A stolen rose. A cursed prince. A bargain that will change everything.
Long before the familiar fairy tale was softened for children, the story of Beauty and the Beast was darker, stranger, and far more magical.
In its earliest telling, the Beast’s castle was not merely enchanted; it was a crossroads of fairy law and ancient vengeance. Beauty was not simply a merchant’s daughter, but a child hidden from a sentence written before her birth. And the curse binding the Beast was only one strand in a web of rivalries, forbidden love, and powers older than kingdoms.
Drawing from Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve’s 1740 novel, this retelling restores the lost half of the legend: the secret politics of the fairy courts, the hidden princess raised among mortals, and the intricate enchantments that shaped one of literature’s most enduring romances.
This is a retelling of the real Beauty and the Beast that existed before simplification.
Stacei Fox is a passionate storyteller who loves blending romance, adventure, and the unknown. An avid fan of romance, she finds inspiration in the mysteries of the past and the possibilities of the future. When she’s not writing, Stacei enjoys researching ancient history, diving into fantasy worlds, and dreaming up new characters who challenge fate—and each other. She believes the best stories are the ones that transport readers to places they’ve never imagined and make them fall in love along the way.View all by Stacei Fox
