So, you pick up this old book expecting a simple fairy story. What you get is a sprawling, centuries-spanning family drama with magic at its core. The legendary Mélusine, a being of immense power, strikes a bargain with the knight Raymondin. She’ll use her gifts to make him a lord of lands and builder of cities, but he must swear never to see her on a Saturday. For years, it works. Their family grows powerful, but so does Raymondin’s doubt. What is his wife doing on that one secret day? The tension builds not from battles, but from that single, gnawing question.

Why You Should Read It

This isn't just a 'beauty and the beast' tale. Mélusine is the one with all the power and mystery. She’s complex—a founder, a mother, a force of nature—yet bound by a cruel fate. Reading it, you see the roots of so many stories we know today. But more than that, it’s about the human urge to know what’s hidden, even when that knowledge costs everything. The characters feel real in their desires and their terrible mistakes.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves myth and folklore but wants to go back to the source material. If you enjoy stories about powerful, enigmatic women, complicated family legacies, or the dark side of fairy tales, you’ll find a lot to love here. It’s a direct line to the medieval imagination, and it’s absolutely gripping.