4.5/5

Lightkeepers is a modern day retelling of Repubzel. It was a fun easy read but the twists! Oh the twists in this book really got me! I was not expecting that to happen.

Zella lives an extremely sheltered life living in a light house with her mom for her whole life. I loved seeing her growth though out the book as she slowly learns who she is and how wrong her life was up to this point.

I also enjoyed Ryders growth, he went from the rude but lovable foster kid to a much more mature character by the end. I really enjoyed reading about his relationship with Zella and how he shows her the outside world.

This was a wonderful read that I would recommend to anyone that enjoys modern retelling of fairytales.

Thank you NetGalley for sending me a copy of Lightkeepers in return for my honest review.

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a perfect book for fans of Tangled. The influence was definitely there, but I especially enjoyed how the references were not overdone. I have read retellings in the past where every name (whether its a person or a business) is inspired by its inspiration. This had the perfect amount of references.

The only issue I had with this book was the pacing. The characters don't meet until almost 40% through! After they meet, the rest of the book takes place within a few days. It was shockingly fast.

I did appreciate that the characters did not say they loved each other. While this is a romance novel, they have also known each other for less than a week when the book ends.

Overall this is a cute book that I recommend for fans of Disney.

Tangled is one of my favourite Disney films so when I saw this was based on that, I had to read it!

It was very similar, a modern day rapunzel. The bad boy (who’s actually good) breaks in to the tower (lighthouse in this case) and trapped girl blackmails him into taking her out to see the real world.

It’s a quick and easy read, the characters are simple and likable. A little far fetched but it still didn’t stop me wanting to finish it.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon books for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I was provided an eARC of this book in exchange for a fair review.

This was a really wonderful and riveting take on the Rapunzel story, and I couldn't put it down. Right off the bat, I adored the many callbacks to the the Disney adaptation, Tangled. From Ryder being Ryder (and the Eugene moment!) with his winning smile, to Zella having her kitty familiar reminiscent of Punzie's chameleon, to Zella's sensory overload being outside the lighthouse for the first time, this was chock full of easter eggs.

Beyond that, the story itself was so intriguing. Ryder is a foster kid in his final year before aging out, and he has had a rough go of it. He's definitely developed a tough edge, smooth talking, persona to help protect himself, and he's understandably jaded. We meet him as he is starting off with a new family, who I just adore btw. He's totally pulled into the bubbly wonderfulness that is Zella, and I love it. Zella is Punzie to a tea. Devoted to her mother and the way of life that shes always know, she is incredibly optimistic and full of awe. She is equally drawn to Ryder, probably because she sees something in him that resonates with her, despite their surface differences.

The setting of Zella being victim to a crazy cult was fascinating and perfectly fit the Rapunzel mythos into a modern setting. Lied to her whole life by the person she calls mother, abused and brainwashed to think its normal, and being instilled with a fear of the outside world. Seeing her journey as she realizes her life is a lie, and the facade crumbling bit by bit. *chef kiss*

I really enjoyed this book, and would love to see the author take on other fairytales and spin them in a similar way. Totally recommend!

I was intrigued by its cute cover, of course! Who doesn't want to meet this pretty Disney character, Rapunzel, in this modern era? I bet you do!
I enjoyed this modern retelling, it was super cute, sweet, and easy to read. I wish I could see more moments after the truth is revealed. I feel like something is missing at the end but I loved this book, and I'm glad I read it!

Big thanks to the author, publisher, and net galley for this free copy!!

This modern day retelling of Rapunzel has a million cute moments and Tangled references that made me squeal out loud. This story has a sweet love story, emotions about the foster care system, growing up and wanting to chose your own path, and of course a happy ending. A sweet and short read for lovers of Disney.

Thank you to Kennedy Plum and NetGalley for an ARC of Lightkeepers.
I love the story of Rapunzel. I also love a good cult story. I was hooked by the book description and decided I had to give it a go. Lightkeepers is a short story where modern fairytale meets contemporary YA meets a high school big-night-out romcom.

I did really enjoy how a classic story was modernized and it was a very sweet retelling. If you already know the story of Rapunzel, it will be easy to dive right in. It is very similar to the story we all know and love, but I would have liked to see a few more differences to the plot line to make it more unique. There were plenty of nods to the film which made for some very cute moments between Zella and Ryder. I did enjoy the introduction to modern issues and the resources given to learn more, without including too many details within a Young Adult story.

As a quick read, Plum did well at setting up the story and the characters, and buy-in to the character development was easy. The characters were so sweet I would have liked to learn more about the characters’ backgrounds. I would’ve loved this as a teenager and I wish it was around when I was a young adult.

I was intrigued by the concept of this book but I got bored pretty quickly. I did not like the storytelling or the characterizations much.

I enjoyed reading this modern day retelling of Rapunzel. It was a little slow to get into and the cult aspect was hard to read about. I especially didn't like reading about the consequences Zelle was forced to endure. Ryder's perspective of the foster care system was heart breaking to read also, but unfortunately pretty accurate. I enjoyed Zelle and Ryder's interactions and once they met, I felt the story picked up quite a bit and sucked me in more once I got to that point. Although I did enjoy reading this book, I most likely won't purchase it for my middle school library because I don't see my students getting into this storyline. It is a book that I would recommend to select people though.

I loved this story! It was a quick rom com and I finished it in one sitting. This rapunzel retelling was everything I wanted or more!

This was the Tangled (Rapunzel) story we never knew we needed!

What if Rapunzel was in a crazy cult? What if Flynn Rider was a part of the foster system? What if these two met by chance on a rainy night and what came after was a slew of crazy events that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

If we thought “Mother” was insane in the movie, you have absolutely not met Mother Cult Leader 🫣😳. The things she puts Rapunzel through, a girl whose been living in a literal lighthouse for her entire life as part of the “Lightkeepers” cult and who believes the outside world is rife with disease and who knows what else.

This story was a short one and it was for sure entertaining to see this take on one of my favorite Disney stories!

4.50 ⭐️! Wow I am so pleasantly surprised! Lightkeepers is a super short and quick Rapunzel retelling and I ate it up from start to finish! If you want something to get you out of a reading slump, or need a nice brain break, I definitely recommend this book. The characters were well rounded, the plot was well thought out, and the writing was easy to digest! I went through a whirlwind of emotions while reading and it hit in all the right places. It’s appropriate for anyone 13+ and I can totally see myself rereading! I will definitely be keeping an eye out for future books by Plumb!! Absolutely amazing.

I love retellings and when I saw that it was being marketed as a modern Rapunzel/ Tangled retelling I knew I had to read it and I was soexcited that I got too. I loved it,
It is well written with a fresh take on the story that works really well in my opinion and I loved the characters.

So, I read in the blurb this was a Rapunzel retelling with a dash of Tangled references and a cult thrown in and I was in.
And it worked very well! Interesting story, great characters, supporting families (so rare, yet so good to find them!), it had all that. I even felt my eyes become a bit wet by the end, to be honest.
I really enjoyed this book. There was only two things that have to point out. First, I love agood Tangled reference but I felt there a tiny bit too many in here. Second, I feel like part of the conflict was unresolved/unexplained and I wish it wasn't
All in all, this was a very nice surprise and I read this in only one sitting. If you like fairytale retellings and stories with heart, this is for you.

THIS WAS SO GOOD
the plot twist had be shocked but overall i can’t believe how beautiful this book was written and i’m defiantly gonna be fan girling about this

Thanks to Kennedy Plum and NetGalley for providing an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review
A girl who has never moved from her lighthouse tower, and a boy who has never settled down. Zella and Ryder have lived wildly different lives until this point but over the course of one dramatic night, both of their lives will be transformed.
If you weren't aware before you began reading, it would quickly become clear to you that this is a Tangled retelling. It's easy to fall straight into the story thanks to the quick pace and the ease of the setup. Within a few pages it's possible to have a comprehensive understanding of the situation of our two protagonists. I enjoyed the contrast between the two perspectives: Zella's anxious optimism and Ryder's stubborn defiance. They came across particularly well in their quippy dialogue even if some lines were taken perhaps too directly from the original movie.
This book is full of themes of family, particularly those expressing love to children in the foster care system. So, if the found family trope works for you, take note.
For me personally, I found the plot points and dialogue to be a little too similar to the film, and therefore didn't feel as lost in a story as I would like to be.

Thank you Netgalley and Kennedy Plumb for this ARC!

5 stars!

I have to admit, I've read quite a few modern retellings of fairytales and I'm a major skeptic. I have never found one that I enjoyed as much as the original. However, I enjoyed every moment of Lightkeepers and it made me feel EVERYTHING.

This story follows Zella and Ryder. Zella has spent all seventeen years of her life living in a lighthouse and in isolation to keep her safe from the outside world and the Disease. Ryder is a foster kid who has bounced from one family to the next and copes by rebelling and never getting his hopes up.
I genuinely enjoyed Zella and Ryder. I loved reading from both of their perspectives and it was easy to identify who was speaking. You would think that since this story takes place over the course of a matter of days, there wouldn't be significant character development and growth but you would be wrong. We get to see Zella go from a very passive, follower to brave, thoughtful protector. We also get to see Ryder go from a rebellious, "I don't care about anyone/thing" attitude to someone who not only recognizes his own emotions but begins to take others into consideration.

I laughed, I smiled, I cried. I don't regret a single moment it took to read this gem of a book.

It was a cute and fast read, and I would recommend it for younger readers because of the writing style and format. It's light and fluffy, perfect for young Tangled fans.

This is a beautiful Tangled retelling. Including foster families and wonderful storytelling. A must read for everyone.

I want to start by thanking NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to receive an ARC of Lightkeepers by Kennedy Plumb. The cover drew my attention, but the description had me wanting to read it as soon as possible.

Here are some thoughts on my during read, if you are just interested in my overall thoughts, feel free to skip to the end 🙂

⚠️ content warning taken directly from book: abuse by parent, cult attributes and themes, forced self-harm and verbal sexual harassment of a minor⚠️

First thought, I LOVE that there is content warning. Many people don't read the copyright page, so I would prefer it to have it's own page, but that's on the reader for not reading that page.

Second thought, WOW that's small print. I'm not a fan of books with such small print, hopefully when it goes to print they use larger font.

Similarities to Rapunzel so far: both girls have an animal.. cat - gecko.. both girls are stuck up in a tower away from the world.. both girls have only a mother..

I enjoy having it switch back and forth between characters. I always love the multiple perspectives.

Oh no, he's going to be the "funny" but rude new kid..

It always breaks my heart when older foster kids get bounced from house to house and they don't want to believe it when they finally get to a house with parents who care for them.

Do they beat children that come to them at an older age or do they kidnap older children? Zella said most new children are babies..

They cut Brooke off because she said "at least she'd be free" because Zella doesn't understand that the world outside isn't terrible like she's been told.

Could these children be kidnapped and that's why they have to wear a hood when on public video? To hide what they look like? I know Zella was "born" into it, but was she really?

Greg is a perv.. I can tell just with him introducing himself and I can tell that his call is going to make me feel uncomfortable for Zella.

Also, the application for joining the Program.. needing to change their names.. I mean, I don't know things about cults besides what I see on TV, but that makes me feel like my thoughts on kidnapping kids is accurate..

It makes me feel sad for Ryder that he is basically waiting for the shoe to drop with the family..

All I could think about when her mother gets on to her for opening the window is "mother knows best" by Mother Gothel.

Oh my goodness! She has to burn herself?? Ouch.

Why didn't the 2 guys with the beer run to the car and wait there while Ryder made his display? I think if he would have paid for the milk he spilled and acted like he was sorry the cops wouldn't have been called..

It makes me sad that Zella is leaving Pax in the lighthouse.

I feel so bad for Zella finding out her whole life is a lie.

The kiss 💗

Awe, his comment about the kiss working to get her to not call the cops hurt her feelings.

I was right! Zella was kidnapped as a baby!!

I'm so glad she said she can't leave her cat. I was getting worried for a minute.

I know what happens in the Tangled movie, but as I'm reading this I'm anxious to find out how it compares.

The way Ryder looks at the picture of the pregnant Mother makes me feel like he recognized her..

She's had a gun in the room the whole time? She's threatening to shoot her!!!

I love that his foster parents were worried about him and not pissed.. well, not in a "you're getting sent to juvie" pissed..

Travis and Tracy are going to know as soon as they notice he's gone where he went and they will send cops there.

The picture he had in his box of belongings!!! It's his mom!!

OMG, did she kidnap Zella because Ryder was taken from her by someone? Like she wasn't mentally stable to care for him or something?

Ryder and his mom did the love you forever, like you for always. He has memories of knowing her 😭😭 that kind of makes it worse. She was having visitations with him and then going home to the child she kidnapped.

They want to adopt him!!!

When Zella is reunited with her mom, her family, I am in literal tears.

I like how the author incorporated both the name Ryder and Eugene.




*Overall thoughts* I love fairy tale retellings, probably one of my favorite types of stories. With that being said, this book was wonderful! I loved that it stayed pretty true to the Rapunzel story with the male character showing the female character a life she never experienced before. The plot twist was great, Mother being Ryder's mom, I didn't see that one coming! I loved that Ryder became an honorary Lightkeeper because his biological mom was the psycho that started it. 5/5 would definitely recommend to my friends.