Where to start with this one! This isn't your ordinary fairy tale! Then again, with Sarah, they never are! She is genius when it comes to taking the traditional fairy tale we all know and twisting it into something completely new!

I am not going to go into the plot of the story too much. Reason being, I think you need to find out for yourself just how brilliant this book is!

Rapunzel, looking for Prince Charming? I think not. Rapunzel, looking to escape her life. Yes indeed.
We also have Flynn. I couldn't quite get a read on him. Is he her friend or foe? Does he want her; doesn't he want her.

I found myself wanting to punch someone in the throat so many times throughout this book! Back and forth. Kind of like the old verse, he loves me, he loves me not.

Between the great imagination of Sarah, the characters who speak to you and the ever-twisting plot, this book is definitely a good read. Even if fantasy and paranormal books aren't your thing, you will still love this story. I promise! ( )

Where to start with this one! This isn't your ordinary fairy tale! Then again, with Sarah, they never are! She is genius when it comes to taking the traditional fairy tale we all know and twisting it into something completely new!

I am not going to go into the plot of the story too much. Reason being, I think you need to find out for yourself just how brilliant this book is!

Rapunzel, looking for Prince Charming? I think not. Rapunzel, looking to escape her life. Yes indeed.
We also have Flynn. I couldn't quite get a read on him. Is he her friend or foe? Does he want her; doesn't he want her.

I found myself wanting to punch someone in the throat so many times throughout this book! Back and forth. Kind of like the old verse, he loves me, he loves me not.

Between the great imagination of Sarah, the characters who speak to you and the ever-twisting plot, this book is definitely a good read. Even if fantasy and paranormal books aren't your thing, you will still love this story. I promise! ( )

The Story

We've all read fairy tales. Yes, even the burly men who act like they don't enjoy it when their child watches Frozen or Little Mermaid, has a soft spot for those cute childhood stories.

What happened to the fairy tales when we become adults? Surely, after seeing the world for what it is, having letdowns, breakups and bad days, we are the ones who could really use a moment to have that fuzzy, warm feeling and a small hope that there is a fantasy world out there?

Enter Sarah J. Pepper.

A brilliant author who knows there is a need for a 'fairy tale' with a little adrenaline, heat and cursing thrown into it. Something real...

Rapunzel:

Long locks, from which someone can climb a tower: Check

Trapped in a tall tower: Check

Held captive by and evil woman: Check

Fell for the first man who successfully came to get her: Check

Her love was a knight in shining armour: uh-oh

Rapunzel knew she had to escape, even if it meant dying. She wasn't going to go back to that tower. She knew that people would be sent for her. She also knew her captor wasn't one for fussing over how her collection got back to her, just that no one else had them.

However, Rapunzel didn't expect such a tall, dark and handsome to come for her, nor did she expect him to shoot her so many times. Either way, she back in the tower and as desperate as ever to get free. At least now she has someone to drool over.

As Rapunzel fights for her life and chance to get away, she starts to learn that sometimes the ones you believe you can trust, turn out to be the only ones you can't, and those you thought a write-off may just be your champions.

My Thoughts

Pepper has given us everything we could want in an adult fairy tale. We have a plethora of love, hate, jealousy, turmoil and passion. Don't forget the curse words and snarking remarks.

With each page, you are drawn further into this excellent story. You find yourself comparing the story of Rapunzel, you heard as a child, to this brilliant adaptation. There are the perfect amount of snippets and details that match up to your childhood tale, to keep you feeling as though you really are hearing Rapunzel's true story. However, there are also just enough changes to really keep you guessing, and give you those juicy moments you can't wait to gobble up.

I found the book highly addicting. I loved Punzie's attitude and fervour for freedom, as it really gave her an adventurous and strong personality. However, she still had the overwhelming hopelessness that one would expect to see from Punzie. She has been trapped in a tower, subjected to humiliation and treated as a possession for her entire life. I felt this made her exceptionally more real, unlike her counterpart from the recent Disney film, who seemed bubbly, happy and oblivious to the fact that she was truly be held prisoner.

I also loved that, just like a lot of people in their younger years, looking for someone to love, she has fallen for the bad boy. He may be more than he seems, but he did shoot her numerous times when they first met. Yet, she still falls for him, just like we've seen in so many real life scenarios (minus the shooting, i hope).

The details and attention to character continuity were done exceptionally well, meaning that you really could just dive in and enjoy the book, from cover to cover, as the characters always stayed true to the personalities they were given.

The pace was also done very well. It was fast-paced enough to have the adrenaline-filled action we want and still has time for the mushy lovey moments we need.

OVERALL: I was impressed with this book. I hadn't read any previous adult-version fairy tales, but this books was one I couldn't put down. I liked it so much, I can't wait to read another of Pepper's works and hopefully grab a few more of these adults recreations. I would highly recommend this book to any adults looking for escape from the norm, a little fun and saucy reading, as well a bit of adventure. ( )