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My Fair Godmother #2
My Unfair Godmother
Tansy Miller has always felt that her divorced father has never had enough time for her. But mistakenly getting caught on the wrong side of the law wasn't exactly how she wanted to get his attention. Enter Chrysanthemum "Chrissy" Everstar, Tansy's fairy in shining, er, high heels. Chrissy is only a fair godmother, of course, so Tansy's three wishes don't exactly go according to plan. And if bringing Robin Hood to the twenty-first century isn't bad enough for Tansy, being transported back to the Middle Ages to deal with Rumpelstiltskin certainly is. She'll need the help of her blended family, her wits, and especially the cute police chief's son to stop the gold-spinning story from spinning wildly out of control. Janette Rallison pulls out all the stops in this fresh, fun-filled follow-up to the popular My Fair Godmother.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published April 12, 2011
194 people are currently reading
5836 people want to read
About the author
Janette Rallison
74 books1,994 followersCheck out my awesome book trailers!
My Unfair Godmother:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AlRg0...
My Fair Godmother: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up1jF8...
Just One Wish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP1Nce...
My Double Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzuswp...
Janette Rallison has five children who keep her well supplied with plot ideas, sometimes even making cameo appearances in her novels. She likes to write romantic comedy because there is enough angst in real life, but theres a drastic shortage on both humor and romance.
Playing the Field was named Society of School Librarians International Best Book Award Honor Book, and both Alls Fair In Love, War, and High School and Love, Life, and the Pursuit of Free Throws were included on YALSAs Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults list. Fame Glory, and Other Things on My To Do List, was just chosen for IRAs YA Choices list for 2007
"
My Unfair Godmother:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AlRg0...
My Fair Godmother: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up1jF8...
Just One Wish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP1Nce...
My Double Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzuswp...
Janette Rallison has five children who keep her well supplied with plot ideas, sometimes even making cameo appearances in her novels. She likes to write romantic comedy because there is enough angst in real life, but theres a drastic shortage on both humor and romance.
Playing the Field was named Society of School Librarians International Best Book Award Honor Book, and both Alls Fair In Love, War, and High School and Love, Life, and the Pursuit of Free Throws were included on YALSAs Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults list. Fame Glory, and Other Things on My To Do List, was just chosen for IRAs YA Choices list for 2007
"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 801 reviews
October 31, 2016
99c Kindle special today. This is a funny, light YA fantasy with a little romance.
This YA novel is one of those rare sequels that I liked better than the first book in the series, My Fair Godmother, mostly because I liked the main character better in this book. As a childhood nerd and compulsively good student, I had a hard time sympathizing with the gorgeous, popular high school student in the first book, who never used her brains until forced to do so. #sorrynotsorry
Anyway. The Valley Girl-ish fairy godmother from the first book, Chrysanthemum (Chrissy), is still trying to get into fairy godmother university, or something like that, so she's taken on another extra credit project in the form of Tansy, an unhappy teenager dragged down by the aftermath of her parents' divorce, who registered too high on the fairy's Pathetic-O-Meter and thus qualifies for some fairy godmotherly intervention in her life. Hijinks ensue and eventually everyone gets sent by Chrissy to (not particularly realistic, but whatever) medieval times--including, of course, the requisite hot guy. Identities are mistaken, fences are mended, lessons are learned.
Sample quote, from the fairy contract that Tansy had to sign:
This YA novel is one of those rare sequels that I liked better than the first book in the series, My Fair Godmother, mostly because I liked the main character better in this book. As a childhood nerd and compulsively good student, I had a hard time sympathizing with the gorgeous, popular high school student in the first book, who never used her brains until forced to do so. #sorrynotsorry
Anyway. The Valley Girl-ish fair
Sample quote, from the fairy contract that Tansy had to sign:
"... if thou shalt tell an untruth, in consequence of such an act, a reptile or amphibian shall grow upon thy tongue until such instance when thou spittith it out. Or if thou art an animal rights activist and considereth such an act to be inhumane to reptiles or amphibians, thou mayest choose instead to have flashing lights above thy head declaring thou art a blasted liar."Tansy, understandably, chooses the flashing lights option, which leads to some really funny moments later on, like this one:
"Oh," I said.
"The animal rights option is new this year," Chrissy said.
He smiled. "You’re into me, I can tell."This was a cute, light, humorous story with occasional moving and thoughtful moments. If you enjoy the lighter YA novels, this one is worth reading.
"I’m not into you," I said hotly. Hotly, because as soon as the words left my lips, sparklers erupted on top of my head.
Hudson looked at them, and a grin spread across his face. The baby cooed and reached out, trying to grab the flaring light. Hudson moved farther away. "Don’t touch. Just look at Mommy’s pretty liar hat."
He was enjoying this way too much. "Okay," I said. "Maybe I like you a little."
The sparklers dimmed, but didn’t go out.
Hudson raised an eyebrow.
"All right," I said, nervously eyeing the area to make sure no one saw us. "I’m into you."
The sparklers died, but I didn’t wait around for more commentary. I headed to the inn. Behind me I heard Hudson still talking to the baby. "Yes, we like Mommy’s flaming hairdo, don’t we?"
August 9, 2010
I'm just happy this book is done!
Viva la fairy godmother!
Viva la fairy godmother!
August 26, 2016
I am so grateful to this book. It was so fun and just what I was looking for. Rallison doesn't disappoint with this one if you've read My Fair Godmother. It's just as funny, if not more, but with a different girl, different problems and different wishes. Companion novels are always exciting to read but this isn’t exactly a companion since it is still following Chrissy the godmother. Chrissy is getting worse I think than she was before but that may be subjective. Things get truly bad for Tansy. And this time more people are involved.
I could get Tansy's resentfulness about her parents’ divorce. Rallison gave you just enough insight of Tansy’s past to get me thinking, "Yeah that does suck." The voice of Tansy was great and I like her. I could believe it was a teenager's voice without it sounding immature or whinny like other YA is.
The love interest was great and you see some uncomfortable situation come from magical incidents. The relationship between him and Tansy is not the only one developed though. Lets not forget her dad and her new step family; they aren't left in the dust either.
The book was larger than I thought it would be. There is a bit of a lull around the middle which made it a bit longer than I expected but hey I still enjoyed it so that can tell you it doesn’t last. And other than this it was spot on. I snorted and laughed and sighed.
The whole message of the book is touching and I was just so satisfied with the ending; just so satisfied. I highly recommend it to people who go for happy endings.
I could get Tansy's resentfulness about her parents’ divorce. Rallison gave you just enough insight of Tansy’s past to get me thinking, "Yeah that does suck." The voice of Tansy was great and I like her. I could believe it was a teenager's voice without it sounding immature or whinny like other YA is.
The love interest was great and you see some uncomfortable situation come from magical incidents. The relationship between him and Tansy is not the only one developed though. Lets not forget her dad and her new step family; they aren't left in the dust either.
The book was larger than I thought it would be. There is a bit of a lull around the middle which made it a bit longer than I expected but hey I still enjoyed it so that can tell you it doesn’t last. And other than this it was spot on. I snorted and laughed and sighed.
The whole message of the book is touching and I was just so satisfied with the ending; just so satisfied. I highly recommend it to people who go for happy endings.
October 13, 2011
I like the first book better than this. My Fair Godmother is full of laugh out loud moments. This one has those too but not as many. But I have this goofy grin while reading this:
September 13, 2016
Now
this
is what I call entertainment! Go ahead and roll your eyes, but I’ll still be smiling. Hilarious, as usual, with a mix of fairy tale this was just what I needed.
Quick Overview:
(I should stop saying that. These overviews ceased being “quick” long ago)
Well the less than stellar godmother Chrysanthemum (aka Chrissy) Everstar is at it again. This time she’s trying to get into Godmother University and her nextvictim charge is Tansy. Since her parents’ divorce Tansy has felt abandoned by her father, whom she’s living with after her mother and younger musical-prodigy sister are off traveling. To peeve him she goes out with the jerkiest guy in town, and after a truly horrible date she ends up in jail. Tansy is officially pathetic, but never fear Chrissy comes to the rescue. As you might guess Tansy’s wishes don’t go as planned, in fact they go completely wrong. Hilarity ensues.
Just thinking about this book makes me happy. Tansy learns about family and what love really is, but what shines through is the witty and funny tone of the book. I’m a sucker for modern takes on fairy tales where the characters are thrown into totally ridiculous situations. I just can’t help it. Other people’s embarrassment and misery makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Okay, so maybe I like the witty dialogue and happy endings too.
At first, I have to admit I wasn’t feeling Tansy. I still don’t get how dating a known jerk would ever seem like a good idea. Ah, the mysteries of life. The story dragged a bit in the middle, but quickly makes up for it in the last third of the book. I wasn’t sure how things were going to work out with Tansy and Hudson because they don’t seem to have any reason to like each other at the beginning, but that too develops later on. The ending did seem maybe a little bit too perfect, but in all honesty I’m not really complaining.
You want to know what I really loved about this book, (besides Robin Hood and the crazy King) is that this isn’t trying to be something it’s not. So many times I read books that feel false because they’re trying too darn hard. This book doesn’t give the impression that it’s trying to change the world or be the next literary masterpiece. It’s always satisfying reading a book that lives up to your excitement and this book delivered exactly what it’s trying to: A light-hearted, funny book that brings a smile to your face. Lay back, eat some cheez-its, and snort your worries away while trying not to choke on said cheez-its.
Quick Overview:
(I should stop saying that. These overviews ceased being “quick” long ago)
Well the less than stellar godmother Chrysanthemum (aka Chrissy) Everstar is at it again. This time she’s trying to get into Godmother University and her next
Just thinking about this book makes me happy. Tansy learns about family and what love really is, but what shines through is the witty and funny tone of the book. I’m a sucker for modern takes on fairy tales where the characters are thrown into totally ridiculous situations. I just can’t help it. Other people’s embarrassment and misery makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Okay, so maybe I like the witty dialogue and happy endings too.
At first, I have to admit I wasn’t feeling Tansy. I still don’t get how dating a known jerk would ever seem like a good idea. Ah, the mysteries of life. The story dragged a bit in the middle, but quickly makes up for it in the last third of the book. I wasn’t sure how things were going to work out with Tansy and Hudson because they don’t seem to have any reason to like each other at the beginning, but that too develops later on. The ending did seem maybe a little bit too perfect, but in all honesty I’m not really complaining.
You want to know what I really loved about this book, (besides Robin Hood and the crazy King) is that this isn’t trying to be something it’s not. So many times I read books that feel false because they’re trying too darn hard. This book doesn’t give the impression that it’s trying to change the world or be the next literary masterpiece. It’s always satisfying reading a book that lives up to your excitement and this book delivered exactly what it’s trying to: A light-hearted, funny book that brings a smile to your face. Lay back, eat some cheez-its, and snort your worries away while trying not to choke on said cheez-its.
May 3, 2022
I enjoyed this installment as much, or maybe more, than the first book. This book is about Tansy, she hasn't quite been the same since her father left when she was a little girl. When her sister gets a lead in a play and will be traveling around the country, Tansy is forced to go live with her dad and his new family in Arizona. Not wanting to make things easy for him, she ends up making some bad choices. That's when her Fair Godmother shows up.
Tansy was a likable character. She kind of has a chip on her shoulder when the story begins, but with a little help from her fair godmother, Chrissy, she learns some valuable lessons. The story was a lot of fun, it sucks you in and I had a hard time putting the book down. Hudson was easy to like, he has good values, works hard, and cares about those around him. The end had me tear up, and even Hudson learned some interesting things about himself. I do kind of wish Tansy and her dad would have had more of a heart to heart, it would have been nice to have her dad apologize or realize how he handled things in the past really affected Tansy. I did like how things wrapped up in the end though.
This is the second book in the series, you could read it on its own, I would recommend all of Rallison’s books, they're great!
Content Rated G
Romance: Mild kissing
Language: None
Violence: Mild fighting
Tansy was a likable character. She kind of has a chip on her shoulder when the story begins, but with a little help from her fair godmother, Chrissy, she learns some valuable lessons. The story was a lot of fun, it sucks you in and I had a hard time putting the book down. Hudson was easy to like, he has good values, works hard, and cares about those around him. The end had me tear up, and even Hudson learned some interesting things about himself. I do kind of wish Tansy and her dad would have had more of a heart to heart, it would have been nice to have her dad apologize or realize how he handled things in the past really affected Tansy. I did like how things wrapped up in the end though.
This is the second book in the series, you could read it on its own, I would recommend all of Rallison’s books, they're great!
Content Rated G
Romance: Mild kissing
Language: None
Violence: Mild fighting
March 19, 2018
Much love, for this book. A fun fantasy romance book that'll really swoop you in. Fairies, leprechaun, castles, hays, torches, all that sort meets 20th century tech and possibly a person too? Or a group of people? Not to mention funny banters among characters. That'll leave you blush laughing.
If you're looking for something fun; go.. go.. go get this book. And it don't matter which because you can read whichever from the series.
So, if you'll excuse me.. I'll linger more on that suprise
Hehehe
If you're looking for something fun; go.. go.. go get this book. And it don't matter which because you can read whichever from the series.
So, if you'll excuse me.. I'll linger more on that suprise
Hehehe
May 6, 2011
The world's worst fairy godmother is back, and this one is even better than the first! Chrysanthemum Everstar just wants to get into Godmother University but she doesn't really want to put much effort into it. So she does extra credit by granting three wishes to Tansy Miller Harris, whose parents' divorce, switching schools, and bad taste in boys have given her a fairly high rating on the Pathetic-o-meter. But Tansy's wishes backfire on her, and Chrissy is not that interested in sticking around to help, so Tansy, her family, and a cute boy who keeps popping up when Tansy least expects him to are all left to deal with the complications.
This was such a fun read! I love how Rallison twists fairy tales and legends, and all of her characters are wonderfully vivid. I recommend this one whether or not you've read the first (My Fair Godmother).
This was such a fun read! I love how Rallison twists fairy tales and legends, and all of her characters are wonderfully vivid. I recommend this one whether or not you've read the first (My Fair Godmother).
July 7, 2011
The first thing I want to point out is that yes I know people will look at this and think, another fluffy book. I cannot rightly argue with that assessment, but what is wrong with that? I actually kind of hate that term, it makes it seem it's a book not to put any worth in it. I'd say that isn't true. There is something uplifting about reading something that isn't so bleak and depressingly too gritty. Don't get me wrong, I like (if that is even the right word choice) reading these types of books too. But just like in real life you can't have too much of either spectrum. Pick up this story to have a laugh and bring a toothy smile to your face.
This companion novel to My Fair Godmother follows the spunky but at times erratic godmother Chrissy. She wants to get into Godmother University but has to undergo another assignment to prove she has what it takes to become a fairy godmother. Her next task is to help Tansy Miller. Tansy comes from divorced parents, and when we meet her she is living with her dad. She isn't in good standing with her dad, and to get him riled up she dates a guy that parents hate. Well as you can guess he's not good news, and she actually has to go to the police station for something he did. There she meets the irritatingly good-looking Hudson. To lift her from her pathetic status Chrissy comes in and promises to grant Tansy three wishes. The wishes cause more harm than good, but in the end that's what she may have needed to find what she had in front of her all along.
In this one we get a retelling for Rumplestiltskin. It was cool how she interwove it in the plot, and the changes she made from the original tale. I enjoyed the beginning of the book where we witness people from the past deal with our modern things, and I loved the last third of the book with all the juicy meaty adventure aspect. I have to say though there was a slump in the middle for me. I even thought maybe I just wasn't going to able to get through, how wrong I was! Another irk I had is how the relationship between Tansy and Hudson develops. It's one of those love-hate things that are so confusing. It can be done well but here I thought it was strange how Hudson acted, but the reason for this may be because as the reader we see things from Tansy's point of view. Towards the later end of the book though I gobbled this up with great pleasure. It's so sweet and funny and mostly just touching.
It has Rallison's signature wit and humor that brings a feel good message. All wrapped up with a good dose of magic.
This companion novel to My Fair Godmother follows the spunky but at times erratic godmother Chrissy. She wants to get into Godmother University but has to undergo another assignment to prove she has what it takes to become a fairy godmother. Her next task is to help Tansy Miller. Tansy comes from divorced parents, and when we meet her she is living with her dad. She isn't in good standing with her dad, and to get him riled up she dates a guy that parents hate. Well as you can guess he's not good news, and she actually has to go to the police station for something he did. There she meets the irritatingly good-looking Hudson. To lift her from her pathetic status Chrissy comes in and promises to grant Tansy three wishes. The wishes cause more harm than good, but in the end that's what she may have needed to find what she had in front of her all along.
In this one we get a retelling for Rumplestiltskin. It was cool how she interwove it in the plot, and the changes she made from the original tale. I enjoyed the beginning of the book where we witness people from the past deal with our modern things, and I loved the last third of the book with all the juicy meaty adventure aspect. I have to say though there was a slump in the middle for me. I even thought maybe I just wasn't going to able to get through, how wrong I was! Another irk I had is how the relationship between Tansy and Hudson develops. It's one of those love-hate things that are so confusing. It can be done well but here I thought it was strange how Hudson acted, but the reason for this may be because as the reader we see things from Tansy's point of view. Towards the later end of the book though I gobbled this up with great pleasure. It's so sweet and funny and mostly just touching.
It has Rallison's signature wit and humor that brings a feel good message. All wrapped up with a good dose of magic.
March 10, 2015
Edit 5/11/14- After much consideration, I have decided to add another star to both the books in this series. Why? IM NOT ABLE TO GET THE TWO BLOODY BOOKS OUT OF MY HEAD! (In the best way possible) So I think any book that has that effect on me deserves a full 5
.
This was adorable on every single level. Character wise, this is a clear winner. And let's face it, we all make stupid wishes. And though in the beginning, I was inclined to like the first book more (because I always liked Cinderella more than Rumpelstiltskin), but then BOOM! This got so much better!
Difference is that, from the beginning of My Fair Godmother, the first book, I sympathised with Savannah. Having your sister steal your boyfriend from under your nose doesn't give anyone a good mood.
But Tansy was a little bitch. Her dad used to make her read books when she was young, so after he left, she completely stopped reading. Just to get back at him. And that's not even all of it, she purposely deteriorated her English grades. Again, just to get back at him. Because showing your dad you are throwing your future away just because he left is such a mature thing to do.
Tansy has some great character development. Gone is the selfish bitch in the beginning of the book. I'll leave it at this, because I'm going to leave for you to read and find out.
This was adorable on every single level. Character wise, this is a clear winner. And let's face it, we all make stupid wishes. And though in the beginning, I was inclined to like the first book more (because I always liked Cinderella more than Rumpelstiltskin), but then BOOM! This got so much better!
Difference is that, from the beginning of My Fair Godmother, the first book, I sympathised with Savannah. Having your sister steal your boyfriend from under your nose doesn't give anyone a good mood.
But Tansy was a little bitch. Her dad used to make her read books when she was young, so after he left, she completely stopped reading. Just to get back at him. And that's not even all of it, she purposely deteriorated her English grades. Again, just to get back at him. Because showing your dad you are throwing your future away just because he left is such a mature thing to do.
Tansy has some great character development. Gone is the selfish bitch in the beginning of the book. I'll leave it at this, because I'm going to leave for you to read and find out.
April 25, 2015
¡DIOOOOOOOOOSSSS MÍIIIIIOOO!
Este libro es EL LIBRO.
Sigo impactada con todo. Fue demasiado difícil separarme de él, me lo comí demasiado rápido. Y QUEDÉ ENCANTANDÍSIMA.
Es definitivamente de mis favoritos, en serio.
El primer libro es >>> pero este es >>>>>>>>>>. Janette se ganó mi corazón y espero que cierre con broche de oro el último libro, le tengo demasiadas expectativas.
Si están buscando lecturas ligeras y divertidas deberían leer esta trilogía (en todo caso dos, no sé si ya salió el tercero), estoy in love.
Pd: *inserte aquí muchos dios mío + corazones* Hudson... *suspiros*
Este libro es EL LIBRO.
Sigo impactada con todo. Fue demasiado difícil separarme de él, me lo comí demasiado rápido. Y QUEDÉ ENCANTANDÍSIMA.
Es definitivamente de mis favoritos, en serio.
El primer libro es >>> pero este es >>>>>>>>>>. Janette se ganó mi corazón y espero que cierre con broche de oro el último libro, le tengo demasiadas expectativas.
Si están buscando lecturas ligeras y divertidas deberían leer esta trilogía (en todo caso dos, no sé si ya salió el tercero), estoy in love.
Pd: *inserte aquí muchos dios mío + corazones* Hudson... *suspiros*
April 30, 2011
Love Janette's writing. She is funny, clever, witty, smart and a fantastic writer. I know her books will have be a clean read and have a moral. I can recommend her books to anyone from ages 11 to 101.
This time only two stories/fairy tales come to life: Robin Hood and Rumpelstiltskin. And another unsuspecting, cute, teen boy is taken along for a ride into another dimension from whence he can only leave if the teen girl can figure out how to leave.
The only problem with this book? Waiting for the next one!
I have a few favorite quotes from the story:
"By the time Tansy was twelve, she had worlds without number unfolded in her heart. And each on of them was built with the scaffolding of her father's voice (p. 4)."
"Oh, and recently there's been a ban on inserting yourself into the Twilight series. The Cullens are tired of different teenage girls pinging into their story every time they turn around (p. 47)."
"I thought after our conversation about Robin Hood's story, you would have learned that you can't trust writers. They're a shiftless and unreliable bunch who spend their time making stuff up (p. 170)."
"Women. This is why no one ever puts you in charge of wars, butchering animals, or assembling hockey teams (p. 182)."
"We should at least choose a name that works in the time period. Edward, or maybe Jacob..." "You are not naming our son after Twilight characters (p. 277)."
"You can't stick 'gorgeous' at the end of a stanza. Nothing rhymes with it." Friar Tuck frowned. "Poor us." Will added, "More fuss." Little John grumbled. "Boar pus (p. 310).""
This time only two stories/fairy tales come to life: Robin Hood and Rumpelstiltskin. And another unsuspecting, cute, teen boy is taken along for a ride into another dimension from whence he can only leave if the teen girl can figure out how to leave.
The only problem with this book? Waiting for the next one!
I have a few favorite quotes from the story:
"By the time Tansy was twelve, she had worlds without number unfolded in her heart. And each on of them was built with the scaffolding of her father's voice (p. 4)."
"Oh, and recently there's been a ban on inserting yourself into the Twilight series. The Cullens are tired of different teenage girls pinging into their story every time they turn around (p. 47)."
"I thought after our conversation about Robin Hood's story, you would have learned that you can't trust writers. They're a shiftless and unreliable bunch who spend their time making stuff up (p. 170)."
"Women. This is why no one ever puts you in charge of wars, butchering animals, or assembling hockey teams (p. 182)."
"We should at least choose a name that works in the time period. Edward, or maybe Jacob..." "You are not naming our son after Twilight characters (p. 277)."
"You can't stick 'gorgeous' at the end of a stanza. Nothing rhymes with it." Friar Tuck frowned. "Poor us." Will added, "More fuss." Little John grumbled. "Boar pus (p. 310).""
April 30, 2011
My Thoughts: I read My Fair Godmother a few months back so when I had the chance to read My Unfair Godmother I jumped at the chance! I enjoyed My Fair Godmother but I really loved My Unfair Godmother even more! We once again get to spend time with Chrissy and her latest task Tansey. Tansey just moved in with her father and they don't really see eye to eye on things. She also can't keep herself out of trouble. She starts dating Bo and seems to find herself in trouble. She gets caught spray painting a building when really she wasn't actually doing it and had no clue he was going to do it until it was happening!
She gets brought down to the police station and ends up telling the truth to a hot guy which happens to be the police chief's son Hudson! She than goes home and finds a fairy godmother offering her 3 wishes. First, she wishes for Robin Hood and low and behold he shows up! He isn't the guy she thought he was and starts causing trouble! The next thing she knows she's been dropped back in the middle ages with her whole family including Hudson.
I loved the fairy tale retelling, I loved how the relationship with her family transformed. I loved all the events that happened in the middle ages. I especially loved Hudson. He was such a great character and I really enjoyed all the scenes with him! I also loved how lights went off when Tansey was telling a lie when talking to him. Tansey and Hudson had great chemistry! What Tansey traded for Hudson was heartbreaking but also a really great thing to do!
Overall: I loved My Unfair Godmother. Usually second books in series are the ones that are always a little bit boring or "off." My Unfair Godmother outshined My Fair Godmother in my opinion! It was a great book in the series! I loved everything about this one!
Cover: Love It! Its really pretty! Love her pink hair and her dress!
What I'd Give It: 5/5 Cupcakes
Review Based On Hardcover Edition
Taken from Princess Bookie
www.princessbookie.com
She gets brought down to the police station and ends up telling the truth to a hot guy which happens to be the police chief's son Hudson! She than goes home and finds a fairy godmother offering her 3 wishes. First, she wishes for Robin Hood and low and behold he shows up! He isn't the guy she thought he was and starts causing trouble! The next thing she knows she's been dropped back in the middle ages with her whole family including Hudson.
I loved the fairy tale retelling, I loved how the relationship with her family transformed. I loved all the events that happened in the middle ages. I especially loved Hudson. He was such a great character and I really enjoyed all the scenes with him! I also loved how lights went off when Tansey was telling a lie when talking to him. Tansey and Hudson had great chemistry! What Tansey traded for Hudson was heartbreaking but also a really great thing to do!
Overall: I loved My Unfair Godmother. Usually second books in series are the ones that are always a little bit boring or "off." My Unfair Godmother outshined My Fair Godmother in my opinion! It was a great book in the series! I loved everything about this one!
Cover: Love It! Its really pretty! Love her pink hair and her dress!
What I'd Give It: 5/5 Cupcakes
Review Based On Hardcover Edition
Taken from Princess Bookie
www.princessbookie.com
February 7, 2017
True to the previous book in the series, this was just as entertaining. Another try by Chrissy to graduate the fairy godmother school and another poor girl getting mixed up with her magic. Can't wait to read the final one and see if Chrissy will ever become a proper fairy godmother.
June 12, 2024
I'm just loving these books.
June 13, 2018
This book opens up with Tansy Miller, who is a product of divorce and basically is unable to get over this fact. When her mother and younger sister go on tour with the play that her sister is a part of, she is left with her father, stepmother, and stepbrother. She takes rebelling to a whole different and kind of ridiculous level. Both her father and stepmother are librarians and so she stops reading books just to irk her father. She also rebels in the form of dating this rebellious biker dude. I call him a dude, because his name is Bo, and his description goes from decent to bad as a new guy is introduced.
There are the usual shenanigans that ensue when Chrissy shows up and Tansy first wishes for Robin Hood to be involved so that her father's library isn't closed down. Robin Hood is obligingly supplanted from his time to Tansy's life in Arizona with his gang of Merry Men. Except Robin Hood isn't who history has depicted him, and the gang starts robbing convenience stores left and right. Tansy is then reminded that he was called "Robbing Hood(lum)" for a reason, so she then wishes to send them back.
Her final wish involves directly being able to convert things into gold. This turns nastily awry when she wakes up and her whole house, along with her father, stepmother, and stepbrother, have been moved into the Middle Ages, just in time for the mad king John to come banging on her door, asking if she's the miller's daughter who was said to be able to spin straw into gold.
Along the way, Hudson, the police chief's son, mistaken for one of the Merry Men, has also been brought back. Soon, Tansy is trying to keep her and her family from being executed while the mad king names all of his gold spools. As she and Hudson escape from the castle, which was being stormed by Robin Hood and his men, with her gold-making skills as a barter as incentive, she racks up a list of all those after her hide--the king, Robin Hood, Rumpelstiltskin, all the while trying to reach the wizard who can send them all back to present-day.
The part that really makes the story for me is how the Rumpelstiltskin story is rewritten. Tansy attains the "original" fairy tale by which she can write the moral and send them all back to present day. However, one copy falls into the wrong hands and is made known to Rumpelstiltskin, thus ridding her of the one way she can save her firstborn son (who was mistakenly brought to her side by the incompetent fairy Chrissy). Therefore the evil ex-fairy knew not to ask Tansy if she knew his name, and the only way she could defeat him was to use his name against him. That was a wonderful new turn of events! I loved it! Fairy tale adaptation success!
Granted, the first book was funnier, but I thought the second is fairly decent as well. Onto the third book!
There are the usual shenanigans that ensue when Chrissy shows up and Tansy first wishes for Robin Hood to be involved so that her father's library isn't closed down. Robin Hood is obligingly supplanted from his time to Tansy's life in Arizona with his gang of Merry Men. Except Robin Hood isn't who history has depicted him, and the gang starts robbing convenience stores left and right. Tansy is then reminded that he was called "Robbing Hood(lum)" for a reason, so she then wishes to send them back.
Her final wish involves directly being able to convert things into gold. This turns nastily awry when she wakes up and her whole house, along with her father, stepmother, and stepbrother, have been moved into the Middle Ages, just in time for the mad king John to come banging on her door, asking if she's the miller's daughter who was said to be able to spin straw into gold.
Along the way, Hudson, the police chief's son, mistaken for one of the Merry Men, has also been brought back. Soon, Tansy is trying to keep her and her family from being executed while the mad king names all of his gold spools. As she and Hudson escape from the castle, which was being stormed by Robin Hood and his men, with her gold-making skills as a barter as incentive, she racks up a list of all those after her hide--the king, Robin Hood, Rumpelstiltskin, all the while trying to reach the wizard who can send them all back to present-day.
The part that really makes the story for me is how the Rumpelstiltskin story is rewritten. Tansy attains the "original" fairy tale by which she can write the moral and send them all back to present day. However, one copy falls into the wrong hands and is made known to Rumpelstiltskin, thus ridding her of the one way she can save her firstborn son (who was mistakenly brought to her side by the incompetent fairy Chrissy). Therefore the evil ex-fairy knew not to ask Tansy if she knew his name, and the only way she could defeat him was to use his name against him. That was a wonderful new turn of events! I loved it! Fairy tale adaptation success!
Granted, the first book was funnier, but I thought the second is fairly decent as well. Onto the third book!
March 5, 2012
Originally posted on http://yearningtoread.blogspot.com/
When Tansy's father divorces her mother and moves away, Tansy does everything she can to anger her father. She answers his questions during their phone calls with monosyllables and stops reading novels, because that had been their "thing". When she has to move to Arizona to live with her father, she does the most rebellious thing yet - she starts dating high school's bad boy, Bo. Bo seems like a great catch, and Tansy believes he's just misunderstood. But when a date-turned-wrong (that wasn't actually her fault) ends in vandalism and a trip to the police station, Tansy is drowning in an ocean of trouble, and she doesn't know how to get out of it.
Enter Chrysanthemum Everstar. She's a fair godmother - not good enough to be a fairy godmother. She's been here before (taking care of the lives of pathetic mortals), and there are a whole lot of other places she'd rather be. She pushes Tansy to make her first wish - and everything goes wrong. It's the start of a chain reaction that may or may not be good for Tansy. There's Robin Hood and his Merry Men (a.k.a. runaway bandits and the city's most wanted criminals) and Rumpelstiltskin in the mix, as well as Hudson, the police chief's beautiful and smart son (who may or may not be into Tansy).
In this one heck of a fairytale, not everything is what it seems, and Tansy must learn the moral of her story before she can ever have hope of getting herself and her family safely home.
___________________________________________________
My thoughts -
I wasn't quite sure if it was possible. I didn't know where Rallison was going to go with this book, and while I was sure it was going to be great, I didn't exactly know how great. My Fair Godmother was an exceptional piece of literature - serious, light, fluffy, adventurous, dangerous, funny, and romantic, all in one book - and I didn't think she could do it again.
HA! I laugh at my own stupidity. To think she couldn't do it again - and then to find that she has done it better. Yes. You read correctly - better.
My Unfair Godmother was a little darker, had a bit more action, just as much mystery, and a lot more emotion. It was packed. Never once was I bored or wishing it was more like My Fair Godmother. It was completely and utterly its own book, and I must say that while My Fair Godmother is still a favorite, this second addition to Chrissy's wish-granting adventures was even more memorable.
Character notes -
Tansy...oh, where to begin with this girl? I loved her from the start - cared for her, wanted her to succeed, winced when she got herself into trouble. She's trying to get back at her father for leaving them, but instead finds herself in a mess that could've been avoided. The amount of character change that happens to Tansy is realistic and wonderful.
And Hudson. Oh, Hudson. I have a thing for men in uniform, and while Hudson doesn't exactly work for the police, he does...in a way. And he is, without a doubt, the epitome of manliness (and he's a senior in high school - does it get any better for us young girls?). Strong, handsome, broad shoulders, smart, probably knows how to handle a gun... He's got his faults, too, and this only made me love him more, because what realistic guy is perfect? Hudson fit perfectly into this story - even his actions in the past had an impact on Tansy and the book's turnout. The way he and Tansy interact is perfect as well. Their fights are hilarious and the whole product of their friendship gave me butterflies.
Rumpelstiltskin. Let's just say, he had me shivering. I've always wanted to read more about his fairy tale, and I was not disappointed. He was evil, ruthless, and had a heart of stone.
I also liked Nick, Tansy's half brother. He is a sweet boy who cares about Tansy, even when she has a bad attitude. And this time around, Chrissy was altogether more likable (in my opinion) and she had a much greater impact on the story.
Story notes -
Like I said before, this story is darker than the last, and has its own fuel to keep it going. The way Rallison weaves in fairy tales with modern times and actual events in the Middle Ages is just genius. Everything fell together smoothly and with a grand finale at the end that had my jaw dropping.
There were so many scenes that stood out to me (such as when Robin Hood and his Merry Men first meet Tansy, or when Tansy receives the heart), but my absolute favorites include any of the scenes involving the baby. If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that my #1 goals in life are to be a wife and mother. So when a baby was brought into this story and it tugged at Tansy's heart, my own heart did a little dance and I giggled happily and squealed and just in general couldn't stop smiling. I can't tell you anything else, but just know that this was what made the book more amazing to me than the first one. (My favorite scene would have to be the "I'm not into you" flaming hair-do scene. Don't ask - just go read. It had me bursting with laughter.)
One word to sum it up (and final thoughts) -
Golden. This book is pure gold (considering its contents revolve around turning straw to gold, I'd say this is spot-on) and I don't want any of you to miss out on reading it, or its companion. Please, go buy this book. Right now. Read it (and the first one!) and then put it on your shelf and/or share it with your friends (if you can bear to let it go) and read it again and again and again. It really is one of the best.
When Tansy's father divorces her mother and moves away, Tansy does everything she can to anger her father. She answers his questions during their phone calls with monosyllables and stops reading novels, because that had been their "thing". When she has to move to Arizona to live with her father, she does the most rebellious thing yet - she starts dating high school's bad boy, Bo. Bo seems like a great catch, and Tansy believes he's just misunderstood. But when a date-turned-wrong (that wasn't actually her fault) ends in vandalism and a trip to the police station, Tansy is drowning in an ocean of trouble, and she doesn't know how to get out of it.
Enter Chrysanthemum Everstar. She's a fair godmother - not good enough to be a fairy godmother. She's been here before (taking care of the lives of pathetic mortals), and there are a whole lot of other places she'd rather be. She pushes Tansy to make her first wish - and everything goes wrong. It's the start of a chain reaction that may or may not be good for Tansy. There's Robin Hood and his Merry Men (a.k.a. runaway bandits and the city's most wanted criminals) and Rumpelstiltskin in the mix, as well as Hudson, the police chief's beautiful and smart son (who may or may not be into Tansy).
In this one heck of a fairytale, not everything is what it seems, and Tansy must learn the moral of her story before she can ever have hope of getting herself and her family safely home.
___________________________________________________
My thoughts -
I wasn't quite sure if it was possible. I didn't know where Rallison was going to go with this book, and while I was sure it was going to be great, I didn't exactly know how great. My Fair Godmother was an exceptional piece of literature - serious, light, fluffy, adventurous, dangerous, funny, and romantic, all in one book - and I didn't think she could do it again.
HA! I laugh at my own stupidity. To think she couldn't do it again - and then to find that she has done it better. Yes. You read correctly - better.
My Unfair Godmother was a little darker, had a bit more action, just as much mystery, and a lot more emotion. It was packed. Never once was I bored or wishing it was more like My Fair Godmother. It was completely and utterly its own book, and I must say that while My Fair Godmother is still a favorite, this second addition to Chrissy's wish-granting adventures was even more memorable.
Character notes -
Tansy...oh, where to begin with this girl? I loved her from the start - cared for her, wanted her to succeed, winced when she got herself into trouble. She's trying to get back at her father for leaving them, but instead finds herself in a mess that could've been avoided. The amount of character change that happens to Tansy is realistic and wonderful.
And Hudson. Oh, Hudson. I have a thing for men in uniform, and while Hudson doesn't exactly work for the police, he does...in a way. And he is, without a doubt, the epitome of manliness (and he's a senior in high school - does it get any better for us young girls?). Strong, handsome, broad shoulders, smart, probably knows how to handle a gun... He's got his faults, too, and this only made me love him more, because what realistic guy is perfect? Hudson fit perfectly into this story - even his actions in the past had an impact on Tansy and the book's turnout. The way he and Tansy interact is perfect as well. Their fights are hilarious and the whole product of their friendship gave me butterflies.
Rumpelstiltskin. Let's just say, he had me shivering. I've always wanted to read more about his fairy tale, and I was not disappointed. He was evil, ruthless, and had a heart of stone.
I also liked Nick, Tansy's half brother. He is a sweet boy who cares about Tansy, even when she has a bad attitude. And this time around, Chrissy was altogether more likable (in my opinion) and she had a much greater impact on the story.
Story notes -
Like I said before, this story is darker than the last, and has its own fuel to keep it going. The way Rallison weaves in fairy tales with modern times and actual events in the Middle Ages is just genius. Everything fell together smoothly and with a grand finale at the end that had my jaw dropping.
There were so many scenes that stood out to me (such as when Robin Hood and his Merry Men first meet Tansy, or when Tansy receives the heart), but my absolute favorites include any of the scenes involving the baby. If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that my #1 goals in life are to be a wife and mother. So when a baby was brought into this story and it tugged at Tansy's heart, my own heart did a little dance and I giggled happily and squealed and just in general couldn't stop smiling. I can't tell you anything else, but just know that this was what made the book more amazing to me than the first one. (My favorite scene would have to be the "I'm not into you" flaming hair-do scene. Don't ask - just go read. It had me bursting with laughter.)
One word to sum it up (and final thoughts) -
Golden. This book is pure gold (considering its contents revolve around turning straw to gold, I'd say this is spot-on) and I don't want any of you to miss out on reading it, or its companion. Please, go buy this book. Right now. Read it (and the first one!) and then put it on your shelf and/or share it with your friends (if you can bear to let it go) and read it again and again and again. It really is one of the best.
August 23, 2011
Chrysanthemum Everstar is once again in need of an extra credit project to raise her grade so she can get into Fairy Godmother University. With the assistance of Clover T. Bloomsbottle, the exact leprechaun that she never wanted to work with, she sets off to grant Tansy Miller 3 wishes.
At the age of 17, Tansy is at 78% on the pathetic-o-meter. Everything she does now, she blames on her past. Up until the age of 12 she was "daddy's little girl". And then her parents divorced and Tansy's dad moved across the country without so much as a glance goodbye to Tansy. Tansy could tell her mom loved her little sister better. So 5 years later when her 12 year old sister got a traveling acting job that required a parental supervisor, it was no suprise that her mom agreed to it immediately and sent Tansy packing to live with her dad in a small town of Arizona. As a senior at Rock Canyon Highschool, Tansy feels very out of place, especially coming from the big city of Queens, New York. It's no wonder the first person she meets is Bo, a hoodlum waiting for his punishment in the office. She and Bo start going out, and Tansy lands in jail. Her dad and stepmom furious, Tansy is grounded to her room without getting a chance to explain her side of the story.
Then Chrysanthemum (Chrissy) comes. Well, Clover came first, since Chrissy is always late. And Tansy experiences just what happens in life when you wish from an unfair godmother...
This book was quite similar to My Fair Godmother, the same type of characters and romance story. Robin hood was a bit of a twist and opened up a whole new meaning of fairytales to me. Though it was a great follow up to the book My Fair Godmother,it was a bit predictable between Tansy and Hudson.
******SPOILER***************
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My favorite part was when Hudson figured out the baby was his and Tansy's. And then Tansy's dad figured it out, and became all protective and threatened Hudson. And then Nick figured it out and made side comments. It was a cute momment :)
At the age of 17, Tansy is at 78% on the pathetic-o-meter. Everything she does now, she blames on her past. Up until the age of 12 she was "daddy's little girl". And then her parents divorced and Tansy's dad moved across the country without so much as a glance goodbye to Tansy. Tansy could tell her mom loved her little sister better. So 5 years later when her 12 year old sister got a traveling acting job that required a parental supervisor, it was no suprise that her mom agreed to it immediately and sent Tansy packing to live with her dad in a small town of Arizona. As a senior at Rock Canyon Highschool, Tansy feels very out of place, especially coming from the big city of Queens, New York. It's no wonder the first person she meets is Bo, a hoodlum waiting for his punishment in the office. She and Bo start going out, and Tansy lands in jail. Her dad and stepmom furious, Tansy is grounded to her room without getting a chance to explain her side of the story.
Then Chrysanthemum (Chrissy) comes. Well, Clover came first, since Chrissy is always late. And Tansy experiences just what happens in life when you wish from an unfair godmother...
This book was quite similar to My Fair Godmother, the same type of characters and romance story. Robin hood was a bit of a twist and opened up a whole new meaning of fairytales to me. Though it was a great follow up to the book My Fair Godmother,it was a bit predictable between Tansy and Hudson.
******SPOILER***************
****************
********
****
***
******SPOILER***************
My favorite part was when Hudson figured out the baby was his and Tansy's. And then Tansy's dad figured it out, and became all protective and threatened Hudson. And then Nick figured it out and made side comments. It was a cute momment :)
August 16, 2011
I really liked this installment of fair(y) godmother Chrissy Everstar's exploits and mistakes that turn out all right in the end. It's even better than the first one, and the good thing is that you don't have to read them in order. They are about two totally different people. The one tie that binds the books together is Chrissy. Although the title may be about this overconfident, average, fair godmother, the book centers around a mere human who is down on their luck. Tansy is one such girl. Her father is divorced and never seems to have enough time for her. But when Tansy gets in trouble, there seems to be a little TOO much attention focused on her. So when Chrissy Everstar, her fairy godmother enters the scene, Tansy welcomes the chance to change her life around. Problems begin, however, when Robin Hood is sent to our world, and they just get bigger when Tansy and her family are whisked back to the Middle Ages. There, along with her family and new friend Hudson, who also accidentally went back in time, Tansy will discover what true friends and true love are all about - as well as the secret to living a meaningful life. I really liked this sequel to My Fair Godmother, and hope that there are more.
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
- "This is what happens when you're raised by a librarian...I still couldn't stand to see [a book] ruined" (54). - so true; I would know : )
- "Wishes are powerful things. You can't expect them to change the world without changing you too" (171).
- "That's the magic of books. They're never quite the same for any two people. When you read one, you automatically make it your own" (256).
- "...the lessons you learn in life are more important than the things you can accomplish, or you may remember when I told you that you can't expect wishes to change the world without them changing you too, or that I pointed out that the purpose of life was not to avoid problems, but to overcome them" (309).
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
- "This is what happens when you're raised by a librarian...I still couldn't stand to see [a book] ruined" (54). - so true; I would know : )
- "Wishes are powerful things. You can't expect them to change the world without changing you too" (171).
- "That's the magic of books. They're never quite the same for any two people. When you read one, you automatically make it your own" (256).
- "...the lessons you learn in life are more important than the things you can accomplish, or you may remember when I told you that you can't expect wishes to change the world without them changing you too, or that I pointed out that the purpose of life was not to avoid problems, but to overcome them" (309).
August 6, 2011
My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison is a companion book to My Fair Godmother. The story features the same fair godmother Chrissy that as in the companion book who gets her charges into terrible fairytale situations. The books can be read in any order. This book stars Tansy who has felt torn apart and neglected over her parents divorce. When Tansy's little sister gets a job singing in a touring musical Tansy has to go and live with the father whom she has felt abandoned her. Tansy's rebellious boyfriend gets her into some minor trouble with the police and she is visited by Chrissy a Fair Godmother who offers her three wishes. Tansy then has to deal with Robin Hood and his men and is thrown into the Rapunzel story.
This is a delightfully fun romantic comedy. Tansy's growth as a person was fun to read as well as was the romance that slowly builds between her and the police chief's son. The fairytale stories were carefully interwoven and presented in an entertaining and original way. Rallison is one of my new favorite authors. Her stories are consistently entertaining and present the reader with strong girls and smart guys whose relationships develop in realistic and healthy ways.
Appropriateness: There's no adult content in this book. Chrissy begins the story as a rebellious teen. She has a horrible boyfriend who gets her in some minor legal trouble. She grows up throughout the story and is able to repair the relationships in her life. The romance is limited to some minor kissing. I would recommend this book to teens 12+ and there is nothing in the book that is inappropriate for younger readers.
This is a delightfully fun romantic comedy. Tansy's growth as a person was fun to read as well as was the romance that slowly builds between her and the police chief's son. The fairytale stories were carefully interwoven and presented in an entertaining and original way. Rallison is one of my new favorite authors. Her stories are consistently entertaining and present the reader with strong girls and smart guys whose relationships develop in realistic and healthy ways.
Appropriateness: There's no adult content in this book. Chrissy begins the story as a rebellious teen. She has a horrible boyfriend who gets her in some minor legal trouble. She grows up throughout the story and is able to repair the relationships in her life. The romance is limited to some minor kissing. I would recommend this book to teens 12+ and there is nothing in the book that is inappropriate for younger readers.
March 29, 2012
hilarious! rallison is a masterful raconteur, and the humor she imparts to her stories is just so much fun.
LIKES:
the book is light and fluffy, but not stupid. it's very appropriate for teens searching for a more light-hearted read.
strong, healthy, realistic blended-family relationships.
very unique twists and turns, my favorite of which cannot be included here because it's a major (and awesome) spoiler
heavy PG
LIKES:
the book is light and fluffy, but not stupid. it's very appropriate for teens searching for a more light-hearted read.
strong, healthy, realistic blended-family relationships.
very unique twists and turns, my favorite of which cannot be included here because it's a major (and awesome) spoiler
heavy PG
March 10, 2016
this was great! as funny and amazing as the first one, or even better! totally loved it <3
June 28, 2013
This book starts in a solidly interesting place. I liked the main character. I like the laid out conflicts. They seemed engaging and had a nice elements of realism. They promised to delve into complexities of the topics at hand and bring meaty innerpersonal drama. And from what I got from the frankly bizarre first chapter (that should have been a clear warning) and the back blurb, there would some nice fantasy elements as well. Not that it was prefect, but largely I was really excited about where the book was going.
However, my train of expectations filfulled never reached its destination.
The train started to get a little shaky with the introduction of the fairy...
It was actively derailing when Robin hood showed up...
And had fully crashed by the time the MC ended up in the "middle ages."
And there is a few major reasons why this happened. The biggest one was tone. It was like the author was trying to combine the world of the MOVIE verison of Ella Enchanted with the Dung Age Russel Crow Robin Hood. Sorry that just does not work!
The attempt to somewhat accurately protray the 13th century was ruined by tonially unsuited (and poorly world built) magic, a very very poor understanding of history, and no attempt to marry the two. The writer doesn't even bother to explain why no historians knew Robin Hood was a real historical figure in the book universe. (Please tell me the author doesn't actually think he was one!!! She does realize he is a folkloric figure like King Arthur right???) It wouldn't be an issue, but the author makes a point to make it clear that the characters have traveled to the actual for really real past, and not to some fairy tale realm.
The story might have work if she had gone with one style or the other. A magic light but historical accurate verison, or a magic heavy fairytale realm. It kills me because the interesting elements of realism in the emotional conflict were overwhelmed by the ridiculous fantasy elements. (Why was dad never called out for not trying to be active in Tansy's life?) I found myself wishing I was reading a general fiction YA instead.
Of course, maybe I could have lived with all of this if the instant Robin Hood showed up the Tansy's "trouble teen" routine hadn't shifted from relatable and understandable, to out right idiocy which by the time they time travel has growned into downright detestability. Of course, she does grow into a better person by the end of the book, but by that point I had lost any interest in her character. And if you think I'm joking alt timeline Tansy proved fully that she was a pretty awful person. (Also, why did the author decide to make alt time line love interest awful too?! Seriously, not needed and left a sour after taste for the only character I really liked! Not needed!)
And if the alt timeline wasn't enough of a slap in the face at the end of the book, the big, final moral was terrible. The main character had gone through multiple very good morals in the last few chapter. Why exactly was a message about family over greed helpful? The Tansy was in a lot of emotional pain and feeling very insecure, she never really though that money would be better then her family. But then again she is kind of a terrible person, so maybe I'm wrong.
There is a kernel of a great book in here. If the author had committed to a realistic tone and wasn't afraid of emotional logic and realism - it could have been a thoughtful poignant look at family, self and growing up. Or it could have been a fun romp through fairyland - a shrek or movie!Ella Enchanted - largely about the fun of it, with nice little character moments inbetween.
But ultimately, it tried to be both, and failed because of it.
However, my train of expectations filfulled never reached its destination.
The train started to get a little shaky with the introduction of the fairy...
It was actively derailing when Robin hood showed up...
And had fully crashed by the time the MC ended up in the "middle ages."
And there is a few major reasons why this happened. The biggest one was tone. It was like the author was trying to combine the world of the MOVIE verison of Ella Enchanted with the Dung Age Russel Crow Robin Hood. Sorry that just does not work!
The attempt to somewhat accurately protray the 13th century was ruined by tonially unsuited (and poorly world built) magic, a very very poor understanding of history, and no attempt to marry the two. The writer doesn't even bother to explain why no historians knew Robin Hood was a real historical figure in the book universe. (Please tell me the author doesn't actually think he was one!!! She does realize he is a folkloric figure like King Arthur right???) It wouldn't be an issue, but the author makes a point to make it clear that the characters have traveled to the actual for really real past, and not to some fairy tale realm.
The story might have work if she had gone with one style or the other. A magic light but historical accurate verison, or a magic heavy fairytale realm. It kills me because the interesting elements of realism in the emotional conflict were overwhelmed by the ridiculous fantasy elements. (Why was dad never called out for not trying to be active in Tansy's life?) I found myself wishing I was reading a general fiction YA instead.
Of course, maybe I could have lived with all of this if the instant Robin Hood showed up the Tansy's "trouble teen" routine hadn't shifted from relatable and understandable, to out right idiocy which by the time they time travel has growned into downright detestability. Of course, she does grow into a better person by the end of the book, but by that point I had lost any interest in her character. And if you think I'm joking alt timeline Tansy proved fully that she was a pretty awful person. (Also, why did the author decide to make alt time line love interest awful too?! Seriously, not needed and left a sour after taste for the only character I really liked! Not needed!)
And if the alt timeline wasn't enough of a slap in the face at the end of the book, the big, final moral was terrible. The main character had gone through multiple very good morals in the last few chapter. Why exactly was a message about family over greed helpful? The Tansy was in a lot of emotional pain and feeling very insecure, she never really though that money would be better then her family. But then again she is kind of a terrible person, so maybe I'm wrong.
There is a kernel of a great book in here. If the author had committed to a realistic tone and wasn't afraid of emotional logic and realism - it could have been a thoughtful poignant look at family, self and growing up. Or it could have been a fun romp through fairyland - a shrek or movie!Ella Enchanted - largely about the fun of it, with nice little character moments inbetween.
But ultimately, it tried to be both, and failed because of it.
March 9, 2011
My Unfair Godmother tells an especially sweet story. With retellings of Robin Hood and Rumpelstiltskin, this story is rich with make believe and it teaches some important lessons.
I met Chrissy in My Fair Godmother. She didn’t graduate from Fairy Godmother school, and let’s just say that her wish-granting skills are not the best. It seems that every wish she grants turns into a mishap with hilarious results. Chrissy is a lovable character that is flighty and sarcastic. She means well and all her antics had me laughing out loud.
Tansy is on the receiving end of Chrissy’s help, and there is no question that she needs help. Tansy’s parents have divorced, she is sent to live with her father, and she has even gotten arrested. Tansy is rebelling against her parents and she feels like her life is out of control. If anyone needs an Unfair Godmother, it is Tansy.
Tansy could also use a knight in shining armor and that just may be Hudson. He is the son of the police chief and he makes a big impression on Tansy when they first meet – and that may not be in a good way. Hudson is also struggling because his mother passed away and he is missing her. I liked that Tansy and Hudson shared similar feelings of loss and abandonment.
Tansy tries to make the most of her three wishes. First she wishes for Robin Hood to help her, then she wishes him back, and finally she wishes for wealth. This lands her in Rumpelstiltskin’s story. The fairy tale stories are written in such a cute way and I loved how Tansy and Hudson became a part of the stories. Janette Rallison’s light-hearted retellings read like childhood memories.
My favorite part of this charming story was the part where Tansy gives up something very meaningful to help Hudson. They both learned about the importance of family and that we have control over how we react to our situation.
RATING
5 Loved
COVER COMMENTS
Magical and enchanting! I love Chrissy’s pink hair and her fairy outfit is so cute. The golden apple represents Rumpelstiltskin’s story and is a nice touch. Isn’t it cute how Fairy is crossed out and Unfair is written in with a little star over it?
I met Chrissy in My Fair Godmother. She didn’t graduate from Fairy Godmother school, and let’s just say that her wish-granting skills are not the best. It seems that every wish she grants turns into a mishap with hilarious results. Chrissy is a lovable character that is flighty and sarcastic. She means well and all her antics had me laughing out loud.
Tansy is on the receiving end of Chrissy’s help, and there is no question that she needs help. Tansy’s parents have divorced, she is sent to live with her father, and she has even gotten arrested. Tansy is rebelling against her parents and she feels like her life is out of control. If anyone needs an Unfair Godmother, it is Tansy.
Tansy could also use a knight in shining armor and that just may be Hudson. He is the son of the police chief and he makes a big impression on Tansy when they first meet – and that may not be in a good way. Hudson is also struggling because his mother passed away and he is missing her. I liked that Tansy and Hudson shared similar feelings of loss and abandonment.
Tansy tries to make the most of her three wishes. First she wishes for Robin Hood to help her, then she wishes him back, and finally she wishes for wealth. This lands her in Rumpelstiltskin’s story. The fairy tale stories are written in such a cute way and I loved how Tansy and Hudson became a part of the stories. Janette Rallison’s light-hearted retellings read like childhood memories.
My favorite part of this charming story was the part where Tansy gives up something very meaningful to help Hudson. They both learned about the importance of family and that we have control over how we react to our situation.
RATING
5 Loved
COVER COMMENTS
Magical and enchanting! I love Chrissy’s pink hair and her fairy outfit is so cute. The golden apple represents Rumpelstiltskin’s story and is a nice touch. Isn’t it cute how Fairy is crossed out and Unfair is written in with a little star over it?
December 16, 2010
When her parents divorced, Tansy Miller’s close relationship with her father seemed to evaporate. Living with her mother and her little sister in New York, while her father moved to Arizona made their relationship impossible. Then he got remarried and seemed to have replaced her with a new stepson, Nick. When her sister is offered a part in a Broadway play that will require her sister and mother to travel, Tansy is sent to live with her distant father. Determined to rebel against him, she starts dating the town bad boy, but when she is arrested things start to fall apart for this good girl gone bad. And just when Tansy thinks things have gotten as bad as they could possibly get, in pops her fair godmother, Chrysanthemum Everstar, and things go from bad to worse as she has to deal with Robin Hood, his Merry Me, and the Middle Ages.
This book is a sequel to Rallison’s book My Fair Godmother (Walker & Co. 2009), where you see the return of the leprechaun Clover, and of Chrissy the fair godmother. Other characters are all new so this book will stand alone for readers who haven’t read the first. In fact, this one was so good that if you are interested in reading, but are considered about not having read the first, I would whole heartedly say, skip the first and pick this one up.
Don’t get me wrong I did enjoy My Fair Godmother, but My Unfair Godmother completely outshines it. The humor is better, the situations are more extreme (and original), and the main character is much easier to connect to. I loved that she used Robin Hood and Rumpelstiltskin fairy tales this time around and showed the darker side of both. I especially loved the occasional Twilight references and humor.
Overall this book is a wild romp and a lot of fun. Highly recommended if you are looking for something light that will make you laugh. Don’t worry if you haven’t read the first, this will stand on its own.
Cautions for sensitive readers: Some violence.
January 28, 2011
full review to come but its cute and fun. Definately recommend to my friends
Tansy Miller has always felt that her divorced father has never had enough time for her. But mistakenly getting caught on the wrong side of the law wasn' exactly how she wanted to get his attention. Enter Chrysanthemum "Chrissy" Everstar, Tansy's fairy in shining, er, high heels. Chrissy is only a fair godmother, of course, so Tansy's three wishes don't exactly go according to plan. And if bringing Robin Hood to the twenty-first century isn't bad enough for Tansy, being transported back to the Middle Ages to deal with Rumpelstiltskin certainly is. She'll need the help of her blended family, her wits, and especially the cute police chief 's son to stop the gold-spinning story from spinning wildly out of control. ( Goodreads.com)
I loved this story and loved that there was a family through out the novel. Chrissy is trying to make into the University and Tansy is her next case. Chrissy mixed up the wishes , and Tansy had to make things right.
Tansy is dating the wrong boy and her date with him goes horribly wrong . She ends up at the police station at the end of the date. She is attracted to the boy in the police station , but dislikes when she first meet him. He happens to be friends with her brother Nick.
When her wishes get mixed it, and stuck in the middle ages, she learns alot in the middle ages about what really matters. She also gets to know more about Hudson, the cute boy from the Police station.
This story had some shout outs to Twilight & The Princess Bride. This story is cute and would let my daughter read it. I loved that this book had romance, fairies, and family. There is going to be another story with Chrissy.
Tansy Miller has always felt that her divorced father has never had enough time for her. But mistakenly getting caught on the wrong side of the law wasn' exactly how she wanted to get his attention. Enter Chrysanthemum "Chrissy" Everstar, Tansy's fairy in shining, er, high heels. Chrissy is only a fair godmother, of course, so Tansy's three wishes don't exactly go according to plan. And if bringing Robin Hood to the twenty-first century isn't bad enough for Tansy, being transported back to the Middle Ages to deal with Rumpelstiltskin certainly is. She'll need the help of her blended family, her wits, and especially the cute police chief 's son to stop the gold-spinning story from spinning wildly out of control. ( Goodreads.com)
I loved this story and loved that there was a family through out the novel. Chrissy is trying to make into the University and Tansy is her next case. Chrissy mixed up the wishes , and Tansy had to make things right.
Tansy is dating the wrong boy and her date with him goes horribly wrong . She ends up at the police station at the end of the date. She is attracted to the boy in the police station , but dislikes when she first meet him. He happens to be friends with her brother Nick.
When her wishes get mixed it, and stuck in the middle ages, she learns alot in the middle ages about what really matters. She also gets to know more about Hudson, the cute boy from the Police station.
This story had some shout outs to Twilight & The Princess Bride. This story is cute and would let my daughter read it. I loved that this book had romance, fairies, and family. There is going to be another story with Chrissy.
April 30, 2011
Tansy Miller has just learned that she is 78 percent pathetic from a fairy godmother she had no idea she even had. Evidently she earned this particularly pathetic ranking for her choice in boyfriends which led to a doomed date of vandalism on a city building where said boyfriend ditches her and she is arrested by police. Tansy believes that her luck is about to change when her fairy godmother grants her 3 wishes. Anything she wants. But either Tansy isn’t very good at making wishes or her fairy godmother isn’t very good at getting them right. Either way, Tansy finds herself is one mess after another until she is sitting in a barn in the Middle Ages, chained to the wall, expected to turn straw into gold and guarded by her brother’s handsome friend.
Janette Rallison has created yet another story with wit and fun dripping from each page. I was entertained and amused the whole way through. This light read will recreate the fairy tale of Rumpelstiltskin in way you never dreamed of and leave you smiling in the end.
Tansy is a girl who has been hurt by the divorce of her parents. She’s a good girl making some bad decisions; struggling with how to handle the hurt she feels with the acceptance she needs. I think every teenager will be able to relate to Tansy on some level or another.
And oh to be Chrysanthemum (Chrissy) Everstar. Her clothes and pedicures alone leaving me wishing. Well, maybe I don’t want to BE her, I just want to be able to put together outfits, hair styles and make-up like she does with a flip of her magic wand. Without being so self-absorbed and half witted, of course. :) And for the record, I never want a fairy godmother like her. No matter how pathetic I become.
Janette Rallison has created yet another story with wit and fun dripping from each page. I was entertained and amused the whole way through. This light read will recreate the fairy tale of Rumpelstiltskin in way you never dreamed of and leave you smiling in the end.
Tansy is a girl who has been hurt by the divorce of her parents. She’s a good girl making some bad decisions; struggling with how to handle the hurt she feels with the acceptance she needs. I think every teenager will be able to relate to Tansy on some level or another.
And oh to be Chrysanthemum (Chrissy) Everstar. Her clothes and pedicures alone leaving me wishing. Well, maybe I don’t want to BE her, I just want to be able to put together outfits, hair styles and make-up like she does with a flip of her magic wand. Without being so self-absorbed and half witted, of course. :) And for the record, I never want a fairy godmother like her. No matter how pathetic I become.
June 13, 2011
Reviewed by Marta Morrison for TeensReadToo.com
When I was little, I used to watch The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. It had a segment called Fractured Fairy Tales, which was what I waited to see. They would take a fairy tale and change it. It was very funny, and was a little like this book.
Tansy is very unhappy. She is very mad at her father because he left her family. He has remarried and is living in Arizona with his step-son and wife. When her dad left, Tansy gave up reading. It was a way to punish her dad.
When her little sister gets a part in a Broadway tour, her mother sends Tansy to live with her father. When she gets there she doesn't make a whole lot of wise choices. She dates a hoodlum and gets arrested. The night that happens, Chrissy Everstar comes to give her three wishes.
The problem with Chrissy's wishes is that they are never exactly what the wisher wants. First, Robin Hood and his merry men arrive in Arizona. Robin Hood is not a nice guy like the legends say. Then, Tansy and her whole family - plus her possible boyfriend - end up in the fairy tale Rumplestiltskin.
I really liked this story because it shows the middle ages the way they were and not a romanticized version. The people are poor and dirty, and life is very hard there. Tansy has to think about how to trick not just Rumplestiltskin but how to get her whole family back to the twenty-first century, where she discovers that she had what she wanted all along. If you like fairy tales, pick up MY UNFAIR GODMOTHER.
When I was little, I used to watch The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. It had a segment called Fractured Fairy Tales, which was what I waited to see. They would take a fairy tale and change it. It was very funny, and was a little like this book.
Tansy is very unhappy. She is very mad at her father because he left her family. He has remarried and is living in Arizona with his step-son and wife. When her dad left, Tansy gave up reading. It was a way to punish her dad.
When her little sister gets a part in a Broadway tour, her mother sends Tansy to live with her father. When she gets there she doesn't make a whole lot of wise choices. She dates a hoodlum and gets arrested. The night that happens, Chrissy Everstar comes to give her three wishes.
The problem with Chrissy's wishes is that they are never exactly what the wisher wants. First, Robin Hood and his merry men arrive in Arizona. Robin Hood is not a nice guy like the legends say. Then, Tansy and her whole family - plus her possible boyfriend - end up in the fairy tale Rumplestiltskin.
I really liked this story because it shows the middle ages the way they were and not a romanticized version. The people are poor and dirty, and life is very hard there. Tansy has to think about how to trick not just Rumplestiltskin but how to get her whole family back to the twenty-first century, where she discovers that she had what she wanted all along. If you like fairy tales, pick up MY UNFAIR GODMOTHER.
November 9, 2011
Tansy's parents got divorced when she was about ten. She was always Daddy's girl, and felt like he never looked back. A few years later he got remarried and got a new son. Now she felt deserted and replaced. When her younger sister lands a roll on broadway, Tansy is shipped off to Arizona to live with her dad and his new family.
With her new beginning Tansy starts dating the "bad boy" at school. She's attracted to his image and his anger, and worrying her dad is an extra bonus. Then Bo takes her on a 'surprise' date, one where the night's activity includes vandalizing public buildings. Tansy can't do it, and while she's trying to find a way out, the police arrive and she gets left holding a spray can.
Normally Fairy Godmothers come to the deserving. Tansy's says that she earned her because of her level of patheticness. A fairy godmother should be able to help fix everything, but Chrissy Everstar is still trying to get into Fairy Godmother University-her grades are only fair. So naturally things go wrong.
What we get is the Merry Men wreaking havoc in Tansy's town, the police chief's son showing interest in Tansy, but mostly the suspicious kind, and the whole family living out the story of Rumplestilkskin in the middle ages.
Full of wit, romance, and fractured fairytales this is a books you shouldn't miss!
Companion novel to My Fair Godmother, you can read them out of order, Chrissy is just working her magic in both.
With her new beginning Tansy starts dating the "bad boy" at school. She's attracted to his image and his anger, and worrying her dad is an extra bonus. Then Bo takes her on a 'surprise' date, one where the night's activity includes vandalizing public buildings. Tansy can't do it, and while she's trying to find a way out, the police arrive and she gets left holding a spray can.
Normally Fairy Godmothers come to the deserving. Tansy's says that she earned her because of her level of patheticness. A fairy godmother should be able to help fix everything, but Chrissy Everstar is still trying to get into Fairy Godmother University-her grades are only fair. So naturally things go wrong.
What we get is the Merry Men wreaking havoc in Tansy's town, the police chief's son showing interest in Tansy, but mostly the suspicious kind, and the whole family living out the story of Rumplestilkskin in the middle ages.
Full of wit, romance, and fractured fairytales this is a books you shouldn't miss!
Companion novel to My Fair Godmother, you can read them out of order, Chrissy is just working her magic in both.
May 5, 2011
Chrysanthemum Everstar is a "fair" godmother who is given another chance to prove herself in this story. Tansy is a teen who feels betrayed by her father. When her younger sister gets a traveling acting job, her mom ships her off to her dad's house, across the country, to live out her senior year. She immediately gets involved with bad boy Bo and things go downhill when she ends up in trouble with the law. Enter Chrysathumum. Tansy gets three wishes and history may be changed....
I really liked the fact that Tansy seemed so real. She was truly hurt when her dad left and set out to "punish" him. She was very shallow in what mattered to her, yet this experience totally changed her and made her a very strong, resourceful, mature girl.
Of course, I loved Hudson!! He was so strong and a real, true friend, even when Tansy didn't perceive him to be. He really used his brains and kept his head on straight.
Can't wait for the next book!!
I really liked the fact that Tansy seemed so real. She was truly hurt when her dad left and set out to "punish" him. She was very shallow in what mattered to her, yet this experience totally changed her and made her a very strong, resourceful, mature girl.
Of course, I loved Hudson!! He was so strong and a real, true friend, even when Tansy didn't perceive him to be. He really used his brains and kept his head on straight.
Can't wait for the next book!!
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