Part of the Twisted Tales series

Originally Published: September 6, 2016

By: Liz Braswell

Taking the classic Disney version of Beauty and the Beast and putting a new spin on it, As Old as Time is a darker version of the story that may not be meant for young audiences but is thought-provoking for the older ones.

Enchantress Rosalind is frightened when her people – les charmantes (the charmed ones) – are being threatened by the king and queen. Years later, her daughter Belle enters the castle Rosalind put a spell on and accidentally completes the magic.

The first part of the novel feels choppy going back and forth in time with Rosalind’s story of ethnic cleansing to the familiar beginning of Belle’s story. When part two begins, it only focuses on Belle’s storyline, which makes the connection in part three hard to put together.

Final say: Quite a different tale. ★★★☆☆