Skip the drama, stick with mama … MOTHER KNOOOOWS BEST!
Today, we’re teaming up with Disney Books to celebrate the latest addition to their VILLAINS series, Mother Knows Best, which is the untold tale of Mother Gothel from Tangled — and also one of the most kick-ass villain songs in the entire Disney song book.
My family and I watched Tangled together again recently, and we had a fun conversation about (1) how insidious Mother Gothel is as a villain (she really effs you up with that whole “loving mother” routine, while being selfish and evil. And (2) as adults, even though we know she’s evil, we kiiiiiiind of relate to the general theme behind the song “Mother Knows Best.” Because kids? Teens? Chances are good, your mom really does know best.
What about you? Have there been any Disney villains you could sympathize with?
Thanks to Disney Books, we have a complete set of all 5 Disney VILLAINS books to giveaway, along with a “Perfect Hair Day” bundle from Sephora, to give away to one winner.
Giveaway open to US addresses only. Prizing and samples provided by Disney Book Group. Contest open through midnight (PT) on Tuesday, August 21st.
To enter, tell us in the comments below about which Disney villain you could sympathize with — then fill out the rafflecopter form to complete your entry & earn more chances to win.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
MOTHER KNOWS BEST: A TALE OF THE OLD WITCH
VILLAINS Series, Book #5
By Serena Valentino
Recommended for ages 12+
The Disney VILLAINS series by Serena Valentino explores how the antagonists in Disney movies became some of storytelling’s most iconic villains. In the first five VILLAINS books, we see how the Evil Queen, the Beast, Ursula, Maleficent, and Mother Gothel fall into darkness, through the instigation of the mysterious Odd Sisters: Lucinda, Martha, and Ruby.
The tale of the legendary golden flower is widely known. The story has been told many times and in many ways. But always the flower is coveted by an old witch to keep herself young and beautiful. And always the flower is used to save a dying queen, who then gives birth to a princess with magical hair. Not willing to lose the flower, the old witch steals the princess and locks her away in a high tower, raising her as her own. But the princess always finds out who she truly is and manages to defeat the old witch.
And yet this is only half the story. So what of the old witch, Mother Gothel? Where does she come from? And how does she come across the magical golden flower?
Here is one account that recounts a version of the story that has remained untold for centuries . . . until now. It is a tale of mothers and daughters, of youth and dark magic.
It is a tale of the old witch.
In stores now: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Indie Bound
- #DisneyVillainsBooks
- Follow Disney Books on: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
- Follow Serena Valentino on: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
- Learn more about the book at the Official Site
Serena Valentino has been weaving tales that combine mythos and guile for the past decade. She has earned critical acclaim in both the comic and horror domains, where she is known for her unique style of storytelling, bringing her readers into exquisitely frightening worlds filled with terror, beauty, and extraordinary protagonists. The books in her best-selling VILLAINS series are best enjoyed when read in the following order: Fairest of All, The Beast Within, Poor Unfortunate Soul, Mistress of All Evil, Mother Knows Best.
The Disney villain I could sympathize with is Ursula. Poor Ursula got banished to a cave for having ambition. She had aspiration and while misguided she attempted to do what she saw as right. And I mean Triton is kind of a jerk
I can’t think of a villain I would sympathize with.
I sympathize with Maleficent.
Maleficent is one fave of mine for sure.
I suppose I relate most with Mother Gothel – what mother (even a fake one) wouldn’t struggle with the realities of their charge growing up, rebelling, and setting out on their own? While I’m pretty sure I’m not as evil as she is, it’s certainly an issue I’m tackling at the moment, and I do sometimes wish for some magic to help me!
I love the movie Tangled and I think my choice for sympathetic villain is also the mom in this movie. As a mom, it’s difficult to see your kids hurt and make mistakes, but I also know small mistakes now mean better choices for them when it really counts and the consequences are severe.
I haven’t even seen the movie about her yet, but Maleficent is just one of those characters that seems to have a backstory that would inspire so much empathy.
Based on the movie, I’m gonna say Maleficent! Obviously it’s different from the story we knew before, but I think it was a great retelling and back story! Being betrayed in that way, and having so much pain, physically and emotionally, would drive ME to such measures as well!
I would have to say Maleficent too! In every story that she’s ever been, there seems to be miscommunication and assumptions towards her. No one ever knows her whole story, which is always so sad.
I loved Maleficent mainly the remake of it. Otherwise the untypical villian would be the Beast
I probably sympathize with Maleficent the most!
Of all the villains, probably Ursula. The woman gave Ariel everything she wanted and no gratitude 🙂
Other than that, I can understand the Evil Queen more as I get older 🙂
Maleificent of course. I felt so bad for what happened to her for trusting the wrong person.
Captain Hook. I mean Peter Pan was such a brat to him. I mean he is even missing his hand because of him. Sure, Peter maybe a kid, but since they have lived together for who knows how long (maybe hundreds of years), it may be hard to think of him that way.
Plus, Peter kidnaps kids and brings them back to Neverland for his army. 🙂
Maleficent. Because she was misunderstood and just wanted to be accepted.
I would say Maleficent.
no
Being that the villain is always my favorite character I would have to say I guess I sympathize with all of them but I’m going to have to say I sympathize with Capt. Hook the most of all!
I sympathize with Maleficent
I sympathize with Maleficent because she was misunderstood.
I can’t say that I sympathize with the villains but I can say that my favorite villain is the Evil Queen. There is just something about her that I love and every version of her (Once Upon a Time TV show, Levina from The Lunar Chronicles, etc.) is better than the previous one.
I sympathize with Ursula.
I’m not sure if I can be sympathetic with any of these villains! They are evil!
None I would emphasize with
None I would emphasize with
I don’t sympathize with any of them! They all scared me as a kid!
I sympathize with Anastasia, from Cinderella- mostly due to the treatment she gets from material after the original Disney movie (Cinderella sequels, OUaT).
Hmmm. I’m not sure I sympathize with any of the Disney villains. If you consider Beast a villain, he’d probably be the only one.
Maleficent will always be my villain. The more I learn about her backstory, the more I can understand how she became who she now.
I could sympathize with Maleficent, especially after watching the movie.
I sympathize with The Beast. I mean he really is good at heart and it really wasn’t his fault he was like that. I also agree with other and sympathize with Captain Hook to a certain extent.
I loved the movie Tangled!
mia2009(at)comcast(dot)net
I sympathize greatly with Malfecient. Believeing in love and got her wings cut. Smh.
Cant think of any i sympathize for but my favorite villain is Captain Hook
I would say Maleficent after seeing the movie. Yzma is my favorite though. So underrated – lol.
No. I never felt that way about the villains.
Based on the movie, I would say Maleficent.
Based on the movie, I would sympathize with Maleficent.
I totally sympathize with maleficent! Ever since the live action movie came out, I’ve just seen her in a different light and it’s made me more open to seeing the other backstorys of villains because I think it’s and interesting avenue to explore!
I can’t say that I have but I’ve mostly seen the old school animation where the villains don’t have redeeming qualities.
I don’t think so. They are all pretty much greedy and evil.
I don’t have sympathy for any of the villains but I love their stories!
i would say Maleificent
malificent
I have to definitely agree with you on Mother Gothel… just because of mothers know best. I love it! starla.batesATyahooDOTcom
I’ve always been pretty good at seeing other’s point of view. I like that the Movie Maleficent showed us what she was feeling.
The evil queen. I am relating more and more to her as time goes by.
The only one that I could think of would be Ursula,because through a business standpoint she gives out the contract in full detail and it is up to you to read and understand the contract before signing it, so I sympathize with Ursula from that business standpoint of deal or no deal.
Haha, yes! Ariel really should have read the fine print.
Maleficent for sure
I can sympathize with the evil queen because it’s tough getting older
I think maybe most of them, had a reason they are who and what they are.
I cant think of a Disney villain I could sympathize with but the crazier my kids make me I might just start lol
None really.
Maleficent probably. Because just wanted to be understood.
I can’t think of any villain i sympathize with
Maleficent, of course!
I don’t think I sympathize with any of them. I think they are all pretty mean and evil.
I could actually sympathize with The Beast. He acts tough and rude but in reality he’s nice and kind. No one eve takes the time to talk to me like him causing everyone to have bad impressions.
Nope, I can’t think of a villain I have ever sympathized with.