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Bisclavret
A very long time ago, in the very old forests of Brittany, a werewolf loved a king ...
The Lord Bisclavret has a secret. A family enchantment. A wolf’s curse, transforming him when the moon is full. He hopes to be a good lord for his people, and he’s always been a loyal king’s man, even if the new king is inexperienced and scholarly. But one betrayal might leave him trapped in wolf-shape forever ... unless his king can save him.
Andreas would rather be a University scholar than a king, and has no interest in a royal marriage -- desire’s always come slowly, if at all. But he loves his kingdom, so he’ll try to protect it, even when rumors of a man-killing wolf spread across his land. He’ll pick up a sword and go out on a hunt, and hope to keep his people safe.
But the wolf has the eyes of a man, and the scholar-king’s knowledge of folklore and fairy-stories might break a werewolf’s curse ... with the help of love.
Very loosely based on the twelfth-century story by Marie de France, Bisclavret features a bisexual werewolf lord, a demisexual king who’d rather be a scholar, some exasperated men-at-arms, and very important stolen clothing.
The Lord Bisclavret has a secret. A family enchantment. A wolf’s curse, transforming him when the moon is full. He hopes to be a good lord for his people, and he’s always been a loyal king’s man, even if the new king is inexperienced and scholarly. But one betrayal might leave him trapped in wolf-shape forever ... unless his king can save him.
Andreas would rather be a University scholar than a king, and has no interest in a royal marriage -- desire’s always come slowly, if at all. But he loves his kingdom, so he’ll try to protect it, even when rumors of a man-killing wolf spread across his land. He’ll pick up a sword and go out on a hunt, and hope to keep his people safe.
But the wolf has the eyes of a man, and the scholar-king’s knowledge of folklore and fairy-stories might break a werewolf’s curse ... with the help of love.
Very loosely based on the twelfth-century story by Marie de France, Bisclavret features a bisexual werewolf lord, a demisexual king who’d rather be a scholar, some exasperated men-at-arms, and very important stolen clothing.
42 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 13, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
December 29, 2023
I learned in the field when to fight, when to yield / See if silver don’t kill her it makes quite a shield (Monster Song – Dom Fera). There’s something about this author’s work that always gives me immense joy. Whenever I’m reading something by them, I feel like breaking into a Mariah Carey whistle register… but I can’t do that, so I have to settle for writing reviews. It’ll have to do, I’m afraid. This was wonderful and I’m always down for a story featuring werewolves (my bi-wakening was Link from the game Twilight Princess... he turns into a wolf)! The way a person’s inherent nature doesn’t have to define them and that they always have a choice to be who they want to be. Man, that’s the good stuff. I’m always a little scared to strongly recommend books that I really loved because readers all have vastly different opinions on what constitutes a great book. What’s perfect for me (like a lovely K.L. Noone book) might not necessarily be perfect for you. So, when Bisclavret is sweeping all the awards, with me saying that it captures that special kind of magic and that it’s the best fantasy out there, just be aware that this comes from the guy whose favorite movie is Before Sunset, a movie where two people walk around and talk for an hour. For me, there’s something really nice about lowkey stories. Anyway, there’s not much more for me to say other than, “I loved this,” so I’ll go ahead and say it: I loved this! And sure, maybe all of these novels wrap up a little too neat and nice, with characters that are very kind and forgiving, but let’s be real, I’m not here for gritty and edgy; I’m here for happiness to hit me like a train on a track! And that’s what happens when I read these books. Every time, without fail.
“He says my name sometimes for no real reason, because he knows I like to hear it: my name, myself, in a voice full of love.”
“He says my name sometimes for no real reason, because he knows I like to hear it: my name, myself, in a voice full of love.”
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January 30, 2023A very sweet retelling of the Bisclavret story (husband turns into wolf three days a month, wife betrays him to keep him trapped in wolf form forever, he is finally rescued by the kindness of his king). This version is a lot sweeter, with understanding for the wife's actions (because, mate, marrying someone without telling them you're a werewolf does not constitute obtaining informed consent!) and a really lovely slow-burn romance between Bisclavret and the (demisexual) king. A pleasure to read.
June 3, 2024
Bisclavret is told in a story-within-a-story format, which I loved. Bisclavret is writing the story of how his family secret of turning into a wolf for three days a month was used against him, to betray him and leave him stuck in his wolf form with no way of turning back human. How this led to him meeting the new King Andreas, who recognised the enchantment and was determined to help free him.
I loved getting to see Bisclavret and Andreas in their present day, while also getting to see how they got there. Their romance was beautifully told. This short story has got me so excited to read more of K. L. Noone's works.
I loved getting to see Bisclavret and Andreas in their present day, while also getting to see how they got there. Their romance was beautifully told. This short story has got me so excited to read more of K. L. Noone's works.
December 28, 2023
"I am Lord Bisclavret, I am the King's werewolf, and I am home."
Another gem by K. L. Noone.
Beautiful.
Another gem by K. L. Noone.
Beautiful.
September 17, 2024
I didn’t really know much about this book before starting it but I have to say I really enjoyed it even for a novella it felt like a complete story, plus the writing is beautiful and magical. After all, this is a short story about a fantasy realm where Bisclavret suffers from a gift/curse where he has to remain a wolf 🐺 for 3 days each month and ends up happily ever after with the beautiful king.
December 23, 2023
3.5⭐️
I was expecting cringey alpha male wolf vibes, not a beautiful love story❤️
I was expecting cringey alpha male wolf vibes, not a beautiful love story❤️
August 30, 2023
Lovely historical fantasy MM romance, which is apparently a retelling of the Bisclavret story (though I hadn't realized it was an adaptation when I read it), featuring a bisexual werewolf who falls in love with his demisexual king. Sweet, well-written, and (sadly) smut free. Satisfying as is, though I would have gladly read a full-length with these two!
August 19, 2023
This was just perfection. It felt like a beautiful 300-page love story in only 46-pages.
It made me swoon.
It made me swoon.
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April 24, 2020Title: Bisclavret
Author: K.L. Noone
Publisher: JMS Books
Format: e-book
Release Date: November 13, 2019
Genre/ Trope/ Themes(s): MM Fantasy Paranormal Romance; Shifter Romance; Royalty; bisexual character; demisexual character
Listening Length/ Pages: 42p.
Sharonica-Stars: 5.00✨
MMy Thoughts and Review:
I loved the idea for this story was taken from the annals of time. Though we may never know the true reason behind the King sleeping with a wolf, it does make for delicious storytelling.
A wolf stuck in his shifter form thanks to a manipulative wife and a disgraceful neighbor. Now the wolf is under the King's protection and the King is under the wolf's. King Andreas and the wolf, Bisclavret, became friends over time, and as the days passed the two became inseparable.
Though this is a short story, it holds so much within it, you can't help but feel satiated when it ends. The characters are fascinating and draw the reader into the pages. Even with no explicit scenes, the romance and passion are beautiful between Andreas and Bisclavret. This story was truly enchanting. I loved it!
5.00 and-they-lived-happily-ever-after-stars🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Queer Romance Ink in exchange for an honest review. ☔
February 5, 2023
I still sometimes dream the wolf’s dreams—the fear, the betrayal, the need to run and escape, the certainty that even when I wake it won’t be real. But it is. He is. And the fairy-story happy endings are sometimes not a lie.
4.5⭐
Was I expecting this little 40+ pages retelling of Marie de France's Lais Bisclavret between a bisexual werewolf and a demisexual king to be so swoony, sweet and lovely? Absolutely not. Am I going to immediately add this book to my favorite books' list to be re-read when in need of a pick me up? Absolutely YES.
4.5⭐
Was I expecting this little 40+ pages retelling of Marie de France's Lais Bisclavret between a bisexual werewolf and a demisexual king to be so swoony, sweet and lovely? Absolutely not. Am I going to immediately add this book to my favorite books' list to be re-read when in need of a pick me up? Absolutely YES.
October 2, 2023
Stunning
Such a stunning little story. Full of love and magic and softness. So good. So so good. Will read again.
Such a stunning little story. Full of love and magic and softness. So good. So so good. Will read again.
February 8, 2024
This was beautiful. Love welling up to infuse each chapter with softness.
I really like how the framing device is used here, with the story being written down after the fact, occasionally being interrupted by his lover looking over his shoulder. It gives an intimacy to the first person perspective, and little glimpses of their happily ever after. Oddly enough, I could see myself disliking the same technique done poorly, but here it fit.
I really like how the framing device is used here, with the story being written down after the fact, occasionally being interrupted by his lover looking over his shoulder. It gives an intimacy to the first person perspective, and little glimpses of their happily ever after. Oddly enough, I could see myself disliking the same technique done poorly, but here it fit.
April 3, 2024
Ay nonono, no pudo ser más bello, llore de lo hermoso que fue, es una historia súper corta pero súper bien contada y que trasmite mucho sentimiento, me encantó la prosa de la autora, necesito leer más de ella.
August 9, 2024
Short and sweet novella
May 17, 2020
O.M.G. This was the most beautiful story! I can't believe it was as short as it was, because it had more depth, more story, and more substance than some 200+ page books I've read.
At first, I wasn't sure what to make of the 1st person autobiographical style. This is my first story by the author and I've never been keen on 1st person POV's, especially breaking the 4th wall etc. But, this story took all the things I don't normally like about a book and somehow made them work.
I must have highlighted about a half-dozen favourite quotes.
This is one of those books that, when you finish, it's with a satisfied sigh and the realisation that you lost track of everything while you were reading. You were consumed and sucked in, until nothing else existed. Just the kind of story I wanted.
I'll definitely be reading more of this author.
At first, I wasn't sure what to make of the 1st person autobiographical style. This is my first story by the author and I've never been keen on 1st person POV's, especially breaking the 4th wall etc. But, this story took all the things I don't normally like about a book and somehow made them work.
I must have highlighted about a half-dozen favourite quotes.
This is one of those books that, when you finish, it's with a satisfied sigh and the realisation that you lost track of everything while you were reading. You were consumed and sucked in, until nothing else existed. Just the kind of story I wanted.
I'll definitely be reading more of this author.
February 1, 2023
What should I say? I see a retelling of a beloved medieval poem, I read it. It's even better if the lgbt+ subtext becomes actual text! But lest I get carried away, I should explain my rating. While there were some aspects of this novella that I liked (the queerness, the lyricism, etc.), I couldn't help but feel like I wanted a little more out of it. While I liked the focus on Bisclavret's relationship with the king, I ultimately wanted Noone to build up the love and intimacy more. Thus, this book only gets 3 stars from me.
Writing: Noone's prose is very lyrical with a lot of descriptions that border on the sensuality of poetry. It's not so lush that it bogs down the narrative, but rather, it evokes such emotion and passion that it's easy to feel sympathetic towards the narrator, our titular Bisclavret.
I do think, however, that Noone could have taken the opportunity to show a little more than tell. As it stands, it seems like we are told a lot of things - that Bisclavret feels free while hunting, that he feels hurt by his wife, that he fell in love with the king. I personally would have liked to have been told less and let the narrative speak for itself.
I also wasn't the biggest fan of the present day interrupting the story. This book is written from the perspective of Bisclavret, who is sitting down to write out his story. Every once in a while, the king will interrupt, and Bisclavret will write something like "he's looking over my shoulder" or "he said X, and I said Y." I think these interruptions could have worked better if they were in deliberate conversation with what they were interrupting or if there was a stronger focus on the craft of storytelling, but the interruptions don't feel purposeful than for any other reason than to make sure we're aware that the two are in a relationship. Maybe that will be ok for some readers, though.
Plot: This book loosely follows the plot of the original Marie de France lay, which describes a werewolf whose wife betrays him. Bisclavret must turn into a wolf three nights per month and can only turn back if he has his human clothes. When his wife finds out about his lycanthropy, however, she enlists the help of a greedy baronet to steal Bisclavret's clothes and trap him in his wolf form.
After spending some time as a wolf, Bisclavret is hunted by the king. Sensing that something is different about this wolf, the king spares Bisclavret's life, and the two work together to change Bisclavret back into his human form.
While I liked that Noone made the homosocial subtext of the lay and made it homoerotic text, I do wish more time had been spent on exploring how the king and Bisclavret fell in love. As it stands, it seems to just happen, in part because the king is beautiful and soft. While the two spend a lot of time together, their intimacy never seems to build; it just exists from the get-go. As a result, I didn't really have a pressing desire to see Bisclavret "cured" and I didn't think the story was all that suspenseful. I would have rather liked to see exactly how the two develop an emotional intimacy, especially when Bisclavret spends so much time as a non-human. What things does Bisclavret do that make the king trust him more and more? What makes Bisclavret realize there's more to the king than his title? There's a little of that from time to time, but I never got the sense that the relationship was building. A little more suspense would have gone a long way.
Even so, I did appreciate that Noone managed to communicate Bisclavret's feelings of hurt and betrayal without replicating the misogyny of the original lay. It would have been too easy to paint Bisclavret's wife as a schemer or a villain, but that doesn't happen. Rather, the wife is presented as having done wrong, but humanized so she is not completely to blame.
Characters: Bisclavret, our narrator, is very sympathetic and compassionate. I liked the way Noone presented him as both someone who could see the best in people (his wife included), but also, someone who could feel very deeply (including betrayal and hurt). I also liked that he was not too angsty about his enchantment; while he did enjoy some aspects of being a wolf, he also wanted to be human, and not having to choose which form was "better" was refreshing. I do wish more had been done to develop Bisclavret, though; after his wife's betrayal, I was rather hoping his character arc would involve learning to trust again, but Noone seems more interested in using Bisclavret to create a certain fairy tale-like atmosphere.
The king, Andreas, is also fairly likeable in that he's also compassionate and feels deeply. I liked that he was demisexual, which meant most of his attention was focused on developing and emotional connection with Bisclavret, not a physical one. However, like Bisclavret, he doesn't really evolve much, and I think it was a real missed opportunity.
Elaine, Bisclavret's wife, is surprisingly sympathetic. Although she's not as fleshed out as Bisclavret and Andreas, she does have motivations and manages to be guilty of betrayal without being held unreasonably responsible. I liked that her character was rooted in fear rather than vanity, and I liked that a lot of the sexism from the lay was eliminated without completely tossing out Elaine's agency.
TL;DR: Bisclavret is a charming little novella that is sure to resonate with fans of the original lay. Although the characters don't develop in a way I'd like and there wasn't enough suspense and growth for my tastes, I appreciate the queer representation and the lyrical prose style that makes the story feel like a fairy tale.
Writing: Noone's prose is very lyrical with a lot of descriptions that border on the sensuality of poetry. It's not so lush that it bogs down the narrative, but rather, it evokes such emotion and passion that it's easy to feel sympathetic towards the narrator, our titular Bisclavret.
I do think, however, that Noone could have taken the opportunity to show a little more than tell. As it stands, it seems like we are told a lot of things - that Bisclavret feels free while hunting, that he feels hurt by his wife, that he fell in love with the king. I personally would have liked to have been told less and let the narrative speak for itself.
I also wasn't the biggest fan of the present day interrupting the story. This book is written from the perspective of Bisclavret, who is sitting down to write out his story. Every once in a while, the king will interrupt, and Bisclavret will write something like "he's looking over my shoulder" or "he said X, and I said Y." I think these interruptions could have worked better if they were in deliberate conversation with what they were interrupting or if there was a stronger focus on the craft of storytelling, but the interruptions don't feel purposeful than for any other reason than to make sure we're aware that the two are in a relationship. Maybe that will be ok for some readers, though.
Plot: This book loosely follows the plot of the original Marie de France lay, which describes a werewolf whose wife betrays him. Bisclavret must turn into a wolf three nights per month and can only turn back if he has his human clothes. When his wife finds out about his lycanthropy, however, she enlists the help of a greedy baronet to steal Bisclavret's clothes and trap him in his wolf form.
After spending some time as a wolf, Bisclavret is hunted by the king. Sensing that something is different about this wolf, the king spares Bisclavret's life, and the two work together to change Bisclavret back into his human form.
While I liked that Noone made the homosocial subtext of the lay and made it homoerotic text, I do wish more time had been spent on exploring how the king and Bisclavret fell in love. As it stands, it seems to just happen, in part because the king is beautiful and soft. While the two spend a lot of time together, their intimacy never seems to build; it just exists from the get-go. As a result, I didn't really have a pressing desire to see Bisclavret "cured" and I didn't think the story was all that suspenseful. I would have rather liked to see exactly how the two develop an emotional intimacy, especially when Bisclavret spends so much time as a non-human. What things does Bisclavret do that make the king trust him more and more? What makes Bisclavret realize there's more to the king than his title? There's a little of that from time to time, but I never got the sense that the relationship was building. A little more suspense would have gone a long way.
Even so, I did appreciate that Noone managed to communicate Bisclavret's feelings of hurt and betrayal without replicating the misogyny of the original lay. It would have been too easy to paint Bisclavret's wife as a schemer or a villain, but that doesn't happen. Rather, the wife is presented as having done wrong, but humanized so she is not completely to blame.
Characters: Bisclavret, our narrator, is very sympathetic and compassionate. I liked the way Noone presented him as both someone who could see the best in people (his wife included), but also, someone who could feel very deeply (including betrayal and hurt). I also liked that he was not too angsty about his enchantment; while he did enjoy some aspects of being a wolf, he also wanted to be human, and not having to choose which form was "better" was refreshing. I do wish more had been done to develop Bisclavret, though; after his wife's betrayal, I was rather hoping his character arc would involve learning to trust again, but Noone seems more interested in using Bisclavret to create a certain fairy tale-like atmosphere.
The king, Andreas, is also fairly likeable in that he's also compassionate and feels deeply. I liked that he was demisexual, which meant most of his attention was focused on developing and emotional connection with Bisclavret, not a physical one. However, like Bisclavret, he doesn't really evolve much, and I think it was a real missed opportunity.
Elaine, Bisclavret's wife, is surprisingly sympathetic. Although she's not as fleshed out as Bisclavret and Andreas, she does have motivations and manages to be guilty of betrayal without being held unreasonably responsible. I liked that her character was rooted in fear rather than vanity, and I liked that a lot of the sexism from the lay was eliminated without completely tossing out Elaine's agency.
TL;DR: Bisclavret is a charming little novella that is sure to resonate with fans of the original lay. Although the characters don't develop in a way I'd like and there wasn't enough suspense and growth for my tastes, I appreciate the queer representation and the lyrical prose style that makes the story feel like a fairy tale.
February 11, 2023
Werewolf/Human, demisexual rep. So much swoon. I'm in love with this author's writing.
August 8, 2023
Fear can do so much. So can love; but fear is cruel. Fear wounds. Love heals—but that takes time. And the scars run deep. Like the dreams.
Lord Bisclavret se convierte en lobo 3 días al mes. Tres días de ausencia que hacen sospechar a su esposa de infidelidad, pero cuando él le confiesa la verdad, lejos de tranquilizarse, ella lo priva del único medio para volver a ser humano. Condenado a vagar por los bosques mientras su mente se deteriora, no espera que el joven rey Andreas sea el único que note que algo más se oculta detrás de los ojos del lobo.
No conozco la historia original, así que no puedo opinar si es un buen retelling, pero sí puedo decir que es una historia bonita. De la naturaleza salvaje de un hombre, que encuentra rechazo cuando espera encontrar comprensión, y luego encuentra bondad cuando espera encontrar muerte. Y encuentra amor cuando solo espera compañía.
Es una historia muy corta, pero la narración lírica es absorbente y transmite perfectamente toda la incertidumbre y pesar del protagonista, además de la creciente intimidad entre lobo y rey, mientras buscan una cura.
Recomendado si gustan de una fantasía suavecita, con un aire a los cuentos de hadas y un romance slow-burn con representación demisexual.
How, I wondered, do you tell a man that you love him, when you have no human voice, no human eyes, no human hands or body? When you owe him your life?
When you know you’ve been lying to him about your life? Your name?
March 7, 2023
Lord Bisclavret has a family secret, a power passed down through generations that forces him to shed his skin each month for three days, and run in wolf’s form through the forests. When his wife betrays him and he is trapped as a wolf, it will take nothing less than the patience and love of the king to set him free.
Bisclavret is a wonderful short story. A retelling of the twelfth-century original by Marie de France, this version features a sweet, romantic pairing between the titular werewolf character and his rescuer, the king. It was way shorter than expected and only took me about a half hour to read, but still had a lot of depth and emotion. This version is written as a chronicle or letter from Bisclavret to himself, or to the reader, while he captures his history on paper so his story won’t be forgotten. It’s a comforting read, knowing from the start that his story has a happy ending, but that didn’t lessen the emotional blow of his adventures as a wolf. This was a perfect bite-sized peak into Bisclavret’s world, and while I felt like I could have spent hours with them, I wish he and the king much future happiness.
Bisclavret is a wonderful short story. A retelling of the twelfth-century original by Marie de France, this version features a sweet, romantic pairing between the titular werewolf character and his rescuer, the king. It was way shorter than expected and only took me about a half hour to read, but still had a lot of depth and emotion. This version is written as a chronicle or letter from Bisclavret to himself, or to the reader, while he captures his history on paper so his story won’t be forgotten. It’s a comforting read, knowing from the start that his story has a happy ending, but that didn’t lessen the emotional blow of his adventures as a wolf. This was a perfect bite-sized peak into Bisclavret’s world, and while I felt like I could have spent hours with them, I wish he and the king much future happiness.
December 17, 2023
Pretty stickin' cute. The long-form short story format allowed for enough characterization that I was left wanting more from Bisclavret and the king but not needing it, and I found myself easily accepting this historical kingdom where queerness was normal and magic common enough. If anything, I wish the wife—who started out being a strategic character—had more bite toward the end, as this might have given the betrayal another layer of depth.
I’d grown to like this life. These intimate firelit book-framed evenings. My place at his side, his hand in my fur. Having a place: belonging, where I could be of use, where I could help my king. Because he was my king: through the right of kings, of course, but also simply because I would follow him wherever he might go. Because I loved him. Because I love him.
January 31, 2023
4.5 / 5 stars, rounded up
Short, sweet, and effective. The narrative style took a little bit to settle into, but it was a cute and gentle read telling the story of a werewolf betrayed by his wife who is saved by a kind king, who he then falls in love with.
There were a lot of deliberate choices made here; the telling of it in retrospect, interspersed with glimpses into the current day, really took a lot of the tension of "oh now how is it going to turn out" but somehow that really worked for me. And again, a very short read, but sometimes you just want something bite-sized and a bit different.
Short, sweet, and effective. The narrative style took a little bit to settle into, but it was a cute and gentle read telling the story of a werewolf betrayed by his wife who is saved by a kind king, who he then falls in love with.
There were a lot of deliberate choices made here; the telling of it in retrospect, interspersed with glimpses into the current day, really took a lot of the tension of "oh now how is it going to turn out" but somehow that really worked for me. And again, a very short read, but sometimes you just want something bite-sized and a bit different.
May 12, 2024
This is apparently based on a Marie de France werewolf/king story but it is toooo sweet and sappy for me. Everyone is so nice, we even get to see the wife-betrayer's side of things. I would recommend it for those craving a short story (42 pages!) with some fairy tale vibes full of love, but queer. Alas, it did not have enough conflict or substance (or smut!) to whet my appetite. I did appreciate the bi and demi rep, though.
December 12, 2021
What a lovely, sweet story. I love so many things about this - the characters, the framing of the story, the sweet side-comments. The love between these two men is what I adore most though. Grand, sweeping romantic gestures are nice, but someone who patiently deals with their love’s forgetfulness or silly habits with fondness? That’s a beautiful thing.
February 10, 2023
4 stars
Short and very sweet fairytale sort of story about a king and a werewolf. I was not at all familiar with the original legend and so this was entirely new to me, and a perfect delight to read. My first by this author but most definitely not destined to be my last.
Perhaps sometime I will research the original story, but perhaps not. I liked this version of it quite well.
Short and very sweet fairytale sort of story about a king and a werewolf. I was not at all familiar with the original legend and so this was entirely new to me, and a perfect delight to read. My first by this author but most definitely not destined to be my last.
Perhaps sometime I will research the original story, but perhaps not. I liked this version of it quite well.
February 9, 2024
Fairytale
A beautiful treasure of betrayal healed by a love unique and trusting. A young king is able and willing to grant protection to a wolf that couldn’t talk, but somehow communicates his hidden humanity.This short story is beautiful like a seashell that glows with pearl depths.
A beautiful treasure of betrayal healed by a love unique and trusting. A young king is able and willing to grant protection to a wolf that couldn’t talk, but somehow communicates his hidden humanity.This short story is beautiful like a seashell that glows with pearl depths.
April 9, 2021
So it looks like I wasn't the only one who read the Lais of Marie and singled this story out as something with modern romantic potential. While KL Noone stays relatively close to the source material here, she neuters any violence or misogyny present in the original which is frankly a bit of a loss, as it's fundamentally a tale about a man being taken advantage of by his wife and getting revenge.
Additionally, she keeps the romantic elements completely chaste. A huge blunder in my opinion, asthe kink opportunities here are large. At least the writing is passable, if ultimately unexciting.
Additionally, she keeps the romantic elements completely chaste. A huge blunder in my opinion, asthe kink opportunities here are large. At least the writing is passable, if ultimately unexciting.
September 4, 2022
I loved this interpretation of a medieval tale and the distinct world the author created, with magical touches. The language and descriptions were exquisite, as always, and the central love story was warmly human and endearing and beautifully nuanced.
February 1, 2023
A very sweet fantasy-romance of a king and a werewolf falling in love. This is a re-telling of one of the fantasy stories written by Marie de France in the 12th century, and retains the feel of a medieval fairy tale, but with a lot more grace, kindness and forgiveness.
March 5, 2023
I love fairy tales that have been queered, the way the tropes and motifs weave so seamlessly to accommodate queer characters because, of course, fairy tales are about people, and queer folks are people. This story was especially sweet and tender, a very feel-good read.
February 20, 2024
Bisclavret is a beautiful treasure of betrayal healed by a love unique and trusting. A young king is able and willing to grant protection to a wolf that couldn’t talk, but somehow communicates his hidden humanity. This short story is beautiful like a seashell that glows with pearl depths.
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