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Before Rapunzel was even born, her vain mother made a dangerous deal with the sorceress Melisande. If she could not love her newborn just as she appeared, she would surrender the child to Melisande to raise as her own. So when Rapunzel was born completely bald and showed no hope of ever growing hair, her horrified mother sent her away.
Rapunzel has lived 16 happy years with Melisande. She’s never truly fit in at the nearby village. Her closet friends are her cat, the peddler, and the peddler’s apprentice, who regularly visit her and Melisande. Throughout it all, she tells herself she is content with her isolated life and in knowing Melisande’s unconditional love. But Melisande has been keeping a secret from her. She has another daughter, Rue, and Rapunzel struggles with accepting the truth. Years ago, Rue was cursed by a wizard, and Melisande strongly believes Rapunzel is the one who will break the spell.
Together Rue and Rapunzel have just two nights and the day that falls between to break the enchantment, but first they’ll have to come to terms with the bitterness and envy that lies between them. If they fail to work together, Rue will remain in her tower cursed forever.
Golden is an original, well-developed twist on the classic Rapunzel fairy tale. In traditional Cameron Dokey style, the first half of the book is devoted to unique backstory. The depth this adds to the Rapunzel story provides the reader with a tale that is both familiar and unique.
What really shines in this story, though, is the romance — specifically Rapunzel’s relationship with Harry, the orphan turned peddler’s apprentice. While Golden does still feature the classic scenario of love at first sight, it also provides the perfect definition of love.
Admittedly, there’s not much grimness to this Grimm fairy tale. There are no real villains to speak of (other than the mother). In fact, I found Golden to be the kind of pleasant story where I didn’t actually hate anyone. And while the Once Upon a Time series remains full of shorter stories with simple writing, they continue to prove to be lighthearted tales perfect for readers looking for clean reads to binge. (Check out Before Midnight or Wild Orchid, too.)
Rated: None.
