Tower of Thorns

Grimm Academy #1

by Laura Greenwood

Rapunzel learned her prophecy by heart years ago, and now, she plays with fate over the details.

When she meets a handsome Lord at Grimm Academy, she goes one step further and starts a chain of events which will lead to a bigger betrayal than she ever saw coming.

Welcome to Grimm Academy, where fairy tale characters go to avoid their fate.

-
Tower of Thorns is an academy retelling of Rapunzel and part of the Once Upon an Academy series, set at Grimm Academy

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Retellings, Paranormal, Fiction, Young Adult, Fairy Tales

Unknown Binding

First published April 16, 2020

About the author

Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of fantasy romance and urban fantasy. She lives in the UK, where most of her books are set, with her partner. When she's not writing, Laura can be found exploring worldwide cusine with her partner, drinking tea, and reading fantasy books. Laura specialises in quick reads, featuring healthy relationships and consent-positive moments, regardless of whether she's writing light-hearted romance, mythology-inspired modern fantasy, cozy fantasy or anything in between.

Discover one of Laura Greenwood's most popular series:
- The Apprentice of Anubis (mythology inspired modern/urban fantasy)
- Forgotten Gods (mythology inspired fantasy romance)
- Jinx Paranormal Dating Agency (mythology inspired paranormal rom-com)
- House of Blood and Roses (vampire romantasy)
- Amethyst's Wand Shop Mysteries (urban fantasy murder mystery)
- Scales of Justice (mythology inspired modern/urban fantasy)
- Purple Oak Oasis (cozy fantasy romance)
- Falhaven Castle (cozy fantasy romance)

You can find a full book list and more information on her website, or in her Facebook Reader Group.

Happy Reading!

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (10/3/2020)! 🎁

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5th time's the charm clearly. I finally found a book / series by Greenwood that I love. Huzzah!

It's a very sweet story, about Rapunzel whose mother enrols her into Grimm Academy for reasons unbeknownst to her. She insists that Rapunzel gets a tower room even though that's contributing to her prophecy coming true.

At the academy, Rapunzel makes friends and finds love with Gavin, who has a secret prophecy of his own. At the risk of heartbreak (and much worse things), the two decide to be together. Will Rapunzel's mother ruin her happiness? Or is it the prophecy that will have a dark turn?

I love how the prophecies are tied into everything. It's a nice spin and makes for a better retelling.

Aside from the mother, there are no other villains which is nice. I like how friendly everyone is to each other and how Rapunzel was immediately accepted.

Gavin is sweet. I didn't get the feeling that the romance developed quickly, despite this being a short book. There were a few times where it was said that they hung out, drank tea etc without us seeing it and it was believable.

I want to see more of the Huntsmen. Why are they there? Will they have a bigger role?

And this isn't the only series with these characters??? GOOD. If I knew I probably would've read the other one first but that's ok.

Now I'm sure I'll give more books a chance, in other series too. There must be something else I'll like.

[Laura Greenwood]

Grimm Academy:
1. Tower Of Thorns: books2read.com/towerofthorns
2. Spindles And Spells: books2read.com/spindlesandspells
3. Pumpkins And Proms: books2read.com/pumpkinsandproms
4. Lilies of Loss: books2read.com/liliesofloss
5. Huntsmen And Hoods: books2read.com/huntsmenandhoods
6. Glints Of Gold: books2read.com/glintsofgold
7. Mirrors And Magic: books2read.com/mirrorsandmagic
8. Lamps and Lies: books2read.com/lampsandlies
9. Feathers Of Fate: books2read.com/feathersoffate
10. The Almost Queen: books2read.com/thealmostqueen
11. The Rightful King: books2read.com/therightfulking
12. Frosts And Fears: books2read.com/frostsandfears
13. Song Of Seas: books2read.com/songofseas
14. Roses Of Regret: books2read.com/rosesofregret
15. Princess Of Petals: books2read.com/princessofpetals
16. Princess Of Feathers: books2read.com/princessoffeathers
17. Princess Of Peas: books2read.com/princessofpeas
18. The Winter Ball: books2read.com/thewinterball
19. [book:Dance Of Daggers|127978753: books2read.com/danceofdaggers
20. Coming soon!

- Teller Of Tales: https://books.authorlauragreenwood.co...

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the tale of Rapunzel in a way I had never looked at it before. It has all the familiar elements, but it’s blended in just such a way as to be something new and exciting. I enjoyed watching Rapunzel discover her ‘wings’ and it was really sweet to see how carefully she and Gavin negotiated getting to know one another. Now, I’m looking forward to reading more about the rest of the students at Grimm Academy
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.

[Mairy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emmmmm, well a twist on the classical tale.
Rapunzel and Gavin.
Rapunzel was a little confusing and perplexed character. There wasn't much logic in it.
Ages 11 and up, will find it fantastic.
Me not so much I have read many books to know that this wasn't enough for me.
Three stars, bacause it wasn't that bad but it couldn't reach anything more!
Ahh, and do please change the cover.
💭💭🔪

[Ronel Janse van Vuuren · Rating 2 out of 5]

A retelling of Rapunzel in an academy setting. Awesome premise. Meh execution. Reasons: insta-love, sticking closely to the original fairy tale with no twists, insta-friendships, heroine perfect and interesting to everyone. Where is the conflict? How old are the students: 16 going on 60? Where’s the teenage drama? And what’s with the pseudo-medieval setting – with servants not helping her with her luggage, yet serving tea? The prologue, which could have just been chapter 1, would normally have made me DNF (typos, the infuriating mother, the self-deprecating MC, etc.), but the premise and short length of the book kept me reading.

I’m not continuing this series.

[Lisa Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was kind of clunky. It started out slow and only got a little more exciting near the end. It felt like a clone of "Ever After High," but not as much fun. It took away most of the suspenseful elements of "Rapunzel" by setting it in a school where she wasn't the least bit isolated, and her long hair didn't do anything particularly special. It wasn't exactly bad, but I think I prefer the way that the "Ever After High" series handled this concept.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know that at times my reviews seem a little hypocritical. What I see as a problem in one book, I name as a quality in another. For example: It's hard to pinpoint why I enjoy this series by Laura Greenwood better than the Keeper, which has a scenario that's not even that different from this one. And I honestly can't always answer that question. I'm an emotional reader. I connect with a story, feel something while reading it or not. And that's not always an objective thing.

This morning in bed I read this book and I enjoyed it so much! The small nods to both the Disney version and the original version of the tale made me smile and through every word you feel that the author loves Fairytales, and all the different retellings of those tales, just as much as I do. For some reason the mix between an Academy AU and a spin on the original tales works. Yes, at times it feels young, and light, and innocent. But somehow in this series it works.

We already heard bits about Rapunzel's story in the Sleeping Beauty book, but this really tells the story. I love how Greenwood lets her characters bond before we reach the meaningful part of the story. Gavin and Rapunzel talk. I have to admit that those conversations aren't really deep or complicated or overly intelligent, but at least their love is more than just a few glances and a few smiles. There's some sort of build up.

I also love how Greenwood uses the plot of the original tales to shape the prophecies, mostly curses. This means that in a way Greenwood uses the exact same elements as the original story, but mixes them up so they become a new and fresh story. Some elements get a more prominent role than others, but that's just very natural.

And although this is just a short story, a hundred pages, it does feel complete enough to feel like a full story. I don't get the feeling we miss something or need much more. Greenwood basically wrote another version of the Fairytale. It has all the qualities of a Fairytale and then a few little extra things that makes the story a little more original.

I'm a fan of this series at least and I can't wait to read the rest!

[TaniaRina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tons of positive messages

Sewing is a noble craft (one of many I have not yet taken up, with regrets). The practice of home crafts saves money, is better for the environment, and is a creative outlet. Back in the day, quilting circles were social events and a way for women to pass along wisdom & cultural material to the younger generations. We need more of this.

Rapunzel has a constructive plan for her life:
‘I hope I get my chance to make a difference in the world.’

Gavin has an empowering message for females:
‘I'm not intimidated by an intelligent woman. Far from it. I'm looking for one.’

And let’s not forget the baklava…


The emotional abuse from her mother throws Rapunzel off kilter. She feels ‘trapped under Mother’s thumb’ and has a difficult time believing that good fortune could be hers.
Some examples that the author calls out apply to IRL abusive relationships:
Body shaming (‘You should be careful with those cakes, Rapunzel. Your interest in them is starting to show.’), control (‘I have to wait for her to decide I can do something’), disregard (‘I can't say I thought about you at all’), lack of boundaries (showing up unexpectedly / demanding special treatment from authorities), physical labor, seclusion (living conditions and lack of friends), etc.
It’s important, nay crucial, to educate our youth (both males and females) on warning signs so that they can better avoid being taken advantage of as well as recognize when others are in need of help. Trust me, I’ve been through that and have seen too many other lives upended by this.


May we empower ourselves and those around us to help repair this broken world.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love fairytale retellings and I love academy reads so this combination of the two is right up my alley and it’s good! It’s well written and the storyline just sucks you into this world. Fantastic characters and twists and turns in this intriguing and fun tale will make you eager to read the rest of the series!

[Crystalclearwpg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a retell of Rapunzel with a twist. Laura has a way of taking a classic tale and putting a different life onto it. Rapunzel is taking to the Grimm Academy where she sets some events going which end in quite a twist. I really enjoyed this retell and found it could be easily read by middle school to young adults. I actually gave it 3 1/2 stars for originality and series starter. I would have liked to see some more character building especially with her and Gavin but I'm sure we will see more in future books for this is just the beginning.....

I received a ARC through Booksprout and this is my unbiased review.

[Selina Merrifield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though it's a very short book it is very good and worth the read

[Marie Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story that felt like a teaser prequel. I'm still very confused about many of the characters and the prophecies in general. Hopefully reading more books in the series helps.

[The Book Dragon's Hoard by A.V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty interesting concept and I found how the author combined academy fantasy with a fairytale retelling rather intriguing. I enjoyed the Rapunzel retelling enough, even though some aspects of the worldbuilding were a little mystifying. I think I might have enjoyed it more if this had been a novel, rather than a novella. The shortness of it made it a little difficult to follow on the world-building side.

[Kreela · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF. The story was very engaging at first. Rapunzel is happy to have the tower room at the academy because then she doesn't have to share it with a roommate. It has a great view, and her bestie Gavin is willing to hang out with her. Her interaction with the stepmother brings back memories of my supposed rebellious youth in my teens. My mom insisted, despite doing my chores and trying to become the scientist she wanted, that I was rebellious. I see that in Rapunzel, who is feeling the long strings from her mother dress tangling her up, and she is restless.

BUT...my interest petered out after 1/2 the novel when it stayed sweet. There was plenty of saccharine romance but no real tension, no action, no undercurrent dragging me into the world. I realized that Laura Greenwood aimed this story at the pure-romance crowd. While I want 60-70% romantic tension and heat, I need more complexity, humor, or action to balance it out.

You might like it better. The characters have depth. The setting evokes the Disney castles I love. Just expect a slower pace.

[Michelle Dohring · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rapunzel was sent to Grimm Academy by her mother because of her prophecy. Her mother gets her a tower room. Rapunzel does not know why her mother would want her to live in the tower since this is part of her prophecy. The whole point of going to Grimm Academy is to avoid and stop your prophecy. Rapunzel has never had friends before. She makes lots of friends. She meets a nice boy named Gavin who also has a prophecy. This was a sweet story about Rapunzel with some unexpected twists. This was a quick and pleasant read. The Grimm Academy series has many stories that I look forward to reading.

[Gina Stamm · Rating 2 out of 5]

46% thru the book, and nothing has happened. Gavin is weak, Rapunzel is clueless and immature, no depth to any of the characters. Sorry, I won't be finishing this book or reading any more of the series. At least it's clean.

[Dusty Shell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oversimplified story. No depth to make me care about the characters before they are in dire danger.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Combo of Fairy Tales with a Magical Academy… What’s Not to Like??

I am always delighted to see a book by Laura Greenwood show up at one of my favorite book review sites, even if I don't choose to read every one. I know her style by now and like it. Even though most of her books are novellas, she doesn't feel the need to info dump to get us into a story. Instead, she pulls us right into the mind of the main character and lets us see their world from their perspective. This book delightfully combines a twist on fairy tales with a magical academy setting. I'll admit that I'm a sucker for both kinds of books, so it was so much fun to have both tropes together in one book, masterfully combined. So what is the fairy tale twist? Basically, the fairy tale characters—like Rapunzel, our heroine, in this particular book—come to this magical academy to not only learn but also to attempt to escape their prophecies. Rapunzel's head was certainly a fun one to be in, as she couldn't stop exuberantly thinking about all that was going on around her and making funny mental comments. You could sense her excitement about being in such a new place with so many others, having been stuck for such a long time with only her controlling mother. She is determined to enjoy her new circumstances, whether or not her mother wants her to! If you like fairy tales or magic academy stories, you will most likely enjoy this wonderful little story of Rapunzel at Grimm Academy. I know I'm looking forward to the next book of the series.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Grimm Academy, where fairy tale favorites go to meet, mingle, learn courtly manners, and if they’re lucky, avoid their prophecies. Living a lonely and sheltered life with her mother, Rapunzel is happy to go to the Academy and escape her mother’s watchful eye and restrictions. She’s a little surprised that her mother insists on a tower room as that is part of her prophecy. Like many of the students at the school, Rapunzel doesn’t completely believe in her prophecy at first but she is prepared nonetheless. Her mother insists on visiting frequently and tries to continue controlling Rapunzel, but she is able to circumvent many of those dictates. The best part is she is accepted into the friend group of Ella, Marigold, & Helena. When she meets and falls in love with Gavin, who has a prophecy of his own, she may be tempting fate. Can her intelligence and resourcefulness, save her happily ever after?

I love fairytales and Rapunzel is one of my favorites. This retelling takes many of the classic elements of her tale into the school setting. Populated by other fairy tale characters, the stories intertwine as friendships are formed. Ms. Greenwood excels at writing believable friendships in her series. Her characters are given depth outside their own stories by these friendships. The story moves at a good pace and is nicely plotted. The relationship with Gavin is sweet, and you definitely pull for their happy ending. Familiarity with the original fairytale let’s you know who the villain is, but the suspense is in the characters learning it and overcoming the betrayal.

While the villain is defeated and sent away, I would like to learn more of the background and motives. I also hope Rapunzel learns more of who she is as the series progresses. I will definitely be reading on to see her friends defeat their prophecies as well. The bonus scene offered through the newsletter signup was a treat as well, introducing Briar Rose and setting up book 2.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dot Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tower of Thorns
By Laura Greenwood

Most of us know the story of Rapunzel. Ms. Greenwood’s version of the story differs in many respects from the traditional tale. Rapunzel has heard the prophecy about her fate and has learned it by heart. Therefore, when the witch, who Rapunzel thinks is her mother, enrolls her in the Grimm Academy and insists that she be given the tower room, she is puzzled. She thinks that her mother should be doing everything possible to ensure that her fate doesn’t come to pass. Nevertheless, she follows her mother to the tower room, which turns out to be large, with only a small window. Her mother forbids her to attend any balls and instructs her to tell anyone that asks her to go with them that she is betrothed. She also indicates that dance lessons will be stricken from Rapunzel’s classes. Rapunzel is determined to learn how to dance and to attend the balls, regardless of her mother’s instructions.

With a name like the Grimm Academy, you’ll probably think you know the outcome of this story. However, will Rapunzel’s determination to defy her mother change her fate? Read Ms. Greenwood’s book to find out. It’s very well written and has a surprise twist at the end that you should enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary Lou Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

TOWER OF THORNS is the first book in the Once Upon an Academy series. This is related to the Grimm Academy Series, but you do not have to read those books first. I’m not sure why this is set up as a separate series. Add to it that the author is writing in both series at the same time and there are cross-over characters. It just doesn’t make sense to me.

What I like about Grimm Academy is that the students all know that they have prophecies regarding their futures and they are there to circumvent their prophecy while taking their regular schooling.

Gavin is sweet. He becomes Rapunzel’s friend first and their romance (very) quickly blossoms from there.

The story was a sweet-romance with a mild suspense. It is fun. I love Rapunzel’s creativity – shown in her sewing ability.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: TOWER OF THORNS
Series: Once Upon an Academy #1
Category /Genre: Paranormal Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Laura Greenwood

[Goddess of Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I find words are wasted on people who don't appreciate the truth."

Rapunzel finds herself eager to be at Grimm Academy, or perhaps it is more accurate to say away from home and her Mother. This is a chance to discover who she is when she makes her own decisions, takes classes she's interested in, and for the first time in her life gives others a chance to get close enough to her to be friends.

Gavin has a prophecy -- but he never paid attention to the details, so now that he's old enough it could come true he doesn't know a lot about what to watch out for... that's one unexpected lesson learned at Grimm Academy -- listen when others are warning you what will destroy life as you know it.

This done in one quick read finds a charming balance between Rapunzel discovering herself, and stepping toward independence, and adulthood, and her wanting to put in the work to maintain a good relationship with het Mother -- even when the other woman makes it difficult.

There are a few threads left dangling at the end of this story, here's hoping a future story wraps them up in a nice bow.

[Natanimon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of the love-at-first-sight trope, but since I know I'm getting into retellings of Disney's classics, I'm pretty sure that's what's going to happen here. However, that won't affect my rating of the book.

The portrayal of Mother and Gavin was awesome. The author really knew how to place them in her world. The atmosphere around Mother felt so stressful and well-crafted that it made me sympathize with Rapunzel.

There were some aspects of the prophecies that weren't explained in detail, so I felt a bit lost. However, since this is kind of a prequel (Once Upon an Academy), I'm hoping for more explanation in the Grimm Academy Series books.

The pace was a bit tangled: Rapunzel said she was going to see her friends, and in the next scene, she was with someone else in a different place. It took a bit of time to explain why she was there.

The writing was okay, but it could have used a bit more editing, especially with regards to dialogue and errors.

Overall, it's a good start, and I'll definitely continue reading the remaining books of this series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aimee Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rapunzel is taking to Grimm Academy by her mother. Her mother makes sure she gets a tower suite, even though that is part of prophecy. Rapunzel is determined to do things she wants. She gets to keep her classes including dance, even though her mother tried to change her lessons.
Rapunzel meets Gavin, she is taken away by how she starts to feel. They start to spend a lot of time together. They both have similar prophecies, that doesn't stop them. Rapunzel also makes friends with a group of friends. They seem to have know each other for a long time, but always to make sure to include her.Rapunzel has to save Gavin, she knows that something bad has happened. When she finds him, she gets more information then she was prepared for

This was a sweet story featuring Rapunzel and Gavin. This is a sweet romance that will take you away for a bit.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tower of Thorns is the fairy tale reimaging of Rapunzel (and Gavin) in an attempt to remove her from her environment and put her where the fairy tale’s prediction of doom won’t occur. So with a clever fairy tale twist, the author welcomes the reader to Grimm Academy -- where fairy tale characters go to AVOID their fate! Rapunzel’s mother is very interfering and intrusive, but Rapunzel is ready to live her life on her own terms.

Despite her mother’s dire warnings, Rapunzel makes friends and she falls in love with Gavin, even if it could bring on their doom – he has a similar prophecy he’s trying to avoid. Will they be able to avoid their prophesied fate and find happiness? Or is Fate truly unavoidable?

I enjoy this author’s books and look forward to a continuation of this series. I enjoyed the environment that was presented, and the characters in their slightly changed persona. Just a little twist seems to make an intriguing difference in the story!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

Tower of Thorns is a fun and imaginative fairy-tale retelling with a fresh twist. Laura Greenwood blends familiar elements with her own creativity, giving the story a balance of whimsy, romance, and adventure. I really enjoyed the way the characters were written—relatable, engaging, and easy to root for. The chemistry between the leads was sweet, and the magical touches kept the story charming from beginning to end.

The pacing was smooth, making it an easy and enjoyable read, and the worldbuilding felt cozy while still offering enough intrigue to hold my interest. It’s not an overly heavy or complex fantasy, but that actually worked in its favor—it’s the kind of book you can sink into when you’re looking for something comforting with a fairy-tale feel.

Overall, Tower of Thorns is a delightful retelling and a solid entry in Greenwood’s collection of magical stories. A great choice if you enjoy light, romantic fantasy with a touch of enchantment.

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Tower of Thorns' is the first book in Laura Greenwood's "Once Upon an Academy" series where the fairy tale characters I grew up reading about going to try and avoid their fate. What an interesting concept, right? Rapunzel's mother has controlled almost every aspect of her life until she enrolled at Grimm's Academy. Literally, no parties, no balls, no outings whatsoever. If Rapunzel made friends it was because she wasn't using her time wisely and studying hard enough. If she didn't have any friends, it was because she wasn't trying hard enough to be social. There seemed to be no pleasing the woman. Then she went to Grimm's Academy and met Gavin. She really liked him but didn't want him to get hurt in her prophecy. Sometimes Fate will have its say. This was a fun read and I can't wait for the next book in the series.

[Donise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this version of Rapunzel with its unexpected ending. Rapunzel is admitted to Grimm Academy by her mother with certain stipulations including that she be give a room in a tower and that there will be frequent visits from her mother. Rapunzel finds it a little strange because most people go to Grimm Academy to try and head off their prophecies, not try and start them. Rapunzel soon makes friends with Ella, Helena, and Marigold. The girls love how big Rapunzel's room is and the fact that Rapunzel is a wonderful seamstress. Rapunzel becomes acquainted with Gavin and they soon become a couple. Rapunzel starts coming into her own and keeps trying to stand up to her mother. When Rapunzel's prophecy starts playing out will her friends and Gavin be able to help her change her foretold fate?

[Megan Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if all the fairytales we know and love are not only all in the same world but all the main characters attend the same academy? Find out in the Grimm Academy series!

This first book follows Rapunzel as her mother enrolls her in Grimm Academy. This is a shocking but greatly anticipated change for Rapunzel. After her overbearing and over-controlling mother has done nothing but criticize and hide Rapunzel away for most of her life, she wonders what has caused her mother to release so much control all of a sudden and allow her to go to the boarding school without her there 24/7.

With routine visits from her mother, Rapunzel starts to take her life into her own hands. She attends classes her mother disapproves of, makes friends, and even has caught the attention of a young man! Can she keep all of this a secret from her mother or will someone spill the tea?

The plots is such a fun twist on fairytales. The goal is to avoid your “prophecy” while living at a prestigious boarding school and making friends. There’s a few twists. Even a slightly darker twist than I was expecting with the cozy fluffy feeling of the rest of this book. It does wrap up neatly with a bow. It does so pretty quickly at the end. I was expecting a little more to resolution of it. I just felt it was a little rushed and the beginning a little slower.

The characters are fun and sweet. (Minus “Mother” of course.) I loved seeing Rapunzel grow outside of the restraints of her mother. She becomes stronger and steps out of her comfort zone making friends and even a boyfriend.

Can’t wait to read more of this series. It’s cute, sweet, and a quick read. Perfect for pre-teens and teens.