10 must-read new SFF book releases to cozy up with this November

Rebel Rose – Emma Theriault

Rebel Rose is the first in a new series of novels meant to put a historical fiction spin on the well-known stories of the Disney princesses and ask what happened to them after they got their happily-ever-afters.

Emma Theriault’s book is, as you might have guessed from the title, based on Beauty and the Beast, and follows Belle’s journey as she learns what it means to be a queen. But her story takes place in 1789,  in a France where revolution is brewing across the land and rebellion is inching toward her own kingdom’s doorstep.

Given her own identity as a commoner suddenly elevated well above her station, Belle finds herself deeply conflicted about where her loyalties do – and should – lie.  Things get even messier when she receives a message from a magic mirror encouraging her to accept the throne she never truly wanted.

Rebel Rose also addresses some of the lingering fallout from the magical curse that kept the castle in its grip, including the fact that the entire experience likely gave the poor prince some rather serious PTSD.

The official synopsis offers much more detail on the story.

"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 available on November 10.