WHAT ONCE WAS MINE - Liz Braswell

Genre - Fantasy, YA, Romance, Fairytale

Goodreads rating - 3.91/5 
My rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 

It reimagines the classic tale of Rapunzel with a fascinating and dark twist. When the queen of Corona falls ill, a desperate search for the mythical Sundrop flower ensues. However, in a pivotal error, the Moondrop flower is found and administered instead. While it saves the queen and her unborn child, it bestows upon the newborn princess, Rapunzel, hair that is not golden and healing, but silver and gray, imbued with dangerous, destructive magic.

Consequently, for the safety of both herself and the kingdom, Rapunzel is confined to a tower for eighteen years, under the watchful eye of Mother Gothel. She lives with the constant awareness that her magical hair possesses the power to harm. Her sheltered existence is shattered when she finally breaks free, driven by a desire to witness the enigmatic floating lights that appear annually on her birthday. This quest plunges her into an unexpected adventure alongside two thieves: the cunning Gina and the infamous Flynn Rider.

As Rapunzel journeys across the kingdom, her understanding of her own past and the true nature of her potent, silver tresses begins to unravel. The path to her "happily ever after" is far from straightforward, revealing a complex web of secrets and a destiny far more intricate than she ever imagined. This novel offers a compelling exploration of power, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between good and evil.