Illustrated by Rhaida El Touny
3 stars
A fun new twist on the classic fairy tales Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Sleepy Beauty. Told through interconnected stories, the book follows Rumaysa who is locked away in a tower where a witch makes her spin straw into gold.
I really enjoyed the endings in this book. The heroines are not depended on princes saving them and instead use their own skills and the help of their friends. The women and girls in this book are not afraid to speak their minds, go on adventures, and make their own happily ever afters.
Hafiza incorporates a playful use of Muslim elements throughout the stories, such as Rumaysa making a hijab to attempt to escape the tower and Cinderayla wanting to attempt the Eid ball.
Nice black-and-white illustrations throughout. The cover is absolutely stunning.
The last story sets up the sequel nicely. Overall, a fun read.