Saturday 2 March 2013

Towering by Alex Flinn

GoodReads Summary: At first, I merely saw his face, his hands on the window ledge. Then, his whole body as he swung himself through the window. Only I could not see what he swung on.
Until, one day, I told my dream self to look down. And it was then that I saw. He had climbed on a rope. I knew without asking that the rope had been one of my own tying.

Rachel is trapped in a tower, held hostage by a woman she’s always called Mama. Her golden hair is growing rapidly, and to pass the time, she watches the snow fall and sings songs from her childhood, hoping someone, anyone, will hear her.

Wyatt needs time to reflect or, better yet, forget about what happened to his best friend, Tyler. That’s why he’s been shipped off to the Adirondacks in the dead of winter to live with the oldest lady in town. Either that, or no one he knows ever wants to see him again.

Dani disappeared seventeen years ago without a trace, but she left behind a journal that’s never been read, not even by her overbearing mother...until now.

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Expected publication date: 14/05/13

Towering is an enchantingly dark re-telling of Rapunzel with a modern twist.

The story opens with a clash of modern and fairytale-esq scene setting. Trapped in a tower she's never left Rachel reads classics and wonders what the world outside her confinement is like. Alternately, Wyatt checks his cell phone for reception as he exits a train and steps into the small, isolated town of Slakkill.

My favourite aspect of this book was the mystery. Flinn creates a creepy, and desolate atmosphere that adds to the overall tone of the story and immediately sucks you in. After a devastating incident, Wyatt is  sent to live with Mrs Greenwood, his mothers childhood best friends mum. Upon arrival he finds the journal of Mrs Greenwood's long lost daughter, Dani. Using this journal he tries to piece together the mystery behind Dani's disappearance - all the while questioning his sanity. Did he really just see Dani's ghost? Why can he hear singing that no one else can? What secrets lie in the town of Slakkill?

Flinn throws a bunch of questions at the reader, which makes for an interesting and unpredictable read. You wonder why Rachel's 'mama'  keeps her trapped in a tower, and question how she fits into the puzzle Wyatt is trying to solve. Plus, you know as the reader that the two will unite at some point...

...and when they finally do, there is definitely some insta-love between the pair. Not long after meeting they declare their love for each other. The romance was very cheesy, and when Wyatt called Rachel darling or other terms of endearment it kind of made me cringe. However, because the driving force for me, was the mystery, the insta-love didn't bother much as much as it usually does.

Ever since I saw Beastly (the movie) I've been curious about Flinn's books. Towering is a quick read with a solid writing style and an interesting mystery. 


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17 comments:

  1. I haven't read Beastly yet (it's been sitting on my shelf forever) but I'm so looking forward to it, and I'l check out Towering. Though, insta-love...ugh, so not a fan of it, like you.
    Have a great weekend :)

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  2. Great review!
    I love Alex Flinn's books and Towering is high on my wishlist.

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  3. I read Beastly a year or two ago and thought it was too much like the Disney movie, but Towering sounds more original.

    I think it would be interesting to see how an author could pull off a Rapunzel retelling without having insta-love. It seems like that trope is common to a lot of fairy tales.

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  4. Ooh, I like the modern twist and the element of mystery. Thanks for sharing :)

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  5. I am never surprised with insta-love in fairytales, actually. Most of the times it's just part of the story, so when it pops up, I don't really mind :) I can't wait to read this story and I am so happy I got a copy from Edelweiss. You got to love HarperCollins <3

    The mystery sound really good! I have had good experience with her other retellings, so I'm excited. Great review!

    Mel@thedailyprophecy.

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  6. Fairytale retellings don't always appeal to me, but I like the sound of this one. Despite not falling in love with Beastly myself, I've always wanted to try more from this author. Hopefully I won't be too annoyed with the instalove either. Great review, Renu!

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  7. I love fairytale retellings! Well, I've only read Cinder & Scarlet, but they were great. And this one sounds interesting. Except for Tangled, I've never read or watched anything Rapunzel related. Your review made it sound interesting (except for the insta-love, because it gave me the chills :D). And I dig that there is mystery! Mystery is good.

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  8. I have only read Beastly and have since start to collect Flynn's retellings. This one isn't even on my radar. Rapunzel may be just one of those characters that I'll be more than interested to read about. Too bad about the instant love, though.

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  9. Thanks so much for stopping by blog, your blog is adorable and I am now following. I am so glad too see that Fractured is as good as Slated because I just finished Slated and can't wait to get my hands on Fractured. How did you get an early copy? Happy Blogging :)

    - Sunny @ www.asupersunnyspot.blogspot.com

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  10. I've seen this book around and needless to say fell in love with the cover! :) I haven't requested it just because it's retelling and I'm not fan of these. Well even though I love the cover I think I'll skip this one. Great review Renu :)

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  11. This sounds like a really lovely story, I hadn't known about it until now!

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  12. I've always been meaning to read one of Flinn's books, but never know where to start and I'm always on the lookout for a decent retelling. Towering sounds fantastic so I think I should give it a go soon! Lovely review Renu! :)

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  13. I have this coming up for review and it will be my first Finn book. I am glad to hear that it incorporates a dark and creepy atmosphere and that it is well written. I don't think the insta love will bother me because it makes sense to the story. Thanks for the insight!

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  14. ugh.. this sounded promising at first, but i cannot stand insta-love!!! Though im glad it was dark, creepy, and mysterious! Still might give it a try! Great review!
    - Farah @ MajiBookshelf

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  15. Aw, great review :) I think it seems like a great book. I still don't know how I feel about insta-love. I guess I love it, if the writing is good :) (Meaning I love it if I love the rest of the book.) I'm glad you enjoyed this book, for the most part ;p I do love a good mystery. Might have to buy it :) Thank you for sharing sweetie. <3
    Thank you for commenting on my mailbox. <3
    Love, Carina @ Carina's Books

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  16. Oh my gosh - cannot wait to read this one, Renu! Alex Flinn is usually such a fun author who creates interesting characters. :)

    Hey, is the company you got this through strictly e-books? Like NetGalley? If so - and if you wouldn't mind one more question: Do you know any programs that provide physical copies of books from places like this (i.e., teen novels/harper teen, etc.)?

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  17. Tolerable insta-love? Hmmm. I usually cannot stand it either, but the mystery and overall story sound very interesting :) I really want to read this one soon!

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