Rapunzel Untamed (Mini-Review)

Rapunzel Untamed is the first book in Erin Bedford's Curse of the Fairy Tales series. In this book we are introduced to Eva who is a prisoner trapped in a tower that mysteriously appears. To investigate the mysteriously appearing tower some men are sent to figure out the mystery. Once Eva is rescued she finds herself without her memory and in a world where humans don't have rights. She finds herself having to trust Luke, Blake, Adam, Zane, and Gage.

This book is a more than enjoyable read with some budding romance, humor, and mystery. However, sometimes there is drama that doesn't make much sense. At one point one of the men takes Eva into the city without remembering that since she is a human he will have to treat her like scum. As she doesn't realize he doesn't hate her, this causes some drama. At one point in the book the men are forced to treat her like mages are supposed to treat humans so they won't get into trouble, but they don't reassure her in any form so there is drama.

But drama for drama's sake happens so little that it doesn't detract from the otherwise good quality of the book.

A character having amnesia is an overused cliche but Bedford uses it to good effect. Since Eva doesn't remember much at all readers are given various puzzles to solve as she tries to figure out what everyday objects are. One of the more amusing discoveries of hers is of a toilet. She is entranced by it. It made me remember when I was a kid that my imagination told me an evil witch lived in every toilet.

Eva's amnesia also means that readers don't know for a long time who she is or why she was put into a tower. Every now and again Eva dreams of her former life which gives readers glimpses of who she was. By the end of the book readers don't know exactly who Eva is or why she was trapped in the tower. But enough information is given that readers will have a general idea of what happened in Eva's past to lead to her being locked in the tower.

This book introduces readers to a world where humans are treated as scum and mages like gods. A little glimpse into why this is the case is given and I'm hoping more is learned in the sequels. At least in this book readers are given a good reason why mages don't like humans. There are also many scenes that help to reinforce the extreme differences between social classes.

Now onto the men...I like Luke the best due to his kind and joking nature. Zane is also desirable to me due to the fact if he loses control of his emotions bad things happen. And the fact Eva is able to do that to him is yum. Adam and Gage also have qualities that make me like them. Especially near the end of the book when Gage briefly lets Eva see a kinder side to him. As for Blake...he has a pet and really likes his pet. So because of his pet I like him. Yeah, I'm shallow at times.

I would recommend Rapunzel Untamed by Erin Bedford to those who like their romances with a mix of science fiction and fantasy.