A review by dragonwriter
The Book of Gothel by Mary McMyne

adventurous challenging inspiring slow-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

5.0

Presented as a found medieval German text, The Book of Gothel gives the life of the witch who kidnapped Rapunzel and locked her in the tower. Her name was Haelewise. Throughout her life, Haelewise struggles with fainting spells that makes her father and priests believe she’s possessed by a demon, and they try all sorts of holy remedies to cure her and cast the demon out. Her mother, however, has a different solution in mind. Sacrificing her own life for Haelewise’s happiness, her mother’s death sets Haelewise on a path to find the Circle, a group of women who worship the Mother, as well as embroils her in political machinations and assassinations. Fighting to preserve herself and her love, Haelewise follows the path her mother sets before her, searching for a family who will finally love her as she is. 
 
This story hints at several other fairy tales, such as snow white, yet holds to a fantastical historical nature. It’s quite the clever play between fantasy and history, and I couldn’t help but picture Haelewise’s dress as the same featured in Disney’s Tangled. I thought that was quite the clever nod to the familiar tale. While I wouldn’t call this a ‘cozy’ story, the stakes follow the fates of several women in Haelewise’s life, as she fights to protect those from the cruelty of men. The men in power are frequently as cruel, or uncaring of woman’s plight (the King, Haelewise’s father, Ulrich), while the men who are lower ranked in the political structure are more sympathetic (Daniel and Matthaus). I do like how Mattaus is able to contribute to the ending, how he’s sent away with the baby while Haelewise confronts the wolf, and I really like how sweet he is and how he fights for her, despite her reputation. Their friends-to-lovers dynamic really has you rooting for them throughout the whole book, and while I hate Kunegunde for what she did, I’m glad they got something of a happy ending. 

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