The Princesses Read: Rapunzel

There was actually a really intense duel between two particular Princesses this week, and goodness, I was convinced Mulan was totally going to be the leader. However, Rapunzel pulled a sneak attack and won the battle. I’m super impressed. As usual, here’s a little rehash of what we’re doing this week:

Each Saturday, I will be showcasing a lovely Disney Princess (or when they run out, some other Disney leading ladies and more) and showcasing what they might be picking up if they were reading YA today. It will be based off their likes, interests, personalities, and their storyline. At the end, I will also feature a book that the Princess would NOT be picking up and a section of books that are based off either the plot or original princess fairytale. Check out more info here on my original post! We’ve done Tiana, Belle, and Jasmine so far!

This week’s Princess is…Rapunzel!

Rapunzel is easily in the top 5 Princesses. She’s so much fun and sweet and adorable and I just want to give her a big ole hug. She is the embodiment of dreams and longing and the need for adventure. Rapunzel may not be strong physically but her strength comes from her emotional and mental strength from the isolation she surfaced at the hands of her mother. She’s funny, knows how to wield a good frying pan, and never stops dreaming. Her romance with Flynn was SO dreamy and gave me all the swoons – or should I say the smolders? 😉 Oh sigh. I’m just so happy thinking about it.

SO, IF JASMINE WAS AROUND TODAY INSTEAD OF A WHOLE NEW WORLD, WHAT YA BOOKS WOULD SHE PICK UP?

The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi

Well, lanterns are kind of like stars, right? 😉 Chokshi’s writing kind of is like a work of art, so I definitely think that Rapunzel would SO be into that. Plus, she would definitely have a think for that constellation tapestry. o.o And weaving them into hair. It could make her hair even more golden. Also, there is a pretty epic horse in this novel that basically makes the whole second part of the novel, and I think Rapunzel would enjoy that since her dear friend Maximus is pretty saucy.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

I’m not sure why Cinder keeps appearing in other Princesses’ posts, but I’m totally okay with that because it’s an amazing story. However, there are two main reasons for this novel being something I think would be beloved by Cinder. First, Rapunzel would totally understand the whole bad, controlling mother issues just like Cinder had. She would feel Cinder’s pain on a whole different level. Second, I think Rapunzel and Cinder would also connect on the whole I’m-a-long-lost-princess thing, which, you know, can be a struggle. XD

The Replacement Crush by Lisa Brown Roberts

I feel like if Rapunzel had read this book in the tower and had actually had Internet access, after she sent out her request for help, she might have took up book blogging to pass the time. She loved reading her books over and over again, and she was a brilliant artist, so I could totally see her creating such pretty graphics on her blog. I think book would totally inspire her to do it…plus, there was a super adorable romance. Rapunzel has an adorable romance. They’ll love it. XD

The Wishing Heart by JC Welker OR Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

I obviously need a good thief story, but I thought it would only be fair if I picked one. However, I couldn’t figure out which one I thought Rapunzel would enjoy more. I was obviously leaning more toward The Wishing Heart since it was quite lighter, Rebel was a bit more Flynnish, and there were a lot of magical creatures I think Rapunzel would enjoy. However, even though Six of Crows is quite a bit grittier, I feel like Rapunzel could like the gang. They’re brilliantly funny and during Kaz’s scheming face, I totally could see him doing some smoldering. And while Nina is cooking those waffles, I’m sure a frying pan could be involved as some point. 😉

Wanderlost by Jen Malone

Since Rapunzel was cooped up so long in the tower, I have a feeling she would clearly like to see the world – see all that it has to offer. I mean, obviously. In Wanderlost, the main character goes on a journey to some of the coolest sites in all of Europe. I think Rapunzel would definitely love going away to faraway lands and maybe even create a list of all the places she might want to one day visit. I definitely think this book would give Rapunzel the official traveling bug.

A BOOK MOVIE RAPUNZEL WOULD NOT PICK UP

Donnie Darko. There is a man in a creepy bunny suit in this movie. Rapunzel – fresh out of the tower – was quite scared of a bunny. I don’t think she would enjoy seeing an actual monster bunny thing in this movie. Might reignite the whole scared bunny thing…and she would totally have to listen to Flynn going, Oh, hey, remember that time you were scared of bunnies? I can already hear her groaning now. XD

WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT RAPUNZEL? HERE ARE A FEW YA RETELLINGS:

Obviously, the biggest one is Cress by Marissa Meyer. Literally I can’t help but think Rapunzel is Cress the entire time I watched the movie/think about the book. They are one in the same for me. So, if you enjoy the movie, it really is worth reading the first two books in the series to get to Cress to read the epic Rapunzel retelling. The only other Rapunzel retelling that I have read is The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson – which is Christian Fiction. That was an interesting retelling and it really got into the emotional complexities of the emotional abuse suffered by Rapunzel by her mother. However, it does get a bit heavy on the Christian aspect, so definitely be prepared for that (I was not o.o). Towering by Alex Flinn is another YA one as well! Here is a list of other retellings!

Next Week?

To be decided! Maybe a hint will appear sometime in the next few days…or just a complete surprise! We will see!

What do you think? What do you think Rapunzel would read? Do you have a favorite Rapunzel retelling? How swoony is Flynn Rider? How adorable is their story? Let’s discuss in the comments below!