Review #7 Rapunzel Untangled By Cindy C Bennett

Released: 13th February 2013
Publisher: Sweetwater Books
Age Group: YA
Genre: Fantasy/Fairytale
Pages: 304
Buy the book here: Amazon

Synopsis

Fab Fane Fannigan: Are you saying you live at GOTHEL MANSION??? The Gothel Mansion?
RG: My mother calls it Gothel Manor,so maybe that's different?
Fab Fane Fannigan: No, Rapunzel, there is only one that I know of. It has to be the same. Are you telling me the truth here?
RG: Yes, of course. Is it weird that I live here?
Fab Fane Fannigan: No, not weird, just...never mind. So you live in the tower?
RG: Uh, the tower? I don't know. Is it a tower?
Fab Fane Fannigan: Yes, It is. I know where it is. I'll be there Friday at 8

Rapunzel sensed the difference in his tone. Something wasn't right.

Fab Fane Fannigan: Rapunzel, promise me one thing.
RG: Okay.
Fab Fane Fannigan: Don't Google your house.

Rapunzel is not your average teenager. For one thing, she has a serious illness that keeps her inside the mysterious Gothel Mansion. And for another, her hair is 15 feet long. Not to mention that she's also the key to ultimately saving the world from certain destruction.

But then she meets a boy named Fane, who changes all she's ever known, and she decides to risk everything familiar to find out who she really is.

Filled with romance, adventure and mystery, Rapunzel Untangled is one story you won't want to put down. Discover the true meaning of love and friendship in this modern twist to the classic fairytale.
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I received this book as an ARC on my Kindle from NetGalley. After reading the synopsis of the book I was immediately drawn into the plot and requested to read it. When I got my confirmation I was thrilled. 
I jumped straight into this book with no knowledge or understanding of Rapunzel whatsoever. I had never read or heard the story of Rapunzel as a child so this was a brand new world for me. The only thing I knew of the original fairytale was Rapunzel was trapped in a tower and had very long, golden hair...that was it.

I LOVED this book. From the very first page it pulled my attention and captured my imagination drawing me into the world the author Cindy Bennett had created. Her characters were relate-able, and as soon as I read about Fane, I found myself with a little crush. He seemed the perfect guy you would want as a friend and maybe more...

The use of the modern world was handled brilliantly and make the story lighthearted and funny, but with some dark undertones further into the book where we start to learn more about Gothel Mansion and the twisted-ness of Gothel herself. A villain you can really learn to loathe.

I really hope Cindy Bennett creates more modern fairytale retelling's as this one was amazing. I could not put it down. When I did I felt compelled to pick it straight back up again.

This book is released on the 13th February 2013, go out and pick up a copy for yourself or even better pre-order it on Amazon and get it delivered to your door on launch day (see link above). You won't be disappointed.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.. Absolutely Brilliant!

One last comment...Film companies, if you are reading this snap it up! I want to see this made into a film.

Before I Die by Jenny Downham

Released: 29th April 2010
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Age Group: YA
Genre: Real Life
Pages: 336
Website including other books: Jenny Downham
Buy the book here: Amazon





Before I Die was a gripping novel from start to finish. It is about a girl called Tessa, who is 16 years old, and due to leukemia, has only a few months to live. But instead of wallowing in self-pity, she has a long list of things she'd like to do before she dies. As you progress through the book, you learn everything that has happened in her life and how it will be for her family after she dies.

In an IMM video, I stated that this book kept grabbing my attention, and I wasn't sure why. I now know. It was to broaden the range of literature I read, and divert me away from all things supernatural and make me realize the things that happen to people everyday before our very eyes. I am now looking for more books like this, with real meaning, page-turning books that move you. (But will continue to read the other books I like)


This book was amazing and left me craving more 5 out of 5!

Review #2 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Released: 5th January 2009
Publisher: Scholastic
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Dystopian
Pages: 464
Other titles in this series: Catching Fire #2 Mockingjay #3
Buy the book here: Amazon

The Hunger Games is the 1st book of a trilogy written by Suzanne Collins.

In post apocalyptic North America there was once 13 districts that belonged to the Capitol. The 13th district however was destroyed during the first rebellion. Since then the other twelve districts, every year, must provide one girl and one boy from each district to take place in The Hunger Games. The Hunger Games take place once every year and the twenty-four children that are chosen must take place in a battle to the death. They must plot and destroy each other in anyway possible to be crowned the victor and take wealth and food home to their struggling family.

This story takes place during the 74th Hunger Games. We follow Katniss, Peetah and the other twenty two children as they undergo vigorous training and then watch them enter the arena and struggle to survive followed by an unexpected twist at the end that will leave you hungry for more...

Suzanne Collins took inspiration from different sources to create The Hunger Games. Two of these included:

• The Lottery by Shirley Jackson (Buy It Here)
• Greek Tales of Theseus

The Hunger Games, being my first Dystopian novel, confused me a little at the beginning but this is due to the fact I had never experienced a book like this before. Once you delve into Suzanne's world of The Hunger Games you will never want to leave. The suspense throughout the book leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat and you really feel you are the one that is taking part in The Hunger Games. I read this book in a couple of days, struggling to put it down. It came everywhere with me. On the bus and even to the supermarket on the way to get groceries, I was that hooked!

I cannot wait to jump into the second book in the series, Catching Fire, to see where the story will take us next. Unputdownable 5 out of 5

The Hunger Games Official Movie Trailer