As a self confessed massive Disney kid, I have loved the whole Twisted Tales series so far. With The Lion King being my all time favourite film, I am pleased to report Farrah Rochon did a superb job with this story, particularly capturing Scar's darkest motives in written form.

Disney Classics: The Lion King – Be Prepared is a fun and visually appealing addition to the Disney Classics collection. The artwork is vibrant and captures the spirit of The Lion King well, especially the darker, more dramatic tone of the “Be Prepared” sequence. It’s clear that a lot of care was taken to stay true to the style and atmosphere of the original film.

However, while the book is engaging, it feels quite brief and somewhat surface-level. The storytelling doesn’t dive very deeply into the characters or emotions behind the iconic song, which might leave some readers — especially older fans — wanting a bit more. Younger audiences will likely still enjoy it for the colorful illustrations and familiar story beats, but it may not leave a lasting impression for those looking for a richer or more nuanced retelling.

Overall, it’s a charming, quick read that serves as a nice companion to the film, but it could have offered a little more depth to truly stand out.

I love the twisted tales and Disney stories having an alternative direction so this was a very exciting read to see what would have been if Nala had made a different decision.

This was my first ‘twisted tales’ book and I found it to be a really enjoyable read. The book was fast paced and there was plenty going on which was easy to follow. I enjoyed reading a twist on the classic lion king book which I found the author executed well.

The book is descriptive, easy to read, and has some good twists and turns in the book, which even had me at one point in all fairness.

Despite the Disney company making some interesting choices of late I am still a fan of the movies and timeless tales they produce. I am also a fan of the recent increase in YA and new adult original books coming out. I am one happy fan. The twisted tales have been a favourite series of mine for a while and I have to say that I think this might be my favourite. Scar has always had a special place in my heart as a Disney Villain and Rochon captured his character perfectly. I love how these tales are a what if experiment and often with some amazing stories coming out of them.

I loved seeing more of Nala and a story focusing on how the pride at Pride Rock survived or carried on after losing Mufasa and Simba. Despite the emotional damage of Mufasa’s death when I was younger that still lingers now I was excited to see how Nala, and Scar would deal with the events in this new and altered version. Needless to say I was not disappointed.

If you love Disney you will love this, the writing is fantastic, the characters are given life and while true to the original source material Rochon expands on them to make them come more into their own, particularly Nala. I can’t wait for the next twisted tale.

As always thank you to Igloo Books and Autumn Publishing for the advanced copy to review, my reviews are always honest and freely given.

Who doesn't love The Lion King?!
When I saw this available on NetGalley I HAD to read it. I love the Disney Twisted Tales and although YA novels they are usually a decent read.

What if Nala was compelled to team up with Scar?
Six months after the death of her best friend Simba, Nala finds herself clinging to a rumour that the young cub might still be alive. Determined to discover if the stories are true, Nala sneaks away one night, leaving the pride in an uproar over her disappearance.

It's a book that fleshes out characters you don't see much in the film but also adds some depth to Scar. Overall it's decent but it didn't draw me in as I expected it to. I wanted Nala to be punchier or feistier and she got further along her journey and it just didn't have the bite I wanted.

Thats not to say this is a bad book - it isn't. It's enjoyable. It's just not the best book for me.

I am incredibly grateful to both NetGalley and Igloo Books for the opportunity to read and review Be Prepared. Being selected to explore this captivating story before its official release has been such a treat, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts on it with all of you. A huge thank you to the teams at NetGalley and Igloo Books for their generosity and for making this advanced reading experience possible.

I have never been a huge fan of The Lion King but I think Farrah Rochon might’ve just converted me. This book was honestly great.

I had to seize the opportunity to review a Disney book because hello?! Disney adult right here. But did it have to be one based on The Lion King? Yes, yes it did. But I’m eating my words and my thoughts now because I couldn’t have enjoyed this reading experience more. This book was amazing and the journey that twist sent us on was a page turning one. I quite literally devoured this book.

I love that Be Prepared was a lot more Nala focused than Simba because let’s be real, we’ve all seen enough of him and it was really interesting to see how the animals at Pride Rock carried on and dealt with life after Mufasa’s tragic demise.

Nala was an absolute girl boss in this book and I’m so here for it. I loved getting to read about her experience in this twisted version of events.

And of course, I have to mention Scar. I think that Farrah Rochon portrayed him perfectly. He was still as obnoxious as ever.

Overall, I really loved reading this book and I’m so glad it found it’s way to me. I can’t wait to see what else Farrah Rochon has in store for us in the future!

Be Prepared

After the death of Mufasa and the believed death of Simba, Pride Rock has been struggling. With Scar running the place and the Hyenas stealing all the food, the linonesses and the cubs are at a loss.

And then there is Nala, still grieving the loss of her best friend and now she’s trying to deal with an overprotective mother who won’t let her do anything - not even learn to hunt - in case something happens to her like it happened to Simba.

But when there are rumours that Simba has been seen alive, Nala decides she’s going to look for him herself. Not only will she be able to prove herself but she’ll be able to find Simba and bring him home.

The lionesses are frantic when they realise Nala is gone and all begin a desperate search to find her, attracting the attention of Scar. Scar, wanting to please the lionesses and get them on his side, offers to go and find the cub himself.

And he does find her and demands she comes back to Pride Rock. But when he hears that she’s looking for Simba, a cub he thought he’d made sure was dead, he can’t just walk away. Instead, he ends up joining Nala on her journey to find Simba.

Is Scar having second thoughts about what he’s done? Is the care he shows for Nala on their journey genuine? Or is he still the same Scar we’ve always known? And what about Simba? Is he out there? And if he is, will he return to Pride Rock?

An amazing retelling of the Lion King told mostly from Nala’s point of view. As a huge fan of the Lion King, I was so excited to get this book on request from Net Galley. I’ve read a few twisted tales and they’ve been a bit hit and miss but aside from the ending feeling a little rushed, I absolutely adored this one. A true gem for any fan of The Lion King, Simba and Nala!

I liked it a lot
I had a long break from disney twisted tales as I have been disabled few times but when I saw it was Farrah Rochon who wrote it I knew I had to give a try and I was really surprised. The characters feels a tiny bit different from the movies but since it is a twisted and characters we don’t really see in the movies it is not bothering at all
The story is easy and fluid and coherent, the writing is nice and enjoyable.
I totally recommend it for teen/YA
I can see adult struggling to really enjoy

Book Review: Disney Classics The Lion King: Be Prepared by Farrah Rochon

As a lifelong Disney fan, I couldn’t wait to dive into Disney Classics The Lion King: Be Prepared, and wow, it did not disappoint! Farrah Rochon brings a thrilling new twist to the iconic Lion King story, delivering all the nostalgia of the original while offering something completely fresh and exciting.

The Twisted Tales series has always been a treat for those of us who love reimagined Disney stories, and this book might just be one of my favorites. It asks a question I never thought of before: What if Nala had to team up with Scar? That premise alone had me hooked. Nala has always been a strong character, but in this version, she really shines as a brave and determined lioness. Six months after Simba’s supposed death, Nala is still clinging to a whisper of hope, and her decision to leave the pride and search for answers feels both heartbreaking and empowering.

Scar, the villain we all love to hate, is given surprising depth in this story. Rochon doesn’t change who Scar is, but she layers him with enough complexity to make his uneasy alliance with Nala feel real. Their interactions are filled with tension, and as a fan, it was both nerve-wracking and exciting to see them working together. There were so many moments where I wondered, “Is Scar really helping her? Or is he just setting a trap?” The suspense is real!

The setting is beautifully described, capturing the magic of the African savannah that made the original movie so visually stunning. The writing pulled me right back into that world, with enough fresh detail to keep it from feeling like a simple retelling. There’s a perfect balance of action and quiet moments that let us really understand the characters' thoughts and motivations.

What I loved most is how Rochon stayed true to the spirit of The Lion King while adding new layers to the story. The themes of trust, redemption, and finding strength through hardship are woven seamlessly into the plot. Nala’s journey isn’t just about finding Simba—it’s also about finding herself, which makes her story even more powerful.

If you grew up with The Lion King (or fell in love with it through your kids), this book is a must-read. It respects the original while taking bold steps into new territory. You’ll find yourself humming “Circle of Life” and “Be Prepared” as you turn the pages, eager to see how this twisted tale plays out.

For Disney fans, this is more than just a novel—it’s a chance to experience the Pride Lands in a whole new way. Farrah Rochon has crafted a story that honors the classic film while offering a fresh adventure that will keep you guessing until the end. I can’t recommend it enough!