A Grimm Warning (The Land of Stories, #3) in Tнe Lαɴd oғ Sтorιeѕ Groυp

Jul 23, 2014 Ryleigh Lord rated it it was amazing

Chris Colfer once again weaved a beautiful story as the third in this series. The whole plot line was fantastic, the way it was set up to be the French as the new challenge was a great way to have a non-magical threat, but still keep people interested throughout the entire book. One thing it did that I commend him on was the fact that he made me actually excited to hear about every point of view he wrote about. A lot of the time I find myself speed reading certain parts of books where it is the Chris Colfer once again weaved a beautiful story as the third in this series. The whole plot line was fantastic, the way it was set up to be the French as the new challenge was a great way to have a non-magical threat, but still keep people interested throughout the entire book. One thing it did that I commend him on was the fact that he made me actually excited to hear about every point of view he wrote about. A lot of the time I find myself speed reading certain parts of books where it is the point of view not with the main character, but the way he always had something exciting or something to keep you wanting to soak up every word and not skip any of it is a natural gift that even some of the best authors don't have. I found myself really liking the two new characters, Bree and the German boy were stellar additions to the story. You can tell how much more mature all of the younger characters are, and I don't know if she's counted as young, but I feel like in this and The Enchantress Returns, Red continues to grow as a character, better and better. While this book is supposed to be aimed at younger kids, it definitely doesn't feel like a general children's fantasy book, and this entire series is worth a read.
Now for the spoilers:
Let's begin with Grandma dying. I wasn't too upset, because i feel like it really had to happen to show both Alex and Conner's development, and it was needed to show how much they actually grew up. While making all of those battle decisions, they, really, had no one to look up to for advice, because the other fairies looked to them, and their grandmother was dying. It showed that they could take lead by themselves, and foreshadows how good of rulers they'll both be. Next, I feel like I should talk about how I felt on the whole Bree and the German boy having magic in them. I thought it was genius to have that little tidbit in there, because now you know it wasn't random at all they came with Connor, and in the next book they must have a bigger fate in book four. Personally, my theory is that Bree is a descendant of the Grimms, from the blood thing Mother Goose did, and Chris Colfer definitely, in my eyes at least, foreshadowed that by having Bree able to talk some German and saying her Grandmother was actually from Germany. That's something I'm thinking a lot of people overlooked, but it always stuck in my mind, since it was such a small detail that could have a lot of leverage in the future. Then with the German kid, I'm betting he is the Masked guy and Bo Peeps son. Why? First of all, he lives right. near. the portal, so there's a chance that's how the witch got him through. The dad is probably Alex and Connors uncle, a twin, if you may, and that will be a big plot twist in the next book. Finally, I want to talk about some of the other characters. Mother Goose was one of my favorite in the whole book, because of the fact that she finally took a lot of responsibility and truly played a big part in this war and owned up to it. Goldilocks and Jack have always been in my top favorite, because if their spirit and how they handle even the hardest things with the uttermost confidence, even leading a crook search group when Goldilocks says she's pregnant (I guesses that when they were talking about secrets!) and finally, to wrap it up, let's discuss Rook. I feel like in the next book he's going to be trying to win Alex's heart back, and I pray she never talks to him again. I know he was being all noble and helping the villagers, but he literally. started. the battle at the Fairy Palace, so I don't like him at all.
So that's my review of the book, if you have anything to talk about with me, definitely let me know, I'm always up for a good discussion! ...more

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Aug 07, 2014 Alice rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourite-books, 5-star, fairy-tales, fantasy

I am a huge fan of Chris Colfer, and I genuinely love everything he does. So I was extremely excited to get my signed copy of A Grimm Warning and I read it right away.
I was concerned, with this part of the trilogy, that it would be another treasure hunt for items to get back to the real world-I loved the idea for the 1st and 2nd book, but it did get a little repetitive-but this book completely changed the game.
The idea is very different from its predecessors, and kept me interested throughout th ...more

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Jan 09, 2015 Karen rated it really liked it

You really must read the first two books in The Land of Stories series to understand much of what's going on this time around. The story begins 200 years ago, when a French general, a leader of Napoleon's Grand Armee, captures Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. He suspects (rightly) that their popular stories are not invented but represent events in a real land, and he wishes to conquer that realm. 14-year-old Connor Bailey, who has traveled to this magical land, learns that the Army has been delayed but ...more

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Oct 11, 2013 Zachary Flye rated it it was amazing

Actual Rating 4.5 stars

Review:

Protagonists: Conner Bailey didn't think he would ever be truly involved in the Land of Stories ever again. The portal's been closed and his sister Alex is on the other side training to become the next Fairy Godmother and Head of the Fairy Council. However, as Conner had felt at the very end of the previous installment his adventures in the Land of Stories are far from over. Once again the Bailey twins must team up to stop war and chaos from descending upon their an Actual Rating 4.5 stars

Review:

Protagonists: Conner Bailey didn't think he would ever be truly involved in the Land of Stories ever again. The portal's been closed and his sister Alex is on the other side training to become the next Fairy Godmother and Head of the Fairy Council. However, as Conner had felt at the very end of the previous installment his adventures in the Land of Stories are far from over. Once again the Bailey twins must team up to stop war and chaos from descending upon their ancestral home. There definitely was a great amount of character development for our two heroes as they are growing up and experiencing new things. Unlike the previous installment the development felt natural and the lessons they learned shaped who they are becoming.

Romance: Yes, with growing up and experiencing new things finally comes romance. Though since Conner and Alex are still young, and this is a Middle-Grade series, the romance is all very innocent. However that doesn't trivialize the romances they each go though. The romance isn't in any way a driving force of the plot and is in fact really only used to fill in certain parts of the story or add to the twins' development. I rather liked seeing these two experience first love, or crushes, or whatever it is we call it these days. It was refreshing and realistic and showed that as the characters grow so do the content of these stories.

World-Building: So you know how the previous two books in this series revolved around a scavenger hunt of sorts leading our heroes around the Land of Stories finding important objects that will fulfill their goal whether it be to go back home or to defeat a great evil? Well, it wasn't until I was well into this book that I remembered that little detail, and that's because this installment doesn't follow that same format (also I'm a bit forgetful.) This book breaks it's confines of formula and structure (in a sense) and really begins to show just what this author is capable of. In this story our heroes don't just have to go against an evil villain, but an entire army set to take over the Land of Stories. Because of this change the story enters this whole new level that shows not only what the author is capable of writing but of what this story is capable of becoming.

Writing: I've recently figured out that while I would say this series is one of my favorite series, if not my favorite, I haven't yet given any book a 5 star rating. This is because while the story and characters are fantastic and brilliant, the writing and character development can seem at times a bit amateurish, or lacking the finesse and grace of a more seasoned writer. In this book specifically there is a moment in which a character from "our world" asks a question so out of the blue and blunt that it practically tore me right out of the story. It was a question that I don't think anyone would phrase the way this character did let alone ask it in the context is was asked in. Don't get me wrong, this was something that barely happens throughout the series and most of the time the author's writing is pure platinum, but there are just times that I felt the author could have phrased things a different way or written the scene better.

Predictability: Like the other books in this series this book is full of amazing and shocking twists. While the smaller twists are fairly easy to guess, the larger ones are so complexly foreshadowed that it's a mystery as to what will happen. I love this about these books as in times when the story isn't necessarily moving at a brisk pace I become more intrigued by the mystery than I am by the story, and that isn't a bad thing in this case. While this installment answers most of the questions it brings up there are a few things left unanswered,to many of which I have what I believe to be very sound theories on.

Ending: The Cliffhanger!!! Yes this book ends with a nearly catastrophic cliffhanger. The cliffhanger is also rather puzzling as many of the pieces don't match up, but like I said above I'm pretty sure I know what's going on for the most part. I seriously cannot wait until the next installment to this series and part of me wishes that I had waited until closer to when the next book is released, but thankfully unlike the previous installment there was no doubt in my mind that this was not the last of the series, though a part of me feels like the next book may be the final installment.

Rating:

While this is probably my favorite installment yet, like I said I just can't get over the writing at times. That being said this installment was spectacular and the upcoming year waiting for the next installment will be torture, but I swear I will read that fourth book the day it comes out, if I can't by some miracle read it sooner. ...more

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Aug 21, 2014 Marissa Juliette rated it it was amazing

(Warning: Spoilers! DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU HAVE READ ALL BOOKS--unless you like to be spoiled)
This was more then I expected for the last book. I wanted it the minute I saw it had been released. Chris Colfer had done it again. This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. The description, it made everything flash through my mind, and I saw it so clearly.

1) The Masked Man: I instantly looked for reviews and spoilers (yes, I was that desperate) and heard there was a really big cliffhanger.
BIG? It (Warning: Spoilers! DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU HAVE READ ALL BOOKS--unless you like to be spoiled)
This was more then I expected for the last book. I wanted it the minute I saw it had been released. Chris Colfer had done it again. This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. The description, it made everything flash through my mind, and I saw it so clearly.

1) The Masked Man: I instantly looked for reviews and spoilers (yes, I was that desperate) and heard there was a really big cliffhanger.
BIG? It was huge! I can’t believe it. Even though I already read some of the last pages (I like to be spoiled, as you know) it makes zero sense (BIGGEST SPOILER! I warn you again!) that it was their dad! It goes against everything the twins have been told. He can't love Charlotte Bailey AND Little Bo Peep. Heck, he can't have been their dad. No way! And there are people saying it would be a good plot twist if Colfer didn't make it their dad instead; I’m not offending anybody, but in my option, it wouldn't because everyone is expecting it. When I saw the endish, middlish part where Alex corners him, I actually knew it was their dad. My theory, is that it is probably the other heir of magic. And HOPEFULLY it was just a trick! Yeah! It was w-was magic that made him look like their dad! Hopefully.

(Again, spoilers. This is the last time I warn you.)

2) The Evicted Queen mess: I feel really sorry for both Red and Little Bo Peep. But I have to admit, I was pretty angry when Red became and ex-queen. I can’t imagine Red anything, but a queen, can you? I'm plenty sorry that Little Bo died, but I may have pretended to kick her when she challenged Red... I absolutely adore Red, she's one of my favourite characters. Well, I have a lot. CONNER. ALEX. BREE. GOLDILOCKS. RED. MOTHER GOOSE. You know. Those types. Now I hate The Masked Man even more for causing Little Bo to die. Also causing Red to not be queen.

3) Rook Robins: Okay, he was not very loyal. But I have to admit, I squealed a bit whenever he and Alex had a moment. They were so cute! I was so disappointed in him. How could he risk a few for so much? I understand it was his father, his village, but the Grand Armee... I just feel sorry and angry at him. I’m sorry he lost Alex’s trust. I’m angry he didn’t understand the pressure she went through, and that if he tried to get her back, she might just...snap. Rook really did break her heart, and Alex fell for him, damn hard. I especially hope Chris won't make Alex turn a bit into the Enchantress in the next book. Alex is a lot like me, except I’m a bit funny and a writer, so I like her. I kinda hope Rook either gets together with Alex again, finds someone else, or becomes friends with her. I'm so happy Alex finally has a guy, because for SOME REASON no one writes a fanfic for The Land of Stories and I had began to give up hope for a little romance, but not too much.

4) Bree Campbell: I ABSOLUTELY ADORE BREE! She's EXACTLY like me. I love the way she's always so cool, and calm. For example, she has a crush, but doesn’t display any emotion about it. I seriously wish I could do that. Sigh. The one thing I’m not like Bree has to be the coolest thing. I totally ship her and Conner! Do you wanna know what quote I LOVE from her? Well, one, anyway. The time when she meets the talking lion! That is so freaking hilarious! Plus the whole Granny Pearl thing. I really like reading about Conner more, because I love Granny Pearl. She's so cool, and way cooler then my grandma. Sorry Granny!
The Conner and Bree moments are so cute. Especially the whole part where she asks Conner if he has a crush on her. Just like that. I would seriously love to hear what she thought when she was saying that. In fact, I would love to know what she thought the entire time.

5) Gretel: I really sympathize with poor Gretel. The fact that she doesn't care that she accidentally killed her brother... Uh, that's not very nice. I would miss my brother terribly. I’m sorry she had to be in exile, but I’m happy she’s just Just Gretel.

All in all, A Grimm Warning is a must-read, and if you are thinking about buying it, I advise you so. It’s perfect for all ages. ...more

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Nov 16, 2014 ella rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourites, 5-stars, should-be-a-movie, caution-contains-cliffhanger, could-not-put-down, recommended-to-someone

This is my favourite in the series, and favourite book ever! A Grimm Warning takes a much different turn. There are SO many cliffhangers! You'll have lots of questions for book four which will most likely be answered. Ok, so there was a bit of violence in this one, be warned. A Grimm Warning. It was cool to see Alex and Conner talking through the mirror, too. (view spoiler) You'll want to r ...more

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Jul 16, 2014 Austin Thomas rated it it was amazing

I have 60 pages left, but I don't want to finish!!!!! This book is so perfect, I could read it forever. I love the whole story in this book probably the best in the series so far, I was so excited for it I even got it signed!!!! I love this series so much, it's like my life, I would give up so much just to spend a week in the land of stories!!! (I wouldn't mind living there!!!) but ya, this book is just so amazing perfect, every part of it makes me want to read, and each chapter ends with a clif ...more

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Oct 19, 2014 Casertalaura rated it liked it

The ending of this book was a complete shock and a little odd. It made me not like it as much as the first 2 books. However, I can't wait for #4 to come out to see what happens next! ...more

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Dec 13, 2014 Annie rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites

I liked the storyline. It had history in it, too. I was so so about the cliffhanger ending, though. My favorite charaters were Jack, Golilocks, Xauthous, and Mother Goose.

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