (a LOT). That said, I liked how to an outside observer (like someone in the town) these events aligned with the original mythology (what I’m trying to say makes sense if you read the book, lol).
-Piggybacking off the above point; the worldbuilding was original, creative, well done, and just the right amount of detail to be immersive without getting bogged down or clunky.
-The writing was very good. It was descriptive, immersive, and stood on its own quality aside from the novels content.
-The “language of roses”. It was clever! The entire idea of .
Nitpicky Issues:
-The POV changed a lot, between several different characters, and it was not always clear. There were several chapters where I had to stop and read carefully, or go back, and check to see who was narrating. I was always able to figure it out, but it took me out of the reading experience and I think it worked against the novel. Confusing isn’t good (unless its on purpose with a reason)!
-The ending. It was fairly abrupt in some ways, but more so I found that a lot of plot elements were not resolved to my satisfaction. I wish there had been more follow-up, or more time spent in the scenes that we did get, because some things were not clear. . Also,
-
Also, I see other reviewers mentioned the MC Alys being aromantic. I don't know if this is actually the case, as it was never really stated in those terms in the novel. This could somewhat change my read on some of what happened....but also not? I'm genuinely curious if this is actually true (the authors intention) or if readers are just making assumptions.
January 11, 2025
I love Jones's Alpennia series. This standalone fairytale is not as well done as those, but it had a great premise. The story is Beauty and the Beast, except in this case the beast character is a malignant narcissist, while the beauty character is aromantic, so she literally can't fall in love with him to break the curse. That is a fantastic concept, but the execution left something to be desired, hence only three stars, even though I actually quite liked it, and found it a nice, pleasant read.
In this case the beast has a sister, who is kind-hearted, but oppressed by his abuse, and his jealousy of her (and especially his fiancée choosing her over him) led to the actions that caused them all to be cursed. The beauty character is named Alys, and her goodness and wits set things right, for herself as well as for the fairies. That's not a spoiler. You know this story, even though the details have been changed.
The problem is that the book has too many moody flashbacks and pondering mysteries and not enough actually moving the plot forward, or scenes developing the characters. Which leads me to my biggest issues, spoilers:
All in all, there wasn't enough character development for me, though the characters all made sense and had individual personalities. The only romance in the story was there before the story started and didn't change at all, and one of the parties in that romance got very little page time. Alys gains a home and friends, but I could've used more understanding of why this is her happily ever after. Likewise, I understood Alys's relationship with her father, but I needed a bit more there too.
In the end, a great premise that needed a lot more development. Not a keeper, but I did like it. And it has sent me exploring the Queen of Swords Press catalog, which may prove fruitful.
Content: Narcissists, of three different flavors! Physical and psychological abuse by close relatives including parents, , wrongful imprisonment, body horror (mild/fairytale logic), depiction of chronic illness-like progressive debilitation.
In this case the beast has a sister, who is kind-hearted, but oppressed by his abuse, and his jealousy of her (and especially his fiancée choosing her over him) led to the actions that caused them all to be cursed. The beauty character is named Alys, and her goodness and wits set things right, for herself as well as for the fairies. That's not a spoiler. You know this story, even though the details have been changed.
The problem is that the book has too many moody flashbacks and pondering mysteries and not enough actually moving the plot forward, or scenes developing the characters. Which leads me to my biggest issues, spoilers:
All in all, there wasn't enough character development for me, though the characters all made sense and had individual personalities. The only romance in the story was there before the story started and didn't change at all, and one of the parties in that romance got very little page time. Alys gains a home and friends, but I could've used more understanding of why this is her happily ever after. Likewise, I understood Alys's relationship with her father, but I needed a bit more there too.
In the end, a great premise that needed a lot more development. Not a keeper, but I did like it. And it has sent me exploring the Queen of Swords Press catalog, which may prove fruitful.
Content: Narcissists, of three different flavors! Physical and psychological abuse by close relatives including parents, , wrongful imprisonment, body horror (mild/fairytale logic), depiction of chronic illness-like progressive debilitation.
April 4, 2022
Thank you, NetGalley and Queen of Swords Press for the chance to read this ARC!
Four out of five stars, I truly did enjoy it. I am very much on the aroace spectrum, and while there is not explicit confirmation Alys is, she feels real and true enough along that I can find myself relating to her easily. To be asked to marry and to be in love with someone-- one of those things is easier than the other, on any level. Like Alys, I cannot force myself to love if I have never romantically loved and it does not come so naturally to me.
A beautiful spin of Beauty and the Beast-- but with him was cursed his sister, who holds the servants. Alongside them are familiar figures from other fairy tales: a girl who dropped jewels and flowers from her mouth with every word, a grieving enchantress-mother who cannot see what has happened, the man who broke his promise and struck his wife thrice.
Alys and Grace grow in companionship against Grace's oppressive Beast brother, trying to soothe his personality, coax him into a better frame of mind, tailor their behaviors to please his moods. A love cannot easily grow between a beauty and the beast she attempts to pacify-- but a deep relationship can grow between herself and his sister.
This is, of course, sapphic-- it's a book by Heather Rose Jones, of course-- and I really appreciated the relationship, as well as the neat storylines tied off at the end.
Four out of five stars, I truly did enjoy it. I am very much on the aroace spectrum, and while there is not explicit confirmation Alys is, she feels real and true enough along that I can find myself relating to her easily. To be asked to marry and to be in love with someone-- one of those things is easier than the other, on any level. Like Alys, I cannot force myself to love if I have never romantically loved and it does not come so naturally to me.
A beautiful spin of Beauty and the Beast-- but with him was cursed his sister, who holds the servants. Alongside them are familiar figures from other fairy tales: a girl who dropped jewels and flowers from her mouth with every word, a grieving enchantress-mother who cannot see what has happened, the man who broke his promise and struck his wife thrice.
Alys and Grace grow in companionship against Grace's oppressive Beast brother, trying to soothe his personality, coax him into a better frame of mind, tailor their behaviors to please his moods. A love cannot easily grow between a beauty and the beast she attempts to pacify-- but a deep relationship can grow between herself and his sister.
This is, of course, sapphic-- it's a book by Heather Rose Jones, of course-- and I really appreciated the relationship, as well as the neat storylines tied off at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2024
What a unique take on a fairytale so many retellings have been written about. I love to see the inclusion of seldom acknowledged identities in stereotypically romance stories. While I wasn't particularly a fan of the changing narratives, which could feel like too much, the rest of the book stole my heart. What if the beast was downright horrible? What if, instead, the women took a liking to each other? Yet, there is more than that. I think we all can agree that even with more LGBTQ stories being added to the mix, or LGBTQ spins on classic tales, we rarely see the hidden "A" part of this being acknowledged, and even less so when that a is aromantic and not necessarily asexual. I quite like this, and the way Jones writes it. There was also commentary on toxicity in relationships and gender dynamics as well. If you're wondering how can a romance story include an aromantic character, I challenge you to read this. I learned new things and appreciated the new lens I was seeing in a story I have so often read retellings about. Once you get used to shifting narratives each chapter, I think you will quite enjoy the story, as I did.
April 6, 2022
TL;DR: A Beauty and the Beast reworking that is short and sweet, posing wonderfully queer questions to the tradition
(eARC provided by Netgalley)
The Language of Roses feels like a genuinely fresh and radical take on the Beauty and the Beast tale, and does it without throwing in too many twists to lore or worldbuilding. This version manages to hit all the familiar beats, but it is evident just how modern its approach is, both in the centrality of queerness (aromanticism and sapphic love truly are at the heart of this) and in its approach to the complexity of humanity. This is not a story meant to be "dark" in the way some retellings have been: it is rather focused on toxic relationships, as opposed to evil individuals. I love its lyrical moments, and honestly craved more of them, and I can't say this ultimately blew me away emotionally; it is more a work of stylistic efficiency and thematic power that I truly admire.
Rating breakdown
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
9/10 in personal rating system
(eARC provided by Netgalley)
The Language of Roses feels like a genuinely fresh and radical take on the Beauty and the Beast tale, and does it without throwing in too many twists to lore or worldbuilding. This version manages to hit all the familiar beats, but it is evident just how modern its approach is, both in the centrality of queerness (aromanticism and sapphic love truly are at the heart of this) and in its approach to the complexity of humanity. This is not a story meant to be "dark" in the way some retellings have been: it is rather focused on toxic relationships, as opposed to evil individuals. I love its lyrical moments, and honestly craved more of them, and I can't say this ultimately blew me away emotionally; it is more a work of stylistic efficiency and thematic power that I truly admire.
Rating breakdown
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
9/10 in personal rating system
November 4, 2022
This author has remained mostly solid for me over the years. This retelling of Beauty and the Beast is probably the best I have ever read, because it actually tries to address most of the problematic stuff of the original (e.g., age gap, power dynamic, misogyny). I also appreciated the aro rep, and commentary on the toxic/abusive nature of the "love" of men at that time, which is not entirely too reductionist thanks to a few vignettes from the eyes of the men.
I will say that I think we needed to see more of the main character's interactions/relationship with the sister to be truly convinced of their bond. And I wished the "witch's" motivations had been a lot more nuanced. I would also have really appreciated to see more of the sister and the rose's relationship, both purely for enjoyment's sake and to feel the weight of the whole thing.
Basically, I just wanted more of it for good (enjoyment) and "bad" reasons (to get more nuance and development).
I will say that I think we needed to see more of the main character's interactions/relationship with the sister to be truly convinced of their bond. And I wished the "witch's" motivations had been a lot more nuanced. I would also have really appreciated to see more of the sister and the rose's relationship, both purely for enjoyment's sake and to feel the weight of the whole thing.
Basically, I just wanted more of it for good (enjoyment) and "bad" reasons (to get more nuance and development).
April 25, 2022
This is a fantastic, new and exciting retelling of Beauty and the Beast. With twists and turns that will have you second guessing your instincts, without completely deviating from the bones of the story, Heather Rose Jones has concocted something fantastic in the language of Roses. The Prose is lovely and the historical setting makes this book feel like a period piece while sprinkling in a little bit of magic. I loved the twist on the witch of the woods, I felt like the classic villain was reborn here into something new. I also found the varying POVs compelling. It really rounded out the story telling and helped me understand the direction of the story. I would absolutely recommend this book in the future.
Thank you Queen of Swords Press for the ARC!
Thank you Queen of Swords Press for the ARC!
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