First of all, a disclaimer. I was not a Chris Colfer fan. This doesn't mean that I didn't like him, or anything like that. I just didn't know much about his career other than the fact he's an actor from the TV show Glee. I never really watch the show. Just not interested. So I feel I'm in a unique position to review this book without that bias.

Note above: I said I WAS NOT a Chris Colfer fan. I now AM.

I have tried to keep this review spoiler free for those who want to read the review but not find out major plot details. I think I succeeded.

Mr. Colfer's book, The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell is a fantastic book for kids. I received the ARC for the book at an author's breakfast at Book Expo America this year. It has everything a middle grade child, boy OR girl, could ever want: fairy tales, princesses, adventure, comedy, a little romance (middle grade level of course), magic, and quests. I will admit I'm a sucker for fairy tale retellings. This one succeeds not only because the story brings to life well-known characters from classic fairy tales, but it also gives some funny twists on some of the well-known characters (Red Riding Hood comes to mind right away). This story is one that takes place in time after the events of all the classic fairy tales, and involves twin main characters, Alex and Conner, trying to navigate their way through the land of fairy tales to find their way back to their home in our world.

The book did have its issues.

Right off the bat, the story opens up with characters who are NOT the main characters. This threw me, because it didn't allow me to have any kind of emotional connection with any one character right away. My oldest daughter, who also read the book, had the same observation. I think the content of the prologue could've been placed somewhere else in the story for better effect.

Also, in many places near the beginning, and at one place in a climactic scene near the end, there is far too much telling going on as opposed to showing of the action. For instance, there's a long section discussing the twins' mother and all the work hours she has to put in to earn enough money to handle the bills piled up since the twins' father died. Yet there is a good scene where their mother is on the phone talking to her boss about having to work on the twins' birthday. This scene is way more effective than the telling section that came before it, which is probably unnecessary.

Finally, there is a lot of head-hopping going on. The story doesn't stick to the point of view of the main characters, Alex and Conner, but jumps into the point of view of every character who is on stage at the time. It's very distracting, and confusing sometimes.

However, what makes up for all of that is the magical storytelling. The descriptions of the fantasy world are very detailed and well thought out. The children's reaction to the fantasy world is very believeable. There is clear character growth of Conner's character, and to some degree Alex's, although hers is not as noticeable. Character interactions are spot-on, between the twins, but especially between the twins and their father in flashbacks, which I think are some of the most emotional, heart-warming, and stellar parts of the story. And I'm jealous as an author myself, because Mr. Colfer pulls off that enviable feat of tying all the seemingly loose ends of the story together at the end for a satisfying conclusion.

So, in summary, I have a few issues about some of the storytelling itself, but most of it was nicely done. The story itself I found to be enjoyable and well-written. I am now reading the book to my younger kids. (As I mentioned above, my oldest daughter has already read it.) I wouldn't hesitate to pick up more books in the series, since I believe the author intends to write more, or any other book he might want to tackle in the future. I would definitely recommend it to others.