Book Review: Rumpelstiltskin by Jenni James (Faerie Tale Collection #3) (no spoilers)

Book: Rumplestiltskin
Author: Jenni James
Publication: January 31st, 2013
Series: Faerie Tale Collection #3
Source: Inter-Library Loan
Read: July 5th-6th, 2014
Summary (from Goodreads):

A young prince crippled by a witch—

 When Fredrico watches his cruel family mourn his false death and announce to the kingdom their cursed prince has died, is the day he truly embraces his new life and new name Rumplestiltskin. How could he be known by anything else? —His skin is completely rumpled and stilted now. He hides away from the king and queen and grows up as a crippled servant in the castle.

 Years later, his younger brother, Marcus, becomes king and humors Aubrynn’s father when he boasts that his daughter can turn straw into gold. Intrigued Marcus locks the distraught maiden in a tower and declares to the kingdom that if she can transform the straw, he will marry her, but if she cannot he will kill her father.

 Rumplestiltskin is determined to help Aubrynn save her father and marry the king. Now, if only he can remember to keep his real identity a secret and not fall in love with her himself…

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My Thoughts: 

Finally a book in the Faerie Tale Collection that I was thoroughly impressed with. Rumpelstiltskin was far from the original fairy tale and that just made me fall in love. For the past books I have been screaming I want some originality in your fairy tale retellings. Finally Jenni James answered by adding a twist to the tale of Rumpelstiltskin. 

Jenni has a small acknowledgement at the beginning of the book to honor the person she based her Rumple after. I think since Jenni James had somebody that inspired this book her passion showed through more in her writing. I think the theme of respect is very prevalent in this book also among many other themes. 

In the original tale of Rumplestilskin, he can only spin the straw to gold if he recieves something in return. That is not true for Fredirico. He has been crippled by a witch at the young age of 5 and announced dead by his family. A maid named Tilly raises Rumple (Fredirico) and he becomes just another servant in the castle. 

The day of Rumple's death becomes tax day when all people are called to pay their respects for the dead prince and give their taxes to the king. This is the day that Aubrynn's alcoholic father proclaims that she can spin straw to gold. Fill with fear Aubrynn is locked in a room. King Marcus has promised to marry her. Although most girls would be over the moon to marry a King. Aubrynn is different. Riches and jewels do not concern her. She just wants to save her father and return to her country life. 

She meets Rumple and together they set off on this adventure to complete the task of spinning straw to gold. A fair warning that there is insta-love in this novel. It didn't bother me as much as the previous two simply because he was such a kind person and so was Aubrynn. I feel that after you spend hours unend with somebody you would develop feelings for them. This book is a daring adventure full of magic. 

This is my favorite book in the series so far. I despised the character of Marcus and fell in love with Rumple. I think his kind heart carried me away. Aubrynn was daring, brave, and amazing. I was inspired by her spunk and her wiliness to do what she believes in. The ending was beautiful and amazing. I hope you will consider reading this novel.