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!
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