As Old As Time by Liz Braswell

What if Belle’s mother cursed the Beast?

Belle is a lot of things: smart, resourceful, restless. She longs to escape her poor provincial town for good. She wants to explore the world, despite her father’s reluctance to leave their little cottage in case Belle’s mother returns—a mother she barely remembers. Belle also happens to be the captive of a terrifying, angry beast. And that is her primary concern.

But Belle touches the Beast’s enchanted rose, intriguing images flood her mind—images of the mother she believed she would never see again. Stranger still, she sees that her mother is none other than the beautiful Enchantress who cursed the Beast, his castle, and all its inhabitants. Shocked and confused, Belle and the Beast must work together to unravel a dark mystery about their families that is twenty-one years in the making. @goodreads 

I just read the most wonderful story =) ♥



At first I was a little confused and then my light bulb went off!

This starts a story of Rosalind and Maurice. Rosalind had magical powers as did many in the village. But the evil King and Queen didn't like this and starting taking all of the magical people away. They were attacked on the streets, etc. Most of these les charmantes were very nice people - ish. Most of the ones that were left, moved to right outside the village to a new village of their own. Maurice and Rosalind had little Belle =) ♥

Cut to awhile down the road and Belle is older, she trades the beast of a hidden castle to take her prisoner instead of her father. < -- yeah that sounds all crazy to those that don't really know the story but you will just have to read it to find out the whole beginning stuff =) No spoilers today!

Belle finds that she's in an enchanted castle, or is she . . .

Almost everything was fluttering and shuffling: the china was indeed waking from whatever slumber it enjoyed; dishes were carefully shuddering themselves to life; teacups were bouncing and trying to get out of their glass cabinet prison. The stove, which seemed so cheerful and warm and fiery at the end of the room, now began to yawn and stretch its great black iron arms and exhaust pipe. Bell drew into herself a little, alarmed. Stories of witches with their fires and stoves and terrible, terrible endings played through her head. Baba Yaga, Hansel and Gretel. . .

Belle finds out about the curse on the place and wants to help the Beast and servants out. They also find out a revelation about the curse. What?!

It was all just super fun to me and I enjoyed the twist on the tale. I also didn't have to listen to singing. I don't really like musicals! =(

And the ending was pretty happy indeed.



Happy Reading!

Mel ♥