Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

I enjoyed reading Lost Legends: The Rise of Flynn Rider and look forward to sharing the tale with my students in the classroom library!

The story starts with the king, who needs to obtain this stone, with dreadful consequences. Leaving his baby son with the maid to raise, we then see the infant as a young man living his dreams out at the orphanage telling the tales of Flynn Rider. Readers are sent on a journey with our main character as he navigates friendships, circus shenanigans and young boy antics.

Those who love Disney characters, especially Flynn Rider, will enjoy reading Lost Legends: The Rise of Flynn Rider by Jen Calonita.

I love Flynn, I love Tangled, and I love Jen Calonita, so there was no way I was not going to love this book. And I was not disappointed because I loved it even more than I thought I would.

I felt like the writing was uneven is this book. It was hard to like the characters and the plot was quite disjointed. I felt like we hopped around a lot with short bursts of action. You couldn’t really connect with Flynn because things were so disconnected that it was hard to get a feel for him. It was also hard to see the point of the story. He was trying to find out where his family was and instead ran off with the circus. Which would have been fine if it had led to him actually searching for his family instead of trying to trick everybody so that he could steal but not steal. (See convoluted!). I really enjoyed the Tangled movie and was looking forward to knowing more about one of the heroes. I hope the next installation is better.

Rapunzel is my absolute favorite Disney movie and I adore Flynn Rider so much. I always wanted to know more about him from when he still called himself Eugene and lived in the orphanage. This was a great addition to his character that I really enjoyed. The writing was a little young for my taste, but I understand this is a middle grade. I think this book is perfect for 5th-9th graders who want to be back in the world of Rapunzel!

I am a big fan of the movie Tangled. I was excited to read Flynn’s back story. This book brought Flynn alive and gave him a background story that matches with Tangled. I will continue to read more books in this series as they continue to tell more back stories.

I love fairy tale retellings and even though this is technically not a retelling its fills that same spot in my heart. This story follows Flynn when he is growing up, before the events that we see of him in Tangled. It was so much fun to watch him turn into the person we know, but also to see some of what I love in him already at a younger age. One of the most interesting things was getting to see how he starts going by "Flynn Rider" instead of Eugene. I also appreciated the the author gave us a glimpse into another realm in this universe that I would love to see more about in future media.

Overall, a very fun book that any fan of Flynn/Tangled/Disney will appreciate.

Lost Legends is a new middle school book series about “the adventures of Disney's most loveable roguish heroes as kids.” Author Jen Calonita starts off with the most lovable rogue of all, Flynn Rider.

Remember the dramatic scene in Tangled where Rapunzel and Flynn Rider are stuck in a cave flooding with water? They confess to each other their deepest secrets, including Flynn Rider’s real name:

“I’ll spare you the sob story of poor orphan Eugene Fitzherbert. It’s a little bit of a… it’s a little bit of a downer. There was this book. A book I used to read every night to all the younger kids. The Tales of Flynigan Rider! The swashbuckling rogue, richest man alive, not bad with the ladies either. Not that he’d ever brag, of course… He had enough money to do anything that he wanted to do. He could go anywhere that he wanted to go. And – and for a kid with nothing, I don’t know. It just seemed like the better option.” - Eugene Fitzherbert

Lost Legends: The Rise of Flynn Rider is an exploration of this line. A prequel to Tangled, it follows the adventures of 12-year-old orphans Eugene Fitzherbert and his best friend Arnwaldo Schnitz, though they are better known as Flynn Rider and Lance Strongbow.

The adventures of these “thieving” best friends are hinted at during the series and movie, so it was nice to get a full story of how these kids turned to a life of crime.

After reading A Twisted Tale: What Once Was Mine, which was only based on the film, I was happy to read references to Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure in this book. There are many characters from the show that fans will find amusing however might confuse younger children who are only familiar with the movie.

It was also interesting to know more about the Corona Kingdom before Rapunzel was found. Calonita captures the magic of a “Tangled” adventure without Rapunzel. Many times I could hear the score by Alan Menken in my head while I read.

The Rise of Flynn Rider is a fun origin story that will delight Tangled fans of all ages. The TV show ended last year so it was nice to spend some more time with these familiar and lovable characters. I can’t wait to see what lovable rogue gets a book in this series next.

Lost Legends: The Rise of Flynn Rider by Jen Calonita comes out today at your local bookstore or online in eBook form. The gorgeous cover depicts twelve-year-old Rider, having found his look complete with vest and satchel. It’s a juvenile book aimed towards ages 9-12. Not that suggested ages have stopped a lot of us before. How does this book rate?

As the reader gets to know this younger Eugene, before he changed his name, his tale comes off similar to Clint Barton. Eugene and Arnie are just two orphan boys sticking by each other no matter what, but an uncertain future awaits them. They can’t stay at the boys’ home forever. A circus provides an enticing opportunity for making money and traveling the world. If you know Barton from 616, you know it doesn’t work out quite that way. This reader was also reminded of last year’s origin book, Poe Dameron: Free Fall by Alex Segura where Dameron also joined up with a group of criminals at a young age and regretted it.

In life, people make mistakes, but it remains frustrating even as adults. Of course, it would be important to stress how people make mistakes that need to be fixed especially as part of growing up. Having books where our heroes make mistakes could be like an older Blue’s Clues where instead of finding clues, you’re yelling at your protagonist that they’re making the wrong choices. There are also good lessons about people growing apart as they grow up and talking about your problems. Sometimes, our mistakes even lead to other opportunities.

The beginning of Lost Legends comes from Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure where the animated series revealed that Eugene was none other Horace, the lost infant prince of the Dark Kingdom. In the prologue, readers are reminded how King Edmund was unable to save his kingdom, having to send his son away. It would be a sweeter scene if Eugene’s mother had a name other than “wife”. While the series never named her, couldn’t Disney have come up with one for the book? It just feels misogynistic and out of place in the Tangled universe.

Multiple cameos pop up in the book, including Maximus’ first encounter with Eugene. Most characters come from Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventures, including Pascal’s mom and Cassandra. Eugene’s friend, Arnie, changes his name to Lance Strongbow and was in several episodes. While fans of Tangled and all its extras will love the care that has been taken to work in all these elements, the question becomes what will someone think who’s only seen the film? Will they be curious about all these characters they don’t know? Or will they feel like they’re missing out? Even for fans of the series, there are a lot of unanswered questions. How come Eugene didn’t go straight and become an adventurer? Why did Lance go to prison? When and how did Eugene meet up with the Baron again? Will all these and more be answered in further books?

Despite all these flaws, Calonita makes the most with what she’s given. Eugene is as lovable as ever. It is great finding out more about the characters and surroundings. The best part is her pacing. Calonita knows just how to keep the excitement going. Even still moments are full of complications. It’s a cute book that’s worth a read if you’re already a fan.

6/10

Thank you to Net Galley and Disney Press for the advance copy!

Even though Flynn said “I don’t do backstory”, I’m sure glad Jen Calonita told his in this middle grade adventure tale. This book stars 12 year old Eugene and his best friend Arnie, who are both looking for adventure and decide try and save the orphanage and find Eugene’s parents. With their new identities, Flynn and Lance discover the importance of friendship, trust, and family.

Loved the foreshadowing throughout the chapters, as Flynn’s story most certainly doesn’t end on the last page of the book! I’m look forward to see which other characters are getting the Lost Legends treatment next!

THIS WAS SUCH A FUN BOOK and I read it while on my trip to Disney world so it was cool to see rapunzel's tower and everything.

One of my favorite characters is Flynn Rider from Rapunzel. I enjoyed this, but not knowing the outcome of the best friend and making Flynn some secret prince, I didn't like it. The point was that Rapunzel saw the best in someone not living the best life. Making him royal blood wasn't needed. Origin stories are tough, because they must jive completely with the original. Archer storyline was cool, but I think kids would give up on the story when the boys' objective is to save the orphanage. Also, I don't think the Stabbingtons would be inclined not to kill him in his sleep after double crossing them the first time. Not sure how later they would want to team up over the crown later on. Overall, it was fun and enjoyable, and had elements of the original I liked such as the Snuggly Duckling gang. Also the addition of the Baron was great. I thought that the other boy would be adopted, but they really didn't explain why he's not around. Kids may like it, but since Rapunzel's not the newest movie, I don't think popularity will stick around.

I should preface this with I am a huge Rapunzel fan. Loved both the original movie and while I had fears with the new animation style used for the TV show, the storyline made up for any sort falls the animation may have had. So I was very excited to read this book. May I just state it does not disappoint. While watching the TV show may help with a bit of character recognition, you do not have to watch it before reading this book. Can I just state that I love a young Lance Strongbow. That this friendship is highlighted in this book just makes my heart so happy. To also see how Flynn Rider and Lance Strongbow were created and that at first their intentions for turning to a life of crime were pure is just amazing. I also love the nods to future Flynn that you see throughout the book, such as him going to the Snuggly Duckling, his connection to the lost princess, and most importantly the development of the smolder. Over all just a fun book. Perfect for any age Rapunzel and Flynn lover out there. I can't wait to recommend it. Thank you Disney and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy.

Lots of action and adventure! Even a glimpse into a traveling circus! Fans of Disney stories will like this one. Full of heart and humor. Students will relate to Flynn.

This story was a riveting middle grade novel about Flynn Ryder/Eugene Fitzherbert and his backstory. It was fun to find out where he cane from and the events that led him to being him. Love the Corona references too!

It is nice to have a Disney story from a non-Princess viewpoint. It should have more cross gender appeal. I love all things Disney so it is importo le to write a review without letting my Disney-obsessed bias shine through. Kids will enjoy this and I’d recommend for elementary libraries.

This is a very fun book that gives the backstory of 12 year old Eugene who later becomes Flynn Rider. I think this will appeal not only to Disney fans, but also to those looking for fantasy adventure stories.

This book was so darn cute that I am excited to see what happens in any upcoming books.

This book focuses on Eugene AKA Flynn Rider. We learn where Flynn came from and how he became Flynn rider. I loved how this book ties in both the movie and the TV show and adds way more depth to not only Flynn, but all the other crazy characters we see in the entire Tangled world. We get to see where everyone came from and how they became who there were, which was so fun to see. If you haven't seen the TV show and plan to see it, then I would say watch the TV show first before reading this book, because it will spoil the TV show. All in all this book does an amazing job of adding depth to Flynn and the other many characters. I can't wait to see where he goes in the next couple of books. :)

Thank you to Disney Publishing Worldwide and NetGalley for the ARC!

I loved this book. Tangled has always been one of my favourite Disney movies, and Flynn Rider one of my favourite characters and this book did not disappoint. I really enjoyed reading more about his origins, and also seeing the characters from the Snuggly Duckling as well, who also made appearances in the story. I also enjoyed reading about his friendship with Lance Strongbow and how that started out. Overall, great book and I would recommend it to any fan of Disney or Tangled.

I thought this book was just OK. It didn't wow me, make me want more of Flynn Rider's story, or want to read more in the series (if there is one). I really enjoyed Jen Calonita's other series: Fairy Tale Reform School and Royal Academy, but this one did not have the same pull for me. I don't think my students would enjoy it, either.