Snappy, easy to read, flows well, and has good pace. Stopped after chapter 1 (6%) but as long as it keeps up, a solid three to four stars and probably five for a good chunk of the target audience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney for the ARC.

Ever since her first appearance Merida has been high on my list of Disney princesses next to Mulan and Jasmine. Merida is not clumsy or shy, she is forthright and blunt and fierce. Merida is an inspiration and true Scottish woman who will not be put in a corner and told to sit quietly. Her untamable spirit is perfectly captured in this story and I devoured it fasted than a witch enchanted cake. Farrah Rochon has woven together Scottish tradition, legend, romance, magic and a wee bit of Back to the Future vibe in this colorful tale of family and seeking to change one’s fate. Merida is devastated that her mother is set on marrying her off and determined to do anything to save her future. Unfortunately when she eats the cake intended for Elinor it has many consequences including sending her back before she was born, In fact, before her parents met and fell in love. She actually causes quite the ripple in not her own history but that of all her kingdom. With the help of a familiar but much younger witch, a charming young Ferguson and a surprisingly strong willed and and rebellious young Elinor, she has to stop an evil plot against the kingdoms, foil some nasty plots from a would be suitor of her mother, and find out exactly how lucky she is because her mother is fair more lenient than her strict grandparents. All this before the summer solstice or she will turn into a bear and her parents will never find that they are soul mates and her adorable brothers will never be born! It’s a whirlwind of action, romance, drama, and finding one’s self in the oddest of situations. I loved it cover to cover, all of it, delightful and perfectly in character. I love most of all that not only does Merida come to respect and see parts of herself in her mother, she develops a deeper love for both her parents by seeing them as friends and young people with struggles and hopes and dreams rather than just mom and dad. It’s a beautiful thing. So much love for this book. So amazing. I am a fan for life.

This was a DNF for me. It could not hold my attention, I am not sure if it was the writing style or it being to close to the movie at the start I just couldn't get into it.

3.5 rounded up. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this new Disney twisted tale. This story reminded me of a Brave/ Back to the Future crossover. Brave was never my favorite Disney movie. I loved Merida and her spirit but the movie always fell short for me. I was hoping I would enjoy the twisted tale more then the movie and it turns out I did. I felt that what the author did with the plot of this book helped the bond between the mother and daughter strengthen even more so then the movie. I also loved that the father was involved more. Story wise it felt a little long in parts and it seemed the middle could have been cut down a little but but I enjoyed the ending and overall story. Not my favorite of the twisted tales but still an enjoyable read.

One of my favorite series! Been waiting to see if a Brave one was going to happen and here it is. This was a very fun re-working of the story we all know. Love the multiple POV's and how we get more in depth with her mom. Can't wait to get a physical copy!