Rebel Rose (The Queen's Council #1) by Emma Theriault Book Review

Title: Rebel Rose
Author: Emma Theriault
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: November 10, 2020
Pages: 352

Happily ever after is only the beginning as Belle takes on the responsibility of becoming queen and learns to balance duty, love, and sacrifice, all while navigating dark political intrigue—and a touch of magic.

It’s 1789 and France is on the brink of revolution. Belle has finally broken the Enchantress’s curse, restoring the Beast to his human form and bringing life back to their castle in the province of Aveyon. But in Paris, the fires of change are burning, and it’s only a matter of time before the rebellion arrives on their doorstep.

Not so very long ago, Belle dreamed of leaving her provincial home for a life of adventure. But now she finds herself living in a 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.

When she stumbles across a magic mirror that holds a dire warning, Belle wants nothing more than to ignore the mysterious voice calling her to accept a crown she never desired. But violent factions of the revolution may already be lurking within her own castle, and doing nothing would endanger everything she holds dear. With the fate of her country, her love, and her life at stake, Belle must decide if she is ready to embrace her own strength--and the magic that ties her to so many female rulers before her--to become the queen she is meant to be.

Rebel Rose is the first in the Queen's Council series, an empowering fairy tale reimagining of the Disney Princesses-and the real history behind their stories-like you've never seen before. 

Buy it on Barnes & Noble or Amazon

My Thoughts

**Thank you so much to Edelweiss and Disney Books for sending me an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review!**

After 10 years of silence in the kingdom, Lio and Belle travel to France to greet King Louis and along the way, they meet Bastien, Lio's cousin. Of course, Lio marrying a commoner received some comments from the nobles but Belle doesn't care. She doesn't even want the title that comes with marrying the prince! 

While in Paris, Belle explores the city and discovers France is brewing with revolt. She then encounters a mysterious old woman, who tells Belle that she is the key to stopping the revolution from reaching Aveyon. 

A commoner herself, Belle had experienced the hardships of life from a young age. Now that she's married to Lio, she finally has a voice to give to those that didn't have one before. As she works along side Lio, Belle learns to navigate between the noble world and the commoner world, both that she doesn't entirely belong in.

She didn't know if it was the shine of her hair, or the fullness of her cheeks, but just as Bastien knew she wasn't noble, others now knew she wasn't common. It left her torn between two worlds, neither of which she truly belonged to.

Despite everything going around, Belle stays true to herself and trust her instincts. When she encounters Bastien outside the castle in Paris, she realizes something about him isn't right but without proof, she can't confront Bastien and tell Lio about it. I didn't think Bastien was good news and turns out I was right...

Belle is a clever woman. 

Star Rating: ★★★★☆ (4)

When I first requested this book, I didn't get approved right away so it kind of slipped from the back of my mind, but when it was approved, I got so eager to read it right away. It definitely didn't disappoint me!

I'm a big fan of Disney so this book was great for me. I loved how the author incorporated some parts of the original story into her book. Belle's love for reading and books shows with the gigantic library inside her castle. I'd love to see it one day! Can't wait for the next book in the series!

About the Author

Emma Theriault was born and raised in Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, and thus has a penchant for gothic revival architecture and a constant craving for Beavertails. She has been everything from an enthusiastic bookseller (who once sold a book to Prime Minister Trudeau) to a purveyor of whitewater rafting adventures in the Interior of British Columbia. When not writing books about curses and blood magic, she can be found eating burritos, hiking with her boyfriend or cuddling with her cats, Gatsby and Harriet.