review: the fairest of them all by carolyn turgeon

Carolyn Turgeon’s The Fairest of Them All brings together the fairy tales of Rapunzel and Snow White. Additionally, Turgeon seamlessly incorporates Greek mythology into this well-imagined story of perilous love. It all blends marvelously with Rapunzel becoming Snow White’s stepmother when King Josef finally has the opportunity to marry the one he loves after the untimely death of his wife. The marriage causes unrest in the kingdom as Snow White’s mother was beloved and Rapunzel is rumored to be a witch. As this is told from Rapunzel’s perspective, the “evil queen” is sympathetic which makes for a nice twist. It’s easy to imagine why Rapunzel would wish her stepdaughter dead despite the two having bonded initially. The retelling is masterfully done with the characters fully fleshed out. And although the primary works are familiar, The Fairest of Them All concludes in a way I never expected.
5/5
Review copy provided by the publisher, Touchstone.