Rating: 
Summary: Just the way a retelling of a fairy tale should be.
Review: Unlike Robin McKinley, who usually doesn't add much to the tale except length, Donna Jo Napoli retells fairy tales and legends perfectly: she doesn't stray too far from the original, and most importantly, she ADDS something to it. These characters have depth and you really sympathise with them. Who else could make the wicked witch so likable? The writing is exquisite and you won't be able to put this book down. Read it. One more thing: it's not for younger readers. There are possibly disturbing descriptions of what Zel does after she goes crazy from being locked up in the tower. I am 15 years old, and I would recommend this book to anyone from age 14 up. Also, make sure you don't miss Song of the Magdalene and The Magic Circle, by the same author. I haven't read Sirena yet, but I'm sure it's good too. I hope Donna Jo Napoli writes more books as wonderful as these.
Rating:
Summary: The way Rapunzel was meant to be told
Review: "Zel" was excellent. Incredible, amazing. What can I say? It was the best "fairy tale" I've ever read.It tells the story of an almost 13 year old mountain girl, named Zel. She lives in a secluded cabin with her mother, who loves her greatly. One day, when Zel and her mother go to town, Zel meets a wealthy boy, Konrad, and she can't stop thinking about him. When her mother finds out, she takes Zel away to a tower, where she's locked up. She believes her mother is keeping her safe from an evil person, as she told her. But Zel nearly goes crazy - she wants to see people, she wants to live her life. This book is told by 3 characters: Zel, her mother, and Konrad. It was very emotional, and I'd recommend it for ages 12 and up. Be sure to read the other books by Napoli!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: This is an amazing book. I absolutely loved it. I have read a LOT of books and this one definetely sticks out.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible!
Review: I now know exactly why Zel was placed in the Young Adult category. It was, shall we say, somewhat graphic. However, the actual writing makes up for that, with some to spare. This, my friends, is a book of Brobdignagian proportions. I have never read a fairy tale recreation of such amazing clarity and with such incredible characters. I'll admit, it starts slow, and you don't find out that the story is about Rapunzel for quite some time. However, when you do find out, you slap your forehead and laugh. RapunZEL. You wonder how you missed it. It's all part of the fun. The problem with fairy tales is that the characters never have any motivation. That was the Grimm brothers' one failing. While they were busy finding disgusting things for the characters to do (like cutting off their heels and toes... I swear, that happens in the original Cinderella story), they forgot to give their characters life. Now, with Zel, I can justify why the witch trapped Rapunzel in a tower, and why Rapunzel was called Rapunzel in the first place (I must admit, it's a weird name). Yes, I know, the Rapunzel story never actually happened, but it's fun to think that it did. To summarize this incredibly long review, I will say that Zel is another triumph for Mrs. Napoli.
Rating: 
Summary: A cautionary tale of obsession
Review: This is a sad little story about obsession in the name of "love." A lovely, beloved, and magically talented woman refuses to be happy because she does not have a child. She makes a bargain with devils and obtains a daughter, Zel. Mother, as she calls herself, raises Zel on a lonely mountain so that Zel will love Mother exclusively. When she is thirteen, Zel becomes interested in a young man, a prince, and Mother shuts her up in a tower where only Mother can visit. Lonely and bored, Zel goes almost mad. There is a harrowing chapter where Zel mutilates herself and kills or mutilates the small creatures that live in the tower with her. The prince eventually finds her and sets in motion the events that rescue Zel. He is blinded in the process. The book is written in the first person present, so the reader learns all the nuances of Mother's selfish and self-justifying thoughts. Unfortunately, the book does not have the touches of humor and humanity that are found in, for example, Robin McKinley's novel of parental obsession in the name of "love," Deerskin. I enjoy retold fairy tales but would not recommend this one.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing! A resonant and vivid retelling.
Review: Wow! It's been so long since I have read this book, but I probably think about it every day. This book is romantic, lustful, at times, even dark. It is the well-known tale of Rapunzel, retold from three points of view; Zel, the prince, and the witch-mother. The love that the mother had for Zel, the lust of the prince, the horror of Zel's days in the tower, the power of the words, all left me speechless. This book makes me cry. It makes me think. Even certain lines stay with me still. Zel is so innocent, pure, changed by the desire of the prince, the ruthlessness of her mother's yearn to keep her for herself. Her days in the tower, when she is depressed, hurt, confused, alone, alone, alone....
I guess all of you have proabably heard the tale of Rapunzel, so there is no need for me to explain the plot, only to say, this is truly a magnificent book, a book that stays with me still, and such a beautiful retelling.
Rating:
Summary: 7th grade reader
Review: I had to read this book for school and i loved it. it was a book i actually enjoyed reading for school. I've always loved the story of repunzel and this book tells the story of repunzel, and in greater detail. Donna Jo Napoli does an excellent job and you should read this book!
Rating:
Summary: Incredible...Amazing...Astounding...pick your adjective!!!
Review: Zel is a book loosely based on the story of Rapunzel. It's set in the Swiss Alps, about a mother so desperate for a child that she sells her soul to Satan for a child. Now, Zel (named after her favorite type of lettuce) is thirteen. She meets a prince (or duke...haven't read the book in a couple months) named Konrad. They are both quite attracted to each other. The mother, noticing her daughter's developments, is terrified of losing her. After Zel meets Konrad again, the mother goes a little -ahem- crazy, and locks Zel away in a tower, desperate to keep her daughter forever. The story was written from three points of view-Zel, Konrad, and the Mother, and it is incredible in the way that it delves headfirst into the psychological aspects. Zel eventually goes insane after being in that small stone circle for so long. Zel introduces puberty, and Zel's longing for a male companion. Her hair begins to weigh her down so much that she begins to walk around naked. Zel also mentions menstrual cycles, etc. Parents don't go burning these books in public groups now...I'm thirteen, and I could take it just fine. Besides, Donna Jo Napoli words things wonderfully and incredibly lyrical. When I reached the part where Konrad and Zel have sex, I went back and reread the chapter twice before realizing they had. The ambigous format saves Zel from becoming exceedingly crude. READ THIS!
NOW!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Not Good
Review: i bought this book hoping that it would be interesting and well, Good. instead i got a book that was, what i considered to be, Dull and extremely annoying. for some reason, after i read this book i was mad and it overall had a negative effect on me. this book was horrible and if i were you i would not read it. it was overall weird.
Rating: 
Summary: Get ready to ... cry! *O*
Review: This book is sad, however shows life in its true light. There's a lot of suffering and the book is well written. A heavy read for the average teen. It's sad, yes-- a true Donna Jo Napoli book.
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