Grounded: The Adventures of Rapunzel (Tyme #1) (1)

I discovered this book entirely by accident, and boy, am I glad I did! I had been looking for a Rapunzel adaptation that really explored the psychological effects of Rapunzel’s isolation, and this book captured it perfectly!In Grounded, we meet a Rapunzel with a completely perfect life. She has her tower, she’s looked after by Witch, and she is kept safe from the peasants that would try to poison her below. That is until a boy named Jack climbs through her window and claims that she had met him the day before. The next thing Rapunzel knows, she’s climbing down her tower and joining Jack on an adventure in a world she’s never experienced. As they travel, Rapunzel begins to learn that Witch hasn’t been telling her the whole truth, and that maybe she might even be better off without her.Both the characters and the world-building are outstanding. Rapunzel has grown up in one of many realms within Tyme, and throughout the book, she and Jack end up exploring several of them, and hearing about others. My mouth was watering as I read about the different foods available in the marketplace in the Yellow Country, and the descriptions of the Fairy Realm (I will admit that it’s now been a little while since I’ve read the book, so I can’t remember exactly what that realm was called) made me want to visit. There were also hints of other fairytales taking place in some of these other lands, something I assume will be explored in later books.Rapunzel’s characterisation is great. If you’ve seen the movie Tangled, I got a vibe of that version of Rapunzel from this one, though book!Rapunzel is around 12 or 13, rather than 18. I wanted to hug her as she tried to reconcile everything she’d known with the new information she was learning about herself and about Witch, and using leaps of logic to get there. Jack was also sweet if somewhat long-suffering – having to look after Rapunzel was not something he was planning. We got a little bit of his back story in this book, but I think there is much more to come.This was one of those cases where I found out a book within days of its release, finished it a few days later, and now have to wait who knows how long for the sequel. I have a feeling the wait will be worth it, though!

Sometimes, I'll finish a book and wish I had the sequel in my hands that very instant. With Grounded, I didn't have the problem of wanting the next book in the series - I wanted the next *six*!Sheltered Rapunzel is the perfect character to introduce us to the world of Tyme. There are moments of humor as Jack 'the Beanstalker' explains things the reader already knows, and clever bits of world building as he explains things unique to this story-land.The novel really picks up speed at the halfway point, and quickly moves to the heart of the story from there. While much of the tension early on comes from Rapunzel's perception of her world versus the reader's expectations of her story, Megan Morrison explores deeper questions that few fairy tales have the grace to ask.I also loved the possibility of future tales - from the wide cast of characters we meet along the way, to tantalizing threads of stories just waiting to be told - popping out like wisps from Rapunzel's braid. Harry Potter taught me that the best things come to those who wait. I look forward to waiting for many more installments in the Tyme series!

This has been the first stretch of days that I've had to just read and out of the three books I chose to read this weekend I know this one will stick in my mind for months to come and become a cherished re-read. The cover is delightful and the whole book is quite refreshing in it's creativity and honesty. The characters while ranging from giants to faeries to normal humans are complex and the world building is quite fun to interact with. Rupunzel is no cookie cutter Miss and it was fun to see her grow and progress as a character with trusty Jack at her side.The book is interesting from the start and just keeps getting more so. I pretty much read this in one sitting and I could easily see a younger person doing the same as it's truly engaging and fun. The creative details that weave into the world of Tyme make it even more so. I'm looking forward to more adventures in Tyme and hope we get to see what exactly is going on with Prince Frog!

GROUNDED is one of the most emotionally complex middle grade fantasy books I have ever read (and I've read a lot). Morrison turns the classic tale of Rapunzel into something new and fresh, while still being recognizable as the original fairy tale. Although this book has plenty of fun fantasy adventure and great worldbuilding, at heart this is a book about the complexities of love and family.The relationship between Rapunzel and Witch presented an excellent, nuanced perspective of Stockholm Syndrome. I really felt for Rapunzel during her entire journey. Jack was also a delightful character, as were the many side characters. Tyme is definitely a world I'd like to hang out in for a while.I know Megan Morrison from her (excellent) Harry Potter fanfic. I am glad to see her writing original fiction and am eagerly awaiting future TYME books.

I don't have enough superlatives for this book. It was witty, engaging, and heartwrenching, with the kind of keen insights into human behavior that made me reflect on my own choices and assumptions. At several points in the story, Jack and/or Rapunzel talk about emotions and feelings; these sections were so deftly drawn, and I think would help a young reader begin to identify and articulate some of the confusing and unsettling feelings that accompany growing up. I read this book every free moment I could snatch, thirsty for each next scene, and yet so sad to have reached the end of the story because Jack and Rapunzel and the world of Tyme had become familiar friends. At least I know I can return to visit them often.