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Beauty and the Beast meets The Phantom of the Opera in this Bridgerton-esque fantasy of manners with strong gothic vibes and magic.
“Music says things words never can. I love you. I miss you. I’m sorry I killed you.”
Every night, Ceridwen Kinsley plays music on her rooftop for the spirit of her dead mother. Until one night, she’s attacked by something not quite human, bringing her to the attention of Lord Protector Drystan Winterbourne.
Charged with protecting the backwater city of Teneboure by the king, Drystan is failing at his task, and he can’t afford another slip up. But when fate and the very monster he means to conquer bring Ceridwen to his notice, he seizes the opportunity and presents her with an offer: play music for him at his manor in exchange for the money her impoverished family desperately needs. Music eases the strain of his magic, and who better to hire than the woman whose tunes he secretly listens to at night?
At first, Ceridwen is put off by Drystan’s unkempt appearance and harsh demeanor, not to mention the odd ailment that plagues him. But as he embraces her passion for music and she draws the recluse out of his lonely tower, the two develop an unlikely attachment. Class lines begin to blur as fearful indifference shifts to unexpected desire.
However, the monster prowling the night isn’t their only enemy, and as terrible secrets come to light, even true love may not be enough to save them.
This retelling of Beauty and the Beast incorporates themes and motifs from Phantom of the Opera, and is set in a Bridgerton-esque world but with magic and strong gothic vibes. It should appeal to fans of romantic and atmospheric retellings and fairy tales by authors such as Hannah Whitten, Tessonja Odette, and Stephanie Garber.