Rootbound: A Tangled Novel

by Margaret Owen

Revisit Rapunzel and Eugene from Disney's Tangled as they race to protect their kingdom, in this thrilling new fantasy adventure penned by New York Times bestselling author Margaret Owen.

Rapunzel knows nothing about her neighboring kingdom, Astera – and not just because she only left her tower a month ago. The famously reclusive island has limited its contact with outsiders for decades. So when a suspicious invitation arrives welcoming Rapunzel to the Asteran princess’s coming of age ceremony, and offering her a chance to be useful for the first time since she lost her healing powers, Rapunzel accepts – and unwittingly plunges herself and her companion, Eugene, into a tangled knot of political intrigue and magical secrets.

Eugene is just happy to get one last adventure with Rapunzel before his criminal background catches up with him and prevents their happy ending. Yet as they’re drawn further into the country’s problems, they uncover truths about Eugene’s parentage that point to deeper unrest in Astera, and suddenly the fate of their own kingdom, not just their personal dreams, is at stake.

Thrust into a power struggle between Astera’s beloved princess, Verette, its domineering king, Enver, and a mysterious secret society, Rapunzel and Eugene race to protect their home from an unsettlingly familiar threat and discover that the past can either hold them back, or help them blossom.

A cunning king. A devious princess. Best. Week. Ever.

Genres: Fantasy, Retellings, Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Middle Grade, Fairy Tale Retellings

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication July 28, 2026

About the author

Born and raised at the end of the Oregon Trail, Margaret Owen spent her childhood haunting the halls of Powell’s Books. After earning her degree in Japanese, her love of espresso called her north to Seattle, where she worked in everything from thrift stores to presidential campaigns. The common thread between every job can be summed up as: lessons were learned.

She now spends her days wrestling disgruntled characters onto the page, and negotiating a long-term hostage situation with her two monstrous cats. (There is surprisingly little difference between the two.)

Reviews

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls)]

Disney, you have one shot, don't you dare mess this up.

[Ri ♡]

OMG THE COVER 🫠🤌🏼 a tangled retelling??? A TANGLED RETELLING!?!?! i am ready to devour this!

[Nancy •͙͙✧⃝•͙͙✩ͯ {Comment restriction}]

A TANGLED novel? Are you serious?! I'm so reading this. I hope I like Margaret Owen's portrayal of Rapunzel and Eugene!

(੭˃ᴗ˂)੭

[Starr ❇✌❇]

HOW DID I MISS THIS? I'm not a big Disney adaptation person but Margaret Owen AND one of my favorite Disney movies??????? 😭😭

[✮demi✮]

Disney movie to book adaptations >>>>

I NEED THIS 😭

[Gabriella୨ৎ]

ᰔᩚ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞: ꒱
forgot to add this to my tbr when i first saw it. i'm absolutely obsessed with this cover, it looks so magical and very similar to what rapunzel looks like in the movie. margaret owen is actually an author i've been meaning to try for some time, so i really hope that not only her, but the tangled retelling, will be amazing. i'm sooo scared because i love love loved the movie and it will forever be one of my favourites, so i have high expectations that need to be met in order for me to like this book. praying it won't be a shitty novel that is completely different to the movie. please don't do rapunzel and eugene dirty.

Ⓘ pub date: july 28th 2026

[Kristina]

I'M SORRY, WHAT???!!! A novel that acts as a sequel to one of my favorite childhood movies? And releases before my birthday??

Yes, yes, yes.

[Darcey]

this might be awful. but it's my favourite disney movie PLUS the author of LITTLE THIEVES aka one of the greatest books ever, so i fear i must give it a try anyway!

[shiloh]

I have no words. No words.
Is this real?
This better be good
Actually this HAS to be amazing.
Otherwise I might give up on disney- especially after Wings of Starlight!

[Eliza]

Guys, I love Tangled and I love Margaret Owen (see my review of Merciful Crow haha) so this has gotta be goooooood.

[Lydia]

THIS IS EVERYTHING I DIDNT KNOW I NEEDED!!!!!!! If there is anyone I can trust with my precious child it’s Margaret Owen!!!

Forget the rest of 2025 GET ME TO OCTOBER NOW

[anna ୨ৎ]

Ok tangled is my second favorite Disney movie (with beauty and the beast being first) so i should like this.

[jayc]

NOBODY PANIC IT’S FINE I’M TOTALLY NORMAL ABOUT THIS IT’S ALL GOOD

[Maria Lavinia]

hello this book is one of my most anticipated book releases in 2026!
I loved watching the rapunzel movie and tv show and now I can't wait to read this one !

[Sara S]

EXCUSE ME ??????????

RUE, WHEN WAS THIS????????

[beeya]

IS THIS REAL LIFE?????

[Marah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so excited! I really really hope it features characters from the TV series too!!

[Cassie (Reader at heart)]

Oh, this one has me excited. A novel based on one of my favorite Disney princesses?! Sign me up. January can’t come quickly enough.

[Bell]

I'm dying to read it🥺🫠

[Singham]

TANGLED???? SIGN ME UP BESTIES

[Penelope.Tena]

I am So so SO excited for this book to come out. I am a fan of tangled and I have A feeling that a lot of people won't regret reading this book!! I wish the best of luck to the Author!!

[l]

i am literally SO excited for this book YOU DONT UNDERSTAND. every day i check to see how much longer until it's released. i need more tangled novels. ALSO THE COVER?????? OH MY GOD