Once upon a time an enchanting young woman named Beauty nurtured a rose garden in barren soil. Her gift for cultivating such rare flowers was truly magical and her roses adorned homes throughout the village, bringing joy and love to all who chanced upon their exotic scent.

But one summer, Beauty's roses did not blossom. Without their presence her family and neighbors became ill-tempered and nature itself lost the light and warmth of the season. Even more heartbreaking, the roses no longer protect Beauty from her nightmares of a monstrous Beasta Beast it is her destiny to meet and whose heart and soul she must nurture with love

Publishers Weekly

"Luxuriantthe story is full of silvery images."

Kirkus Reviews

"Every sentence and every occurrence seems infused by magic."

Fantasy and Science Fiction

Beauty is one of three sisters. Their father was once the wealthiest merchant in the richest city in the country. But his ruin has brought them to a village far, far away-and to a tiny house called Rose Cottage. It is here that Beauty takes simple pleasure in the tending of her garden and the company of her family, until her father is saved during a treacherous journey by a Beast-a Beast who asks for only one thing in compensation: Beauty.