Book excerpt: When Fairy Blackstick created a magical rose and ring, she did not anticipate their existence to be so troublesome. With the power to warp perception, the rose and the ring each make their bearer seem beautiful and irresistibly charming. However, as they are passed down, the magic of the items had been forgotten, leaving their new owners clueless of this ability. The ring resides in the Paflagonia kingdom. Giglio, the King’s nephew, is the rightful heir to the throne, but the opportunity was stolen from him as a baby. However, he owns the ring, which had been passed down from his mother. Since Giglio does not wear the ring, he is often overlooked in the family, overshadowed by Princess Angelica. The rose resides in the Crim Tartary kingdom. Separated for years, the two magical objects reunite when Prince Bulbo of the Crim Tartary kingdom visits Paflagonia, carrying his rose with him. When Angelica immediately falls in love with the prince, this angers Giglio, who had held feelings for Angelica for a long time. After a passionate confrontation between Angelica and Giglio, the enchanted ring is thrown out into the garden, free for anyone to find. As the ring finds a new owner, complicated love triangles emerge, inciting fights, threats, and social turmoil. Written like a fairytale, The Rose and the Ring by William Makepeace Thackery features magic and dueling kingdoms, capturing the imagination of its audience. Meant to be a satirical work of romantic comedy, The Rose and the Ring criticizes the attitudes of monarchs and high society, specifically challenging their ideals of beauty and marriage. With the combination of clever satire, imaginative prose, and an exciting narrative, this novel is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Originally published in 1855, The Rose and the Ring is a whimsical tale supporting a meaningful message that still remains relevant to modern day society. This edition of The Rose and the Ring by William Makepeace Thackery features a striking new cover design and is printed in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, The Rose and the Ring caters to a contemporary audience while preserving the original hilarity of Thackery’s work.