under all circumstances leave the tower library and rose bower intact

September 25, 2020 2:02 PM

Two fantasy stories: "La Bête" by Leah Bobet (audio), published this year. "It would require work to make the château habitable; the Dowager had confined herself, in the end, to the library, kitchen, and a small suite of rooms, and the rest was in disrepair." "The Huntsman and the Beast" by Carrie Vaughn, originally published 2018. "Jack said, 'Then take me. I will serve. Let him go and take me instead, please.' The beast hesitated, and that told Jack he might have a chance. 'I swear to you I will stay in his place, but you must let him go free.'"
posted by brainwane (9 comments total)

I enjoyed these -- thank you, brainwane!
posted by ourobouros at 4:12 PM on September 25, 2020 [1 favorite]

Thank you for sharing, both stories were a delight!
posted by csox at 6:22 PM on September 25, 2020 [1 favorite]

Awww, I love the beast story! I love a sweet beta hero dude and a fierce but nice lady, just defending her castle.
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:31 PM on September 25, 2020 [3 favorites]

These are great, such a delightful distraction. I'm looking for good things to read while feeding my baby.
posted by freethefeet at 4:28 AM on September 26, 2020 [1 favorite]

I've only had a chance to read the beast story, but yes, thank you. That was lovely and I'm going to look up more stuff by the same author.
posted by unicorn chaser at 5:27 AM on September 26, 2020 [1 favorite]

Man, that horrible prince, though.
posted by Omnomnom at 11:38 AM on September 26, 2020 [1 favorite]

I'm an old fantasy and alt-fantasy buff, and the ways "The Huntsman and the Beast" could have gone were disturbing, but yes... that was delightful. Kudos, Carrie Vaughn.
posted by TrishaU at 2:12 PM on September 26, 2020

I am loving all these story posts, brainwane! Thank you for sharing so much great stuff.
posted by beandip at 4:23 PM on September 26, 2020 [1 favorite]

If you liked the Carrie Vaughn story, she has a two-novel series of mysteries set in an oddly-optimistic apocalyptic world. Start with Bannerless, which reminds me more than anything of Rosemary Kirstein's Steerswoman novels. It's quite good, with a post-apocalyptic utopian sense to it (that doesn't hide the cost of the utopia).
posted by suelac at 5:55 PM on September 26, 2020 [4 favorites]