If you love Disney, pick this up. If you love Princess and the Frog, pick this up! If you love spooky New Orleans settings and familiar, loveable characters, PICK THIS UP!!

Almost There is my third Twisted Tales read, and I loved every minute of it. It was fun, mysterious, and slightly spooky. I loved the chance to revisit our favorite characters and see what could have been if Tiana had taken Dr. Facilier’s deal.

I loved seeing Tiana and Naveen fall in love again. Farrah did really well writing both characters and managed to bring them together again in a new, yet familiar way. Also, I loved seeing Tiana struggle to keep her distance from Naveen for his safety, while Naveen felt drawn to Tiana for reasons he couldn’t explain—it was perfect! Seriously swoon.

And Tiana and Charlotte’s friendship! It was perfect. The girls would do anything for each other and were so close, despite their differences. Charlotte’s character was also *chef’s kiss*. She’s a bit ignorant about the differences in Tiana’s position and her own, but once she realizes them, she immediately goes to bat for her best friend.

And New Orleans. Damn. I just want to go there. Like when can I book my flight?? Farrah Rocha is from Louisiana too, so I imagine the setting was pretty accurate.

I only have 2 complaints, and they’re the only things keeping this book from 5 stars:
1. The ending was so rushed. I’ll admit, I personally feel like 99% of endings are too rushed (even my favorites), but when there’s unanswered questions, it really bothers me! There’s one big thing that was never revealed, and I really wanted to know. But no answers…
2. The flow. Maybe this is just the nitpicky writer in me, but Almost There tried really hard to make things happen, but things just didn’t flow together right. There was more than once where I just thought huh? There were some things that needed to happen for the rest of the story, but the way they came about didn’t quite make sense.

Overall, Almost There was an amazing revisit of The Princess and the Frog. Easily four stars.

I always have a good time with these Disney retelling/extension stories. This one had a little bit of a more “obvious” ending. However, the writing did have me feeling emotional by the end. I did appreciate the dual narrative between the heroine and the villain. As always I will be continuing with this series. 4.5 Stars.

Almost There by author Farrah Rochon is the 13th addition to Disney’s Twisted Tales series. It is full of intrigue, magic and tough lessons. The story is so good that I wish Disney would make it into an official film sequel to The Princess and the Frog. It builds on the animated film and the themes of hard work, shady bargains and deepest desires. It develops multifaceted characters and shows what it means to live in 1920s New Orleans. Almost There is, in my view, the most moving and mature Twisted Tale to date.

The twist on this The Princess and the Frog-based tale is: What if Tiana made a deal that changed everything? That deal evolves from Tiana’s encounter with the Shadow Man, Dr. Facilier, in the cemetery at the end of the film. Fans will recall from the film that Facilier attempts to entice Tiana to give him the vial containing Naveen’s blood in exchange for realizing her restaurant dreams. In Almost There, however, Facilier goes one step further, offering Tiana not only her restaurant, but her beloved daddy’s return as well. How could she possibly say no?

Tiana accepts Facilier’s deal but something is off. Her torment plagues her despite her best efforts to reassure herself that everything is fine while she basks in a world where she is running her own restaurant, “T&J’s Supper Club”, with her daddy working beside her. Rochon gives such power and voice to Tiana that she transcends any 2D-Disney Princess perception even more than she already did in the film. The reader experiences the hard work and long hours Tiana puts into her restaurant and the sacrifices she makes along the way. Speaking of voice, Naveen’s character is heavily explored and developed in this story. I will not say too much for fear of spoiling it, but readers should rest assured that, like Tiana, Naveen also becomes more real and relatable in Almost There. (And of course, he is still lots of fun and exudes charm.) Further, Rochon’s experience as a romance author shows in creating the perfect amount the tension between Tiana and Naveen. Fans will not be disappointed.

Almost There is a charming tribute to New Orleans and to hard work. There are countless references to the city and to Southern food and culture. Rochon is a native of south Louisiana and was the perfect choice for this story, not only for her ties to Louisiana but for her graceful and illuminating writing style. Rochon’s words paint a wondrous watercolor of one of the most magical cities in the world.

Critically, Almost There also addresses the unabashed racism Black people experienced in the late 1920s head-on. Readers are reminded of the Fenner Brothers’ criticism of Tiana from the film (“a woman of your… background”) and in this story, Tiana is accosted while on a shopping trip with Lottie because of her race. Tiana explains to Lottie how and why she feels – and is – “stuck” in life and why the worlds that Tiana and Lottie occupy are so different from one another. The dialogue between Tiana and Lottie in several chapters on this issue is impassioned, powerful and essential learning for all of us.

Almost There sets the record straight on the origins of voodoo. It makes clear that voodoo should not simply be associated with sly, Facilier-like dealings when it in fact derives from African polytheism and ancestor worship. It is practiced chiefly in Haiti, and such power is distinguished in this story between the magic wielded by Mama Odie and the dark forces exercised by Facilier. There are many interesting and relevant clarifications on various topics in this story that separate fact from fiction and seek to set the record straight.

The sentimentality in this story hits hard. From Ms. Rose’s family philosophies to Tiana’s warm-fuzzy relationship with her parents, this might be the first YA novel in recent years that made me cry (literally) for all the right reasons. Family values, work ethic, and the power of magic in the Bayou are key and the effective execution of those tug-at-the-heart-strings moments cannot be understated. It may not be a bad idea to have a tissue box nearby while reading!

While Dr. Facilier’s Emporium advertises “dreams made real,” Almost There is Disney made real. It takes storytelling and its importance as a teaching tool to the next level. Rochon balances the perceived charm of 1920s New Orleans with some important reality checks, providing a warm-yet-forthright lesson in Southern class and culture. On the surface, a simple twist on a Disney animation favorite may add entertainment and reunite readers with beloved characters, but Almost There goes above and beyond, compelling readers to dig a little deeper.

I enjoyed this one but it wasn't my favorite in this series. The narrator did a great job making the voices sound believable but not comical. I like the changes made in the plot compared to the Disney original, and I think it led to some exciting morality debates. These books are lovely for all Disney fans who want to explore the stories they love in a different way!

Almost There is another great twist on a Disney fairytale; this time, we revisit Tiana from The Princess and the Frog. The twist here is that she took Facilier's deal. Tiana is as brave and hardworking as ever, and her charm comes across well in the narrator's voice.

This one was a lot of fun. You got some angst but you also git to see Tiana's family as a happy unit. It was a great mix of new and old characters and instantly made me want to watch the movie again.

Cute book! Would definitely recommend to a younger middle grade reader! I'm excited to put a copy in my classroom library. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review!

I adore The Twisted Tale series and adored this retelling my Farrah Rochon and I'm excited to see what else she brings to this series. I love Farrah's take on Tiana and the growth she adds to the character and story. Kaliswa Brewster as a narrator adds a depth of richness to the story we already know.

Some of the Twisted Tales fall flat, this one absolutely does not.

An exquisite retelling of the The Princess and the Frog with a twist. I loved the changes and the what ifs that this story brought to life. It made you fall in love with Tiana and Naveen all over again. I appreciate how the series is written by different authors but still maintains a cohesiveness. The narrator of the audiobooks performed wonderfully. I highly recommend listening to her version.

Almost There (Twisted Tales)
by Farrah Rochon

Well unfortunately I started with this book with out watching the Frog Prince movie. So I took the time to watch the original. I loved the music. This version changes the original story, Tiana made a deal with the Shadow Man instead of risking it all for the help from Mama Odie. Added to the deal Tiana could have her father back. It put at risk a year later the history of New Orleans in the last year, and even risking the whole city with dark magic. The detailed adventure is greater than the original. The complicated the nature of using magic to change history.

1920s New Orleans, Tiana makes a deal with the shadow man, Facilier, to save her father and Naveen. As part of the deal, she gets her own restaurant, but there are conditions. She must not associate with Naveen, must put some weird and put a potion of Facilier’s making into her gumbo every night. Using a necklace his minions stole from the prince, Facilier attempts to woo Eli Labouff’s daughter, Charlotte who dreams of marrying royalty. As less and less goes his way, however, Tiana finds herself in need of breaking Facilier’s hold. Her only hope is to cross the bayou and seek the help of an old voodoo woman. Will she succeed?

Narrator, Kaliswa Brewster bring to life Rochon’s story with her unique intonations and distinct voices. Her narrative pace and style matches well with the author’s writing style. Rich with historical context, the world building is well-done. The characters are a little off from the original characters, which may bother hard-core fans of Princess and the Frog. The plot drag in places, but the characters draw the listeners into the story. Fans of Disney, historical fantasy, and Frog Prince retellings will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most audiobook collections.

Tiana has always been one of my favorites. This alternate future was so good!! From the what you could’ve had to what you wished for to how it ends. Definitely breaks your heart and makes you fall for all your favorite characters again.

If you are a Disney fan it’s a must read!

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read early for a review.

I only listened to the first hour before writing this review. I won't be finishing the audiobook as the narrator didn't work for me personally. I was enjoying the story though and hope to finish reading it and will likely recommend both audio and regular to people who might enjoy a Disney retelling of Tiana's alternate ending.

Twisted Tales are so fun and this one does not disappoint! It's written with so much tradition and spirit it felt like I was living in New Orleans. It's just the right amount of spookiness and history to keep it going. A deal w/ Dr. Facilier is made, but Naveen is not the one who makes it. Can Tiana save New Orleans and her friends from a terrible mistake? A must-read for any Princess and the Frog fan.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for this audio e-arc.*

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC and audiobook.


Description from NetGalley:
Sometimes life in the Big Easy is tough. No one knows that better than Tiana, though she also believes that hard work can go a long way. But when the notorious Dr. Facilier backs her into a corner, she has no choice but to accept an offer that will alter the course of her life in an instant.

Soon Tiana finds herself in a new reality where all her deepest desires are realized: she finally gets her restaurant, her friends are safe and sound, and most miraculous of all, her beloved father is still alive. She's got everything she's ever wanted. . . .

But after a while, her hometown grows increasingly eerie, with new threats cropping up in unlikely places. Navigating through this strange new New Orleans, Tiana must work alongside Naveen and Charlotte to set things right—or risk losing everything she holds dear.

I really like the Twisted Tales series from Disney and have read most of them. Tiana is one of my favorite princesses. So when they announced that Tiana’s story was next, I was super excited. The narrator did a fantastic job with the voices. I felt like this was a natural twist of the tale. I like how Tiana handled Charlotte never thinking about Tiana being Black being a problem when shopping. The change in Naveen even without being with Tiana. Oh and Dr. Facilier’s point of view was interesting as well.

Overall: 4.5/5

Farrah Rochon writes the Twisted Tale she was born to tell! Rochon’s strong, rich love and knowledge of New Orleans and the surrounding bayous comes through with warmth, humor, and clear eyes. Her Tiana shows real growth and depth as Rochon imagines what she would be like if she took the deal with Dr. Facilier. Similarly, Rochon imagines how Prince Naveen would grow if life wasn’t a fairy tale. A special shoutout for the delicate, truthful touch Rochon takes in writing Tiana and Lottie’s friendship.

Kaliswa Brewster’s audiobook narration is a great fit for the setting and characters with her Tiana particularly strong.

My favorite Twisted Tale since Elizabeth Lim’s REFLECTION.

Almost There is the 13th-installment in Disney's Twisted Tales YA-series. These can be read in any order, as they each follow different characters and their stories are completely unrelated. The point of this series is to take our favorite Disney tales, twist one element and explore what would have happened if that twist had actually occurred. Think of it as a sort of alternate history for Disney stories.

It's Tiana's turn to take center stage in this magical volume set in 1920's New Orleans. I'm sure many of you love The Princess and the Frog as much as I do and it was so nice to return to that setting and characters through this story. The twist in this tale involves a deal that Tiana agrees to make with the notorious Dr. Facilier. Even though Tiana only makes the deal because she feels backed into a corner, it still provides her with all of her deepest desires: her own restaurant, T&J's Supper Club, her friends safe, and her beloved father's return.

Unfortunately, sometimes when things sound too good to be true, they are. As Tiana finds herself navigating her new reality, she also begins to notice strange occurrences popping up everywhere around her. It ends up being a race against both time and evil forces, but luckily Tiana has her good friends Naveen and Lottie on her side. New Orleans is getting creepy and it's pretty clear Facilier has something to do with it. Can Tiana and friends set things right before she loses everything she holds dear?

Almost There was great. I flew through it so quickly. It was such a treat to be back in this setting, 1920s NOLA, with this fantastic and nuanced set of characters. I really appreciate what Rochon was able to do with this story. I felt transported. The atmosphere was very well done. A strong addition to the series!!

I did listen to the audiobook and as always, Disney does a great job with that format. The narration was fantastic, perfect for these characters. I definitely recommend this story to fans of this series, or <i>The Princess and the Frog</i> movie. I don't think you'll be disappointed if you pick it up.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Disney Books and Disney Audio, for providing me copies to read and review. I am a huge fan of this series and am looking forward to continuing on with it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎧

After having recently watched Disney’s “The Frog Prince”, I jumped at the opportunity to listen to an alternate ending in the Twisted Tale “Almost There.”

The premise: what if Tiana had made a deal with Dr. Facilier at that climactic moment in “The Frog Prince?” What would have happened? “Almost There” takes us back to 1920s New Orleans and the year that follows the story of Tiana an her Prince. Back are all of our characters we love, plus the vibrant life of New Orleans and it’s surrounding deep and dark bayous.

I really enjoyed this story and I’m always a sucker for a twisted tale or an alternative ending, and this did not disappoint.

Themes: 🔀 Twisted Tale 🔄 Alternate ending 🏰Fairy Take 🐸 Frog Prince ⚜️ New Orleans 🎉 Mardi Gras 💔 Forbidden Love

Hashtags: #netgalley #disneyhyperion
#disneyaudiobooks #readmorebooks #mybookishlife #twistedtales #twistedfairytale #twistedfairytales #goodreads #readersofinstagram #reader #audiobook

What if Tianna made a deal with the Shadow Man? I cannot wait to get my hands on this. This series is great and the newest book is no exception. Well written and a fun twist on Princess and the Frog.

5 stars

So almost the moment that I got the widget for the ALC (Advanced Listener Copy) for this book, I started it… then found myself listening every chance I got. This one was with the professional narrator, who did a great job with the various voices, especially Tiana’s, and alternate story. I found myself captivated by the journey Tiana was on and the alternate points of view that we got. As a fan of The Princess And The Frog, I was so glad with how well the original characters were woven in with new ones that were added to the storyline and the history lessons that were embedded within them. I would like to say though that in Haiti, Vodou is practiced, not “Voodoo” which was what colonizers called it to give it a negative connotation. It is actually a beautiful practice, much like its counterparts throughout the diaspora. I would highly encourage learning about Vodou, Root Work and other similar practices. This was a great book and if you are also a fan of The Princess And The Frog, you’ll enjoy it too!

I would also like to add that I wish there were multiple narrators since it was more than Tiana's point of view to make the book a bit stronger and her accent for Navene was not very good but she tried! Other than that, the narrator did an amazing job!