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tori_knight24's review against another edition
5.0
this is the only fairytale rewrite acceptable... period.
bookishwiles's review against another edition
4.0
I almost DNF at about 25% of the way in but I am glad I stuck with it because it ended up being a great book. At the climax of the story I even shed one little tear. It is definitely more middle grade than a book to read to younger children. It is emotionally a bit complicated and young kids would have a difficult time understanding those aspects but they are what made it more enjoyable for me. I really hated Rapunzel at the beginning of the novel and I loved her at the end.
nhi_nguyen's review against another edition
4.0
This book is different from the Disney movie versions in many ways. But in some ways, it's also similar. The obvious difference between them is that in the Disney version, it's set in the Kingdom of Corona, but in the book version, it's set in Tyme. I think that really adds to the story. Another difference is that there was no Jack in the Disney movie version. I love how it's not just the story of Rapunzel but also a mash-up of Jack and the Beanstalk too.
The reason I gave this a four-star rating was because of Rapunzel. She was really whiny and unkind in many circumstances. All in all, a spoiled brat. I don't blame her since she was raised in a tower that provided her with everything she needed. But hey, can you please ease up on the Red Fairies? I'm happy that at the end
It's different from the Disney version, but the difference was what made me really like this book. I might try out the other two books in the series.
The reason I gave this a four-star rating was because of Rapunzel. She was really whiny and unkind in many circumstances. All in all, a spoiled brat. I don't blame her since she was raised in a tower that provided her with everything she needed. But hey, can you please ease up on the Red Fairies? I'm happy that at the end
Spoiler
Rapunzel turned out a much character than she did at the beginning. I think most of it was the result of her losing her innocence. She knew and had seen things now, especially Witch dying.It's different from the Disney version, but the difference was what made me really like this book. I might try out the other two books in the series.
user613's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I'd hoped.
True, part of the problem was that this book is meant for middle graders, and I'm an adult. However, the main problem was Rapunzel. She was annoyingly innocent and full questions and constantly making impulsive stupid decisions against Jack's advice. And, her steadfast blind dedication to Witch really got on my nerves. So, no, I didn't like her. I didn't consider her to be a role-model of any sort, or a worthy heroine.
Also, there were many acts of violence in the story (think: kidnapping Rapunzel because she needs to come and she wouldn't agree otherwise) and they were all justified and it just felt wrong and unnecessary.
Suggested alternatives: [b:Half Upon a Time|7327326|Half Upon a Time (Half Upon a Time, #1)|James Riley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348428216l/7327326._SY75_.jpg|8944721], [b:Rapunzel: The One with All the Hair|175348|Rapunzel The One with All the Hair (Twice Upon a Time, #1)|Wendy Mass|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328867237l/175348._SX50_.jpg|15655188] and [b:The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom|12969560|The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom (The League of Princes, #1)|Christopher Healy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1334867348l/12969560._SX50_.jpg|18127772]
Jack eyed her for another moment, and then he grinned a little. “You’re going to have some good stories to tell after this, you know that?” he said. “Of how you conquered a Stalker and climbed your own hair out of a ravine, in spite of the fairy who wants you dead.”
“That’s an awful story.”
“That’s what makes it good,” said Jack. “My father always said that about adventures. The parts that are worst in the doing are best in the telling.”
Content:
Violence: danger and kidnappings and bandits. Rapunzel is trapped in a tower by Witch, who raises her.
Witches gain their power from children's innocence. Many eat children. Witch (Rapunzel's captor) never did. Instead, she traps children in a tower and their innocence feeds her so long as they are near her and alive. The last child she put in the tower escaped out of the window and crashed to the ground and died. Rapunzel watches this scene happen.
Romance: nothing actually happens between Jack and Rapunzel. However, there are quite a few problematic topics brought upon by Rapunzel's innocence, most of which felt completely unnecessary.
When Jack first arrives in Rapunzel's tower, she's wearing a bath robe. She starts to take it off to put on a dress, which flusters Jack, and the reaction confuses Rapunzel.
Jack needs to explain basic concepts like what parents are to Rapunzel. During his explanation, they come across the concept of parents making children. Rapunzel wants to know how this is done. They spend a few paragraphs with an embarrassed Jack trying to avoid this explanation and eventually we're told that he tells her and she's disgusted. The same happens with the concept of giving birth and labor.
Jack and Rapunzel share a room many nights, which doesn't seem to bother any of the adults.
Religion: a few discussions about what comes after death and how the world of Tyme came to be.
Tyme started from fourteen fairies. 13 fairies shattered and became all of Tyme. The last fairy, the White Fairy refused to shatter. She sits alone up among the clouds in a place called Geguul.
People can go to Geguul and make a deal with the White Fairy and become a Witch. Witches who dies go to Geguul and are forced to live there forever. Other people's souls go to the Beyond.
Rapunzel journeys to Woodmother, the First Tree, the ancient tree that all trees came from. When Rapunzel finds her, the tree swallows Rapunzel whole, then shows her many scenes from hundreds of years back. The Woodmother is described once as a shadowy figure and another time as a beautiful tree with branches that reach upwards and outwards. Afterwards Rapunzel is freed from the tree, it vanishes.
True, part of the problem was that this book is meant for middle graders, and I'm an adult. However, the main problem was Rapunzel. She was annoyingly innocent and full questions and constantly making impulsive stupid decisions against Jack's advice. And, her steadfast blind dedication to Witch really got on my nerves. So, no, I didn't like her. I didn't consider her to be a role-model of any sort, or a worthy heroine.
Also, there were many acts of violence in the story (think: kidnapping Rapunzel because she needs to come and she wouldn't agree otherwise) and they were all justified and it just felt wrong and unnecessary.
Suggested alternatives: [b:Half Upon a Time|7327326|Half Upon a Time (Half Upon a Time, #1)|James Riley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348428216l/7327326._SY75_.jpg|8944721], [b:Rapunzel: The One with All the Hair|175348|Rapunzel The One with All the Hair (Twice Upon a Time, #1)|Wendy Mass|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328867237l/175348._SX50_.jpg|15655188] and [b:The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom|12969560|The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom (The League of Princes, #1)|Christopher Healy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1334867348l/12969560._SX50_.jpg|18127772]
Jack eyed her for another moment, and then he grinned a little. “You’re going to have some good stories to tell after this, you know that?” he said. “Of how you conquered a Stalker and climbed your own hair out of a ravine, in spite of the fairy who wants you dead.”
“That’s an awful story.”
“That’s what makes it good,” said Jack. “My father always said that about adventures. The parts that are worst in the doing are best in the telling.”
Content:
Violence: danger and kidnappings and bandits. Rapunzel is trapped in a tower by Witch, who raises her.
Spoiler
In one scene Rapunzel is swallowed by a tree.Witches gain their power from children's innocence. Many eat children. Witch (Rapunzel's captor) never did. Instead, she traps children in a tower and their innocence feeds her so long as they are near her and alive. The last child she put in the tower escaped out of the window and crashed to the ground and died. Rapunzel watches this scene happen.
Romance: nothing actually happens between Jack and Rapunzel. However, there are quite a few problematic topics brought upon by Rapunzel's innocence, most of which felt completely unnecessary.
Spoiler
When Jack first arrives in Rapunzel's tower, she's wearing a bath robe. She starts to take it off to put on a dress, which flusters Jack, and the reaction confuses Rapunzel.
Jack needs to explain basic concepts like what parents are to Rapunzel. During his explanation, they come across the concept of parents making children. Rapunzel wants to know how this is done. They spend a few paragraphs with an embarrassed Jack trying to avoid this explanation and eventually we're told that he tells her and she's disgusted. The same happens with the concept of giving birth and labor.
Jack and Rapunzel share a room many nights, which doesn't seem to bother any of the adults.
Religion: a few discussions about what comes after death and how the world of Tyme came to be.
Spoiler
Tyme started from fourteen fairies. 13 fairies shattered and became all of Tyme. The last fairy, the White Fairy refused to shatter. She sits alone up among the clouds in a place called Geguul.
People can go to Geguul and make a deal with the White Fairy and become a Witch. Witches who dies go to Geguul and are forced to live there forever. Other people's souls go to the Beyond.
Rapunzel journeys to Woodmother, the First Tree, the ancient tree that all trees came from. When Rapunzel finds her, the tree swallows Rapunzel whole, then shows her many scenes from hundreds of years back. The Woodmother is described once as a shadowy figure and another time as a beautiful tree with branches that reach upwards and outwards. Afterwards Rapunzel is freed from the tree, it vanishes.
zapkode's review against another edition
5.0
{My thoughts} – I have always enjoyed reading different spins on the classic fairytale stories. This book did not disappoint me one bit. I thought it would be an interesting read to see what might have or could have been if Rapunzel had a different sort of story and I was right, it kept my attention quite well. I truly enjoyed reading it to my three month old.
Rapunzel was taken from her parents through a bargain that the witch had proposed to her father before she’d been born. She was then kept in a tower that the witch had convinced her was the safest place for her to be as she grew up. She had many ways in which she had managed to make Rapunzel believe that her tower was her safe haven and that should she leave she would not be safe anymore. However, in all the books that the Witch had given her access to it said that if she did leave the tower all she had to do was yell the Witch’s name and Witch would be able to rescue her and take her safely back to her tower.
Rapunzel learns a lot about herself, her family and Witch throughout the pages of this book. It is a tale so intricately woven that it may leave you on the brink of tears near the end. If you’d like to learn more about Rapunzel and her story you’ll need to read the book, I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Rapunzel was taken from her parents through a bargain that the witch had proposed to her father before she’d been born. She was then kept in a tower that the witch had convinced her was the safest place for her to be as she grew up. She had many ways in which she had managed to make Rapunzel believe that her tower was her safe haven and that should she leave she would not be safe anymore. However, in all the books that the Witch had given her access to it said that if she did leave the tower all she had to do was yell the Witch’s name and Witch would be able to rescue her and take her safely back to her tower.
Rapunzel learns a lot about herself, her family and Witch throughout the pages of this book. It is a tale so intricately woven that it may leave you on the brink of tears near the end. If you’d like to learn more about Rapunzel and her story you’ll need to read the book, I promise you won’t be disappointed!
mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the best retellings I have ever read. It certainly is the best Rapunzel retelling by far and this is a big thing for me because I've read a ton in this genre.
It's the usual story of Rapunzel - girl in tower guarded by a Witch - but the twist here is how the Witch has chosen to imprison Rapunzel. She dotes on her like a little princess keeping Rapunzel completely under the Witch's thumb of Rapunzel's own volition.
The arrival of a thief named Jack throws everything out of whack leading Rapunzel down a path of discovery and betrayal she had no idea even existed.
First off Rapunzel herself was an amazing character. She's so spoiled at the beginning it's difficult to like her. But, as the story unfolds you start to see how deep Witch's manipulations go. Emotional abuse can be difficult to identify especially for kids who have no experience with other dynamics. This book does a wonderful job of unpacking not only how this affects Rapunzel without her even realizing it as well as how hard it is to process even when she does start to figure it out.
I hated Witch from the beginning until the bitter end because I am on the outside. I can't possibly imagine doing what Rapunzel does or feeling the compassion she still has for Witch, but I understand and empathize with her decisions because of how well written the whole thing is. It doesn't make sense to me or anyone else in the book, but it's not about us. It's about how Rapunzel's relationship with her abusive mother is her own, not for anyone else to pass judgment on. It's about how there can still be love - right or wrong - regardless of what someone has done.
Now, this doesn't ring true of all situations, of course. Abuse can be a sliding scale unfortunately which is why it's so important for the victim to come to terms in their own time in their own way. They being said there are lines that are crossed that I do believe warrant no contact at all. Forgiveness is a whole other thing entirely. But, like still wanting to stay in touch or interact is a no go after certain forms of mistreatment. I hated that Rapunzel was willing to overlook what Witch had done because Witch so obviously is an awful person that I personally do not believe deserves any compassion. While I loved Rapunzel I found this part of her very selfish. It's one thing to accept your abusive parent, it's another to expect others to do so. And it's frustrating that she can't see how privileged she is that she can just choose to ignore the tragedies inflicted on them. Witch ruined many peoples' lives but Rapunzel low-key doesn't care because Witch loved *her*. Like she hurts Rapunzel's best friend and Rapunzel is still like 'But, Witch isn't so bad!' But, that's also what I loved about the book; the fact that this is only a flaw depending on your perspective on dealing with abusive parents. It asks you to take a step back from your own bias, put yourself in Rapunzel's shoes, and acknowledge that what you would do isn't right for everyone. And while it would have been satisfying for Rapunzel to do what I might have done it wasn't the right thing for her to do. It asks you to think in terms of mercy rather than retribution. I'm a really empathetic person, but this book really stretched my compassion as thin as it could go.
(To be honest, Rapunzel handles the whole thing with grace, it just annoyed me that Witch got any sympathy at all. It's realistic because love doesn't just end like that. It's just so hard for me to let my own disdain go.)
Rapunzel's arc is the emotional core to the whole book so it was crucial that this aspect be good. I felt it was masterfully done. And for this to be a debut? I was just blown away.
The supporting cast is fine. None stand out for me to love, but I enjoyed them. Plus I consider it a win that it didn't feel as if they were only there to force the story along or add exposition. Functionally some did fulfill this requirement however it didn't *feel* that way as I was reading it which is the mark of a good story in my opinion.
Everybody had a twinkle of personality that added to the tension or stakes or development. It was an effective use of characters of varied significance which is all I want in a story that relies on a journey; the protagonists by virtue of the plot cannot stay in one place too long, but that doesn't mean I want to rapidly flip through a bunch of nobody characters either. Jack is technically main as well, but this is so strongly Rapunzel's story that it doesn't really feel like it. But, that didn’t mean I didn’t appreciate him. He was a wonderful voice of reason as well as audience surrogate. He often said what I wanted to say to Rapunzel and regardless of outcome it was still cathartic to read. Watching him come to slowly care for Rapunzel as a friend (possibly more?) was heart-warming.
The diversity was nice too. Jack is Asian and most of the secondary characters are POC. I liked how casual it was. It felt like Morrison was writing a fantasy world like the modern world; where it’s commonplace to have different races intermingling. I haven’t read a lot of middle grade fantasy that has been able to achieve this kind of normalcy without it feeling forced or cheap. It was refreshing. (And the next book which I’ve already started features a Black main character so this isn’t a one-off either)
Anyways, this so far is one of if not my ultimate favorite book of 2020. It will definitely be the peak of retellings for quite some time. Right now I can’t imagine anything outside of Morrison’s other works topping this. Seriously, read this book. This is as good as it gets when it comes to the genre.
It's the usual story of Rapunzel - girl in tower guarded by a Witch - but the twist here is how the Witch has chosen to imprison Rapunzel. She dotes on her like a little princess keeping Rapunzel completely under the Witch's thumb of Rapunzel's own volition.
The arrival of a thief named Jack throws everything out of whack leading Rapunzel down a path of discovery and betrayal she had no idea even existed.
First off Rapunzel herself was an amazing character. She's so spoiled at the beginning it's difficult to like her. But, as the story unfolds you start to see how deep Witch's manipulations go. Emotional abuse can be difficult to identify especially for kids who have no experience with other dynamics. This book does a wonderful job of unpacking not only how this affects Rapunzel without her even realizing it as well as how hard it is to process even when she does start to figure it out.
I hated Witch from the beginning until the bitter end because I am on the outside. I can't possibly imagine doing what Rapunzel does or feeling the compassion she still has for Witch, but I understand and empathize with her decisions because of how well written the whole thing is. It doesn't make sense to me or anyone else in the book, but it's not about us. It's about how Rapunzel's relationship with her abusive mother is her own, not for anyone else to pass judgment on. It's about how there can still be love - right or wrong - regardless of what someone has done.
Now, this doesn't ring true of all situations, of course. Abuse can be a sliding scale unfortunately which is why it's so important for the victim to come to terms in their own time in their own way. They being said there are lines that are crossed that I do believe warrant no contact at all. Forgiveness is a whole other thing entirely. But, like still wanting to stay in touch or interact is a no go after certain forms of mistreatment. I hated that Rapunzel was willing to overlook what Witch had done because Witch so obviously is an awful person that I personally do not believe deserves any compassion. While I loved Rapunzel I found this part of her very selfish. It's one thing to accept your abusive parent, it's another to expect others to do so. And it's frustrating that she can't see how privileged she is that she can just choose to ignore the tragedies inflicted on them. Witch ruined many peoples' lives but Rapunzel low-key doesn't care because Witch loved *her*. Like she hurts Rapunzel's best friend and Rapunzel is still like 'But, Witch isn't so bad!' But, that's also what I loved about the book; the fact that this is only a flaw depending on your perspective on dealing with abusive parents. It asks you to take a step back from your own bias, put yourself in Rapunzel's shoes, and acknowledge that what you would do isn't right for everyone. And while it would have been satisfying for Rapunzel to do what I might have done it wasn't the right thing for her to do. It asks you to think in terms of mercy rather than retribution. I'm a really empathetic person, but this book really stretched my compassion as thin as it could go.
(To be honest, Rapunzel handles the whole thing with grace, it just annoyed me that Witch got any sympathy at all. It's realistic because love doesn't just end like that. It's just so hard for me to let my own disdain go.)
Rapunzel's arc is the emotional core to the whole book so it was crucial that this aspect be good. I felt it was masterfully done. And for this to be a debut? I was just blown away.
The supporting cast is fine. None stand out for me to love, but I enjoyed them. Plus I consider it a win that it didn't feel as if they were only there to force the story along or add exposition. Functionally some did fulfill this requirement however it didn't *feel* that way as I was reading it which is the mark of a good story in my opinion.
Everybody had a twinkle of personality that added to the tension or stakes or development. It was an effective use of characters of varied significance which is all I want in a story that relies on a journey; the protagonists by virtue of the plot cannot stay in one place too long, but that doesn't mean I want to rapidly flip through a bunch of nobody characters either. Jack is technically main as well, but this is so strongly Rapunzel's story that it doesn't really feel like it. But, that didn’t mean I didn’t appreciate him. He was a wonderful voice of reason as well as audience surrogate. He often said what I wanted to say to Rapunzel and regardless of outcome it was still cathartic to read. Watching him come to slowly care for Rapunzel as a friend (possibly more?) was heart-warming.
The diversity was nice too. Jack is Asian and most of the secondary characters are POC. I liked how casual it was. It felt like Morrison was writing a fantasy world like the modern world; where it’s commonplace to have different races intermingling. I haven’t read a lot of middle grade fantasy that has been able to achieve this kind of normalcy without it feeling forced or cheap. It was refreshing. (And the next book which I’ve already started features a Black main character so this isn’t a one-off either)
Anyways, this so far is one of if not my ultimate favorite book of 2020. It will definitely be the peak of retellings for quite some time. Right now I can’t imagine anything outside of Morrison’s other works topping this. Seriously, read this book. This is as good as it gets when it comes to the genre.
oak_55's review against another edition
5.0
the fact that this entire series lore is based off of kabbalah has me. absolutely screaming
also german cinderella! i cant
also german cinderella! i cant
sallyavena's review against another edition
5.0
A fairy tale retelling that is a little more grown up...in a good way. More in depth characters, plot and settings as well relationships (non-romantic). And Rapunzel is far from your typical fairy tale princess. Perfect for those tweens that have grown up reading fairy tales and retellings of them but want something a little more challenging to read without all the boy/girl drama. Here's a full review I did of this book: http://www.compassbookratings.com/reviews/index.php/review/view/1790