What happens after happily ever after? That’s what this new series focuses on because while the Disney Princesses line are famous for the latter part, being a Princess, but that’s just a stepping stone. After all, most princesses are expected to promoted to queen by marriage or by their own rule. This series delves into this fascinating task by imagining how each woman would take on the unexpected new role as queen, and first up is my favorite princess-Belle.

It’s been a few months since the curse has been broken, and Belle married her beloved Lio. Now she’s finally going to have the adventures she always wanted by touring the Continent and they’re first destination is her home, Paris. While there’s some pleasure involved, there is a business side too. With the curse lifted, people remember Prince Lio and now he’s obliged to go to the court of King Louis to explain his absence and discuss other concerns regarding the province of Aveyon. Whilst there, they lodge with Lio’s cousin, Bastian who’s an experienced courtier that is perfectly at home with the opulent and duplicituous court and immediately rubs Belle the wrong way.

But Paris is not the perfect hub of intellectuals, inventors and salons that Belle remembers. The rumblings of peasant rebellion has spilled into bloodshed with the storming of Bastille, and even Belle sees the mob decapitate a noble in cold blood. So vacation cut short, the trio return to Aveyon and Lio is quickly convinced that to prevent rebellion in Aveyon, he must secede from the rest of France to form his own kingdom thus becoming king. And Belle. . . Belle is still Belle as she refused to take the title of princess when she married and continues to decline the role of queen. She doesn’t not feel like it would fit her and she can do more for their people as she is.

But I mentioned it was a trio that return to Aveyon. Bastian is quickly exerting his influence over Lio and the other advisors, but Belle is unsure of where his real motives lie as he dismisses her suggestions and makes decisions that focus on the satisfaction of the nobless rather than the peasants that really need their attention.

Bastian is a tricky fellow, and Theriaut manages to keep the readers off-balance as to where Bastian’s loyalties lie. He’s charming like a snake but he seems to switch his mask depending whoever he’s with making it even harder to guess whose side he’s on. Plus he’s smart in hiding his tracks making him a useful ally and dangerous enemy.

But such paranoia makes sense as the blade tips toward the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror that students of history will sure to recognize. This series makes it clear that it will be darker as Theriault demonstrates the power of mob mentality and how easily it can tip toward hatred. While Belle recognizes the point of view of the commoners, and agrees with their complaints of hunger, unjust taxes and need for representation in the government, it is also clear that violence isn’t always the solution with how quickly it comes out of control and people use it to fufill their own vengeful agendas. You’re not exactly changing the system if you just want the rich to pay in blood for your suffering.

Belle is the real star as expected as Theriault mines the numerous difficulties Belle has in embracing this new life. While she loves Lio, she never wanted to be a princess much less be a queen. She wanted adventure, and she secretly fears that she’ll never get that if she has to stay in Aveyon to serve her people.

Furthermore, she just doesn’t want to change. She still sees herself as a commoner, but everyone else doesn’t. Her old village greets her with awe and bowing as if they had never disparged her to her face numerous times for being so “odd,” but the real elites like Bastien’s friend treat her as anamoly, something to be entertained by-a commoner playing dress-up. She’s stuck between worlds and in that murky middle ground, she cannot wield her power. Her uncertainty allows her to be undermined by the advisors and Bastien who may have experience but truly don’t understand or even care about the common people like she does.

Plus there’s the additional drama of her relationship with Lio as the bubbling troubles bring a distance between them as Lio listens to his advisors over her word and sometimes becomes unnecessarily overprotective. Theriault makes sure not to gloss over the bad memories of their meeting, like the fact that Lio kept her prisoner before they fell in love. Rightly, Belle chafes against this and does her best to balance the love she shares for him with her own autonomy. Mrs. Potts in particular gives great advice that women are often expected to care for other’s feelings at the expense of their own. Wise words, she’s the best.

Along with all this court intrigue and turncoats, there is a magical element that creates a nice ticking clock scenario as Belle realizes that the curse hasn’t fully disipated from the castle, and the magic mirror is warning her that the rebellion will come to Aveyon if she (yes, just her) doesn’t do something. There’s a bit more to this magic thread than that but this is a spoiler free blog so you’ll have to experience the magic yourself.

There are some elements of the 2017 remake here like Belle being born in Paris before moving with her mother’s death, LeFou’s crush on Gaston, and other races are easily accepted. Which is fine especially as it grants Belle a fiesty and lovely friend in Marguerite who helps her catch a breath in the suffocating ignorance of the rich.

Just a small nitpick but Belle’s interior dialogue is a bit on the repetitive side, but I suppose it makes sense in representing how Belle is feeling with these thoughts always lurking in the corner of her mind.

Theriault does a wonderful job creating a lush historical fantasy with great lessons on trusting instincts, and one’s strength in the face of violence and what makes a good ruler. She also creates a great role model in Belle with familiar traits as her love of books that allow her to be more open-minded and effective (research, research, research) and fufill her role as the leader she is meant to be.

4 red roses.