REVIEW: TOWERING BY ALEX FLINN.

Title: Towering
Author: Alex Flinn
Edition: Paperback
Published: May 14, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages:293
Source: ARC provided by the publisher
Category: Fantasy, Romance, Retelling
Trailer: not available

Synopsis:

At first, I merely saw his face, his hands on the window ledge. Then, his whole body as he swung himself through the window. Only I could not see what he swung on.
Until, one day, I told my dream self to look down. And it was then that I saw. He had climbed on a rope. I knew without asking that the rope had been one of my own tying.

Rachel is trapped in a tower, held hostage by a woman she’s always called Mama. Her golden hair is growing rapidly, and to pass the time, she watches the snow fall and sings songs from her childhood, hoping someone, anyone, will hear her.

Wyatt needs time to reflect or, better yet, forget about what happened to his best friend, Tyler. That’s why he’s been shipped off to the Adirondacks in the dead of winter to live with the oldest lady in town. Either that, or no one he knows ever wants to see him again.

Dani disappeared seventeen years ago without a trace, but she left behind a journal that’s never been read, not even by her overbearing mother…until now.

A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Alex Flinn knows her fairy tales, and Towering is her most mind-bending interpretation yet. Dark and mysterious, this reimagining of Rapunzel will have readers on the edge of their seats wondering where Alex will take them next!

Towering is an epic retelling!

I've had my issues with novels inspired by another novel and I was afraid that this one would disappoint me again. I've also had an issue with Flinn's novel, Beastly that I wondered if her retellings aren't meant for me to read. Surprisingly, I enjoyed this one!

Wyatt grew up in a modern world where cell phones and computers exist. He decides to stay with his mother's friend, Mrs. Greenwood, to mend his shattered world when his best friend died. Then he starts to see visions and hear someone's voice no one else can hear and he convinces himself to find the voice that eventually leads him to being saved by a very beautiful lady from a well-hidden tower. A lady who haven't been out from it in 17 years.

I loved Rapunzel. Well, technically not the original fairy tale but Rapunzel from the movie Tangled. I've seen it more than my eyes can handle and I could lip synch the lines. I am crazily in love with that movie and the moment I laid my eyes on this novel, it took my interest. I may have doubts but I opened my arms wide and welcomed it. No regrets.

Rachel, who portrays Rapunzel, is very subtle and intelligent. Though naive with the modern commodities, she taught herself to be accustomed to what might be the norm to a society she didn't know. Her eagerness to learn shows so much about her independency and her ability to adapt well. She just simply didn't let anything stop her from fulfilling what she thinks she has to do and she trusts with her heart. I may not agree on the fact that she falls in love as fast as the blink of an eye but I guess it was inevitable. But still, I liked her overall. I also appreciated that Wyatt, obviously stronger that Rachel, didn't take advantage of her. Instead, he chose to be there for her no matter what and made sure that he's the only man for her. It is romantic that way.

The only reason I decided to rate this three stars instead of four is the sub-plots. It was slowly building up at first and I am fine with that then there were seriously fantastic twists but then, I got lost. I didn't know what happened. I wasn't sure enough where the prophecy came from, how it tied up to Rachel and why did it have to be her to free people older than her. There's  a whole list of questions I wasn't able to connect the answers to but overall, it is enjoyable.

Towering is a novel one could finish in one sitting. It captures the sympathy of a longing heart and the patience of a waiting mind. It is dangerous yet romantic and perfectly balances classic and modern! Such a fun read!

Thank you Sarah of HarperCollins for sending in the ARC!

VERDICT:

 "My own, Wyatt. My Wyatt."