Title: Tower of Thorns
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: Grimm Academy #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Fairy tales, Retellings, Romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Tower of Thorns had some pretty major Mother Gothel vibes to it, and because of this, I most definitely figured out who the culprit / bad guy in the story was. But, even though I 100% knew what was coming, I still loved going on the journey. Probably because it was still fun, still had a lot of emotion, and I loved how the story unfolded.

Rapunzel’s strength of self and forethought into how her prophecy might come true were beautiful things. I love that, although she wanted to trust her mother, she still decided to put things in place for just in case. I mean, the idea that she has this great strength of will and willingness to not let “fate” determine her future was beautiful. Particularly when there are so many retellings that have historically painted Rapunzel as a victim.

As much as I enjoyed Tower of Thorns, I really wanted to know more about Gavin’s prophecy. I mean, both of them have prophecies involving love. They both fall in love knowing that it will probably trigger their prophecies. You can understand how Rapunzel’s unfolded and what happened (plus, Greenwood brilliantly uses the more violent original of the fairy tale). But there is no hint about Gavin’s prophecy beyond the fact that he has one. And it is about being in love.

I really loved how Greenwood utilised the original Rapunzel fairy tale (which was slightly more violent and gruesome than Tangled). Which just means that I’m absolutely dying to jump into the rest of the series. I wonder if she will use the Grimm-style versions of the fairy tales, rather than the sweeter Disney ones… now onto Spindles and Spells, a Sleeping Beauty retelling.

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Spindles and Spells ->

Image source: bol.