Author: Megan van Dyke

Series: Reimagined Fairy Tales

First Published: 07 May 2024

“Grand dreams are the best kind. The ones most likely to succeed.”

I will start by saying that I was given an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own. Thank you so much to Megan for sending a copy my way!

Music says things words never can. I love you. I miss you. I’m sorry I killed you.

Every night, Ceridwen Kinsley plays music on her rooftop for the spirit of her dead mother. A peaceful if odd ritual, until she witnesses a murder by something not quite human. The monstrous encounter earns her notoriety within the city and a visit from the reclusive Lord Protector Drystan Winterbourne.

Charged with protecting the backwater city of Teneboure by the king, Drystan is failing at his task, and he can’t afford another slip up. But when fate and the very monster he means to conquer bring Ceridwen to his notice, he seizes the opportunity and presents her with an offer: play music for him at his manor in exchange for the money her impoverished family desperately needs. Music eases the strain of his magic, and who better to hire than the woman whose tunes he secretly listens to at night?

At first, Ceridwen is put off by Drystan’s unkempt appearance and harsh demeanor, not to mention the odd ailment that plagues him. But as he embraces her passion for music and she draws the recluse out of his lonely tower, the two develop an unlikely attachment. Class lines begin to blur as fearful indifference shifts to unexpected desire, and Ceridwen yearns to help Drystan subdue the monster as well as provide for her family. However, the monster prowling the night isn’t their only enemy, and as terrible secrets come to light, protecting those they love may risk their lives and their hearts.

The Musician and the Monster has all the magic and whimsy I want from a Beauty and the Beast retelling. I adore all the nods Megan van Dyke made to the fairytale, but at the same time, Drystan and Ceridwen’s world felt unique. The gothic vibes in here was everything.

Ceridwen is a musician, and the flute is her instrument of choice. She spends her nights playing outside as a tribute to her dead mother. Family is the most important thing to Ceridwen. I loved seeing her relationship with them, especially her sister. The second most important thing to Ceridwn is music. I adore how important music is to her. She has always dreamt of being a professional musician, but after her family’s change in fortune, she had to leave that dream behind. When she’s offered a job to be Drystan’s personal musician – to no one’s surprise – she jumps at the chance despite her family’s concerns over her safety and reputation as she needs to live in Drystan’s manner and she must go alone. Ceridwen has this quite strength to her. She does all she can to help Drystan complete his revenge plan, even if it puts her at risk. I was cheering when she followed Drystan to the capital to ensure he was not left to fight alone.

Drystan is the epitome of a broody, tortured hero. My heart ached for him when we learned about his past and what happened to his own family. He was sent to Tenebourne as a punishment from the King, but Drystan sees this as the perfect opportunity to work on his revenge plan. He needs to forge a weapon to kill the man who killed his parents and destroyed his life. While pushing himself to create his weapon, he falls further and further into darkness. The only thing that keeps him from losing his humanity is Ceridwen’s music. Drystan’s guilt makes him think he is unworthy of love. He shuts himself away from everyone. It was so sweet watching him slowly open to Ceridwen and others.

Their romance has all the swoon and magic of a fairytale. The pair are drawn to each other from the start. Drystan is determined to keep Ceridwen at arm’s length as he is pretty sure his revenge will be his end. I all but swooned when they finally got together. The wait was so worth it. The way the pair helped each other heal from grief was beautiful. While the romance is deliciously slowburn there are a handful of steamy scenes.

I am obsessed with the gothic vibes of this world. The atmosphere here is incredible that you feel consumed by the story. You know that I love it when music is included in books and music 100% plays a pivotal point to the plot. Which I is a big win in my book.

The magic system here was fascinating. I would love to see if it is included in the other books in the series. The magic system is broken into two elements – light and dark magic. In this world, magic is a gift from their Goddess. Any use of dark magic leads to monstrous consequences – which was the perfect beastly element to this fairytale retelling.

The Musician and the Monster was a beautiful retelling. I am completely captivated by the world and Drystan and Ceridwen’s romance. This was my first read from Megan. I am excited to read other books in the series to see more of this world. If you love fairytale retelling and atmospheric fantasy, add this to your TBR.