Pretend the fairytale Rapunzel doesn’t exist, and then imagine it is really taking place in a modern-day setting with Rapunzel stuck in her tower, full of delightful innocence. Add an incredibly creepy (and crazy) “mother” who has an unhealthy obsession with sixes and you have a captivating re-telling of the dark, yet beloved tale. If I could change anything about Rapunzel Untangled, I wouldn’t.  Bennett does such a great job of making the story her own, while still making it comfortably recognizable. The changes to the story to make it take place in a current setting are fun and frequently humorous. You can’t help but love Rapunzel with her charm and sweetness, despite having lived a disturbing life and being wronged by the one person she trusted. If you love a fairytale with a good twist, you must read this book!

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Sweetwater Books

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: None

Violence/Gore: Many (21) brief incidents including verbal threats; second hand report of a few murders (with little to no detail); baby miscarried; character’s children and spouse die; report that character nearly drowns; second hand report of child being neglected and abused by parents; character being dragged down stairs; character being tasered; fantasy violence of characters being smashed into walls and another character imploding; séances and witchcraft; building collapses (no one is injured).

Sex/Nudity: Many (41) brief incidents including talking about kissing; thinking about hugging and holding arm; character removes clothing to bathe; touching neck; holding hands; kiss; character accidentally falls on top of another character; touching face; slow dancing.

Mature Subject Matter:

Kidnapping, murder, child neglect/abuse, divorce, séances and witchcraft.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Character is given drugs to induce unconsciousness.