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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
★★★★★
RAPUNZEL RETELLING AHHHH- ok so Tangled is my FAVORITE disney princess movie (cause i’m blonde and love to paint and read? totalllly not) but anyways i was SO EXCITED that i finally got to the rapunzel retelling of this series, and i’m so happy at how it ended. There was some great lessons in this book, and the characters realizing only God can heal them made my heart almost burst with happiness and pride. I got SO attached to these characters loll. This might quite possibly be my favorite Hagenheim book...but i love all of them so much it’s hard to choose! I’m so proud of rapunzel in this book <3
RAPUNZEL RETELLING AHHHH- ok so Tangled is my FAVORITE disney princess movie (cause i’m blonde and love to paint and read? totalllly not) but anyways i was SO EXCITED that i finally got to the rapunzel retelling of this series, and i’m so happy at how it ended. There was some great lessons in this book, and the characters realizing only God can heal them made my heart almost burst with happiness and pride. I got SO attached to these characters loll. This might quite possibly be my favorite Hagenheim book...but i love all of them so much it’s hard to choose! I’m so proud of rapunzel in this book <3
4.5 stars
God is putting His arms around you at this very moment. He is telling you He loves you now.
~My Thoughts~
Why did this book have to end?! Like, I loved it soooo much!! Which was actually pretty surprising considering that although I've always liked the story of Rapunzel and the Disney movie Tangled, it was never one of my favorites. But this book definitely blow me away with how much I ended up liking it.
I did cut half a star for a few different reasons. Firstly, the writing. It, and how they characters talked seemed a bit too modern at times. Like, I don't want all the Thou's and Thee's and whatnot, but there were some things scattered throughout this book that just seemed a bit out of place to me, and pulled me out of the story slightly….
Secondly, I ended up guessing the plot twists too easily and soon. But I don't know if it's really that it's just that easy to figure them out or if it's that because I am writing my own books, it was just easier for me to pick up on the foreshadowing and clues and whatnot, so….
Thirdly, the content. As you will see in my content warnings below, it wasn't really all that bad, there were just some scenes and things that unsettled me some, so I had to take a few points off for that…
~Characters~
Rapunzel: I liked her character a lot overall, and how she grew as a character throughout the book, and how she actually knew how to defend herself, but I just don't have a whole lot of thoughts on her for this review, but she really was an amazing character!
Sir Gerek: So…. Anyone who saw my updates for this book would know that I almost gave Gerek a whacking worse than what I gave Julian in my review of Caraval….
God is putting His arms around you at this very moment. He is telling you He loves you now.
~My Thoughts~
Why did this book have to end?! Like, I loved it soooo much!! Which was actually pretty surprising considering that although I've always liked the story of Rapunzel and the Disney movie Tangled, it was never one of my favorites. But this book definitely blow me away with how much I ended up liking it.
I did cut half a star for a few different reasons. Firstly, the writing. It, and how they characters talked seemed a bit too modern at times. Like, I don't want all the Thou's and Thee's and whatnot, but there were some things scattered throughout this book that just seemed a bit out of place to me, and pulled me out of the story slightly….
Secondly, I ended up guessing the plot twists too easily and soon. But I don't know if it's really that it's just that easy to figure them out or if it's that because I am writing my own books, it was just easier for me to pick up on the foreshadowing and clues and whatnot, so….
Thirdly, the content. As you will see in my content warnings below, it wasn't really all that bad, there were just some scenes and things that unsettled me some, so I had to take a few points off for that…
~Characters~
Rapunzel: I liked her character a lot overall, and how she grew as a character throughout the book, and how she actually knew how to defend herself, but I just don't have a whole lot of thoughts on her for this review, but she really was an amazing character!
Sir Gerek: So…. Anyone who saw my updates for this book would know that I almost gave Gerek a whacking worse than what I gave Julian in my review of Caraval….
I love this series, to me it reads like an old 1990's Disney movie. Cute little love stories with no sexual content, but also some action adventure.
Recommended for 12 and up.
Recommended for 12 and up.
3.2/5 stars. Not the worst. Full review to come!
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pacing: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Enjoyment: 3/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pacing: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Enjoyment: 3/5
So I just bought this book this morning and just finished it while in biology class...yeah you can say I was very excited to read this book...I've been a fan of Melanie Dickerson's books and will always be... So shall we get started on the review brace yourself people...
I was so excited when I heard about this book and really after reading the synopsis and rereading the books I had some theories to who Rapunzel was...I won't say because you have to read the book. (*evil laugh*) So I was pleased when I was right about my theories
image:
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So anyways shall we?...
Rapunzel, Rapunzel... let your...
Yeah no Rapunzel isn't your ordinary girl, in fact she's pretty extraordinary in her time. I mean hello she can throw knives! How awesome is that??? Totally different from the heroines Melanie Dickerson usually writes but I love it!
image:
But really she was really courageous and brave which I admire and also at the same time just being a vulnerable human being which is actually even more awesome because meanwhile I enjoy a good strong heroine this is nothing wrong with being vulnerable it just shows how human you are (looking at you Black Widow). I though Melanie Dickerson did a really nice job of making a heroine who is strong and vulnerable at the same time. Plus she is really a delightful character! Anyways shall we move onto Sir Gerek??
Although Sir Gerek is no Flynn Ryder
He was still lovable hero for Rapunzel and I thought their story was really sweet and enjoy the fact they didn't fall in love with each other right away despite the attraction they felt. It was a fun to see their love grow out of friendship which I think it is important in any relationship I mean yeah Sir Gerek was really arrogant and cared about money....
But then you see how he treats Rapunzel and you can't but be like
It was so dang cute!And just happy to see that he changed from his old ways and decided to marry Rapunzel out of love.
Now mother Gothel....
Yep she was as just crazy as the one in the movie. I do not like her she's crazy... just as loco as the duchess in the Fairest Beauty. And after hearing her backstory there was a twist I definitely did not see coming and I love that Melanie Dickerson added that.
And of course there's a happily ever ending which just makes me happy...
(I'm such a sappy hopeless romantic...)
Anyhow....the only thing I wasn't satisfied was that I didn't see everyone's reactions and I was really hoping for that but that's okay because I still enjoy it and I cannot wait for her books!!!
You know why I choose this gif ;)
Melanie Dickerson I cannot wait for your other books!!
Now if you'll excuse I have to watch Tangled now after seeing all these gifs
I was so excited when I heard about this book and really after reading the synopsis and rereading the books I had some theories to who Rapunzel was...I won't say because you have to read the book. (*evil laugh*) So I was pleased when I was right about my theories
image:
"/>So anyways shall we?...
Rapunzel, Rapunzel... let your...
Yeah no Rapunzel isn't your ordinary girl, in fact she's pretty extraordinary in her time. I mean hello she can throw knives! How awesome is that??? Totally different from the heroines Melanie Dickerson usually writes but I love it!
image:
But really she was really courageous and brave which I admire and also at the same time just being a vulnerable human being which is actually even more awesome because meanwhile I enjoy a good strong heroine this is nothing wrong with being vulnerable it just shows how human you are (looking at you Black Widow). I though Melanie Dickerson did a really nice job of making a heroine who is strong and vulnerable at the same time. Plus she is really a delightful character! Anyways shall we move onto Sir Gerek??
Although Sir Gerek is no Flynn Ryder
He was still lovable hero for Rapunzel and I thought their story was really sweet and enjoy the fact they didn't fall in love with each other right away despite the attraction they felt. It was a fun to see their love grow out of friendship which I think it is important in any relationship I mean yeah Sir Gerek was really arrogant and cared about money....
But then you see how he treats Rapunzel and you can't but be like
It was so dang cute!And just happy to see that he changed from his old ways and decided to marry Rapunzel out of love.
Now mother Gothel....
Yep she was as just crazy as the one in the movie. I do not like her she's crazy... just as loco as the duchess in the Fairest Beauty. And after hearing her backstory there was a twist I definitely did not see coming and I love that Melanie Dickerson added that.
And of course there's a happily ever ending which just makes me happy...
(I'm such a sappy hopeless romantic...)
Anyhow....the only thing I wasn't satisfied was that I didn't see everyone's reactions and I was really hoping for that but that's okay because I still enjoy it and I cannot wait for her books!!!
You know why I choose this gif ;)
Melanie Dickerson I cannot wait for your other books!!
Now if you'll excuse I have to watch Tangled now after seeing all these gifs
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a sweet fairytale retelling! I've always enjoyed Rapunzel, and I really liked the characters in this story. It seemed more dramatic than needed at times, and I was frustrated at some points, but everything made sense and was very coherent in the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Kidnapping
Well who doesn’t love the story of Rapunzel! ‘Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair’. I know I do and this is a great re-telling. Loved it from the start and didn’t want it to end. You can go in knowing the basics but it’s the authors’ own style of writing and storytelling that brings it alive and keeps you reading.
Rapunzel and her ‘mother’ are moving away yet again due to her getting more attention than her mother would like – a marriage proposal would do that. Rapunzel’s mother wants to get her away so she is out of danger from men but little does she know that by moving her she would start a chain reaction of greater changes and danger to come. On the way to a new town two robbers set upon Rapunzel and her mother. In the midst of the struggle Rapunzel prays for an angel with his flaming sword to help them. Her prayers are answered in the form of Gerek, a knight of the realm, when he hears her cry. From the moment she meets him nothing will ever be the same again.
After hearing a women’s cry for help Gerek charges in to save the day. After catching one of the robbers and assisting the women in the aftermath of the attack he insists that he guard them for the rest of their journey. As a knight it is what would be expected of him, but he can’t believe that he has come across anyone to be as ungrateful as the young maidens mother. He insists that the young maiden, whose beautiful eyes he is trying not to notice, lie down to rest in the cart that they have now acquired from the robbers as she took quite a bump to the head when she was pushed down. He thinks that he will be able to keep them safe and keep an eye on his captive while they continue their journey to Hagenheim. A thunderstorm and a hare manage to change Gerek’s plans though when he is thrown from his horse. Not only does he end up breaking his arm and leg when his horse falls on him, but if it wasn’t for Rapunzel’s good aim with throwing a knife he may have lost his life as well as the robber was moments from taking it.
From being the one coming to the rescue it now seems that Gerek is in need of some assistance himself. As he fears he may not last all the way to Hagenheim he insists that they all seek shelter with the monks along the way. Once there Gerek thinks that this will be the last time that he sees the women he rescued. Little does he know that one of his friends, a monk, has offered him up as a tutor for Rapunzel as he will be laid up for weeks while waiting for his bones to heal. The only thing that Rapunzel has continually asked her mother for is the chance to find someone who would teach her to read. If only her mother had found her someone sooner then Rapunzel wouldn’t have gone to extreme measures to make it happen. At first Rapunzel thinks that she will be taught to read by one of the monks so she is surprised, and a little nervous, when she finds out that she will actually be taught by Gerek, who has captured her mind from the moment she met him.
The more time they spend together, the more they learn, you can see the walls start to come down for both of them. Rapunzel has always been taught by her mother to be wary of men and stay away at all costs as they will only cause her heartache but she feels safe with Gerek and closer to him than she would have thought in such a short time. Gerek on the other hand has come from a troubled past and the fear he has of turning into his father has made him view the idea of marriage as nothing more than a contract to get the wealthiest bride. One sure way to show his brother that he has made something of himself. Love doesn’t come into it. Rapunzel knows that if, or more importantly when, her mother finds out she will be mad but she doesn’t count on exactly how far her mother is willing to go. Gerek’s outlook on life and love change from the moment he meets Rapunzel. With the troubles that follow to stay safe they find that they need to stay close to each other. In the end they save each other’s lives in more ways than one.
As you know the story you are waiting for the big reveal and how everything will play out. You are also waiting for when Gerek will wake up and realise that Rapunzel is the perfect woman for him and if he doesn’t claim her for his own then he will regret it forever. The pace of the story is just right and you are just happy to be along for the ride. The characters are complex and intriguing and I loved this fresh twist on a classic fairytale. Even though this one can be read as standalone I was excited to find out that this book is part of a series and that they are all medieval fairytales re-told. I do love medieval stories so I will definitely be checking out the rest of them.
I received this ARC fro my BookLookBloggers for my honest review.
https://readingnook84.wordpress.com/2015/12/20/book-review-the-golden-braid-by-melanie-dickerson/
Rapunzel and her ‘mother’ are moving away yet again due to her getting more attention than her mother would like – a marriage proposal would do that. Rapunzel’s mother wants to get her away so she is out of danger from men but little does she know that by moving her she would start a chain reaction of greater changes and danger to come. On the way to a new town two robbers set upon Rapunzel and her mother. In the midst of the struggle Rapunzel prays for an angel with his flaming sword to help them. Her prayers are answered in the form of Gerek, a knight of the realm, when he hears her cry. From the moment she meets him nothing will ever be the same again.
After hearing a women’s cry for help Gerek charges in to save the day. After catching one of the robbers and assisting the women in the aftermath of the attack he insists that he guard them for the rest of their journey. As a knight it is what would be expected of him, but he can’t believe that he has come across anyone to be as ungrateful as the young maidens mother. He insists that the young maiden, whose beautiful eyes he is trying not to notice, lie down to rest in the cart that they have now acquired from the robbers as she took quite a bump to the head when she was pushed down. He thinks that he will be able to keep them safe and keep an eye on his captive while they continue their journey to Hagenheim. A thunderstorm and a hare manage to change Gerek’s plans though when he is thrown from his horse. Not only does he end up breaking his arm and leg when his horse falls on him, but if it wasn’t for Rapunzel’s good aim with throwing a knife he may have lost his life as well as the robber was moments from taking it.
From being the one coming to the rescue it now seems that Gerek is in need of some assistance himself. As he fears he may not last all the way to Hagenheim he insists that they all seek shelter with the monks along the way. Once there Gerek thinks that this will be the last time that he sees the women he rescued. Little does he know that one of his friends, a monk, has offered him up as a tutor for Rapunzel as he will be laid up for weeks while waiting for his bones to heal. The only thing that Rapunzel has continually asked her mother for is the chance to find someone who would teach her to read. If only her mother had found her someone sooner then Rapunzel wouldn’t have gone to extreme measures to make it happen. At first Rapunzel thinks that she will be taught to read by one of the monks so she is surprised, and a little nervous, when she finds out that she will actually be taught by Gerek, who has captured her mind from the moment she met him.
The more time they spend together, the more they learn, you can see the walls start to come down for both of them. Rapunzel has always been taught by her mother to be wary of men and stay away at all costs as they will only cause her heartache but she feels safe with Gerek and closer to him than she would have thought in such a short time. Gerek on the other hand has come from a troubled past and the fear he has of turning into his father has made him view the idea of marriage as nothing more than a contract to get the wealthiest bride. One sure way to show his brother that he has made something of himself. Love doesn’t come into it. Rapunzel knows that if, or more importantly when, her mother finds out she will be mad but she doesn’t count on exactly how far her mother is willing to go. Gerek’s outlook on life and love change from the moment he meets Rapunzel. With the troubles that follow to stay safe they find that they need to stay close to each other. In the end they save each other’s lives in more ways than one.
As you know the story you are waiting for the big reveal and how everything will play out. You are also waiting for when Gerek will wake up and realise that Rapunzel is the perfect woman for him and if he doesn’t claim her for his own then he will regret it forever. The pace of the story is just right and you are just happy to be along for the ride. The characters are complex and intriguing and I loved this fresh twist on a classic fairytale. Even though this one can be read as standalone I was excited to find out that this book is part of a series and that they are all medieval fairytales re-told. I do love medieval stories so I will definitely be checking out the rest of them.
I received this ARC fro my BookLookBloggers for my honest review.
https://readingnook84.wordpress.com/2015/12/20/book-review-the-golden-braid-by-melanie-dickerson/
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's very different from Disney's Tangled but still a super cute story 😍
AKSAKJELF
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
So this book reads like the companion novel to The Princess Spy. I didn't realize that. But it was SO GOOD. It reads like a fairy tale. I confess I was apprehensive. I love the original tale of Rapunzel. It's gorgeous. I was afraid that Melanie might let the tale down, or change it in a bad way.
OH MY WORD WHY WAS I WORRIED
This book was perfection. Rapunzel was the heroine I knew from the original tale, but had changed in so many good ways. She took charge of the story, but I was a bit disappointed that she wasn't as kick-butt as the synopsis suggested. But in that way, the kick-butt attitude wouldn't have suited her. She was exactly what the story needed her to be, but not weak. She was real. She was the right sort of character to be in a YA novel in this time. In most every YA novel I read with a strong heroine the heroine lacks… heart. Sure, they're passionate. They care about the good guys. But Rapunzel… She killed someone. I won't say who. But that moment cemented everything I thought and knew of her. She was kind. Caring. Strong. And she was righteous. She regretted that kill. A lot of heroines kill and then wave it off. It doesn't matter as long as it's the bad guy. But this showed that no matter who it is, every life matters. And that was such a strong, pure message. It's something I really wanted to see in the YA genre. It makes me overjoyed to see it.
Five stars to a wonderful story full of heart and romance and action.
FOR THE PARENTS -
Intimacy – Mild kissing. Mentions of illegitimate children, and of two women being led on and getting pregnant by men. Nothing is shown (except for the kissing)
Violence – Mild or low high? Not awful, but there was a large amount.
Cussing – None.
Intoxication – Maybe mentions of it?
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
So this book reads like the companion novel to The Princess Spy. I didn't realize that. But it was SO GOOD. It reads like a fairy tale. I confess I was apprehensive. I love the original tale of Rapunzel. It's gorgeous. I was afraid that Melanie might let the tale down, or change it in a bad way.
OH MY WORD WHY WAS I WORRIED
This book was perfection. Rapunzel was the heroine I knew from the original tale, but had changed in so many good ways. She took charge of the story, but I was a bit disappointed that she wasn't as kick-butt as the synopsis suggested. But in that way, the kick-butt attitude wouldn't have suited her. She was exactly what the story needed her to be, but not weak. She was real. She was the right sort of character to be in a YA novel in this time. In most every YA novel I read with a strong heroine the heroine lacks… heart. Sure, they're passionate. They care about the good guys. But Rapunzel… She killed someone. I won't say who. But that moment cemented everything I thought and knew of her. She was kind. Caring. Strong. And she was righteous. She regretted that kill. A lot of heroines kill and then wave it off. It doesn't matter as long as it's the bad guy. But this showed that no matter who it is, every life matters. And that was such a strong, pure message. It's something I really wanted to see in the YA genre. It makes me overjoyed to see it.
Five stars to a wonderful story full of heart and romance and action.
FOR THE PARENTS -
Intimacy – Mild kissing. Mentions of illegitimate children, and of two women being led on and getting pregnant by men. Nothing is shown (except for the kissing)
Violence – Mild or low high? Not awful, but there was a large amount.
Cussing – None.
Intoxication – Maybe mentions of it?