A Rapunzel Story Better than the Grimm’s Fairy Tale

Remember Rapunzel? She was a Grimm’s Brother’s princess locked in a tower and rescued by a prince willing to climb her long golden tresses to save her. Ever wonder what happened to the princess when released from her prison?

Wonder no more. Leila Howland solved the dilemma in her creative fairy tale revival, Rapunzel and the Lost Lagoon.

Rapunzel’s savior was Eugene, who returns her home to the grateful king and queen of Corona. But, to protect their daughter from becoming a prisoner again, they hire a lady-in-waiting to teach her the intricacies of royal living—sitting, drinking tea, eating, and of course walking.

However, Rap’s lady-in-waiting is a feminist warrior with little interest in embroidery or preparing the perfect muffins for tea. Cassandra, the daughter of the captain of the guard wants only to become a soldier for the Corona Guard and protect the kingdom from invaders. Rap is delighted, for she secretly wants Cass to teach her how to handle a sword or throw a lance.

Tension builds between Cass and Eugene. She doesn’t trust him due to his past history of being a thief. On the positive side, a heartwarming friendship blooms between Cass and Rap that is tested throughout the story. On one adventure the young women stumble upon a mysterious lagoon that may hold the key to the kingdom’s greatest power. It’s up to Rap and Cass to figure out the mystery before a sinister force learns it first.

Author Leila Howland does a superb job of upstaging the Grimm’s Brothers’ fairytale as she shows readers the true personality behind the Rapunzel legend. The story Howland tells in Rapunzel and the Lost Lagoon will keep readers motivated as they thumb through an excellent read. It is also the first in Howland’s Tangle Novel series.

About the Author

Leila Howland, a native of Providence, Rhode Island, spent five years in New York City working with the award winning Flea Theater in Tribeca. She has authored the Silver Sisters middle grade series and the YA series Nantucket Blue. Howland is currently living in Los Angeles, CA and you can visit her on her website at www.leilahowland.com.

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