Review: A spicy, innovative update to a classic fairy tale
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 1, 2014
Belinda F.'s ReviewRazzle Dazzle gives a spicy, innovative update to a classic fairy tale. I loved the idea of Razel D'Punz, the modern day Rapunzel, as a super model with signature fabulous long hair. Her controlling mother/agent provides the perfect witch character keeping Razel trapped in her 'ivory tower' of excruciatingly busy work schedule surrounded by her adoring public. Making the handsome prince into photographer Matthew Prince is also inspired.I loved the ideas behind Razel Dazzle, I thought the writing was clever and that despite being very short it provided a satisfying punchy little read. What I struggled with was the character of Razel herself - Razel has been kept away from real life and has only managed to have one romantic relationship in her short (twenty-one year old) life. Despite this the character is sexually very astute and controlling. She manipulates the situation with Matthew, making elaborate plans to get him alone then dropping him callously. I didn't feel this really fitted with her character - or if it did I didn't feel I had been given enough background to make me believe it.I actually found I didn't like Razel particularly and although I was happy for her to escape her mother and find romance with Matthew it was more because I liked him as a character and wanted his happiness. His feelings and insecurities seem to be better explored than Razel's do. (For example it would have been great to have seen her actually chop off her own hair rather than just being told she had and if we had experienced her finding her own adoption papers it would have had more impact and helped us to understand her character).This all said I did really enjoy Razel Dazzle. I read it all at one go - it's a very short novella an easy read and well worth a go.Review Disclaimer: Book provided in exchange for an honest review.