One True King

The School for Good and Evil #6

by Soman Chainani

Beyond Good and Evil. Beyond Ever Afters.

The fairy tale of Sophie and Agatha comes to a dramatic conclusion in this sixth and final book of Soman Chainani's New York Times bestselling fantasy series

Who will sit on Camelot's throne and rule the Endless Woods? Who will be the One True King? Prepare yourself for the End of Ends . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Romance, Young Adult, Adventure, Fiction, Childrens

624 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2020

About the author

Soman Chainani’s debut series, THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD & EVIL, has sold over 4.5 million copies, been translated into 35 languages across six continents, and has been adapted into a major motion picture from Netflix that debuted at #1 in over 80 countries.

His book of retold fairytales, BEASTS & BEAUTY, also debuted on the New York Times Bestseller List and is slated to be a limited television series from Sony 3000.

EverNever World, his decade-long franchise of fairy tales and fantasy, continues to expand. Together, these books have been on the New York Times Bestseller List for 50 weeks.

In 2026, Soman unveils a brand new universe with YOUNG WORLD, a global political thriller.

In his career, Soman has visited more than 800 schools around the world, where he continues to share his secret with students of all ages: that reading is the path to a better life.

Reviews

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her years at school, Good and Evil played by the rules.
But in the Camelot years? Play by the rules and you die.

It's rare to find a series conclusion that feels as perfect as 'One True King' did. This was a wonderful way to close out one of my all-time favourite series! It's explosive, touching, hilarious, maddeningly stressful yet fulfilling at the same time.

I was amazed at how much information - plot, backstory, character development - was packed into these 500-ish pages. No words were wasted, nor did any scene feel unnecessary!

Tedros had his plan.
But everyone has a plan until they’re kicked in the face.
Then the plan isn’t worth very much, is it?

There were so many twists, cliffhanger chapter endings and edge-of-my-seat moments - OTK was exhilarating and exhausting in the best way. The multiple open plot threads wove together into an intricate web, a complex endgame that blew my mind. Small details in previous books suddenly become significant in new light and I hardly knew what to expect.

Past is Present and Present is Past. The story goes round and round again...Unless you learn from that past.

I'm so proud of how far our protagonists have come from their Book 1 selves. Spending the past five years with them has been a blessing! I'm especially proud and protective of Tedros, the once-King of Camelot and son of Arthur, vying to reclaim and truly earn his throne. We see his deepest vulnerabilities, his growth in wisdom, courage and confidence, yet he retains his classic Tedrosian air of mild confusion.

"Tell me [Tedros]. Why do you want to die and come back to life?”
...He thought about this awhile...“Because if I can die and come back to life, then no one can hurt me.”

I'm not joking when I say I would die for this kid.

Agatha and Sophie also show significant development, Agatha in learning how to cede control and Sophie in finally understanding why she's never felt fulfilled. The personalities of other characters like Hort, Anadil and Reena also become much more fleshed-out. Of course, given the huge collection of characters in this book (actually Books 4-6 as a whole), most attention is given to the major players but there's definitely enough material for spin-offs with minor characters (*looks at Soman hopefully*). The adult characters also play important roles and have nuanced personalities, which is refreshing to see in YA. While pretty much all of them made questionable decisions in the past (that their kids are now ensnared by), the adults really do try to make amends and help their children, both Good and Evil! Speaking of Evil...Japeth is so loathsome.

“Girls have a stink that can’t scrub off. Aric had a good way of describing it. Like a rose gone to rot. I can smell it anywhere. But you...I’m afraid you reek of it worst of all.”

Because that's not creepy at all! Some villains I like or at least respect on some level, but not Japeth. Cheating, gaslighting, scum of the earth.

The aforementioned character development is what makes the romance in this book so convincing. Tedros and Agatha really grow together as a team, especially at the end, and though I have always shipped them, in OTK it feels like their relationship grows deeper and more mature. (Not sexually, I mean... wiser? More understanding of each others' whole selves.)

“If anything happens to me, don’t mourn for me...You’re to go on. You’re to keep fighting. You’re to do what needs to be done. Don’t let what happens to me stop us from getting to The End. I’m with you in life and death.”

^ Me refusing to consider the possibility of a major character death. There were many moments of hysterical laughing in denial!

Two other major, fan-favourite (I think?) ships also bloomed, and I'm so thankful they felt natural and not like fan-service. I won't elaborate too much as I don't want to spoil, but I'm really happy that both parties in Sophie's pairing did a lot of growing before finally getting together. Being comfortable alone and knowing yourself and what you want are important in a relationship! (Speaking as someone with zero experience, hah!) It's oddly fitting that the queer relationships in the Endless Woods are finally being canonically realised during Pride Month. There aren't labels in the Woods (which Soman has purposefully left vague) but it's clear that same-sex relationships are recognised and there was also a brief discussion of gender fluidity! I was particularly happy about Tedros' bisexuality/pansexuality, as it's been fanon since Book 2 and finally, finally we've been validated.

The friendships were also a highlight of this book, especially that between the witches of the Coven.

“You’re my real family, you know,” Dot said softly to her friends. “And I know I’m a part of yours too. Even if you act like I’m not. Even if you two pretend you don’t need me. A coven is three. It has to be three. Because I’d be so lonely without you.”

Oh my heart. Absolute girl gang goals. I also loved the reaffirmation of the Sophie-Agatha friendship, and other characters growing out of earlier childish jealousies. This truly feels like a coming-of-age novel!

In classic SGE style, OTK offers some apt social commentary and general life lessons. The concept about how fate and free will must operate in tandem is particularly insightful - life really does test us and builds us into who we are.

We are all objects of our fate, but our will decides whether we overcome the challenges fate brings us. The Storian only begins our tale. We must end it.

I also loved how it stresses that kingship isn't through blood, the right to govern is earned, and that no leader should reign forever. Owning up to your mistakes rather than seeking to blame or deny, and using your regrets to move forward is another important message.

At some point, people become afraid of life’s mysteries. With age, their lives get smaller and smaller. They judge with their fears instead of their hearts. In your world, not everyone can have a happy ending. The Pen won’t allow it. But in my world, every Man thinks they deserve one. They turn on each other when things go wrong. They try to beat back the hand of fate. And when they can’t...that’s when Evil is born. Real Evil.

Upon finishing this book, I was both happy and heartbroken. Joyous because of what an amazing ending SGE was given, but devastated that this was The End. I suppose the only remedy is a re-read soon...

“The End of Ends...the stories told...What wondrous souls you are.”

[Ruby]

gotta say

if kiko dies im suing
all my ships must sail (hort + sophie..)

things i want:

nicola becomes famous
dot finds love
agatha and sophie go to get mcdonald’s
kiko becomes a queen
kiko gets a boyfriend
kiko saves everyone’s butts
kiko falls out of a tree

what else do i want?

me to stop talking about kiko

[ℜ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh boy. So.

Lots of mixed feelings about this book, as well as this second trilogy as a whole. Essentially it boils down to occasionally nice moments mixed in with mess.

I really have to go into spoilers to get into the meat of my opinions, so from here on out you've been warned, my dears.

So, I was not thrilled with the treatment of Agatha in relation to Tedros and his quest to be king. I haven't been for the entirety of this trilogy, if my previous reviews give any indication. This spurned my desire for Agatha to essentially prove herself as a king instead, and Tedros to get off his decidedly-sexist high-horse and accept that her being by his side means sometimes leading the charge, fighting the battle herself, and him being the support instead - because when she takes charge? Shit more religiously gets done.

Practically every expectation that is put on Agatha to be a proper princess/queen is compromising who she is fundamentally as a person, and I am not a fan. There's a difference between letting someone work through what they need to work through on their own and supporting from the side, and sitting by while they continue to put themselves and others in jeopardy, and quite frankly I was sick of everyone jumping down Agatha's throat when she (in my opinion) is rightly doing the latter when it comes to her thick-headed boyfriend.

The image of Agatha tied up while Tedros faced Japeth all on his own is just how I picture their relationship as a whole now, I can't help it. Sorry. They can be cute all they want, but it's clear to me that they might not be as equal as they say they are.

Speaking of Tedros (ugh), dare I say there was too much of him in this book, and I'm not just saying that as someone who isn't his biggest fan. In the previous two books, we were given so many characters' perspectives, reading about people doing things all over the place! Now the focus, I feel, remains too much on what needs to be done for Tedros and everyone focusing on Tedros. It was that instead of characters focusing on stopping Rhian and Japeth, the Terrible Twins Two: Electric Boogaloo, while also having their own character journies alongside this. It's like, Nicola? Irrelevant. Beatrix, Kiko, and Reena? Reena can have some backstory, but let's sideline the other two except to provide commentary occasionally. The Coven? Give 'em a couple of chapters and confirm Hesterdil. Hort? Even I missed his perspectives; at least it was different. Agatha and Sophie? Their glorious blazes snuffed into the bare flicker of a flame. And Tedros' "development" itself seems to happen in a snap, almost as if by magic... there's no steady development. It's all at once, and I'm not a fan again. Honestly, so was Agatha and Sophie's "development"; out of the three, Sophie's was the best, but that's not saying much. It all felt rushed.

Continuing on with the other characters, I feel like there was so much lost potential with Japeth. Him being an actual complex character was set up pretty well last book, but here he was just a one-note evil villain type. And that's it. Nothing else. Even his relationship with Aric amounted to barely anything. He's just bad and we have to hate and kill him. The scenes where his memories are viewed aren't even about him; they just confirm his and his brother's true origins, SPEAKING OF WHICH...

What? What??? The School Master's sons. The. School. Master's. Sons. The same School Master who rejected Evelyn Sader and her love. I honestly don't know what else to say other than "WHAT?!"

After that reveal, I read with such a decrease in enthusiasm, just waiting for this to be o-ver.

And Chaddick being Tedros' brother and the son of Lady Gremlaine and Arthur? Felt hollow, because Chaddick didn't have much of a significant character beforehand. He was Tedros' bestie and a solid knight, but from what I recall, we didn't fully get to know him as a person before he died because he was never a majorly developed character.

Continuing on with relationships that made me go "WHAT?!", Hort and Sophie is literally one of the most unsavory romances I think I've ever read, with it trying to masquerade as a great love story for the ages but, with their history that's just plain toxic and involving a whole lot of obsession, is just... off. No thank you.

So here's more of a critique of the whole trilogy, something which is really starting to grate on me now: the lack of set-up for so many of the major plot points. In this book, what stood out to me the most were the three tests and their out-of-nowhere significance to Tedros, as well as to King Arthur and Merlin. Honestly even the whole Lion and Snake thing felt out of left field from the start. I can tell that I'm supposed to take everything seriously, but I just can't help but think about the original trilogy, and how NONE OF THIS was brought up or even hinted at. If any of y'all can correct me on this and comment on something that actually was hinted on in the first three books, please hit me up and I'd love to discuss. But for me at the moment, it really drives home the feeling that the second trilogy wasn't originally meant to be, and whether that fact is true or not, it makes it more in your face that it's a possibility from a writing standpoint. Basically there's a feeling of "let's throw things at the wall and see what sticks" rather than a naturally flowing progression from Book 1 to Book 6.

Um... so... positives of One True King!

• Agatha. No matter what nonsense is thrown her way. Point blank period.
• I finally like Sophie; in fact, I wanted to see more of her in this book.
• Agatha and Sophie's friendship is sugary sweet, I've come to adore it. I'm kinda disappointed that it became less of a focal point over time, substituted for more Tedros.
• Merlin. His death really stung, he truly was a champ.
• The Coven.
• Willam/Bogden and Hesterdil.
• The fact that Agatha was technically a king for .2 seconds.
• *through gritted teeth* Tedros'... proposal... was actually... very beautiful...
• The ending felt like things were truly ending.

Seriously, please let this series end now. I truly think it's time to stop. No sequel series about characters' kids or something; it wouldn't even feel the same and feel more like dragging this out simply for nostalgia or profit. I'd really love to read something new from Chainani, because although I have criticized he seems like a really creative guy with a lot of ideas in his noggin.

So I encourage:



My review of Quests for Glory
My review of A Crystal of Time

[Tina Rafii➹ lives in Fandoms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Camelot Years (School for Good and Evil: 4-6): 4.75 Golden Stars

(SGE: 1) the School for Good and Evil- 2) a World without Princes-3) the Last Ever After)

4) Quests for Glory: ★★★/5
5) A Crystal of Time: ★★★★★/5
6) One True King:

5 Golden Stars

97%

2022 TOP 5

the series is finished & left me with a big hole in my heart...
not only that, it's the last book in this world; the world of Good & Evil, fairytales, Evers & Nevers

this series now was more focused on Camelot (obviously!) & like a King Arthur retelling. I love it for that. history repeats itself. along with other fairytales or some totally new fairytale materials, mixed up together to lead on the story.
I love how the world is based on magic, but also had some kind of magic-technology (the fireflies!) & again, the author used some cliches only to broke them & prove it's not that (& we (the readers) are wrong)
& wow, the character developments (I only missed one guy in this book, you know who if you read the previous book) that made things more complicated & the explanation? wow, I would give everything to see that scene between brothers, because... (which is impossible, unless someone writes a fanfic about it)

& it had everything; fun, TWISTS! (lots of twists! until the last moment! omg!) ExCiteMeTtS, TEARS, dread, drama, sadness, darkness, revelations, surprises & love
I laughed at the simple fun (Tee Tee!), I cried at the sudden turn of events, didn't want to believe it, got shocked (or more like got shot!) by the revelations. everything made sense in the end. I appraise the author for keeping that all in mind when he was writing the series. (& I mean both of them; he had planned it all since the beginning)
it was like a roller coaster at stormy night. a surprising action-packed plot, just like the others.
the book of twists & pain!
the last book in this world (for now?) & it's generally middle grade (light & fun & sometimes silly, of course along with complicate matters of life), but it was serious & DARK!

good ending for the book & both series. *wiping my tears* my kids grew up.

I don't know what else to say, the series (Camelot years) might not start brilliantly, but it continues on blowing my mind! I'm sad because it's over & happy because I had great times. I missed them.

book hangover, my old friend!
-
World building: ★★★★/5
Characters: ★★★★★/5
Plot: ★★★★★/5
Written style: ★★★★(★)/5
General idea: ★★★★★/5

[Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

THAT'S IT. THE END.



THANK YOU SOMAN CHAINANI for this series. I did not appreciate the first book as much when I was younger as I did when I was older. And, had I not reread the first book, I would never have traversed through all the kingdoms, stories, and quests that these six books have taken me.

Soman Chainani has crafted a tale of complex and diverse characters that are flawed in every way, but still living how they are meant to. There are so many details in here to keep track of that while the plot twists might come out of nowhere, if you read back, you realize it's been right in front of you this entire time. And yes, the series is flawed, but it has become one of my favorites.

Chainani is also able to weave in deep messages of love, gender, sexuality, conformity, redemption, Evil vs. Good, feminism, etc. in such a beautiful way. So much love within theses books. Agatha mentions how love can come in so many forms and I found that beautiful to add.

The series isn't all happy and it's not all sad, and I love that it is as it is.

"Camelot might be our Ever After," said Agatha. "But this [the School for Good and Evil] is where our fairy tale began."

P.S.

[ellie pasquale · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ April 27th, 2020 ✨

These books have been so formative to me as a reader, writer, and person for so many years, and it’s surreal to realize that the series ends in just a month and a few days. I’ve grown up hand in hand with these characters— I’ve navigated new school hallways with my paperback carefully tucked in my bag, made my first internet friends in forums on the author’s website, and traveled to my first book conventions in New York City and Charleston because of these stories. Over the years, I’ve recognized so many facets of myself in Sophie, Agatha, and Tedros, and I’ve found my own insecurities and conflicts mirrored in their relationships with one another. I’ve taken solace in their beauty and imperfections, appreciating the validation that their duality brought to me during those scary and magical moments that define growing up.

Now, as I graduate high school and prepare to begin college in the fall, it only makes sense that my childhood friends also graduate school and prepare to face the woods ahead of them, but that doesn’t make this release date all feel any less strange. I’m going to miss these kids. <3

✨June 3rd, 2020✨

I finished the book at 1:30 am last night, and oh my god, I sobbed! I genuinely could not have dreamed of a better conclusion to this series, and I feel so grateful to have gotten such a good ending to a story that matters this much to me. The book was beautiful, bittersweet, satisfying, and so, so rewarding.

It’s been a heavy and challenging year for everyone -- I mean, I was supposed to have my graduation ceremony last night. I've been struggling to get myself moving forward again in the absence of normal rituals, but I think this book is what I needed to finally feel ready for whatever comes next. Closing the back cover of One True King felt an awful lot like closing this chapter of my life -- like some sense of closure.

I really owe so much to this story.

✨June 8th, 2020✨

Okay, initial heartache and nostalgia aside, there's so much gold in this book to dig up and appreciate, and I think I'm finally in the right headspace to do so! Yay! I might even take a highlighter and pen to my copy for annotating in a week or two... just no one tell my 13-year-old self, who I can already hear shrieking in the back of my mind "bOOK CRIME!"

SPOILERS AHEAD. CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED. <3

One True King definitely abides by its infamous SGE branding and supplies many wild twists and turns. Even the few events and deaths that I knew absolutely had to happen were written in such a creative and backwards way that when they did unfold, I still found myself surprised. To name one in particular...

M E R L I N

It's no surprise that Merlin is a favorite of mine (you can find me on Instagram as @merlins_celestium), but still, I knew he couldn't survive the ending. That's just the way of middle grade and young adult literature: the main character(s) lose their mentors before or during the final battle. We've seen this happen numerous times before in SGE with Professor Sader, Lady Lesso, Callis, and Professor Dovey, and Agatha even makes a point of it while sitting with Guinevere (who also meets a tragic end, yikes) in One True King by remarking on how cruel her fairytale is to the grown-ups.

And yet, Soman didn't kill off Merlin in the first few chapters, like I had expected him to. Instead, he limited Merlin's ability to aid the protagonists in their tests with the aging spell and kept wizard alive until literally the last line of the book. Not only was this trick smart and admirable, but aging Merlin backwards was one of my favorite parts of the story. It was immensely amusing to watch Agatha and Tedros try to parent (their old teacher, nonetheless), and Merlin's commentary as he grew older added so much to scenes and dialogue. It also made me realize what a terrific mother Agatha would make, which was so lovely to see without any sort of cheesy and overdone epilogue.

This all goes to say that when Merlin eventually did die at the end, I actually found myself surprised! Even though this was the one thing I went into the book expecting would happen, I got so caught up in the story and Merlin's hilarious adventures as a teenager that I completely forgot that his time as an old man was dwindling and that couldn’t, in fact, survive the book. And I don't know if anyone else had this experience, but his death reminded me an awful lot of the end of Les Mis? Whatever truly did me in, I ugly cried for those last two pages. "The work is done?" Damn.

T E D R O S

For me, the more I love something, the harder I find it to explain why. So, this section will be short.

Tedros definitely wasn't my favorite character at the start of the series, but the Camelot Years really fleshed him out and showed us a side to him that had me 100% falling in love. These three books became his coming-of-age saga, and he's grown so much from the insecure and foolish little boy that we first met back in book one -- it warms my heart so much. I am fiercely proud of everything that he has accomplished over the course of all six books, and goddamnit, he deserves that crown. Camelot is lucky to have him as a leader. (He even pulled a f*ucking Jesus in the end! Holy cow! He did that! )

I wish I could give him a hug. :’)

R E L A T I O N S H I P S

Speaking of Tedros, the Tagatha in this novel was TOP NOTCH. These kids have been endgame since book one, but the last few installments to the series really put their relationship through the wringer. All of the bickering and miscommunication has Not been cute. I’m so happy that this book focused so much on them developing trust in their relationship, which was so sorely needed, and I was impressed by how well they grew together as a team. I finally feel confident that they're fit to rule a kingdom. They’ve learned a lot, and it’s so nice to see them happy. Merlin put it perfectly: they really are such wondrous souls. I think they'll make great rulers, and maybe parents, too.

(That was a joke. Please. They can wait. They're, like, 17 or something. Please let them wait.)

Not to mention, we finally got Hophie! I know that this pairing is somewhat controversial among readers, but I've been waiting on their ship to sail for years, so don't you DARE ruin this moment for me. This is the ending that Sophie deserved, that Hort deserved, and that we all deserved. You can’t convince me otherwise. I'm also still so fragile from Hort's near-death experience, so just, don't talk to me for a while. Thank you.

And FINALLY. THE MOMENT THAT WE’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR. Hester and Anadil. That's it. That's the review. I've been dying for confirmation on their relationship ever since all of their ridiculous flirting in the Ever Never Handbook, and I'm thrilled that we finally got it carved in as canon. Their banter in this book was amazing, incredible, show-stopping, marvelous, and had me swooning and giggling on every other page. All the "Ew, like an Ever Boy?" comments killed me, and all I have to say is that I better be invited to the wedding.

S U R P R I S E S

Rafal being revealed as Japeth and Rhian's father hit me like a ton of bricks. Not only was I a) unabashedly shocked and b) horrified for poor Sophie, but also c) I felt absolutely awful for Rhian, who was lied to his entire life. I wish we could have resurrected him, Jesus Christ (pun intended). He really deserved better.

Speaking of characters who deserved better, once the Queen referred to her daughter as Betty, I immediately made the connection to Bettina, and I had a sinking suspicion that things couldn't end well for her. We needed her Mother on our side, and Japeth murdering her daughter was quite effective in doing that. That said, I really wish we had gotten more of her character! She was really only alive for 20 pages before she kicked the bucket, but I still managed to absolutely fall in love with her. So. Who wants to start a Bettina and Rhian Deserved Better Campaign with me? We meet tomorrow at dawn.

I also did NOT expect Chaddick to be the eldest son of King Arthur. Yes, it makes perfect sense in hindsight, and I feel like an absolute fool for not realizing it earlier, but oh my god.

C L O S U R E

Overall, the vibes in this book? Were immaculate. I haven't felt as blissfully immersed in a story as I did while reading this one for maybe years. The writing is just that phenomenal. When I read the last half for the first time on Tuesday night, the events felt so real, it was as if I were actually in the story. I completely forgot I was reading. I don't know when I’ll get to feel that way about a book next, as it’s been so long, but it was amazing while it lasted. These books are actual magic.

I was also pleasantly surprised by how many loose ends were tied up, considering the scope of this series. The few things that were left unanswered felt purposeful and right, and the ending felt perfect. I liked that it still left a dash of mystery in its wake, since what the book chose to focus on and end with felt more powerful.

This isn’t even to mention all the small moments throughout the book that made me pause to smile or cry. Hester responding to Dot's discovery about being Half-Ever with "Nobody's perfect" made me melt. Merlin's flashback to his last time with Tedros in the Ender Forest made me sob. Sophie picking up the piece of cake was so simple, yet so heartfelt! I find it funny that it’s these quiet moments that define as epic of a series as the School for Good and Evil for me, but it’s true -- they really do. These books make the most ambitious and grand fairytales feel magically intimate and personal for its readers. I’m sure Agatha and Sophie would be proud.

[Layla · Rating 4 out of 5]

~A surprising 4.25 stars~

I can't believe this is the finale. This series is finally over! This book is hands down my favorite out of the the Camelot years. The Quest for Glory was underwhelming, and The Crystal of Time dragged. I'm writing this 3 days after I've finished this because it's finals week :( . I've had time to reflect on it and honestly this one was surprisingly good. I expected the same trend of it being not as engaging enough to continue, but I finished this in 4 days, and I was reading like 2 other books at the same time, which compared how long it took me to read the one before, it's great.

I really enjoyed it, and there are so many mysteries solved, and when they were it made so much sense, and everything started to click into place including past hints given that went over my head. The only one that felt abrupt was the mystery of the true heir of Camelot.The hints were there, but the explanation was lackluster. Many ships were also made cannon, including Hophie. I don't know how many times I have to say this, but this relationship is not it. The only thing they both have in common is the fact that they are both insufferable and push away people. Sophie did have character development, where I like her much better than before, but still. Not that I want Hort with Nicola together, because according to my calculations, she's 14, and he's 17 or 18.

I also really like the relationship development with Tedros and Agatha, as they started to trust each other more (even if this development happened too quickly) and bickered a lot less because their banter was staring to get annoying and repetitive. But I don't like how it kind of potrayed Agatha as someone who messes up everything and always tries to take control, when in reality, if it wasn't for her, everyone would have been screwed. Tedros (who has a combination of 2 braincells that he was somehow able to combine and do something smart and useful for once) nor any of the other quest member have any right to criticize or doubt her.

The other thing I didn't like was that this book did that thing where they just kill off every other side character in the last book, that no longer have any use, for the sake of adding tension. But I litterly felt no sympathy for any of the deaths. They left no impact or importance. Except one, that I'm not going to talk about for the sake of spoilers.

I'm sad that this is a wrap on my childhood and the book series I've been following for so many years. I do hope there is a spin off or at least a novella for just The Coven (Hester, Dot of Ani). I know I listed a good amount things I didn't like, but I'm still rating it 4.25, for generousity, nostalgia, and the fact that I enjoyed this more than I expected.

here are the reviews for the books previous:
The School for Good and Evil: ★★★★ .5
A World Without Princes: ★★★★
The Last Ever After: ★★★★
Quest for Glory:★★★★
A Crystal of Time:★★★.5

[Bailey Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

—4.90 ✰ stars

“𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞.”

𝐇𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐚, play ‘softcore by the neighborhood’

Yes I know I probably should have given this five stars but trust me I have good reasons. The amount of pain I felt finishing this book is absolutely indescribable, I did not want this book series to leave my life and I was not ready to let go of all the characters. Every single person that we lost to death along the way will forever be in my mind. Every quote and every work will forever be stored in my heart until I find the ability to not remember anymore. I honestly don’t know how I had the physical strength to finish those last 50 pages, it was giving flashbacks from tbona and the wicked king (iykyk and it should motivate u to read this now). This book felt like a fever dream, just brushing the surface then the last 150 pages came and from there on out I could not breathe or bear to look away, afraid I’d miss something crucial because of how many plot twists were going on.

This series is something I would recommend to literary anyone 11/12+, even if your forty two I recommend this. It’s a great palate cleanser, gives you so many forms of nostalgia, and reminds you of good morals and what it’s like to truly be happy. I would never have guessed I’d read this series, but I kept pushing myself (bc I’m physically unable to DNF a book) and books 4-6 were so worth all the pain I suffered through the first three. The character build up, the relationship strengthening, the plot twists thickening from day one, and it was all connected. Every single mess up, every little flaw in the fairytale, every little game they played. In the end everything was connected and led to one greater story.

Now what I did not like about this book were very few things, but personally a last book in the series should wow me, but it always seems to disappoint. So let’s get on to what I disliked about this book:
✧ so first, the ending was absolutely terrible. Not only did it end really rushed but it concluded horribly. I still am very disappointed about that. (I’ll rant more abt it in the spoilers section)
✧ the beginning of the book was very slow for a 600 page book. Usually I can zoom through those easily, but the first 350 pages of this book were horrendously slow and did not interest me that much. But oh my days the end made up for EVERYTHING, and I means absolutely every single flaw I’ve ever encountered in this series.
✧ there is so many characters in this series and I feel that he did a poor job in this book showing what each of their endings were. I can’t say much or I’ll spoil it, but I’ll rant more abt it in the spoilers section
✧ he made me cry, never have I ever cried in one of his books like I did in this.
Do I like this author? Not really.
Do I like his writing? Eh not my fav but sure
What about the mmc’s he wrote? Yes I loved them, it’s just he’s a man so he can’t write men like women can (iykyk)
What about the fmc? Surprisingly, yes I did. He knows how to write a girlboss and I’ll give him that
✧ I feel like the author could’ve added more pizzazz to the 400 pages I wasn’t very invested in. Maybe it’s because I was reading it late at night, maybe it’s because I was exited to get to the other books I had waiting for me, maybe it’s cause I did not want to finish this series dreading the empty feeling I’d encounter afterwards. Maybe it was just me and not the book at all. But clearly it didn’t have as many plot twists and didn’t have enough spark to make me 1,000% invested.

⚠️𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 ⚠️

🜸 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠:. Ok so basically the whole beginning they were trying to find out the first question to the quest and trying to find Merlin. And don’t get me wrong I was invested in the plot to the green wizard dude but he definitely could’ve added even more to that to have me interested.
🜸 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:. WHAT THE HECK. That’s all I have to say…jkjk. But seriously, the heck dude 😭. Not only did he freaking kill off Guinevere but he KILLED HORT, which had me sobbing like a child at 3am, THEN HE BROUGHT HIM BACK TO LIFE, THEN HE DECIDED TO KILL MERLIN, THEN IT ENDED. Like what. When Hort died I was so very confused what was happening until Sophie was on the phone w Agatha and then bam waterworks. And Merlin’s death? The heck-…I’ll talk more bout it in a minute. But oh my days can we talk about how much Nicolas’s character irritated me. Like girly fr had no point to this series.
🜸 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬: ok starting off with the main ship, Agatha and Tedros. Istg in every single book Agatha and Tedros have a small fight or misunderstanding of Agatha getting in Tedros’ way of being King. But in this book that only happens once and it was beautifully laid out. It was kinda annoying how they kept saying “just trust me” like yeah that should be a given…? And OMG SOPHIE AND HORT, not even lying to you I have shipped them day one. When they gave hints in the last book that they were endgame I SCREAMED, not even lying to you. And yeah that’s all I really have to say tbh. Idk how many people have actually read this so I’m not gonna say much 💀
🜸 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝: WHY JUST WHY DID THEY KILL GUINEVERE I MEAN IT WAS SO BITTERSWEET. And omg I cried so hard when they “killed” Hort, but then they brought him back and I cried happy tears. THEN THEY KILLED MERLIN LIKE NO JUST NO. And they left it on a freaking cliffhanger almost, and it ended abruptly. I am demanding another book asap.

Sorry this part was so short but oh well

⚠️ 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐄𝐍𝐃 ⚠️

This book was so bittersweet, I recommend this to anyone. Literally anyone and everyone. Sorry this was so short, I just didn’t have much to say bc it’s the last book of a series. But I hope it convinced you to read it 🤭

Quotes:
“𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞.” // stop I’m crying
“𝐒𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥” // I felt so bad for Sophie omg
“𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬” // AHHHH STOP IM SCREAMING
“𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐢 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮.“ // WOAHHHH, don’t even talk to me this scene BROKE me omg
“𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐦 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟“ // the banter they had>>>

Songs:
The cut that always bleeds by Conan Gray
“𝐒𝐚𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐰, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐦𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨, 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬.” // Hort to Sophie omg this is definitely his song

All I want by Olivia Rodrigo
“𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐬𝐤? 𝐈𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞?” // Sophie abt her love life lolll

Maneater by Nelly Furtado
“𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐬, 𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐛𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐞.” // Sophie 100%

Seven by Taylor Swift
“𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮.” // UHM HELLO THIS IS SOPHIE LOSING HER MEMORY

Wondering by Olivia Rodrigo
“𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐠𝐨 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭, 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐬, 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭?” // Tedros talking about the coordination for sure

Mastermind by Taylor Swift
“𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐈 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐚𝐰 𝐦𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐦𝐞.” // woah so many people it could be

Mercy by Shawn Mendes
“𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬, 𝐈’𝐦 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐞.” // Hort to Sophie yet again haha

The way I loved you by Taylor Swift
“𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐢 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡.“ // this whole song is Sophie & Hort ong

Thanks so much for reading my review lovelies, love you all, happy reading cuties, muah 💋

Love,
Baileyyy <3

[hadley &#x1f9e1; · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book. This fucking book y’all.

I think I went through every single emotion humanly possible while reading this. Like seriously, make sure you have a box of tissues with you as you read the final words.

I had always seen these books at goodwill, I never really considered them because I thought they were for younger readers and I never read them when I was younger so I just ignored them. It wasn’t until I found out the movie was coming that I decided to pick these up. And boy, I’m so glad I did.

I think this may be my new comfort series (sorry Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, I still love you). But man, these characters. There is so much depth, so much character development in each one. So many different personalities. The moments when the protagonists were all together literally made me so happy I could burst. I loved everything about this book (except maybe not the MC deaths💔)

Ok now, TAGATHA😭😭😩😩
Bro I literally just think about Tedros and Agathas relationship throughout the whole book and MY GOD have they been through it, like damn. They have my freaking heart, I’m literally so happy for them. Although I would have liked to seen the wedding, I’m just so happy they can finally be happy because they are just so perfect and oh my god I just love them so freaking much.


HOPHIEEEE
BRO, since day mf one, Hort has been like my favorite I think but I can’t really choose favorites because they’re all my favorite. Anywayyy, the freaking end of the book when Sophie and Hort had their *moment* I was literally sobbing, like holy fucking shit dude, what I would give to have a Hort. But they’re so sweet and I’m so happy for them and for Sophie oh my goodness I’m so glad she got her happy ending.

Bro literally I can’t contain my love for these characters so I know how bad this review is, but like they are all so FCUKING BAD BRO. Like as in bad bitches, like they could literally slaughter me and I would cry with happiness. So many good scenes in this book. This whole series is entirely worth the read. I loved every single book so much. I know I said this in like every review, but if you have not read these books, THEN READ THEM. I’m so sad it’s over now, but I’m so freaking excited for the movie I’m literally going to go more and more feral every month I have to wait for it to come out 😭😭

[Mina · Rating 5 out of 5]

‌
‌ به شخصه توانایی اینو دارم هرکسی رو که می‌گه این مجموعه رو نمی‌خونم چون بچه‌گانس به قتل برسونم. اممم... چیزه... حالا نمی‌خواستم انقدر‌ خشن شروع کنم اما حقیقت رو باید گفت دیگه نه؟😬
بالاخره بعد از مدت‌ها تونستم سه‌گانه دوم رو هم تموم کنم. انقدر دوجلد آخر نیومدند که دیگه خودم دست به کار شدم و هر دوتا رو زبان اصلی خوندم!
خب از همون قدیما هم می‌گفتم که این مجموعه ایده‌‌ی فوق‌العاده‌ای داره. رنگارنگ، خفن، هیجان‌انگیز و پر از سوپرایز. سومن چینانی از این نویسنده‌هاست که من هربار می‌گم خب دیگه داداش تموم شد دیگه نمی‌تونی منو بیشتر از این هیجان زده کنی دیگه نمی‌تونی بیشتر از این ما رو پیج و تاب بدی که یهو همون موقع یه حرکتی می‌‌زنه که حتی خودشم کرک و پرش می‌ریزه! از هر انگشت این بشر یه سوپرایز می‌ریزه!
باید بگم سه‌گانه دوم به ویژه جلد آخرش کاری با من کرد که فکر کنم روزی چهار ساعت ورزش با من نمی‌کرد. یه پنج شیش کیلو وزن کم کردم از بس که دهن این شخصیت‌های کتاب سرویس شد و خب به دنبالش هم من سرویس شدم. این بندگان خدا به معنای واقعی کلمه برای زندگیشون جنگیدند! یعنی یه جاهایی می‌گفتم نکنه سومن با اینا خصومت شخصی داره؟ بابا لعنتی اینا بچه‌های خودتن رحم کن 😂 اما خب نتیجه این سختی‌ها رو هم بهشون داد... یه وقتایی در سخت‌ترین شرایط یهو یه جمله باحال یا خنده‌دار نوشته که بهت بگه نگران نباش منِ نویسنده هنوز اینجام. بچه‌هام رو به حال خودشون رها نمی‌کنم.💚
جا داره بگم به این کاورهای رنگی رنگی این کتاب و قیافه‌‌ی مظلوم نویسنده نگاه نکنید. اگر این کتاب بیست تا شخصیت داشته باشه نویسنده‌ی عزیزمون چهل‌تاشونو کشت.😑😂یعنی دیگه اصلا وقت نمی‌کرده مرگ حماسی هم بنویسه فقط زرت‌ و زرت هی شخصیت کشته.🤦🏻‍♀️😂
شخصیت‌های این کتاب فوق‌العادن. در سخت‌ترین شرایط ممکن باز هم با تیکه‌های قشنگشون همدیگه رو مستفیض می‌کنند. دارن لب تیغه مرگ قدم می‌زنند اما از تیکه انداختن بهم نمی‌گذرن.😂حالا این که بخش طنز قضیه‌ست. مهم‌تر از این رشد شخصیتی عزیزانمونه. کلی چالش پشت سر می‌ذارند( هم در راه جنگیدن با دشمن اصلیشون و هم درمورد روابط خودشون!) و واقعا سعی می‌کنند از هر کدوم درس بگیرند. درس‌ها و مفاهیمی که حتی برای من مخاطب هم خیلی ارزشمند بودند.🥺💚
می‌دونید منطق این موضوع که یه سری «خوب» و یه سری «شرور» هستند توی این مجموعه خیلی عجیب و جالبه. اولین نکته عجیبش همین که بهترین شخصیت‌ «خوب‌ها» و بدترین شخصیت«بدها» با هم دوست صمیمی هستند.😁 یا مثلا آره شرورهای قصه روحیه‌‌ی شیطانی دارند اما اونا هم به وقتش به خوب‌ها کمک می‌کنند و در مقابل شرور اصلی مقاومت می‌کنند. یه جورایی هر دو گروه قانون‌ها و خط قرمز‌هایی دارند که چقدر باید خوب باشند چقدر باید بد باشند. کلا این موضوع خیلی جای بحث داره.😂
چقدر حرف زدم. آره دیگه اگر هر کدوم از جلد‌های این مجموعه رو خوندید خیلی خوشحال می‌شم نظر شما رو هم بدونم و اگر نخونید امیدوارم بخونید و لذت ببرید.💚

پ.ن. ای‌کاش هی فرت و فرت اشکم سر هر صحنه احساسی در نمی‌اومد.
پ.ن. بعد از چندسال زندگی با این مجموعه چی برای من مونده؟ حس پوچی تموم کردنش! این زندگیه برای خودمون ساختیم؟😂

[mroz_onka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nie mogę uwierzyć, że to już koniec. Zaczęłam czytać tą serię 4 lata temu i strasznie bałam się momentu zakończenia tej wspaniałej historii. Ale najbardziej boli mnie to, że seria jest strasznie niedoceniona i mało popularna, ponieważ porusza bardzo ważne tematy. Dała mi dużo do myślenia, ale też zmieniła mój pogląd na niektóre sprawy. Naprawdę polecam każdemu <3

[Yumiko · Rating 4 out of 5]

MOTHERFREAKIN TEARS


RTC

[fer bañuelos · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5*

Llorando eternamente porque estos personajes me cambiaron la vida <3

Después de 3 largos años he por fin leído este libro. ME SIENTO UN SER HUMANO REALIZADO. Pero wow, no se como no lo hice antes. Nunca dude de Soman Chainani y pues este libro es el claro ejemplo de su habilidad como escritor.

Para no sonar redundante con mis otras reseñas de la serie: increíble, adictivo desde el primer capítulo y demasiado bueno. O sea, este es el GRAN FINAL; yo al menos esperaba cosas grandes y si se me dieron. Ver una historia que amo tanto llegar a su culminación de una manera tan épica es un tipo muy específico de satisfacción que todo el mundo debería tener.

Algunos dirán COMO ES POSIBLE QUE NO TENGA 5 ESTRELLAS. Well, estoy aquí para romper mi silencio. Hay algo en este final que me pareció... vacio (cosa que no me pasó con The Last Ever After cuando leí ese originalmente). Me encanto la trama, me encanto el desarrollo y todo lo demás como ya comenté, pero en cuanto a resolución siento que me faltó un poco más. Se cierra todo y no se deja inconcluso, pero hay un pequeño *uff* que tengo que me deja un poco insatisfecho.

Fuera de eso, lo que puse arriba no es mentira: estos personajes cambiaron mi vida. Agatha, Sophie, Tedros, Hort y todos los demás me dejan un hueco enorme en el corazón, porque no puedo creer que finalmente he terminado su historia. Pero, lo que me recomforta, es que se que los tendré por siempre y que ahi tengo la oportunidad eterna de releerlos cuando quiera, que no dudo lo haga muchas veces durante mi vida.

[The Happy Bookworm · Rating 1 out of 5]

Page 93:
Please, Japeth, win the competition and execute Tedros. Who cares if you're evil, I still prefer you to a sexist piece of cardboard who seems to think he deserves to be king (the fact that he is capable of thought is astonishing, given that I'd need a microscope to find his brain.)

"Having a princess wasn't supposed to be like this, Tedros thought. In all the stories he knew, princes protected their princesses. Princes were in charge and princesses followed. Yes, Agatha was a rebel, which was why he loved her. But sometimes he wished she was less rebel and more princess, even if he felt like an ogre for thinking it."

(Correct way to read sentence: ...even if he was an ogre for thinking it. )

"Boys were boys and girls were girls. (Maybe it would rub off on Agatha, Tedros thought grouchily)."

(*retching noises*)

Dearest, devastatingly boring Tedros,

Your fiance is not a rebel. She participates in the dark art of self expression. If you want something delicate, obedient,and pretty to protect, buy yourself a vase to marry.

Thanks.




Continued ranting:

I really, really, really did not like this book.

These are the things I like:
-gay fortune teller kids
-the coven
-Merlin, at all ages
-the brief moment where we though Tedros was dead

Things that I didn't like:

1.) Sexism!
First of all, the above quotes from the non-spoiler section are revealing enough. Tedros is an idiot and it's never addressed just how much of an idiot he is. He's marrying Agatha, but the Agatha he seems to want isn't Agatha at all.
Second of all, Agatha's "character development". I hate hate hate hate hated it. Plans get messed up, and it's all Agatha's fault because she keeps getting in Tedros' way and not sitting to the side like the pretty princess she's supposed to be.
I beg your pardon Mr. Author, but I absolutely hated that. The moral of the story is that Agatha has to learn her place? Which is behind Tedros? Nope, nope nope, no thank you.
And can I just set that one town where they had the girl/boy divisions on fire please? Thanks.
Also Japeth says girls have a special stink. Thank you Japeth, you stink too because you're a rotten, 2d villian <3

2.) Bland characters!
Tedros has and always will be an annoying cardboard cutout, but I do believe that sometime after the 3rd book he absorbed Agatha's spunk and disposed of it. Agatha was bland, Tedros was bland, most of the random side characters were bland. Mostly Agatha though, she's almost as boring as Tedros now a days.

3.) Convenient plot
Seriously, Anadil's rats can build a boat? And Tedros is magically able to survive being beheaded? (My theory is that there wasn't anything important up there in the first place) Anyone who happens have a bit of Chadick's blood on them can lift Excalibur? Lame lame lame.

4.) Hort
I used to kind of like Hort, but now he falls under the "characters I hope will die" category. He's annoying, and he and Nicola's relationship was so unnecessary. She was basically just a way to get over Sophie, except he never actually gets over Sophie. Nicola's then discarded and set aside once they break up, to the point where the book had me wondering if she died without me noticing or something.
And then Hort and Sophie get together.
Seriously.
After a whole series of Hort being obsessed with her and her not liking her, suddenly he's her true love?
NO
Stay dead next time, Hort.

5.) Everyone dying
I lost track of all the characters that died. Robin, Tink, Merlin, the kid with the lollipop, they all died too quickly for me to even remember their deaths, let alone mourn them. Lollipop kid was also definitly introduced solely for the purpose of dying, which is lame.
Also, adults just can't stay alive in this book, can they? Dovey, Lesso, Lance, Robin, Guinevere, Merlin,
Tink, the Sheriff, the random Dean lady who fell off the cloud....

6.) Too many plot twists
I really do not care who anyone's parents are anymore.
Japeth is Arthur's son
Japeth is also Lady Gremlain's son
Japeth is actually Sader's son with Arthur
Wait, Japeth isn't actually Arthur's son?
Japeth is the Green Knight's son??
Noo, OMG, Japeth is RAFAL'S son :O (wow, this might be exciting if I hadn't already been seeing this coming since Rhian #2's name showed up.)
Chaddick is the actual son of Arthur and Gremlain
Japeth isn't related to Arthur, but is physically in possession of Chaddick's blood so same difference

7.) lack of shirts
is there a particular reason why the guys in these books are incapable of wearing shirts? It seems like half the time Tedros/Hort/Sophie's endless evil love interests show up, they find a way to dispose of their shirts.
For instance, Agatha waked up from wrecking everything, and when she's getting shamed for not being a pretty princess Hort and Tedros are just casually sitting around shirtless.
I'm tempted to reread all the books just to find all the times that they lose their shirts and see how ridiculous the number is.
It's not attractive or whatever its supposed to be, its just weird :\ wear your shirts people

[Audrey Wimer]

I AM SO EXITED FOR THIS BOOK!!! i'm 15 years old but i still will reread this series over and over again, its so freaking good! the plots and the connections to the original stories and the fairy tale development!!!! on point. i'm obsessed with all things fairy tale, i love love love the original classics. i cant wait to see what happens next in this series!!!

[LW · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deserves every star--because this truly was the end of all ends.

This book is EVERYTHING. I laughed. I cried. I screamed. I smiled. I went through every emotion alongside my favorite characters.

They all grew so much--this was the ending they deserve. There were so many epic twists, I couldn't stop reading.

Guys, this is the best of the series. It is one of the best finales I've ever read. I can't even express how impressed I am with this book. I love it with all my heart.

(Also, I am SO glad we finally have confirmation that Tedros is bi. After so many years of speculation, we have an answer!)

(And Hort--oh, Hort. He just made this story shine.)

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Man, to be honest, I expected so much more from this magical series. It had so many twists and turns that kept me hooked, compelling characters that broke the usual stereotypes presented in fairytales, and intricate worldbuilding that really made the book pop out.

But there's a lot of potential that was wasted on this book, which I really wanted to enjoy since it's the last installment of a series that I'm absolutely obsessed with.


WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!!



PLOT:

The pacing of 3/4 of the story was pretty okay for me. The challenges were really exciting, with the unexpected twists in the trials such as how Agatha swallowed the pearl instead of the two boys, the encounter between Tedeos and the genie, the 4 Agathas scene, and more. There's also a lot of girl power throughout it (like how the girls were chosen as the knights of Jaunt Jolie, how Reena handled herself as the princess, etc.)

I LOVED Tagatha in this one too, (of course it's my favorite ship and Agatha's also my favorite character), since they developed more maturity throughout their journey with Agatha learning how to trust Tedros and Tedros becoming less cocky, realizing his flaws and facing his insecurities head-on. Baby Merlin was really cute and funny too! His parts cracked me up. Sophie and Hort's ship was a really good one as well, with Sophie learning how to open her heart more and Hort always being there for her even if she didn't realize how much he cared for her. Though I hated how there were so many deaths in the book. I really wanted to sympathize with their deaths, I really do, but the emotions were kind off knocked out of me because there were too many deaths too count. The only one that really hit me was perhaps Guinevere's. Betty's death felt so rushed, since she was just introduced early on in the book and got killed just a few chapters later.

What really disappointed me was the end part.

I hated how Hort "died" that easily from saving Sophie from the carriage because come on, after all those "I love Sophie, she's my soulmate, blablabla," and how Sophie realizes that her heart is opening up to Hort, I really think he should've had a better "death" scene. Sure I teared up a bit, but it didn't really work out for me entirely. Especially with their ship going on ever since Book 1.

The last trial was really underwhelming for me. That last-minute twist of young Tedros wishing to be revived from death didn't resonate with me, since it seemed shoved between the plot just to give Tedros a reason to live. I expected the last challenge to really prove that Tedros was a deserving king, not just through his long speech but more through his actions. Maybe deep inside I wanted a bigger fight or challenge, one that didn't just expose Japeth, pull out the sword and just kill him. Plus we didn't even fully know what happened to Japeth after that, how Tedros reclaimed the other kingdoms' trust again, and the overall aftermath. We just skipped to Tedros and Agatha's wedding, with that abrupt revelation that Hort was still alive, and then Merlin's death as well. All of this felt very rushed, and it saddened me since I wanted to read about how Sophie realizes what made her happy all along (like an ending that emulated the same feeling as Book 3, even if she did end up with Hort or not), and Agatha walking down the aisle with a wedding that would really radiate the spirit of her and Tedros' love and everything they went through. I wanted it to seal their wonderful story and to see all the other characters like the coven, the teachers, and the other fourth years, all come together for an epic ending. I'm disappointed to see the story I really invested in becoming rushed and feeling incomplete.

But the School for Good and Evil has gripped me for so many years, and the characters will have a special place in my heart always. Just wished that we could've gotten a better farewell to such a good series.

[Anna Melomed · Rating 5 out of 5]

WAHHHHHH this is so sad and good at the same time ;-;.

[G Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed the series as a bit of light fluff. I must confess that somehow I missed #5 in the series skipping right from book #4 to 6, but don't think I really missed too much that I couldn't pick up on the story., Though I am sure there is a lot explained in book #5 that would have answered some of the questions I had when I begun #6, it's not so importanat to me to learn what I missed to go back and read it now. The series wasn't THAT good in my opinion.
Of course from the beginning, you could pretty well predict the ending, after all it WAS supposed to be a fairy tale complete w/ the "happily ever after". So if you were looking for any major diversions or some dark twist at the end, you will be sadly disappointed. If you are desirous of some light entertainment that does not engage your mind very much, where everything turns out to be butterflies, (blue ones of course) and unicorns, (sans unicorns, no unicorns in this series, sorry), you are in the right place. This is a nice escape and I believe is geared more for middle school age children, but can be enjoyed by any age who just wants some light entertainment and a simple diversion. If you are looking for some deep hidden wisdom in these pages you will be sorely disappointed, this is not a series for you. But if you want an entertaining escape, I would recommend it.
Now for the parts that I found wanting. To begin w/: Tedros. He was a whiney little arrogant weenie throughout. Agatha was way too good for him, and actually so was Sophie for that matter. They should have kicked him to the curb and Sophie and Agatha could have had their "happily ever after" together without his whiney arse. Some will of course disagree w/ me on this which is okay, you have a right to your opinion. To me Tedros was just an insecure jerk and when he finally got an epiphany, it was a bit contrived. This whole entire series showed Agatha to be the true hero and Sophie was her devoted sidekick. Tedros was just an anchor weighing down Agatha and preventing her from achieving her full potential.
Another thing that I found difficult and it may only be due to my weak mind, but I had difficulty with keeping all the characters straight. Characters would float in and out and I could not remember if they were an Evil or a Good or a Never or an Ever, or who they were related to. It got very complicated. A list of characters at the beginning or the end of the book would have been a very helpful resource. If you are just beginning this series, I may suggest taking notes as to who the characters you are introduced to so you can keep them straight. Hint, Sophie and Agatha are the main characters throughout. :)
What I liked: I really enjoyed Agatha and Sophie's relationship. Also how they both grew and became more than what they originally believed. Agatha was quite clever, strategizing, relying on her wits, she was very independent, strong and self-reliant, (qualities Tedros was lacking and could use). Sophie, you just have to love her. She appears so shallow but underneath there are some very deep and strong currents. She is a lot more complicated than what is originally perceived and shows strengths all her own. Their friendship and reliance on each other was a testament and showed a strong loyalty. Speaking of loyalty they did get a lot of support from their friends, even when it was extremely dangerous and not necessarily in the best interests of themselves. I also really enjoyed the three witches. The one w/ the "chocolate touch" was a bit over the top and would have been better served w/ a different power, but overall they were a lot of fun throughout the series.
So in conclusion it was an enjoyable read, but not sure I would care to revisit the School, nor see how Agatha and Sophie ended up beyond the end of the 6th book. It was afun ride but now that it is over, I don't care to ride it again.

[Sara Saif · Rating 3 out of 5]

The End of Ends...Right up until a third trilogy comes out, amirite?

What a hopelessly convoluted story! I couldn't keep anything straight. I've always had trouble pinpointing what exactly I find off about these books. They're absurd and funny on many levels, each getting progressively less so with each book. But, it just never loses the silliness I guess. It used to be amusing, with the last three books it was just confusing.

The plot is all over the place. The many tracks and diversions and subplots at once complicated and crazy. A small example of this I can come up with right now is the Cave of Wishes part. Specifically, the genie telling who his true love was, and that too to the same person's beloved. What in the name of bananas was that? It was so obviously randomly cooked up and it made no sense.

There are numerous small things similarly random and nonsensical in this trilogy, and the last book is just when my patience ran out.

The back and forth in this series is an astounding level of stupid. You think things have progressed, people have developed, but they revert back to how they were before in the next instant and on and on it goes. Hort and Sophie, for example. What I wished for happened but it happened like this:

And so did everything else. Tedros's journey to becoming the One True King was tedious and infuriating to say the least. I thought I wanted this series but I thought wrong. The End.

[Garg · Rating 4 out of 5]

PreRead:

My hopes and dreams for this book (CAUTION: THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES)

1: Sophie finds happiness (probably through love though not with Hort cause they don’t seem like a good couple)
2: Hort find love and gets over Sophie (he can’t commit to Nicola because of Sophie)
3: Agatha dumps Tedros (or their relationship matures it just needs some work before I can really ship it)
4: Agatha gives Sophie the love that Sophie deserves (not only the sisterly love but the love of best friends neither of which she has ever given Sophie enough of)
5: Kiko, Beatrix, Anadil, and Dot find love (not necessarily with each other but I think Beatrix and Anadil could work. Maybe?)
6: Rafal comes back to be Sophie’s true love, also character development... but mainly for her (this is more an idea of a possible thing than a real hope, it just seems like an intriguing idea)
7-infinity: See number one

I do hope for more character based things because he always throws me for a loop, so I’m too nervous to even try to guess what will happen plot wise. In reality, all of these things might not happen and I can still be happy with the book... as long as Sophie gets what she deserves. GO SOPHIE! And Agatha really needs to dump Tedros and Tedros needs to hand over his kingdom to a better king (Agatha, Sophie, a parliament, or other... almost anyone but him unless he and the relationship matures).

Title:

The one true king. I mean, it’s probably Tedros especially with the ending of the last book and the last ring. But... he’s not really worthy yet? So idk.

Cover:

I don’t like it (though the swan crowns are cool). Sophie and Agatha’s hair is so weird and shiny instead of the flatter and more cartooned look of the others. And is it just me or is their skin green? And even if this is an attempt to make them look “older”, A Crystal of Time had the characters around the same age, and they looked the same as the other covers.
It wouldn’t be that bad if it wasn’t so inconsistent with the styles of the other book covers. Where did my precious girls go?
Honestly though, Sophie and Agatha just look WEIRD on the cover. I respect if you like it, but I just don’t. Maybe I could like it if it wasn’t so different from the others. I just think that the girls should look like the same people across all of the covers

After reading (with spoilers)

I did not see any of that coming. Hort and Sophie were actually cute together, they both grew a lot. Similarly with Tedros and Agatha, their relationship really blossomed. Still not a fan if the cover, but I really liked the book. I didn’t see Chaddick coming or Uma’s importance and I define my didn’t see merlin’s huge importance and death. My favorite scene is probably the one where Agatha and Sophie get to be king. A question I have: who’s the new school master?

[hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

i was going to write a very long review about this but have kind of run out of energy, so i'll do my best.

so, the school for good and evil was my favourite series when i was 11, and obviously since being 11 my reading tastes have changed a LOT (as you would expect 😂). i think i have also become a lot more critical in my opinions of books, and that means as i have got older and i have continued with this series, i have noticed some things that i didn't like too much.

i just felt, that in a lot of places, the author included quite a few lines and ideas that seemed to perpetuate toxic masculinity and possessiveness within relationships. for example: '"may i ask why you couldn't keep your wife?" said the knight.' this statement gives the impression that a person's wife is their possession, and this way of objectifying women is never addressed in the book. this sort of thing happens in quite a few other places, and it's never stated in the book that objectifying women is wrong. since the author included so much of this, i would have expected that somewhere in the book it's mentioned how wrong this is?

tedros (hah my autocorrect just tried to change this to testosterone,,, fitting) and agatha are constantly possessive of each other throughout the book and in their chapters the other is always referred to as 'his princess' or 'her prince'. this would be fine if it only happened once or twice, but this possessive language is used every few sentences, which suggests to me that the characters view their partners more as belongings than equals.

there is also the constant reinforcement of gender roles throughout the book, as the test is always viewed as only tedros', and when agatha gets involved he gets angry at her, and almost suggests that he would be happier if agatha just assumed the role of a stereotypical princess: just to sit around and look pretty. i also just get sexist and misogynist vibes from tedros, but who's surprised 🙄?

however, on a slightly more positive note, i feel that soman chainani did try to be slightly more inclusive, which is good (there were a few LGBTQ+ relationships eluded to, but the rep still could have been better).

just a quick note on the plot, since i don't think i've really discussed that yet - i thought it was pretty slow at the beginning, but did pick up a bit towards the end and i enjoyed the conclusion!

[liv · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was a little sad and disappointed quite honestly. At the beginning of the series, Agatha was a strong independent character, but as we reached book 6 she turned into less of a leader for Tedros to shine(Ironically made his character more bearable). I also really hated how we got less Sophie chapters and that basically, Agatha didn’t want her to live in Camelot with them, and to make Agatha look like less of a dick Soman our dear author decides to randomly bring Hort back to Sophie... now don't get me wrong that's great but um if Yuba knew he wasn't dead she could have told Sophie instead of making her suffer. Anyways I just thought Sophie deserved a lot better in this book. it came to the point that I just rather have a sad ending, where she realizes shes not supposed to have love and walks into the ocean and disappears like a myth. Or becomes queen of something. I just thought Soman was a bit unfair handing out endings. Tedros wasn’t as bad in this book which was a nice change. Some of the deaths seemed pointless like when you kill off so many people that it just loses its dramatic effect. This book would have been a lot better if only (Robin, Guinevere, and Hort) died. The Nicola rebound thing was also stupid Soman a kpop star? hophie wasn't that cute either.
Lastly, the ending seemed rushed and only Agatha and Tedros got a clear ending.

[Filipa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seriously can't believe I have finally finished this series.
My heart is already longing for this world and characters.

Buddy read with my sister in 2 days - gobbling down what was to come as quickly as our eyes, minds and hearts would take it.

Soman is a master at storytelling and I'm going to miss Agatha and Sophie and all their shenanigans so very much.

[aLirEza nEjaTi]

یکم طولانی و کسل‌کننده بود، نه؟

[KatjaReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mind is still spinning! What an amazing world, an amazing adventure! Since book 1, I've always been pulled in from the very first page. And the plot twists! Just when I think I got it or there can't be anymore-Surprise!! My heart aches with Tedros and Agatha as they learn the real truth about Arthur's other son. And the soul ripping character deaths! I should be used to it and expect it with this series, but somehow I just couldn't. What I really love about this book and the series is the character growth of Tedros ♥️ Agatha; plus, Sofie. But especially Tedros who I realized in book 2 was really a tragic character damaged by those who were supposed to love him. I enjoyed watching his transformation from an immature distrustful scared boy into a self confident, good man and a good king worthy of Agatha.

It's with regret I can only give 4 stars due to the very last chapter (at the very end of it), which focuses on Merlin. This entire series is the story of Agatha and Sofie, Agatha and Tedros and Sofie and Hort. Although beloved by all and one of my favorite characters, this is not Merlin's story. I loved the touching final scene of them surrounding a dying Merlin, "The work is done," however, the series should NOT stop on Merlin. Literally! The story came to an immediate "stop" instead of an "end," which is something all authors must avoid. In the final moment, the story did not feel over because it was missing a chapter. One more chapter, even a short one, should have been written with a saddened, but determined Agatha and Tedros going forth with their wedding. They say "I do," and seal their love with a kiss in front of their friends, which officially declares their Happily Ever After. Since this is...you know...a fairy tale.

I'm so happy Sofie found her prince even if he wasn't what she was expecting. And honestly? Me neither! I remember first meeting Hort and thinking like Sofie, Eewww! NO WAY!! GROSS!! Then Book 3 happened, but I wasn't sure if Hort and Sofie would or could make it. Yet, they did make it! After everything they've been through they matured and are finally together and it's beautiful. Too bad Chainani didn't write one more chapter of the actual Tedros and Agatha wedding because then all the Sofie/Hort fans like myself could've had another chance to see them holding each other. Just as the wish fish showed Hort back in Book 3.😉

[Shawne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a completist so have now made it through all six books in Soman Chainani's fantasy fairy-tale series. I... guess I'm glad I read this book just so I can see how it all ends, but boy. It was rough to get through this (supposedly) final installment.

Chainani's belaboured plotting is on full display here - the backstory twisting in and out of itself with such abandon that you'll find yourself quite puzzled by the number of times the narrative rewrites itself to fit the capricious demands of its author. (Some might find this brilliantly meta in a book all about a magic Pen controlling the fates of the characters it writes about, but I found it more annoying than not.)

The final act of the book, in particular, occasionally feels like Chainani just writing whatever the heck he wants whenever he wants (see: the Sugar Queen), even as his basic plot keeps unravelling to reveal more twists that barely make sense. Arthur's romantic tribulations are truly a sight to behold (Guinevere and Gremlaine and Sader, oh my!), and feel almost nonsensical in the way they unfold - Chainani simply creating wrinkles that weren't there before to fit the purposes of his heavily re-engineered plot as he excruciatingly expands his series into a second trilogy.

That's not to say there weren't things to enjoy. There were some really good moments and insights - I liked how this book handled Merlin as a character; his final appearance in it actually elicited a genuine emotional response from me. Some of the many MANY twists were good - chiefly to do with Tedros' growth and maturity - which allow him to become the King he was not equipped to be at the start of the series.

In these moments, Chainani succeeds almost in spite of himself, his bloated plotting sometimes giving way to moments of quite lovely clarity and insight for his characters and their relationships with one another.

Last, but certainly not least - Chainani sorely needed an editor to hurry things along, and also to shape everything into something more coherent. Still can't get used to his unusual verb usage, even after six increasingly long books.

[Belles Middle Grade Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up late last night & finished it. This is literally the best book I have ever read. This is just yet another testament to this author, that not only has each book been AMAZING, but he was able to make the last book, the 6th in the series, the best 1. That isn’t an easy task, & isn’t always done well w/many books. I can’t say hardly anything about this book w/o spoiling. But the way everything was paced, timed....everything was perfect. All the twists & turns that I never saw coming or expected...How everything in the past books all came together in this book & fit perfectly. This man is a genius. To come up w/ ALL of this ....I’m speechless. I’m about to cry again🤦🏻‍♀️Soman said to read this 1 slow so we could absorb it all, & everything. I didn’t. Lol it’s his fault!! He wrote a book I literally could not put down!😆 but I will probably reread this 1 right away since I just reread the other 5.🤷🏻‍♀️☺️I’m so sad this is over. These books have meant so much to me. I’m not a young reader, but I NEEDED these books & enjoyed them just as much if not more. Thank you Soman. PLEASE don’t wait too long before giving us new worlds & new characters to love from you. We will need them. Thank you for bringing Sophie, Aggie, Tedros, Hort, the witches & all of them into my life. I’ll treasure them & love them always. Thanks to Iacopo Bruno once again for another stunning cover & illustrations.💜💜 READ THESE YALL!!!!!

Synopsis of 1st book in series: The first kidnappings happened two hundred years before. Some years it was two boys taken, some years two girls, sometimes one of each. But if at first the choices seemed random, soon the pattern became clear. One was always beautiful and good, the child every parent wanted as their own. The other was homely and odd, an outcast from birth. An opposing pair, plucked from youth and spirited away.

This year, best friends Sophie and Agatha are about to discover where all the lost children go: the fabled School for Good & Evil, where ordinary boys and girls are trained to be fairy tale heroes and villains. As the most beautiful girl in Gavaldon, Sophie has dreamed of being kidnapped into an enchanted world her whole life. With her pink dresses, glass slippers, and devotion to good deeds, she knows she’ll earn top marks at the School for Good and graduate a storybook princess. Meanwhile Agatha, with her shapeless black frocks, wicked pet cat, and dislike of nearly everyone, seems a natural fit for the School for Evil.

But when the two girls are swept into the Endless Woods, they find their fortunes reversed—Sophie’s dumped in the School for Evil to take Uglification, Death Curses, and Henchmen Training, while Agatha finds herself in the School For Good, thrust amongst handsome princes and fair maidens for classes in Princess Etiquette and Animal Communication.. But what if the mistake is actually the first clue to discovering who Sophie and Agatha really are…?

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
In all honesty, my first thought after just finishing this that I feel betrayed. I'll be honest, I'm just going to pretend that the last three books don't exist and that I didn't read them. Would I read anything else written in this world in the future? Probably yes but I stick with what I've said.

Here's why I feel this way:
1) A lot of the plot points in the last book seem so convenient. My problem with this is that I don't feel like everything ties back into the original trilogy very well.

One example is Arthur's 'true' heir...umm...Okay but that was a pretty bland and undeveloped character about whom we know pretty much nothing but fine. Would it be more interesting if he'd been alive and the one fighting Tedros...100% yes. Similarly, it was interesting when Japeth was Arthur's son. Good people can give birth to bad people and it could be vice versa. Japeth was actually interesting in book 5 but this wasn't the case in here. He was so cliche bad that it hurt.

Here's a sentence about Andail and Hester being a relationship. Ummm....since when? Why am I being told this and not shown? How and when did they start dating? I feel like I'm losing context for this.

Maybe this because, it's been a while since I last read the books or maybe it's the nostalgia of the first trilogy but I just don't think that the plot links back into the original trilogy very well.

2) The characters- I'm not a huge of Tedros in this trilogy which is ironic because it's meant to be his trilogy. I remember liking him in the original trilogy but in the Camelot years it just feels like all he does is whine. He's just not very interesting in my opinion. I love Agatha and Sophie and I wanted a bigger focus on them so I'm complaining about the way Tedros is presented because he felt annoying and I didn't connect to him a lot.

But! There were some great Sophie moments in this that I loved. Sophie might be my favourite character.

4) The ending- I don't like the ship Hort x Sophie. I liked the fact that Sophie's happy ending was her realising she didn't need a prince but herself. I like Hort but I don't like him with Sophie as a couple and I just didn't like that convenient happy ending for them. In fact, I was so disconnected to the story by the end that I didn't care about Merlin's death. Merlin's death! That just proves how disconnected I was. I love Merlin and I didn't care.

So overall, it didn't feel like the end of ends for this series and I'm going to pretend the last three books never happened. I liked parts of it but disliked large chunks of it and hence my rating of 2.5 stars feels perfect. I would someday like to reread the whole series to see if my opinion changes but for now...I'm sticking with up to book 3 and forgetting I ever read the second trilogy. Despite all this, I'm intrigued to see what Chainani comes up with next.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

i read this book in 1 day so i could finally finish this fucking series (i will not read the prequels) so here are my spoiler thoughts on the last 6 books:

- tedros is 16 when he’s crowned king, right? and that happens when he’s a fourth year student or a third year student who is almost done with the year, and i’m assuming that school years work the same as in real life… so does that mean the characters were 12/13 in the first book? so when rafal originally said sophie was his true love she was like 12? has nobody else thought about this because it’s been haunting me
- the first three books were genuinely so cringe in a way the last three couldn’t replicate
- book 2 misandry plot was INSANE. like all of the boys were “oppressed” and called themselves slaves and the women were trying to kill all the men like what
- i was on the women’s side tho
- tedros kissing sophie when he thought she was a boy gets brushed over so hard like
- HES SO GAY I CANT
- him denying it at first
- and then later is like “okay so what if i did that”
- speaking of tedros and sophie they are so toxic
- the way tedros admits to HIS FIANCÉ that he can’t be around sophie because he’ll either kiss or kill her
- ????
- he wants sophie so bad 😭
- you will never make me believe tedros loves agatha im sorry
- also agatha going from mean girlboss to kind hearted soul was so…
- stop taking away my bitchy girl representation
- not a single character of substance died until #THAT death and it turned out to not even be real
- speaking of death
- the sixth book fucking skips over the climactic final scene
- im not joking
- the epic battle that the last three books were all culminating toward
- IT IS A FADE TO BLACK SCENE
- WE LITERALLY DONT GET A FINAL BATTLE. WE GET TESROS TAKING OUT THE SWORD AND FACING THE VILLAIN BUT THEY DONT FIGHT. IT IMMEDIATELY CUTS TO THE FUTURE WHEN THE VILLAIN IS NEVER MENTIONED AGAIN???
- holy shit that was an awful ending
- the entire arthur bloodline plot twists made no sense like i was snoozing
- these books are so shit
- i cant rate them lower than 2 stars tho because i had fun ngl