A review by amelia990
The Lady in the Coppergate Tower by Nancy Campbell Allen

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I'd summarize the book in one sentence by saying this story follows Hazel and Sam as they travel to Eastern Europe with Hazel's long-lost uncle after learning Hazel's twin sister is in trouble and that Hazel is the only one who can help.  The book was fine, although I found the summary provided on the book misleading.  The front cover says the story is a steampunk Rapunzel retelling, which was part of why I picked it up.  I haven't seen a lot of Rapunzel retellings and there are interesting things that could be done with that story.  Unfortunately, there is very little from Rapunzel and only at the end where a few details from the fairy tale are wedged in despite not being needed for the plot.  The novel pulls far more inspiration from Bram Stoker's Dracula than it does from Rapunzel.  (Although don't worry if you don't like horror; there is no horror here).  The other thing I was promised from the book cover was that the two leads were pining but struggling with a class divide.  This is mentioned maybe twice and resolved in the first couple chapters; it's not an ongoing plot complication.  I would have happily overlooked the misleading nature of the book cover had the book made me care about the characters, but neither felt very well developed and I felt no connection to either.  I'd call this one "could have been a cool idea, but failed in execution"