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zab_18's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A gorgeous twist on the Rapunzel story, that for once got a different telling after so many recounts.
bashsbooks's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
What Once Was Mine is a very fun book. As an avid reader of fanfiction, I love the transformative possibilities that come with the question "what if x was different?" and I felt like this book answered that question for Tangled pretty well. And this whole series gives a pretty positive spin to this kind of fanfiction-adjacent transformative property, so that's cool. I don't know that I fully understand the inclusion of the frame story (although it was really sweet! It just felt kind of unnecessary as well). I also don't know why there was repeated Bathory slander (on one hand, I think it's weird as someone who assumes that most of the vampiric tales about her were lies, but on the other, it's very fanfic core). Will probably read a few other Twisted Tales.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Murder, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Violence, Blood, Cancer, Medical content, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Fatphobia
yumemashita's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
maya65's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
siriuslyloveyou's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
snakeboba's review
5.0
I was pretty sure I would like this book because I love Disney, Tangled, and fairytales that have a twist. This book served all those things on a silver platter to me. It was a safe random pick from the library.
What I was surprised about was how much I liked how Braswell made the twists. This isn't a “Once upon a time...” and there's only Rapunzel being told from a different perspective. There's a small side story as you why it's different. There's more to it than the typical small changes.
Also, I enjoyed the writing style and how different things turned out. What Once Was Mine doesn't simply mirror Tangled. It's its own story. If it didn't have the minor side piece it would be a great read still.
What I was surprised about was how much I liked how Braswell made the twists. This isn't a “Once upon a time...” and there's only Rapunzel being told from a different perspective. There's a small side story as you why it's different. There's more to it than the typical small changes.
Also, I enjoyed the writing style and how different things turned out. What Once Was Mine doesn't simply mirror Tangled. It's its own story. If it didn't have the minor side piece it would be a great read still.
soybeanthefrogqueen's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kaitspen13's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0