It's the aftermath of Legacy Day, the day when the students at Ever After High are supposed to pledge to follow in their fairytale parents' footsteps, and everyone is in a huff and a puff ! Raven Queen, daughter of the Evil Queen, has refused to sign the Storybook of Legends, rejecting her story--and putting everyone else's in jeopardy. The Royal Apple White doesn't want to think Raven is being a rebellious pain, but Raven's choice means Apple might never get the poisoned apple, Prince Charming, and a kingdom to rule. Behind Apple stands the Royals, those who want to play by the book and embrace their stories. The Rebels, supporters of Raven, believe in breaking free from destiny and writing their own stories. But when the chaos and rivalry land wonderlandiful Madeline Hatter in trouble, Raven and Apple must bring the Royals and the Rebels together to shut the book on their feud before it threatens to end all of their Happily Ever Afters once and for all. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...Who'e the Unfairest of Them All? Don't miss Book #1, Ever After The Storybook of Legends!
Shannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of six young adult novels: the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, multiple award winner Book of a Thousand Days, and the highly acclaimed Books of Bayern series. She has written three books for adults, including the upcoming Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012), companion book to Austenland. She co-wrote the hit graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge and its sequel Calamity Jack with husband Dean Hale. They live near Salt Lake City, Utah with their four small children, and their pet, a small, plastic pig.
These books look cute, yes. They're adorable. The covers are pretty and marketable and they come with matching dolls - and you know what? I don't care that these dolls look like Bratz dolls anymore.
Why? Because the books have amazing, important messages that I love. First, Apple and Raven don't agree - Raven believes in freedom of choice and Apple wants nothing so much as she wants to fulfill her destiny and they fight and they argue and Apple doesn't know how to see Raven's side and Raven is struggling with all the arguments but do you know what? They are still friends. They still care about each other and their school and they want to close the rift between people even if they don't know how to do that yet. They're willing to fight without hating each other. And I love that. It seems to me that every time two girls are on the opposite side of an argument or belief they have to hate each other and tear each other down in outright or (perhaps even worse) passive aggressive ways and I despise it. These books don't do that. You might think you're going to hate Apple or hate Raven but the book really doesn't allow you to do either, even if you disagree with one or both of them at any given point.
When their friend ends up in trouble, they have to set aside all their disagreements and bring everyone on both sides together to help make it right. Apple learns to draw on the strength of others and Raven learns that she has strength she didn't know she had. They're both clever and smart and they love their friends fiercely.
This story shows time and again, a girl saving her own day and being the hero for the damsel in distress by being a strong leader and a good friend. It's beautiful.
It shows so much about how people can do the wrong thing when trying to do something good for the right reasons. Further it shows how sometimes doing the right thing for you is important even when other people will call it selfish. It shows how evil is selfish, but selfish isn't always evil. It's important to stand up for yourself and your friends, but that doesn't mean you have to stomp on other people in the process.
I just hope that people can look past the cute, pretty trappings and the little cutesy jokes to the heart of these books.
The Unfairest of Them All is a perfect continuation to an accidentally perfect series indeed.
I say accidentally perfect because it wasn't Shannon Hale's objective to write a perfect book. There's slip ups and goofs and horrendously hokey jokes and puns, but that all adds up to being what makes this book so good.
Unfairest of Them All follows Raven and Apple after the disassterific Legacy Day. Both girls are still trying to find their place in their respective stories as well as their lives, and in turn, they begin to inspire other students to take charge. It's good seeing Raven's battle with evil (going so far as to define it and realize that you can even love someone evil, i.e. her mother) while Apple slowly begins to grasp the concept that changing yourself isn't something bad, and sometimes you need to be bad in order to make things good.
I adore every character, the puns (spella sweet!) and the descriptions in this book are luxurious. This is obviously aimed at a much younger audience than I, a 20 year old, but I absolutely adore it (it helps that I love love LOVE fairy tales!)
I brought up in one of my comments while reading how positive this series is. I haven't watched the television series but I've witnessed, in the books, a hefty amount of diversity as well as LACK OF ROMANTIC INTERESTS FOR THE MAIN CHARACTERS.
Having read the first book in the Monster High series, which I don't really want to talk about but will for the sake of proving a point, I remember how distinctly turned off I was by the prevalent romantic shit fest that happened. There was love triangles or boxes and a lot of unnecessary jealousy. Don't these girls have better things to do than perpetuate stereotypes!? I'm a sucker for romance, don't get me wrong, but there's a time and place for everything. Apple and Raven both realize that friendship and finding ones self is MUCH more important than finding love. During my first years of high school, all I could think was that I was somehow lesser than everybody because I didn't have a boyfriend. I know this is the case for a lot of younger girls too. And guess what, that sure as HELL ain't the case in these books!
We need more books like this. That embrace femininity and friendship, that keep readers entranced by characters and witticism, that change the rules and crown themselves with a rebel attitude. Royal, rebel? How about winner?
Wow. Cannot wait for the next book to come. Cause, seriously, this was really wonderlandiful. Most of all, I really love how Apple matured a bit in this book. First she was all, but in the second book she finally started to understand the point of Raven's rebellion. So now I'm stupidly happy for that splendid character development. And seriously need the next book NOW. BUT I WILL WAIT. But when I get it, I will be unstoppable.
I really really REALLY enjoyed this book. I liked getting to know Cerise better, and looking into her family's past. I also found out the Apple isn't as flat and shallow as I originally thought. Turns out she's just a girl afraid of the unknown, and used to a sense of concrete knowledge of what's to come. Raven, as always, was incredible and absolutely one of my favorite characters. I hope that in future books, we delve deeper into the back-stories of the other Ever Afters. One of the only things I regret about this book is that there wasn't enough Dexter. I need more DEX!!!!! That's about all I came here to say. Now you've got my opinion, but don't take my word for it. Read it for yourself! I promise you won't regret it. Ta-Ta & Ciao for now!!
Listening to this while playing an expired ever after high game, that everyone has definitely forgot about, is free therapy. 10/10 would recommend lmao.
When The Evil Queen's daughter Raven Queen rips out her page of the Storybook of Legends at Ever After High, she ruins the chance for the children of the other fairytale characters to fulfill their destinies and follow the path of their parents. Can Raven Queen and Snow White's daughter Apple White make everything right again and find out who is the unfairest of them all? Read this and find out. This is the second book of the series.
I actually enjoyed this book and hope to find more books of this series when they are written and find out what happens next. If you like the show Once Upon a Time and are fans of fairytales, you'll enjoy this YA book series. Definitely check it out. This book is available wherever books are sold.
Very seldom do sequels surpass the original but The Unfairest of Them All was a most "hexcellent" read.
It featured more of the side characters that comprise this enchanting world and a more substantial plot. Instead of just focusing on Apple and Raven, the entire school was involved to further the story. One of my favorite scenes in the entire book that occurs within the first few chapters is a food fight in the "Castleteria". Everyone is throwing fairy tale objects and I can't help but appreciate the cleverness and cuteness. Curds, whey, peas porridge (both hot, cold, and nine days old), baskets of goodies, just right cakes, and more are thrown between the Royals and Rebels.
I love all the special holidays that Ever After High celebrates, such as Yester Day, where the students get to visit former fairy tale characters for advice. Apple visited Old King Cole, The Emperor's New Clothes, and her own mother Snow White on how to be an effective ruler. Apple White is not my favorite character but she is a good friend who listens well. Her kindness towards Humpty Dumpty was noted, especially since she wasn't just using him for his technology skills.
Raven who decided to follow her own destiny on Legacy Day chooses to visit those who went "off-page". She had a brief visit to the Gingerbread Witch who was a loving mother and found a shortcut in her story. She had an escape hatch to her oven and was able to have her daughter, Ginger.
She tells Raven that you shouldn't have to follow your story exactly the way it is written. I love how everything is not black and white, that you have to make your own decision.
Raven also got to visit the scandalous Red Riding Hood who married the Big Bad Wolf and gave birth to kickass Cerise Hood.
It was so interesting to read about one of my favorite fairy tales twisted into a new story. Cerise had to be hidden and didn't fit in with the Hoods nor the Wolfs. She used that to her advantage to placate the feuding rivals by winning the Basket Games in a unique way. Cerise is such an interesting character that I love to read whenever she is mentioned.
The rest of the story is about how Maddie Hatter, daughter of the Mad Hatter and Ever After High's most beloved student, is about to be banished because of a misunderstanding involving the infamous Jabberwocky.
All of the students rally together to prove her innocence by collecting ingredients for an Irrefutable Evidence potion. The day is saved but ends on a cliffhanger. I can't get enough of this adorable series. As Goldilocks would say, these books are just right. (Seriously, you cannot get me to shut up about these characters).
This is book 2 of the Ever After High series. This is a middle grade read and is so very delightful. This was not a planned read for me for this month, but I am so glad that I continued with this story.
Synopsis It's the aftermath of Legacy Day, the day when the students at Ever After High are supposed to pledge to follow in their fairytale parents' footsteps, and everyone is in a huff and a puff! Raven Queen, daughter of the Evil Queen, has refused to sign the Storybook of Legends, rejecting her story--and putting everyone else's in jeopardy.
The Royal Apple White doesn't want to think Raven is being a rebellious pain, but Raven's choice means Apple might never get the poisoned apple, Prince Charming, and a kingdom to rule. Behind Apple stands the Royals, those who want to play by the book and embrace their stories. The Rebels, supporters of Raven, believe in breaking free from destiny and writing their own stories. But when the chaos and rivalry land wonderlandiful Madeline Hatter in trouble, Raven and Apple must bring the Royals and the Rebels together to shut the book on their feud before it threatens to end all of their Happily Ever Afters once and for all.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...Who's the Unfairest of Them All?
I just love the plotlines of these books. This one was even better than the first and I think it is such a great read for middle graders highlighting the importance of making our own choices and what happens because of those choices. I just think that it is brilliantly written where readers, especially middle grade, can grasp the meaning of what is being said. Everything is written with such great imagery that makes the entire story come to life. There are so many great adventures to go on as readers turn each and every page. This would be a make believe place that I would have loved to have escaped to when I was kid.
The characters are amazing, colorful, and so full of life. They are very easy to relate to even though they are deemed 'make believe' both in the story and out of the story. I can see a lot of kids being able to relate to every one of these characters. They are a lot of fun to read about and they make me wanna jump right into the story and be a part of them.
I recommend this book/series to everyone because we all need an escape and a little fun in our lives. If you love all the great children's fairy tales then you will love this series! Chock full of fun and adventure for everyone! I look forward to the final book of this series and maybe even the novellas as well.
Raven Queen, daughter of the Evil Queen of Snow White lore, is in high school at the exclusive Ever After High, where fairy tale creatures both beloved and besmirched, rub elbows and learn their craft and their place in the world. Raven has created quite a stir by rejecting her destiny of taking her mother's place and becoming the next Evil Queen in an endless cycle of repeated fairy tales. She wants her own life, her own way. Which would be fine, except one of her pals at Ever After is Apple White, Snow's daughter, and she WANTS her destiny in tact. So do a lot of the other fairy tale teens. But Raven's not alone in her rebellion. There are others like her, and because of her daring and strength, she has divided her high school. She is part of those considered Rebels. Apple and her destiny-hugging crew are the Royals. Too many lines cross, and too many emotions run wild as all of these teens try to adjust their mind-set and come to terms with what may be because Raven wants her way. Is she really just being evil too? Then, Madeline Hatter is accused of a heinous crime and she is threatened with expulsion. Both Rebels and Royals love their dear Maddy, and they find themselves united in trying to save her and keep her at Ever After High. As Raven and Apple race against time, they pull in both royal and rebel friend to save Maddie, and break more than a few rules in the process. This is a wonderful read-a-loud or read-alone. My daughter loved having her fairy tale world reshaped, and the novel has wide appeal from elementary to middle school because of Shannon Hale's ingenious reshaping of fairy tales, sometimes surprising parentage of the Ever After High students, witty play on words, and references to modern culture, from MirrorPhones to One Reflection. We can't wait for the next installment!
The characters had surprising depth and I liked the main character a lot. I think it's an important lesson for kids in choosing their life instead of being told how to live.
Not as good as the first one. I hope this is one of those halfpipe trilogies where the first one's good, the next drops down, and third one rises up to expectations. There's more content for all you Ever After High fans, including some great backstory for Cerise. The puns continue. The first book revolved around Raven choosing her own destiny and Apple trying to hold her back. The stakes are lower here with Raven trying to save her best friend, Maddie, from banishment. It does raise some good discussion questions about good vs. evil. It's particularly interesting how Raven can use her magic-which is only supposed to be done for evil-while trying to help a friend. But only if she can justify it. Stealing a monster egg to help Maddie? Well, stealing is evil. So it works. Cerise's chapters bring got me thinking about identity, Apple's character developed a little more, the world building's great, and the story ends with a good cliffhanger. I'll pick up the next one. The Unfaireset of Them All has more substance than you'd expect, but it doesn't quite live up to Storybook of Legends.
I love the story in this book! There were twists and mysteries that I didn't think would happen. Apple and Raven are not on very good terms when the first book ended. This book shows the consequences of Raven's actions. There are these cute little chapters where the Narrator and Maddie (daughter of the Mad Hatter) talk. These are funny and kind of quirky! Raven's mother (the Evil Queen) actually makes an appearance in this book and it subtly hints at things mentioned in the first book. They make you think and keep you guessing as to what will happen next. There is also a mystery surrounding the Headmaster, Grimm. You're not exactly sure what his ultimate goals are but you know that he will do anything to preserve his ideals. I can't wait to see what happens next and how the other mysteries play out.
Loved Loved Loved it! Really enjoyed this more than the first. The characters really grow so much in this book since they are not being confined to all their original storybook traits. I wasn't sure how things were going to evolve after Legacy Day went off script. I was really glad to see some interesting turn of events for certain characters. Shannon Hale had such original ideas on how to incorporate other Fairy Tale stories. It turned out Hexcellent! I would truly recommend this to all who appreciate can appreciate a unique take on the Classic Fairy Tales.
It's more 3.5 stars but unfortunately no halfs. I liked this book better in the sense of the character of Apple. She wasn't whiny as much and actually was more likeable. Raven's mother...wow I cant tell when that woman is being sincere to anyone including her own daughter. I like these books/webisodes/ dolls even though I'm a teenager. Sometimes its good to feel young again. These books are good even though they are for "children". If you enjoy fairytales or even retellings of them, this series is good to read.
The book,"The Unfairest Of Them All" by Shannon Hale is a book based on the fairy tales of Grim.I enjoyed this book and liked that it made me feel like I was actually in the story.I could clearly visualize all the characters and plot.I would recommend this book to any girl or boy who likes reading fairy tales and fantasy books.
Aún cuando era una historia para niños, lo disfruté completamente! Creo que incluso tiene unas cuantas lecciones interesantes que se pueden analizar. Lo malo... esperar un año para que la editorial se digne a sacar el tercero. :P
Again, beautiful, beautiful writing by Shannon Hale. This book is (basically) a continuation of the first book, more focused on teamwork. I love, love, loved the concept of Yester Day. Perfection once again.
Escolher um destino predefinido e que garante um Final Feliz ou escolher uma vida sem guião, que garante decisões próprias, batalhas e a construção do próprio futuro e quem sabe um Final Feliz? Neste livro, Apple White e Raven Queen estão em lados contrários nesta batalha, mas vão ter de colocar diferenças de lado para ajudar a louca filha do Chapeleiro Louco, Maddie, que se vê na iminência de ser banida por ter solto um mal maior do País das Maravilhas... mas terá sido ela? Esta é uma história juvenil, fácil de ler, com uma histórias simples mas com as suas complexidades e uma linha condutora bem interessante. No primeiro livro, achei difícil compreender a Apple White, vendo-a como espiã e sabotadora da decisão de Raven Queen em escolher o seu próprio destino. No entanto, apesar desta personagem se manter na sua decisão de escolher o destino no conto da Branca de Neve, comecei a perceber o seu ponto de vista e os seus receios, mas também porque ela teve uma evolução no continuar da história. Raven Queen é, no entanto, a minha protagonista favorita, que não hesita em perseguir um destino que não a coloque como vilã, ao mesmo tempo que combate os seus receios de ter estragado o futuro dos seus amigos. É uma personagem querida se bem que ainda um pouco confusa e baralhada no que há-de fazer. Tem, no entanto, um coração firme e bondoso. Até agora tenho gostado desta série e espero continuar a lê-la. Penso que a autora tem feito um bom trabalho na escrita de uma série juvenil mas ainda assim acessível para todas as idades.
It slapped. I wish Apple would be able to face the idea that life is hard and be willing to work for a happy ending without it being guaranteed for her. And also that she would realize that it’s wrong for her to expect all the children of villains to willingly ruin their lives so that she and others can get their happy endings, especially because some of those villains die in the end. Like I get it’s hard and all to face an uncertain and possibly unsafe future, but my girl really needs a wake up call.
These are not really my kind of books--they are to over-the-top silly for me. Even as a preteen I think I would have had a harder time getting through these.
I did enjoy this one more than the first. I tend to like it the most when the plot focuses on the bigger conspiracy of the storybook world rather than the school, and this book felt like it did that more.
I can see why people enjoy it (it's clever and fun and silly), it's just not for me. But for the sake of completionist, I am going to finish the series.