Review by Booklist Review
Flores (Diamond City, 2020) presents a new twist on the classic fairy tale Rapunzel, braiding together a sapphic love story, vampires, and vampire-hating witches. The latter group includes Kaye, who is out to avenge her mother's death at the hands of vampire Ava, who Kaye once thought was a friend. But when the two reunite, Kaye's mission shifts as she becomes concerned with getting Ava to safety, a task complicated by Ava's controlling mother and the girls' growing and mutual interest in each other. While this tale offers only a glimpse into the universe Flores has created, there's a thrumming sense of a world below the surface, making it feel expansive and easy to imagine. Despite its origins in classic fairy tales, this dual-perspective story echoes relevant social issues around prejudice and justice. Readers familiar with queer young adult fantasy will be reminded of Ash (2009), Malinda Lo's groundbreaking Cinderella retelling, while others will appreciate the similar themes of revenge and royal politics found in Natasha Ngan's Girls of Paper and Fire (2018).
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This immersive, albeit uneven, tale by Flores (Shadow City), loosely based on "Rapunzel," follows two questing friends turned enemies through a treacherous forest. Eighteen-year-old witch Ava lives in Arborren, a town bisected by an enormous bone wall erected to separate the human and witch denizens from the vampire residents. Ever since she was turned into a vampire two years ago, Ava's parents have kept her prisoner in their towering attic, where she both longs for freedom and pines after her witch best friend Kaye, 18. Though Kaye misses her bond with Ava, she has also sworn vengeance against her, believing that Ava is responsible for her mother's death. After Ava uncovers a society-shattering truth, escapes her tower, and flees into the forest surrounding Arborren in search of the vampire queen, Kaye pursues her. Though neither trusts the other, both girls must put aside their differences if they hope to make it through the woods alive. Though overwrought expository prose and modest worldbuilding dampen an intriguing premise, Ava and Kaye's gentle romance, which believably unfolds amid their mutual distrust, invests readers in their plight. Characters read as white. Ages 12--up. Agent: Peter Knapp, Park & Fine Literary. (Mar.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up--Readers who are fans of fairy-tale adaptations will enjoy this dark, queer retelling of "Rapunzel." Ava is a young woman who was turned into a vampire during an attack two years ago. Her mother and stepfather keep her locked in a tower so they can feed off her power. Kaye is a Flame Witch who was best friends with Ava before the attack and vows to kill any vampires she comes across. When Ava escapes, Kaye convinces her to travel together through the cursed forest with the plan of eventually turning her in to be killed. However, old feelings are rekindled, and both girls begin to question everything. This is perfect for fans of vampire novels. While there are darker themes (such as parental death and abuse), the writing is suitable for mature middle schoolers. The romance between Kaye and Ava is fun to read, and the book has some interesting worldbuilding that will engage lovers of paranormal fantasies. VERDICT Readers of paranormal romance or fairy-tale retellings will likely enjoy this quick read.--Carleigh Obrochta
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Once best friends but now natural enemies, a witch and a vampire fight their way through a dangerous forest together as their romantic feelings rekindle. Ava was turned into a vampire two years ago and has been locked in the attic of their towering home by her mother and stepfather ever since. She retained her Root witch powers, which her mother has been siphoning to hide the fact that she too is a vampire. Flame witch Kaye believes Ava, her former friend, is responsible for her mother's death, and Kaye wants revenge. When Ava finally manages to escape and flee into the forest in search of the vampire queen, Kaye goes after her. The pair make an uneasy pact to travel together to a village deep in the forest, although Kaye secretly plans on betraying Ava. They soon learn the forest is even more threatening than expected, and they grow closer once more as they protect each other. This tale attempts a mashup of "Rapunzel," paranormal creatures, queer romance, and a fantasy world. It falls flat, though, due to its repetitive writing and underdeveloped worldbuilding. Alternating first-person chapters give insight into the leads, but other characters are one-dimensional. There is a lot of infodumping and yet also too much that isn't explained, which makes the reading experience more frustrating than exciting. Kaye has light beige skin, and Ava's is tawny. An ambitious premise let down by poor execution. (Fantasy. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
