Blacksmith Rapunzel (Genderbent Fairytales Collection Book 8)
by KuroKoneko Kamen (Author), Leah Keeler (Illustrator)
Reviewed by S. S. Bazinet

Description: A genderbent retelling of the classic fairytale Rapunzel…

When Rapunzel leaves his tower he triggers a booby trap spell that transports him to the Heroes’ Labyrinth. Armed only with his magic hair he’s thrown into a dangerous, subterranean world where undead monsters are constantly trying to eat or kill him. Rapunzel convinces the volatile alter ego of Dr. Henrietta Jekyll – Edwina Hyde to team up in order to increase their chances of survival

Review: An exciting, inventive adventure that challenges the concept of pure evil!

Prince Rapunzel has been raised in a tower by Necromancer Gothel. Gothel is a villainous character who’s determined to hate the child of his arch enemy, a king who stole his wife. In spite of Gothel’s intention to despise Rapunzel, he ends up being kind to the boy. Rapunzel is unaware of his royal heritage. He thinks of himself as merely a blacksmith who makes magic swords and views Gothel as a father figure he loves. Rapunzel is twenty-five years old when he decides he must leave the tower, the only home he’s ever known. Trouble ensues as soon as he starts out on his journey.

This story is a fast moving, inventive adventure with lots of action and romance. The world that Rapunzel encounters is detailed in the best kind of way. The labyrinth in which he’s trapped is filled with various monsters and evildoers. They are all skillfully and sometimes lavishly portrayed. However, this story is more than an adventure.

BLACKSMITH RAPUNZEL is a tale of a young man who refuses to accept that evil is pure. Instead, he believes that good can exist in even the most despicable of beings. It’s his love for an evil woman named Hydie and for the villain, Gothel, that makes Rapunzel’s story rise above the ordinary. We’re used to the idea of good versus evil, but in this tale, our protagonist, Rapunzel, explores the in-between space. It’s a place where a flickering light still exists in the darkness and the possibility of redemption waits in the shadows. That theme pulled me forward and kept me reading and hoping that Rapunzel would succeed in his quest. He wanted and needed to know that love could be kept alive beyond the rigid boundaries often placed on it. Did he succeed? You’ll have to read the story to find out! Be advised that there are explicit sex scenes and some language elements in the story. So I consider this an adult fantasy adventure, but one that I can definitely recommend. Five Delightful Fairy-tale Stars!

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