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All That Glitters #4
Rapunzel's Gambit
Some princesses would rather be the villain than the damsel in distress.
Desperate to rid his kingdom of a troublesome dragon, King Harrigan offers his daughter’s hand in marriage to any man who can slay the beast, but Rapunzel refuses to be pawned off. Deciding that a life of crime is preferable to wedding some power-hungry suitor, Rapunzel fakes her own kidnapping and joins forces with the cunning dragon plaguing her own kingdom.
Together, they plot a grand scheme that would amass them both riches beyond their wildest dreams. As the lure of a reward for the princess’s safe return attracts men ensnared by greed and Rapunzel’s flirtations, the would-be heroes soon become the ones in need of rescue atop a tower only accessible by dragonback. But as her alliance with the dragon grows more precarious and dangerous, Rapunzel is forced to question whether she’s trusted the wrong side.
Amidst the chaos, Griffin, the humble but brilliant squire, emerges as an unexpected ally. His quick wit and resourcefulness stand in stark contrast to the arrogant knights he serves, and Rapunzel can’t help but take notice. On the chessboard of fate, the swindler princess of Rookwyn must make her own moves with every calculated gambit and soon realizes…
The real game was never about knights, kings, and queens, but about how a mere pawn could become a legend.
Rapunzel’s Gambit is a no spice, diabolical fairytale retelling packed with villain vibes, a dragon/princess con artist duo, and banter that will have you laughing out loud. Join a diabolical princess on her daring swindles in this part of All That Glitters—a 12-book series brimming with Tales of Treasure and True Love. Each book stands alone and is written by a different author, so pick your next adventure and remember… not all that glitters is gold!
Desperate to rid his kingdom of a troublesome dragon, King Harrigan offers his daughter’s hand in marriage to any man who can slay the beast, but Rapunzel refuses to be pawned off. Deciding that a life of crime is preferable to wedding some power-hungry suitor, Rapunzel fakes her own kidnapping and joins forces with the cunning dragon plaguing her own kingdom.
Together, they plot a grand scheme that would amass them both riches beyond their wildest dreams. As the lure of a reward for the princess’s safe return attracts men ensnared by greed and Rapunzel’s flirtations, the would-be heroes soon become the ones in need of rescue atop a tower only accessible by dragonback. But as her alliance with the dragon grows more precarious and dangerous, Rapunzel is forced to question whether she’s trusted the wrong side.
Amidst the chaos, Griffin, the humble but brilliant squire, emerges as an unexpected ally. His quick wit and resourcefulness stand in stark contrast to the arrogant knights he serves, and Rapunzel can’t help but take notice. On the chessboard of fate, the swindler princess of Rookwyn must make her own moves with every calculated gambit and soon realizes…
The real game was never about knights, kings, and queens, but about how a mere pawn could become a legend.
Rapunzel’s Gambit is a no spice, diabolical fairytale retelling packed with villain vibes, a dragon/princess con artist duo, and banter that will have you laughing out loud. Join a diabolical princess on her daring swindles in this part of All That Glitters—a 12-book series brimming with Tales of Treasure and True Love. Each book stands alone and is written by a different author, so pick your next adventure and remember… not all that glitters is gold!
248 pages, Paperback
Published May 22, 2025
148 people are currently reading
1698 people want to read
About the author
Mary Mecham
19 books799 followersMary Mecham writes high stakes, high swoon, no spice romantasy and fairy tale retellings packed full of adventure and romances. Her greatest joy is writing snarky banter and morally grey characters.
She is a born and raised Texan with a love of theater and books overshadowed only by her passion for disability advocacy. Her favorite food is chips and queso, her favorite holiday is April Fool's Day, and her favorite trope is enemies to lovers.
When she isn't writing, Mary enjoys spending time with her family and trying out new experiences, from fire breathing and axe throwing to trapeze flying and power paragliding.
She currently lives in Texas with her husband and three children.
You can get a FREE e-copy of her Rumpelstiltskin retelling, A Curse of Gold and Beauty, when you sign up for her newsletter at MaryMecham.com
She is a born and raised Texan with a love of theater and books overshadowed only by her passion for disability advocacy. Her favorite food is chips and queso, her favorite holiday is April Fool's Day, and her favorite trope is enemies to lovers.
When she isn't writing, Mary enjoys spending time with her family and trying out new experiences, from fire breathing and axe throwing to trapeze flying and power paragliding.
She currently lives in Texas with her husband and three children.
You can get a FREE e-copy of her Rumpelstiltskin retelling, A Curse of Gold and Beauty, when you sign up for her newsletter at MaryMecham.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 365 reviews
May 28, 2025
4 stars ⭐️ Clean Fiction - Fairytale Retelling
🐉 ✨ “You’re the most altruistic dragon I know.” “And you’re the most diabolical princess I know.” “A perfect team, then.” ✨ 🐉
I feel very smart that I was able to guess the plot-twists. 🤓
Rapunzel in this book is very devious which isn’t usually my kind of character but it worked well for the plotline and I was never upset that this book was single POV of her's (with no love interest’s POV). This kind of character often comes across as an annoying and spoiled character, but I never felt that way with Rapunzel. Perhaps it was the length of the book didn’t allow for those scenes or the author wrote her very well. I vote both options. 😉
One of the twists at the end isn’t usually one I like and I have a ton of questions on how that’s all going to work, but it ended happily and I couldn’t read fast enough trying to get answers. I will note that there was one kiss that was a bit much for my tastes. Because of the romance content, I would suggest 16/17+ for this book.
Rapunzel and Pollox were a great team and their banter had me laughing often throughout this book. I’m honestly bummed this was a stand-alone because it could have been a fun series!
I’m not a chess player so some of those scenes were over my IQ level, but I think I understood enough to get the underling message. Overall? This was really fun and a super unique Rapunzel retelling! I can see it be one I’ll reread in years to come because it was very enjoyable!
Main Content-
A dragon is able to do magic as along as he is healthy (such as creating enchanted items or changing the appearance of a room); All dragons can enchanted certain items (such as wood or even human bloodlines); A magic wardrobe that transports someone somewhere else (but it’s not a pleasant experience); *Major Spoilers* .
‘Heaven forbid’ and ‘thank the stars’ are both said once.
Mentions of magic & a curse on a bloodline to be greedy; Mentions of people having wishing altars in their gardens & them placing small offerings on it when they need something (not said towards whom these wishes are asked for, but someone else helps the people); Mentions of wicked smiles & devilish looks; A mention of fate (which Rapunzel says didn’t bring her and Pollox together as it was her scheme).
Nearly being stabbed, Pain, Injuries, & Grief (up to a few sentences).
No language stronger than stupid or unfinished ‘what the—‘; ‘What in the blithering blue blazes’ is also yelled once; Fictional phrases like ‘scales above’, ‘scales’, and ‘flames alive’ are used in moments of annoyance or realization; ‘By George’ is exclaimed twice and implied to be strong language; Mentions of curses (said, not written); Eye rolling & Sarcasm.
Rapunzel is pretty sassy & has played pranks/jokes for years to get her father’s attention; Rapunzel’s father is very greedy and easily sacrifices his people and their health for his own wants and needs (which upsets Rapunzel and she is concerned she is predisposed to be just as ruthless and cunning as him); Rapunzel steals from her father and later feels like a bandit “secretive and powerful” when planning to help someone; Rapunzel drugs others (including with drugged lipstick); Rapunzel plans to swindle others with the help of the dragon and thus they become partners in crime conning others (this includes lying to others, but she tells herself that all the “lying and deceit was necessary….There was no other way to help those in need”); Rapunzel forces herself to cry on command and force hyperventilation to sell her con-act; Towards the end, Rapunzel struggles to breath and almost passes out after receiving certain news.
Many mentions of a dragon stealing livestock, eating said livestock, & people being concerned that the dragon will eat people or children next (Pollox taunts Rapunzel with the idea of eating a livestock animal whole, which disgusts her); Mentions of deaths, grief, possible deaths, & suicide missions; Mentions of a kidnapping, hostages, & ransoms; Mentions of weapons, injuries, pain, & blood/bleeding; Mentions of poisons & drugging/poisoning others; Mentions of manipulation; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of gossip & rumors; A few mentions of hatred;A couple mentions of an attempted murder; A couple mentions of nightmares; A couple mentions of a tavern; A mention of Rapunzel’s mother dying in childbirth; A mention of prison; A mention of drinking.
2 almost kisses (up to a 2-4 sentences),
1 neck kiss,
1 kiss lasting a couple sentences,
1 kissing session lasting 7+ sentences.
Staring at lips; Wanting to be embraced & kissed (up to a few sentences); Imagining kisses & embraces (up to a couple sentences).
Touches, Embraces, Warmth/Heat, & Nearness (including noticing veins and muscles, up to a few sentences); Blushes; Noticing (including a man’s tight tunic that she tries not to notice, up to a few sentences); Desire & Longing to be held/embraces.
Rapunzel lures a young man to a secluded area (the chapter cuts off before they go there, but the next chapter tells us he was drugged by her poisonous lipstick when they kissed and she left him unconscious in a shed); Rapunzel finds it concerning that no one is concerned about their future monarch throwing herself at every man in the vicinity like she does; Rapunzel orders Pollox to not look at her when she’s about to change clothing; When a man goes to grab at Rapunzel’s bodice (because of she’s put something there), Pollox protects her; *Spoilers* .
*Major Spoilers* .
Mentions of Rapunzel kissing many men over the years (she calls it her “kissing bandit” days and feels remorse about it when she starts liking a man and concerned that he might care that his future wife has kissed many men; She wonders if the tables were turned and she would care if her future husband had kissed “innumerable” women; Later, she calls flying better than “kissing any man”); Mentions of people taking advantage of others (someone is afraid Rapunzel will be taken advantage of, but she says she’s taking advantage of the others); Mentions of kisses, kissing, & kisses that would mean something (rather than be part of a plot or park by Rapunzel); Mentions of flirting & wooing; Mentions of jealousy; A mention of Rapunzel finding wit and ingenuity much more seductive than “rippling muscles”; A mention of a man looking like the sort of man fathers always warned their daughters to avoid; A mention of womanly wiles.
🐉 ✨ “You’re the most altruistic dragon I know.” “And you’re the most diabolical princess I know.” “A perfect team, then.” ✨ 🐉
I feel very smart that I was able to guess the plot-twists. 🤓
Rapunzel in this book is very devious which isn’t usually my kind of character but it worked well for the plotline and I was never upset that this book was single POV of her's (with no love interest’s POV). This kind of character often comes across as an annoying and spoiled character, but I never felt that way with Rapunzel. Perhaps it was the length of the book didn’t allow for those scenes or the author wrote her very well. I vote both options. 😉
One of the twists at the end isn’t usually one I like and I have a ton of questions on how that’s all going to work, but it ended happily and I couldn’t read fast enough trying to get answers. I will note that there was one kiss that was a bit much for my tastes. Because of the romance content, I would suggest 16/17+ for this book.
Rapunzel and Pollox were a great team and their banter had me laughing often throughout this book. I’m honestly bummed this was a stand-alone because it could have been a fun series!
I’m not a chess player so some of those scenes were over my IQ level, but I think I understood enough to get the underling message. Overall? This was really fun and a super unique Rapunzel retelling! I can see it be one I’ll reread in years to come because it was very enjoyable!
Main Content-
A dragon is able to do magic as along as he is healthy (such as creating enchanted items or changing the appearance of a room); All dragons can enchanted certain items (such as wood or even human bloodlines); A magic wardrobe that transports someone somewhere else (but it’s not a pleasant experience); *Major Spoilers* .
‘Heaven forbid’ and ‘thank the stars’ are both said once.
Mentions of magic & a curse on a bloodline to be greedy; Mentions of people having wishing altars in their gardens & them placing small offerings on it when they need something (not said towards whom these wishes are asked for, but someone else helps the people); Mentions of wicked smiles & devilish looks; A mention of fate (which Rapunzel says didn’t bring her and Pollox together as it was her scheme).
Nearly being stabbed, Pain, Injuries, & Grief (up to a few sentences).
No language stronger than stupid or unfinished ‘what the—‘; ‘What in the blithering blue blazes’ is also yelled once; Fictional phrases like ‘scales above’, ‘scales’, and ‘flames alive’ are used in moments of annoyance or realization; ‘By George’ is exclaimed twice and implied to be strong language; Mentions of curses (said, not written); Eye rolling & Sarcasm.
Rapunzel is pretty sassy & has played pranks/jokes for years to get her father’s attention; Rapunzel’s father is very greedy and easily sacrifices his people and their health for his own wants and needs (which upsets Rapunzel and she is concerned she is predisposed to be just as ruthless and cunning as him); Rapunzel steals from her father and later feels like a bandit “secretive and powerful” when planning to help someone; Rapunzel drugs others (including with drugged lipstick); Rapunzel plans to swindle others with the help of the dragon and thus they become partners in crime conning others (this includes lying to others, but she tells herself that all the “lying and deceit was necessary….There was no other way to help those in need”); Rapunzel forces herself to cry on command and force hyperventilation to sell her con-act; Towards the end, Rapunzel struggles to breath and almost passes out after receiving certain news.
Many mentions of a dragon stealing livestock, eating said livestock, & people being concerned that the dragon will eat people or children next (Pollox taunts Rapunzel with the idea of eating a livestock animal whole, which disgusts her); Mentions of deaths, grief, possible deaths, & suicide missions; Mentions of a kidnapping, hostages, & ransoms; Mentions of weapons, injuries, pain, & blood/bleeding; Mentions of poisons & drugging/poisoning others; Mentions of manipulation; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of gossip & rumors; A few mentions of hatred;A couple mentions of an attempted murder; A couple mentions of nightmares; A couple mentions of a tavern; A mention of Rapunzel’s mother dying in childbirth; A mention of prison; A mention of drinking.
2 almost kisses (up to a 2-4 sentences),
1 neck kiss,
1 kiss lasting a couple sentences,
1 kissing session lasting 7+ sentences.
Staring at lips; Wanting to be embraced & kissed (up to a few sentences); Imagining kisses & embraces (up to a couple sentences).
Touches, Embraces, Warmth/Heat, & Nearness (including noticing veins and muscles, up to a few sentences); Blushes; Noticing (including a man’s tight tunic that she tries not to notice, up to a few sentences); Desire & Longing to be held/embraces.
Rapunzel lures a young man to a secluded area (the chapter cuts off before they go there, but the next chapter tells us he was drugged by her poisonous lipstick when they kissed and she left him unconscious in a shed); Rapunzel finds it concerning that no one is concerned about their future monarch throwing herself at every man in the vicinity like she does; Rapunzel orders Pollox to not look at her when she’s about to change clothing; When a man goes to grab at Rapunzel’s bodice (because of she’s put something there), Pollox protects her; *Spoilers* .
*Major Spoilers* .
Mentions of Rapunzel kissing many men over the years (she calls it her “kissing bandit” days and feels remorse about it when she starts liking a man and concerned that he might care that his future wife has kissed many men; She wonders if the tables were turned and she would care if her future husband had kissed “innumerable” women; Later, she calls flying better than “kissing any man”); Mentions of people taking advantage of others (someone is afraid Rapunzel will be taken advantage of, but she says she’s taking advantage of the others); Mentions of kisses, kissing, & kisses that would mean something (rather than be part of a plot or park by Rapunzel); Mentions of flirting & wooing; Mentions of jealousy; A mention of Rapunzel finding wit and ingenuity much more seductive than “rippling muscles”; A mention of a man looking like the sort of man fathers always warned their daughters to avoid; A mention of womanly wiles.
May 24, 2025
Oh my gosh!!! A spunky princess, daring knights, and a DRAGON.
oh the dragon 😍
The characters were a lot of fun, I especially enjoyed the dragon (what a surprise🤣) and Repunzel! She was a great lead and I liked her character growth, she came a long way from where she started. I liked Griffin, he was a very interesting character and definitely surprised me several times!
The plot remained me a bit of beauty and the beast as well as Repunzel so that was fun! I loved the twists and turns this book took and I was genuinely surprised and shocked at one in particular!
If you want a book with adventure, no spice romance, and fun banter, this one is definitely for you!
oh the dragon 😍
The characters were a lot of fun, I especially enjoyed the dragon (what a surprise🤣) and Repunzel! She was a great lead and I liked her character growth, she came a long way from where she started. I liked Griffin, he was a very interesting character and definitely surprised me several times!
The plot remained me a bit of beauty and the beast as well as Repunzel so that was fun! I loved the twists and turns this book took and I was genuinely surprised and shocked at one in particular!
If you want a book with adventure, no spice romance, and fun banter, this one is definitely for you!
May 1, 2025
I've been a fan of Mary Mecham for a few years now, ever since her novel Poisoned came out. I've enjoyed all of her books, but in my opinion this one is on a higher level. It's difficult to talk about my specific impressions without spoilers, but I will do my best. From what I have noticed, Mary is a pro at introducing a main theme and then weaving it in on multiple levels. She did this with Poisoned too, where Snow White is both literally poisoned and figuratively poisoned, in the form of malicious rumors and emotional manipulation. Mary's doing the same thing here, but this time with chess. Sure, chess shows up as a game in the story, and Rapunzel plays it several times. It's clear that she's quite good at the game and that Mary has done her research (which makes sense, since her son has won championships in chess). But that's only the most obvious chess reference. The title is another--her entire plan is a gambit, which has something to do with chess (I personally am terrible at the game, but I know gambit is chess-related) and she's not the only one playing games with events, either. I thought I knew where this story was going, and I was partially right, but then it completely blindsided me with something that ended up being even better than what I thought was going to happen. Basically, this is one of Mary's best. Novellas are short, but this one felt perfectly paced. I'd love to see more in this world, but it left me feeling satisfied with the characters. I would fully recommend this to anyone who's in the mood for a relatively quick but satisfying read with complex characters, a snarky dragon-princess combo, and a swoony romance that stays no-spice.
I was an ARC reader for this book and all of these are my honest thoughts.
I was an ARC reader for this book and all of these are my honest thoughts.
January 13, 2026
♜♞♟♙♘♖♜♞♟♙♘♖♜♞♟♜♞♟♙♘♖♜♞♟♙♘
Now Playing ♡ Tangled - I See The Light
1:47 ──●── 3:24
This was a reread or listen I guess since I listened to this on audio and it was just as amazing the second time as it was the first.
I loved everything about this book; the story, the romance, the BANTER, and the magic. This is an all-time favorite for me! Rapunzel was amazing and I love Pollox as well, he is a sweetie. The writing is great as well. And Pollox reading that book to learn how to flirt with Rapunzel was hilarious.
The ending is so perfect I love it so freaking much. I think about this book constantly and it's so good! I've also read all the bonus content she has for this book and those “books” were also amazing. Pollox’s jealousy and annoyance towards Griffin was so funny and I loved it so much. This book was perfect in my honest opinion. I also loved the playful insults they threw at each other!
“𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘴
𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯”
The Characters
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rapunzel ~ I loved her so much she was great!
Pollox ~ he was such a sweetie! I loved him. And when he called her “snack sized majesty” it was so funny!
Griffin ~ he was so creepy with that “always three steps ahead” thing.
“𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯”
What To Expect
💄 Friends To Lovers
💄 Witty Banter
💄 Romantasy
💄 Touch Her And D!e
“𝘕𝘰𝘸 𝘐'𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘕𝘰𝘸 𝘐'𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘴𝘶𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦”
Quotes
~~~~~~~
“We managed to revive him.” He shuffled his feet. “He claims the last thing he remembers was…was kissing your daughter, sire.” I couldn’t conceal the smug expression on my face. “Oopsies. Was that me?”
“Even though I’d only known Pollox for less than a day, I already felt comfortable with him. Did all humans feel this way around dragons?”
“Pollox shook the squire and hissed, “If you touch her again, it will be the last thing you ever do.”
“I snuggled against his tucked-up wing. “You’re the most altruistic dragon I know.” “And you’re the most diabolical princess I know.” “A perfect team,”
“There was no comparison. Griffin was sweet, but Pollox, impossible, snarky dragon that he was, had an iron grip on my heart.”
“𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘰 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘐'𝘮 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘐'𝘮 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦.”
Content
~~~~~~~
❤️🔥Romance| a few semi detailed kisses, flirting, cuddling for warmth,
🤬Language| none.
🗡️Violence| fighting, attempted murder,
🏳️🌈LGBTQ| none.
✝️Religion/Spirituality| none.
🍷Alcohol/Drugs| Drugging with laced lipstick,
⚠️Other| Mentions of suicide, poison, starvation, kidnapping, Grief, loss of a parent,
Now Playing ♡ Tangled - I See The Light
1:47 ──●── 3:24
This was a reread or listen I guess since I listened to this on audio and it was just as amazing the second time as it was the first.
I loved everything about this book; the story, the romance, the BANTER, and the magic. This is an all-time favorite for me! Rapunzel was amazing and I love Pollox as well, he is a sweetie. The writing is great as well. And Pollox reading that book to learn how to flirt with Rapunzel was hilarious.
The ending is so perfect I love it so freaking much. I think about this book constantly and it's so good! I've also read all the bonus content she has for this book and those “books” were also amazing. Pollox’s jealousy and annoyance towards Griffin was so funny and I loved it so much. This book was perfect in my honest opinion. I also loved the playful insults they threw at each other!
“𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘴
𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯”
The Characters
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rapunzel ~ I loved her so much she was great!
Pollox ~ he was such a sweetie! I loved him. And when he called her “snack sized majesty” it was so funny!
Griffin ~ he was so creepy with that “always three steps ahead” thing.
“𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯”
What To Expect
💄 Friends To Lovers
💄 Witty Banter
💄 Romantasy
💄 Touch Her And D!e
“𝘕𝘰𝘸 𝘐'𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘕𝘰𝘸 𝘐'𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘴𝘶𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦”
Quotes
~~~~~~~
“We managed to revive him.” He shuffled his feet. “He claims the last thing he remembers was…was kissing your daughter, sire.” I couldn’t conceal the smug expression on my face. “Oopsies. Was that me?”
“Even though I’d only known Pollox for less than a day, I already felt comfortable with him. Did all humans feel this way around dragons?”
“Pollox shook the squire and hissed, “If you touch her again, it will be the last thing you ever do.”
“I snuggled against his tucked-up wing. “You’re the most altruistic dragon I know.” “And you’re the most diabolical princess I know.” “A perfect team,”
“There was no comparison. Griffin was sweet, but Pollox, impossible, snarky dragon that he was, had an iron grip on my heart.”
“𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘰 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘐'𝘮 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘐'𝘮 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦.”
Content
~~~~~~~
❤️🔥Romance| a few semi detailed kisses, flirting, cuddling for warmth,
🤬Language| none.
🗡️Violence| fighting, attempted murder,
🏳️🌈LGBTQ| none.
✝️Religion/Spirituality| none.
🍷Alcohol/Drugs| Drugging with laced lipstick,
⚠️Other| Mentions of suicide, poison, starvation, kidnapping, Grief, loss of a parent,
June 2, 2025
This book was just what I was looking for! It totally kept me guessing throughout. And I knew from the beginning how "I" wished this story would unfold, and it was even better than I expected!
In this story, Rapunzel’s greedy father convinces the men in the kingdom to kill a dragon, promising her hand in marriage as a reward. But Rapunzel has no interest in being anyone’s prize. She takes control of her own future by making a deal with the dragon Pollox, herself, a smart move that protects her from an arranged marriage, helps the dragon grow his hoard, and outsmarts her father's plans...but for how long?!
What she didn’t expect was how safe she’d feel with Pollox, or how drawn she’d be to Griffin, the squire who shows up ready to rescue her. But how can the dragon and dragon hunter coexist in her plans ... and life?!
This story weaves together romance, friendship, and REAL connection in a way that feels honest and heartfelt... so many swoonworthy moments in this one!
This was everything I wanted and more in this Rapunzel Retelling, and it even gave off some Beauty and the Beast vibes as well!
I gave this one a 4.5 rounded to 5 stars!
I can’t wait to read more from Mary. She's turning me into a fantasy reader!
In this story, Rapunzel’s greedy father convinces the men in the kingdom to kill a dragon, promising her hand in marriage as a reward. But Rapunzel has no interest in being anyone’s prize. She takes control of her own future by making a deal with the dragon Pollox, herself, a smart move that protects her from an arranged marriage, helps the dragon grow his hoard, and outsmarts her father's plans...but for how long?!
What she didn’t expect was how safe she’d feel with Pollox, or how drawn she’d be to Griffin, the squire who shows up ready to rescue her. But how can the dragon and dragon hunter coexist in her plans ... and life?!
This story weaves together romance, friendship, and REAL connection in a way that feels honest and heartfelt... so many swoonworthy moments in this one!
This was everything I wanted and more in this Rapunzel Retelling, and it even gave off some Beauty and the Beast vibes as well!
I gave this one a 4.5 rounded to 5 stars!
I can’t wait to read more from Mary. She's turning me into a fantasy reader!
October 31, 2025
This is my first Rapunzel retelling and man oh man the bar has been set HIGH!
This was not what was expecting at all but I was absolutely here for it. Rapunzel's character is devious and flirtatious, one that I usually can't stand, but the author wrote her so well I really enjoyed her character and was rooting for her. It's also in single POV but I feel like this lended more to the story, particularly with the audiobook performance by Tallon David--she did a fabulous job capturing Rapunzel's personality.
I was getting nervous about something mid-way through but then Mary Mecham surprised me again, multiple times in fact--shes always so good at doing that!
I loved the banter between Pollux and Rapunzel; they are now some of my all-time favorite characters!
Christian fiction rating: 0/3 clean secular fiction with no swearing
This was not what was expecting at all but I was absolutely here for it. Rapunzel's character is devious and flirtatious, one that I usually can't stand, but the author wrote her so well I really enjoyed her character and was rooting for her. It's also in single POV but I feel like this lended more to the story, particularly with the audiobook performance by Tallon David--she did a fabulous job capturing Rapunzel's personality.
I was getting nervous about something mid-way through but then Mary Mecham surprised me again, multiple times in fact--shes always so good at doing that!
I loved the banter between Pollux and Rapunzel; they are now some of my all-time favorite characters!
Christian fiction rating: 0/3 clean secular fiction with no swearing
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June 6, 2025
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This is a Rapunzel retelling! WOW. Just wow! My mouth is still open and I’m still reeling from the shock! This book was nothing like I thought it was going to be and that’s why I loved it! The twists and turns were epic and unexpected! I felt like I was right there with them for every step of the journey! Also, the cover is really pretty! 🤩 Rapunzel is a devious character, but I loved her for it! She was so unique and fun! Pollox really surprised me! I loved the idea of having dragons in this story especially because I love How to Train Your Dragon so much! He really grew on me and I really liked him as he grew as a character! Griffin, well, he was interesting and awkward…let’s just say that. I can’t tell you too much about the book or put quotes that I liked because I don’t want to spoil it. I enjoyed the nods to the fairytale of Rapunzel, but also I liked how different it was from that original fairytale. It was better than I thought it was going to be. Mary Mecham knows how to make the perfect twists to a fairytale retelling and I can’t wait to read more of her books! 5 stars and I highly recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Also, the audiobook for this is free on Mary Mecham’s YouTube channel if y’all want to check it out. 😊
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This is a Rapunzel retelling! WOW. Just wow! My mouth is still open and I’m still reeling from the shock! This book was nothing like I thought it was going to be and that’s why I loved it! The twists and turns were epic and unexpected! I felt like I was right there with them for every step of the journey! Also, the cover is really pretty! 🤩 Rapunzel is a devious character, but I loved her for it! She was so unique and fun! Pollox really surprised me! I loved the idea of having dragons in this story especially because I love How to Train Your Dragon so much! He really grew on me and I really liked him as he grew as a character! Griffin, well, he was interesting and awkward…let’s just say that. I can’t tell you too much about the book or put quotes that I liked because I don’t want to spoil it. I enjoyed the nods to the fairytale of Rapunzel, but also I liked how different it was from that original fairytale. It was better than I thought it was going to be. Mary Mecham knows how to make the perfect twists to a fairytale retelling and I can’t wait to read more of her books! 5 stars and I highly recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Also, the audiobook for this is free on Mary Mecham’s YouTube channel if y’all want to check it out. 😊
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June 26, 2025
Mary is the QUEEN OF PLOT TWISTS! *screams incoherently*
I have no words for how amazing this was! It was everything I wanted and more! The banter, the romance, the high stakes, the twists—ahhhh, LOVED IT. 😍
I read this in one sitting — highly recommend!!
I have no words for how amazing this was! It was everything I wanted and more! The banter, the romance, the high stakes, the twists—ahhhh, LOVED IT. 😍
I read this in one sitting — highly recommend!!
August 24, 2025
I can't remember the last time I started and finished a book on the same day . So good ! ❤️
April 2, 2025
Let me start off by saying that once again, Mary Mecham is the QUEEN of EPIC PLOT TWISTS. Not only is this a delightful twist on the original Rapunzel story that felt satisfying and fresh, but I did NOT expect to end up rooting for who I was rooting for. For context, I am one of the ARC readers for this novel, and while I wasn't expecting to finish it this soon, it took me less than three days to read it (most books, even ones I enjoy, have been taking me longer). I absolutely could NOT put this one down! Let's break down some thoughts on a few points as best as I can without giving spoilers.
1. Rapunzel is a devious, complex character who, while "villainous" has a heart of gold... fitting for a book all about how she schemes to steal gold with a dragon! I found myself rooting for her the whole time, and I loved her snark and wit. She certainly deserves the title "damsel that distresses others" in my book!
2. The plot. Is. Phenomenal. This is far more than your basic Rapunzel story, and by the end, I found myself drawing connections to a couple of other fairytales (I won't say which though because of spoilers). There were some clear plot threads set up at the beginning, teasing things that were coming, and yet despite that, this book kept me guessing in all the best ways! Normally, I don't find myself all that easy to surprise in books. This is the second book by Mary Mecham that I can say genuinely surprised me, even when I strongly suspected things wouldn't be as they seemed. While I hadn't anticipated the ending that happened, it was also an ending that felt satisfying and better than what I had imagined. As someone who prides myself a bit on being able to figure out how something is going to happen most of the time, I have once again been humbled in the best possible way! While a couple of things are still predictable, I would say in this story of con artists, it's the author who best swindles the readers into thinking things are one way when in fact it's something else entirely! The amount of times that I had to pause to quietly or internally SCREAM was PERFECT! 10/1o, best book I've read this year.
3. The romance is wonderful! It's a little more swoon than I'm personally used to reading, but it was very well executed and enjoyable. No worries though: this book is still 100% spice free! There's a small handful of kisses, but that's as far as things really ever go. And we always love a protective love interest!
4. If you love banter and humor, then you will love this book! Rapunzel has great banter, particularly with her partner-in-crime, the dragon, Pollox. However, she doesn't hold back her snark from anybody, regardless of circumstances, and her cleverness makes the book enjoyable the whole way through. Not to mention the jokes had me legitimately chuckling at a few points.
So, if you're trying to decide if this book is for you, then here's what I would gauge. Do you enjoy no-spice romance? Plot twists? Charmingly snarky characters? Clever worldbuilding? Strong tension that makes the pacing pretty much perfect? Dragons? Twists on classic fairytales? A morally grey heroine? Then this book is 100% for you! Don't pass it up and regret it later, because it is the perfect addition to the All That Glitters series, and the perfect way to spend a nice, quiet afternoon or evening. :)
1. Rapunzel is a devious, complex character who, while "villainous" has a heart of gold... fitting for a book all about how she schemes to steal gold with a dragon! I found myself rooting for her the whole time, and I loved her snark and wit. She certainly deserves the title "damsel that distresses others" in my book!
2. The plot. Is. Phenomenal. This is far more than your basic Rapunzel story, and by the end, I found myself drawing connections to a couple of other fairytales (I won't say which though because of spoilers). There were some clear plot threads set up at the beginning, teasing things that were coming, and yet despite that, this book kept me guessing in all the best ways! Normally, I don't find myself all that easy to surprise in books. This is the second book by Mary Mecham that I can say genuinely surprised me, even when I strongly suspected things wouldn't be as they seemed. While I hadn't anticipated the ending that happened, it was also an ending that felt satisfying and better than what I had imagined. As someone who prides myself a bit on being able to figure out how something is going to happen most of the time, I have once again been humbled in the best possible way! While a couple of things are still predictable, I would say in this story of con artists, it's the author who best swindles the readers into thinking things are one way when in fact it's something else entirely! The amount of times that I had to pause to quietly or internally SCREAM was PERFECT! 10/1o, best book I've read this year.
3. The romance is wonderful! It's a little more swoon than I'm personally used to reading, but it was very well executed and enjoyable. No worries though: this book is still 100% spice free! There's a small handful of kisses, but that's as far as things really ever go. And we always love a protective love interest!
4. If you love banter and humor, then you will love this book! Rapunzel has great banter, particularly with her partner-in-crime, the dragon, Pollox. However, she doesn't hold back her snark from anybody, regardless of circumstances, and her cleverness makes the book enjoyable the whole way through. Not to mention the jokes had me legitimately chuckling at a few points.
So, if you're trying to decide if this book is for you, then here's what I would gauge. Do you enjoy no-spice romance? Plot twists? Charmingly snarky characters? Clever worldbuilding? Strong tension that makes the pacing pretty much perfect? Dragons? Twists on classic fairytales? A morally grey heroine? Then this book is 100% for you! Don't pass it up and regret it later, because it is the perfect addition to the All That Glitters series, and the perfect way to spend a nice, quiet afternoon or evening. :)
May 27, 2025
Rapunzel’s Gambit by Mary Mecham was released on May 24, and I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
I’ll admit, there are a few things I was wary of about this book, but it was SO AMAZING and was even BETTER than I could have imagined!!!!!!!
I’m trying *so hard* not to give away any spoilers for this book (even though I wish I’d known the spoiler ahead of time—yes I’m weird), so we’ll see how this goes.
I was worried that Rapunzel would be an insufferable girlboss, but I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong. While she definitely is in control of her own destiny, she still manages to be kind and usually has the best of intentions. She uses her intelligence to her advantage, but still makes mistakes.
The dragon, Pollox was my favorite character. His witty banter, generosity, and willingness to go along with Rapunzel’s schemes made him such an endearing character. Also, I would LOVE to see more character art for Pollox!!!!!
Griffin was a sweetie, too!!!!! I love how he could match Rapunzel for intelligence and scheming and his determination to save her, no matter the cost.
If you’re looking for a fairy tale retelling with wonderful characters, dragons, and a whole lot of fun, you have GOT to read this CAPTIVATING story!!!!!!
I received an advance copy of this book. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.
I’ll admit, there are a few things I was wary of about this book, but it was SO AMAZING and was even BETTER than I could have imagined!!!!!!!
I’m trying *so hard* not to give away any spoilers for this book (even though I wish I’d known the spoiler ahead of time—yes I’m weird), so we’ll see how this goes.
I was worried that Rapunzel would be an insufferable girlboss, but I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong. While she definitely is in control of her own destiny, she still manages to be kind and usually has the best of intentions. She uses her intelligence to her advantage, but still makes mistakes.
The dragon, Pollox was my favorite character. His witty banter, generosity, and willingness to go along with Rapunzel’s schemes made him such an endearing character. Also, I would LOVE to see more character art for Pollox!!!!!
Griffin was a sweetie, too!!!!! I love how he could match Rapunzel for intelligence and scheming and his determination to save her, no matter the cost.
If you’re looking for a fairy tale retelling with wonderful characters, dragons, and a whole lot of fun, you have GOT to read this CAPTIVATING story!!!!!!
I received an advance copy of this book. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.
April 16, 2025
Okay, I wasn't expecting to enjoy another romantasy after Divine Rivals proved to be a letdown, but I was highly mistaken. Meacham pulled me into the story and delivered a swoon-worthy, clean romance with a twist I didn't see coming.
Rapunzel was an absolute girlboss. I usually don't like girlboss characters, but this snarky princess was written just right. Pollox (the dragon) grew on me, and I found myself rooting for him. Griffin? Oh boy. Let's just say that Meacham threw a major curveball regarding his characterization.
The romance was perfect, even if there was a love triangle at one point. The couple that DOES end up getting together is adorable, so I can rest in peace.
Anyway, LOVED this book. I will definitely be reading more of Meacham's works. 4.75/5 stars, rounded to 5.
Disclaimer: I received a free Advanced Reader Copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to leave a positive review.
Rapunzel was an absolute girlboss. I usually don't like girlboss characters, but this snarky princess was written just right. Pollox (the dragon) grew on me, and I found myself rooting for him. Griffin? Oh boy. Let's just say that Meacham threw a major curveball regarding his characterization.
The romance was perfect, even if there was a love triangle at one point. The couple that DOES end up getting together is adorable, so I can rest in peace.
Anyway, LOVED this book. I will definitely be reading more of Meacham's works. 4.75/5 stars, rounded to 5.
Disclaimer: I received a free Advanced Reader Copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to leave a positive review.
April 6, 2025
Excuse me while I pick up the shattered idea of how I thought that this story would go and collect my jaw from the floor with it.
When I heard this would be a villainous Rapunzel I was so excited but this book absolutely blew me away. With an entirely unique take on this story, you will not see this story and the plot twists it includes coming. There are so many little clues tucked in and yet I was still mind blown with the bombs that were dropped along the way. I laughed and gasped and read as fast as I could because I had to know how it all played out.
And I have to say, it delighted me to have that tiny easter egg to Assassins of Fire and Sacrifice tucked in there on the end.
100% recommend if you are looking for a clever and unexpected take on this story.
When I heard this would be a villainous Rapunzel I was so excited but this book absolutely blew me away. With an entirely unique take on this story, you will not see this story and the plot twists it includes coming. There are so many little clues tucked in and yet I was still mind blown with the bombs that were dropped along the way. I laughed and gasped and read as fast as I could because I had to know how it all played out.
And I have to say, it delighted me to have that tiny easter egg to Assassins of Fire and Sacrifice tucked in there on the end.
100% recommend if you are looking for a clever and unexpected take on this story.
May 31, 2025
When the kingdom is tormented by a dragon the king offers his daughter’s hand in marriage to any noble man who kills it. The princess doesn't appriciate her father’s solution; she doesn't want to get married to some greedy and power-hungry man. Instead she stages her own kidnapping and forms a bargain with the dragon. Together they plot a scheme to make them both rich beyond their wildest dreams.
"Some princesses would rather be the villain than the damsel in distress."
Princess Rapunzel is snarky and enjoys teasing and flirting. We get her POV throughout the book, so it's easy to understand her behavior. Griffin, a squire, wants nothing more than to save Rapunzel from the dragon, and he's very different from the cocky and confident knights, which draws Rapunzel's interest. My favorite character is Pollox, the dragon. At first glance he's big and terrifying, but maybe not as ruthless as his reputation. Without revealing too much I can say that all three have more than one side...
The banter between Rapunzel and Pollox is often funny, but a rescue attempt by a knight had me laughing out loud! There are a couple of twists in the later part of the story; one I saw coming, the other took me by surprise. Sometimes I found the pacing a bit slow, but the ending was very satisfying!
To conclude I will say that chess isn't my kind of game, but I still appriciated the chess matches we got to experience, and other references to the game. Mecham has her son Ryan to thank for the chess inspiration, since he's a talanted player.
* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *
"Some princesses would rather be the villain than the damsel in distress."
Princess Rapunzel is snarky and enjoys teasing and flirting. We get her POV throughout the book, so it's easy to understand her behavior. Griffin, a squire, wants nothing more than to save Rapunzel from the dragon, and he's very different from the cocky and confident knights, which draws Rapunzel's interest. My favorite character is Pollox, the dragon. At first glance he's big and terrifying, but maybe not as ruthless as his reputation. Without revealing too much I can say that all three have more than one side...
The banter between Rapunzel and Pollox is often funny, but a rescue attempt by a knight had me laughing out loud! There are a couple of twists in the later part of the story; one I saw coming, the other took me by surprise. Sometimes I found the pacing a bit slow, but the ending was very satisfying!
To conclude I will say that chess isn't my kind of game, but I still appriciated the chess matches we got to experience, and other references to the game. Mecham has her son Ryan to thank for the chess inspiration, since he's a talanted player.
* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *
May 25, 2025
Rapunzel’s Gambit
“It is the dragon’s fault that the tax rate is so high.” The King responds. “If it weren’t for its constant raids,everyone would have more. And I have a plan to solve the problem”. Therefore—…I will offer my daughter’s hand in marriage to the first prince or man of noble birth who can kill this menace!” Well what a to do in court when your daughter is stood there overwrought ,and so she ought ! This because the Princess of Rookwyn’s suitor will surely be up to no good… Enter the dashing dragon slayer but that will do no good she’s not about to succumb to a player such as this. This dragon slaying must desist. You see the real sin in epic tale is the greed for a kingdom and all it entails .Harrigan by name and so like an harridan by nature is the king ,his daughter he doesn’t nurture is the thing,nor does he care if truth be told while he’s in search of a knight so bold to do the dragon in which in Rapunzel’s eyes will certainly be to her chagrin. Well to cut a long and utterly mesmerisingly storytelling with so many twists and sting in the dragon’s tail . It’s an epic tale and so compelling! I could not put this down it’s so profoundly great and those characters and their trait. This is something epic storyline ,in fact it’s divine. So good as of course I knew it would be. But golly! It’s by Mary Mecham you see. A Swoony romance with dragons perchance ? Well that would be the icing on the cake but I ain’t telling one flake , a mistake if you will because when you read it you’ll thank me and think it’s brill and dance. Just go out and read the book . It’s worthy of more than a glance that’s for sure. Just know this princess is not demure. Was she on the wrong side and having to hide? The answers to this and more when you read inside. An excellent piece of writing indeed!
“It is the dragon’s fault that the tax rate is so high.” The King responds. “If it weren’t for its constant raids,everyone would have more. And I have a plan to solve the problem”. Therefore—…I will offer my daughter’s hand in marriage to the first prince or man of noble birth who can kill this menace!” Well what a to do in court when your daughter is stood there overwrought ,and so she ought ! This because the Princess of Rookwyn’s suitor will surely be up to no good… Enter the dashing dragon slayer but that will do no good she’s not about to succumb to a player such as this. This dragon slaying must desist. You see the real sin in epic tale is the greed for a kingdom and all it entails .Harrigan by name and so like an harridan by nature is the king ,his daughter he doesn’t nurture is the thing,nor does he care if truth be told while he’s in search of a knight so bold to do the dragon in which in Rapunzel’s eyes will certainly be to her chagrin. Well to cut a long and utterly mesmerisingly storytelling with so many twists and sting in the dragon’s tail . It’s an epic tale and so compelling! I could not put this down it’s so profoundly great and those characters and their trait. This is something epic storyline ,in fact it’s divine. So good as of course I knew it would be. But golly! It’s by Mary Mecham you see. A Swoony romance with dragons perchance ? Well that would be the icing on the cake but I ain’t telling one flake , a mistake if you will because when you read it you’ll thank me and think it’s brill and dance. Just go out and read the book . It’s worthy of more than a glance that’s for sure. Just know this princess is not demure. Was she on the wrong side and having to hide? The answers to this and more when you read inside. An excellent piece of writing indeed!
May 27, 2025
4.5 stars
Tangled is one of my favorite Disney movies. When I heard Mary Mecham was writing a Rapunzel retelling, I was super excited.
The story itself was good, but I didn't get the Rapunzel feel to it. That is about my only complaint about the book.
All the characters were sweet. Rapunzel was amazing. Pollux was adorable.
Overall, it was good, if not a little repetitive. I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and finished it rather quickly.
Tangled is one of my favorite Disney movies. When I heard Mary Mecham was writing a Rapunzel retelling, I was super excited.
The story itself was good, but I didn't get the Rapunzel feel to it. That is about my only complaint about the book.
All the characters were sweet. Rapunzel was amazing. Pollux was adorable.
Overall, it was good, if not a little repetitive. I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and finished it rather quickly.
June 23, 2025
Mary Mecham made this book available as a free audiobook that you can listen to on her YouTube channel in the hopes of being able to provide a legal way for people to listen for free while also being able to monetize her channel and get some compensation for her work. So, if my review makes you interested in this story, then here’s the YouTube link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DAcP...
I’ve been following Mary Mecham’s social medias for a while and have been interested in reading her stories. I even own several in ebook, I just haven’t, as of the writing of this review, gotten around to reading them yet. “Rapunzel’s Gambit” is one of her newest releases and I was very intrigued by everything she’d been posting about it, so when she decided to put the audiobook for free on her Youtube, I thought that might be a great way to get a feel for her writing style and see if her stories really will be a good fit for my tastes.
I wasn’t disappointed. Her description of writing “damsels who distress others” is very accurate here, LOL. The heroines in Rapunzel retellings can often be depicted as very naive, wide-eyed, and innocent (which is fine. I love Disney’s Tangled, and it makes sense when a character is shown to have been locked in a tower her whole life), however, things were different for this Rapunzel. She hadn’t been kidnapped as a baby, or held in a tower her whole life. She actually starts the story at home in her palace, rebelling against her king father who has slowly been getting more and more selfish and greedy over the years, to the point that Rapunzel feels unloved and sees that her father’s actions are beginning to harm the citizens and even put people’s lives in danger.
I don’t often like rebellious characters, but in this case, it made sense that Rapunzel was acting out, both trying to get her father’s attention, and eventually trying to protect others from him when he did something that put people’s lives in danger (even more than he already had). I also appreciated that she had some natural regrets about the manner in which she’d acted out at times, and that her father wasn’t just a one-note evil villain, either. You get to see that they used to have a good relationship, and wonder with Rapunzel what happened that made him change. You want as much as Rapunzel to see that he still loves his daughter, and I was very glad that there was ultimately some explanation for his behavior, as well as redemption for their relationship.
The thing I loved most, though, was that Mary was able to keep me guessing through the whole story. I’m usually pretty good at guessing who the main character will end up with, but in this case, I genuinely didn’t know who was telling the truth and who was lying for a long time. The true villain was a genuine match for Rapunzel’s brains and wit, and it really did feel like a chess match between the two of them.
Add to that the fact that each chapter, especially around the second half of the story, managed to have twist after twist that kept me gasping and excited for Mary to upload the next chapter, and I was hooked!
I hesitate to say too much because I don’t want to spoil anyone on those twists, but I will at least say that one of my favorite things was how the friendship between Rapunzel and the dragon developed, especially the way Rapunzel helped the dragon loosen up, and their funny banter. The twist put on Rapunzel’s long hair was really fun, too, and I found it refreshing that it was a surprise later in the story instead of being her defining quality from the beginning. Again, I also truly loved discovering what was true and what was false. It was fun to be along for the ride instead of guessing all of it ahead of time.
I am definitely hooked on Mary’s writing style now and look forward to reading more of her stories!
Content Advisory:
(I’ll do my best to be vague and not spoil the major plot points here.)
Language:
None.
Violence:
No intense violence here. Mostly just some action scenes where people get chased by the dragon, or the dragon gets shot at with arrows. Some injuries occur, but never anything extreme, graphic, or even bloody. People get threatened with injury. There is also one attempted murder, but the target is ultimately not injured.
Sexual/Romance:
It’s not described, but Rapunzel talks about how she’s flirted with and kissed quite a few young men just to irritate her dictatorial father. Later, when someone actually attracts her, she wonders if she’s ruined her chance with any good man by how many men she’s flirted with and kissed, however, the man she ends up with doesn’t hold that against her.
There are some romantic touches between Rapunzel and her love interests (Face, neck, arm, or waist), and a couple of kisses on the lips are moderately described with some physical and emotional terms. Again, nothing “below the belt” so to speak.
Spiritual/Magic:
The author is a Christian, but this book is general fiction.
There’s some mention of the village people having prayer shrines.
This is fantasy. Dragons have the natural ability to enchant objects, including but not limited to a closet that can act as a portal from one location to another, and a brush that can make hair grow long. They also have the ability to put curses on people who betray them.
There are references to other fantastical creatures in other countries, but they’re referenced in name, only. Some beings have the natural ability to shape shift.
Other:
This book is YA and is definitely most appropriate for teens and up because Rapunzel isn’t initially a role model for very young readers with her pranks, rebellion, and chronic flirting and kissing men. However, it becomes clear that her behavior is in response to her father trying to become a dictator who doesn’t care about anything or anybody more than himself, making Rapunzel feel unloved and like she has to defend others from him. Her father even gets to the point of constantly threatening to marry Rapunzel off to a stranger as punishment for her behavior, and then promises her hand to anyone who can defeat the dragon, knowing full well that any man who tries is going to die.
Rapunzel drugs several people. One of them she leaves tied up in a shed as a prank to force her father’s guards to search for the guy. Another time, she drugs multiple servants and guards to be able to escape the palace.
I’ve been following Mary Mecham’s social medias for a while and have been interested in reading her stories. I even own several in ebook, I just haven’t, as of the writing of this review, gotten around to reading them yet. “Rapunzel’s Gambit” is one of her newest releases and I was very intrigued by everything she’d been posting about it, so when she decided to put the audiobook for free on her Youtube, I thought that might be a great way to get a feel for her writing style and see if her stories really will be a good fit for my tastes.
I wasn’t disappointed. Her description of writing “damsels who distress others” is very accurate here, LOL. The heroines in Rapunzel retellings can often be depicted as very naive, wide-eyed, and innocent (which is fine. I love Disney’s Tangled, and it makes sense when a character is shown to have been locked in a tower her whole life), however, things were different for this Rapunzel. She hadn’t been kidnapped as a baby, or held in a tower her whole life. She actually starts the story at home in her palace, rebelling against her king father who has slowly been getting more and more selfish and greedy over the years, to the point that Rapunzel feels unloved and sees that her father’s actions are beginning to harm the citizens and even put people’s lives in danger.
I don’t often like rebellious characters, but in this case, it made sense that Rapunzel was acting out, both trying to get her father’s attention, and eventually trying to protect others from him when he did something that put people’s lives in danger (even more than he already had). I also appreciated that she had some natural regrets about the manner in which she’d acted out at times, and that her father wasn’t just a one-note evil villain, either. You get to see that they used to have a good relationship, and wonder with Rapunzel what happened that made him change. You want as much as Rapunzel to see that he still loves his daughter, and I was very glad that there was ultimately some explanation for his behavior, as well as redemption for their relationship.
The thing I loved most, though, was that Mary was able to keep me guessing through the whole story. I’m usually pretty good at guessing who the main character will end up with, but in this case, I genuinely didn’t know who was telling the truth and who was lying for a long time. The true villain was a genuine match for Rapunzel’s brains and wit, and it really did feel like a chess match between the two of them.
Add to that the fact that each chapter, especially around the second half of the story, managed to have twist after twist that kept me gasping and excited for Mary to upload the next chapter, and I was hooked!
I hesitate to say too much because I don’t want to spoil anyone on those twists, but I will at least say that one of my favorite things was how the friendship between Rapunzel and the dragon developed, especially the way Rapunzel helped the dragon loosen up, and their funny banter. The twist put on Rapunzel’s long hair was really fun, too, and I found it refreshing that it was a surprise later in the story instead of being her defining quality from the beginning. Again, I also truly loved discovering what was true and what was false. It was fun to be along for the ride instead of guessing all of it ahead of time.
I am definitely hooked on Mary’s writing style now and look forward to reading more of her stories!
Content Advisory:
(I’ll do my best to be vague and not spoil the major plot points here.)
Language:
None.
Violence:
No intense violence here. Mostly just some action scenes where people get chased by the dragon, or the dragon gets shot at with arrows. Some injuries occur, but never anything extreme, graphic, or even bloody. People get threatened with injury. There is also one attempted murder, but the target is ultimately not injured.
Sexual/Romance:
It’s not described, but Rapunzel talks about how she’s flirted with and kissed quite a few young men just to irritate her dictatorial father. Later, when someone actually attracts her, she wonders if she’s ruined her chance with any good man by how many men she’s flirted with and kissed, however, the man she ends up with doesn’t hold that against her.
There are some romantic touches between Rapunzel and her love interests (Face, neck, arm, or waist), and a couple of kisses on the lips are moderately described with some physical and emotional terms. Again, nothing “below the belt” so to speak.
Spiritual/Magic:
The author is a Christian, but this book is general fiction.
There’s some mention of the village people having prayer shrines.
This is fantasy. Dragons have the natural ability to enchant objects, including but not limited to a closet that can act as a portal from one location to another, and a brush that can make hair grow long. They also have the ability to put curses on people who betray them.
There are references to other fantastical creatures in other countries, but they’re referenced in name, only. Some beings have the natural ability to shape shift.
Other:
This book is YA and is definitely most appropriate for teens and up because Rapunzel isn’t initially a role model for very young readers with her pranks, rebellion, and chronic flirting and kissing men. However, it becomes clear that her behavior is in response to her father trying to become a dictator who doesn’t care about anything or anybody more than himself, making Rapunzel feel unloved and like she has to defend others from him. Her father even gets to the point of constantly threatening to marry Rapunzel off to a stranger as punishment for her behavior, and then promises her hand to anyone who can defeat the dragon, knowing full well that any man who tries is going to die.
Rapunzel drugs several people. One of them she leaves tied up in a shed as a prank to force her father’s guards to search for the guy. Another time, she drugs multiple servants and guards to be able to escape the palace.
April 8, 2025
This is the first book I have read by Mary Mecham, and it won't be the last. Rapunzel's Gambit was an enchanting read with twists and turns that kept me guessing.
Many thanks to Mary Mecham for sending me an ARC.
Many thanks to Mary Mecham for sending me an ARC.
May 29, 2025
Wow! I have no idea how I can even write an accurate review on this book without spoiling it, that's how good and crazy it was! The plot twists in this book were twisting hard!! I kid you not, it was insane!
I was immediately intrigued by the story and plot and wanted to continuedly find out what would happen next. But at first I wasn't very invested in a certain aspect a.k.a the romance. I did like what was happening and the couple, they were very cute and sweet, but it just didn't feel right so I thought somethings got to happen to make me change my mind right? And boy, what happened made me so happy and surprised and I loved it so much! Now it was a plot twist where I was like I wish this would happen in the back of my mind but I didn't really expect it too so it still blew my mind and then what comes after was still more twists I did not expect at all! When a book can surprise you its always so GOOD and definitely worth those five stars! Now I can't say anymore on that without spoiling it but Please, Please read this book!
Rapunzel is so unlike other FMC's and I really loved her character. She is spunky, intelligent, witty, great at chess, caring, daring, and a pretty good actress. She loves to play pranks, anger her father with said pranks, she's a person who craves lots of affection and is not stingy with her kisses, I think it stems from daddy issues ;) Her character also gives a female robin hood vibe, she wants to help her people and they way she comes up with is unconventional but works.
She teams up with Pollux, the dragon who is terrorizing her kingdom. They make such a great team and I absolutely loved their dynamic. They tease, and joke, concoct heists, and take care of one another. I loved them so much, and the more you learn the harder it is not too.
Then there's Griffin who soon after meeting, Rapunzel is instantly intrigued by him, he is sweet, soft spoken, quiet, and incredibly smart. They meet by playing a chess game and he threw the game for her :) So after that she then compares every guy to him, constantly thinking about him but they could not be together as she is a princess and he is just a squire. So this leads to some tension and thoughts of forbidden kisses. But Griffin has secrets of his own.
Overall, this book was amazing, such a fun and incredible read, that I full heartedly recommend! And the ending will blow your mind if your anything like me!
Content: No-spice/kisses only, mild violence, wounds, kidnappings.
*I received an ARC copy from the author, all thoughts and opinions are my own*
I was immediately intrigued by the story and plot and wanted to continuedly find out what would happen next. But at first I wasn't very invested in a certain aspect a.k.a the romance. I did like what was happening and the couple, they were very cute and sweet, but it just didn't feel right so I thought somethings got to happen to make me change my mind right? And boy, what happened made me so happy and surprised and I loved it so much! Now it was a plot twist where I was like I wish this would happen in the back of my mind but I didn't really expect it too so it still blew my mind and then what comes after was still more twists I did not expect at all! When a book can surprise you its always so GOOD and definitely worth those five stars! Now I can't say anymore on that without spoiling it but Please, Please read this book!
Rapunzel is so unlike other FMC's and I really loved her character. She is spunky, intelligent, witty, great at chess, caring, daring, and a pretty good actress. She loves to play pranks, anger her father with said pranks, she's a person who craves lots of affection and is not stingy with her kisses, I think it stems from daddy issues ;) Her character also gives a female robin hood vibe, she wants to help her people and they way she comes up with is unconventional but works.
She teams up with Pollux, the dragon who is terrorizing her kingdom. They make such a great team and I absolutely loved their dynamic. They tease, and joke, concoct heists, and take care of one another. I loved them so much, and the more you learn the harder it is not too.
Then there's Griffin who soon after meeting, Rapunzel is instantly intrigued by him, he is sweet, soft spoken, quiet, and incredibly smart. They meet by playing a chess game and he threw the game for her :) So after that she then compares every guy to him, constantly thinking about him but they could not be together as she is a princess and he is just a squire. So this leads to some tension and thoughts of forbidden kisses. But Griffin has secrets of his own.
Overall, this book was amazing, such a fun and incredible read, that I full heartedly recommend! And the ending will blow your mind if your anything like me!
Content: No-spice/kisses only, mild violence, wounds, kidnappings.
*I received an ARC copy from the author, all thoughts and opinions are my own*
May 21, 2025
I didn't think Mary Mecham could get better, but this book is proof she has!!! I loved this book so SO much!!!!!!!
March 27, 2025
I wish I could give this book a thousand stars!! I can't even express to you how much I love this book and how perfect it is! I swear every time I read one of Mary's books I think it's my favourite and nothing could top it, but then she writes another one and I think it all over again! Plus her plots are just SO clever! You get you the end and when everything comes together you notice all of the things that were right there but you never realised. I actually sort of guessed something about 20% in, but it was so well hidden and disguised that she somehow convinced me I was wrong and by halfway through I became 100% convinced that my theory was wrong and was so sad about it. I ended up being half-right and it literally made my month because the way everything worked out was just so perfect.
Princess Rapunzel is such an excellent character. Another of Mary's fantastic strong FMCs but strong in mind, she's excellent at chess and plans. But she's also lovely and caring and funny and wants to help to help the kingdom her father is starving and I adored her! Griffin (the only person who can beat her at chess) I loved from the second we met him. Only a squire so they can't be together, he's really sweet and will do anything to rescue her once she's "kidnapped". And Pollox, her dragon partner-in-crime, was hilarious! I loved basically everything he said, their banter was so funny and he was also really sweet. I want him as my dragon best friend too!
I laughed (out loud and a lot!), I cried (actually in some bizarre mix of shock/happiness/amazement) and I grinned my entire way through this book. I think this has shot right up to my favourite book of the year! Please PLEASE read it when it's out. I promise you won't regret it!
Princess Rapunzel is such an excellent character. Another of Mary's fantastic strong FMCs but strong in mind, she's excellent at chess and plans. But she's also lovely and caring and funny and wants to help to help the kingdom her father is starving and I adored her! Griffin (the only person who can beat her at chess) I loved from the second we met him. Only a squire so they can't be together, he's really sweet and will do anything to rescue her once she's "kidnapped". And Pollox, her dragon partner-in-crime, was hilarious! I loved basically everything he said, their banter was so funny and he was also really sweet. I want him as my dragon best friend too!
I laughed (out loud and a lot!), I cried (actually in some bizarre mix of shock/happiness/amazement) and I grinned my entire way through this book. I think this has shot right up to my favourite book of the year! Please PLEASE read it when it's out. I promise you won't regret it!
April 22, 2025
I went in to this book expecting to enjoy it because of how much I liked my last Mary Mecham read last month...but I was not expecting just how much I ended up LOVING this book!
I don't want to say too much because I don't want to spoil anything, but this book kept me guessing and had some twists that were so fun! I binge read the second half of the book today because I just could not put it down. My heart was racing with anticipation to see how it ended, and I was not disappointed. This is now officially one of favorite fairytale retellings.
Content: some very mild violence, kisses (mentions of previous kisses - not detailed, mentions of wanting to kiss, and a few semi-detailed kisses), craving physical touch (tame, nothing inappropriate), hugging, holding each other, etc.
I received an ARC copy of this book, but all opinions in this review are my own. Also, I will definitely be getting a physical copy soon because I loved this so much! 😄
I don't want to say too much because I don't want to spoil anything, but this book kept me guessing and had some twists that were so fun! I binge read the second half of the book today because I just could not put it down. My heart was racing with anticipation to see how it ended, and I was not disappointed. This is now officially one of favorite fairytale retellings.
Content: some very mild violence, kisses (mentions of previous kisses - not detailed, mentions of wanting to kiss, and a few semi-detailed kisses), craving physical touch (tame, nothing inappropriate), hugging, holding each other, etc.
I received an ARC copy of this book, but all opinions in this review are my own. Also, I will definitely be getting a physical copy soon because I loved this so much! 😄
April 4, 2025
How can the story of Rapunzel be improved? Add dragons! Rapunzel is the princess and is frustrated by her father’s selfishness in taxing the kingdom and not taking care of his people. When he promises her hand to the knight or noble who can vanquish the dragon in their land, she stages her own kidnapping and proposes a plan to the dragon. They’ll ransom the knights that come to rescue her back to the kingdoms and she’ll use her half of the money to help the citizens.
This story was brilliant! I loved how shrewd Rapunzel was with her Robbin Hood like tendencies. I also loved Pollox, the dragon, and Griffin, the squire, for different reasons. This is a great tale of adventure, love, and deception.
This story was brilliant! I loved how shrewd Rapunzel was with her Robbin Hood like tendencies. I also loved Pollox, the dragon, and Griffin, the squire, for different reasons. This is a great tale of adventure, love, and deception.
April 6, 2025
I received this as an ARC.
Mary, you have done it again! I loved this story! 😍😍😍I loved the dragon and all the banter, the magic, the nicknames! Chef's kiss! It's so hard not to give spoilers because I want to tell everyone how brilliant it all was!
The end was spectacular and I like that it mentioned Phoenix shifters. Assassin of Fire and Sacrifice is amazing so I was glad to see this book takes place in the same world. I always love your books and this was superb! Rapunzel retellings are one of my favorites and you did a fabulous job making it your own!
Mary, you have done it again! I loved this story! 😍😍😍I loved the dragon and all the banter, the magic, the nicknames! Chef's kiss! It's so hard not to give spoilers because I want to tell everyone how brilliant it all was!
The end was spectacular and I like that it mentioned Phoenix shifters. Assassin of Fire and Sacrifice is amazing so I was glad to see this book takes place in the same world. I always love your books and this was superb! Rapunzel retellings are one of my favorites and you did a fabulous job making it your own!
May 24, 2025
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but meant to be read as a stand-alone
*this book is set in the same world as Assassin of Fire and Sacrifice, but that book doesn’t need to be read to enjoy this one (no cross over characters ‘seen’, only mentioned once in passing)
– this is told from Rapunzel’s point of view
Review:
*Gasp* This is so good and there is so much to say on the storyline, but not enough of it would be spoiler free! 🫣 So…
I loved this version of Rapunzel! I loved her trickster ways and how well others fell for it! 😂 Pollux (the dragon) was a phenomenal coconspirator and I had a lot of fun getting to know him. I also loved the brilliant mind Griffin had and how even Rapunzel was impressed by his intellect! There were so many little twists to this story that made it so good and I can’t wait for Mary’s next release! 😍
Summary:
Rapunzel has had it with being a pawn in her father’s reign. And being offered as a prize for whoever slays the dragon plaguing their kingdom is the last straw. Rather than allow her fate to be in the hands of others, Rapunzel is going to take hold of it herself. Her plan: she’ll pretend to be kidnapped by the dragon and join forces with it to swindle anyone who might try to save her. The only light beyond her scheme comes in the form of Griffin, a brilliant squire who challenges Rapunzel at every turn. Such a different man from the knights he serves and have tried to save her from the tower.
But being on uneven footing with her dragon coconspirator and the dwindling time to extend their robbery before interest is lost has Rapunzel’s wondering if she’s made the right decisions. Pulled in multiple directions, Rapunzel must decide how long she’ll keep up her ruse and what she’ll do when things are said and done…
– this is part of a series, but meant to be read as a stand-alone
*this book is set in the same world as Assassin of Fire and Sacrifice, but that book doesn’t need to be read to enjoy this one (no cross over characters ‘seen’, only mentioned once in passing)
– this is told from Rapunzel’s point of view
Review:
*Gasp* This is so good and there is so much to say on the storyline, but not enough of it would be spoiler free! 🫣 So…
I loved this version of Rapunzel! I loved her trickster ways and how well others fell for it! 😂 Pollux (the dragon) was a phenomenal coconspirator and I had a lot of fun getting to know him. I also loved the brilliant mind Griffin had and how even Rapunzel was impressed by his intellect! There were so many little twists to this story that made it so good and I can’t wait for Mary’s next release! 😍
Summary:
Rapunzel has had it with being a pawn in her father’s reign. And being offered as a prize for whoever slays the dragon plaguing their kingdom is the last straw. Rather than allow her fate to be in the hands of others, Rapunzel is going to take hold of it herself. Her plan: she’ll pretend to be kidnapped by the dragon and join forces with it to swindle anyone who might try to save her. The only light beyond her scheme comes in the form of Griffin, a brilliant squire who challenges Rapunzel at every turn. Such a different man from the knights he serves and have tried to save her from the tower.
But being on uneven footing with her dragon coconspirator and the dwindling time to extend their robbery before interest is lost has Rapunzel’s wondering if she’s made the right decisions. Pulled in multiple directions, Rapunzel must decide how long she’ll keep up her ruse and what she’ll do when things are said and done…
August 25, 2025
This was sooo good the couple was cute and their development felt natural but the writing felt inconsistent Im its descriptions and emotions
May 25, 2025
I received this book as an ARC and all thoughts are my own.
This was my very first Mary Mecham book, and what a book to start with! My sister has already read most of her books, so I already knew they were great, but reading it for myself was fantastic! The banter, the world-building, the plot twists. It was all so exciting and I will definitely be reading more of her books. As always, no spice, no swearing, no gore. A completely clean Rapunzel retelling!
This was my very first Mary Mecham book, and what a book to start with! My sister has already read most of her books, so I already knew they were great, but reading it for myself was fantastic! The banter, the world-building, the plot twists. It was all so exciting and I will definitely be reading more of her books. As always, no spice, no swearing, no gore. A completely clean Rapunzel retelling!
November 17, 2025
3.5 Rapunzel’s Gambit is a unique take on the fairy tale Rapunzel with an ending that I did not see coming. I liked the villains-to-heroes theme that underlined the plot. My favorite character was Pollox, the dragon. I liked his charm, or rather the lack of it. He was perhaps the most honest character in the book.
May 23, 2025
Very intriguing!
May 2, 2025
Mary Mecham has done it again. she has taken an old loved story and given it a fun new twist, and who doesn't love dragons? I had fun reading about this scheming Rapunzel and how she becomes part of a dragon's hoard.
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