I really loved the way two distinct fantasies were woven together here. It was completely inventive and captivating, while still have kid friendly nods to the original fairytales. It was a quick, immersive read for sure. I enjoyed the multiple points of views and the magic and worldbuilding. I think kids — especially those who like fairytales — Will love this one.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

Rapunzel and the Sea Witch (or, The Little Mermaid and the Tower) by Kim Bussing is a third person multi-POV Middle Grade fantasy remix of The Little Mermaid and Rapunzel. Rapunzel has spent her entire short life in a tower with only a fox named Pepper, the Lady Grimm, and the occasional sight of a boy named Jack to keep her company. Hana wants to learn more about the human world but her mother has strictly forbidden it. When Hana wishes to know what caused a great storm, it sends her and Rapunzel into each other’s stories.

Kim Bussing has done it again! The Little Mermaid has been my favorite fairy tale for my entire life and the Disney movie had a real chokehold on me for a good chunk of my childhood, so this was a very highly anticipated book when I first heard about this series. As such, I had to request it the second it went up and it didn’t disappoint. In previous books, romance didn’t play a very big part and it plays a bigger part here, especially between Hana and Oliver, who have a sweet, age-appropriate romance. I wouldn’t have been upset if the romance hadn’t been included because I understand that MG hasn’t had a lot of room for romance in more recent years, but I’m so very happy it was in this one. I loved Leonard the yellow shark, who is Hana’s companion. We needed an animal companion for her.

Jack is a reference to Jack and the Beanstalk, so not only is this a remix of Repunzel and The Little Mermaid, it is a remix of that story as well. I really liked the addition of Jack, especially in Rapunzel’s story. Given that both of them have a story connected to plants and climbing, it made sense for them to be combined here and they have a bit of a sweet romance as well, though it doesn’t get as much attention as Hana and Oliver’s romance.

Of course, I love the cover just as I loved the others. Pink and green mixed together is always a bold choice because they work together but they are rarely presented with each other outside of things with strong floral themes. I loved Leonard being close to the top and how similar his coloring is to Rapunzel’s hair and the beanstalk winding around Rapunzel’s tower was such a great choice to really hint at the Jack and the Beanstalk elements. These are really some of my favorite MG covers ever.

I would recommend this to fans of the previous books, readers of MG looking for fairy tale remixes with age appropriate romance, and those looking for a gift for the young reader in their lives who loves fairy tales

As a mom to a curious and imaginative 5-year-old who adores both Rapunzel and Ariel, Rapunzel and the Sea Witch was an instant win in our house. We were drawn in by the whimsical title—and the story truly delivered a magical blend of both fairy tales with a twist that kept us turning pages at bedtime.

In this story, Rapunzel isn't just stuck in a tower—she ends up in the ocean! And the Little Mermaid finds herself in that very same tower. The idea of the girls swapping places was so fun for my daughter, who kept asking, “What would I do if I woke up in a tower? Or under the sea?” It sparked her imagination in the best way.

The writing is geared toward older readers (probably 8–12), but with some light summarizing and pauses for questions, it was still a great read-aloud experience. The themes of bravery, friendship, and discovering who you are resonated deeply, even for a kindergartner. Plus, it was empowering to see two princesses take charge of their own stories!

I especially loved that the story didn’t rely on romance but instead focused on self-growth and helping others. The sea witch wasn't your usual villain either—there were layers to every character, which opened up good conversations about how people aren't always just “good” or “bad.”

If your child loves fairytales, mermaids, towers, or anything magical, this book is a perfect adventure to share. We can’t wait to check out the other books in the Princess Swap series next!

This is the third book in the Princess Swap stories and, like the others, is a fantastical romp that mashes up two well known characters — Rapunzel and the Little Mermaid — and adds in some more obscure fairy tale elements to make for an exciting and whimsical adventure. Perfect for a younger audience that wants clever heroines, magic and mystery and a good time, I highly recommend this book (and the others in the series.)

Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC!

At this point anything Rapunzel themed I will read. This was an amazing spin on having two different princesses switching places. This was a great continuation to the other two books!

Thank you to the publisher, Kim Bussing, and NetGalley, for allowing me to read an early eARC in exchange for my free and honest review!

Rapunzel and the Sea Witch (or, The Little Mermaid and the Tower) is the third installment in the Princess Swap series, a middle-grade, Freaky Friday twist on our favorite princess fairytales. We follow Rapunzel and Hana as they find themselves thrown into each other’s worlds in this whimsical adventure through sea and sky. They work together to save both of their kingdoms and break each other’s curses, while learning so much about themselves in the process.

I really loved that there were so many sweet life messages interwoven in the story, and the ending really came full circle, making the adventures of Rapunzel and Hana so fun to follow. There was this incredible sense of nostalgia that I got while reading this book, and I couldn’t help but think, “these are definitely books I will read to my future children.”

A special shoutout to the cover art for each of these books in the Princess Swap series! Just amazing, eye-catching artwork!

“When something seems empty and ruined, a little perseverance can reveal the most incredible treasures”

The third in the Princess Swap series by author Kim Bussing, Rapunzel and the Sea Witch is a fresh take on two classic fairy tales. Charming and fantastic, this book is perfect for older elementary and middle grade readers who are looking for something new to read in the fantasy/fairy tale genre.

Basically, through magic and bad luck, the protagonists from the Little Mermaid and Rapunzel swap places. The details vary from the Disney animated versions, which should hold readers attention. There are a *few* references to the first two books in the series, but nothing that distracted me or detracted from the story.

Sweet, fun, and filled with adventure, this book would be a wonderful gift or a fun read-aloud for a classroom or home. My eighth graders are a little old for this, but some might enjoy it and I will be adding it to my recommendations list.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, and Random House Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review.

After thoroughly enjoying the first two Princess Swap books, I couldn’t wait to dive into the third installment, especially since it featured two of my favorite princesses! The author did not disappoint with this twist on familiar tales.

“Rapunzel and the Sea Witch” (or “The Little Mermaid and the Tower”) is my favorite princess swap so far in the series! I loved how the author took the classic Disney stories we know and expanded them, adding depth to why Rapunzel was so afraid to leave the tower and why Hana was considered the “little” mermaid in her family. I adored both main characters equally, and their interactions were fun and heartwarming. The clever reworking of these two stories, with twists I never saw coming, was truly delightful.

Unlike the other two books in the series, this book introduces more romance, which I wasn’t expecting given the princesses are both only 13 years old. Rapunzel’s romance felt more age-appropriate, while Hana’s was reminiscent of the Disney version. While the previous books kept things light with hugs, handholding, and lots of blushing, this book takes things a step further. It caught me a little off guard, but it didn’t detract from the overall enjoyment.

This book isn’t set to release until November, but I’ve already pre-ordered it for my daughter to add to her Princess Swap collection. I highly recommend this book to middle-grade readers and young adults who love a fresh spin on classic fairy tales.

Rapunzel and the Sea Witch (or, The Little Mermaid and the Tower) by Kim Bussing is the third book from the traditionally published series The Princess Swap. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Unfortunately, I have not read the second book in the series yet, but I don't think I missed anything important since each book can be enjoyed as a standalone. Like Cinderella and the Beast, this book contains a role reversal between two classic princesses. In this case, the swap occurs between "The Little Mermaid," whose name here is Hana, and the self-titled "Rapunzel." Since these are two of my favorite fairy tales, I'm going easy on this one. While I think this book would be an enjoyable read for its younger target audience, I'm not sure I'd recommend it for teens and adults who also enjoy fairy tales.

Hana, the youngest mermaid of six sisters, was always curious about the human world. She also hopes to stop a dangerous storm from swallowing her peaceful undersea kingdom of Avalon. Meanwhile, Rapunzel is a girl who was kept locked in a tower by the calculating Lady Grimm, who told her that her curse posed a danger to herself and others if she left. However, it is never made clear exactly what her curse is. When Hana secretly steals a contract from the sea witch, Madame Divine (cleverly named after the drag queen that Disney's Ursula was based on), she unexpectedly finds herself standing on two legs, locked in a tower. Meanwhile, Rapunzel ends up in Madame Divine's lair and makes an agreement to trade her voice for the chance to travel freely without her curse harming those around her. The two girls encounter two boys on their travels, a prince who fell off a ship, and Jack, of magic beanstalk fame, but there aren't any direct references to romance.

From the summary alone, it should be clear that a lot is happening in this book. Most of it is very interesting, especially for fairy tale fans, but there's very little explanation for any of it. How do Rapunzel and Prince Oliver breathe underwater when they aren't merfolk? Why did Hana immediately find a way out of the tower when Rapunzel lived there her entire life? What is Rapunzel's curse? Why does the storm pose a threat to Avalon? Readers need to go with the flow without questioning anything. If you do that, it can be a fun ride. This story reminded me a lot of Into the Woods, and it suffers from many of the same flaws, including a bloated cast and too many references to other stories. Not only does it depend on readers already knowing the stories of "The Little Mermaid" and "Rapunzel," but it also features characters and plot elements from "Jack and the Beanstalk."

Another thing this book has no shortage of is villains. Aside from Madame Divine and Lady Grimm, this entry introduces a new character called the General, who poses the biggest threat of all. The story already had plenty of conflict from the little mermaid's wicked sea witch and Rapunzel's lying maternal figure, but as a modern princess story, the writer probably thought it was necessary to include a male villain. The General is primarily a psychological threat, spreading prejudice between humans and merfolk to start unnecessary wars between them. Although I was intrigued upon learning his true identity, it would have packed a bigger punch if the story hadn't been so convoluted. The threat of the storm, Rapunzel's supposed curse, and various hostages gave the main characters plenty to deal with. Hana, Rapunzel, Jack, and Prince Oliver all prove themselves as brave and worthy protagonists who make excellent role models for younger readers of this series.

Rapunzel and the Sea Witch is a creative and action-packed retelling of two classic fairy tales, with a unique role reversal and plenty of exciting plot twists. While it may be enjoyable for younger readers, the convoluted storyline and lack of explanations may make it less appealing for teens and adults. The characters are well-developed and make for great role models, but the story suffers from a bloated cast and too many references to other tales. Overall, fans of fairy tale retellings and adventure stories may find this book entertaining, but others may find it overwhelming. The book is most suited for its target audience of middle-grade readers between the ages of 8 and 12.

This was a very fun retelling of both Rapunzel and The Little Mermaid! I love how it is very well-written! It is funny, clever, and full of wit! The characters are also likable. Overall, this was a charming fairytale that is better than the original! I highly recommend it for fairytale lovers! I also recommend it for fans of Patricia C. Wrede, Jessica Day George, and Shannon Hale!

This book is such a delightful mix of adventure, humor, and classic fairy tale magic! The character swaps add a fresh twist, making it exciting to see how Rapunzel and Hana handle their unexpected new realities. The pacing keeps things moving, and there’s just the right balance of heartwarming moments, action, and clever problem-solving.

The writing is engaging, the world feels immersive, and both heroines are easy to root for. If you love fairy tale retellings with a creative spin, this one is a must-read. It’s fun, fast-paced, and full of surprises!