What do you think?
Rate this book
The Sisters Grimm #9
The Council of Mirrors
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Middle Grade & Children's (2012)The thrilling conclusion to the beloved New York Times bestselling Sisters Grimm series!
Grany Relda’s body has been hijacked by the Master, and it’s up to Sabrina, Daphne, and the rest of the Grimms to fight for her freedom and that of Ferryport Landing in the series’s grand finale. As war rips the town apart, Sabrina consults a team of magic mirrors, who prophesize that the only way the good guys will win is if she leads the army herself. Now, Sabrina controls the fate of all the Everafters, the very people who have made her life so difficult since she and Daphne arrived in Ferryport Landing. Will they listen to a Grimm? And can she really save them?
Grany Relda’s body has been hijacked by the Master, and it’s up to Sabrina, Daphne, and the rest of the Grimms to fight for her freedom and that of Ferryport Landing in the series’s grand finale. As war rips the town apart, Sabrina consults a team of magic mirrors, who prophesize that the only way the good guys will win is if she leads the army herself. Now, Sabrina controls the fate of all the Everafters, the very people who have made her life so difficult since she and Daphne arrived in Ferryport Landing. Will they listen to a Grimm? And can she really save them?
352 pages, Hardcover
First published April 24, 2012
275 people are currently reading
5590 people want to read
About the author
Michael Buckley
82 books1,913 followersNew York Times bestselling author Michael Buckley was born in Akron, Ohio. He tried his hand as a stand-up comic and lead singer for a punk rock back before attending Ohio University. After graduating with honors he moved to New York City to be an intern on the Late Show with David Letterman which led to stints developing programming for Discovery Networks, MTV, MTV Animation and Klasky Csupo (producers of Nickelodeon’s Rugrats). Today he lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife, Alison, and their son Finn.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 864 reviews
May 24, 2012
Is it true that this is the last book?! NOOOOOOOOO!!! I don't want it to end!! D:
*Four Months Later*
Wow... I mean...Wow!
This was crazy! I really can't believe it's the end! I'm gonna start them all over right now.
*Four Months Later*
Wow... I mean...Wow!
This was crazy! I really can't believe it's the end! I'm gonna start them all over right now.
September 7, 2015
OH MY GODDDDDDDDD THEY HAVE A COVER AND A NAME AND STUFF AND IT'S GORGEOUSSSS!
I've been waiting far too long for this book! And May 8th 2012?! Do you wish to torture me, Mr. Buckley?!
**UPDATE 5/31/12**
I loved it. I really loved it. It was so awesome. I would have liked it if and happened, but what can I say? It was an epic book!!
Oh my oddness, I was NOT expecting them to turn into *you-know-whats-if-you-read-the-book*! And that ending! I sorta-kinda wish there was more dialogue between Sabrina and Puck and . So, uh...yeah.
I really, REALLY, loved this book. A worthy conclusion.
I've been waiting far too long for this book! And May 8th 2012?! Do you wish to torture me, Mr. Buckley?!
**UPDATE 5/31/12**
I loved it. I really loved it. It was so awesome. I would have liked it if and happened, but what can I say? It was an epic book!!
Oh my oddness, I was NOT expecting them to turn into *you-know-whats-if-you-read-the-book*! And that ending! I sorta-kinda wish there was more dialogue between Sabrina and Puck and . So, uh...yeah.
I really, REALLY, loved this book. A worthy conclusion.
June 3, 2012
**spoiler alert**
First of all, I would like to say that I have read and enjoyed books 1 through 8 of the Sisters Grimm series. Most of the characters were likeable, the scenarios were entertaining, and the battle was, if nothing else, interesting. That being said, I was disappointed with the conclusion, in particular the ending. The battle/war scenes were well written, but some of the plot twists, such as the death scene after the wedding, were predictable. The ending, though predictable, could have been written better. Through cheesy dialogue (and a good-alway-triumphs-over-evil feeling that was so overdone I felt sick to my stomach), the story ended happily as we all knew it would.
But then the epilogues.
The first epilogue was difficult to read. Not just because it wasn't the ending we all knew was going to happen eventually (though that may have been a small part of it), but also due to the fact that Sabrina's whole personality had changed. She wasn't the sort-of-troubled, independent girl that we had followed from "The Fairytale Detectives". Instead, she was a secretive adult who was sacrificing everything she was to marry some guy she didn't even love. Some guy who didn't even know what an everafter was. Where was the "the queen of sneaks"? Where was the girl who had risked her life to fight the Scarlet Hand? Where was the girl who had endured Puck and his pegasi army?
Apparently, she got lost on her way to the altar.
And towards the end, when everyone's favorite flying boy appears, it seems like the future was changed a little TOO much, because all the maturity future Sabrina promised doesn't exist. It's as if Puck heard about Sabrina's extreme personality change and decided to remind her about the good old days when he used to throw glop grenades at her and turn her green.
The first epilogue was less substance and more "where everyone is now", but the entire premise felt forced and just plain wrong. By tweaking the ending of the book a little, deleting the first epilogue, and rewriting the second, Michael Buckley could have concluded the series on a much stronger and believeable note.
Now to discuss the second epilogue...
It starts off as the first epilogue: an update on the characters lives. But it also had Sabrina complaining about being an adult...and a a parent. She mentions a nameless danger (possibly a new book opportunity-Sisters Grimm: The Second Generation), and then finds out that her daughter has sprouted wings. Apparently, Puck has also hopped aboard the denial train, as Alison and Emma know nothing about everafters or even being a Grimm. It's like Daphne and Sabrina meeting Relda for the first time, only in Council of Mirrors, there is no excuse. Puck and Sabrina have intentionally let their daughters be ignorant to their heritage (something that hurt and troubled the original sisters Grimm) for no reason.
All in all, "The Council of Mirrors" was a good book with some glaring errors, which I can only attribute to either laziness or boredom on Mr. Buckley's part. If you are a fan of the series, you should definitely read this, because whether we like it or not, this is canon. However, you may not be fully satisfied at the conclusion.
First of all, I would like to say that I have read and enjoyed books 1 through 8 of the Sisters Grimm series. Most of the characters were likeable, the scenarios were entertaining, and the battle was, if nothing else, interesting. That being said, I was disappointed with the conclusion, in particular the ending. The battle/war scenes were well written, but some of the plot twists, such as the death scene after the wedding, were predictable. The ending, though predictable, could have been written better. Through cheesy dialogue (and a good-alway-triumphs-over-evil feeling that was so overdone I felt sick to my stomach), the story ended happily as we all knew it would.
But then the epilogues.
The first epilogue was difficult to read. Not just because it wasn't the ending we all knew was going to happen eventually (though that may have been a small part of it), but also due to the fact that Sabrina's whole personality had changed. She wasn't the sort-of-troubled, independent girl that we had followed from "The Fairytale Detectives". Instead, she was a secretive adult who was sacrificing everything she was to marry some guy she didn't even love. Some guy who didn't even know what an everafter was. Where was the "the queen of sneaks"? Where was the girl who had risked her life to fight the Scarlet Hand? Where was the girl who had endured Puck and his pegasi army?
Apparently, she got lost on her way to the altar.
And towards the end, when everyone's favorite flying boy appears, it seems like the future was changed a little TOO much, because all the maturity future Sabrina promised doesn't exist. It's as if Puck heard about Sabrina's extreme personality change and decided to remind her about the good old days when he used to throw glop grenades at her and turn her green.
The first epilogue was less substance and more "where everyone is now", but the entire premise felt forced and just plain wrong. By tweaking the ending of the book a little, deleting the first epilogue, and rewriting the second, Michael Buckley could have concluded the series on a much stronger and believeable note.
Now to discuss the second epilogue...
It starts off as the first epilogue: an update on the characters lives. But it also had Sabrina complaining about being an adult...and a a parent. She mentions a nameless danger (possibly a new book opportunity-Sisters Grimm: The Second Generation), and then finds out that her daughter has sprouted wings. Apparently, Puck has also hopped aboard the denial train, as Alison and Emma know nothing about everafters or even being a Grimm. It's like Daphne and Sabrina meeting Relda for the first time, only in Council of Mirrors, there is no excuse. Puck and Sabrina have intentionally let their daughters be ignorant to their heritage (something that hurt and troubled the original sisters Grimm) for no reason.
All in all, "The Council of Mirrors" was a good book with some glaring errors, which I can only attribute to either laziness or boredom on Mr. Buckley's part. If you are a fan of the series, you should definitely read this, because whether we like it or not, this is canon. However, you may not be fully satisfied at the conclusion.
April 26, 2012
*NOTICE: YOU MUST CLICK THE 'SEE REVIEW' BUTTON (IT'S NEXT TO THE COMMENT BUTTON) TO SEE THE AMAZING PICTURES THAT GO ALONG WITH THIS.*
The Sisters Grimm and the Mystic Kettle of Nackledirk (or, why I hate two-star books): A Pompously-Titled and Overly-Italicized Review.
As soon as I finished the final Sisters Grimm book, I groaned. I knew that this was going to be frickkin' long review. Why? Because I'd assigned it the rating I fear most:
The dreaded 2-star.
Why do 2-star ratings make me mad?
"I give you a D-minus. Because you didn't try very hard."
Yeah, that's why. It means it wasn't a bad book, but with a bit of effort it could've been a 3-star.
Plus, now I have to justify my answer.
Anyway, onto the review.
For the last two books (8&9), I have to wonder exactly what Mr. Buckley was trying to do. Build tension?
Well...
Really, there were 3 main sections that contributed to the less-than-stellar rating.
1.Plot.
This'll probably be the shortest section because I only have two problems. Unfortunately, they're rather major.
A. The Prophecy. Okay, really? He pulled a prophecy--which there was not an inkling of foreshadowing for--out of a magic mirror. MAGIC MIRRORS HAVE NEVER GIVEN PROPHECIES OUT IN THIS UNIVERSE BEFORE. EVER. You cannot pull new powers out of your
friendly Middle-East mode of transport. In the last book. Seriously.
B. The Powers. This goes along with A, but it deserves a section all its own. The coven, the book (passable), and the mirror shard. My land, the mirror shard. I was like, if he pulls one more magic power out of this air...
Okay, on to 2. The Characters.
I've been whining about the fact that they act 15, 11, 15 and not 11, 9, 11 for like...8 books now? But now I can say something new: instead of being 11, 9, and eleven they are now--after 8 books--12, 10, and 12. Whippie. So now I may say that they act 16, 12, and 16.
Little victories.
But the ages weren't even the problem here (as I tend to ignore them).
SABRINA: Okay, I'm not even sure this girl had a character arc. She goes from being a slightly whiny little girl to a...slightly whiny little girl. She doesn't start taking responsibility for what she does, she doesn't stop complaining, she just...follows the plot. Grr. Our protagonist, ladies and gentlemen.
DAPHNE: Nothin' to report. Other than the fact that I feel like she's a freaking one-a-book word calendar.
PUCK: Ah, Puck. I don't know why I love him--oh yeah! He's a dynamic character, instead of a static like most of the other characters (though I take issue with the fact that Mr. Buckley apparently believes puberty starts--and ends--at 11. Woooow. Most guys don't start puberty 'til 13. At the earliest). My one problem are his bouts of Puck-wisdom that either come too often (so we can't believe he's as carefree as he is) or too far-apart (so it's unbelievable when it does happen). I'm still undecided (though don't get me wrong, the Puck-wisdom is awesome and totally needed). But still, Puck as a whole?
*ahem*
I won't go into the other characters (wow...that was really creepily worded) right now, because it's time for my biggest issue with this whole freaking book:
3. The Ending.
I have honestly NEVER IN MY LIFE read a book with a more unsatisfying ending. Picture this: people are dying left and right because of the 'Master'. We've had major characters (including the fiancee of a major character) die on-screen and off, the Grimms have been forced out of their home and are repeatedly on the brink of death because of this guy. He stole their baby brother (and tried to put his soul in the tiny tot) and possesed their Grandmother. THIS IS A BAD DUDE.
Courtesy of Howard Tayler (author of the Schlock Mercenary comic, which I highly recommend and is online free at his website www.schlockmercenary.com), here are ways to kill characters (especially the Big Bad): "Bombs, guns, knives, poisons, drugs, falling--don't forget falling..."
Here is a way not to: WITH A FREAKING HUG.
[image error]
I lie to you not. Sabrina hugs the big bad and "pours all her love into his soul" and the evil spirit goes out of the Grandma.
"That's the power of love..." Don't lie, it's now stuck in your head. Unless you're too young to know that song.
Now I can hear those who are woefully uneducated out in Goodreads going, "Wait, this girl loves Harry Potter! That's all about the power of love, too!"
To those people I only have one thing to say:
YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH. YOU SHUT IT RIGHT NOW.
Voldemort was killed by a WAND. A stick of magic awesomeness that shoots death and kills evil. Yeah. That's BA.
Sabrina's like, "You killed a lot of people I love. Let me hug you." And then the Master was like, "You're my friend. Brofist?" And she's like, "Yeah. Brofist."
THIS IS POOR WRITING.
To conclude, I felt this was a rather disappointing end to a rather imaginative series. Certainly the idea was good, it's just that the execution was lacking.
**The Council of Mirrors, rated ages 10+, rated 2/5 stars.
The Sisters Grimm and the Mystic Kettle of Nackledirk (or, why I hate two-star books): A Pompously-Titled and Overly-Italicized Review.
As soon as I finished the final Sisters Grimm book, I groaned. I knew that this was going to be frickkin' long review. Why? Because I'd assigned it the rating I fear most:
The dreaded 2-star.
Why do 2-star ratings make me mad?
"I give you a D-minus. Because you didn't try very hard."
Yeah, that's why. It means it wasn't a bad book, but with a bit of effort it could've been a 3-star.
Plus, now I have to justify my answer.
Anyway, onto the review.
For the last two books (8&9), I have to wonder exactly what Mr. Buckley was trying to do. Build tension?
Well...
Really, there were 3 main sections that contributed to the less-than-stellar rating.
1.Plot.
This'll probably be the shortest section because I only have two problems. Unfortunately, they're rather major.
A. The Prophecy. Okay, really? He pulled a prophecy--which there was not an inkling of foreshadowing for--out of a magic mirror. MAGIC MIRRORS HAVE NEVER GIVEN PROPHECIES OUT IN THIS UNIVERSE BEFORE. EVER. You cannot pull new powers out of your
friendly Middle-East mode of transport. In the last book. Seriously.
B. The Powers. This goes along with A, but it deserves a section all its own. The coven, the book (passable), and the mirror shard. My land, the mirror shard. I was like, if he pulls one more magic power out of this air...
Okay, on to 2. The Characters.
I've been whining about the fact that they act 15, 11, 15 and not 11, 9, 11 for like...8 books now? But now I can say something new: instead of being 11, 9, and eleven they are now--after 8 books--12, 10, and 12. Whippie. So now I may say that they act 16, 12, and 16.
Little victories.
But the ages weren't even the problem here (as I tend to ignore them).
SABRINA: Okay, I'm not even sure this girl had a character arc. She goes from being a slightly whiny little girl to a...slightly whiny little girl. She doesn't start taking responsibility for what she does, she doesn't stop complaining, she just...follows the plot. Grr. Our protagonist, ladies and gentlemen.
DAPHNE: Nothin' to report. Other than the fact that I feel like she's a freaking one-a-book word calendar.
PUCK: Ah, Puck. I don't know why I love him--oh yeah! He's a dynamic character, instead of a static like most of the other characters (though I take issue with the fact that Mr. Buckley apparently believes puberty starts--and ends--at 11. Woooow. Most guys don't start puberty 'til 13. At the earliest). My one problem are his bouts of Puck-wisdom that either come too often (so we can't believe he's as carefree as he is) or too far-apart (so it's unbelievable when it does happen). I'm still undecided (though don't get me wrong, the Puck-wisdom is awesome and totally needed). But still, Puck as a whole?
*ahem*
I won't go into the other characters (wow...that was really creepily worded) right now, because it's time for my biggest issue with this whole freaking book:
3. The Ending.
I have honestly NEVER IN MY LIFE read a book with a more unsatisfying ending. Picture this: people are dying left and right because of the 'Master'. We've had major characters (including the fiancee of a major character) die on-screen and off, the Grimms have been forced out of their home and are repeatedly on the brink of death because of this guy. He stole their baby brother (and tried to put his soul in the tiny tot) and possesed their Grandmother. THIS IS A BAD DUDE.
Courtesy of Howard Tayler (author of the Schlock Mercenary comic, which I highly recommend and is online free at his website www.schlockmercenary.com), here are ways to kill characters (especially the Big Bad): "Bombs, guns, knives, poisons, drugs, falling--don't forget falling..."
Here is a way not to: WITH A FREAKING HUG.
[image error]
I lie to you not. Sabrina hugs the big bad and "pours all her love into his soul" and the evil spirit goes out of the Grandma.
"That's the power of love..." Don't lie, it's now stuck in your head. Unless you're too young to know that song.
Now I can hear those who are woefully uneducated out in Goodreads going, "Wait, this girl loves Harry Potter! That's all about the power of love, too!"
To those people I only have one thing to say:
YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH. YOU SHUT IT RIGHT NOW.
Voldemort was killed by a WAND. A stick of magic awesomeness that shoots death and kills evil. Yeah. That's BA.
Sabrina's like, "You killed a lot of people I love. Let me hug you." And then the Master was like, "You're my friend. Brofist?" And she's like, "Yeah. Brofist."
THIS IS POOR WRITING.
To conclude, I felt this was a rather disappointing end to a rather imaginative series. Certainly the idea was good, it's just that the execution was lacking.
**The Council of Mirrors, rated ages 10+, rated 2/5 stars.
March 24, 2013
I don’t know if I’m calm and collected enough to write a proper review. But, I promise I’ll try my best.
Basically, this book is the last installment for the Sisters Grimm series and I must say, I’m completely, perfectly, undeniably disappointed on the ending. I've expected a lot of things from this book. I mean it’s the ending. It should be like a huge grand finale for the series I had loved and adored! But I was wrong.
There’s still adventure and it radiated what books did when you were reading ‘the final battle’ with the villain. I love how Sabrina used her skills being the Queen of Sneaks and even for such a young age of twelve, she was mature and capable enough to lead an army. The prophecy was right.
I love how they outsmart the First’s troops, I was laughing at how brilliant Puck was! I love almost everything in this book!
Mr. Michael didn't become selfish on Puckabrina, like I expected, instead almost every scene that Puck and Sabrina was present, I already consider it as a moment! It sure made up on the long years I've waited for the two of them to realize they were for each other. It quenched my thirst for Puckabrina!
I love how at the end of the final battle, Peter Pan came with the Lost Boys, riding a pirate ship, asking Puck and Sabrina about Ferryport landing. And since, our beloved Puck hated the guy, he lied telling him Ferryport landing was actually boring and since Peter Pan likes interesting things, he left. I was laughing at that scene! XD
I was really enjoying myself, and I was thinking of giving it five stars.
But then, I stumbled on the ending.
Oh, the annoying, cliffhanger-y, disappointing, upsetting, lousy and discouraging grand finale ending. Oh good Lord, it was one of the most disappointing endings I've ever read. The whole Sisters Grimm shouldn't have ended that way! Mr. Buckley should have liked, I don’t know, let Puck be in it? I love Puck! He should be on the ending of ’16 years later’! The ending could have been better like they would all meet up again, refreshing memories and the readers would learn what happened to them. Who went back to the Ferryport Landing? Where were Snow, Billy, Uncle Jake, Granny Relda, Daphne and the others? What happened to them?
I hate how the author didn't answer the questions throughout the plot, especially the ending. It should have been better. It should have made me sigh dreamily, with a wide smile on my face as I closed the book I was reading, with happy thoughts in my mind thinking of the happily ever after of my favorite couple and my favorite characters, and will make me inspire to write a fan fiction of it. But no! I sighed in disappointment, a frown on my face as I closed the book I was reading, with thoughts of what the ending should have been to my favorite couple and favorite characters, and made me inspire to write all of the upset I felt in a book review in Goodreads. See the difference?
It doesn't help that I’m also currently upset on the ending of Clockwork Princess even if I still haven’t read it yet. And now, I’d be encountering another ending to be upset on? *sighs*
Conclusion:
The Council of Mirrors by Michael Buckley is a good book with the same adventure-type you’ve read from the past books. The final battle is exciting, some scenes made me laugh and the Puckabrina moments were so many I was full, completely satisfied with it. The wait for some great fan-girl-squealing moments for Puckabrina was worth it (especially the kiss scene in The Inside Story).
One star was deducted for how disappointing, annoying, cliffhanger-y, upsetting- you get the idea- the ending was. I should have deducted two but since I dearly love this series, I decided for just one. This is just something I can’t let pass! I rate it 4 stars.
So, if you’re a Puckabrina fan, you can read this, the moments were worth squealing for, but I warn you, don’t expect too much on the ending. It’ll just bring you nothing but disappointment.
Basically, this book is the last installment for the Sisters Grimm series and I must say, I’m completely, perfectly, undeniably disappointed on the ending. I've expected a lot of things from this book. I mean it’s the ending. It should be like a huge grand finale for the series I had loved and adored! But I was wrong.
There’s still adventure and it radiated what books did when you were reading ‘the final battle’ with the villain. I love how Sabrina used her skills being the Queen of Sneaks and even for such a young age of twelve, she was mature and capable enough to lead an army. The prophecy was right.
I love how they outsmart the First’s troops, I was laughing at how brilliant Puck was! I love almost everything in this book!
Mr. Michael didn't become selfish on Puckabrina, like I expected, instead almost every scene that Puck and Sabrina was present, I already consider it as a moment! It sure made up on the long years I've waited for the two of them to realize they were for each other. It quenched my thirst for Puckabrina!
I love how at the end of the final battle, Peter Pan came with the Lost Boys, riding a pirate ship, asking Puck and Sabrina about Ferryport landing. And since, our beloved Puck hated the guy, he lied telling him Ferryport landing was actually boring and since Peter Pan likes interesting things, he left. I was laughing at that scene! XD
I was really enjoying myself, and I was thinking of giving it five stars.
But then, I stumbled on the ending.
Oh, the
I hate how the author didn't answer the questions throughout the plot, especially the ending. It should have been better. It should have made me sigh dreamily, with a wide smile on my face as I closed the book I was reading, with happy thoughts in my mind thinking of the happily ever after of my favorite couple and my favorite characters, and will make me inspire to write a fan fiction of it. But no! I sighed in disappointment, a frown on my face as I closed the book I was reading, with thoughts of what the ending should have been to my favorite couple and favorite characters, and made me inspire to write all of the upset I felt in a book review in Goodreads. See the difference?
It doesn't help that I’m also currently upset on the ending of Clockwork Princess even if I still haven’t read it yet. And now, I’d be encountering another ending to be upset on? *sighs*
Conclusion:
The Council of Mirrors by Michael Buckley is a good book with the same adventure-type you’ve read from the past books. The final battle is exciting, some scenes made me laugh and the Puckabrina moments were so many I was full, completely satisfied with it. The wait for some great fan-girl-squealing moments for Puckabrina was worth it (especially the kiss scene in The Inside Story).
One star was deducted for how disappointing, annoying, cliffhanger-y, upsetting- you get the idea- the ending was. I should have deducted two but since I dearly love this series, I decided for just one. This is just something I can’t let pass! I rate it 4 stars.
So, if you’re a Puckabrina fan, you can read this, the moments were worth squealing for, but I warn you, don’t expect too much on the ending. It’ll just bring you nothing but disappointment.
April 26, 2012
http://librarytalker.blogspot.com/201...
It's time for the final battle.
There's almost no one left to fight, but they'll fight anyway.
Witches, fairies, knights, bears, princesses, and more, but what it really comes down to is two girls.
Together, the Mirrors have presented a prophecy that states that the only hope to survive and defeat the First is the skills and determination of the Sisters Grimm: Sabrina and Daphne.
Unfortunately, Sabrina can't bring herself to believe that she and her sister can save the 20 or so remaining Everafters from the thousands who are determined to defeat them.
It's time for the final battle... and the entire world depends on two young girls.
Final thoughts: I really wish I'd re-read the series before reading this one; there is just too much going on and too many references to past events going all the way back to the first book. Sabrina finally comes into her own and stops whining (esp. after others point out that fault to her), so that was nice to see. I will ALWAYS love Puck. And Daphne was a kick to see, but there was too little of her in this story. The final resolution was reminiscent of Harry Potter, which was a bit of a disappointment. The time lapse at the end was also HP familiar, but too short for me. There was also a hint of a possible second series, so I'm not sure if Buckley will push this any further. Overall, it was a solid end to the story and one, when read from start to finish with the rest of the series, that will surely satisfy.
It's time for the final battle.
There's almost no one left to fight, but they'll fight anyway.
Witches, fairies, knights, bears, princesses, and more, but what it really comes down to is two girls.
Together, the Mirrors have presented a prophecy that states that the only hope to survive and defeat the First is the skills and determination of the Sisters Grimm: Sabrina and Daphne.
Unfortunately, Sabrina can't bring herself to believe that she and her sister can save the 20 or so remaining Everafters from the thousands who are determined to defeat them.
It's time for the final battle... and the entire world depends on two young girls.
Final thoughts: I really wish I'd re-read the series before reading this one; there is just too much going on and too many references to past events going all the way back to the first book. Sabrina finally comes into her own and stops whining (esp. after others point out that fault to her), so that was nice to see. I will ALWAYS love Puck. And Daphne was a kick to see, but there was too little of her in this story. The final resolution was reminiscent of Harry Potter, which was a bit of a disappointment. The time lapse at the end was also HP familiar, but too short for me. There was also a hint of a possible second series, so I'm not sure if Buckley will push this any further. Overall, it was a solid end to the story and one, when read from start to finish with the rest of the series, that will surely satisfy.
May 2, 2024
What a fantastic ending to a fantastic series. The epilogues made me so happy. There’s not much I can say about this book without spoilers, but I loved how Sabrina and Daphne’s sneakiness and Puck’s pranks played such a big role in their victory. And the castle trap was brilliant.
I will say one spoilery thing because I just really want to highlight how much I love it. SO DON’T READ ON IF YOU DON’T WANT SPOILERS. It has to do with abusive relationships.
****
****
****
(I warned you)
****
****
****
I loved how the true story of Snow White was that Snow was initially married to an abusive prince who murdered her, so her mother used the Book of Everafter and rewrote the prince out of the story to save her daughter. She made the prince’s brother into Snow’s love interest and made him a good man for her daughter. But because the story demanded a villain, otherwise Snow perished, the queen made herself into the villain. It was the only way to save Snow. And it made Snow hate her, but at least she was alive. *sobs*
You know I love stories that deal (well) with abusive relationships, so I really loved that aspect of the book.
And. One more spoiler. So glad Sabrina and Puck do indeed end up together. My childhood OTP has sailed!!!
I will say one spoilery thing because I just really want to highlight how much I love it. SO DON’T READ ON IF YOU DON’T WANT SPOILERS. It has to do with abusive relationships.
****
****
****
(I warned you)
****
****
****
I loved how the true story of Snow White was that Snow was initially married to an abusive prince who murdered her, so her mother used the Book of Everafter and rewrote the prince out of the story to save her daughter. She made the prince’s brother into Snow’s love interest and made him a good man for her daughter. But because the story demanded a villain, otherwise Snow perished, the queen made herself into the villain. It was the only way to save Snow. And it made Snow hate her, but at least she was alive. *sobs*
You know I love stories that deal (well) with abusive relationships, so I really loved that aspect of the book.
And. One more spoiler. So glad Sabrina and Puck do indeed end up together. My childhood OTP has sailed!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2012
We're done! I had a love/hate--make that a like/hate--relationship with this series. After slogging through all nine books, I have grown fond of the main characters. My 9-year-old LOVED the books, and I had lots of fun reading them to her, sharing oohs and aahs and laugh-out-loud moments.
BUT. Honestly. This saga could easily have been covered in 3 or 4 books, not nine. You think J.K. Rowling overwrites? If you cut out the excess verbiage in The Council of Mirrors alone, the book could be reduced by 30 percent. (The final chapter in this one seems to leave open a possibility for future books, and if that happens I will personally track down Michael Buckley, imprison him and sentence him to 10 years of listening to this whole series on audiobook, over and over again.)
I was particularly irritated by the sloppy editing of the hardcover edition (the only one available at this writing). The previous books had occasional typos, but this one is riddled with them: misspellings, grammatical errors, missing words. MEDIC! Get me rewrite! Where were the editors? There's no excuse for such an unprofessional presentation.
BUT. Honestly. This saga could easily have been covered in 3 or 4 books, not nine. You think J.K. Rowling overwrites? If you cut out the excess verbiage in The Council of Mirrors alone, the book could be reduced by 30 percent. (The final chapter in this one seems to leave open a possibility for future books, and if that happens I will personally track down Michael Buckley, imprison him and sentence him to 10 years of listening to this whole series on audiobook, over and over again.)
I was particularly irritated by the sloppy editing of the hardcover edition (the only one available at this writing). The previous books had occasional typos, but this one is riddled with them: misspellings, grammatical errors, missing words. MEDIC! Get me rewrite! Where were the editors? There's no excuse for such an unprofessional presentation.
March 26, 2013
I just finished the book in one sitting, and I'm so....what.
I can't explain myself.
I think the beginning was pretty good, it started out well, re-introduced us to the main problems and how they were going to solve them - then, BAM, ACTION.
After that, the story was a big blur of secrets and revealing and dialogue and plotting things out, but I kept n thinking as I read the book "Who is this Sabrina?" because she changes so much through the course of events. I especially love how Puck tells her that she couldn't give up on her army and had to be a leader, and from then, Sabrina became a strong leader to her army.
Also, I wish we could have a little more about Bradley. If you're going to stick a random love interest, I would like a backstory in the least.
Also, 41 year old Sabrina made me tear up cause it meant the series was over and my favorite character that I'd grown up with had now also grown up.
but the ending was the most hilarious ever. Even though I had cried a lot, the book always had me laughing and it didn't fail this time as it ended off with it's lines of "Have you heard of the Brothers Grimm?".
I can't explain myself.
I think the beginning was pretty good, it started out well, re-introduced us to the main problems and how they were going to solve them - then, BAM, ACTION.
After that, the story was a big blur of secrets and revealing and dialogue and plotting things out, but I kept n thinking as I read the book "Who is this Sabrina?" because she changes so much through the course of events. I especially love how Puck tells her that she couldn't give up on her army and had to be a leader, and from then, Sabrina became a strong leader to her army.
Also, I wish we could have a little more about Bradley. If you're going to stick a random love interest, I would like a backstory in the least.
Also, 41 year old Sabrina made me tear up cause it meant the series was over and my favorite character that I'd grown up with had now also grown up.
but the ending was the most hilarious ever. Even though I had cried a lot, the book always had me laughing and it didn't fail this time as it ended off with it's lines of "Have you heard of the Brothers Grimm?".
April 25, 2012
I've been a fan of the Sisters Grimm since the first book came out. It's the series I've stuck with the longest. I've waited seven years for the series to end, and I wasn't disappointed. Michael Buckley did an amazing job with the end.
Now I freak out over the events that happened.
Now I freak out over the events that happened.
Want to read
December 1, 2015FINALLY!!!!!!! I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOREVER TO FIND OUT WHAT THIS BOOK IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sad thing is it's been so long since the 8th book, I should probably reread a few books. :/
May 4, 2022
This was such a great series. I loved every book. The ending was so good.
January 1, 2023
just cried over this silly little children’s series <3
April 24, 2024
3/5
Hated that epilogue with all my soul 😁
Hated that epilogue with all my soul 😁
December 8, 2012
YES. YES YES YES. May 8 is my new Very Important Date. *dances* I am a happy reader.
January 10, 2022
This took me a LONG time to read, simply because I wasn’t in the mood for children’s books anymore. But it was so fun! It was a great ending. It did drag a bit and there was unnecessary journal writing here and there, but overall I’m pleased! It was exciting, a little violent, but very sweet. Love is the answer, y’all! Also, PUCK FOREVAAA.
Read
December 23, 2017The Sisters Grimm is just one of those books that you finish in one sitting. It's a jaw-dropping series about two orphan girls who live in a town where fairy-tale creatures, known as Everafters, work as police, teachers, even government officials. With a new adventure around every corner, the girls are pursued by the Scarlet Hand, an Everafter organization that wants to eliminate the Grimm family and terrorize the world. The two sisters learn a new lesson in every book, including love, courage, and acceptance. When you finish this series, you'll be begging for more.
May 11, 2012
*THIS REVIEW CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS*
DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK
i have been reading the sisters grimm since I was in primary ( quite a while ago) and to have it end is like a part of me being ripped out ( not talking about horcruxs) Well. Where do I start? I seriously thought it was one big fanfiction story, it just didn't seem right:( some characters REALLY changed (ahem red, puck) and i didn't really like it. I found this book seriously like the everafter war. It seemed to go nowhere, but got better towards the end. I don't really like this puck i mean i agree but what happened to him? MORE PUCKABRINA is what it needed. Them becoming everafters and the wedding was totally fanfiction worthy. NOW the epilogue. WELL. I was sooo angry I was going to punch a wall with the bradley part and was reallly confused when puck came in. I need someone to explain. I have read it so many times and still confused. I was so devestated and annoyed I cried. How could they not be together? Then I discovered the SECOND epilogue and was glad to see puck and her got together although i really don't like her daughters. Anyways would have liked more of Puck in the epilogue for sure.
overall-annoyed
DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK
i have been reading the sisters grimm since I was in primary ( quite a while ago) and to have it end is like a part of me being ripped out ( not talking about horcruxs) Well. Where do I start? I seriously thought it was one big fanfiction story, it just didn't seem right:( some characters REALLY changed (ahem red, puck) and i didn't really like it. I found this book seriously like the everafter war. It seemed to go nowhere, but got better towards the end. I don't really like this puck i mean i agree but what happened to him? MORE PUCKABRINA is what it needed. Them becoming everafters and the wedding was totally fanfiction worthy. NOW the epilogue. WELL. I was sooo angry I was going to punch a wall with the bradley part and was reallly confused when puck came in. I need someone to explain. I have read it so many times and still confused. I was so devestated and annoyed I cried. How could they not be together? Then I discovered the SECOND epilogue and was glad to see puck and her got together although i really don't like her daughters. Anyways would have liked more of Puck in the epilogue for sure.
overall-annoyed
June 14, 2013
When I think of The Sister Grimm series i think of a series that I have "grown into." If I had picked up th efirst book at the age that I am now, I wouldn't have even considered this. (luckily I didn't)
Anyway...
I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE BOOK TO COME OUT!!! I mean, I really love the series and all but this is already like the ninth book in the series. Most readers will not even consider reading a series if it has more than six books in it.But, back to the main point...
CAN'T WAIT 'TILL MAY 8TH!!!
Anyway...
I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE BOOK TO COME OUT!!! I mean, I really love the series and all but this is already like the ninth book in the series. Most readers will not even consider reading a series if it has more than six books in it.But, back to the main point...
CAN'T WAIT 'TILL MAY 8TH!!!
August 11, 2023
The end is here! And it was interesting. I wish the epilogue was done slightly differently but I'm so happy there was one and that it ended the way I wanted it to. Daphne was finally less annoying in this one, but she was still irritating compared to Sabrina. Not that Sabrina isn't irritating sometimes, but it's a different irritation.
I'm glad Sabrina was able to get her hands dirty in this one and Puck was able to be a little more mature. In his ridiculous, funny way. He protects everyone while also being an asshole, I love it.
I'm glad Sabrina was able to get her hands dirty in this one and Puck was able to be a little more mature. In his ridiculous, funny way. He protects everyone while also being an asshole, I love it.
December 2, 2021
Read (2013) : 5 stars
Reread (December 2, 2021) : 4 stars
Reread (December 2, 2021) : 4 stars
October 27, 2017
when i read the 13 years later part, I was mad till Puck showed up. If I read this book right after the first, i would have thrown it across the room. But now, i cant stop reading the moments...
November 14, 2023
What a delightful series reread!!
The epilogue of this book is a little rage inducing but otherwise … why is it kind of metal???
The epilogue of this book is a little rage inducing but otherwise … why is it kind of metal???
December 9, 2023
The End! If that were not a fairy-tale ending, I don't know what would be!
Learning what the next generation made of it all would be interesting! Do children still read fairy tales?
Learning what the next generation made of it all would be interesting! Do children still read fairy tales?
December 28, 2024
what a great series. i had forgotten this one too and completely forgotten the full ending! what a great book, and the illustrations are magnificent and apparently the whole thing is being made into a series soon!!!!
April 24, 2024
Run & Read #9 ❗️👀🧎♂️
And with that, I have come to the end of the Sisters Grimm. Gotta end on a high note, and I’m including in my review of this one a whole series rating, just because I enjoyed it all!
I definitely never finished this series, because I remembered absolutely nothing from this book. So glad to have some book closure for 11 year old Corey.
What I was not ready for was all the death in this book. From characters we knew well to just general widespread casualties in the final battle scenes, I did not anticipate the last book being so grim (excuse the pun).
I did love that the story required Sabrina and Daphne for the conclusion of the major conflict, and of course love is the bond that defeats evil in the end. Huzzah!
In all there was a lot of series closure in this book. Some gaps were left open, as happens in most long form storytelling, but I was satisfied with the trajectory and wrap up of a lot of the side stories. Also, the Grimm’s are Everafters now? Kind of crazy twist, so I guess they are immortal too. Wild.
I gotta say, the two flash forwards at the end made me smile - the future has good things in store and may not always turn out as we expect!
Overall for the series I wish there were a few things:
- More Daphne! I would have loved a book from her perspective. As a younger sibling, I’m curious as to how hearing her inner dialogue and reaction to situations would have been familiar!
- Earlier character development. I get it the main characters are 12 and 7, but goodness, we were with these girls for 9 whole books (about 2,500+ pages spanning almost two years of time) and there wasn’t a whole lot of character development until the last two books, and they still felt super young.
Although those are my critiques, I really loved these books. As a kid they took me to a world that was familiar but also filled with so much magic. Rereading/listening to them have been a joy and a gift to remember some of the things that I once loved dearly or got extremely passionate about as a child. Hoping to keep those parts of Corey in the present!
Jury is still out for what my next Run & Read series will be, but stay tuned. The journey has only begun 🏃🏼♂️
And with that, I have come to the end of the Sisters Grimm. Gotta end on a high note, and I’m including in my review of this one a whole series rating, just because I enjoyed it all!
I definitely never finished this series, because I remembered absolutely nothing from this book. So glad to have some book closure for 11 year old Corey.
What I was not ready for was all the death in this book. From characters we knew well to just general widespread casualties in the final battle scenes, I did not anticipate the last book being so grim (excuse the pun).
I did love that the story required Sabrina and Daphne for the conclusion of the major conflict, and of course love is the bond that defeats evil in the end. Huzzah!
In all there was a lot of series closure in this book. Some gaps were left open, as happens in most long form storytelling, but I was satisfied with the trajectory and wrap up of a lot of the side stories. Also, the Grimm’s are Everafters now? Kind of crazy twist, so I guess they are immortal too. Wild.
I gotta say, the two flash forwards at the end made me smile - the future has good things in store and may not always turn out as we expect!
Overall for the series I wish there were a few things:
- More Daphne! I would have loved a book from her perspective. As a younger sibling, I’m curious as to how hearing her inner dialogue and reaction to situations would have been familiar!
- Earlier character development. I get it the main characters are 12 and 7, but goodness, we were with these girls for 9 whole books (about 2,500+ pages spanning almost two years of time) and there wasn’t a whole lot of character development until the last two books, and they still felt super young.
Although those are my critiques, I really loved these books. As a kid they took me to a world that was familiar but also filled with so much magic. Rereading/listening to them have been a joy and a gift to remember some of the things that I once loved dearly or got extremely passionate about as a child. Hoping to keep those parts of Corey in the present!
Jury is still out for what my next Run & Read series will be, but stay tuned. The journey has only begun 🏃🏼♂️
August 5, 2012
The ninth and final book, The Council of Mirrors was a strong finish to a great series. Like usual, it's hard to look at a series critically until you've read it all. When they're spread apart, a year or more between books, some of the story elements that work really well as a whole come across as weak or disappointing. Take The Inside Story, book 8, for example. I didn't love it. Not because it wasn't a good element of the greater story arc, but because I'd waited a year for that book and then it left behind most of the cast and went on an adventure which branched off from the main story line. Yet now I've read The Council of Mirrors, and now that you can merrily pick up book 9 as soon as you've closed the pages on book 8, The Inside Story seems like it works much better than I had originally thought.
Buckley charmed me as usual with his characters, Puck, and Daphne, are funny and whimsical enough to keep the story upbeat even in its darker moments, and Sabrina's doubts and frustration anchor the drama. The three of them make such a great match you would think anyone else would be unnecessary, however The Sisters Grimm books have always been an ensemble cast and characters like Pinnochio, Prince Charming, Mayor Heart and Mr. Canis are all given their time to shine.
Although not as epic an end as say, Fablehaven, or Harry Potter, Buckley put together some excellent fight scenes and kept the tension high throughout. He takes it relatively easy on the death toll, but doesn't wimp out with one of those everyone-miraculously-survives-except-the-bad-guys end. But what I truly loved was the hysterical 13 years later, and 16 years after that, epilogues which were totally satisfying tie outs to characters I'd grown to love.
An excellent series I can't recommend highly enough, The Sisters Grimm is clever, funny and well worth your reading efforts.
Buckley charmed me as usual with his characters, Puck, and Daphne, are funny and whimsical enough to keep the story upbeat even in its darker moments, and Sabrina's doubts and frustration anchor the drama. The three of them make such a great match you would think anyone else would be unnecessary, however The Sisters Grimm books have always been an ensemble cast and characters like Pinnochio, Prince Charming, Mayor Heart and Mr. Canis are all given their time to shine.
Although not as epic an end as say, Fablehaven, or Harry Potter, Buckley put together some excellent fight scenes and kept the tension high throughout. He takes it relatively easy on the death toll, but doesn't wimp out with one of those everyone-miraculously-survives-except-the-bad-guys end. But what I truly loved was the hysterical 13 years later, and 16 years after that, epilogues which were totally satisfying tie outs to characters I'd grown to love.
An excellent series I can't recommend highly enough, The Sisters Grimm is clever, funny and well worth your reading efforts.
February 9, 2024
I’m glad I finished the series, but the last book fell a little flat for me. I think the series as a whole had a lot of potential, but I had some issues with how everything played out. Some story arcs and characters didn’t quite work. There seemed to be quite a few plot holes. For this book specifically, I thought the ending was really rushed and a bit cheesy. For me, the best middle grade and YA books are the ones that take themselves seriously. Kind of like the sisters themselves, the series seemed like it wanted you to think it was grown up. Some of the chapter deaths or stakes were intense and really high, but it lacked the follow through for me. Glad I finally finished the series though! Hands down my favorite chapter is Daphne. Such a sweet and fun character from book 1.
April 24, 2012
Four years ago I began reading the Sisters Grimm. The series had begun awhile earlier so I read from book one to two to three and on with the dreaded words "to be continued" at the end. I found myself looking at the last words first just to see.
This year I have a group of students reading the series - "Mrs. Eaves, I couldn't believe it when I got to the end 'to be continued.' How could they!" I went to the bookstore yesterday in search of The Council of Mirrors. I knew it was supposed to be "the end" but I must confess I looked at the final words just to be sure. THE END, and so I began. The twists and turns of adventure are in this volume. The pain of arrogance and pride remain, but so does the joy of devotion and friendship. Trust, self-confidence, commitment and determination are what it takes to win an epic battle. It always seems to be that way.
The end is very satisfying along with the years of after story. The Grimms and Everafters will be with us for a long time - in their orginal tales and in the rewritings. They have a lot to show us about ourselves and what it means to live will in our world.
This year I have a group of students reading the series - "Mrs. Eaves, I couldn't believe it when I got to the end 'to be continued.' How could they!" I went to the bookstore yesterday in search of The Council of Mirrors. I knew it was supposed to be "the end" but I must confess I looked at the final words just to be sure. THE END, and so I began. The twists and turns of adventure are in this volume. The pain of arrogance and pride remain, but so does the joy of devotion and friendship. Trust, self-confidence, commitment and determination are what it takes to win an epic battle. It always seems to be that way.
The end is very satisfying along with the years of after story. The Grimms and Everafters will be with us for a long time - in their orginal tales and in the rewritings. They have a lot to show us about ourselves and what it means to live will in our world.
November 21, 2021
The final book in The Sisters Grimm series has sisters Sabrina and Daphne fighting to stop Mirror from destroying Ferryport Landing and their grandmother. With the help of their family and friends they may just be able to defeat him.
This has been a delightful series to read. The characters are funny and memorable. The friendships are strong and dedication to each other rules. Unfortunately we do say good bye to several characters throughout the book and the moments are sad, but it just makes the task of defeating Mirror more important. The whole series is a good lesson in friendship and loyalty.
Sabrina and Daphne have the sort of relationship that I think we all want with our siblings when we are young. They understand and respect each other. The also work great together. Sabrina listens to Daphne’s idea s and vice versa.
There is quite a bit of violence in the book, but plenty of humor as well. The illustrations are beautiful and very detailed.
I really like how the author completed the series. He did not just end it after the battle. We get to see Sabrina and Daphne 16 years later and then 16 years after that. It was a great conclusion.
This has been a delightful series to read. The characters are funny and memorable. The friendships are strong and dedication to each other rules. Unfortunately we do say good bye to several characters throughout the book and the moments are sad, but it just makes the task of defeating Mirror more important. The whole series is a good lesson in friendship and loyalty.
Sabrina and Daphne have the sort of relationship that I think we all want with our siblings when we are young. They understand and respect each other. The also work great together. Sabrina listens to Daphne’s idea s and vice versa.
There is quite a bit of violence in the book, but plenty of humor as well. The illustrations are beautiful and very detailed.
I really like how the author completed the series. He did not just end it after the battle. We get to see Sabrina and Daphne 16 years later and then 16 years after that. It was a great conclusion.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 864 reviews