Mother Knows Best

This fifth installment in the Villains series by Serena Valentino retells the tale of Mother Gothel before she became the infamous witch from Rapunzels story. The narrative reframes the familiar golden flower myth through Gothels eyes, exploring themes of power, obsession, and maternal bonds. As readers peel back the layers of her past, they become attuned to how motives and context can transform a characterand a story. Its introspective tone invites analysis of narrative voice, moral complexity, and myth reinterpretation. Thoughtful and atmospheric, the novel challenges young adult readers to examine beyond stereotypes and to understand villainy with nuance.