What do you think?
Rate this book
Ever After High #1
The Storybook of Legends
At Ever After High, an enchanting boarding school, the children of fairytale legends prepare themselves to fulfill their destinies as the next generation of Snow Whites, Prince Charmings and Evil Queens...whether they want to or not. Each year on Legacy Day, students sign the Storybook of Legends to seal their scripted fates. For generations, the Village of Book End has whispered that refusing to sign means The End-both for a story and for a life.
As the daughter of the Evil Queen, Raven Queen's destiny is to follow in her mother's wicked footsteps, but evil is so not Raven's style. She's starting to wonder, what if she rewrote her own story? The royal Apple White, daughter of the Fairest of Them All, has a happy ever after planned for herself, but it depends upon Raven feeding her a poison apple in their future.
What if Raven doesn't sign the Storybook of Legends? It could mean a happily never after for them both.
As the daughter of the Evil Queen, Raven Queen's destiny is to follow in her mother's wicked footsteps, but evil is so not Raven's style. She's starting to wonder, what if she rewrote her own story? The royal Apple White, daughter of the Fairest of Them All, has a happy ever after planned for herself, but it depends upon Raven feeding her a poison apple in their future.
What if Raven doesn't sign the Storybook of Legends? It could mean a happily never after for them both.
305 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2013
About the author
Shannon Hale
136 books13.1k followersShannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of six young adult novels: the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, multiple award winner Book of a Thousand Days, and the highly acclaimed Books of Bayern series. She has written three books for adults, including the upcoming Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012), companion book to Austenland. She co-wrote the hit graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge and its sequel Calamity Jack with husband Dean Hale. They live near Salt Lake City, Utah with their four small children, and their pet, a small, plastic pig.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,396 reviews
November 18, 2013
That was the fluffiest, stupidest, most adorable piece of literature I have ever read.
Ever.
It was a good stupid, you know? The kind that uses way too many puns and obvious character archetypes, but you don't care because 1) it's a kid's book and 2) it's written well enough that you don't. care.
I loved every character in this book.
I loved every stupid joke.
I /loved/ how it can be interpreted as a social commentary on the feminism movement.
Yes. That very one.
Raven Queen (my darling heart) doesn't want to be told to conform. To be told that she needs to be evil. She wants to be strong and keep her friends and not follow in her mother's footsteps. There's an entire world out there, and her own personal happily ever after (preferably with Dex Charming.)
Meanwhile, Apple White doesn't want to step outside of the box. She's happily comfortable living out a sweet and peaceful life with the man she feels she's destined for.
And neither of those are bad.
There's a split in the group of rebels and royals that want to stick to their story, and those who want a different future.
There is nothing wrong with being a housewife, nor is there anything wrong with wanting more in your life than just that.
At least, that's how I saw it.
Bonus: fourth wall breaking with Maddie Hatter.
Double bonus: I'm going to cosplay as C.A. Cupid asap. I loved that she actually crossed over from Monster High.
Ever.
It was a good stupid, you know? The kind that uses way too many puns and obvious character archetypes, but you don't care because 1) it's a kid's book and 2) it's written well enough that you don't. care.
I loved every character in this book.
I loved every stupid joke.
I /loved/ how it can be interpreted as a social commentary on the feminism movement.
Yes. That very one.
Raven Queen (my darling heart) doesn't want to be told to conform. To be told that she needs to be evil. She wants to be strong and keep her friends and not follow in her mother's footsteps. There's an entire world out there, and her own personal happily ever after (preferably with Dex Charming.)
Meanwhile, Apple White doesn't want to step outside of the box. She's happily comfortable living out a sweet and peaceful life with the man she feels she's destined for.
And neither of those are bad.
There's a split in the group of rebels and royals that want to stick to their story, and those who want a different future.
There is nothing wrong with being a housewife, nor is there anything wrong with wanting more in your life than just that.
At least, that's how I saw it.
Bonus: fourth wall breaking with Maddie Hatter.
Double bonus: I'm going to cosplay as C.A. Cupid asap. I loved that she actually crossed over from Monster High.
December 9, 2017
I was buying books for a young friend's 11th birthday when this caught my eye. It looked amazing. I love fairy-tale retellings and know that Ms. Hale wields a wicked wand...err...pen, so I grabbed it.
When I got home, I decided that I should probably be sure that the story is as captivating as the cover. It surpassed my hopes & expectations and I'm particularly proud of my impulse buy. I'm hoping mon ami enjoys it as much as I did so that I have a great reason to buy the other books in this series. For her, of course.
When I got home, I decided that I should probably be sure that the story is as captivating as the cover. It surpassed my hopes & expectations and I'm particularly proud of my impulse buy. I'm hoping mon ami enjoys it as much as I did so that I have a great reason to buy the other books in this series. For her, of course.
October 23, 2013
Let's be honest--this is a book that is effectively designed to sell dolls for Mattel's new Ever After High line. There's a youtube series and an obnoxiously interactive website and a planned trilogy by the queen of fantasy retellings herself, Shannon Hale. I'm convinced that nobody but Shannon could have pulled this off with such aplomb. I just watched a few of the youtube videos and instead of rolling my eyes at the cheesy nature of it all, I continued to feel emotionally attached to the characters. What I'm saying is--this book is very, very good for what it is. And it doesn't try to pretend to be anything but.
Yes, the story is a little sappy. The children of famous fairy tale characters all go to school together and sign a pledge at the end of their sophomore year that they will live out the stories of their parents so the fairy tales can continue. Except Raven Queen, the daughter of the villainous queen in Snow White's story, isn't so sure that she wants to be evil. Raven is awkward and angry and wonderful. She's stuck being roommates with Apple White, which had shades of Wicked to it. Chaos ensues, so on and so forth.
Yes, the characters really do say stuff like "Hexciting!" and "This is fairy, fairy bad." But there are also musicians named Tailor Quick and One Reflection, so it's not all terrible.
My biggest hang-up is that while the story has all of the delightful characters and lilting writing that Shannon Hale is known for, the Mattel undercurrent is very present. Apple White, for instance, doesn't so much solve problems as flirt her way out of them. Do you like precise descriptions of what modern-day fairy tale characters would wear? Well, then, this is the book for you.
Honestly, though, it's worth reading just to get to know Raven and Maddie and Dexter and Cerise and the rest of the EAH crew. Most hexcellent.
Yes, the story is a little sappy. The children of famous fairy tale characters all go to school together and sign a pledge at the end of their sophomore year that they will live out the stories of their parents so the fairy tales can continue. Except Raven Queen, the daughter of the villainous queen in Snow White's story, isn't so sure that she wants to be evil. Raven is awkward and angry and wonderful. She's stuck being roommates with Apple White, which had shades of Wicked to it. Chaos ensues, so on and so forth.
Yes, the characters really do say stuff like "Hexciting!" and "This is fairy, fairy bad." But there are also musicians named Tailor Quick and One Reflection, so it's not all terrible.
My biggest hang-up is that while the story has all of the delightful characters and lilting writing that Shannon Hale is known for, the Mattel undercurrent is very present. Apple White, for instance, doesn't so much solve problems as flirt her way out of them. Do you like precise descriptions of what modern-day fairy tale characters would wear? Well, then, this is the book for you.
Honestly, though, it's worth reading just to get to know Raven and Maddie and Dexter and Cerise and the rest of the EAH crew. Most hexcellent.
December 10, 2013
I thought this book was...EXTREMELY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ULTRA COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!EXTRA SUPERB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!REALLY REALLY MAGNIFICENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!VERY EXCITING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!REMARKABLY STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!EXCEEDINGLY AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I also think...SHANNON HALE IS BREATHTAKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 10, 2017
This book was adorable and got me halfway out of my reading slump!
I'm a bit more selective on which book I choose next to get me completely out of my slump, but Storybook of Legends did a great job. I am an enormous fan of the Ever After High series, as evidenced by my username, because of the Netflix series and now the accompanying book series.
The design of the book was absolutely beautiful with pink and purple pages, and the hardcover edition was themed very well. It's an adorable book yet still possesses very high art quality.
The Ever After High world is so immersive and enormous. EAH is a private academy for the offspring of fairy tale creatures, royal and "rebel" alike. From Snow White to Little Red Riding Hood to Swan Princess to the Mad Hatter, characters abound. As much as I enjoyed reading about the principal characters, I was very curious about the side characters always passing through frames. The staff members were fun to read about as well. Baba Yaga, the Bears, Madame Maid Marian, and Rumplestiltskin all made appearances to help the students with their education. My favorite was Coach Ginger Bread Man. He was a strict coach, but he couldn't help but be silly. His descriptions were funny and I laughed out loud when I saw his likeness in the television show.
This installment of the series is the daughter of the Evil Queen, Raven, has doubts about her destiny poisoning the daughter of Snow White. She is uncomfortable doing intentional bad magic and it usually backfires on her. She was fun to read and easy to relate to, despite the enormous cheese factor when she sang the theme song.
Her intended nemesis is none other than Apple who becomes her roommate. She is very sweet and a little too "perfect", but her intentions are good. Unlike Sophie in School for Good and Evil, she was not completely insufferable with ulterior motives.
All of the characters, both royals and rebels, were so much fun. It's hard to pick favorites, but here are my top five:
Maddie, the daughter of the Mad Hatter, is extremely silly, speaks Riddlish, and is a great best friend to Raven.
Cedar Wood, the daughter of Pinocchio, cannot tell a lie and is a wooden puppet. Hooray for POC characters!
Cerise Hood, daughter of Little Red Riding Hood, is part of the Rebels side with an interesting twist on the fairy tale.
Dexter Charming, the son of Prince Charming, is a very sweet boy whose fairy tale is unknown. His brother Daring is assigned to Apple's Ever After, but he's a big dummy. Dexter, short for Dextrous, has a crush on Raven.
My favorite, which should be no surprise is Blondie Lockes, daughter of Goldilocks. She has the cutest costume and I love her ability to open any door. She is a journalist who makes sure she knows all the ins and outs about Ever After High.
I recommend watching the television show first because the novel is nearly identical but with extra background knowledge. The character wardrobe is stunning and I love all the fairy tale characters coming together. As far as fairy tale retellings go, EAH is nice and bubbly with minor conflict while SGAE is darker with some violence. They are both excellent in their own medium, and I am grateful to have experienced them both. I loved all the puns and general environment of the book. It was most hex-ellent and I can't wait to read the next volume.
I'm a bit more selective on which book I choose next to get me completely out of my slump, but Storybook of Legends did a great job. I am an enormous fan of the Ever After High series, as evidenced by my username, because of the Netflix series and now the accompanying book series.
The design of the book was absolutely beautiful with pink and purple pages, and the hardcover edition was themed very well. It's an adorable book yet still possesses very high art quality.
The Ever After High world is so immersive and enormous. EAH is a private academy for the offspring of fairy tale creatures, royal and "rebel" alike. From Snow White to Little Red Riding Hood to Swan Princess to the Mad Hatter, characters abound. As much as I enjoyed reading about the principal characters, I was very curious about the side characters always passing through frames. The staff members were fun to read about as well. Baba Yaga, the Bears, Madame Maid Marian, and Rumplestiltskin all made appearances to help the students with their education. My favorite was Coach Ginger Bread Man. He was a strict coach, but he couldn't help but be silly. His descriptions were funny and I laughed out loud when I saw his likeness in the television show.
This installment of the series is the daughter of the Evil Queen, Raven, has doubts about her destiny poisoning the daughter of Snow White. She is uncomfortable doing intentional bad magic and it usually backfires on her. She was fun to read and easy to relate to, despite the enormous cheese factor when she sang the theme song.
Her intended nemesis is none other than Apple who becomes her roommate. She is very sweet and a little too "perfect", but her intentions are good. Unlike Sophie in School for Good and Evil, she was not completely insufferable with ulterior motives.
All of the characters, both royals and rebels, were so much fun. It's hard to pick favorites, but here are my top five:
Maddie, the daughter of the Mad Hatter, is extremely silly, speaks Riddlish, and is a great best friend to Raven.
Cedar Wood, the daughter of Pinocchio, cannot tell a lie and is a wooden puppet. Hooray for POC characters!
Cerise Hood, daughter of Little Red Riding Hood, is part of the Rebels side with an interesting twist on the fairy tale.
Dexter Charming, the son of Prince Charming, is a very sweet boy whose fairy tale is unknown. His brother Daring is assigned to Apple's Ever After, but he's a big dummy. Dexter, short for Dextrous, has a crush on Raven.
My favorite, which should be no surprise is Blondie Lockes, daughter of Goldilocks. She has the cutest costume and I love her ability to open any door. She is a journalist who makes sure she knows all the ins and outs about Ever After High.
I recommend watching the television show first because the novel is nearly identical but with extra background knowledge. The character wardrobe is stunning and I love all the fairy tale characters coming together. As far as fairy tale retellings go, EAH is nice and bubbly with minor conflict while SGAE is darker with some violence. They are both excellent in their own medium, and I am grateful to have experienced them both. I loved all the puns and general environment of the book. It was most hex-ellent and I can't wait to read the next volume.
December 20, 2013
One Sentence Review: It may be the literary equivalent of cotton candy and carmel corn but who cares when it's so much fun along the way?
August 14, 2023
"The Storybook of Legends" is a beautiful and engaging book that transports readers to a world full of favorite fairy tale characters and wonderful experiences. This book, written by [author's name], flawlessly weaves together classic stories while introducing a new and inventive spin to the realm of fairy tales.
The plot revolves around a group of high school students known as the "Ever After High" pupils, who are the children of renowned fairy tale characters. They find themselves at a critical juncture in their lives, deciding whether to continue in their parents' footsteps or establish their own paths. The fundamental idea is around the significance of selecting their "storybook of legends," the path they will travel that will determine their fate.
The rich and comprehensive descriptions that bring the magical realm to life are one of the book's highlights. The author crafts a rich image that allows readers to thoroughly immerse themselves in the story, from the towering castles to the gorgeous surroundings. The characters are well-developed and likable, each with their own set of challenges and goals, making them easy to root for and identify with :D
The author's writing style is entertaining and approachable, making it appropriate for both younger and older readers. The plot's tempo is well-balanced, with a combination of adventure, mystery, and romance. The presence of iconic fairy tale characters lends a nostalgic touch, while the fresh take on their story adds another layer of excitement :000
Rating: 4.75 ☆
The plot revolves around a group of high school students known as the "Ever After High" pupils, who are the children of renowned fairy tale characters. They find themselves at a critical juncture in their lives, deciding whether to continue in their parents' footsteps or establish their own paths. The fundamental idea is around the significance of selecting their "storybook of legends," the path they will travel that will determine their fate.
The rich and comprehensive descriptions that bring the magical realm to life are one of the book's highlights. The author crafts a rich image that allows readers to thoroughly immerse themselves in the story, from the towering castles to the gorgeous surroundings. The characters are well-developed and likable, each with their own set of challenges and goals, making them easy to root for and identify with :D
The author's writing style is entertaining and approachable, making it appropriate for both younger and older readers. The plot's tempo is well-balanced, with a combination of adventure, mystery, and romance. The presence of iconic fairy tale characters lends a nostalgic touch, while the fresh take on their story adds another layer of excitement :000
Rating: 4.75 ☆
October 11, 2022
Ahhh, re-reading childhood faves just hits different. I feel so light and fluffy and inspired.
October 22, 2013
Ever after High seems to be geared toward the "tween age" girls, yet as a twenty-nine year old I still found it enjoyable. Ever After High is the story of our fairytale descendants (Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella's daughters, as well as the Huntsmen's son, the Evil Queen's daughter, and the Mad Hatter's daughter, you get the picture). All of these teens go to Ever After High, and sophomore year is legacy year, where they sign the book of legends and commit to take over their parent's roles in reliving their stories. What if you don't want to live that story though? Raven Queen dreads legacy day. She doesn't want to turn out like her mother. She doesn't want to be EVIL.
The Storybook of Legends is the first book in the series, and a great introduction to the fairytale world and its characters. The vocabulary in the story was funny in a clever, yet juvenile way. The students have mirror pads instead of iPads, they use phrases like "hexcellent", and "this party's going to be a page ripper." What really cracked me up though was the heroic fanfare (and shirt ripping) before the huntsmen rescued a damsel in distress. One part cheesy, one part humorous, one part adventure. Overall, a whole lot of fun for young teens, or older audiences that love fairytales and can handle a little cheesiness.
I also read the novellas that go along with the story. They're about 10 pages each. They gave me a better background for the story, but are not necessary for your enjoyment/understanding. They were free on Amazon when The Storybook of Legends was released. I don't think I would have paid $.99 for each of them since they were so short. If I paid for any it would be Ashlyn Ella and the Huntsmen's stories, those two gave extra background that you don't get in the book itself.
The Storybook of Legends is the first book in the series, and a great introduction to the fairytale world and its characters. The vocabulary in the story was funny in a clever, yet juvenile way. The students have mirror pads instead of iPads, they use phrases like "hexcellent", and "this party's going to be a page ripper." What really cracked me up though was the heroic fanfare (and shirt ripping) before the huntsmen rescued a damsel in distress. One part cheesy, one part humorous, one part adventure. Overall, a whole lot of fun for young teens, or older audiences that love fairytales and can handle a little cheesiness.
I also read the novellas that go along with the story. They're about 10 pages each. They gave me a better background for the story, but are not necessary for your enjoyment/understanding. They were free on Amazon when The Storybook of Legends was released. I don't think I would have paid $.99 for each of them since they were so short. If I paid for any it would be Ashlyn Ella and the Huntsmen's stories, those two gave extra background that you don't get in the book itself.
March 5, 2017
Es una historia que se lee muy rápido, me entretuve un buen rato con los personajes.
Raven me gustó desde un inicio, su actitud y los objetivos que tenía; por otro lado Apple... no me agradó mucho su forma de ser, comprendo su insistencia con Raven, pero antes de eso desde que apareció el personaje supe que iba a ser insoportable, y aunque no lo fue mucho como lo esperaba igual no fue mi favorita.
Los personajes que se relacionaban con Raven fueron de mi agrado, en verdad aplaudi la paciencia de ella con Apple y sus amigos, yo en su lugar les habría hecho daño a alguno de ellos o algo por el estilo.
Me dan ganas de leer los siguientes libros y saber como terminará; la historia no es cosa del otro mundo porque incluso llega a ser predecible pero si quiero leer los siguientes.
Raven me gustó desde un inicio, su actitud y los objetivos que tenía; por otro lado Apple... no me agradó mucho su forma de ser, comprendo su insistencia con Raven, pero antes de eso desde que apareció el personaje supe que iba a ser insoportable, y aunque no lo fue mucho como lo esperaba igual no fue mi favorita.
Los personajes que se relacionaban con Raven fueron de mi agrado, en verdad aplaudi la paciencia de ella con Apple y sus amigos, yo en su lugar les habría hecho daño a alguno de ellos o algo por el estilo.
Me dan ganas de leer los siguientes libros y saber como terminará; la historia no es cosa del otro mundo porque incluso llega a ser predecible pero si quiero leer los siguientes.
October 6, 2013
I have to admit, I was really nervous about this book. I mean, I love Shannon Hale, but her plus Mattel? How was that going to work out?
Turns out the book is absolutely charming. It's the first in a planned trilogy, so don't expect all loose ends to be tied up, but I was pleasantly surprised by how fun the plot was. The characters are great as well, and she manages to bring to life even minor characters. Looking forward to seeing where the series goes next!
Turns out the book is absolutely charming. It's the first in a planned trilogy, so don't expect all loose ends to be tied up, but I was pleasantly surprised by how fun the plot was. The characters are great as well, and she manages to bring to life even minor characters. Looking forward to seeing where the series goes next!
Read
September 22, 2014Pohádky v CooBoo nemají konce, po Škole dobra a zla je tu Ever After High a ještě se letos na podzim můžete těšit na Once Upon a Time. Co říct víc, máme je rádi :D
December 17, 2022
aaah this book was soo enchanting and light and fluffy. It took me back to when I was 10 years old. I loved the friendships, the magic, the fairytale re-tellings. Mwah
March 7, 2016
I chose this book for the WHINRTB 3.0. This is a challenge I try to do every year where I choose books off of my shelves that have been overlooked for a year or more.I was not sure what to expect from this book when I chose this one to read. It is a middle grade and it does read middle grade, but it was very fun and quite funny.
Synopsis
At Ever After High, an enchanting boarding school, the children of fairytale legends prepare themselves to fulfill their destinies as the next generation of Snow Whites, Prince Charmings and Evil Queens...whether they want to or not. Each year on Legacy Day, students sign the Storybook of Legends to seal their scripted fates. For generations, the Village of Book End has whispered that refusing to sign means The End-both for a story and for a life.
As the daughter of the Evil Queen, Raven Queen's destiny is to follow in her mother's wicked footsteps, but evil is so not Raven's style. She's starting to wonder, what if she rewrote her own story? The royal Apple White, daughter of the Fairest of Them All, has a happy ever after planned for herself, but it depends upon Raven feeding her a poison apple in their future.
What if Raven doesn't sign the Storybook of Legends? It could mean a happily never after for them both.
The plot of this story is very captivating even though it is middle grade, It is full of a lot of great quips and quotes. I laughed a lot while reading this and it just made me happy. So very fluid and easy going. Everyone in their places and so fun revisiting all these old fairy tales that I grew up with. So it was also a little nostalgic.
The characters were very fun. Each of them with their rightful places. I did really enjoy Raven Queen, who was the daughter of the Evil Queen in the Snow White fairytale. I like who she was and who she ultimately became by the end of this story. For being a young girl she was pretty strong and could also be somewhat bull headed as well.
I recommend this to anyone who loves upbeat stories and fairy tales even if you don't normally read middle grade. This would be a great series to share with your kids as well. I look forward to the rest of this trilogy and plan on reading them soon.
Synopsis
At Ever After High, an enchanting boarding school, the children of fairytale legends prepare themselves to fulfill their destinies as the next generation of Snow Whites, Prince Charmings and Evil Queens...whether they want to or not. Each year on Legacy Day, students sign the Storybook of Legends to seal their scripted fates. For generations, the Village of Book End has whispered that refusing to sign means The End-both for a story and for a life.
As the daughter of the Evil Queen, Raven Queen's destiny is to follow in her mother's wicked footsteps, but evil is so not Raven's style. She's starting to wonder, what if she rewrote her own story? The royal Apple White, daughter of the Fairest of Them All, has a happy ever after planned for herself, but it depends upon Raven feeding her a poison apple in their future.
What if Raven doesn't sign the Storybook of Legends? It could mean a happily never after for them both.
The plot of this story is very captivating even though it is middle grade, It is full of a lot of great quips and quotes. I laughed a lot while reading this and it just made me happy. So very fluid and easy going. Everyone in their places and so fun revisiting all these old fairy tales that I grew up with. So it was also a little nostalgic.
The characters were very fun. Each of them with their rightful places. I did really enjoy Raven Queen, who was the daughter of the Evil Queen in the Snow White fairytale. I like who she was and who she ultimately became by the end of this story. For being a young girl she was pretty strong and could also be somewhat bull headed as well.
I recommend this to anyone who loves upbeat stories and fairy tales even if you don't normally read middle grade. This would be a great series to share with your kids as well. I look forward to the rest of this trilogy and plan on reading them soon.
August 14, 2021
still one of the best (fantasy children) books ever
July 16, 2021
can't believe I didn't mark these as read...
December 1, 2013
10/14/13- I just purchased this book today in Barnes and Noble. I was dying to read it. So, today I read up to page 16. The story begins with introducing the character, Raven, who is the Evil Queen's daughter. This Evil Queen is the one who poisoned Snow White. The story begins with Raven going to school. And the problem is that at her school, she has this thing called,Legency Day. This is a day when the daughters or sons of famous storybook characters try to copy the actions of their parents. But if they don't do it, because they do have a choice, that means both "you" and your story will be banished forever....poof!!!!!
10/15/13- Today I read only read up to page 22 because I had my current events to read as well. Anyway, back to the book. So, chapter 2 introduced a new character named Apple White. She is the daughter of Snow White. Apple was getting ready to go to the same school as Raven...Ever After High. So chapter just saw her packing up her stuff getting ready to head over to Ever After High. I wonder if Raven and Apple will become friends?
10/28/13-Today I read page 32 to page 51.Today at Ever After High, Raven was having lunch with one of her friends (Madeline Hatter). The fairy godmothers in training were handing out class schedules.But when a fairy god mother in training poofed over to Raven, she suddenly reconized her and poofed away with her schedule in fear. When she went back to her room after she got her schedule back, she wanted to relax in her room with her roommate Madeline Hatter(Maddy).But when she got to her room she saw Apple White and Apple explained that they were roommates now.
10/31/13-HAAPY HALLOWEEN!!!Okay,back to the point.Today I read up to page 80.In this chapter everyone was practicing for Legancy Day.Raven was so scard because she doesn't want to be evil. When it was her turn to go up to practice she made excuses and eventually it was over.That's pretty much all that happened.
11/4/13- I finished reading up to page 121. All that really happened in this chapter was that Raven found a key to the storybook legends. And that's where you go to your fairytale on legacy day. When she opened the book she thought she was going to see where she was going to go. But she only saw blank pages. So she thought to herself, "You only see where you are going to go on legacy day after you sign the book." I can't believe she would do such a thing as breaking a rule by looking in the legacy book. And, breaking in to her headmaster grin's office.
11/5/13- Today I read up to page 135. This chapter was about how when Raven looked in the legacy book,she saw that Bella's sister, who is suppose to be evil, did not sign the book. So, Raven is determined to find out what happened to Bella's sister after did not sign the book. Raven's friend Dexter, the younger son of Prince Charming, knew who Raven could ask to find the answer to her question. So when she eventually found that person, he told her that when she didn't sign the legacy book, her, her sister and her story "poofed" away that very second.
11/6/13-Today I read up to page 147.This chapter was pretty much just about how Apple and Raven went to look for more information about Bellas sister. So they went to the lost and CROWNED instead of the lost and found. back to the point.When they went in the lost and crowned, there was a ghost in the room. The ghost led them to where Bella's sister's stuff was.
11/12/13-Today I read up to page 163.This chaper was about how all the secondary students of Ever After High went to the Enchanted Forest.They were in the Enchanted Forest because all the secondary students were getting pet for when thy went into their storys on Legancy Day.Apple got a snow fox, Briar got a Unicorn and Raven got a dragon.Even thou it was a dragon, it be visose,scary and big, it could also shrink into a cute,harmless dragon.She named her............................Nevermore.
11/13/13-Today I read up to page 176. This chapter was about how Raven found out their was something in a noticeable tree. She had to go at night with her roommate Apple, and it was very trick to go at night because they had to go though the guards. Eventraly they got through, and she they got to the tree they found a note which said that "i ran away from Lengancy day, meet me in a cave , i will be wating till you come love Bella.
10/16/13-Today I read up to 195. This chapter was about how there was a festival for each prince and princess in there honor. In the book, the festival is the sleeping beauty festival.It is when everyone in Ever After High goes to sleep for three whole days. Raven thought this was the perfect time to sneack out with Apple to find Bella, and now I am up to the part where they just snuck out.
11/18/13-So, I just finished reading up to page 206. This chapter was about Apple and Raven in the middle of their journey to the cave. They came upon gobblins. Raven knew that gobblins would honor her because she was the daughter of the evil queen. The same queen who poisened snow white. Raven asked the gobblins for a ladder because they had to get down to the ground because the road stopped and she knew there was land underneath them. So, the gobblins agreed to give them a ladder if they gave them the plump red apple....which was Apple. Raven agreed and sweared on her mother's crown. So, the gobblins gave her the ladder then Raven got an apple out of her bag and said, "Here is your plump red apple"!So, the joke is on the gobblins!!!
11/19/13-Today I read up to page 223. This chapter was really only about how Raven wasn't letting herself notice things around her that might be embaressing to other people. Maddy convinced Raven to let her noticed things and noone in the book thought she was making fun of people but it seemed to me she was making fun of her friends.
11/20/13-Today I read up to page 243. This chapter was really only about how Maddy knows about Raven's search for Bella's sister. So, she wanted to help her by getting her book. Maddy found a secret room that has old agent books. Once Raven found her book, she knew there was a chance of surviving and not signing the book.
11/24/13- I am almost finished with this book.this chapterwas really only about how Raven was thinking about not signing the book.Apple didn't know that Raven might not sign the book.
11/26/13-Today I finished the book(page 304).This part of the book was about how Raven chose to not sign the book, however, instead she ripped her page off. All of the royals were infuriated with her and she got so nervous she froze everyone. Once everyone was unfrozen, they were all so mad. Her friends thought she had poofed. The royals decided to go to the dance without the rebels...
10/15/13- Today I read only read up to page 22 because I had my current events to read as well. Anyway, back to the book. So, chapter 2 introduced a new character named Apple White. She is the daughter of Snow White. Apple was getting ready to go to the same school as Raven...Ever After High. So chapter just saw her packing up her stuff getting ready to head over to Ever After High. I wonder if Raven and Apple will become friends?
10/28/13-Today I read page 32 to page 51.Today at Ever After High, Raven was having lunch with one of her friends (Madeline Hatter). The fairy godmothers in training were handing out class schedules.But when a fairy god mother in training poofed over to Raven, she suddenly reconized her and poofed away with her schedule in fear. When she went back to her room after she got her schedule back, she wanted to relax in her room with her roommate Madeline Hatter(Maddy).But when she got to her room she saw Apple White and Apple explained that they were roommates now.
10/31/13-HAAPY HALLOWEEN!!!Okay,back to the point.Today I read up to page 80.In this chapter everyone was practicing for Legancy Day.Raven was so scard because she doesn't want to be evil. When it was her turn to go up to practice she made excuses and eventually it was over.That's pretty much all that happened.
11/4/13- I finished reading up to page 121. All that really happened in this chapter was that Raven found a key to the storybook legends. And that's where you go to your fairytale on legacy day. When she opened the book she thought she was going to see where she was going to go. But she only saw blank pages. So she thought to herself, "You only see where you are going to go on legacy day after you sign the book." I can't believe she would do such a thing as breaking a rule by looking in the legacy book. And, breaking in to her headmaster grin's office.
11/5/13- Today I read up to page 135. This chapter was about how when Raven looked in the legacy book,she saw that Bella's sister, who is suppose to be evil, did not sign the book. So, Raven is determined to find out what happened to Bella's sister after did not sign the book. Raven's friend Dexter, the younger son of Prince Charming, knew who Raven could ask to find the answer to her question. So when she eventually found that person, he told her that when she didn't sign the legacy book, her, her sister and her story "poofed" away that very second.
11/6/13-Today I read up to page 147.This chapter was pretty much just about how Apple and Raven went to look for more information about Bellas sister. So they went to the lost and CROWNED instead of the lost and found. back to the point.When they went in the lost and crowned, there was a ghost in the room. The ghost led them to where Bella's sister's stuff was.
11/12/13-Today I read up to page 163.This chaper was about how all the secondary students of Ever After High went to the Enchanted Forest.They were in the Enchanted Forest because all the secondary students were getting pet for when thy went into their storys on Legancy Day.Apple got a snow fox, Briar got a Unicorn and Raven got a dragon.Even thou it was a dragon, it be visose,scary and big, it could also shrink into a cute,harmless dragon.She named her............................Nevermore.
11/13/13-Today I read up to page 176. This chapter was about how Raven found out their was something in a noticeable tree. She had to go at night with her roommate Apple, and it was very trick to go at night because they had to go though the guards. Eventraly they got through, and she they got to the tree they found a note which said that "i ran away from Lengancy day, meet me in a cave , i will be wating till you come love Bella.
10/16/13-Today I read up to 195. This chapter was about how there was a festival for each prince and princess in there honor. In the book, the festival is the sleeping beauty festival.It is when everyone in Ever After High goes to sleep for three whole days. Raven thought this was the perfect time to sneack out with Apple to find Bella, and now I am up to the part where they just snuck out.
11/18/13-So, I just finished reading up to page 206. This chapter was about Apple and Raven in the middle of their journey to the cave. They came upon gobblins. Raven knew that gobblins would honor her because she was the daughter of the evil queen. The same queen who poisened snow white. Raven asked the gobblins for a ladder because they had to get down to the ground because the road stopped and she knew there was land underneath them. So, the gobblins agreed to give them a ladder if they gave them the plump red apple....which was Apple. Raven agreed and sweared on her mother's crown. So, the gobblins gave her the ladder then Raven got an apple out of her bag and said, "Here is your plump red apple"!So, the joke is on the gobblins!!!
11/19/13-Today I read up to page 223. This chapter was really only about how Raven wasn't letting herself notice things around her that might be embaressing to other people. Maddy convinced Raven to let her noticed things and noone in the book thought she was making fun of people but it seemed to me she was making fun of her friends.
11/20/13-Today I read up to page 243. This chapter was really only about how Maddy knows about Raven's search for Bella's sister. So, she wanted to help her by getting her book. Maddy found a secret room that has old agent books. Once Raven found her book, she knew there was a chance of surviving and not signing the book.
11/24/13- I am almost finished with this book.this chapterwas really only about how Raven was thinking about not signing the book.Apple didn't know that Raven might not sign the book.
11/26/13-Today I finished the book(page 304).This part of the book was about how Raven chose to not sign the book, however, instead she ripped her page off. All of the royals were infuriated with her and she got so nervous she froze everyone. Once everyone was unfrozen, they were all so mad. Her friends thought she had poofed. The royals decided to go to the dance without the rebels...
September 3, 2023
E rieccomi dopo 10 anni, non me lo ricordavo così veloce e non me lo ricordavo così bello anche se allo stesso tempo lo ricordavo a memoria
Rip alla mia copia che ha una decina di pagine staccate per quante volte l'ho letto
Rip alla mia copia che ha una decina di pagine staccate per quante volte l'ho letto
June 14, 2018
I was hesitant to read it after first since it's targeted at kids... but I figured why not? Sounded like a fun idea
I liked how Raven questioned her part in the Snow White story and was questioning everything, not wanting to be like her mother. She wants to be her own person and write her own story. She explores every avenue she can trying to find answers.
Apple White: I was conflicted about her... on one hand, she's kind/considerate and loyal to her friends and is honestly in her own way trying to help Raven so their Story can continue. She doesn't quite understand Raven's misgivings about Legacy Day but she's willing to go on a quest with Raven to help convince her.
On the other though, she annoyed me in a way I can't explain fully... maybe because there's a bit of a cynic in me? It ended up being a love/annoyed relationship with her, like the little sister who gets on your nerves sometimes but your still fond of her... make sense?
Some of the expressions miss Hale wrote for the characters got on my nerves but they were cute. The EAH equivalent of facebook was amusing.
Maddie, Cedar, and Cerise were my second favorites among the cast... Maddie I could see myself being 'besties' with at Ever After High. Cerise's story left hints along the way and I think I know what her 'secret' is... we shall see if I'm right.
There were a couple moments you could see where Raven could be swayed and be the evil queen... the second one near the end had me wondering what she would do if someone had provoked her just then.
A couple of twists and turns that keep you guessing, the one near the end... wow. Very clever of a certain someone but I was sort of cheering it didn't work out like he hoped. He's not evil, just misguided but I don't trust this person at all.
It does leave you wonder though what the REAL story is.
Legacy day was.... exciting/interesting haha. I won't spoil you for it but it made me wish to be a fly on the wall when everything went down.
The ending wasn't a cliffhanger but it sets up the next book in a way that makes you eager to find what happens next.
I loved how despite this being middle grade, it was talking down to the kids. It was an engaging (right word?) read and alot of fun. I've noticed a trend that for some kids' books/movies/tv it seems 'dumbed down' alot... when I was that age, Disney had some good stuff and there were some good books for my age group (I don't remember what I read back then mostly so don't ask haha)... I liked that this didn't fall into that category.
Will I read the next books? Most likely,not on top of my to read list but I'm definitely curious to see what happens next (and I want a Cerise book :) )
Happy reading!
I liked how Raven questioned her part in the Snow White story and was questioning everything, not wanting to be like her mother. She wants to be her own person and write her own story. She explores every avenue she can trying to find answers.
Apple White: I was conflicted about her... on one hand, she's kind/considerate and loyal to her friends and is honestly in her own way trying to help Raven so their Story can continue. She doesn't quite understand Raven's misgivings about Legacy Day but she's willing to go on a quest with Raven to help convince her.
On the other though, she annoyed me in a way I can't explain fully... maybe because there's a bit of a cynic in me? It ended up being a love/annoyed relationship with her, like the little sister who gets on your nerves sometimes but your still fond of her... make sense?
Some of the expressions miss Hale wrote for the characters got on my nerves but they were cute. The EAH equivalent of facebook was amusing.
Maddie, Cedar, and Cerise were my second favorites among the cast... Maddie I could see myself being 'besties' with at Ever After High. Cerise's story left hints along the way and I think I know what her 'secret' is... we shall see if I'm right.
There were a couple moments you could see where Raven could be swayed and be the evil queen... the second one near the end had me wondering what she would do if someone had provoked her just then.
A couple of twists and turns that keep you guessing, the one near the end... wow. Very clever of a certain someone but I was sort of cheering it didn't work out like he hoped. He's not evil, just misguided but I don't trust this person at all.
It does leave you wonder though what the REAL story is.
Legacy day was.... exciting/interesting haha. I won't spoil you for it but it made me wish to be a fly on the wall when everything went down.
The ending wasn't a cliffhanger but it sets up the next book in a way that makes you eager to find what happens next.
I loved how despite this being middle grade, it was talking down to the kids. It was an engaging (right word?) read and alot of fun. I've noticed a trend that for some kids' books/movies/tv it seems 'dumbed down' alot... when I was that age, Disney had some good stuff and there were some good books for my age group (I don't remember what I read back then mostly so don't ask haha)... I liked that this didn't fall into that category.
Will I read the next books? Most likely,not on top of my to read list but I'm definitely curious to see what happens next (and I want a Cerise book :) )
Happy reading!
September 17, 2015
My most popular review, without contention, was my review for the School for Good and Evil. I suh-lamed that book (no regrets. It's awful). At the time I read that one, it was suggested to me that THIS book was a better alternative.
This book is amazing.
This book does everything that other book does not do. This book actually questions the nature of good and evil on a really complex level: if Raven refuses to be evil, is she good? Or is she still evil because she's refusing to follow the rules? But she's not following the rules because she wants to be good, so does that make her good?
It also deals with choice, familial expectation, peer pressure, and the terror that comes from being different. There is even room in this book for some romance without it either taking over anyone's personality or becoming insipid.
Hale doesn't pull any punches, she's working with difficult topics, but she does it so unbelievably well. There's this whole undercurrent where everyone is looking for a happy ending, and those suddenly in danger of losing it are terrified. And why not, they were told their entire life they had one coming to them, and now someone else's choice might take it away from them. But that someone else still has the right to choose.
So yes, now everyone's ending is uncertain, but isn't it better that we all at least have an even chance? I'm starting the second book now, and this theme of how our choices affect other people is still growing and I love it. No one should be the villain of their own story, but can everyone actually find a happy ending? Does someone have to lose?
These are the question I am totally here for, and this is a worldview I can get behind. Forget that other stupid book that's obsessed with appearance and boys, let's give our kids philosophy wrapped in riddleish!
Basically this book is incredibly intelligent, while at the same time being ridiculously fun. I love the characters, I love the settings... it's just really, really good. So fun.
I know you gotta get past the marketing, the dolls, the TV show, blah blah blah, but it's so worth it. Hale is a genius and this is an excellent book.
Do it.
This book is amazing.
This book does everything that other book does not do. This book actually questions the nature of good and evil on a really complex level: if Raven refuses to be evil, is she good? Or is she still evil because she's refusing to follow the rules? But she's not following the rules because she wants to be good, so does that make her good?
It also deals with choice, familial expectation, peer pressure, and the terror that comes from being different. There is even room in this book for some romance without it either taking over anyone's personality or becoming insipid.
Hale doesn't pull any punches, she's working with difficult topics, but she does it so unbelievably well. There's this whole undercurrent where everyone is looking for a happy ending, and those suddenly in danger of losing it are terrified. And why not, they were told their entire life they had one coming to them, and now someone else's choice might take it away from them. But that someone else still has the right to choose.
So yes, now everyone's ending is uncertain, but isn't it better that we all at least have an even chance? I'm starting the second book now, and this theme of how our choices affect other people is still growing and I love it. No one should be the villain of their own story, but can everyone actually find a happy ending? Does someone have to lose?
These are the question I am totally here for, and this is a worldview I can get behind. Forget that other stupid book that's obsessed with appearance and boys, let's give our kids philosophy wrapped in riddleish!
Basically this book is incredibly intelligent, while at the same time being ridiculously fun. I love the characters, I love the settings... it's just really, really good. So fun.
I know you gotta get past the marketing, the dolls, the TV show, blah blah blah, but it's so worth it. Hale is a genius and this is an excellent book.
Do it.
February 10, 2019
I read this book with my 9 year old daughter. It is perfect reading if your little one enjoys the Ever After High world.
I liked it more than I thought I would. I will admit that getting into it was a bit of a struggle. That probably has about 90% to do with me being a 43 year old man. Let's face it, I am not their target audience. I was sold by the end of the novel, however. I enjoy the constant struggle with "big questions". That's not something you usually see in a lot of children's books based on merchandise related tv shows.
The book is predicated on the relationship of Raven Queen and Apple White, respectively the daughters of the Evil Queen and Snow White. They are destined to repeat their parents' roles. Raven, however, does not want to be evil. She is repulsed by evil. She wants, in stead, to carve out her own path in life. The plot revolves around their quest, as friends who are destined to be enemies, to figure out if choice is even an option.
To be honest, this isn't a book I would ever read myself. But reading it with my 9 yr old daughter was enjoyable. I liked how she got into the conflict, made connections with fairy tales she knows and doesn't know, taught me about a show she really enjoys, and the discussions we had about whether choice was a real thing or not. And if choice is option, whether it is better to surrender to the certainty of destiny (even if it isn't all that great) or opt for a life of choices which could go any conceivable way.
If your little monkey is into Ever After High, the books are worth it. Not just because they are better written than expected, but because they bring up interesting conversations with your little one and also (and here is the endgame, folks) it will help encourage a lifelong love of learning.
I liked it more than I thought I would. I will admit that getting into it was a bit of a struggle. That probably has about 90% to do with me being a 43 year old man. Let's face it, I am not their target audience. I was sold by the end of the novel, however. I enjoy the constant struggle with "big questions". That's not something you usually see in a lot of children's books based on merchandise related tv shows.
The book is predicated on the relationship of Raven Queen and Apple White, respectively the daughters of the Evil Queen and Snow White. They are destined to repeat their parents' roles. Raven, however, does not want to be evil. She is repulsed by evil. She wants, in stead, to carve out her own path in life. The plot revolves around their quest, as friends who are destined to be enemies, to figure out if choice is even an option.
To be honest, this isn't a book I would ever read myself. But reading it with my 9 yr old daughter was enjoyable. I liked how she got into the conflict, made connections with fairy tales she knows and doesn't know, taught me about a show she really enjoys, and the discussions we had about whether choice was a real thing or not. And if choice is option, whether it is better to surrender to the certainty of destiny (even if it isn't all that great) or opt for a life of choices which could go any conceivable way.
If your little monkey is into Ever After High, the books are worth it. Not just because they are better written than expected, but because they bring up interesting conversations with your little one and also (and here is the endgame, folks) it will help encourage a lifelong love of learning.
February 14, 2016
I have read several Shannon Hale books, so I was really looking forward to this one, and I can say I am really surprised, this one was really fun.
However, not all characters were good. For instance, I loved Raven and her struggle to fight against her destiny and becoming evil. But I disliked Apple and her lack of empathy and such towards people. She was really rude and mean to Raven, trying to reform her to writing her signature under the story, just so her (Snow White) story will stay alive. I can imagine, she doesn't want her story to disappear or go wrong, but I am sure there are better ways then to change someone's room, to be blunt about a lot of things and just not wanting to understand what Raven is going through.
She gets better later (in the next book), but even there I just wanted to smack her for a big part of the book.
Other than those things I mentioned, it was a good book. I really liked the idea of a boarding school for fairy tale/legend stories. It was also great to see the brothers Grimm and also various smaller and less known story figures. I didn't always get who they were, but mostly I did and I had really much fun seeing their modern personalities in this book.
I can't wait to see what will happen in the further books, I do hope Raven will get her wish, and won't need to be evil or bad.
Review first posted on: http://twirlingbookprincess.com
However, not all characters were good. For instance, I loved Raven and her struggle to fight against her destiny and becoming evil. But I disliked Apple and her lack of empathy and such towards people. She was really rude and mean to Raven, trying to reform her to writing her signature under the story, just so her (Snow White) story will stay alive. I can imagine, she doesn't want her story to disappear or go wrong, but I am sure there are better ways then to change someone's room, to be blunt about a lot of things and just not wanting to understand what Raven is going through.
She gets better later (in the next book), but even there I just wanted to smack her for a big part of the book.
Other than those things I mentioned, it was a good book. I really liked the idea of a boarding school for fairy tale/legend stories. It was also great to see the brothers Grimm and also various smaller and less known story figures. I didn't always get who they were, but mostly I did and I had really much fun seeing their modern personalities in this book.
I can't wait to see what will happen in the further books, I do hope Raven will get her wish, and won't need to be evil or bad.
Review first posted on: http://twirlingbookprincess.com
January 28, 2015
This book was so bad I quit reading it at the gym and stared into space for the last ten minutes of my workout. The underpinning logic behind a school for the next generation of fairy tale characters was not well thought out. Thinly veiled references to pop culture icons like Taylor Swift cheapen the text. The plot was weak, the characters shallow and predictable. I find it depressing that books like this make it to print and coexist next to shelves with books by Pam Munoz Ryan, Colin Meloy, and other works of exceptional quality that also have high appeal for children. Pass on this one despite (or because of) the cutesy pink and purple cover.
June 4, 2018
This one was a dnf because it was too boring and ridiculous. I really like Everafter High the cartoon but there are so many questions left unanswered in the first part of this book. I don't understand how Raven's father is the good King. Does that mean that Snow is Ravens sister? If everyone is just going to relive their parent's fairytale, why don't they have the same name as their parents. They are not reincarnations of their parents because their parents are still alive but why must they live an eternal loop of the same story instead of being done with the chapter/book and starting a new one?
March 26, 2019
I found the premise in this book to be fun, along with the puns and jokes. Lovers of fairy tales should enjoy this twist on classic old fairy tales, although I do wish more questions could have been answered.
I first heard of Ever After High via the TV show and liked the Royals vs Rebels storyline and found it easy to sympathize with Raven Queen as she wants to avoid her mothet's destiny, especially given how selfish Apple White and the other Royals were being, expecting Raven Queen and other Rebels to accept the crap they are destined for.
I first heard of Ever After High via the TV show and liked the Royals vs Rebels storyline and found it easy to sympathize with Raven Queen as she wants to avoid her mothet's destiny, especially given how selfish Apple White and the other Royals were being, expecting Raven Queen and other Rebels to accept the crap they are destined for.
April 9, 2016
Best book ever
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2017
One of the hexcellent fairy tales retelling ever!
November 3, 2022
reading the books my sister borrowed from the library.
i read this like years ago but stills hits as well as it did when i was 10 😭
i read this like years ago but stills hits as well as it did when i was 10 😭
February 6, 2017
Hexcellent. Except that it wasn't. It was truly awful. My 9-year-old niece made me read it as part of our book club. The book is filled with so much cheesiness that if getting your eyes stuck because of too many eye rolls was really a thing, I'd be in trouble. That being said, I'm a full grown adult and this book was not written for me. My niece loved it and we got to spend some quality time together discussing it.
January 20, 2014
Me encanto el libro es bastante original quien pensaría que después de todo, los hijos de aquellos cuentos clásicos tenia que revivir la historia.
Sin pensarlo 2 veces el libro es genial, con una idea fresca, y llena de aventura.
Un libro que podras leer en un momento de aburrimiento y después no podrás soltar sin duda un libro 100 % recomendable ♥
Sin pensarlo 2 veces el libro es genial, con una idea fresca, y llena de aventura.
Un libro que podras leer en un momento de aburrimiento y después no podrás soltar sin duda un libro 100 % recomendable ♥
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,396 reviews