Sure we were left in that amazing dancing scene at the end of the animated movie but it was the after that became the true challenge. Born a commoner and thrust into the French higher society as a princess of the principality where Beast's castle was, Belle has to balance between the new duties and also her love for her older life. I liked the idea this book was trying to accomplish. A Beauty and the Beast retelling set after the classic tale with the French Revolution brewing and tensions rising to the breaking point would have been fascinating. Sadly, this book did not accomplish what it set out to do. Belle, the main character, was flat and rather dumb. Instead of focusing on ways to actually help her struggling people (charity work, tax reforms, building projects, appeasing foreign powers, etc) she decided to host a salon and organize a library in the midst of a political crisis, because that would obviously be the best use of her time *facepalms*. She also ignored her (usually correct) instincts and trusted people blindly (which is clearly something you should do when people are actively trying to overthrow you). Brief obligatory section on Lio because his sections in this book were also brief. Belle had more chemistry with literally every other character in this book and I hated him. Unfortunately, I think she really failed in her goal. In fact, I find it rather baffling that Rebel Rose has received the amount of praise it has.

Rebel Rose – Book Review | the Disney Driven Life

In this series, each book will be written by a different author and follow the story of a different Disney Princess as they come into own. The writing. I will admit Emma Theriault is a damn good writer...baaaaad judge of character(read in the Grinch voice) I wasn't sure going in what the connection of the series would be, but there were some reveals in here that provided insight into that. Let's just say, I am really looking forward to continuing.

On her walk home, she realized she had been wrong. Paris was nothing like she remembered it. The city was a powder keg, and the peasants shouting for revolution in the gardens of the Palais-Royal held matches in their hands. Belle can do whatever she pleases. If anyone has a problem with her, they can answer to me.” She was sure no one else would notice how, in anger, his voice still slipped into something akin to a growl" Without thinking, Belle wandered into the closest alley and began passing out the coins from her purse. She tried to talk to each person she met, but she was soon swarmed by children with outstretched hands. She was happy to press a coin into them, but she wished she could do more. Money Was a temporary solution; these people needed long-term aid, work, shelter—things she couldn’t readily give to them. Guilt ate away at her. She was married to a prince and yet she had no power to end their suffering. The unfortunate truth of Theriault's Belle is that she is a shell of her former self. Instead of the wonderful, courageous, stubborn, and intelligent woman we've all come to know and love Belle is reduced to a meek and self-doubting girl who keeps all her opinions to herself. I don't know about you, but this is not a Belle I recognize. And it bugged the hell out of me.

Rebel Rose SD | Belle Fourche SD - Facebook Rebel Rose SD | Belle Fourche SD - Facebook

She is the single handed most annoying character in the book. I also rewatched the Disney movies to see if she was like this and guess what...NO. She is headstrong sure, she does things how she wants but she is still kind and thinks about others i.e. her father, the beast, and the people in the castle (Lumiere, Cogsworth, etc). And King Louis hides away in Versailles, caring very little about our starving children, and then he has the audacity to ask us for more. He calls the Estates of France to his palace and pretends the Third Estate will have an equal voice, but we have never been equal! Not even on the foreign battlefields where France’s poor- est sons fight and bleed and die for freedoms they themselves will never know.” He paused and waited for the crowd to settle once more. “We must be united in our opposition; we must not separate until France has a constitution!” Belle has always been one of my favorite Disney princess. From our love of reading, to our ferocity and independence, I have always seen myself in Belle. So getting approved for this book and reading what happened to Belle and the Beast after the curse is broken was heavenly. And to top it off, it's set during the French Revolution and historically accurate? I already knew this was going to be a winner for me.

Stems

I recommend walking this earth burdened by the notion that most anyone can surprise you. It will make your life easier." I loved how Rebel Rose was a continuation and not a retelling. Don’t get me wrong, I adore the retellings, but it was quite refreshing to go further in the story and explore past the “Happily Ever After.” Not so long ago, Belle dreamed of leaving her provincial home for a life of adventure. Now she finds herself living in a lush palace, torn between her past as a commoner and her future as royalty. While Belle grapples with her newfound position, there are those who would do anything to keep her from power. Overall this was a very powerful beginning in this series and I am very excited to see which princess will be next! Personally, I am rooting for Cinderella.