A Whole New World by Liz Braswell is a retelling of the classic Disney movie Aladdin, but with a twist. 
 The beginning of the book was very familiar, because it was exactly how it was in the movie. Aladdin and Abu were busy with their usual shenanigans; stealing food and running away from the palace guards, Al giving his share of bread to the two kids scavenging for food, and meeting Princess Jasmine at the market by saving her from the vendor who wanted to decapitate her. These certain parts of the book made me nostalgic because Disney was my childhood. It gave me comfort that these parts weren't changed. Though, I should have known better that everything else is bound to altered... 
 A Whole New World tried to tell a story where Jafar was the person who summoned the Genie. This book unearthed Jafar's even darker side and his deep-seated hatred. He did not just want the throne -- he also wanted to be the most powerful sorcerer, and Princess Jasmine's love. Did I mention he wanted to expand his reign worldwide with the help of his undead army? 
 For Jafar's dictatorship to start, he first wished to be the Sultan. Second, he wished to be the most powerful sorcerer in the world. Fueled by rage, hatred, and the need to feel loved, it wasn't enough for Jafar to be Sultan of Agrabah. He pushed Princess Jasmine's father off the public balcony for everybody to see him die. 
 COMPLETE CUCKOO RIGHT? 
 Princess Jasmine witnessed her father fall off to his doom. She watched her father die while every citizen in Agrabah was busy gathering gold coins that was raining from the sky. 
 JASMINE WANTS REVENGE. 
 She wants to take back what was rightfully hers. She wants to defeat Jafar and prevent him from raising an army of the undead. 
 How will Princess Jasmine defeat Jafar, the most powerful sorcerer in the world? What does she have that can triumph over him? Will someone help her overthrow his regime and take back what was rightfully hers? 
 I am uncertain which one was worse: the retelling, or the way it was written. I never realized that the author did not give a description of the characters because having seen the movie, I automatically assumed their image. If it wasn't for Bookowly's Review, I would not have noticed this flaw. 
 In the movie, I remember Princess Jasmine as a headstrong, and clever princess. Throughout the beginning of the book, I felt like she was portrayed as a naive, spoiled, pampered princess who craved attention and approval. 
 Exhibit 1: Jasmine was "seething since the evening before. Since the boy she was just about to kiss was whisked away by the guards. She stalked down the halls, not caring who heard the stomp of her feet in their silk slippers. Seething and trying to track down the boy hadn't left her a chance to bathe or change since the night before. Her thick black hair was coming out of its bands. Tendrils waved behind her like snake." 
 Exhibit 2: Aladdin: "I just thought you were a pretty rich girl slumming it." Jasmin: "You think I'm pretty?" 
 Imma let you finish, but this is not how Princess Jasmine should have been portrayed. 
 One more thing: Is it just me or did Aladdin and Princess Jasmine not have any connection at all? She wanted to do one thing, and he persuaded her to do the other. This did not only happen once, but twice which caused serious consequences and made Princess Jasmine look like a push over. 
 Though this book has a lot to work on, I did like a few things. 
 "Don't let life's unfairness, don't let how poor you are decide who you are. You choose who you will be, Aladdin... 
 ...you can choose to be something more." 
 I like how I have a background of Aladdin's mom. I appreciate how the author tried to give us a fanfic of how his mom was and how she raised him the way he is now. I love how strong of a woman she was until the end. 
 I also like how the author built Jafar's past that caused his demons. I like how she showed his pain, and anger, which caused him to seek power and vengeance. 
 In conclusion, A Whole New World by Liz Braswell has its ups and downs. I like how she tried to reinvent a Disney classic into something I would have never thought otherwise. With a little spring cleaning and character building, this book could be liked a little more. 
 Disclaimer: I would like to thank Netgalley, Disney Press, and Disney Book Group for granting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 
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