In the shadowed embrace of World War II, where the world outside teeters on the brink of despair, a tale as timeless as love itself unfolds within the secluded walls of a mysterious country estate. "Briarley" by Aster Glenn Gray reimagines the classic story of "Beauty and the Beast" through a lens tinted with the hues of courage and redemption, set against a backdrop of wartime England. When an English parson, seeking shelter from an unexpected summer shower, stumbles upon Briarley, he finds not the sanctuary he expects, but a world suspended at the crossroads of enchantment and curse. A world where a banquet for one is laid out in eerie welcome and where the beauty of a single rose comes at a price too steep to fathom. As the parson becomes entangled in the fate of Briarley's master—a creature of fire and fury, yet bound by chains of regret and longing—the story delves deep into the heart of what it means to see beyond one's fears, to fight for justice, and to kindle the light of love in the darkest of times. With each turn of the page, Gray weaves a narrative rich in emotion and brimming with moments of poignant humanity, inviting the reader to ponder the nature of beauty, the power of forgiveness, and the unbreakable bonds that form when hearts are open and true. "Briarley" is not just a retelling but a transformative journey that challenges its characters—and its readers—to break free from the curses that bind them, lighting the way with hope and the timeless magic of love.