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Gothel and the Maiden Prince
(EDIT: if you missed the trigger warning on the Amazon Page before you puchased this ebook, please be aware that it listed trigger warnings for: childhood sexual abuse (none seen on page, discussion only) and incest (none on page, discussed only) and the necessary trauma that comes along with the healing of such.)
Deep in the forest, far from the light, a sorceress with magic of the blackest kind keeps prisoner the princess she stole away years ago. From time to time, a prince will come to challenge her, but by and large, life is peaceful for Gothel.
And that's just the way she likes it.
She's not prepared for the earnest young prince who seems more determined to talk her to death than challenge her to a duel of magic; nor, having tricked him into a battle of questions, is she expecting him to show more interest in her than the tower-bound princess.
And Gothel is certainly not prepared to give up any of her power to keep him around, though she might be prepared to answer just a few more questions...
Gothel and the Maiden Prince is one of twelve short novels in A Villain's Ever After, a collection of standalone stories featuring villainous twists on some of your favourite classic fairytales. Read the series in any order for magical adventures . . . and fall in love with villains as you've never seen them before. Who said villains can't have happily-ever-afters?
Deep in the forest, far from the light, a sorceress with magic of the blackest kind keeps prisoner the princess she stole away years ago. From time to time, a prince will come to challenge her, but by and large, life is peaceful for Gothel.
And that's just the way she likes it.
She's not prepared for the earnest young prince who seems more determined to talk her to death than challenge her to a duel of magic; nor, having tricked him into a battle of questions, is she expecting him to show more interest in her than the tower-bound princess.
And Gothel is certainly not prepared to give up any of her power to keep him around, though she might be prepared to answer just a few more questions...
Gothel and the Maiden Prince is one of twelve short novels in A Villain's Ever After, a collection of standalone stories featuring villainous twists on some of your favourite classic fairytales. Read the series in any order for magical adventures . . . and fall in love with villains as you've never seen them before. Who said villains can't have happily-ever-afters?
131 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2021
44 people are currently reading
1001 people want to read
About the author
W.R. Gingell
43 books1,073 followersW.R. Gingell is a Tasmanian author of urban fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, and madcap science fiction who doesn’t seem to be able to write a book without a body suddenly turning up. She solemnly swears that all such bodies are strictly fictional in nature.
W.R. spends her time reading, drinking a truly ridiculous amount of tea, and slouching in front of the fire to write. Like Peter Pan, she never really grew up, and is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I don't tend to friend anyone unless they're a personal friend or someone from my close author circle. I have a limited social battery which needs constant care. If you want to keep up with my reading/writing, you can absolutely follow me here or on pretty much any social media site.
W.R. spends her time reading, drinking a truly ridiculous amount of tea, and slouching in front of the fire to write. Like Peter Pan, she never really grew up, and is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I don't tend to friend anyone unless they're a personal friend or someone from my close author circle. I have a limited social battery which needs constant care. If you want to keep up with my reading/writing, you can absolutely follow me here or on pretty much any social media site.
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July 9, 2021she was a prince-killer; he was a prince
can i make it any more oooobviooous
wait, wrong song.
this is the story of my little cinnamon-roll prince being absolutely certain that the brilliant, magical woman he's found isn't capable of killing anyone and discovering that he is wrong, while our sorceress tries very hard to convince him that it's best for his health if he leaves both herself and Rapunzel alone.
set in the same world as my forth-coming and very-nearly-finished Cinderella Must Die (which is ALSO told from the POV of the traditional villain), Gothel and the Maiden Prince is ready to come at you in early October!
can i make it any more oooobviooous
wait, wrong song.
this is the story of my little cinnamon-roll prince being absolutely certain that the brilliant, magical woman he's found isn't capable of killing anyone and discovering that he is wrong, while our sorceress tries very hard to convince him that it's best for his health if he leaves both herself and Rapunzel alone.
set in the same world as my forth-coming and very-nearly-finished Cinderella Must Die (which is ALSO told from the POV of the traditional villain), Gothel and the Maiden Prince is ready to come at you in early October!
July 7, 2022
A very original, humorous, and charming take on "Rapunzel" in which the true hero is... well, not the maiden in the tower but the captor, Gothel. Here, she's a brooding, sharp-tongued, no-nonsense, and temperamental sorceress that has created a thick protective wall around her heart alongside creating a thick-walled tower to live with her princess charge.
Until the day she meets the Maiden Prince, a persistent quester that is more interested in her than in saving the supposed damsel in distress in the tower. He's earned his mocking sobriquet because reasons, and those reasons are both amusing and sobering. He's just so adorable!
And Gothel agrees, much to her chagrin. Unable to scare Prince Lucien away no matter how hard she tries, she offers him a bargain he jumps into without understanding the trouble he's rushing headlong into. Soon, he'll have to find out and find a solution. Or the sorceress will for him.
Although this is quite humorous, it's also one of the darker retellings of "Rapunzel" I've read in my long experience with fairy tales. The reasons for Zelle being in the tower, when revealed, are heartbreaking. Original and deftly handled, but heartbreaking. I would like to commend W. R. Gingell for this specific plotline, adding that she has captured the psychology of someone in that situation very well. There's nicely written overall chemistry, too, and banter that is laugh-out-loud worthy.
Until the day she meets the Maiden Prince, a persistent quester that is more interested in her than in saving the supposed damsel in distress in the tower. He's earned his mocking sobriquet because reasons, and those reasons are both amusing and sobering. He's just so adorable!
And Gothel agrees, much to her chagrin. Unable to scare Prince Lucien away no matter how hard she tries, she offers him a bargain he jumps into without understanding the trouble he's rushing headlong into. Soon, he'll have to find out and find a solution. Or the sorceress will for him.
Although this is quite humorous, it's also one of the darker retellings of "Rapunzel" I've read in my long experience with fairy tales. The reasons for Zelle being in the tower, when revealed, are heartbreaking. Original and deftly handled, but heartbreaking. I would like to commend W. R. Gingell for this specific plotline, adding that she has captured the psychology of someone in that situation very well. There's nicely written overall chemistry, too, and banter that is laugh-out-loud worthy.
October 19, 2021
a sweet, hopeful little story about angry and hurting women learning to love again and the magical power of giving; it cleared my skin and watered my crops
January 29, 2022
This was an absolutely adorable and very funny romantic fantasy novella, starring a sweet, clever prince (dubbed "the Maiden Prince" by his macho older brothers and father because they think he's weak for preferring to ask questions first rather than just hitting things with swords) who arrives at Rapunzel's enchanted tower only to discover that Rapunzel is very happy to be there and the notorious Gothel is the hottest sorceress he's ever met. She's also DEEPLY tired of all the princes who've come questing to "rescue" her ward, and is absolutely not going to be taken in by a sweet face...so they soon end up in a dangerous faerie bargain.
Their banter is absolutely wonderful, especially as they get to know each other (and Gothel fights VERY HARD not to laugh at his jokes or admit how delicious the food he brings her is when he woos her with it). There's never anything more physical than a kiss - but the chemistry between Gothel and Lucien is delicious long before they ever touch at all. The magical worldbuilding is lovely, too - as is the dynamic between Gothel and Rapunzel, and between Rapunzel and Lucien, too, as he gets to know her along the way (as an important member of Gothel's family).
I read this novella through KU, but I'll be buying a copy to keep for multiple comfort re-reads in the future! Highly recommended.
Just one small CW: one character in this story is the survivor of child abuse (both sexual and physical) and does refer to that backstory in one scene in a very non-explicit way. I thought the topic was handled sensitively and carefully, and it's all long in the past; in the timeline of this story, that character is safe and cherished and clearly will be forever after.
Their banter is absolutely wonderful, especially as they get to know each other (and Gothel fights VERY HARD not to laugh at his jokes or admit how delicious the food he brings her is when he woos her with it). There's never anything more physical than a kiss - but the chemistry between Gothel and Lucien is delicious long before they ever touch at all. The magical worldbuilding is lovely, too - as is the dynamic between Gothel and Rapunzel, and between Rapunzel and Lucien, too, as he gets to know her along the way (as an important member of Gothel's family).
I read this novella through KU, but I'll be buying a copy to keep for multiple comfort re-reads in the future! Highly recommended.
Just one small CW: one character in this story is the survivor of child abuse (both sexual and physical) and does refer to that backstory in one scene in a very non-explicit way. I thought the topic was handled sensitively and carefully, and it's all long in the past; in the timeline of this story, that character is safe and cherished and clearly will be forever after.
December 17, 2022
5 stars // read October 2021
this review may be *slightly* biased since Gothel and the Maiden Prince is written by one of my favorite authors. ❤️
The romance really shines! Gothel is the chili to Lucien’s cinnamon roll personality and the whole book is really about their relationship. I adored Zelle and how Lucien and Gothel interacted with her. Overall, this book is so refreshing and sweet and I would highly recommend it. :)
You might like this book if:
-you like retellings
-specifically, you like Tangled
-you’ve never read any of Gingell’s books before; this is a bit more… normal… than her usual books so it would make a good first book
-you need a lighter sort of book to escape into for a little bit. I read this at the end of a truly awful day and it was just what I needed.
things to be aware of: allusions to child abuse
this review may be *slightly* biased since Gothel and the Maiden Prince is written by one of my favorite authors. ❤️
The romance really shines! Gothel is the chili to Lucien’s cinnamon roll personality and the whole book is really about their relationship. I adored Zelle and how Lucien and Gothel interacted with her. Overall, this book is so refreshing and sweet and I would highly recommend it. :)
You might like this book if:
-you like retellings
-specifically, you like Tangled
-you’ve never read any of Gingell’s books before; this is a bit more… normal… than her usual books so it would make a good first book
-you need a lighter sort of book to escape into for a little bit. I read this at the end of a truly awful day and it was just what I needed.
things to be aware of: allusions to child abuse
November 6, 2021
This book is AMAZING!!! With her signature style, W.R. Gingell tackles a spin on Rapunzel where Gothel is the leading lady. She is sharp-edged, which pairs great with the adorably sweet leading man Lucien. This book tackles some dark topics (warnings for child abuse, sexual abuse), but it does it with great tact and nothing is explicit or shown, and the book manages to be greatly hopeful even when it is dark. I LOVED how this book does not sugar-coat things, something it is easy to do when trying to redeem a villain. The romance was so sweet, and the themes amazing! Just...go read this book!
October 5, 2021
I expected a breezy fantasy read with a clever twist on the story of Rapunzel and a shot of unconventional romance, and I was not disappointed. What I did NOT expect was the way this book handles some big thorny subjects and complex themes with such a wise, hopeful and above all compassionate touch. Lucien with his kind heart, patient spirit and abominable sense of direction is as unexpected a hero as the prickly, proud Gothel is a heroine, and I ended up loving them both. The magical system is fresh and fascinating too, without burying the story in technicalities. An absolute delight all around.
January 26, 2025
An interesting take on Rapunzel, but not one I really liked. It also took a dark turn with the talk of child sexual abuse and incest. It didn't happen on page, and didn't go into too much detail, but it was briefly talked about.
October 17, 2021
Gothel and the Maiden Prince is the sort of read that teases at you. It's sweet and humorous, but not without a darker undertone and some very old-school-fairytale brutality in the backstory. Mostly, though, it's this lovely mix of heart ache and hope, and I loved it for the genderswapped "broody male" heroine and the "intelligent and compassionate young woman" hero. It worked amazingly, and I very much want my own Maiden Prince. ;)
November 4, 2023
4.5 stars.
Yep, I knew it wouldn't disappoint! Heartwarming story, that handles darker themes very effectively despite being on the short side. Do mind the content warnings for this one - I'm not much of a squirmy girl and the story isn't explicit about anything, but the sense of heartbreak and discomfort was still there, so keep that in mind if you pick this one up.
Also, we need more broody heroines and himbo heroes 😤
Yep, I knew it wouldn't disappoint! Heartwarming story, that handles darker themes very effectively despite being on the short side. Do mind the content warnings for this one - I'm not much of a squirmy girl and the story isn't explicit about anything, but the sense of heartbreak and discomfort was still there, so keep that in mind if you pick this one up.
Also, we need more broody heroines and himbo heroes 😤
March 9, 2025
I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to judge it for the SFiNCS2 competition, on behalf of team Behind the Musings. Rating withheld until after the contest.
I am not a big fan of fairytale retellings but I loved this retelling of Rapunzel’s story with its focus on Mother Gothel’s side of the story. The complicated reasons for her kidnapping Rapunzel and placing her in an impenetrable tower gradually become clear as the story develops. Rapunzel’s shocking backstory is a theme I tend to avoid but it is handled with great care in this longish novella. (See content warnings).
I felt that the story began quite slowly but then gradually became more gripping as the relationship between Prince Lucien and Gothel developed, to the point that I couldn’t put it down during the second half. I was surprised by how soon I was disarmed of all my preconceived concerns about the genre and content warnings and became addicted to the budding, extremely slow-burning romance. The conversations between Gothel and Lucien read like a couple of detectives using skilled interview techniques to extract information from one another and the picture that builds up of this so-called evil sorceress and kidnapper is eye-opening and for me was a completely fresh take on the Rapunzel story. This treatment of the story reminded me of the musical Wicked’s treatment of Elphaba - the misunderstood witch from Wizard of Oz.
Prince Lucien displays a wry humour which Gothel appreciates and this along with her discovery of his goodness takes her completely by surprise. Maybe she won’t have to be such a fierce Mama Bear all alone against the world after all. Rapunzel is a sweet young princess who needs kind people such as Lucien in her life to aid her recovery
By the end I didn’t want the story to end and was truly in love with all three of the main characters. They thoroughly deserve one another and I wish them all a Happy Ever After.
I am not a big fan of fairytale retellings but I loved this retelling of Rapunzel’s story with its focus on Mother Gothel’s side of the story. The complicated reasons for her kidnapping Rapunzel and placing her in an impenetrable tower gradually become clear as the story develops. Rapunzel’s shocking backstory is a theme I tend to avoid but it is handled with great care in this longish novella. (See content warnings).
I felt that the story began quite slowly but then gradually became more gripping as the relationship between Prince Lucien and Gothel developed, to the point that I couldn’t put it down during the second half. I was surprised by how soon I was disarmed of all my preconceived concerns about the genre and content warnings and became addicted to the budding, extremely slow-burning romance. The conversations between Gothel and Lucien read like a couple of detectives using skilled interview techniques to extract information from one another and the picture that builds up of this so-called evil sorceress and kidnapper is eye-opening and for me was a completely fresh take on the Rapunzel story. This treatment of the story reminded me of the musical Wicked’s treatment of Elphaba - the misunderstood witch from Wizard of Oz.
Prince Lucien displays a wry humour which Gothel appreciates and this along with her discovery of his goodness takes her completely by surprise. Maybe she won’t have to be such a fierce Mama Bear all alone against the world after all. Rapunzel is a sweet young princess who needs kind people such as Lucien in her life to aid her recovery
By the end I didn’t want the story to end and was truly in love with all three of the main characters. They thoroughly deserve one another and I wish them all a Happy Ever After.
September 21, 2021
FIVE FLAMIN’ STARS.
LUCIEN.
GOTHEL.
ZELLE.
LOTS OF CHEEK, HEART, AND DEPTH. Gingell at her finest—making us snort, want to huggle and protect these cinnamon rolls, and providing agency and dignity to characters who deserve it.
Have I already demanded—very politely, mind you—more stories with these characters? Yes, I have. Will I reveal the authoress’ answer?
To take a cue from Gothel: “No.” ;-) #spoilers
LUCIEN.
GOTHEL.
ZELLE.
LOTS OF CHEEK, HEART, AND DEPTH. Gingell at her finest—making us snort, want to huggle and protect these cinnamon rolls, and providing agency and dignity to characters who deserve it.
Have I already demanded—very politely, mind you—more stories with these characters? Yes, I have. Will I reveal the authoress’ answer?
To take a cue from Gothel: “No.” ;-) #spoilers
August 3, 2024
at this point i think we all know i'm trash for anything w. r. gingell writes
May 9, 2022
Gothel and the Maiden Prince is the eighth installment within the A Villain's Ever After series. This is definitely a Rapunzel retelling with a nice twist. Mostly because the prince comes to save her but finds out she loves her tower life. Then Gothel is the very sexy vixen sorceress, and he only has eyes for her. Whereas Gothel has had it with all the princes trying to rescue Rapunzel.
Now I absolutely loved the characters in this. Their bantering gave me life because it was wonderful to read. I also found it hilarious whenever Gothel tried hard to not laugh at or with the jokes being said. Also, all the wooing he did? Swoon.
You're probably wondering why I gave this book three stars? Well, it was just way too clean. Like squeaky clean. The chemistry between these two was simply amazing. Yet, all I get is a freaking kiss? No, no, no. I needed way more than that and that's why I rated it this way.
In the end, I'm off to the next book because I just need more from this series. Secretly hoping things get darker and sexier but that's probably unrealistic of me.
Now I absolutely loved the characters in this. Their bantering gave me life because it was wonderful to read. I also found it hilarious whenever Gothel tried hard to not laugh at or with the jokes being said. Also, all the wooing he did? Swoon.
You're probably wondering why I gave this book three stars? Well, it was just way too clean. Like squeaky clean. The chemistry between these two was simply amazing. Yet, all I get is a freaking kiss? No, no, no. I needed way more than that and that's why I rated it this way.
In the end, I'm off to the next book because I just need more from this series. Secretly hoping things get darker and sexier but that's probably unrealistic of me.
October 3, 2021
I've given up approaching WR Gingell's book with any real sense of objectivity because they suit me so well as an individual. The quirks, the tropes, the weirdness; they're all I've ever asked for.
The romance in this book is very similar to Lady of Weeds because the main characters are similar. The setting, though, is quite different from Wendee's usual. She went for the standard medieval European fantasy setting (maybe because the novella's length doesn't allow for as much bizarre world building), but it was quite nice. It allowed me to focus most of my attention on the characters and plot. Speaking of plot, it's fairly straightforward but the twists still surprised me. I love being outwitted so that made me happy! This whole book made me happy. Fluff with wisdom you only see when you take time to notice it is my FAVORITE. <3
I'd clearly recommend this, but especially as someone's first WR Gingell book because it's short, polished, and characteristically delightful.
TW: sexual abuse (no details, but it's heartbreaking)
The romance in this book is very similar to Lady of Weeds because the main characters are similar. The setting, though, is quite different from Wendee's usual. She went for the standard medieval European fantasy setting (maybe because the novella's length doesn't allow for as much bizarre world building), but it was quite nice. It allowed me to focus most of my attention on the characters and plot. Speaking of plot, it's fairly straightforward but the twists still surprised me. I love being outwitted so that made me happy! This whole book made me happy. Fluff with wisdom you only see when you take time to notice it is my FAVORITE. <3
I'd clearly recommend this, but especially as someone's first WR Gingell book because it's short, polished, and characteristically delightful.
TW: sexual abuse (no details, but it's heartbreaking)
January 24, 2022
Video Review: https://youtu.be/0muCr_MClMM
This was so fun! As Rapunzel is my favorite fairytale I always get nervous if retellings will do the story and characters justice and I’m happy to say this one lived up to my (probably too high) expectations!
Gothel and Lucien’s banter was THE BEST and had me smirking more than once as did their characters in general, especially just how sweet Lucien is. Rapunzel is such a dear and needs to be protected at all costs, and I loved hers and Gothel’s relationship.
The whole magic system is fascinating and the story flowed well despite its short length. The romance also works even though this is a small book. And I loved the (I assume?) tiny nods to Tangled—Gothel has black, curly hair and wears a red dress more than once and Rapunzel bashes a creature on the head with a saucepan. Yes, I’m obsessed. No, I will never get over it. 🥰
So adorable; I will definitely read this again!
Content: magic and magical abilities; mention of a past sexual assault; kissing (not detailed); violence
This was so fun! As Rapunzel is my favorite fairytale I always get nervous if retellings will do the story and characters justice and I’m happy to say this one lived up to my (probably too high) expectations!
Gothel and Lucien’s banter was THE BEST and had me smirking more than once as did their characters in general, especially just how sweet Lucien is. Rapunzel is such a dear and needs to be protected at all costs, and I loved hers and Gothel’s relationship.
The whole magic system is fascinating and the story flowed well despite its short length. The romance also works even though this is a small book. And I loved the (I assume?) tiny nods to Tangled—Gothel has black, curly hair and wears a red dress more than once and Rapunzel bashes a creature on the head with a saucepan. Yes, I’m obsessed. No, I will never get over it. 🥰
So adorable; I will definitely read this again!
Content: magic and magical abilities; mention of a past sexual assault; kissing (not detailed); violence
December 24, 2021
*perfection*
February 7, 2022
This is my first read from Gingell that's NOT from her absolutely too-brilliant-for-words urban fantasy (with some crime/found family drama), the City Between series. And I have to say, I'm supremely impressed with the way she twisted the fairy tale of Rapunzel, as told from the "villainess" (the witch) perspective.
Lucien is absolutely a darling - he makes the (secret) cinnamon roll of Gothel actually sweet and not just all strong spice and bitterness xD, and I love how he was able to bring out the sun in Gothel's dark life and past. He's not the typical classical hero (as is proper in this story), but I was surprised at how impressed I am at his non-typical strengths regardless as the male hero of this story.
Everything is quite logical and delightful and ORIGINAL I kind of feel like if Jane Austen wrote fairytale retelling, they'd sound similar to Gingell's style. <3
As a writer, there are SO many things to learn from this short novella. Gingell's storytelling embodies everything I love in fairytales and beyond: A lovely balance of depth, fun, delight, humor, realism, and spice. There are many moments while reading that I thought: "Wow! THIS is how you do it right!" ^-^
I shall be back with highlights from the book. (And there are many... my paperback copy if filled with sticky notes sticking out.) So be on the lookout. O>O
Also, I want to try that curry goat ragout now. It sounds a big strange yet interesting at the same time...?
Content: Everything is super clean. There are implications of physical/sexual assault/abuse but nothing graphical - simply implied by the way things are worded and expressed and shown.
Lucien is absolutely a darling - he makes the (secret) cinnamon roll of Gothel actually sweet and not just all strong spice and bitterness xD, and I love how he was able to bring out the sun in Gothel's dark life and past. He's not the typical classical hero (as is proper in this story), but I was surprised at how impressed I am at his non-typical strengths regardless as the male hero of this story.
Everything is quite logical and delightful and ORIGINAL I kind of feel like if Jane Austen wrote fairytale retelling, they'd sound similar to Gingell's style. <3
As a writer, there are SO many things to learn from this short novella. Gingell's storytelling embodies everything I love in fairytales and beyond: A lovely balance of depth, fun, delight, humor, realism, and spice. There are many moments while reading that I thought: "Wow! THIS is how you do it right!" ^-^
I shall be back with highlights from the book. (And there are many... my paperback copy if filled with sticky notes sticking out.) So be on the lookout. O>O
Also, I want to try that curry goat ragout now. It sounds a big strange yet interesting at the same time...?
Content: Everything is super clean. There are implications of physical/sexual assault/abuse but nothing graphical - simply implied by the way things are worded and expressed and shown.
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November 24, 2024Gothel and the Maiden Prince is a delightful romantasy retelling with incredibly smooth writing and a focus on banter and character work. Anyone who was left reeling after the anti-Semitism of Disney’s Tangled, but who enjoys an upbeat fairytale romance, would be well-served picking up a copy of W. R. Gingell’s twist on the Disney adaptation.* Although some of the background detail of the relationships explored in this one includes things like parental abuse and Othering, the tale itself is quite light and the focus here is on flirtation and the (re)building of family.
In this version of Rapunzel, the titular princess’s captor and jailor is less her nemesis and more her rescuer. Through the POV of the powerful witch, Gothel, it becomes clear early in the novella that Gothel’s motivations are entirely selfless, though it’s not until later in the story that we learn the exact details of Rapunzel’s unfortunate situation. Having sacrificed her reputation and personal safety to remove Rapunzel from an abusive situation, Gothel subsists in relative isolation from the communities and kingdoms that surround her. Her only companion her adoptive daughter, Gothel is also the victim of attempted “rescues” on the part of would-be heroes (usually, princes), who view Rapunzel as a kidnapee and no-doubt also have designs on some kind of reward, or simply the clout that goes along with rescuing a princess. When a completely different sort of prince becomes intrigued by the legend of the vicious and deadly witch who keeps Rapunzel captive in the forest, his investigation leads him to Gothel’s tower. Gothel strikes a bargain with him, agreeing to meet with him and engage in a battle of wits (and magic), the outcome of which means either the loss of Gothel’s powers, or the prince’s life. But, contrary to Gothel’s past experiences, the prince is far more interested in flirting with her than in rescuing Rapunzel from her supposed prison. As Gothel grows closer to her would-be suitor, she begins to dread the outcome of their contest.
The focus of the story is the developing romance between Gothel and the prince. Gothel is bristly and cold–initially reluctant to divulge her intimate secrets, her hopes and fears, or her personal history to a man she believes has ulterior motives. Gradually, however, the prince earns her trust, melting her heart with his culinary expertise and his insight into her motivations and character. Kind and generous, the prince is the antithesis of the men Gothel and Rapunzel are used to, and over time, Gothel comes to look forward to their conversations. Adding more to the conflict, the prince’s father–who’d much rather his son embody the military prowess that princes are traditionally supposed to–is dead-set on taking down Gothel.
The writing here, as mentioned, is incredibly smooth. There wasn’t an awkward sentence in sight and I had absolutely no trouble flowing along with the words. This novella has both the polish and the appeal of traditionally-published fantasy, and would make an excellent starting point for romantasy fans curious about indie books but unsure where to start. I found myself screenshotting particularly hilarious or poignant lines and moments, which is a rare thing for me and speaks to the strength of the writing. Gothel’s prickly, sharp wit made her tremendous fun to read, and her voice comes through very strongly in Gingell’s prose. The prince, as well, leapt off the page, and it’s clear throughout that Gingell has a strong grasp on character and how it informs and shapes plot.
While the storyline itself was a delight–I enjoyed the characters, the writing, and Gothel‘s central themes–I did find that the story was a little static in its middle portion. The setup of the novella requires a certain limit in terms of the different locations that can be shown on-page, so this isn’t so much a complaint that the setting doesn’t change, so much as that both the setting and circumstances occasionally felt a little same-y, scene-to-scene. Though the banter between Gothel and her love interest was well done, I felt as though a few of these scenes could have been condensed without detriment to the storyline or character work. Still, Gothel is a short, sweet read.
Gothel and the Maiden Prince is part of the A Villain’s Ever After series–a series that contains works by a number of different authors all working with similar themes–and if you’re a fan of retellings that present the villain’s point of view and cast them in a more sympathetic light, this one is absolutely for you. Fans of Disney’s Maleficent are likely to enjoy this one, but I’d also recommend it to romantasy readers in general, whether or not you have an interest in retellings, or in Disney specifically. With intelligent writing and solid character work, Gothel proves Gingell is a writer to watch!
In this version of Rapunzel, the titular princess’s captor and jailor is less her nemesis and more her rescuer. Through the POV of the powerful witch, Gothel, it becomes clear early in the novella that Gothel’s motivations are entirely selfless, though it’s not until later in the story that we learn the exact details of Rapunzel’s unfortunate situation. Having sacrificed her reputation and personal safety to remove Rapunzel from an abusive situation, Gothel subsists in relative isolation from the communities and kingdoms that surround her. Her only companion her adoptive daughter, Gothel is also the victim of attempted “rescues” on the part of would-be heroes (usually, princes), who view Rapunzel as a kidnapee and no-doubt also have designs on some kind of reward, or simply the clout that goes along with rescuing a princess. When a completely different sort of prince becomes intrigued by the legend of the vicious and deadly witch who keeps Rapunzel captive in the forest, his investigation leads him to Gothel’s tower. Gothel strikes a bargain with him, agreeing to meet with him and engage in a battle of wits (and magic), the outcome of which means either the loss of Gothel’s powers, or the prince’s life. But, contrary to Gothel’s past experiences, the prince is far more interested in flirting with her than in rescuing Rapunzel from her supposed prison. As Gothel grows closer to her would-be suitor, she begins to dread the outcome of their contest.
The focus of the story is the developing romance between Gothel and the prince. Gothel is bristly and cold–initially reluctant to divulge her intimate secrets, her hopes and fears, or her personal history to a man she believes has ulterior motives. Gradually, however, the prince earns her trust, melting her heart with his culinary expertise and his insight into her motivations and character. Kind and generous, the prince is the antithesis of the men Gothel and Rapunzel are used to, and over time, Gothel comes to look forward to their conversations. Adding more to the conflict, the prince’s father–who’d much rather his son embody the military prowess that princes are traditionally supposed to–is dead-set on taking down Gothel.
The writing here, as mentioned, is incredibly smooth. There wasn’t an awkward sentence in sight and I had absolutely no trouble flowing along with the words. This novella has both the polish and the appeal of traditionally-published fantasy, and would make an excellent starting point for romantasy fans curious about indie books but unsure where to start. I found myself screenshotting particularly hilarious or poignant lines and moments, which is a rare thing for me and speaks to the strength of the writing. Gothel’s prickly, sharp wit made her tremendous fun to read, and her voice comes through very strongly in Gingell’s prose. The prince, as well, leapt off the page, and it’s clear throughout that Gingell has a strong grasp on character and how it informs and shapes plot.
While the storyline itself was a delight–I enjoyed the characters, the writing, and Gothel‘s central themes–I did find that the story was a little static in its middle portion. The setup of the novella requires a certain limit in terms of the different locations that can be shown on-page, so this isn’t so much a complaint that the setting doesn’t change, so much as that both the setting and circumstances occasionally felt a little same-y, scene-to-scene. Though the banter between Gothel and her love interest was well done, I felt as though a few of these scenes could have been condensed without detriment to the storyline or character work. Still, Gothel is a short, sweet read.
Gothel and the Maiden Prince is part of the A Villain’s Ever After series–a series that contains works by a number of different authors all working with similar themes–and if you’re a fan of retellings that present the villain’s point of view and cast them in a more sympathetic light, this one is absolutely for you. Fans of Disney’s Maleficent are likely to enjoy this one, but I’d also recommend it to romantasy readers in general, whether or not you have an interest in retellings, or in Disney specifically. With intelligent writing and solid character work, Gothel proves Gingell is a writer to watch!
September 3, 2024
This is a shorter story, but I really enjoyed it! The dialogue was fun and witty, the romance was adorable, and the characters well developed (especially considered the length of the book). It’s a Rapunzel retelling with a twist, but it doesn’t have the normal fairy tale feel to it.
Highly recommended!
Content:
There’s no foul language and minimal violence. The romance is clean with only a few kisses at the end. There’s lots of magic. There’s no mention of faith or God.
I will warn that one of the characters experienced horrific sexual and physical abuse as a child. It happened prior to the story and is not covered with any detail.
Highly recommended!
Content:
There’s no foul language and minimal violence. The romance is clean with only a few kisses at the end. There’s lots of magic. There’s no mention of faith or God.
I will warn that one of the characters experienced horrific sexual and physical abuse as a child. It happened prior to the story and is not covered with any detail.
October 4, 2021
The concept was super cute and I was really eager to read the book. Unfortunately, despite the conceptualization of such intriguing character types, in practice they ended up being a bit flat and difficult to connect to.
March 6, 2022
I know that healthy love stories are rarely exciting to read about. There is a lot more tension when people start as enemies. There is a lot more action when people think they hate each other. There is a lot more growth for both characters when they start as not the perfect fit for the other. However, I do enjoy romances that are well done, that are healthy, where there are no lies or pretenses, where they really just want to make the other happy.
I needed a few pages to get into this story. Especially the first few paragraphs were a little confusing since the author threw us in the middle of the story without explaining the details of her world and magic first, but quite soon I was sucked into this story and regretting having to put it down. The moment Gothel and the Prince meet, the moment they start talking, the moment I realized that this would be a beautiful romance, I was hooked.
The book takes a lot of time to build the connection between these two characters, and Rapunzel. The biggest part of the book is filled with questions and answers, the characters having conversations and the characters being forced to share details of their lives and pasts they would rather not share with each other. But therefore the connection they eventually have feels strong and real and true. After all, I saw how it happened, how it was made.
I also saw how these three characters work together. All three of them have quite a tragic backstory. Our prince might not have gotten the short end of the stick, but his life wasn't easy either. The histories Rapunzel and Gothel are running from though are actually quite sickening. This book is therefore not only about romance, it's also about healing, about friendship, about respect, about understanding, about empathy.
I really really loved it!
I needed a few pages to get into this story. Especially the first few paragraphs were a little confusing since the author threw us in the middle of the story without explaining the details of her world and magic first, but quite soon I was sucked into this story and regretting having to put it down. The moment Gothel and the Prince meet, the moment they start talking, the moment I realized that this would be a beautiful romance, I was hooked.
The book takes a lot of time to build the connection between these two characters, and Rapunzel. The biggest part of the book is filled with questions and answers, the characters having conversations and the characters being forced to share details of their lives and pasts they would rather not share with each other. But therefore the connection they eventually have feels strong and real and true. After all, I saw how it happened, how it was made.
I also saw how these three characters work together. All three of them have quite a tragic backstory. Our prince might not have gotten the short end of the stick, but his life wasn't easy either. The histories Rapunzel and Gothel are running from though are actually quite sickening. This book is therefore not only about romance, it's also about healing, about friendship, about respect, about understanding, about empathy.
I really really loved it!
February 9, 2025
This review was done as part of SFINCS2! It is also featured on Behind the Pages: Gothel and the Maiden Prince
Gothel and the Maiden Prince takes the story of Rapunzel and completely turns it around. Gothel has earned quite a reputation for herself. Kidnapping a princess and building your own magical tower on the outskirts of a village can make quite a fuss. So much so that princes find their way to the tower to challenge her and are no longer seen or heard from again. And despite multiple warnings, one pesky villager keeps sending those princes her way. Gothel’s journey into the village to take care of said villager once and for all, will unknowingly cause her to cross paths with a prince unlike the rest. One that would rather talk than fight, and isn’t interested in what Gothel thinks he is.
Gothel is quite the character to follow. She radiates the feeling of an annoyed mother who has repeatedly told the kids to leave her alone for some peace and quiet. And yet despite it all the kids (aka the villager) continue to push buttons where they really shouldn’t be. And while her wicked ways seem to be the talk of the village, there is another side of Gothel that readers can see. Where her magic might be dark, there are reasons she has both obtained and used it. Were they entirely good? No, but W.R. Gingell challenges readers to look between the lines into the murky grey Gothel’s actions reside. And they might just be surprised at what they find.
The introduction of Prince Lucian is a delight. Where Gothel is bristly Lucian is gentle natured. In an attempt to trick him and make him go away, Gothel convinces him to enter a True Bargain. Essentially a spell that will cause the two characters to have conversations. The only way for the bargain to end is Gothel’s satisfaction. Little does Gothel know though, Lucian is quite the talker and has a sense of humor that will intrigue her. As the two share banter back and forth, readers will enjoy the contest of wills and bits of history revealed through the Prince’s engagement.
Gothel and the Maiden Prince is a wonderful reimagining of Rapunzel, where the characters are much more than they seem. In only a short time, readers will find an enriching world and complex characters.
Gothel and the Maiden Prince takes the story of Rapunzel and completely turns it around. Gothel has earned quite a reputation for herself. Kidnapping a princess and building your own magical tower on the outskirts of a village can make quite a fuss. So much so that princes find their way to the tower to challenge her and are no longer seen or heard from again. And despite multiple warnings, one pesky villager keeps sending those princes her way. Gothel’s journey into the village to take care of said villager once and for all, will unknowingly cause her to cross paths with a prince unlike the rest. One that would rather talk than fight, and isn’t interested in what Gothel thinks he is.
Gothel is quite the character to follow. She radiates the feeling of an annoyed mother who has repeatedly told the kids to leave her alone for some peace and quiet. And yet despite it all the kids (aka the villager) continue to push buttons where they really shouldn’t be. And while her wicked ways seem to be the talk of the village, there is another side of Gothel that readers can see. Where her magic might be dark, there are reasons she has both obtained and used it. Were they entirely good? No, but W.R. Gingell challenges readers to look between the lines into the murky grey Gothel’s actions reside. And they might just be surprised at what they find.
The introduction of Prince Lucian is a delight. Where Gothel is bristly Lucian is gentle natured. In an attempt to trick him and make him go away, Gothel convinces him to enter a True Bargain. Essentially a spell that will cause the two characters to have conversations. The only way for the bargain to end is Gothel’s satisfaction. Little does Gothel know though, Lucian is quite the talker and has a sense of humor that will intrigue her. As the two share banter back and forth, readers will enjoy the contest of wills and bits of history revealed through the Prince’s engagement.
Gothel and the Maiden Prince is a wonderful reimagining of Rapunzel, where the characters are much more than they seem. In only a short time, readers will find an enriching world and complex characters.
April 15, 2023
Loved it!
October 2, 2021
Extremely delightful! Marvelous reimagining of the classic Rapunzel tale! Very witty and fun, I only wish it had been longer. Definitely recommend.
July 15, 2022
I do like a game - of - questions, especially as a relationship building plot device. This charming and offbeat little novella also uses for a slow exploration of the characters' back story, lending tension to what is otherwise a very dialogue heavy narrative. Though Gingell's dialogue is snappy as usual. Lots of fun.
Content warning for reference to serious abuse (not graphic) in back stories.
Content warning for reference to serious abuse (not graphic) in back stories.
February 4, 2023
Still chugging away through the series! Making progress!
I was intrigued about this one because I've heard a lot about Gingell's work, but never read anything by her. I also found the idea of the prince falling in love with the Gothel figure intriguing.
I'll say it was a cute story. Neither my favorite nor least favorite in the series so far. It faced some of the normal issues I see in novella projects with pacing and the inability to truly flesh characters and plots out, but even so, Gingell did manage to create a mystery that I sought to unravel. I wanted to know more and figure out what was really going on. The question of what was really going on in the tower and why Gothel had done what she had drove the story for me.
I also really appreciated how Gingell handled a couple of tough topics. She touched on both child abuse and sexual abuse without being explicit or graphic. Nothing on scene. But even as part of a character's backstory, she handled it delicately and with respect. I liked how everything wasn't necessarily fixed at the end of the story and how one of the characters reacted and treated the victim with the cognizant understanding of how someone wrestling with trauma should. It really endeared me to see how that character handled the situation.
Speaking of characters, Gothel and Lucien were an interesting pair. I'd have loved to see a little more of how the magic in this world worked, but again, novellas kind of constrain that ability. I never really quite felt like I got my footing in the world. And I never quite felt like I got my head around Gothel either. I mean, I did. But she just felt so abrasive and not as nuanced as I would have liked. I did like her though. I liked her honesty and even that she was blunt (as I am XD). I liked her protective nature and the reason behind how things unfolded in her story were satisfying. Perhaps I just didn't love how irritable she was, though I understand why. I don't know. I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe with more room, I could have seen a smoother understanding or transition between the internal and external pieces of her. Not sure.
And Lucien was fun. I liked how curious and genuine he was. He kind of reminded me of a puppy dog. He seemed a bit aloof and soft in some ways. I think from him I'd have liked to see maybe a little more agency or decisiveness. I'm not sure about him either. I liked him the best of the characters. His mind was fun to watch spin. I wish we could have gotten inside his head more and seen some of the though process behind his questions in the True Bargain. I did like that we saw multiple perspectives and I think Gingell pulled the switches off between the povs in a clear, effective way.
The story itself felt a little...like an ambling walk in the woods at times. But again, the mystery was what really drew me in. I also liked the cute ending. I liked how the magic system worked and the head that Gothel's arc came to and the trust she learned to place and the dedication Lucien had to Gothel's cause. Those little moments where his kindness and nobility showed through shone brightly.
Content: again, thematically, the story did touch on some heavier topics, but in a very respectful way. There's no swearing and a sweet, clean romance. I'd say the book is probably okay for 16ish, depending on your comfort level with the sensitive topics (backstory element, off screen, very lightly touched on, but a central part of the plot and characters who react to the backstory).
I was intrigued about this one because I've heard a lot about Gingell's work, but never read anything by her. I also found the idea of the prince falling in love with the Gothel figure intriguing.
I'll say it was a cute story. Neither my favorite nor least favorite in the series so far. It faced some of the normal issues I see in novella projects with pacing and the inability to truly flesh characters and plots out, but even so, Gingell did manage to create a mystery that I sought to unravel. I wanted to know more and figure out what was really going on. The question of what was really going on in the tower and why Gothel had done what she had drove the story for me.
I also really appreciated how Gingell handled a couple of tough topics. She touched on both child abuse and sexual abuse without being explicit or graphic. Nothing on scene. But even as part of a character's backstory, she handled it delicately and with respect. I liked how everything wasn't necessarily fixed at the end of the story and how one of the characters reacted and treated the victim with the cognizant understanding of how someone wrestling with trauma should. It really endeared me to see how that character handled the situation.
Speaking of characters, Gothel and Lucien were an interesting pair. I'd have loved to see a little more of how the magic in this world worked, but again, novellas kind of constrain that ability. I never really quite felt like I got my footing in the world. And I never quite felt like I got my head around Gothel either. I mean, I did. But she just felt so abrasive and not as nuanced as I would have liked. I did like her though. I liked her honesty and even that she was blunt (as I am XD). I liked her protective nature and the reason behind how things unfolded in her story were satisfying. Perhaps I just didn't love how irritable she was, though I understand why. I don't know. I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe with more room, I could have seen a smoother understanding or transition between the internal and external pieces of her. Not sure.
And Lucien was fun. I liked how curious and genuine he was. He kind of reminded me of a puppy dog. He seemed a bit aloof and soft in some ways. I think from him I'd have liked to see maybe a little more agency or decisiveness. I'm not sure about him either. I liked him the best of the characters. His mind was fun to watch spin. I wish we could have gotten inside his head more and seen some of the though process behind his questions in the True Bargain. I did like that we saw multiple perspectives and I think Gingell pulled the switches off between the povs in a clear, effective way.
The story itself felt a little...like an ambling walk in the woods at times. But again, the mystery was what really drew me in. I also liked the cute ending. I liked how the magic system worked and the head that Gothel's arc came to and the trust she learned to place and the dedication Lucien had to Gothel's cause. Those little moments where his kindness and nobility showed through shone brightly.
Content: again, thematically, the story did touch on some heavier topics, but in a very respectful way. There's no swearing and a sweet, clean romance. I'd say the book is probably okay for 16ish, depending on your comfort level with the sensitive topics (backstory element, off screen, very lightly touched on, but a central part of the plot and characters who react to the backstory).
October 1, 2021
Ahhh, yesss. Another AMAZING story from Gingell.
I will state here and now that I'm pretty pleased that we have a villains ever after with a more morally grey protagonist. And one you root for, as well, too, for that matter. The hero was an angel...a Ravenclaw who tackles knowledge like a Gryffindor, I'll say in HP terms, and the Rapunzel character was....well, spoilers. They were all done so WELL. Asides from the main protagonists, though, everything else was pretty simple - plot, side characters, and the like - but it was simple in a good way. It didn't overcomplicate things and paced others things well (so specific, I know), and while there wasn't an immediate resolution to every problem, the ending was satisfying and basically assured us things would (probably...who knows with Gingell) end well.
There's more to come in this world, though, and I can't wait.
Content: Everything, from language to romance to even violence, is kept pretty clean. But on the flip side, there should be a warning for sexual abuse. It's not graphic but it's...just heartbreaking, okay?
I will state here and now that I'm pretty pleased that we have a villains ever after with a more morally grey protagonist. And one you root for, as well, too, for that matter. The hero was an angel...a Ravenclaw who tackles knowledge like a Gryffindor, I'll say in HP terms, and the Rapunzel character was....well, spoilers. They were all done so WELL. Asides from the main protagonists, though, everything else was pretty simple - plot, side characters, and the like - but it was simple in a good way. It didn't overcomplicate things and paced others things well (so specific, I know), and while there wasn't an immediate resolution to every problem, the ending was satisfying and basically assured us things would (probably...who knows with Gingell) end well.
There's more to come in this world, though, and I can't wait.
Content: Everything, from language to romance to even violence, is kept pretty clean. But on the flip side, there should be a warning for sexual abuse. It's not graphic but it's...just heartbreaking, okay?
October 2, 2021
YES I binged this in like 12 hours instead of doing housework.
What I loved:
-gentle prince
-dangerous enchantress who is possibly nicer than she wants to appear
-magic hair!
-Just so cute, ok?
TW: mentions of child abuse/rape
What I loved:
-gentle prince
-dangerous enchantress who is possibly nicer than she wants to appear
-magic hair!
-Just so cute, ok?
TW: mentions of child abuse/rape
June 2, 2022
4.6/5 stars, full review to come! Lucien is the sweetest little jellybean man and I love him and Gothel SO MUCH!
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Pacing: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Pacing: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
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