Margaret Owen’s Rootbound: A Tangled Novel delivers a captivating Young Adult fantasy continuation of Disney’s beloved animated film, Tangled. Released by Random House, this New York Times bestseller seamlessly captures the signature charm, wit, and emotional depth of the original movie while expanding the kingdom of Corona into a far richer and politically complex fantasy world.

Set a month after the events of the film, the narrative finds Rapunzel adjusting to palace life without her magical hair or healing abilities, struggling against rigid royal expectations while Eugene Fitzherbert worries his criminal past will jeopardize his place beside her. When Corona receives a rare diplomatic invitation from Astera—a reclusive neighboring kingdom ruled by the domineering King Enver—Rapunzel, Eugene, and Pascal journey to attend Princess Verette’s coming-of-age ceremony. What begins as a routine royal trip quickly devolves into a high-stakes web of political intrigue, secret societies, and shocking revelations about Eugene’s true lineage, forcing the couple to navigate a dangerous conspiracy threatening both realms.

Margaret Owen, acclaimed author of Little Thieves, excels at capturing the authentic voice and comedic chemistry of Rapunzel and Eugene. Their relationship serves as the emotional anchor of the book, exhibiting natural vulnerability, grounded communication, and mutual trust as they confront their respective psychological traumas. The expanded lore of Astera introduces refreshing world-building, clever action sequences, and hilarious moments with Pascal, allowing the story to feel both expansive and intimately faithful to its source material.

However, readers devoted to Disney’s animated television continuation, Tangled: The Series, should note that Rootbound completely ignores the show’s canon, presenting an alternate timeline for post-movie events and Eugene’s origin story. Additionally, the novel experiences a minor pacing lull in its middle act as dense political exposition briefly overshadows the narrative momentum, though a fast-paced, high-stakes climax quickly resolves these lulls.

Ultimately, Rootbound: A Tangled Novel is a triumphant fairytale extension that balances nostalgic Disney magic with mature character growth, making it a must-read for young adult fantasy lovers and fairytale retelling enthusiasts alike.

Star Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 out of 5 stars)

– The Moving Words Review