【 THE MISADVENTURES OF AN AMATEUR NATURALIST 】

Unexpectedly fun!

Genre: Historical Fantasy [Beauty & the Beast retelling]
Author: Ceinwen Langley
Published: September 2021
Publisher: Self-published
Pages: 360 (ebook)

I picked this up on the recommendation of a friend and wasn’t sure exactly what to expect from it. I’m glad to say that I actually really enjoyed this – not least because I somehow missed the brief that this is a sapphic Beauty & the Beast retelling, and who doesn’t love that?! What an excellent surprise that was for me.

Things really take a turn (in a good and exciting way) after about the 30% mark – up until then this was a historical romance-ish book, with a free-spirited young lady doing her best to make her mark in a man’s world. But once you hit that point in the story, all bets are off and the plot rapidly reforms into something far more feminist, far more intriguing and much more mysterious.

I’m a sucker for a Beauty & the Beast retelling, and I’d definitely rate it up there for me. It’s the first sapphic retelling of this tale I’ve read, and my favourite part of the whole story was the strong, female empowerment vibes (particularly from Eloise and Bridgette’s story) and how refreshing that felt. Up until now, I’ve most read retellings that simply make the ‘Belle’ of the story badass and good at using weapons. So this, as I said, was refreshing.

Hats off to Langley for producing a really well-rounded and pacy book, as doing so as an independent author makes this accomplishment that much more impressive.

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Title: The Misadventures of an Amateur Naturalist
Author: Ceinwen Langley
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Aspiring young naturalist Celeste Rossan is determined to live a life of adventure and scientific discovery. But when her father loses everything, Celeste’s hopes of ever leaving her home town are dashed… until she sees a narrow opportunity to escape to Paris and attend the 1867 Exposition Universelle.

Celeste seizes her chance, but the elements overwhelm her before she can make it five miles. In desperation, she seeks refuge in an abandoned chateau only to find herself trapped inside the den of an unknown species: a predator with an intelligence that rivals any human.

It’s the discovery of a lifetime. Or, it will be, if Celeste can earn the beast’s trust without losing her nerve – or her heart – to her in the process.

The Misadventures of an Amateur Naturalist is a queer historical fantasy for adventurers of all ages.