Happy Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday with a review of Braided (Sister's Ever After #5) by Leah Cypess

 

Braided (Sister's Ever After #5) by Leah Cypress
Publisher:  Delacorte Press
Format:  E-ARC
Number of pages:  304
Published:  May 28th, 2024
Source:  Banholzer PR
Opening Line:  "On the day my long-lost sister came home, I cut off my hair."

Braided is the fifth book in Leah Cypess's Sisters Ever After series, which is a collection of middle-grade fantasy novels with a slight twist, the fairy tales are reimagined from the viewpoint of a sibling in the original tale. The book retells the story of Rapunzel through the eyes of her younger sister, Cinna.  Each book can be enjoyed as a standalone or read in any order.

Princess Cinna has spent her entire life longing for the older sister she's never known, Rapunzel, who was kidnapped before Cinna was born.  Now, rescued from the Faire Realm by Sir Joshan, Rapunzel is finally coming home, and Cinna couldn't be more thrilled.  While at the same time a little worried.  As the first-born daughter, Rapunzel is the true princess and should take her rightful place as heir to the throne, and Cinna can't wait for that to happen. Rapunzel, however, shows no interest in becoming the Queen, confiding in Cinna that her return was solely for her. 

At a banquet celebrating Rapunzel's return, a fae girl appears delivering a message from the Fae Queen, declaring that Rapunzel must return to the Faire Realm within three days.  Cinna is distraught because her sister just got to the castle.  She desperately wishes to save her.  Yet, Rapunzel seems unfazed by the Fae Queen's request and tells Cinna that nothing can be done, she must go back.  Returning is a condition of the agreement that was made at the time she was given to the Fae Queen.  Cinna says that although everyone else abandoned the search for Rapunzel after her kidnapping, she refuses to do so.  She is determined to uncover the person responsible for making the deal with the Faire Queen and devise a way for Rapunzel to remain.

I really enjoyed this reimagining of the Rapunzel fairy tale, especially the intriguing questions that arose about Rapunzel's kidnapping.  Cinna grew up believing that it was her duty to guard the Fae border and protect their kingdom.  I liked how Rapunzel made Cinna rethink everything that she was told.  Questioning who is good versus who is evil and what the real story really is.  Each chapter begins with a letter Cinna wrote to Rapunzel as she was growing up.  They're really sweet letters and convey how Cinna feels as the years go by.  

It's truly saddening that these sisters were separated and prevented from getting to know each other sooner. Despite leading vastly different lives and experiencing such loneliness, they always hoped to one day reunite.  Cinna, sweet Cinna, who often felt like she was always saying the wrong thing to Rapunzel.  Worried that her sister may not like her.  And so confused about Rapunzel's reluctance to share details of her abduction and time in the tower.  Cinna truly loves Rapunzel and her resolve to uncover the truth is very admirable.  Braided reminds me a little of Caroline Carlson's Wicked Marigold (releasing 7/24), as both stories feature a sister's unexpected return and some of the mistakes that they both.  If you enjoy fairy tales with a unique spin, this is must-read.  Other titles in the Sister's Ever After series include, Thornwood, Glass Slippers, The Piper's Promise, and The Last Rose. 

I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE   

**A huge thank you to Banholzer PR and the publisher for the E-ARC**