2.5/5 stars
This was such a disappointment. I feel like Liz Braswell is such a hit or miss author for me. I loved Unbirthday, and I really didn't like this. The story was plain and boring, and the fact that she drank from the moonflower didn't reeeeally have much to do with the story. She can kill instead of heal, Gothel should have trained her to be an assassin that she then sells to the highest bidder; not keep her locked up and innocent then to sell to the highest bidder. The romance was so rushed and didn't feel like it worked. Her parents were strange and it really felt like here dad couldn't care less about what happened to her. The writing was juvenile and lackluster, and overall just really disappointing.

Tangled is one of my favorites of the 'new' Disney princess movies and I loved the twist to this story! What if, instead of Rapunzel's hair healing, she grew up believing she had 'murderhair'? While the story starts basically the same, the different adventures we go on with Rapunzel as she meets Flynn and Gina (who's amazing!!) were so fun and the pace of the story moves so well! It was fun getting more magic in this story and more history too! I think I particularly loved that this was told as a brother tweaking the story for his little sister while she's getting cancer treatments, it made it more personal in a way, and very Princess Bride-esque! Another solid entry in one of my favorite series and I can't wait for more Twisted Tales!!

A new take on the classic tale of Rapunzel, particularly the newest Disney version with our favorite rogue Flynn. The story asks... what if instead of the sundrop flower that had all healing abilities... Rapunzel was impacted by the moondrop flower that destroys, even kills everything. Rapunzel is now considered a danger to her family and even the kingdom and is sent off to live with a caretaker... aka Mother Gothel. However this Mother Gothel has much more sinister plans than simply using Rapunzel’s hair to maintain her youth. Rapunzel is still determined to see the floating lantern lights on her birthday but as the events went, Mother Gothel is having none of that. Cue a mysterious crown stealing thief who catches Rapunzel’s eye, especially his wanted poster. Now Rapunzel will need to team up with Flynn and her new friend Gina in order to not only see the floating lights but to uncover her identity, her “mother”s intentions, and survive the upcoming journey. This is told from the perspective of a brother retelling the story to his sister who is in the hospital. It was definitely a unique take on the story and had a much darker undertone. I did enjoy Flynn and the sweet moments between them. I did like the addition of Gina as a best friend for Rapunzel. I found the book to be an enjoyable take on the disney version and would definitely recommend it!

*Thanks Netgalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide, Disney-Hyperion for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Once upon a time, a princess with magic hair lived in a desolate tower and she was ready to get out and find adventure.

What Once Was Mine is a retelling inspired by the movie Tangled, Tangled is one of my favorites Disney movies ever, I was very excited to read this new story, this version tackles more issues than the original movie and takes a different path. Honestly, I think the story can be a hit or miss for Tangled lovers, but I think that if you love the movie and want an alternative version this is a good and fun option.

What is different and I like:
• Friendship
• Witchcraft
• Strong women
• New characters

Rapunzel has spent her entire life secluded in a tower, her dream is to see the floating lights but her mother does not want to take her, Rapunzel possesses magic, but is very dangerous and can hurt people. Now, Rapunzel is 19th and wants to prove the opposite, she can control her magic. She ventures outside and adopts a small lizard that her magic does not hurt, it is when she sets out on a mission: Find Flynn Rider so that he can take her to see the floating lights.
But finding the thief is not so easy, instead, She will meet Gina, a young petty thief.

What I like about this version is that Rapunzel does not wait for Flynn to arrive, she goes to look for him, she makes friends and finds a way to learn about her powers and how to control them, here, her hair is a little more problematic and is a little more complex than in the movie, moon magic is so interesting and finds it original too.

Also, I like the development of her character, she is a strong woman and soon gains confidence in herself and her powers. The romance was a very cute and slow burn. Flynn will always be one of my favorites.
And Mother Gothel is not the only villain, Rapunzel is in danger.

I found this retelling with an interesting approach, is a good balance between realism and fantasy, there are villains taken from real life and not cute animals that behave like humans, but still magic exists.

I enjoyed this, Rapunzel is my favorite princess and I loved this different take on the story. I’ve loved all the twisted tales books I’ve read so far and I can’t wait to purchase a copy for my daughter since I know she’s going to love it.

This was my first Twisted Tale. The story of Rapunzel has always been a favorite, so I was excited to see a brand new take on this classic story. I was impressed with the twist and enjoyed the extra action that was included. Definitely brought a bit more to this princesses story than we already had. There were definitely times were I couldn't take my eyes off the pages. However, there were times were I really thought this was more of an adult book. Not because of the material in the book, but because of the words. It felt like some big words were just placing in here and they didn't seem to fit since this is a middle-grade read, not a YA or adult series.

Outside of that, I loved how Maximus made his debut. Flynn is still an all time favorite Disney male character. The growth in Rapunzel was great. I loved that there was a bit more modern changes to her character and she realized she had a voice. She also gave that voice over to Gina, who was a great addition to the story. Every woman needs an amazing female friend, which isn't always provided in the fairy tales.

One of the main things I loved was the addition of Brendan reading his version of the story to his sister while she was receiving chemo. The author's note dives a little more into why this was added, but I thought it was really beautiful and definitely added to the story!

I can't wait to read more of these Twisted Tales!

This was my first twisted tale and I loved it so much. I’m a huge fan of Rapunzel and this book was a blast to read. It’s full of adventure, magic and everything I was looking in a fairytale retelling. I loved the atmosphere and the changes that were made to the classic Disney version. This was a captivating and alluring story, that held true to the original but with a nice twist that added some much appreciated flair.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

All of the Disney Twisted Tales are on my to-read list, but this is the first one I have had the pleasure to read. I really enjoyed this twist on the Rapunzel story. Someone found the wrong glowing flower and the pregnant Queen is saved from death by the Moondrop flower. When Rapunzel is born she has a headful of long Silver hair. When a handmaiden is trying to remove tangles from the infant's silver tresses, she pulls too hard, causing Rapunzel to scream in pain. The handmaiden drops dead. It is then decided that in order to keep the kingdom and the baby safe, Rapunzel must be taken and raised alone, away from everyone. Mother Gothel agrees to take her and raise her, with royal financial help, of course.
19 years later, Rapunzel's adventure begins. All the familiar characters and a few new ones are along for the ride. We find out that her silver locks are more than just MurderHair (as she calls it) and that seeing the floating lights might not be all that important.

This book was definitely one of my favorites in the Twisted Tales series! I was looking so forward to it and it honestly did not disappoint. The author wrote both Flynn and Rapunzel’s dialogues perfectly. Loved the twist with Max and Pascal and the authors note at the end tied the entire story together. Bravo!

SO, THIS MAY BE ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOJS OF THE YEAR. Top 3 for sure and most definitely one of the of the best Netgalley arcs I’ve ever reviewed. When I heard the newest Twisted Tale was going to be Tangled I was like HELL YEA TAKE MY COINS!!! BECAUSE TANGLED IS THE GREATEST MOVIE IN THE HISTORY OF FILM! As a Tangled super fan since 2010, I have seen and read all things Tangled. I’ve seen the movie at least 11 times, read the Mother Gothel POV book from Serena Valentino’s villain series (HIGHLY recommend that series btw; I actually prefer it to the Twisted Tales series) and even seen every episode of that Disney channel show. I hold Tangled to a HIGH REGARD. Because Tangled is my life. Who’s frozen idk her? I only know TANGLED.

The book starts off strong, with the Queen soon realizing that Rapunzel’s hair has the capacity for evil, and the capacity to kill. A maidservant attempts to comb through Rapunzel’s constantly knotted hair, causing an infant rage so intense that the maid immediately drops dead. That completely took me by surprise, the fact that in this version, Rapunzel can inadvertently cause someone’s instantaneous death just from feeling rage. It’s strange imagining someone as bright and happy as Rapunzel being so dangerous that she eventually will be deadly to even be near because she could unintentionally kill someone just for being in her vicinity when she’s feeling angry, sad, or hurt. Rapunzel even calls it murderhair later 😂

Can I just say, Liz Braswell wrote Flynn Rider SO PERFECTLY and so realistically true to the movie that reading this book made me fall in love with him all over again (as if I ever stopped). I also thought that Flynn Rider was written PERFECTLY. She captured his character so exactly and the little quips and commentary are things that he most definitely would say. She truly did capture the most accurate depiction of Flynn with dialogue only and she deserves props for that. Rapunzel’s enthusiasm, optimism, and innocence was perfectly written as well! This book reminded me how much I love these characters. Rapunzel and Flynn’s dynamic is also SO CUTE and it was so fun to see these characters fall in love in an entirely different way than it happened in the movie. Some scenes with them together actually had me squealing.

What’s also interesting is that this book mixes the Disney universe with actual history; this book not only mentions Europe but Countess Elizabeth Bathory (the notorious serial killer who dismembered girls and bathed in their blood) plays a significant part in this book.

I found the concept of the moondrop quite similar to the Tangled Disney channel show (where there was a moondrop stone that formed at the same time as the sundrop and was the evil version of the latter) but that personally didn’t bother me since it showed me that the author did her research and really did look into to all things Tangled, even the tv show, before writing this. The new original character, Gina, even seems based on a Rapunzel’s handmaiden and sidekick from the tv show, down to her physical traits and all. That was my only hesitation going into this, because I strongly dislike plagarism and I would’ve liked the author to have not taken such specific details from the show, even down to the original character looking so similar to Cassandra from the Disney show. However, there were enough changes regarding Gina’s persona and the moondrop for this to not bother me, and I actually much preferred this concept of the moonstone to the one Disney did. Killer hair that can murder you if you get too emotional? That’s legit genius. There were enough unique plot points such as this version of the moondrop being so different and the unique touches such as bringing in the notorious Elizabeth Bathory that made these things a non issue for me as I read it.

This story was so much more elaborate than the Disney film, with so much more plot and development to it, and is an EASY 5 stars. Also, what Braswell did for Maximus is absolutely genius. COMPLETE BRILLIANCE and a must read for anyone who loves Tangled.

Thank you to Netgalley and Disney Hyperion for sending me and advanced copy in return for my honest review.

What a fun way to retell and relive the tangled and/or rapunzel myth. I found this reimagining to be original and totally changed the way I see the story, and now I can't stop thinking about it.

Thank you to NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review!

4.5 (Rounded up to 5)

I love this twist on Rapunzel! Firstly, I love how this is being told as a brother reading to his sister, and you get to follow his thought process as he considers how he wants to tell the story, keeping his sister in mind and thinking about what she might want to hear about, it gives it a little heartwarming feeling. I enjoy how there is a little humor sprinkled throughout the story, with their unique quotes and sayings along the way. I love Rapunzel’s sidekick character, all the characters follow true to form throughout the book which I enjoy. The best thing about the twisted tales series is how you get the familiar world with all the characters you already know and love put into a different story, so it’s like you get to enjoy them all over again. I cannot recommend this series enough for anyone who loves Disney and fairytales. It should be noted, there are some heavier topics mentioned, but overall this was a great version of Rapunzel.

Having read a few other Twisted Tales and loving them, I was really excited for this one which fell flat for me. The story was hard to follow (even for a young readers book) with the narration from the brother. It also just didn’t hold my attention as the other stories did. It definitely felt like a “12th installment” and it feels like it’s stalling…hopefully the next one will be better. On the plus side, it was a quick read as were the rest of the tales and had some fun parts which is what kept me from not finishing it.

You know what this book feels like? It feels like Liz wanted to make an Anastasia twisted tale (more based on the movie than anything) book, but couldn't get the green light for it so she weaved aspects of the story into this. Flynn doesn't even feel like Flynn in the slightest, he comes off more like Dimitri.

That might explain the weird framing device that she hasn't used in her other "TWISTED" series books, nor any of the other authors, of having a brother "retelling" the story to his sister, who should be more upset about the retelling if she is that big of a fan of Tangled. It also feels a little disingenuous to the series that was released, completely ignoring that lore that would have fit RIGHT IN with the twist that the author was going with.

Little things are changed as well, like Rapunzel's age. She was celebrating her 18th birthday in the film, why is it 19 in the book? Something about moon cycles, but would anyone have really noticed? I know I wouldn't have, I was just sitting there wondering why it was changed.

It just doesn't feel like a genuine book and I guess since it is one of my favorite Disney movies it is just really hard to remove the two stories. The book is incredibly long and could have been cut shorter just by removing the boy and his sister, who at 16 has some weird things to say about the story. It comes off as a much younger girl.

The writing is stilted and feels more like a first draft than anything else. I wanted to like this and was so excited to have received it, but it leaves me feeling more hollow and disappointed than anything else. And just one of the romantic scenes in any disney film is completely stripped from this and given that was the whole point of the journey it just.... Doesn't feel right in the least bit. Could have done with a lot more editing and at least a touch more of the lore instead of what this is

Let me first say, the twisted tales series is one of my favorites. I have enjoyed reading them so much and usually devour them within a day. This is the 12th installment in the series and I was so excited to receive an ARC.

What if Rapunzel's mother drank a potion from the wrong flower?
-- This book follows Rapunzel (obviously). Instead of having golden hair that can heal, she has silver hair that can kill - because of the Moondrop flower.
I had one major issue with this book - the alternating of the brother narrator and the actual story. I felt that the chapters with the brother narrating broke up the story in an awkward way and took away from actual storyline. I did not enjoy that at all. Every other twisted tale has just been the actual story, so adding in this extra narrator kind of threw me off. It made the story feel disconnected and forced. After reading the Author's Note, I guess I understand why the cancer storyline happened (not really), but it still took away from the enjoyment of the book. It felt like I was just getting to enjoy the story of Rapunzel and then I was sucked out to a meaningless conversation in a hospital room. Another thing I didn't like was the Countess of Bathory being involved... just...why? When she tried to save the captain, instead of shrinking his injury, she instead turned him into a horse? - Enter Maximus. I also found the repetitiveness of the term "murderhair" annoying.

Overall, this book was just okay. I enjoyed it but it's not one of my favorites and I probably won't read it again. I wanted to enjoy this more but I just didn't get drawn in like I have with all of the others. Great idea, poor execution.

******Thank you NetGalley and DisneyHyperion for the advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I hope the next one is better.

This book was just ok. The format was really hard to follow. The lines were very spacy and not consistent. Sometimes the flow would be paragraphs which I liked. But then the lines would drop and there would be blank pages in between pages instead, also getting in the way of the flow of reading.

There were no chapter breaks either.

I get this was an unfinished book but that made it really hard to follow.

This was a two star rating. Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing me the chance to read and review the book.

Thank you Netgalley and Disney-Hyperion for allowing me to read and review this book!

This is the 12th installment in the Twisted Tales series where the authors are asked a question and answer with a story. You do not need to read these books in order as they only pertain to the question asked about a specific Disney movie. There has never been a cross-over with any of the characters or films.

The question asked for Tangled/Rapunzel: What if Rapunzel's mother drank a potion from the wrong flower?

I was super excited to see a Rapunzel book coming out. Tangled is one of my favorite Disney films. I however was not a fan of the book.

The last Twisted Tale I read was the Cinderella So This Is Love book. I really enjoyed that one and thought the question was answered perfectly.

I wanted to like this book but I couldn't get passed the breaking up of the pace when it'd switch between the brother narrator and the actual story I wanted. I kind of wish they had Flynn tell the story, it would have been so much better. The pacing would have probably flowed better and would have felt a little more "personal" with the character interactions, like maybe him telling their kids etc.

I enjoyed some moments and the darker twists to the story. I was able to get through the book and finish which is nice but it still wasn't an overall great read.

2.5 stars

In this dark and twisty tale of Rapunzel called What Once Was Mine, Rapunzel's mother was saved by a drop of moonlight fallen to Earth. Instead of healing powers, her silvery magical hair can kill! Rapunzel's parents send the child to live with Mother Gothel instead of being stolen. Overall, it was an interesting read, and I could hear Flynn Rider speaking within each piece of dialogue. However, it seemed forced to bring in all the characters of the film and television show. The backdrop of the sister with cancer was license for the author to make mistakes under the guise of the storyteller making mistakes. Every time it cut to the hospital, I would skim until I got back to the actual story.
I think it would have been cooler if Flynn was telling the tale to his children with Rapunzel. Or did it need a narrator? Disney's What If Marvel stories give us an all knowing narrator, maybe the princesses could have one too.

The 12th installment of a series that I absolutely adore. This did not disappoint in the “retelling” realm, and I loved the brand new twist on the very familiar story of Rapunzel. The new characters gave the story new life, and the way that it was told was something that I’ve never seen before.

Desperate to save the life of their queen and her unborn child, the citizens of the kingdom of Corona search the land for the all-healing Sundrop flower to cure her, but someone mistakenly picks the blossom of the Moondrop instead. This shimmering flower heals the queen and she delivers a healthy baby girl-with hair as silver and gray as the moon. But with her mysterious hair comes dangerous magical powers: the power to hurt, not heal. For the safety of the kingdom, and herself, Rapunzel is locked away in a tower and put under the care of the powerful goodwife, Mother Gothel.

For eighteen years Rapunzel stays imprisoned in her tower, knowing she must protect everyone from her magical hair. When she finally decides to leave the only home she's ever known-to see the floating lights that appear on her birthday-she gets caught up in an unexpected adventure with two thieves: a would-be outlaw named Gina, and Flynn Rider, a rogue on the run. Before she can reach her happy ending, Rapunzel learns that there is far more to her story, and her magical hair, and her future than she ever knew.

Overall this book was amazing, and one of the best that I've read this year. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in advance in exchange for an honest review.

**4.5-stars rounded up**

What Once Was Mine is the 12th-installment in Disney's long-running Twisted Tales series. So far, I have read 10 out of the 12 books and definitely have plans to read them all! If you are unfamiliar with this fantastic series, you can read these books in any order. Each one tackles a different Disney story, twisting one major plot point and then examining what would have happened because of that twist.

In this volume, Liz Braswell twists the tale of <i>Rapunzel</i>, or the movie, <i>Tangled</i>, if you prefer to look at it that way. Worried about the life of their ailing Queen, pregnant with her first child, the citizens of Corona search for the infamous Sundrop flower to cure her, but end up picking a Moondrop flower accidentally.

Because of this one tiny error, the baby girl, Rapunzel, has silver hair, the color of the moon, dangerous to the touch. In order to keep everyone safe, the Queen and King make the heartbreaking decision to have Rapunzel locked away in a Tower, far from the kingdom proper, and watched over by a powerful goodwife, Mother Gothel.

Rapunzel dutifully stays put for 18-years. She doesn't want to hurt anyone, but the pull of seeing the floating lights on her birthday is just too strong. She sets out on an adventure of epic proportions with two theives, Flynn and Gina, on a search for her happily ever after.

Y'all, this book is an absolute blast to read. Dare I say, the BEST TWISTED TALE YET!!!

If you love the story of Rapunzel, the cute and quirky characters within it, or you think that the movie Tangled is a true gem to be watched on repeat because of its glorious good humor, you absolutely have to get your hands on this book!

I have never jived with Braswell's writing as much as I did with this one. She really shines here, bringing this story and these characters to life in a whole new ((moon))light!!

A hearty thank you to the publisher, Disney Books and Disney Audio, for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. It absolutely filled my heart!