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A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas
4.6
The Musician and the Monster: A gothic Beauty and the Beast retelling (Ever After)
by Megan Van Dyke
Published May 4, 2024
Categories
About this book
In a city besieged by a shadowy predator, music is Ceridwen Kinsley’s only sanctuary from the crushing weight of grief. Her nightly performances from her rooftop drift across the skyline, unknowingly captivating Drystan Winterbourne, a disgraced, reclusive nobleman burdened by the mantle of Lord Protector. As Drystan struggles to contain the darkness consuming both the city and his own soul, he finds his only respite in the haunting melodies of the stranger above.
When a violent encounter threatens Ceridwen’s life, Drystan makes a desperate, unconventional proposal: she must relocate to his secluded manor to serve as his personal musician. For Ceridwen, the arrangement is a scandal, but the financial promise to save her ailing father outweighs the danger of living with a man rumored to be as dangerous as the monster he hunts. Within the manor’s walls, their professional proximity ignites an unexpected, volatile intimacy.
As they navigate the rigid boundaries of class and duty, the lines between protector and prisoner blur. Yet, the house hides secrets that threaten to unravel their fragile connection. Caught between a city in peril and the burgeoning desire they cannot suppress, they must decide if their fragile bond is worth the cost of their survival.
Available Formats
Kindle: $9.99 Paperback: $17.99
What readers are saying
MelindaExciting Beauty and the Beast tale
"This story has many of the elements of the widely recognized Beauty and the Beast tale. There is a once well-off family that has become impoverished, and the youngest daughter desperate to save her family willingly leaves them to live with a "beast." Ceridwen starts off meek and quiet, never wanting to be noticed. She used to dream of playing music in front of grand crowds but lost her hopes after her mother's death. Her character is lost and floundering to understand what is going on around her for much of the book, but her ignorance is only because she is kept in the dark no matter how many answers she tries to uncover. Drystan is struggling with controlling the monster that is terrorizing the remote town he has been banished to while also working on a secret plan. He doesn't trust anyone, but his time with Ceridwen, listening to her play her flute, talking to her, and just being near her has him wishing for a different life. The first 2/3rd of the story is paced in a.way that lulls the reader in, thinking you know what is going to happen. The last 1/3rd of the stroy has a few surprises and a lot of action. This is also where a spicy scene occurs. There is a second NSFW scene, but it is only available through a link from the author. Overall, this was an incredibly well crafted story that pays homage to the Beauty and the Beast tale while also presenting itself as a unique story. ["
May 17, 2024 Verified Purchase
Amanda FraserCouldn't put this book down
"Such a fun retelling of Beauty and the Beast! Loved this story! ["
May 9, 2026 Verified Purchase
JaretacDark and Deadly! Deep! Fresh! and oh so Sweet and Swoony!
"Are you looking for a story that is a little bit dark? A little bit light? A little bit gray? With a MMC that is one part fierce and deadly beast, one part morally gray rogue, and one part sweet and sugary cinnamon roll? And a FMC who is all loyalty, determination, and complex music? Do you enjoy a dash of spice to enhance the sweet and oh so swoony moments? How about a new, unique, and completely fresh take on an old favorite? If you said yes to any and or all of these questions then I have an absolutely entrancing recommendation for you!!!! The Musician and the Monster is the dark and bloody! Sweet and spicy! Completely fresh take on Beauty and the Beast that you NEED in your life!!! Ceridwen plays her flute each and every night in hopes that it will reach her mother in The Halls of the Goddess. And most nights she swears she can feel a presence listening. Her family has fallen on hard times in their little village since the death of her mother and she would do anything to save them all. But with an attempted theft, a vicious attack, and a beast that stalks the night Ceridwen’s life is about to take an unexpected turn. And Drystan…well…Drystan…he does his best to contain the monster. An increasingly dangerous and difficult task that only the flute music on the night seems to sooth. This story was completely captivating! It sucked me in and held me captive until the very last word! It made me cringe one moment, then laugh the next, wipe away a much earned tear, and finally left my heart and soul a flutter with the perfectly written HEA. This is one of those retellings that although it keeps the bare bones of the original, takes on a life and soul of its very own!!! And even though you can definitely feel the basic Beauty and the Beast essence this story has so much more depth and emotion to create its own magical lyrics to a much loved yet old melody. I very very very highly recommend this book! You will come for the Beauty and the Beast, library, and romance…buuuuut…you will stay for the magic, music, and depth! ["
January 21, 2025 Verified Purchase
DJThis was fun! I'd love to experience the audiobook of it with the music included!
"I really enjoyed the writing style for this book, and loved the spin on Beauty and the Beast meets Phantom of the Opera. I liked the characters and the dual POV to give us insights into Drystan. Ceridwen seemed super unreliable due to her station/experiences, which is as it should be, so having his chapters helped fill in those gaps to make the moments more well rounded. I only docked a star because of pacing. It dropped a little after the midway point and I had to push myself through to find what the driving force would be for the final portion of the book. ["
May 28, 2025 Verified Purchase
