Interesting, fast paced retelling of Rapunzel (amongst others). I'm the first to admit I'm not a fan of this authors thrillers, however I was intrigued to see what she'd do with a fantasy. I was pleasantly surprised. It's a dark and moody story, think more classic Grimm brothers than the Disney version and I loved it because of that. It interwevaes other fairy tales well, from Rapunzel's Aunt being called Gretel and a certain man called Aladdin turning up. The plot is also told in a clever, witty way that reminded me of fairy tales of old and held a lot of nostalgia for me.

A dark and twisty story that doesn't promise a happy ever after but dangles it in front of the reader, daring them to take the bait. Fun.

Magic is the first instalment in the Tales from the Kingdom series, a collection of dark fantasy romance books that feature new takes on classic fairytales. The story centres on Rapunzel, a beautiful young woman living a monotonous life stuck in a tower, who spends her days wishing for a life of ballgowns, parties and dancing. Her life soon changes when a handsome prince arrives, and this classic fairytale takes a dark turn. I do wish the book was longer as I managed to read it in one sitting. I would recommend Magic to fans of the TV show Once Upon A Time who would be interested in a darker, more mature version.

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review*

I didn't know what to expect from this book. All I knew was it was a different take on your classic fairy tale. I was pleasantly surprised, the book is very easy to read and offers you a different perspective on the classic fairytale Rapunzel and how she lives on a tower with her aunt gretel. It was a pleasant little romp which does have slightly darker edges. Honestly thought the book was great and as there are further books in the series I'm interested to see how the series plays out.

This series is my first from this author (after they were on my radar for a very long time) but definitely not my last! A very different take on the fairy tales we know so well, this time with a darker edge.

Unfortunately not my kind of read. I requested it due to.the author and i have read and enjoyed her previous books in the thriller genre. This was a DNF for me I am afraid

Thank you for the opportunity to review

This was a fun quick read and a fresh take on a known fairytale (Rapunzel, mainly) but something about it just didn't click for me. Well written, but I didn't feel anything for any of the characters. Worth a try if you like twists on fairytales though

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The fairy tales of old are often supposed to be cautionary tales - respect your parents, beware the forest and don’t tell to strangers. However some tales themselves create problems - a woman’s role is to find a husband and settle down or beauty is all that matters. But writers to come that played with classic tales and Sarah Pinborough is returning to her re-imaginings of fairy tales in Magic with a very unusual spin on Rapunzel that is rewarding in its own right and opens up the other stories too.

You should be soon aware that these are not for children when Aladdin is revealed to be a psychopathic thief who murders a guard because they remind him of his father, who he also killed! Yep these takes are deliciously adult. Elsewhere in this land Rapunzel lives happily in a magical tower with her ‘Aunt’ Gretel who keeps her safe and warns her of the dangers of men. But a kindly woodcutter leaves her a very adult tale of princes and their loves which makes her curious about men and she decides for fun to tell some drunken soldiers that she is a prisoner of a witch. This gets eventually to a newly crowned King in hiding who feels this may be the last adventure he needs to go on and his new servant Aladdin is very helpfully having a cunning plan with no agenda.

This is an enormously fun and smart tale to read! The plotting is beautifully done to juggle all these characters and their agendas and created something a bit new riffing off the classic tales. At the heart we have a tale challenging why fairy tales keep making us think Prince Charmings are all. For Rapunzel we can see a sexual awakening begin; for Gretel who is much older she is haunted by past experiences and see men as nothing to trust. The truth as the story unwinds is more inbetween we see our King is indeed very shallow but perhaps that too is a cautionary tale that helps us in the future? Gretel finds that her own past (which is told in a chilling flashback that changes our view of her) damages Rapunzel and the kindly woodcutter Conrad seems immune to her insults.

But this is ultimately a fantasy tale and magic indeed plays a role. We have bodyswapping, enchanted spindles, genies and curses and a fascinating take of Aladdin who is both dangerous and strangely sympathetic (to those he may like) which also leads to a little homage to Cyrano de Bergerac! The magic plays tricks on our cast and upsets the apple cart and perhaps teaches everyone a lesson (or not). The character work in this tale is something to savour as we see these characters all grow up in different ways.

Magic is a very intelligent and delightfully surprising twist on the classic stories. Thought-provoking funny and more it’s definitely worth becoming a Halloween treat for you. Highly recommended!

Eh. It was interesting. But I got confused trying to follow all the pieces. And I didn't like how dark one if the characters was compared to howbwe all know him from childhood story. I don't know. Didn't wow me.

Thank you NetGalley and Orion Publishing for this eCopy to review

Magic is a dark fantasy romance that reimagines the classic fairy tale of Rapunzel. This spellbinding prequel to the "Tales from the Kingdoms" series took me into a world filled with dragons, witches, and werewolves. The story subverts the traditional fairy tale, presenting a gripping and darker narrative that kept me hooked from start to finish.

The story follows Rapunzel, who has been locked away in a tower by a malevolent witch. As she yearns for freedom, she discovers her own powerful magic that can both save and destroy. When a prince comes to her rescue, the traditional tale takes a dark twist. Together, they face off against sinister forces, uncovering secrets that challenge their perceptions of good and evil. As their bond deepens, Rapunzel must harness her magic to protect the ones she loves and confront the darkness within.

The characters are well-crafted, each with their own secrets and motivations. Rapunzel is portrayed as a strong and independent woman, breaking away from the damsel-in-distress trope. The supporting characters, including the witch and the prince, add depth and complexity to the story.

The dark fantasy elements are seamlessly woven into the narrative, making you question what is real and what is illusion. Pinborough’s take on the classic fairy tale is fresh and thought-provoking, adding layers of meaning to the story. Her writing is engaging and atmospheric, with vivid descriptions which bring the magical elements to life.

Magic is a captivating read that combines elements of dark fantasy and romance in a way that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. It’s a story that stays with you, making you ponder the nature of power and freedom.

Magic is the first in the Tales from the Kingdoms series, initially released in 2018 as a trilogy (Poison, Charm & Beauty), this one is a new addition along with Blood as book 5.

Focused mainly on the story of Rapunzel, Magic also incorporates a few elements from other fairytales, such as Aladdin, but with a twist! Lots of nostalgia but and I am looking forward to reading the others and am hoping that they will all link together!

5 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2024/10/23/review-magic-by-sarah-pinborough/
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Pinborough, such a great storyteller

I love a good fairytale, but sometimes better still a good fairytale reimagined. If this is something you enjoy then I can’t recommend Pinborough enough. She has a wicked sense of humour, she turns everything on it’s head and I love the way she writes. Magic has been recently released as the first in the Tales from the Kingdom series. I’ve already read Poison, Charm and Beauty and loved them. I nearly had a conniption when I saw on Netgalley two new titles Magic and Blood. Magic is, as I understand it (although, ahem, I have been known to be wrong) being marketed as the first in the series, followed by the aforementioned three and then another new book, Blood, being the fifth instalment.

So, Magic is a retelling that predominantly focuses on Rapunzel but also captures so many other elements of stories that I’ve loved over the years. Aladdin plays a role, and believe me when I say he’s the furthest thing from the Disney imagined version than you’ll believe. Pinborough captures so many different elements and gives them all her own unique twist, I was filled with a lovely sense of nostalgia whilst reading at the same time as being dumbfounded at the creativity on display that takes all my ideas of tropes and characters and stamps them into the earth, followed by a quick dusting off of the hands and a hearty harrumph – take that you fairytale stereotypes. I mean literally, I loved this. I confess that I am a fan of the author and maybe I’m predisposed to like her work, I don’t know, but this book picked me up just when I needed it.

In fact the other three books are also available and as I no longer have copies (having given by beautiful hard copies to some scoundrel to read (and we all know how that goes) I’m tempted to request the others so I have the full set again, that way I could enjoy myself quite spectacularly reading all five in almost back to back fashion – is that greedy though?

As I said, this is Rapunzel’s tale. Rapunzel is a beautiful, sheltered, young woman who lives in a tower with her Aunt Gretel (we all know the tale of Hansel and Gretel and the gingerbread house – well, be patient). Anyway, Gretel is a witch, she makes charms or curses that are usually woven into spindles and she has many spinning wheels already imbued with such magic. Gretel has hidden herself away from the world, she’s raised Rapunzel to mistrust other folk, especially men. There’s no such thing as true love and men simply can’t be trusted (feels like a little play on Miss Havisham and Estella). Except, Gretel is becoming curious about the outside world and when she is given a book, by a friend, about love and romance, she finds herself longing to meet her very own Prince Charming.

Meanwhile, we have a King, he’s exploring the kingdoms (mainly sowing his wild oats) before he takes up his position of authority. He bumps into a young man who tells him of a beautiful maiden trapped in a tower by a cruel witch and he immediately imagines himself as the dashing hero rushing to rescue her. The young man who told him the story has his own motives, a room full of magic spindles seems too good to resist.

I think I’ve already told you too much of the plot so I’ll stop there. Pick these up and enjoy them for yourselves.

What I loved.

The writing. It’s clever and well plotted. The stories are written with Pinborough’s wicked sense of humour and it comes across so well. There’s a determined tongue in cheek poking of fun at everything you may have come to expect from such tales and it ultimately comes together in a perfect package.

I really enjoy the way the author turns the characters around. We have Aladdin, we even have a genie and a lamp, but they’re so unexpectedly different. I won’t say more.

All of the books are set within the Kingdoms and this is another reason why I’m tempted to read all of them in order, why deny myself such fun after all. They’re all connected in small ways so I highly recommend picking up all five and reading them all in order.

I can’t add too much more, well, other than the fact that these books are so easy to read and are good stories packed with humour and a little bit of sizzling sexiness. And, the cherry on top – this is ultimately a story of true love.

This book was the pick-me-up that I didn’t know I needed.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the author, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

My rating

5 of 5 intoxicatingly delicious stars

3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️
I love a Fairytale retelling and I was really looking forward to this. The first three quarters of the book are so good but once the "twist" happened I couldn't help but think I wanted more from the story.

I would definitely recommend it if you also love a Fairytale retelling but go in with an open mind. Aladdin and Gretel are also part of the story which I loved as it incorporated other fairytale characters. Aladdin is the typical trickster and Gretel is the witch who has Rapunzel locked away.

That being said, I am still intrigued by the other books in the series and would love to read them. Sarah's writing is great and did keep me captivated. Even though I only rated it 3.5 stars I read it in 2 days!

This was a cute fairytale re-telling of Rapunzel. It's not the normal genre of books I read so I don't want to judge it on the fact I don't normally enjoy YA.
It was well written though and a nice short read. I did enjoy the way it incorporated other classic fairy tales too

Several years ago I absolutely devoured Tales From The Kingdoms when they were first released, so I was overjoyed to find that not only were the original three being republished but there were going to be two extra tales. This book did not disappoint, giving fairy tale characters new perspectives, motivations and some nasty but fun twists. These books are a great, fresh, enticing take on fairy tales, including romance, murder, and magic, and I highly recommend them.

A great retelling of a fairy tale, most definitely not for children. Adult themes abound. Thoroughly entertaining, glad to have more in this series.

I really wanted to love this, fairytale reimagining is such a fun trope, but this just didn’t work for me. I enjoyed some aspects but it felt disjointed for the most part. The author can obviously write a good story, and I suspect that this will be popular, it’s just not for me.
I think the only time I’ve seen the mixing of multiple different fairytales work really well, was the TV show Once Upon A Time, and that worked because of the commonality of them being trapped in the same place. Unfortunately I didn’t get that sense of connectivity here.

This is a good retelling of Rapunzel in a deliciously dark twisty tale. I loved the tone and atmosphere of the story.

Not what I expected at all.

This dark delicious retelling of rapunzal is definitely not for the kids.

I have always loved a fairy tale and always will do but how unique of the author to tell them as she does.. Pinborough is brilliant..

These stories are perfect reading for the season

Thank you Netgalley for this review copy for an impartial review.
Love how this book turns on its head everything you think of fairy tale characters and makes you question all the 'disnified' images of them.
Quite dark in places but realistic in the way the characters act. Loved it

Oh I love retellings of fairytales, especially dark ones, and this retelling of Rapunzel is just great!