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A Tangled Magic: A whimsical dark fantasy retelling of Rapunzel
Not yet published
Expected 30 Jul 26Rapunzel meets Six of Crows in this darkly imagined high fantasy for fans of T. Kingfisher’s Nettle & Bone, The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart, Naomi Novik’s Uprooted, and Disney’s Tangled, as a woman with amnesia—and magical hair—searches for her lost memories while navigating a web of royal intrigue, bone magic, and secret monasteries.
All her life, Netta has only known the Tower—its musty shelves of books she cannot read, ink-splattered quills, and endless scrolls of paper. Her mother, ambitious and analytical, has spent decades perfecting her greatest masterpiece: a spellbook of unspeakable power. Netta’s only companions are her long red Hair, which moves of its own accord, and a telepathic raven named Baldbeak. Her only amusement lies in crafting intricate embroidery from scraps of silk and thread.
When attackers storm the Tower, her mother and the spellbook vanish. Determined to find her, Netta ventures into a kingdom on the brink of civil war. The monarch lies dying, while pious Temple fanatics and the noble elite scheme for the throne, forging secret alliances and building hidden armies. For reasons she cannot yet fathom, all these factions seek Netta—and the dangerous, uncontrollable magic in her Hair.
But whom can she trust? The sharp-eyed pickpocket bent on revolutionizing the use of magic? The elusive black market trader known only as the Book Man? The charming magician who slips between shadow and light? From masked carnivals to opulent ballrooms, from hidden monasteries to catacombs, Netta must untangle a web of lies and intrigue - not only to find her mother, but also to uncover the true nature of the power that has shaped her life.
All her life, Netta has only known the Tower—its musty shelves of books she cannot read, ink-splattered quills, and endless scrolls of paper. Her mother, ambitious and analytical, has spent decades perfecting her greatest masterpiece: a spellbook of unspeakable power. Netta’s only companions are her long red Hair, which moves of its own accord, and a telepathic raven named Baldbeak. Her only amusement lies in crafting intricate embroidery from scraps of silk and thread.
When attackers storm the Tower, her mother and the spellbook vanish. Determined to find her, Netta ventures into a kingdom on the brink of civil war. The monarch lies dying, while pious Temple fanatics and the noble elite scheme for the throne, forging secret alliances and building hidden armies. For reasons she cannot yet fathom, all these factions seek Netta—and the dangerous, uncontrollable magic in her Hair.
But whom can she trust? The sharp-eyed pickpocket bent on revolutionizing the use of magic? The elusive black market trader known only as the Book Man? The charming magician who slips between shadow and light? From masked carnivals to opulent ballrooms, from hidden monasteries to catacombs, Netta must untangle a web of lies and intrigue - not only to find her mother, but also to uncover the true nature of the power that has shaped her life.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 28, 2026
322 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Eames
7 books212 followersAndrea Eames was born in 1985. She was brought up in Zimbabwe, where she attended a Jewish school for six years, a Hindu school for one, a Catholic convent school for two and a half, and then the American International School in Harare for two years. Andrea's family moved to New Zealand in 2002. Andrea has worked as a bookseller and editor and now lives in Austin, Texas with her husband.
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February 9, 2026🖤 A Tangled Magic 🖤
📖Bookish Thoughts
I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.
✨What to Expect
• Dark fairy tale
• Rapunzel inspired retelling
• Living magical hair
• Royal intrigue
• Bone magic
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: July 28, 2026
📝 Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy. All thoughts are my own.
📖Bookish Thoughts
I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.
✨What to Expect
• Dark fairy tale
• Rapunzel inspired retelling
• Living magical hair
• Royal intrigue
• Bone magic
_ _ _
📅 Pub Date: July 28, 2026
📝 Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy. All thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What an absolute triumph! This book is for all the strange kids who wanted more than a fairytale, something with teeth, and nails.
Eames has created such a lush world. From cultural elements (I love the Followers and desperately want to join them, like, please?) to politics and religion, to history, Eames put so much work into building something believable and captivating.
Netta is a charming and genuine heroine and it's easy to imagine people jumping in to help her (or finding new motivations to do so) - and luckily she has Baldbeak, who is best bird and I would do anything for him! For someone basically shoved out the nest with no time to prepare and only the barest idea of a strategy she never comes across as stupid (no matter what she might tell herself). My feelings about Patrick and his Puss in Boots flavored insouciance cannot be described without spoilers, so we'll just go with "wow, what an incredibly written and complex character!" (which is true). Also, I'm moving in with the Book Man.
Eames' writing style has an effortless quality to it that draws you in and holds your nose to the page. As a lover of A Harvest of Hearts one of the first things I noticed that really sucked me in is that her heroines have both had their own entirely unique voice. She has a gift for dialogue and for description, quippy moments between Netta & Patrick and Netta & Baldbeak had me cackling and as somebody with mild aphantasia there were descriptions that were so evocative I could truly feel the scene. I also love how she wrote Baldbeak's dialogue and behavior, it felt so natural for a raven ("for why the blood?" sounds like a curious corvid). One thing I love is how deftly Eames uses pacing as a storytelling device; Netta only ever barely has her own footing and a relentless pace keeps the reader in the same position. Our heroine is in a state of constant precarity and that mood is directly reflected in the text. Eames doesn't rely on cheap GOTCHA moments to sweep the world out from under Netta's feet; events are clearly foreshadowed in the same way people watching a horror movie know not to go into the basement. We have the shape of each misfortune before it occurs but that doesn't make them any less dire. And where we don't? They hit even harder.
I ADORE her treatment of necromancy as more than "ooky spooky/dark and scary/violent and evil (or 'morally grey')" but magic dealing in entropy and the body; breaking out of the western lens to find something that feels sacred, powerful, and awe-some which isn't explored enough despite the current popularity of necromancy in fantasy. Netta's power being tied to the "silly" and "pointless" art she does because she loves it - embroidery - speaks volumes to the way Eames encourages the reader to consider power dynamics, access, and meaning. Art is never pointless but we live in a society that is constantly defunding the arts or treating them as lesser and unimportant when without art, we couldn't survive - and the gendered aspect of embroidery and the importance of "women's work" as something that heteropatriarchal society under capitalism struggles to manage and contain also comes into stark relief. Fiber arts have been employed in resistance movements for centuries, and Netta's refusal to give in and be what is expected or desired of her feels reflective of that.
I am so grateful to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing and Erewhon Books, and Andrea Eames for giving me access to this ARC, I cannot wait for more Persinette and Baldbeak!
TW Animal Welfare:
Eames has created such a lush world. From cultural elements (I love the Followers and desperately want to join them, like, please?) to politics and religion, to history, Eames put so much work into building something believable and captivating.
Netta is a charming and genuine heroine and it's easy to imagine people jumping in to help her (or finding new motivations to do so) - and luckily she has Baldbeak, who is best bird and I would do anything for him! For someone basically shoved out the nest with no time to prepare and only the barest idea of a strategy she never comes across as stupid (no matter what she might tell herself). My feelings about Patrick and his Puss in Boots flavored insouciance cannot be described without spoilers, so we'll just go with "wow, what an incredibly written and complex character!" (which is true). Also, I'm moving in with the Book Man.
Eames' writing style has an effortless quality to it that draws you in and holds your nose to the page. As a lover of A Harvest of Hearts one of the first things I noticed that really sucked me in is that her heroines have both had their own entirely unique voice. She has a gift for dialogue and for description, quippy moments between Netta & Patrick and Netta & Baldbeak had me cackling and as somebody with mild aphantasia there were descriptions that were so evocative I could truly feel the scene. I also love how she wrote Baldbeak's dialogue and behavior, it felt so natural for a raven ("for why the blood?" sounds like a curious corvid). One thing I love is how deftly Eames uses pacing as a storytelling device; Netta only ever barely has her own footing and a relentless pace keeps the reader in the same position. Our heroine is in a state of constant precarity and that mood is directly reflected in the text. Eames doesn't rely on cheap GOTCHA moments to sweep the world out from under Netta's feet; events are clearly foreshadowed in the same way people watching a horror movie know not to go into the basement. We have the shape of each misfortune before it occurs but that doesn't make them any less dire. And where we don't? They hit even harder.
I ADORE her treatment of necromancy as more than "ooky spooky/dark and scary/violent and evil (or 'morally grey')" but magic dealing in entropy and the body; breaking out of the western lens to find something that feels sacred, powerful, and awe-some which isn't explored enough despite the current popularity of necromancy in fantasy. Netta's power being tied to the "silly" and "pointless" art she does because she loves it - embroidery - speaks volumes to the way Eames encourages the reader to consider power dynamics, access, and meaning. Art is never pointless but we live in a society that is constantly defunding the arts or treating them as lesser and unimportant when without art, we couldn't survive - and the gendered aspect of embroidery and the importance of "women's work" as something that heteropatriarchal society under capitalism struggles to manage and contain also comes into stark relief. Fiber arts have been employed in resistance movements for centuries, and Netta's refusal to give in and be what is expected or desired of her feels reflective of that.
I am so grateful to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing and Erewhon Books, and Andrea Eames for giving me access to this ARC, I cannot wait for more Persinette and Baldbeak!
TW Animal Welfare:
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 Stars!!!
This is a fairytale retelling done SO well!!!
Sentient hair?!
Telepathic raven familiar?!
Unique magic that’s a mystery even to the FMC?!
You had me at sentient hair!!!
I loved every minute of this book! It has enough of a Rapunzel element that it felt like stepping into a familiar world, but Eames did not rely on the classic fairytale to drive this story! She made it beautifully magical and unique! Bravo!👏
*This is a Dark Fairytale Retelling*
There are events throughout that discuss dark magic that involves pain and sometimes inflicting pain on others in order to use magic. The darkness increases the further into the book you get.
The ending includes events and descriptions that are moderately gruesome. It is not intense enough that it would fall under the Horror category, but I would not recommend to young teenagers or people who are sensitive to
Language-None to mild
Spice-None
*Dark Fairytale Retelling*
I would not recommend this for those under 15, due to the dark themes and a magic system that involves a level of brutality
Spoiler Free Quotes:
“This is a desperate escape attempt, Patrick, not an opportunity to flirt.”
“It can be two things.”
🤭
I had a glimpse of how magic was in everything and everyone, and our determination to categorize it—to separate it into disciplines and order it to march in inky lines on the page, to imprison it between covers, to limit it to a collection of syllables on a human tongue—had gone against its most essential nature.
💞
“When one is the smallest piece on the board, one learns quickly how to move unnoticed—or appear larger.”
♟️
I felt like a fool, trying to have a conversation with my own Hair about fashion, but it was worth trying. I selected amber ribbons from the tray and held them up above my head cautiously, as if holding out a piece of food to a wild animal. For a moment, the Hair stayed still, and I braced myself for a fight ... But then it reached up to tangle itself with the ribbons. It entwined itself with the shining fabric and braided half of itself into a circlet around my head, crown-like. The rest of fell in loose tendrils beneath. It took a matter of seconds.
🎀
This is a fairytale retelling done SO well!!!
Sentient hair?!
Telepathic raven familiar?!
Unique magic that’s a mystery even to the FMC?!
You had me at sentient hair!!!
I loved every minute of this book! It has enough of a Rapunzel element that it felt like stepping into a familiar world, but Eames did not rely on the classic fairytale to drive this story! She made it beautifully magical and unique! Bravo!👏
*This is a Dark Fairytale Retelling*
There are events throughout that discuss dark magic that involves pain and sometimes inflicting pain on others in order to use magic. The darkness increases the further into the book you get.
The ending includes events and descriptions that are moderately gruesome. It is not intense enough that it would fall under the Horror category, but I would not recommend to young teenagers or people who are sensitive to
Language-None to mild
Spice-None
*Dark Fairytale Retelling*
I would not recommend this for those under 15, due to the dark themes and a magic system that involves a level of brutality
Spoiler Free Quotes:
“This is a desperate escape attempt, Patrick, not an opportunity to flirt.”
“It can be two things.”
🤭
I had a glimpse of how magic was in everything and everyone, and our determination to categorize it—to separate it into disciplines and order it to march in inky lines on the page, to imprison it between covers, to limit it to a collection of syllables on a human tongue—had gone against its most essential nature.
💞
“When one is the smallest piece on the board, one learns quickly how to move unnoticed—or appear larger.”
♟️
I felt like a fool, trying to have a conversation with my own Hair about fashion, but it was worth trying. I selected amber ribbons from the tray and held them up above my head cautiously, as if holding out a piece of food to a wild animal. For a moment, the Hair stayed still, and I braced myself for a fight ... But then it reached up to tangle itself with the ribbons. It entwined itself with the shining fabric and braided half of itself into a circlet around my head, crown-like. The rest of fell in loose tendrils beneath. It took a matter of seconds.
🎀
February 7, 2026
I loved the magic system, the world building and the plot. The politics and action interwove throughout creating a dynamic and engaging story, of Rapunzel with a twist, a girl raised in a tower, sheltered and naive, her mother obsessed with research, the subject hidden from her, her only friend a raven. She is forced to venture out into the world after waking to intruders in her home, her mother and her life's work missing. She knows nothing of the world, of the politics and realties of life beyond her tower. She stumbles through increasingly intense situations, trusting increasing untrustworthy and concerning characters, betrayed repeatedly, used, manipulated, coveted, hurt and chased. Her naivety is a constant, she lacks common sense, discernment and general intelligence, which does get irritating at times, especially as she makes the same mistakes and choices, however, it does make sense with her upbringing... The ending is well-done, she makes her final stand, a major sacrifice, standing up for herself and against her mother, against other's expectations and the will of powerful forces behind her.
The magic system was incredible. I loved the different sacrificial elements, the different treatment of mages and 'affinities', the view of magic being bound with that of class and religion, the rebellious movement vying for magical freedom, the mythology of the plague and villainising of certain types of magic, and the constant theme of embroidery throughout. It was interesting, diverse and evolving throughout. I wish the MC had been more interested in, or even inclined to, researching her own magic or the magic of others, in asking others and learning beyond the limited myths her mother told her growing up. Her inability to read also prevented any independent research, so the information given to her is never guaranteed to be a true reflection of what is written down...
An intriguing, engaging and action-packed tale, with interesting politics and magic-system! The MC's naivety does grate but she develops through the story and her final stand is a brilliant end to the story.
The magic system was incredible. I loved the different sacrificial elements, the different treatment of mages and 'affinities', the view of magic being bound with that of class and religion, the rebellious movement vying for magical freedom, the mythology of the plague and villainising of certain types of magic, and the constant theme of embroidery throughout. It was interesting, diverse and evolving throughout. I wish the MC had been more interested in, or even inclined to, researching her own magic or the magic of others, in asking others and learning beyond the limited myths her mother told her growing up. Her inability to read also prevented any independent research, so the information given to her is never guaranteed to be a true reflection of what is written down...
An intriguing, engaging and action-packed tale, with interesting politics and magic-system! The MC's naivety does grate but she develops through the story and her final stand is a brilliant end to the story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆📖⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ Kindly provided by NetGalley 𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆📖⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ
There’s something about A Tangled Magic that felt like stepping into a hidden garden at dusk — a little wild, a little mysterious, and completely enchanting.
Andrea Eames writes magic the way I love to experience it: quiet, tangled up with emotion, and rooted deeply in character rather than spectacle. This isn’t flashy fantasy. It’s intimate. It’s layered. It’s the kind of story that slowly wraps around you before you even realize you’re fully caught in it.
What I loved most was how the magic feels intertwined with identity — messy, complicated, and sometimes inconvenient. It mirrors the characters’ inner struggles so beautifully. The emotional undercurrent running through this book surprised me in the best way. Beneath the magical elements, this is really a story about belonging, choices, and learning to live with the parts of yourself you don’t fully understand yet.
The atmosphere? Stunning. Slightly whimsical but with an edge. There’s a softness to the prose, but also tension simmering underneath. I found myself highlighting lines because they felt quietly profound — the kind that make you pause and reread.
And the relationships… I adored the dynamics. Nothing felt forced. Connections evolved naturally, with that subtle ache that makes you root for people even when they’re flawed. It had that gentle romantasy energy I’m always drawn to — more emotional depth than dramatic declarations.
If I’m being honest, it’s not a fast-paced, plot-twist-heavy fantasy. It unfolds deliberately. But that’s exactly why it worked for me. It gave the story space to breathe.
A Tangled Magic feels like:
wandering through ivy-covered walls
secrets whispered in candlelight
magic that’s as complicated as love
This one lingered with me after I turned the last page — and that’s always the sign of something special.
Perfect for readers who love atmospheric fantasy, emotional growth, and stories where the magic is tangled up in the heart. 🌙✨
There’s something about A Tangled Magic that felt like stepping into a hidden garden at dusk — a little wild, a little mysterious, and completely enchanting.
Andrea Eames writes magic the way I love to experience it: quiet, tangled up with emotion, and rooted deeply in character rather than spectacle. This isn’t flashy fantasy. It’s intimate. It’s layered. It’s the kind of story that slowly wraps around you before you even realize you’re fully caught in it.
What I loved most was how the magic feels intertwined with identity — messy, complicated, and sometimes inconvenient. It mirrors the characters’ inner struggles so beautifully. The emotional undercurrent running through this book surprised me in the best way. Beneath the magical elements, this is really a story about belonging, choices, and learning to live with the parts of yourself you don’t fully understand yet.
The atmosphere? Stunning. Slightly whimsical but with an edge. There’s a softness to the prose, but also tension simmering underneath. I found myself highlighting lines because they felt quietly profound — the kind that make you pause and reread.
And the relationships… I adored the dynamics. Nothing felt forced. Connections evolved naturally, with that subtle ache that makes you root for people even when they’re flawed. It had that gentle romantasy energy I’m always drawn to — more emotional depth than dramatic declarations.
If I’m being honest, it’s not a fast-paced, plot-twist-heavy fantasy. It unfolds deliberately. But that’s exactly why it worked for me. It gave the story space to breathe.
A Tangled Magic feels like:
wandering through ivy-covered walls
secrets whispered in candlelight
magic that’s as complicated as love
This one lingered with me after I turned the last page — and that’s always the sign of something special.
Perfect for readers who love atmospheric fantasy, emotional growth, and stories where the magic is tangled up in the heart. 🌙✨
February 18, 2026
I received this as an e-arc on NetGalley. Thank you to Andrea Eames and Kensington Publishing.
A Tangled Magic is a dark fantasy retelling of Rapunzel with a minor romantic subplot. This is a dark but intricate and meditative novel, with it's own moments of intensity to be sure, but I think the comps may lead someone to think this book is more action forward than it is. It leans more towards introspection than anything else. The narrative primarily concerns itself with the growth and development of our protagonist Netta, above all else, even if it does not completely succeed in it.
The plot is rather medium paced in my opinion, kicking off almost immediately, but settling into something a tad slower. I think the author's grip on the narrative itself is strong (especially in the beginning) but the interruptions of whole chapters dedicated to flashbacks and lore dumps felt rather jarring. The information was relevant to the story thankfully, but I found the way the author included them left something to be desired.
Furthermore, while I found the majority of the narrative to be strong, as the final 15% went on it began to unravel. The final confrontation was drawn out in some places and cut short in others. Our FMC Netta certainly does show growth over the course of the story, she did not show enough growth, nor was she proactive enough for me to find her decisions in the ending all that believable.
All the main characters were lovable and well realized, but I found the villains weren't as well written. At times they seemed almost cartoonishly malicious, to the point where I wondered how anyone was willing to tolerate them.
I will applaud Eames for not shying away from the world building for this novel, which works with the narrative so neatly, I don't think she could have written the novel without it. I really love retellings that can stand on their own shoulders and justify their existence in their own right.
A Tangled Magic comes out on July 28th, 2026.
A Tangled Magic is a dark fantasy retelling of Rapunzel with a minor romantic subplot. This is a dark but intricate and meditative novel, with it's own moments of intensity to be sure, but I think the comps may lead someone to think this book is more action forward than it is. It leans more towards introspection than anything else. The narrative primarily concerns itself with the growth and development of our protagonist Netta, above all else, even if it does not completely succeed in it.
The plot is rather medium paced in my opinion, kicking off almost immediately, but settling into something a tad slower. I think the author's grip on the narrative itself is strong (especially in the beginning) but the interruptions of whole chapters dedicated to flashbacks and lore dumps felt rather jarring. The information was relevant to the story thankfully, but I found the way the author included them left something to be desired.
Furthermore, while I found the majority of the narrative to be strong, as the final 15% went on it began to unravel. The final confrontation was drawn out in some places and cut short in others. Our FMC Netta certainly does show growth over the course of the story, she did not show enough growth, nor was she proactive enough for me to find her decisions in the ending all that believable.
All the main characters were lovable and well realized, but I found the villains weren't as well written. At times they seemed almost cartoonishly malicious, to the point where I wondered how anyone was willing to tolerate them.
I will applaud Eames for not shying away from the world building for this novel, which works with the narrative so neatly, I don't think she could have written the novel without it. I really love retellings that can stand on their own shoulders and justify their existence in their own right.
A Tangled Magic comes out on July 28th, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I read this because I love a fairytale retelling but this is so much more.
I won't spend ages writing the basis to this story as the description covers it well. However, I will share my view after finishing it.
This is brilliantly written and felt like an absolute adventure. It took you through the FMC journey to find her mother, meeting fascinating characters and places, visiting ballrooms, and catacombs.
I laughed quite a few times during this too.
To me this was one of the best books in a while for handling strength, power and determination, without relying on cliches. There was a moment in the book I couldn't understand why Netta didn't just take the obvious choice away from danger, but after I stood by her decision and took something from her wanting to make her own decisions and trust her gut and abilities.
The things I connected well with:
- The world building. I've read so many, yet absolutely loved this one and it was one of the most immersive I've read in a while
- Main characters strength and the message it gave out. I've taken a bit of her mindset with me and I love Netta's growth.
- I'm not into reading romance yet the love interest was handled really well as sometimes there are more important things than your own need to enter into a relationship. But I was so here for the love interest, tension and 2 characters relationship dynamics!
I really hope there is a sequel, I'd have bought it straight away afterwards.
Thank you to #netgalley #kensingtonpublishing and #AndreaEames for the chance to read this ARC.
I won't spend ages writing the basis to this story as the description covers it well. However, I will share my view after finishing it.
This is brilliantly written and felt like an absolute adventure. It took you through the FMC journey to find her mother, meeting fascinating characters and places, visiting ballrooms, and catacombs.
I laughed quite a few times during this too.
To me this was one of the best books in a while for handling strength, power and determination, without relying on cliches. There was a moment in the book I couldn't understand why Netta didn't just take the obvious choice away from danger, but after I stood by her decision and took something from her wanting to make her own decisions and trust her gut and abilities.
The things I connected well with:
- The world building. I've read so many, yet absolutely loved this one and it was one of the most immersive I've read in a while
- Main characters strength and the message it gave out. I've taken a bit of her mindset with me and I love Netta's growth.
- I'm not into reading romance yet the love interest was handled really well as sometimes there are more important things than your own need to enter into a relationship. But I was so here for the love interest, tension and 2 characters relationship dynamics!
I really hope there is a sequel, I'd have bought it straight away afterwards.
Thank you to #netgalley #kensingtonpublishing and #AndreaEames for the chance to read this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My first book from NetGalley by @andrea_eames_author and my mind was completely and utterly 'stitched' into the pages. If you're looking for romance, then back off! Because this gives a powerful badass FMC who doesn't need a man to define her.🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀
Tropes : Fairytale Retelling 🖤 Animal Companion 🖤 Dark Magic 🖤 Chosen One 🖤 Women Power 🖤Magic through art
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I finished it in 2 days and here I thought I was coming out of a book slump!
Perks :
👉🏻Visual Storytelling
👉🏻Plot Twists
👉🏻Women Empowerment
👉🏻 Morally Grey MMC
👉🏻Slow-burn angsty romance
👉🏻Rapunzel vibes
👉🏻Comedic breaks (especially Baldbeak's sarcasm)
Overall impression: I loved how all chapters are based on stitches and embroidery 🪡 It definitely takes centre stage throughout the story and I guess that makes it so unique! I mean, who knew there are so many types of stitches! If you like magic, gore, fairytale and animal sidekicks, you've got yourself an immersive world-building! If the author comes up with a sequel (I need a sequel 🥺) then I'm sooo in 🖤🪡
.
.
.
[dark fantasy, folklore vibes, magical realism, witchy aesthetic, soft magic, moody fantasy, feminine rage, ravens and magic, enchanted worlds, mystical heroines, fairytale retelling, spellbinding story, atmospheric fantasy, mythic storytelling, cozy reading, fantasy aesthetic, literary magic, dreamlike prose, gothic vibes, myth and mystery, haunting beauty, slow-burn fantasy, poetic writing, women in fantasy, hidden magic, dark academia vibes, fantasy mood, whimsical worlds, bookish aesthetic, reader’s escape]
Tropes : Fairytale Retelling 🖤 Animal Companion 🖤 Dark Magic 🖤 Chosen One 🖤 Women Power 🖤Magic through art
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I finished it in 2 days and here I thought I was coming out of a book slump!
Perks :
👉🏻Visual Storytelling
👉🏻Plot Twists
👉🏻Women Empowerment
👉🏻 Morally Grey MMC
👉🏻Slow-burn angsty romance
👉🏻Rapunzel vibes
👉🏻Comedic breaks (especially Baldbeak's sarcasm)
Overall impression: I loved how all chapters are based on stitches and embroidery 🪡 It definitely takes centre stage throughout the story and I guess that makes it so unique! I mean, who knew there are so many types of stitches! If you like magic, gore, fairytale and animal sidekicks, you've got yourself an immersive world-building! If the author comes up with a sequel (I need a sequel 🥺) then I'm sooo in 🖤🪡
.
.
.
[dark fantasy, folklore vibes, magical realism, witchy aesthetic, soft magic, moody fantasy, feminine rage, ravens and magic, enchanted worlds, mystical heroines, fairytale retelling, spellbinding story, atmospheric fantasy, mythic storytelling, cozy reading, fantasy aesthetic, literary magic, dreamlike prose, gothic vibes, myth and mystery, haunting beauty, slow-burn fantasy, poetic writing, women in fantasy, hidden magic, dark academia vibes, fantasy mood, whimsical worlds, bookish aesthetic, reader’s escape]
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Netta is a young woman with magical Hair, living with her mother in complete isolation. Her only friend is a talking raven - well, at least to her he talks. It’s a lonely life but she tries to make the best of it, until one day her mother disappears and Netta goes to find out what happened to her. She meets good friends and formidable enemies, discovers the world and herself. I loved this journey. Her character, that was innocent but not naive, her strength and her determination to solve her problems not expecting rescue from others. This is not a typical romantasy, the characters are more complex and more human, but altogether a very entertaining ride. And I won’t ever see ravens the same way.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the arc.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
For people who want a raven character obsessed with eating dead people’s eyeballs!
Okay, this was only mentioned about two times, but Baldbeak really did provide some great humour to this book! I loved the character dynamics generally, especially Netta’s friendships with Mieka and the Book Man. The magic system was also really interesting, with the use of ‘affinities’ helping to make it feel more believable. If you liked ‘A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking’ by T. Kingfisher, then I think that this book is for you.
(Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review)
Okay, this was only mentioned about two times, but Baldbeak really did provide some great humour to this book! I loved the character dynamics generally, especially Netta’s friendships with Mieka and the Book Man. The magic system was also really interesting, with the use of ‘affinities’ helping to make it feel more believable. If you liked ‘A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking’ by T. Kingfisher, then I think that this book is for you.
(Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review)
Review of advance copy
I was very lucky to read an Advanced Readers Copy of Andrea Eames newest masterpiece and it was a joy!
Beware! Wiley Word Mage, Andrea Eames, casts an irresistible spell in this gorgeous reinvention of an iconic fairy tale. I adored A Tangled Magic, Netta's tenderness of heart, iron resolve, and her magical hair with a mind of its own. Shimmering, atmospheric, lyrical and powerful, the narrative unfolds like the expertly stitched Temple Tapestry in the story. There’s bone magic, a telepathic raven and an irritatingly handsome travelling magician, ready to help and hinder Netta in equal measure. Truly enchanting.
Beware! Wiley Word Mage, Andrea Eames, casts an irresistible spell in this gorgeous reinvention of an iconic fairy tale. I adored A Tangled Magic, Netta's tenderness of heart, iron resolve, and her magical hair with a mind of its own. Shimmering, atmospheric, lyrical and powerful, the narrative unfolds like the expertly stitched Temple Tapestry in the story. There’s bone magic, a telepathic raven and an irritatingly handsome travelling magician, ready to help and hinder Netta in equal measure. Truly enchanting.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An ARC from Net Galley
I really enjoyed this! The world building is great, particularly the way the story brings magic to life! Plus there are lots of likeable characters with some slow burn romance too! 🔥
Whilst there are rapunzel style elements, you dont feel that you are reading yet another fairy tale retelling! 👏
I loved baldbeak! 🐦⬛
4⭐️
I really enjoyed this! The world building is great, particularly the way the story brings magic to life! Plus there are lots of likeable characters with some slow burn romance too! 🔥
Whilst there are rapunzel style elements, you dont feel that you are reading yet another fairy tale retelling! 👏
I loved baldbeak! 🐦⬛
4⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was an amazing tale and retelling of thr Rapunzel story. It was fresh and excitong, with enough tension to really keep the story going. It played out very nicely in terms of the various side characters and their motivations. Netta was a very strong main character and I loved each step of her journey.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to the publishers – Kensington Publishing – for giving me access to this book as an E-ARC via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
I got intrigued by reading what this story was inspired and likened to, and I do think it has its audience but it didn’t work for me. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and didn’t find the overall story that interesting. I did, however, enjoy the descriptive language.
I can’t fault it on anything really – it just wasn’t for me. And that is okay.
I got intrigued by reading what this story was inspired and likened to, and I do think it has its audience but it didn’t work for me. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and didn’t find the overall story that interesting. I did, however, enjoy the descriptive language.
I can’t fault it on anything really – it just wasn’t for me. And that is okay.
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