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Cosmic Fairy Tales
Rampion
Sometimes, you find love in an unexpected place…
Rapunzel isn’t fond of being a princess, but her rebellion against her royal parents can only take her so far. When her adventures playing pirate result in embarrassment for her family, she’s sent away to a scrapyard in the middle of Nowhere on a barren moon that has been barely terra-formed to support life. As far as Zel can see, the only other person on the moon is a grumpy old caretaker named Gothel, who doesn’t bother to show any respect for her royal status.
Old man Gothel has plenty of rules, and he’s made one huge part of the scrapyard forbidden, which means Zel can’t resist exploring it. In that forbidden area, she discovers a tower, drawn there by a sexy, masculine voice singing unusual music.
But when she finally finds her way inside the tower, she discovers something she never expected.
There’s a lot more than just a heart on the line when it comes to the secrets that surround Rampion and his captor, Gothel.
Rapunzel must learn the truth before it’s too late and she loses everything she holds dear.
Author’s Note: 18+ Contains strong sexual language and graphic violence, and an artificial intelligence learning about the intricacies of love—and the fact that it follows no logic.
Cosmic Fairy Tales is a collaboration in which several authors are retelling beloved tales with a science fiction romance twist. Each book is a standalone, containing its own Happily Ever After, and they can be read in any order. Be sure to explore the other titles in the collection:
The Hunchback by Regine Abel
The Frog Prince by Tracy Lauren
Contaminated by Amanda Milo
The Ugly Dukeling by Bex McLynn
Jackie and the Giant by Honey Phillips
Escaping Wonderland by Tiffany Roberts
Rampion by Susan Trombley
The Lion and the Mouse by Emmy Chandler
Rapunzel isn’t fond of being a princess, but her rebellion against her royal parents can only take her so far. When her adventures playing pirate result in embarrassment for her family, she’s sent away to a scrapyard in the middle of Nowhere on a barren moon that has been barely terra-formed to support life. As far as Zel can see, the only other person on the moon is a grumpy old caretaker named Gothel, who doesn’t bother to show any respect for her royal status.
Old man Gothel has plenty of rules, and he’s made one huge part of the scrapyard forbidden, which means Zel can’t resist exploring it. In that forbidden area, she discovers a tower, drawn there by a sexy, masculine voice singing unusual music.
But when she finally finds her way inside the tower, she discovers something she never expected.
There’s a lot more than just a heart on the line when it comes to the secrets that surround Rampion and his captor, Gothel.
Rapunzel must learn the truth before it’s too late and she loses everything she holds dear.
Author’s Note: 18+ Contains strong sexual language and graphic violence, and an artificial intelligence learning about the intricacies of love—and the fact that it follows no logic.
Cosmic Fairy Tales is a collaboration in which several authors are retelling beloved tales with a science fiction romance twist. Each book is a standalone, containing its own Happily Ever After, and they can be read in any order. Be sure to explore the other titles in the collection:
The Hunchback by Regine Abel
The Frog Prince by Tracy Lauren
Contaminated by Amanda Milo
The Ugly Dukeling by Bex McLynn
Jackie and the Giant by Honey Phillips
Escaping Wonderland by Tiffany Roberts
Rampion by Susan Trombley
The Lion and the Mouse by Emmy Chandler
277 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 22, 2019
About the author
Susan Trombley
32 books865 followersBorn a dragon, but forced to take human form to fit into those little baby carriers, Susan accepted that she'd have to live a mortal life. She just wasn't going to go around being all boring about it. As soon as she was old enough, she immediately applied for an alien abduction, but got wait-listed, so she made her lair in the desert to wait out the coming zombie apocalypse with a pair of magical cats (they can appear underfoot in an instant, usually at the steps) and the dog from Hades that has three heads (and now has three bodies to go with them).
When the white knight came to fight the dragon, Susan liked him so much she decided to marry him and they now have a beautiful little dragonlet. (Who looks just like a little girl unless you use a magic mirror)
Fortunately, despite being trapped in this dimension, Susan uses her dragon's vision to see all the most interesting goings-on in the multiverse. Figuring they made great stories, she decided to share them with the rest of the mortal world, by writing fantasy, science fiction and romance.
When the white knight came to fight the dragon, Susan liked him so much she decided to marry him and they now have a beautiful little dragonlet. (Who looks just like a little girl unless you use a magic mirror)
Fortunately, despite being trapped in this dimension, Susan uses her dragon's vision to see all the most interesting goings-on in the multiverse. Figuring they made great stories, she decided to share them with the rest of the mortal world, by writing fantasy, science fiction and romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
November 21, 2019
Another fun Cosmic Fairy Tale story with Repunzel as the lead!
Thoroughly enjoyed this sci-fi space adventure, with space pirates, assassination plots, and a fair bit of romance...with a great twist
Thoroughly enjoyed this sci-fi space adventure, with space pirates, assassination plots, and a fair bit of romance...with a great twist
November 17, 2019
I have to say, this book took a turn I wasn't expecting at first and it totally rocked my socks off. In case I'm not being clear, I LOOOOVVVVED where this story went. I'm not even sure I can express the whys and hows without completely giving away ALL THE THINGS.
Let's just say Rapunzel has a lot of growing up to do before she can be the princess she's meant to be. Her bodyguard gave her good start by making her think for herself, but she still has a long way to go when she's first dropped in the scrapyard. She's challenged and poked and prodded by turns until she begins to see that she can be so much more than what she currently is.
In their own ways, both Gothel and Rampion help her toward that point. One is antagonistic and uncaring of her position, the other treats her like the princess she was created to be. One actively tries to avoid her, the other is eager to be around her.
And somehow--SOMEHOW--Rapunzel begins to see that the truth she's been telling herself isn't quite as uncomplicated as she thought it was and THINGS HAPPEN. Also, nobles are kind of whacked and some are just flat-out not right in the head.
GOOD TIMES, man. Good times.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Let's just say Rapunzel has a lot of growing up to do before she can be the princess she's meant to be. Her bodyguard gave her good start by making her think for herself, but she still has a long way to go when she's first dropped in the scrapyard. She's challenged and poked and prodded by turns until she begins to see that she can be so much more than what she currently is.
In their own ways, both Gothel and Rampion help her toward that point. One is antagonistic and uncaring of her position, the other treats her like the princess she was created to be. One actively tries to avoid her, the other is eager to be around her.
And somehow--SOMEHOW--Rapunzel begins to see that the truth she's been telling herself isn't quite as uncomplicated as she thought it was and THINGS HAPPEN. Also, nobles are kind of whacked and some are just flat-out not right in the head.
GOOD TIMES, man. Good times.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
July 9, 2021
Rapunzel is sent to a scrapyard even though she’s a princess because she needs a time-out after being unruly. There she meets Commander Gothel, the only person present on the space rock. Well, that’s what Gothel wants her to think. The truth is there’s a sentient AI cyborg just chilling in a restricted part of the scrapyard. His name is RAMPION, and he’s kind of weird and creeps Rapunzel out. But Gothel wants nothing to do with her and her smoking hot bod (courtesy of princess genes), so she seeks out RAMPION’s company anyway. Until shit hits the fan.
We need to talk about the main character. Her personality is very “I’m different, I’m unique, I’m not like those OTHER girls who care about looks or makeup or clothes!”
And it irritated me. So much. I almost dropped this book after I read the first 60-80 or so pages.
However, Rapunzel does go through a character arc where she learns that even though her rebellions were not as quirky and significant as she thought, she can still change some bad stuff in the world. Also, by “rebellions,” I don’t mean political ones. It’s dumb rich teenager stuff like hanging out with the wrong crowd, going to brothels/seedy bars, trying (and failing) to be a wannabe pirate. It’s a bit strange considering she’s nearing her thirties, but some people mature slowly.
I think I was just too annoyed by Rapunzel’s immaturity to enjoy the book though. I felt like the relationship she has with the hero was very sudden and not developed at all. She expresses interest in him, but not for any discernible reason. Just out of loneliness, but there wasn’t even lust/tension present. They randomly become hot for each other in the last couple of chapters and by then I didn’t care.
So ultimately this is not a reread or keep on my shelf type of book for me. Premise was interesting but execution lacked in my opinion.
We need to talk about the main character. Her personality is very “I’m different, I’m unique, I’m not like those OTHER girls who care about looks or makeup or clothes!”
And it irritated me. So much. I almost dropped this book after I read the first 60-80 or so pages.
However, Rapunzel does go through a character arc where she learns that even though her rebellions were not as quirky and significant as she thought, she can still change some bad stuff in the world. Also, by “rebellions,” I don’t mean political ones. It’s dumb rich teenager stuff like hanging out with the wrong crowd, going to brothels/seedy bars, trying (and failing) to be a wannabe pirate. It’s a bit strange considering she’s nearing her thirties, but some people mature slowly.
I think I was just too annoyed by Rapunzel’s immaturity to enjoy the book though. I felt like the relationship she has with the hero was very sudden and not developed at all. She expresses interest in him, but not for any discernible reason. Just out of loneliness, but there wasn’t even lust/tension present. They randomly become hot for each other in the last couple of chapters and by then I didn’t care.
So ultimately this is not a reread or keep on my shelf type of book for me. Premise was interesting but execution lacked in my opinion.
February 6, 2020
It's wasn't what I expected but I truly loved this story.
It's a beautiful combination of the classic old fairytale with sci-fi romance. You will enjoyed the main characters (I cannot even write the heroes names, not to spoil for you the book) and the plot has several twists! You cannot believe where the plot is heading and what to expect! Wowww
I really, really hope Mrs Trombley writes more books in this series specially can't wait to see how the story continues with their daughter.
It's a beautiful combination of the classic old fairytale with sci-fi romance. You will enjoyed the main characters (I cannot even write the heroes names, not to spoil for you the book) and the plot has several twists! You cannot believe where the plot is heading and what to expect! Wowww
I really, really hope Mrs Trombley writes more books in this series specially can't wait to see how the story continues with their daughter.
January 17, 2021
I like Susan Trombley’s writing and her world-building, and I think she normally strikes a good balance between sci-fi and romance, but while this book was well done, it wasn’t one of my favorites of hers. I appreciated the unexpected twist on Rapunzel, but I felt like something was missing.
Maybe it was that I didn’t find the hero as appealing and wasn’t feeling the sizzle between him and ‘Zel’. There were some parts that seemed to drag for me—like when she was trying to chase after Gothel around the junk yard. I guess I would have preferred less of that in favor of more meaningful romance-building between the characters. That said, I thought it was a good story overall and I appreciated the character growth in Zel.
Maybe it was that I didn’t find the hero as appealing and wasn’t feeling the sizzle between him and ‘Zel’. There were some parts that seemed to drag for me—like when she was trying to chase after Gothel around the junk yard. I guess I would have preferred less of that in favor of more meaningful romance-building between the characters. That said, I thought it was a good story overall and I appreciated the character growth in Zel.
March 23, 2021
The first 1/2 of this book was ok, and then the plot snorted some cocaine and went a little schizophrenic. The scenes reminded me of a child playing and making up things on the fly.
The writing was equivalent to bad fan-fiction for me. I couldn’t even finish the last few chapters I was so bored out of my mind with not caring.
The writing was equivalent to bad fan-fiction for me. I couldn’t even finish the last few chapters I was so bored out of my mind with not caring.
January 30, 2024
Unexpected but solid in execution
Definite twist to the Rapunzel tale but one that I think is in the end a little bit more compelling and certainly original, with small nods to the classic version and to the Disney interpretation. Gotta love me some space faerie tales!
Definite twist to the Rapunzel tale but one that I think is in the end a little bit more compelling and certainly original, with small nods to the classic version and to the Disney interpretation. Gotta love me some space faerie tales!
Want to Read
September 10, 2021I am in love with this concept
December 14, 2019
WOW.
I love Susan Trombley's work, and this is so unexpected from her in all of the best ways. Do yourself a favor and do not spoil this one before you read it. It's totally worth it to trek through the first half and endure the super slow burn, I promise.
This is how you write a spoiled rotten, entitled, immature adult who doesn't come off as an overgrown 12 year old. I love when an author is talented enough to write a character I usually can not stomach and make them palatable and relatable. I love being able to roll my eyes and shake my head without wanting to chuck my book into a wall.
Gothel might be in charge of the place, but that didn’t give him the right to treat her like anything less than a princess. If she couldn’t convince him that she was his superior through words, she would ignore his dictates and do exactly what she wanted to do behind his back.
And the level of her growth through the story as she realizes that her views on her reality and herself are super skewed by her own self-involvement and interest? Fantastic writing. It was super satisfying to see seeds that were planted in her childhood nurtured to bloom by another character in her adulthood. Zel on her own is pretty awesome, but everyone needs support in their lives and help us meet our true potential.
And that's about all I can say without spoilering the pants off this story. So. If you like off-the-beaten path storylines with genuinely surprising twists, and you're looking for a good female main character in a sci-fi setting? Give this one a try.
I love Susan Trombley's work, and this is so unexpected from her in all of the best ways. Do yourself a favor and do not spoil this one before you read it. It's totally worth it to trek through the first half and endure the super slow burn, I promise.
This is how you write a spoiled rotten, entitled, immature adult who doesn't come off as an overgrown 12 year old. I love when an author is talented enough to write a character I usually can not stomach and make them palatable and relatable. I love being able to roll my eyes and shake my head without wanting to chuck my book into a wall.
Gothel might be in charge of the place, but that didn’t give him the right to treat her like anything less than a princess. If she couldn’t convince him that she was his superior through words, she would ignore his dictates and do exactly what she wanted to do behind his back.
And the level of her growth through the story as she realizes that her views on her reality and herself are super skewed by her own self-involvement and interest? Fantastic writing. It was super satisfying to see seeds that were planted in her childhood nurtured to bloom by another character in her adulthood. Zel on her own is pretty awesome, but everyone needs support in their lives and help us meet our true potential.
And that's about all I can say without spoilering the pants off this story. So. If you like off-the-beaten path storylines with genuinely surprising twists, and you're looking for a good female main character in a sci-fi setting? Give this one a try.
March 7, 2021
DNF 17%
This would have been my FIFTH Cosmic Faerie Tale book... if I could've waded thru the thing. And initially, the prologue made me sit up and go, "Oh, wow! That's an interesting premise!" But then we're introduced to Rapunzel on page one and this long tedious explanation of piracy and espionage and diplomacy and royalty and yadda-yadda-not-caring-yadda that was so disengaged from the reader that...
She lost me. I'm pretty sure she didn't even WANT me. Gothel was several (cybernetic) arms lengths away emotionally, Zel was never endeared to me, and by the time I met Rampion, I was neck-deep in I-Don't-Care-dom, and wishing the prologue had been saved and the book re-written from page one.
Read 'Contagion' and 'The Frog Prince'. Read 'Contaminated'. ((SKIP 'Jackie & the Giant')). But as for this Cosmic Faerie tale... it is probably done better, somewhere else. And I'd rather go look for THAT book than slog myself thru this one.
This would have been my FIFTH Cosmic Faerie Tale book... if I could've waded thru the thing. And initially, the prologue made me sit up and go, "Oh, wow! That's an interesting premise!" But then we're introduced to Rapunzel on page one and this long tedious explanation of piracy and espionage and diplomacy and royalty and yadda-yadda-not-caring-yadda that was so disengaged from the reader that...
She lost me. I'm pretty sure she didn't even WANT me. Gothel was several (cybernetic) arms lengths away emotionally, Zel was never endeared to me, and by the time I met Rampion, I was neck-deep in I-Don't-Care-dom, and wishing the prologue had been saved and the book re-written from page one.
Read 'Contagion' and 'The Frog Prince'. Read 'Contaminated'. ((SKIP 'Jackie & the Giant')). But as for this Cosmic Faerie tale... it is probably done better, somewhere else. And I'd rather go look for THAT book than slog myself thru this one.
May 16, 2023
VERY bold choices - but it wouldn’t be a Trombley book if it didn’t go boldly into the unknown
I will admit I was nervous about this book after the first couple of chapters. The FMC was annoying AF. However, I’ve loved many of Trombley’s previous books and sticking through to 25-30% got me to a truly unique love story and twists and turns galore. I had fun trying to guess what would happen next - and was pleasantly surprised by how often I got it wrong. It was definitely a book about redemption and personal growth, with a heavy emphasis on beauty being on the inside.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: attempted murder, violence
I will admit I was nervous about this book after the first couple of chapters. The FMC was annoying AF. However, I’ve loved many of Trombley’s previous books and sticking through to 25-30% got me to a truly unique love story and twists and turns galore. I had fun trying to guess what would happen next - and was pleasantly surprised by how often I got it wrong. It was definitely a book about redemption and personal growth, with a heavy emphasis on beauty being on the inside.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: attempted murder, violence
January 11, 2021
You’ll never see the end of this one coming...
Very unpredictable and unusual. In fact, one of the most unexpected plot twists I’ve ever come across. Again, you’ll never see the end coming...
Very unpredictable and unusual. In fact, one of the most unexpected plot twists I’ve ever come across. Again, you’ll never see the end coming...
May 5, 2026
Just no, at 48% of the book, and already know what's gonna happen and its kinda yuck, and really really boring. This is Not Rapunzel story not even close, I'm gonna have to agree with Cat Williams, and say just cause you call him Darin doesn't mean he belongs to Darin. That being said I don't really want to keep reading, but I need to know what happens.
January 15, 2026
I re-read this one yesterday. It is so intriguing and a very fun read.
I love Rapunzel's personality and how Gothel helps her see her actions in a different light. To tell the truth, I read very little of the summary, because I wanted to be surprised, the first time I read it, and that was a good call.
Gothel has a very Old West feel to him. Someone that has seen many things and been made hard by them, but watching how Zel slowly starts to unnerve him had me giggling.
There are so many elements in this book that it's difficult to mention them all. Romance, of course, and action, adventure, thriller, psychological, and maybe a few other tags.
This story is worth reading and a very refreshing take on the Rapunzel fairy tale.
I love Rapunzel's personality and how Gothel helps her see her actions in a different light. To tell the truth, I read very little of the summary, because I wanted to be surprised, the first time I read it, and that was a good call.
Gothel has a very Old West feel to him. Someone that has seen many things and been made hard by them, but watching how Zel slowly starts to unnerve him had me giggling.
There are so many elements in this book that it's difficult to mention them all. Romance, of course, and action, adventure, thriller, psychological, and maybe a few other tags.
This story is worth reading and a very refreshing take on the Rapunzel fairy tale.
September 17, 2022
A really interesting and exciting twist to the original fairy tale. Really liked it
February 20, 2020
Great book. Susan Trombley did it again. I'm dying of curiosity about what's going on in this world ...
October 23, 2019
//THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SLIGHT SPOILERS - this book is best enjoyed completely blind, believe me!//
“Even when the last star dies, my heart will still be burning for you.”
Well.... Damn.
You know, I thought I had this book completely figured out as I got into it.
Of course I should have remembered that since it’s Susan Trombley the hero will never be the knight in shining armor you expect(unless you count reptilian scales or insectoid plates as armor).
So first of all let me just let ya’ll know that the premise of this book already seemed like a good time to me.
I LOVE robot love stories and the question of what makes us human has always intrigued me. Tiffany Roberts’ Dustwalker and Cassandra Rose Clarke’s The Mad Scientist’s Daughter comes to mind as a couple of my favorites.
So I thought I knew what I was getting: a fairy tale retelling where the roles are reversed and Rapunzel needs to save her new robot lover-boy from an evil mc baddie and maybe question what it means to be human somewhere along the way.
WELL HOWDY DOO BOY WAS I WRONG.
I got about a little less than halfway through the book when I realized that the story was not going where I thought it was and my thoughts ranged from ‘where is this going...?’ To ‘wait IS this really happening?!’ A couple of times.
Before the big reveal I had put together the twist but that didn’t stop me from being delighted by it.
It didn’t stop the OH SHIT moment either when I realized certain things and it didn’t feel like it was forced or even unexpected.
*insert ‘they got me in the first half not gonna lie’ meme here*
Rampion is an incredible book that subverted all of my expectations, but did it so well that I loved it anyway.
While not perfect -the ending confrontation felt a little out of nowhere, kind of like there needed to be a big climax but the author wasn’t sure what it should be- this book is warmly recommended for people interested in the genre and so much more intriguing than what the blurb reveals.
Susan my girl, you did it again; shocked and pleased me at the same time with your unconventional romances and this time you even had me fooled for a big part of the book; kudos!
Now go read the book people!
“Even when the last star dies, my heart will still be burning for you.”
Well.... Damn.
You know, I thought I had this book completely figured out as I got into it.
Of course I should have remembered that since it’s Susan Trombley the hero will never be the knight in shining armor you expect(unless you count reptilian scales or insectoid plates as armor).
So first of all let me just let ya’ll know that the premise of this book already seemed like a good time to me.
I LOVE robot love stories and the question of what makes us human has always intrigued me. Tiffany Roberts’ Dustwalker and Cassandra Rose Clarke’s The Mad Scientist’s Daughter comes to mind as a couple of my favorites.
So I thought I knew what I was getting: a fairy tale retelling where the roles are reversed and Rapunzel needs to save her new robot lover-boy from an evil mc baddie and maybe question what it means to be human somewhere along the way.
WELL HOWDY DOO BOY WAS I WRONG.
I got about a little less than halfway through the book when I realized that the story was not going where I thought it was and my thoughts ranged from ‘where is this going...?’ To ‘wait IS this really happening?!’ A couple of times.
Before the big reveal I had put together the twist but that didn’t stop me from being delighted by it.
It didn’t stop the OH SHIT moment either when I realized certain things and it didn’t feel like it was forced or even unexpected.
*insert ‘they got me in the first half not gonna lie’ meme here*
Rampion is an incredible book that subverted all of my expectations, but did it so well that I loved it anyway.
While not perfect -the ending confrontation felt a little out of nowhere, kind of like there needed to be a big climax but the author wasn’t sure what it should be- this book is warmly recommended for people interested in the genre and so much more intriguing than what the blurb reveals.
Susan my girl, you did it again; shocked and pleased me at the same time with your unconventional romances and this time you even had me fooled for a big part of the book; kudos!
Now go read the book people!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2019
A beautiful combination of a classic fairytale, with so many calculated twists and turns, that it has become its very own scifi fairytale apart from all others.
The story was supposed to be a scifi version of Rapunzel, but the only true to the tale parts of the story were: a tower, and the names Gothel and Rapunzel.
Don't be decieved! This book is its very own kind of fairytale, and so much more than expected.
The world building, character flaws, and overall exploration into 'ideals of perfection' were spot on. AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO REVIEW WITHOUT GIVING THE DAMN'D THING AWAY so I will kindly say this;
Read it. It is completely worth every second of your time, and penny in your pocket. The characters are ___real__ living coughcough, the world is far to interesting not to want to return to, and the future of a new scifi-romance-addicts-dream-series is far to possible.
PLUS, I need Mirvala's story because, HELLO. Dragon Aliens??
What can i say? It's really a great read. And exploring the possible intricacies of AI romance??
Hells ya bebe.
4.25 domo-arigato-Mr.-Roboto stars ☆
The story was supposed to be a scifi version of Rapunzel, but the only true to the tale parts of the story were: a tower, and the names Gothel and Rapunzel.
Don't be decieved! This book is its very own kind of fairytale, and so much more than expected.
The world building, character flaws, and overall exploration into 'ideals of perfection' were spot on. AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO REVIEW WITHOUT GIVING THE DAMN'D THING AWAY so I will kindly say this;
Read it. It is completely worth every second of your time, and penny in your pocket. The characters are ___real__ living coughcough, the world is far to interesting not to want to return to, and the future of a new scifi-romance-addicts-dream-series is far to possible.
PLUS, I need Mirvala's story because, HELLO. Dragon Aliens??
What can i say? It's really a great read. And exploring the possible intricacies of AI romance??
Hells ya bebe.
4.25 domo-arigato-Mr.-Roboto stars ☆
November 3, 2019
Awesome
Can't wait to read more. This novel was awesome and I really enjoyed the main characters. Can't wait to see how the story continues with their daughter.
Can't wait to read more. This novel was awesome and I really enjoyed the main characters. Can't wait to see how the story continues with their daughter.
December 22, 2019
It took me until halfway through the book to start even questioning the situation! Wow, this book is brilliant.
January 28, 2022
All 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ are for the world-building and the interesting interpretation of the original fairytale.
However, I can't say I didn't cringe at the thought of a young woman lusting after a decrepit old man, no matter just how manly the old guy happens to be. Grandpa-love is one step too far for me (even in SFR, where I've read about lizard/bug humanoids as love objects without getting phased). I also didn't buy the argument about AI being living/having a soul. But it makes a kind of bizarre sense for an AI to be with a clone, I guess.
I also found Rapunzel to be a tad Mary-Sue, since I'm not sure what exactly about her won over both a dragon and an immortal AI.
Also, did she want her AI guy to die when she dies?! That's not very loving of Rapunzel. If you love someone, you want them to live on, no matter what. But it seems he has to delete himself when she dies?!
So the romance didn't do much for me, but the world-building was interesting enough that I didn't even much care about the romance anymore.
There are a few unexplained gaps between this novel and the world of the "Guardian of the Dark Paths (Children of the Ajda #1)"...since I'm not sure both worlds fit together seamlessly. But I guess another novel in this series will help smooth over whatever doesn't make sense so far, one hopes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2025
DNF @ 74%
What a let down. This isn’t like most of ST’s books I’ve read so far. The premise was very interesting. I love AI romances, even though they are difficult to get right. Actually, I’ve only read one book that ticked all the boxes (Programmed for Love, which is on my GR shelf).
I was with the story until the mc’s finally had sex.
Not only was it super fast, it was…. The mc ejaculated in her but didn’t have an orgasm. Maybe he did? But this is the first book I’ve ever read where it was not even mentioned during the scene that he was into it. Don’t believe me?———- SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
“He proved true to his word to make certain she came first, though she was surprised that his cock actually released fluid inside her as her inner muscles milked his shaft.
As that fluid bathed her insides, it numbed some of the tenderness left behind by her very first penetration. He slowly pulled out of her, and the fluid left in the wake of his withdrawal made her feel warm and tingly, but soothed all the way through her inner passage.
“I figured you’d want something to soothe yer insides, so I added a mild analgesic to my ejaculate.””
——-TF KIND OF ENCOUNTER DESCRIPTION IS THAT?!
Oh no. No. Susan, honey. Were you hog-tied to your computer while someone was forcing you to write this book? You are one of my favorite smut writers! The very rarified few whose intimate scenes do it for me without flaws—- with enough yearning, lust, adoration, and abandonment of restraint. Where did you go?
You gave Gothal/Joshua the ability to feel physical pleasure and emotional pleasure, and THAT’S what he gets?? A pat on the back for squirting Neosporin into the fmc’s post-virgin lady bits?
I’m stomping away from this one.
What a let down. This isn’t like most of ST’s books I’ve read so far. The premise was very interesting. I love AI romances, even though they are difficult to get right. Actually, I’ve only read one book that ticked all the boxes (Programmed for Love, which is on my GR shelf).
I was with the story until the mc’s finally had sex.
Not only was it super fast, it was…. The mc ejaculated in her but didn’t have an orgasm. Maybe he did? But this is the first book I’ve ever read where it was not even mentioned during the scene that he was into it. Don’t believe me?———- SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
“He proved true to his word to make certain she came first, though she was surprised that his cock actually released fluid inside her as her inner muscles milked his shaft.
As that fluid bathed her insides, it numbed some of the tenderness left behind by her very first penetration. He slowly pulled out of her, and the fluid left in the wake of his withdrawal made her feel warm and tingly, but soothed all the way through her inner passage.
“I figured you’d want something to soothe yer insides, so I added a mild analgesic to my ejaculate.””
——-TF KIND OF ENCOUNTER DESCRIPTION IS THAT?!
Oh no. No. Susan, honey. Were you hog-tied to your computer while someone was forcing you to write this book? You are one of my favorite smut writers! The very rarified few whose intimate scenes do it for me without flaws—- with enough yearning, lust, adoration, and abandonment of restraint. Where did you go?
You gave Gothal/Joshua the ability to feel physical pleasure and emotional pleasure, and THAT’S what he gets?? A pat on the back for squirting Neosporin into the fmc’s post-virgin lady bits?
I’m stomping away from this one.
July 18, 2021
Unexpected
It was a while between when I picked this book up and when I read it so when I began it was only with a vague remembrance of the synopsis. The main character was a little more rough around the edges than I usually go for and when I began I worried it was going to be too much tech for me. I was however pleasantly surprised. I ended up enjoying the characters and rooting for the underdog, just as the author planned.
Editing: I didn't notice more than one error while reading with text to speech.
Sexytimes times: yes, explicit.
Recommended: yes, if you enjoy the sci-fi genre.
reread: Maybe, after a year or so.
HEA: yes
It was a while between when I picked this book up and when I read it so when I began it was only with a vague remembrance of the synopsis. The main character was a little more rough around the edges than I usually go for and when I began I worried it was going to be too much tech for me. I was however pleasantly surprised. I ended up enjoying the characters and rooting for the underdog, just as the author planned.
Editing: I didn't notice more than one error while reading with text to speech.
Sexytimes times: yes, explicit.
Recommended: yes, if you enjoy the sci-fi genre.
reread: Maybe, after a year or so.
HEA: yes
May 31, 2022
So Good!!
This was awesome! Completely unexpectedly good!! It is rare that books truly surprise me but this one managed to surprise me twice. I wish we had gotten more chapters from the MMC’s perspective but it was really great but I so cherished the ones that we did. There was so much character development from the FMC - and don’t worry it happens quickly! We also are asked important questions of what it means to be human, to love, to die, and live. While we lust over dragonmen and robots. Overall: Funny, emotional, philosophical, and sexy. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
This was awesome! Completely unexpectedly good!! It is rare that books truly surprise me but this one managed to surprise me twice. I wish we had gotten more chapters from the MMC’s perspective but it was really great but I so cherished the ones that we did. There was so much character development from the FMC - and don’t worry it happens quickly! We also are asked important questions of what it means to be human, to love, to die, and live. While we lust over dragonmen and robots. Overall: Funny, emotional, philosophical, and sexy. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
July 4, 2023
Great book
All the cosmic fairy tales are great. I loved this book. There isn't a book written by this author that I have read that I don't like. The authors books are well written. Great world building and wonderful characters. I found a book set in this world by the author that I haven't read thanks to the authors newsletter. So this is my second time reading this book as a refresher. I love this twist on Repunzel. I hope to read more books set in this world especially Rin and the princess. I highly recommend you check this and all books written by this author out.
All the cosmic fairy tales are great. I loved this book. There isn't a book written by this author that I have read that I don't like. The authors books are well written. Great world building and wonderful characters. I found a book set in this world by the author that I haven't read thanks to the authors newsletter. So this is my second time reading this book as a refresher. I love this twist on Repunzel. I hope to read more books set in this world especially Rin and the princess. I highly recommend you check this and all books written by this author out.
October 24, 2024
Loved the concept, but the romance was somehow very disconnected and also almost...sterile? I wasn't moved in anyway, and I'm a little shocked that this was coming from Susan Trombley. It wasn't anything like her other novels, and while I appreciate this genre, the plot here wasn't that interesting.
I DO LOVE THE WHOLE AI.INTELLIGENCE thing going on, the taboo of it was the best part.
Otherwise, this was a rather ODD age-gap romance that focuses on loving someone for who they are and not what they look like.
I DO LOVE THE WHOLE AI.INTELLIGENCE thing going on, the taboo of it was the best part.
Otherwise, this was a rather ODD age-gap romance that focuses on loving someone for who they are and not what they look like.
June 13, 2020
Ended up liking this after all!
I was a ways into this book and was thinking of stopping reading it. I was really not liking the Rampion character and was disappointed that Rapunzel was going to end up with him. The change that the author did was great and allowed me to continue reading to the end. I hope the author expands on this universe and writes about more characters because I'd like to read more.
I was a ways into this book and was thinking of stopping reading it. I was really not liking the Rampion character and was disappointed that Rapunzel was going to end up with him. The change that the author did was great and allowed me to continue reading to the end. I hope the author expands on this universe and writes about more characters because I'd like to read more.
September 2, 2020
Please read this book
This book takes the story of Rapunzel and spin it around on it's head in all the best ways.
Its not often a book gets to surprise or take me off guard, but Susan Trombley did it here.
RAMPION, was full so full of surprises and twist that it really makes you think. So where are we allowing technology to take us?
What make someone human?
I really hope S.T. makes more books in this universe!
This book takes the story of Rapunzel and spin it around on it's head in all the best ways.
Its not often a book gets to surprise or take me off guard, but Susan Trombley did it here.
RAMPION, was full so full of surprises and twist that it really makes you think. So where are we allowing technology to take us?
What make someone human?
I really hope S.T. makes more books in this universe!
March 17, 2022
Well, this sure started strong. But I felt the romance was really...um...what's the word? Creepy. I honestly can't say why without ruining the entire story. But the moment she admitted her attraction to the MMC, my heart left the story completely.
Original idea? Well, it was definitely new to me. Unexpected. Outside the box. Trope defying.
The worst part for me was the whole second half felt really slow and preachy.
Original idea? Well, it was definitely new to me. Unexpected. Outside the box. Trope defying.
The worst part for me was the whole second half felt really slow and preachy.
July 21, 2020
Kept me intrigued
I appreciated the central love story and the dynamics between the two from the start. And the villians of the piece were excellent! It was a fabulous departure from Susan’s usual series and I do hope she follows it up! Thanks for a very entertaing and different story. :-)
I appreciated the central love story and the dynamics between the two from the start. And the villians of the piece were excellent! It was a fabulous departure from Susan’s usual series and I do hope she follows it up! Thanks for a very entertaing and different story. :-)
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