When Rosalie is forced to marry Prince Xander if Baist, she didn't know what to except with her new title of princess. However, it wasn't that she'd be kept locked in her room. The prince doesn't even want to look upon her face because he's scared she'll put him under a spell. Rosalie can do magic, and thus everyone fears her because she's labeled a manipulative witch.

Rosalie isn't one to do as she's told, so she does what any rational person would do. She sneaks out. With the help of her servant Pru, she's able to see outside the castle. However, she never expected to run into Xander. Since he hasn't seen her face, Xander thinks she's just a servant instead of his wife. As Rosalie takes on the name Rose and continues to sneak out, she finds herself bumping into Xander again and again. Why is he so different to her when she's Rose?

If things weren't bad enough, there's a beast terrorizing Baist. It's killing men and Xander is trying to do everything he can to hunt it down. Rosalie knows she can be more help if only Xander would let her. The tension between the two is palpable and Rosalie soon finds herself thinking more and more about the prince.

OF BEAST AND BEAUTY is a dark romance full of magic and twists and turns. It also shows us how mean some people can be when they judge others based on rumors. I have to admit that Xander is unlikable for most of the story, but eventually he grows on you. Especially when you learn his secrets. Rosalie is an angry character who just wants to find her place in the world. When the two are together, the emotions are raw and innocent and it makes you want to ship them even more.


Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of darker fantasy, fairytale retellings, romance, magic, Beauty and the Beast, and witches.