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cleanbooksforjess's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
angelarwatts's review against another edition
5.0
STORY
The Lady Of Lanaria is a sweet retelling of Rapunzel. The Disney movie TANGLED is one of few I truly enjoyed, so this book was a refreshing read and reminded me of all the aspects of this tale I enjoyed the most! Well-written, endearing, and a light-pierces-the-darkness theme, this story is for all ages.
THEMES
The theme that light prevails was woven in a beautiful, heart-lifting way. I enjoyed the bonds between friends and the sweet relationship Eva and Gabe grew. A book full of amazing themes and great reminders that we should always do the right thing, even if it is difficult.
This is also a great book for anyone seeking a fantasy or retelling that is not heavy.
CHARACTERS
Bush creates realistic characters and a wholesome cast with intriguing villains! I really enjoyed Eva and Gabe, so sweet! And the side characters were funny, too.
OVERALL
Overall, I'd say this book is a 4 or 4.5 star read for me! It was very sweet and well-crafted. Overall, a solid novel, and I love Bush's style! My one disappointment is listed below--spoilers!
The Lady Of Lanaria is a sweet retelling of Rapunzel. The Disney movie TANGLED is one of few I truly enjoyed, so this book was a refreshing read and reminded me of all the aspects of this tale I enjoyed the most! Well-written, endearing, and a light-pierces-the-darkness theme, this story is for all ages.
THEMES
The theme that light prevails was woven in a beautiful, heart-lifting way. I enjoyed the bonds between friends and the sweet relationship Eva and Gabe grew. A book full of amazing themes and great reminders that we should always do the right thing, even if it is difficult.
This is also a great book for anyone seeking a fantasy or retelling that is not heavy.
CHARACTERS
Bush creates realistic characters and a wholesome cast with intriguing villains! I really enjoyed Eva and Gabe, so sweet! And the side characters were funny, too.
OVERALL
Overall, I'd say this book is a 4 or 4.5 star read for me! It was very sweet and well-crafted. Overall, a solid novel, and I love Bush's style! My one disappointment is listed below--spoilers!
Spoiler
Ama, the witch, was well written! But by the climax, I was disappointed she had her villain speech because I was expecting different. It closely followed the movie TANGLED in this scene--there wasn't much climax and Ama was quickly killed. I understand, this is a clean book, so no one else will be bothered by this! But I would've liked to see the stakes a wee bit higher in this specific climax. This is simply the tragic-classic book worm in me, hajillie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
This was a really sweet, Christian retelling of the Rapunzel story. At times I wanted it to be grittier and dig into some things deeper, but overall I really enjoyed it. Rapunzel is one of my favorite tales & i’m happy to have found this version.
(if you don’t like christian fiction this is not the book for you.)
8/6/23 - 9/8/23
(if you don’t like christian fiction this is not the book for you.)
8/6/23 - 9/8/23
bookishlynady's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
thepurplegiraffe's review against another edition
5.0
"Nothing is truly safe, but nothing is truly hopeless either. It is the fallen world that we live in, full of sin and sorrow. You can choose to despair and wallow in it, or you can find the light in the situation you’re in."
This was such a pleasant surprise! I've never read anything from Michaela before, though I've had my eye on her books for awhile now. And since I'm always down for a new Rapunzel retelling, this seemed like the perfect place to start.
Evangeline's story was wonderful, heart-wrenching and soul-filling. With a unique storyline that kept me hooked, and a ridiculously soft romance that I fell in love with, it paid perfect homage to the original fairytale, but wove in a story of God's love and deliverance beautifully.
The evil "mother" was awful, which, in a way, makes her a great villain. I haven't seen many Rapunzel retellings truly deal with the abuse that she suffers at the hands of the witch, but this one explored it, and Evangeline's realization of it, in a great way.
Also I gotta talk about Gabriel because OH man I love him. xD I'm always a sucker for the protective but respectful boy, and he's no exception. The way he cares for Eva is so darn sweet and lovely and I just adore them together. I'd happily read a sequel, even though I don't think there will be one.
Ultimately, I really enjoyed myself while reading, and I'd happily recommend it to anyone who loves Disney's Tangled, soft romances, and girls who learn to stand up for themselves.
Five stars from me!
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
This was such a pleasant surprise! I've never read anything from Michaela before, though I've had my eye on her books for awhile now. And since I'm always down for a new Rapunzel retelling, this seemed like the perfect place to start.
Evangeline's story was wonderful, heart-wrenching and soul-filling. With a unique storyline that kept me hooked, and a ridiculously soft romance that I fell in love with, it paid perfect homage to the original fairytale, but wove in a story of God's love and deliverance beautifully.
The evil "mother" was awful, which, in a way, makes her a great villain. I haven't seen many Rapunzel retellings truly deal with the abuse that she suffers at the hands of the witch, but this one explored it, and Evangeline's realization of it, in a great way.
Also I gotta talk about Gabriel because OH man I love him. xD I'm always a sucker for the protective but respectful boy, and he's no exception. The way he cares for Eva is so darn sweet and lovely and I just adore them together. I'd happily read a sequel, even though I don't think there will be one.
Ultimately, I really enjoyed myself while reading, and I'd happily recommend it to anyone who loves Disney's Tangled, soft romances, and girls who learn to stand up for themselves.
Five stars from me!
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
bookwormjourney's review against another edition
5.0
First, let me say that I absolutely adore Gabe. He was such an absolute sweetheart. Clean romance is my favorite genre so having a good leading man is critical and he fits the bill. Of course, Evangeline was great too so don't get me a wrong. Together I absolutely adored their chemistry. They were super adorable together and I enjoyed their moments of slight shyness around each other.
The Lady of Lanaria is a Rapunzel retelling and it has all the elements we've come to expect from Rapunzel stories: stolen child, evil witches, long hair, being locked in a tower, meeting a guy who helps her sneak away to see more of the world. There are some more faith based elements to this version which I enjoyed. The main characters both shared a faith in God and it was mentioned periodically without being done in a preachy manner.
Evangeline is a fairly naive girl who has lived her whole life in a watchtower with her mother, who is cruel and disdainful. She's been told the king would kill her and her mother if she ever leaves the tower and enters the kingdom, which of course she believes. Her mother is frequently gone from the tower so Evangeline is left alone and this is how she ultimately meets Gabriel, a guard in the very kingdom she's been told not to enter. While she is initially leary of him, they quickly strike up a friendship. Evangeline's mother is forever pressuring her to learn dark magic, which Evangeline does not want to as she gets her truths from the Bible and knows this dark magic is not something she should be involved with.
I really enjoyed this story overall. The ending was so sweet and I will often end up rating a book with 5 stars if I love the ending enough. This was definitely got two thumbs up. I felt like it was a little slower before it snagged my attention but once it did, I just kept reading. I would totally read more fairy tale retellings by this author. Pretty please?
I received a complimentary copy of this book and I'm leaving an honest and voluntary review.
The Lady of Lanaria is a Rapunzel retelling and it has all the elements we've come to expect from Rapunzel stories: stolen child, evil witches, long hair, being locked in a tower, meeting a guy who helps her sneak away to see more of the world. There are some more faith based elements to this version which I enjoyed. The main characters both shared a faith in God and it was mentioned periodically without being done in a preachy manner.
Evangeline is a fairly naive girl who has lived her whole life in a watchtower with her mother, who is cruel and disdainful. She's been told the king would kill her and her mother if she ever leaves the tower and enters the kingdom, which of course she believes. Her mother is frequently gone from the tower so Evangeline is left alone and this is how she ultimately meets Gabriel, a guard in the very kingdom she's been told not to enter. While she is initially leary of him, they quickly strike up a friendship. Evangeline's mother is forever pressuring her to learn dark magic, which Evangeline does not want to as she gets her truths from the Bible and knows this dark magic is not something she should be involved with.
I really enjoyed this story overall. The ending was so sweet and I will often end up rating a book with 5 stars if I love the ending enough. This was definitely got two thumbs up. I felt like it was a little slower before it snagged my attention but once it did, I just kept reading. I would totally read more fairy tale retellings by this author. Pretty please?
I received a complimentary copy of this book and I'm leaving an honest and voluntary review.
angelarwatts's review against another edition
5.0
STORY
The Lady Of Lanaria is a sweet retelling of Rapunzel. The Disney movie TANGLED is one of few I truly enjoyed, so this book was a refreshing read and reminded me of all the aspects of this tale I enjoyed the most! Well-written, endearing, and a light-pierces-the-darkness theme, this story is for all ages.
THEMES
The theme that light prevails was woven in a beautiful, heart-lifting way. I enjoyed the bonds between friends and the sweet relationship Eva and Gabe grew. A book full of amazing themes and great reminders that we should always do the right thing, even if it is difficult.
This is also a great book for anyone seeking a fantasy or retelling that is not heavy.
CHARACTERS
Bush creates realistic characters and a wholesome cast with intriguing villains! I really enjoyed Eva and Gabe, so sweet! And the side characters were funny, too.
OVERALL
Overall, I'd say this book is a 4 or 4.5 star read for me! It was very sweet and well-crafted. Overall, a solid novel, and I love Bush's style! My one disappointment is listed below--spoilers!
Ama, the witch, was well written! But by the climax, I was disappointed she had her villain speech because I was expecting different. It closely followed the movie TANGLED in this scene--there wasn't much climax and Ama was quickly killed. I understand, this is a clean book, so no one else will be bothered by this! But I would've liked to see the stakes a wee bit higher in this specific climax. This is simply the tragic-classic book worm in me, ha
The Lady Of Lanaria is a sweet retelling of Rapunzel. The Disney movie TANGLED is one of few I truly enjoyed, so this book was a refreshing read and reminded me of all the aspects of this tale I enjoyed the most! Well-written, endearing, and a light-pierces-the-darkness theme, this story is for all ages.
THEMES
The theme that light prevails was woven in a beautiful, heart-lifting way. I enjoyed the bonds between friends and the sweet relationship Eva and Gabe grew. A book full of amazing themes and great reminders that we should always do the right thing, even if it is difficult.
This is also a great book for anyone seeking a fantasy or retelling that is not heavy.
CHARACTERS
Bush creates realistic characters and a wholesome cast with intriguing villains! I really enjoyed Eva and Gabe, so sweet! And the side characters were funny, too.
OVERALL
Overall, I'd say this book is a 4 or 4.5 star read for me! It was very sweet and well-crafted. Overall, a solid novel, and I love Bush's style! My one disappointment is listed below--spoilers!
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