Saturday, April 20, 2013

Towering by Alex Flinn ~ Review

Available May 14th from Harper Teen

Source:  Received eBook copy from publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Book Description:

At first, I merely saw his face, his hands on the window ledge. Then, his whole body as he swung himself through the window. Only I could not see what he swung on.
Until, one day, I told my dream self to look down. And it was then that I saw. He had climbed on a rope. I knew without asking that the rope had been one of my own tying.


Rachel is trapped in a tower, held hostage by a woman she’s always called Mama. Her golden hair is growing rapidly, and to pass the time, she watches the snow fall and sings songs from her childhood, hoping someone, anyone, will hear her.

Wyatt needs time to reflect or, better yet, forget about what happened to his best friend, Tyler. That’s why he’s been shipped off to the Adirondacks in the dead of winter to live with the oldest lady in town. Either that, or no one he knows ever wants to see him again.

Dani disappeared seventeen years ago without a trace, but she left behind a journal that’s never been read, not even by her overbearing mother…until now.

A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Alex Flinn knows her fairy tales, and Towering is her most mind-bending interpretation yet. Dark and mysterious, this reimagining of Rapunzel will have readers on the edge of their seats wondering where Alex will take them next!



My Thoughts:



4 stars - Truly a magical fairytale

Let me start by saying that this book is a fairytale and not the Grimm kind.  No this story is that fabulous fairy Godmother kind where things don't always make sense but work for the story.  I can certainly see where some people would not care for that but I just went with it, enjoying it.  And I's so glad I did.

Rachel is wonderful.  Naive and literally sheltered in her tower, she seemed to be from a different time.  But what spoke to me, what I loved about her was her strength.  She didn't need to be rescued from her tower but did some rescuing herself.  Yes she fell in love way too fast but remember that fairytale thing I was talking about, yeah just go with it cause it makes the story better.

Wyatt - love that name btw - did some rescuing too and some helping but they were a team.  I loved that she helped him as much as he helped her.  He was a good guy and I found him charming.  He's not really book boyfriend material but you know what, he's fairytale material.  So he fit this story well.

I loved the mystery of this story.  It felt good to have that be the focus of the story.  The love between Rachel and Wyatt was not what was in question.  No love triangles or fear that the other may not like them - none of the normal stuff in other words - fueled the plot.  No that was the mystery of this small town.  What the heck was going on.  The pieces fell slowly and I enjoyed piecing it together.  Not all of the pieces fell together until they were revealed, though a few did.  I love it when the book isn't obvious to me. 

Read this in an evening.  So fast.  It's 304 pages but it didn't feel that way at all.  I was shocked every time I looked down to see how far I was.  It sailed by.

This is YA and it's clearly for the fairytale reader.  Some things will just have to be accepted so you can enjoy the experience.  If you're cool with that, then pick this one up.  Think you might enjoy it.




6 comments:

  1. I have this one to read and am really looking forward to it. I love fairy tales and retellings, so I got this right when it went up on Edelweiss. I'm glad that you enjoyed it. I am excited to get to it now.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I haven't heard of this one. I have to be in the right mood for fantasy/fairytale type books. I do enjoy them on occasion though. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I liked one of Flinn's other retellings (Bewitched?) that I read. This looks good, too! I love a book that is such a quick read. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I really need to read this book when it comes out! Thanks for a review!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very happy to see 4 stars...I'm eager to read this one. Great review :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I liked this one too. The characters are fun and I loved the mystery! :)

    Nyx Book Reviews

    ReplyDelete