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Fairy Tales Retold #2
Saving Rapunzel
Please note: this is a novelette. Flash fiction is a fun and quick read, not a full length novel.
History is told from one person's perspective. Sometimes they don't get it right.
The witch of the tower has been portrayed as being mean and evil spirited for too long. Now it is time for her to tell her side of the story.
While Rapunzel laments her imprisonment in a tower, the witch Thalia tries to convince her it's for her own good. Afraid to go outside, Thalia fears the knights are coming to harm them.
When a persistent man continues to speak to Rapunzel, Thalia knows she must do something to stop him getting to her. With her hair growing longer, it will only be a matter of time before he can reach her.
Vowing to keep a promise she made sixteen years earlier, Thalia makes a decision that could ruin the kingdom forever.
Revisit the charming tale of Rapunzel as told from the perspective of the witch who kept her captive.
In the Fairy Tales Retold Series:
Cinderella Is Evil
Saving Rapunzel
Killing Snow White
History is told from one person's perspective. Sometimes they don't get it right.
The witch of the tower has been portrayed as being mean and evil spirited for too long. Now it is time for her to tell her side of the story.
While Rapunzel laments her imprisonment in a tower, the witch Thalia tries to convince her it's for her own good. Afraid to go outside, Thalia fears the knights are coming to harm them.
When a persistent man continues to speak to Rapunzel, Thalia knows she must do something to stop him getting to her. With her hair growing longer, it will only be a matter of time before he can reach her.
Vowing to keep a promise she made sixteen years earlier, Thalia makes a decision that could ruin the kingdom forever.
Revisit the charming tale of Rapunzel as told from the perspective of the witch who kept her captive.
In the Fairy Tales Retold Series:
Cinderella Is Evil
Saving Rapunzel
Killing Snow White
31 pages, ebook
Published May 25, 2013
24 people are currently reading
349 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Campbell
138 books272 followersJamie was born into a big, crazy family of 6 children. Being the youngest, she always got away with anything and would never shut up. Constantly letting her imagination run wild, her teachers were often frustrated when her ‘What I did on the weekend’ stories contained bunyips and princesses.
Growing up, Jamie did the sensible things and obtained a Bachelor of Business degree from Southern Cross University and worked hard to gain her membership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.
Yet nothing compared to writing. Quitting the rat race to spend quality time with her laptop named Lily, Jamie has written several novels and screenplays. Spanning a number of genres and mediums, Jamie writes whatever inspires her from ghost stories to teenage love stories to tantalising murder mysteries. Nothing is off limits.
A self-confessed television addict, dog lover, Taylor Swift fan, and ghost hunter, Jamie loves nothing more than the thrill of sharing her stories.
Growing up, Jamie did the sensible things and obtained a Bachelor of Business degree from Southern Cross University and worked hard to gain her membership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.
Yet nothing compared to writing. Quitting the rat race to spend quality time with her laptop named Lily, Jamie has written several novels and screenplays. Spanning a number of genres and mediums, Jamie writes whatever inspires her from ghost stories to teenage love stories to tantalising murder mysteries. Nothing is off limits.
A self-confessed television addict, dog lover, Taylor Swift fan, and ghost hunter, Jamie loves nothing more than the thrill of sharing her stories.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 1, 2016
My life was pretty good in the palace. I was largely feared by most of the townspeople and distrusted by many within the palace walls. It never worried me, somehow it gave me a sense of power. Like if I just looked at the people, they would do as I told them to.
They didn’t have to know I was harmless. They called me a witch, both to my face and behind my back. It didn’t worry me though. If I wasn’t a witch, I wouldn’t have been allowed to stay in the palace. I wouldn’t have had my job and I enjoyed being an advisor to the king and queen. They trusted me and that was all that mattered.
3.5 stars
Much better than the first story. Still a few bits of awkward writing and the one part before the end seemed rushed but the people were more fleshed out and you connect to them more.
Very charming :). Loved seeing a different side to the story.
They didn’t have to know I was harmless. They called me a witch, both to my face and behind my back. It didn’t worry me though. If I wasn’t a witch, I wouldn’t have been allowed to stay in the palace. I wouldn’t have had my job and I enjoyed being an advisor to the king and queen. They trusted me and that was all that mattered.
3.5 stars
Much better than the first story. Still a few bits of awkward writing and the one part before the end seemed rushed but the people were more fleshed out and you connect to them more.
Very charming :). Loved seeing a different side to the story.
February 6, 2018
This spin on Rapunzel is told from the witches point of view who turns out isn't actually a witch at all.
Thalia is awoken one night by the Queen and asked to take Rapunzel and hide her away as the kingdom is under attack, not wanting to refuse the Queen's request she packs a few items and leaves.
While running Thalia finds the famous tower deep in the forest and she locks herself in it and everyday she watches out of the window for the Queens signal so they she can return with Rapunzel to the castle.
Sixteen years later Thalia is still looking out for the signal that doesn't come and Rapunzel wants so desperately to go outside but Thalia tells her how unsafe it is and that they must stay inside.
One day when Rapunzel is hold up in her room Thalia goes outside of the tower to see if it is safe and while she wonders through the forest she sees men on horses whom she believes are dangerous and she returns to the tower.
Later on while she is tending to the indoor vegetable garden she hears Rapunzel talking to someone and she punishes Rapunzel by locking her in her room, days later after promising not to do it again Thalia catches Rapunzel talking to him again but she doesn't let on this time and while Rapunzel is asleep she cuts her hair off and locks Rapunzel in her bedroom.
Thalia throws Rapunzel's have out of the window and waits for the man comes again and this time when he comes he climbs up the hair, feeling threatened Thalia prays that the hair holds up long enough for the man to high enough that when she loosens the hair he falls and is injured.
Rapunzel cannot believe what her 'mother' has done, this is when Thalia comes clean and tells Rapunzel the whole truth about who she is and who her parents are, after telling her the truth they return to the castle where the Queen is happy to see her daughter is alive and well and they both learn that the man was actually a Prince who is mean't to marry Rapunzel to help bring harmony to the kingdom.
Thalia is awoken one night by the Queen and asked to take Rapunzel and hide her away as the kingdom is under attack, not wanting to refuse the Queen's request she packs a few items and leaves.
While running Thalia finds the famous tower deep in the forest and she locks herself in it and everyday she watches out of the window for the Queens signal so they she can return with Rapunzel to the castle.
Sixteen years later Thalia is still looking out for the signal that doesn't come and Rapunzel wants so desperately to go outside but Thalia tells her how unsafe it is and that they must stay inside.
One day when Rapunzel is hold up in her room Thalia goes outside of the tower to see if it is safe and while she wonders through the forest she sees men on horses whom she believes are dangerous and she returns to the tower.
Later on while she is tending to the indoor vegetable garden she hears Rapunzel talking to someone and she punishes Rapunzel by locking her in her room, days later after promising not to do it again Thalia catches Rapunzel talking to him again but she doesn't let on this time and while Rapunzel is asleep she cuts her hair off and locks Rapunzel in her bedroom.
Thalia throws Rapunzel's have out of the window and waits for the man comes again and this time when he comes he climbs up the hair, feeling threatened Thalia prays that the hair holds up long enough for the man to high enough that when she loosens the hair he falls and is injured.
Rapunzel cannot believe what her 'mother' has done, this is when Thalia comes clean and tells Rapunzel the whole truth about who she is and who her parents are, after telling her the truth they return to the castle where the Queen is happy to see her daughter is alive and well and they both learn that the man was actually a Prince who is mean't to marry Rapunzel to help bring harmony to the kingdom.
March 28, 2014
Although this isn't my favorite of Jamie Campbell's short stories, I did enjoy it as a quick read. Retellings of fairy tales is a genere I am just starting to get into. I find the point of view, Thelia's, to be intriguing. I like hearing the story from the other side of things. Tangled is the most recent telling of Rapunzel so in comparison, some of the "facts" didn't line up such as hair color, ect. However, going back to a more original storyline, I found I could appreciate it more. Totally worth it.
March 7, 2020
This story is a hybrid retelling of Disney's Tangled and the fairy tale Rapunzel, though the set-up leads far more heavily toward the Disney version.
That said, I liked this a lot more than the Cinderella retelling. This version of Thalia is sympathetic as a protagonist, and this version of Rapunzel arguably acts a lot more like your average teenager than the Rapunzel from Tangled. Again, though, I feel like it would have benefited greatly from another round of editing and expansion.
If Tangled suffered from having the seemingly-loving relationship between Rapunzel and Mother Gothel turn adversarial so abruptly despite the 16 years they have shared, then Saving Rapunzel suffers from a relationship that is adversarial throughout, with little display of affection between Rapunzel and Thalia.
I wanted to like this a lot more than I did.
That said, I liked this a lot more than the Cinderella retelling. This version of Thalia is sympathetic as a protagonist, and this version of Rapunzel arguably acts a lot more like your average teenager than the Rapunzel from Tangled. Again, though, I feel like it would have benefited greatly from another round of editing and expansion.
If Tangled suffered from having the seemingly-loving relationship between Rapunzel and Mother Gothel turn adversarial so abruptly despite the 16 years they have shared, then Saving Rapunzel suffers from a relationship that is adversarial throughout, with little display of affection between Rapunzel and Thalia.
I wanted to like this a lot more than I did.
September 12, 2022
Cute and Imaginative
Generally I am put off by attempts to make the bad guys look good, but the two books I've read so far of this series have really done well with it. Instead of keeping them just the same and have them whining about being misunderstood, this truly places them in positions to be misunderstood. I think I particularly enjoyed this book though because there never really was a bad person, just a bunch of humans doing what they thought was best, sometimes making difficult decisions, many times messing up, but always being true to their word. Looking forward to reading more of the series and author.
Generally I am put off by attempts to make the bad guys look good, but the two books I've read so far of this series have really done well with it. Instead of keeping them just the same and have them whining about being misunderstood, this truly places them in positions to be misunderstood. I think I particularly enjoyed this book though because there never really was a bad person, just a bunch of humans doing what they thought was best, sometimes making difficult decisions, many times messing up, but always being true to their word. Looking forward to reading more of the series and author.
March 4, 2024
Thalia, the kingdom's witch, works for the king and queen and is tasked with saving the princess during an invasion. She hides her away in a tower.
This story made me cry. As a mother, I understood everything Thalia did to protect Rapunzel who she thought of as a daughter. It's hard to make the right decision when you know it will upset your child but you would make it a million times to keep them safe.
Beautifully written rendition.
This story made me cry. As a mother, I understood everything Thalia did to protect Rapunzel who she thought of as a daughter. It's hard to make the right decision when you know it will upset your child but you would make it a million times to keep them safe.
Beautifully written rendition.
June 27, 2025
While this wasn't my favorite retelling it was still a good short read.
November 8, 2013
General Overview (no spoilers)
I love the fairy tales retold series by Jamie Campbell, they are all short (less than 40 pages) but they bring a new perspective to the classic fairytale whilst staying true to the original, this one was probably my favourite out of the lot. I hope she writes more, they are a nice quick easy read.
5 out of 5 stars.
Step by step Overview (spoilers)
0% – I am a big fan of fairy tale retellings especially ones by Jamie Campbell. This one looks like it will be just as good as the rest. Rapunzel is not a story I am overly familiar with, I know the basics only, so this should be an interesting read.
25% – I love the writing style, it’s easy to read and flows easily. It is a short story, so it’s fast paced but I do not feel like I am missing out on any important details.
50% – I always thought Rapunzel had blonde hair, I like how she has red hair in this version, makes it seem less Disney, (I know Brave and Ariel have red hair, but still).
75% – It pains me to see this happen to Rapunzel (her hair being cut off). I do not know how the original story ends but I can guess how this one will end.
100% – Nice end, glad it is a happy ending for all. As I said I am a sucker for these stories and I want to keep on reading about these characters.
I love the fairy tales retold series by Jamie Campbell, they are all short (less than 40 pages) but they bring a new perspective to the classic fairytale whilst staying true to the original, this one was probably my favourite out of the lot. I hope she writes more, they are a nice quick easy read.
5 out of 5 stars.
Step by step Overview (spoilers)
0% – I am a big fan of fairy tale retellings especially ones by Jamie Campbell. This one looks like it will be just as good as the rest. Rapunzel is not a story I am overly familiar with, I know the basics only, so this should be an interesting read.
25% – I love the writing style, it’s easy to read and flows easily. It is a short story, so it’s fast paced but I do not feel like I am missing out on any important details.
50% – I always thought Rapunzel had blonde hair, I like how she has red hair in this version, makes it seem less Disney, (I know Brave and Ariel have red hair, but still).
75% – It pains me to see this happen to Rapunzel (her hair being cut off). I do not know how the original story ends but I can guess how this one will end.
100% – Nice end, glad it is a happy ending for all. As I said I am a sucker for these stories and I want to keep on reading about these characters.
September 28, 2013
#2 in the Fairy Tales Retold series. The first book in the series was free on amazon.com so I bought all three books. When I read one I have to read the others. This book is fairly short. Since this is an e-book I don't know exactly how many pages this book was, but I estimate around 55 or so. Anyways, this book was a well written fairy tale retelling of Rapunzel. The book was narrated by the which who kept her in the tower. I have always loved books that tell stories from another person's view because it sometimes gives you a more full picture of the situation. Jamie Campbell does an excellent job of this.
June 25, 2024
This took me less then an hour to read. It was short and simple and I've like this one the most out of all the other short stories.
I like how this stayed pretty true to the story, not plot wise obviously, but to the part where Rapunzel is pretty much a spoiled rotten brat and the witch is genuinely being a great mother to that ungrateful girl.
I think the reason I liked this short story better was because the spoiled princess couldn't switch the story up and make the witch the bad guy... even though she totally tried. I liked that this story could end happier because the queen and king had Thalia's back.
All in all it was a cute little read. Nice and easy and relaxing.
I like how this stayed pretty true to the story, not plot wise obviously, but to the part where Rapunzel is pretty much a spoiled rotten brat and the witch is genuinely being a great mother to that ungrateful girl.
I think the reason I liked this short story better was because the spoiled princess couldn't switch the story up and make the witch the bad guy... even though she totally tried. I liked that this story could end happier because the queen and king had Thalia's back.
All in all it was a cute little read. Nice and easy and relaxing.
April 30, 2015
i think it is a really good book because Rapunzel is locked up by this witch and she is on a dirty floor hoping to be rescued.This book is not like the movie Rapunzel the witch is really nice and Rapunzel keeps hitting the man until he is swollen hard.So then when Rapunzel hits him he could go away.But then at the end Rapunzel gets brought to the kingdom and she is the queen and kings daughter .Then she notices that the guy that she hit wanted to get married with her so he can't get cured now so then they get married.Read to find out more!
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March 4, 2015I think that the book was awesome!When like she take her to the castle and keeps her there for 16 years without telling her she is a princess and then finally wants to go outside and then she starts to be mean to her mother saying she never wants to she her again and then a man wants her to help him and then she cuts her hair and then she takes her to the castles and tells he that she is a princess so when they finally go to the castle she can take over.
December 15, 2014
the book was amazing i loved it how the "which" wasent mean at all it was so cool she was very nice and protects the people she cares for. I also loved it how she cut rapunzel hair and used it against the prince when she soon figured out that he was a prince and she felt so bad but it was a amazing ending everyone was happy rapunzel got married to the prince and every one was friends i loved it!
February 12, 2015
i think this book was adventures because its about a girl that has been kid napped when she was little and never returned. then this jewel theive helps her find freedom. And when she finds out what he really is she falls in love with him. at the end she marries him
August 23, 2021
It's short.
I don't mind these retelling(this is the second one I've read from this series). Usually wrote from one of the other characters perspective. This one is fine. I'm sure I've read something similar before. A super short quick read.
I don't mind these retelling(this is the second one I've read from this series). Usually wrote from one of the other characters perspective. This one is fine. I'm sure I've read something similar before. A super short quick read.
June 22, 2016
Evil is not always evil. Always makes you think. Don't assume you know the real story :D
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews