Rootbound is now out and about in the world! Grab a copy from your local bookstore, or order one from any of the fine retailers here! It’s been such a joy stepping into Rapunzel and Eugene’s world, and I hope you enjoy the journey we went on as well. 💜✨
Rapunzel knows nothing about her neighboring kingdom, Astera – and not just because she only left her tower a month ago. The famously reclusive island has limited its contact with outsiders for decades. So when a suspicious invitation arrives welcoming Rapunzel to the Asteran princess’s coming of age ceremony, and offering her a chance to be useful for the first time since she lost her healing powers, Rapunzel accepts – and unwittingly plunges herself and her companion, Eugene, into a tangled knot of political intrigue and magical secrets. Eugene is just happy to get one last adventure with Rapunzel before his criminal background catches up with him and prevents their happy ending. Yet as they’re drawn further into the country’s problems, they uncover truths about Eugene’s parentage that point to deeper unrest in Astera, and suddenly the fate of their own kingdom, not just their personal dreams, is at stake. Thrust into a power struggle between Astera’s beloved princess, Verette, its domineering king, Enver, and a mysterious secret society, Rapunzel and Eugene race to protect their home from an unsettlingly familiar threat and discover that the past can either hold them back, or help them blossom. A cunning king. An devious princess. Best. Week. Ever.
Hardcover | $18.99 Published by Disney Press Oct 07, 2025 | 320 Pages
After reading Rootbound. I've came to notice something about Rapunzel. I thought it was just the series writers railroading Cassandra for plot, and being bad at writing Eugene at times. But then Rootbound also seemed like it tilted to this direction as well.
Rapunzel has tunnel vision when it comes to people.
While she can do groups, and people try to put her into trios (series) she does ultimately better in duos.
When put into trios or groups, she has her focus divided, and as a result one of the trio or the group is left out, or put to the side.
When writing her, the various media tend to have a leaning where she puts all of her undivided attention on one person at a time when both/all are around, and only switches when the the current focus is absent.
She can care about more than one person and be friends. And also help several people. But her priority can only be one at a time.
Is this a character trait, or just all of the writers having to force narrative?
