The Missing Sword

Never After #4

by Melissa de la Cruz

Return to the land of Never After, where real life and fairy tales collide, in book four of New York Times-bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz's hit middle grade series.

To save her mother from Olga's evil clutches, Filomena and her friends will set off for new lands and new adventures. Without a moment to lose, Filomena must travel to the legendary land of Camelot to find the sword of Excalibur - the only thing that can save Fil's mother from Olga's mysterious illness that has poisoned her body.

But Camelot is not all that it seems. Fil and the crew quickly realize that there is another fairy tale that has taken hold in the land of Arthurian Legend. . . that of the Wizard of Oz! With the help (and hindrance) of the Wicked Witches of the East and West, lions and tigers and bears will surely be the least of Fil and the gang's troubles.

As the League of Seven follows the yellow brick road to retrieve the sword and complete their most important quest yet, they find nothing will thwart the ogres and their mission to destroy Never After. In a land where nothing is truly as it seems, will Fil and the League of the Seven survive the witch's tests? Or will Olga's perilous plans rip Fil's mother away from her forever?

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Audiobook, Young Adult, Adventure, Fairy Tales, Romance

368 pages, Hardcover

First published December 5, 2023

About the author

Melissa de la Cruz is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens including The Au Pairs series, the Blue Bloods series, the Ashleys series, the Angels on Sunset Boulevard series and the semi-autobiographical novel Fresh off the Boat.

Her books for adults include the novel Cat’s Meow, the anthology Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys and the tongue-in-chic handbooks How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less and The Fashionista Files: Adventures in Four-inch heels and Faux-Pas.

She has worked as a fashion and beauty editor and has written for many publications including The New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews.

Melissa grew up in Manila and moved to San Francisco with her family, where she graduated high school salutatorian from The Convent of the Sacred Heart. She majored in art history and English at Columbia University (and minored in nightclubs and shopping!).

She now divides her time between New York and Los Angeles, where she lives in the Hollywood Hills with her husband and daughter.

Reviews

[Addie Frank · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really disappointed the other three books where amazing in this one was ok for the first hour and then there wes a gay couple this really made me annoyed those is supposed to be for children I wouldn't recommend it

[B.D · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25🌟
Wow. First of all, the beginning of the book was a bit slow and I didn’t like the LGBTQ couple. But other than that and the book being a bit too cheesy at times, it was great. The romance was sweet and I loved the found family. The last 50 pages? I was so scared and I don’t know how I’m going to wait for the fifth book. The twist was really good and I could not put this book down. I’m not sure, but I think this was my favourite book in the series. Please read this series, especially if you are ages 9-12, it will definitely appeal to you more then. Recommended for ages 9/10 and up.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this series!! It’s so much fun and I can’t wait for the last book to come out!!

[Michelle M Gage · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why, why, why? This is why all new books written today are filtered by me before I can let my children read them. There was no reason to bring these characters into a children’s book. I wish authors would not feel so pressured to always be inclusive.

[Mild pause for sophomore year 😅 · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY PLOT TWIST!!!!

[Heather Littman · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️ per my 9 year old

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been really enjoying this series and was excited to get into the next instalment and it didn’t disappoint! While I read the first three in the series, this fourth book I listened to the audiobook version and was glad I did. The narrator had a soft and melodic voice that was so nice to listen to and her voice work really brought something to the experience.

This book starts off right where we left off in book three with Filomena on the next leg of her quest to save her mother. She must travel alone so is not surround by her troupe of friends, the other members of the League of Seven. We see some of the things Filo is struggling with right away. The idea that she will have to choose where to live right at the forefront. Deciding between being the Queen of Westphalia and staying with Jack or going back to North Pasadena with her parents. After a trial she enters Camelot and she is reunited with her group at least momentarily. From there she has to travel through a new (to us) area in the Kingdom of Never After, Camelot/Oz. It’s an interesting blend of the two stories and settings where she meets up with the Never After version of some of the iconic characters from the stories like always.

I enjoyed the slightly flipped versions specifically the idea around the witches and how they might not be as black and white, good or evil as we may have thought. I also loved the versions of Guinevere and Lancelot but don’t want to say much more in case I spoil it.

What follows is full of questing, epic battles with ogres, magical settings (loved Marlin’s house and the root system idea) and magical spells and items that will change things forever…or at least for a time.

The ending was very not what I expected in the best way possible and I did not see the twists and turns that Filo and the League would face coming at all. It leaves you with a bit of a cliffhanger ending too! I’m excited to find out what happens in the last book of this series for sure from where we left off.

I received an advanced audiobook copy of this book through NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for my honest review.

[The St. Louis Literary Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Never After: The Missing Sword" by Melissa de la Cruz is a delightful addition to the young adult fantasy genre. This enchanting tale is set in a world where fairy tales are not just stories, but realities waiting to be revisited. The story revolves around Filomena Jefferson-Cho, a vibrant and intelligent protagonist whose life takes an unexpected turn when characters from her favorite book series, "Never After," appear in her real world.

De la Cruz masterfully blends elements of classic fairy tales with modern sensibilities, creating a narrative that is both familiar and fresh. The inclusion of beloved fairy tale characters adds a layer of nostalgia, while the novel's twists and turns keep the reader engaged. The author's writing style is fluid and captivating, with descriptions that paint a vivid picture of both the real world and the fantastical realm of Never After.

The character development in this novel is particularly noteworthy. Filomena is a relatable and strong female lead, embodying determination and bravery. Her growth throughout the story is inspiring, making her an excellent role model for young readers. The supporting characters are equally well-crafted, each adding depth and humor to the story.

What sets "The Missing Sword" apart is its emphasis on friendship, courage, and the power of believing in oneself. The plot is fast-paced and filled with action, but it's the heartwarming moments and the message of empowerment that resonate long after the last page.

Overall, "Never After: The Missing Sword" is a magical and thrilling read that captivates from beginning to end. It's a perfect pick for young readers and adults alike who enjoy a blend of adventure, fantasy, and heartfelt storytelling. Melissa de la Cruz has created a world that is as enchanting as it is empowering, making this book a must-read.

[Erica Bentley · Rating 4 out of 5]

With that ending, there has to be another book… I hope!

I was reading this series to see if it would suit one of my fourth graders, and I instantly fell in love. I love the magic, dragons, quests, and, above all, the friendships!

I will be adding these to my classroom library!

[Jolee Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so far one of my favorite books in this series, but there is one complaint I have, the author decided to make Lancelot a girl, who is dating Gwen., I kinda hate that she added an unnecessary gay thing but it’s only for a tiny bit of the book so I’m okay ish with it.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I most definitely did not like the part with the lgbt characters. I just kind of skipped that part. Because I feel like this is more towards young readers, this just made it not really for them(if that makes sense) 3/5 stars because it was kind of slow I couldn't really get into it and because of the two characters. Maybe I would recommend for a little older readers.

Hate Calvin. Just absolutely hate him. She needs Jack, not Calvin, but whatever. I love how Jack told her, "You're the love of my life, Filomena." And she goes and forgets him like he's nothing to her. Like, what the absolutely heck girl?!?!? Jack was the love of your life!!!! And she goes and forgets him!!! Then she remembers him because of who?!?!? ALASTAIR!!!!!(we love him for that and other things❤️❤️) Alastair and Gretel were the biggest shippers of Jack and Filomena, and they totally wanted them to get together. Not going to lie felt the same way Alastair did when I found out Calvin was her boyfriend. Calvin is stupid! He's also not right for her. Jack knows her better than anyone. Love Jack always have and always will. 1: Because he's hot 2: he's better than Calvin 3: he loves his friends and would do anything for them.
Totally a great way to end the book! NOT!! What the actual heck?!? I need more!!!! More I tell you!!!


This was a very chaotic review. Thank you for reading, and have a good day.

[Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I quite liked the style of writing the author, it pulls you just in to read more without stopping. So the book was pleasant to read until I found out that the writer made Guinevere and Lancelot from the Arthurian tales a lesbian couple. Don’t get me wrong I have nothing against lesbians or other LGBTQ couples in books and movies but reading about how they change a an existing straight couple gay is just weird for me and I couldn’t just read further because of it. The biggest reason for it was I grew up with being told story’s about King Arthur and his knights +liking them, so I also grew up with Guinevere and Lancelot. This just feels like the author is trying to erase a part of the history, part of Camelot and which in this story I feel like is important. It kinda takes place in those stories and that couple is big in those stories. So I’ll never finish it

[Heba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting ending I guess???

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun twist on the wizard of Oz and Camelot

[Becky Loader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fractured fairy tale moves on to Camelit and Avalon, and the friends are still working as a team.

[Andrea Morales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a little while to get into the book but after that it was over all good.

[Ranelle Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. It pulls u in and u want to keep reading. Now I have to wait for the final book.

[Sreenidhi C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually really liked this book and I thought it flowed well with the other three. So excited to read the next one and see what happens!

[Rose Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

That ending though! 😩

[Lynnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filomena must find Excalibur to save her Mother! Will she and her friends find it in time? Will Filomena choose Never After or the mortal world?

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5. I unwisely decided to stay up all night reading and having christmas shows in the background and now sugar fueled tiredness and regret has seeped in. Not because the book was bad but because A) I'm super tired and expected to socialize and B) I have now caught up with all the Never After series books and have to wait for the next one like everyone else. I was very hopeful that this book would be better than the last one and it was. That being said its got some very odd mish mashed fairy tale, mythology, and I guess technically a Classic fantasy book. Just throwing it out there but I'd love a Never After/Christmas Carol/Little Match Girl story. Probably never going to happen but still maybe someday? The big surprise is yet again, how the story ends, but then all of a sudden it sort of psyche's you out and then its like but wait there's more. I was surprised by what I thought was the actual ending and it made me rage a little. Thankfully the script was flipped and by the end I'm like yes but also considering the upcoming sacrifice I'm also like NOOOOO. It was a lot of emotions for 4 a.m. and hopped up on chocolate and sodas. I'm hoping that the final book is able to resolve everything and we get a final great tale.

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun continuation to the series, but not my favorite. I liked bringing in Arthur and Oz (strange they were connected) and I am intrigued on how the series will end with the 5th book.

[Colly · Rating 4 out of 5]

now i gotta wait again??
it was good.
i liked it
am sad

[Sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I have really enjoyed this series so far and have yet to hit the point at which one anticipates a slowdown. Filomena is a great character, and along with her friends, she gets up to highly readable antics with some powerful messaging included.

While this book could be read as a standalone and is noteworthy for its particularly fun Arthurian content (as the title may suggest), I do think readers will best engage with this when they have access to the more developed exposition the earlier books offer.

This is a quick and engaging audiobook, and the biggest thrill is the setup for the next installment. I'm already looking forward to it!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Young Listeners for this alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Rubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a mix of King Arthur stories and Wizard of Oz 🙀 It was kind of bizarre but it also worked haha
Jack and Filomena were also unsure of what they were, so after saving Filomena's mother and Avalon, the choice to either stay in Never After or our world was a tough one for our heroes to make. Does Filomena love Jack enough to leave her parents behind? Is Jack willing to switch world? Their choices have consequences but it felt like an ending and yet....the epilogue showed us there may be more story 😵
I do and don't like that. I felt the ending was getting better than the chapter before but....now not sure or where it'll go. And no idea when or if book 5 will come out 😭

[Laura-Lynne Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening to this book made me want to go back & read all the rest of this series! (They’re all added to my TBR list) As a fan of fairy tales I thought the mixing of stories to make this adventure was so fun and engaging. There was fighting, fun, romance some giant scary spiders. The story was easy to follow and the characters were varied and easy to like. I thought this series was ending towards the end then bam off it goes again! I’ll be looking forward to the next book in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley & MacMillan audio for a copy of this book.

[Krystal Perry · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first 3 books were fantastic. This book fell flat and was way too out there.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the fourth book of the Never After series, Filomena returns to find Olga and save her mother. Her mother has been using cosmetics that had been poisoned and that was what was making her sick. This time out, Fil has to travel to Camelot and find the famous sword, Excalibur, to save her mother. It seems that in Never After, the stories are mashed and go by various names. Camelot is also Oz. Fil ends up killing one of the witches in Oz, and coming face to face with two others. She ends up with the ruby slippers and tries to free the munchkins, who are being held captive by Olga. There are flying monkeys, and they don't listen to the Wicked Witch of the West. Eventually she meets Marlon, a wizard and finds Excalibur, but can she pull it from the stone and save her mother back in Pasadena?

This was my least favourite book in the series. It got very complicated, with Camelot and Oz flipping. There were tests to pass in order to move forward to find what they wanted. I did like the tests as they proved that they were good and worthy. The book started slower than the rest of them, but really picks up at the end. There is a bit more romance between Jack and Fil, which was sweet. The way our heroes work together and support one another was still there, and I love the friendship they have. The ending surprised me, and if I didn't know better I would have thought it was the end of the series but no, there is one more book.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

To save her mother from Olga the evil ogre queen, Filomena must travel to the legendary land of Camelot to find the sword of Excalibur. This precious object is the only thing that can save Fil's mother from Olga's curse, which is slowly killing her. Will Filomena be able to successfully complete her quest? Will challenges along the way bring an unexpected end to her travels?

Never After: The Missing Sword is entertaining, so I am glad that I received the audio version. The narrator, Imani Jade Powers, presents the book in a way that would excite the target audience. I would definitely recommend this version of the book to readers.

Overall, without spoilers, I can say that I like the ending of Never After: The Missing Sword. Though the story is a fairy tale, the elements of realism bring this story to life. Some of the book is a little repetitive, but the conclusion does make up for that fact. Readers new to the series should start at the beginning, as too much happens in the previous three books to help this one make sense.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Audio Copy of Never After: The Missing Sword by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to listen to and review this book was entirely my own.

[Jet Divine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally finished the never after series 4-4! hopefully book 5 comes soon because I cannot wait for the final book to come out.

Like why would you leave on such a cliffhanger, with Jack fighting for his life and filomena just forgets about never after, she even has a boyfriend that isn't Jack.

There is such a cute couple, How could you split them apart like that. To make matters worse Jack is still in love with filomena and I've a feeling Alister and Gretel are gonna be a couple because they were giving couple vibes the whole entire book, the way they care for each other is so cute and when Gretel said she gonna stay in the mortal world Alister looked so sad.

I'm glad Filomena saved her mother from Olga, I loved the combined stories between oz and merlin because they are the two of my favorite fairy tales.

This is by far my favorite book out of this series, and I hope everything works at well for the characters of never after, SEE YOU SOON.