This time I am reviewing The Princes of Tangleforest, a YA novel by Ms. Dorlana Vann. It's been a LONG time since I read a book that was geared towards young adults but this one was a good one get back on that YA horse.
Here's the synopsis:
"Skater and reformed geek, Tanner Dobbs, soon learns that his new school, Tangleforest High, is ruled by the Princes. This group of brains used the techniques of Neuro Linguistic Programming to “persuade” the student body that intellectuals are cool, with an added bonus suggestion: “The Princes are the smartest and therefore the most popular.”
Julia Webster used to be part of the Princes’ crowd until they became obsessed and increasingly dangerous to themselves. Now she finds herself an outcast from her former “nerd” friends as well as the students who had ostracized her since elementary school. She’s worried when new kid, Tanner, is invited to join the Princes. She figures Tanner hides his smarts in order to fit in and worries that the popular status the Princes offer, even though geeky, might entice him.
When Tanner catches a glimpse of his golden-haired neighbor, Poppi, he thinks perhaps the Tangleforest community isn’t so terribly bad. But after climbing up to her window, he discovers she is locked in her bedroom by her wicked witch of a grandmother. Unfortunately, his only chance of saving the princess may be to become a nerd prince."
Ms. Vann is a wonderful writer and crafts a very delightful tale in the vein of Rapunzel (which she sights as an inspiration) but also adds to the story in some pretty nifty ways. Things that you think are one way end up being completely different at the end and I found that to be awesome. Kids of all ages should take delight in this book.
Highly recommended!
You can purchase your copy for the insanely low price of $.99 by visiting the following:
Barnes and Noble (Nook)
Amazon (Kindle)
For more information on Ms. Vann and her other works please visit http://www.dorlanavann.com/