Skip to main content

The Land of Stories: The Enchantress Returns

Brief synopsis (no spoilers)
Alex and Conner Bailey have not been back to the magical Land of Stories since their adventures in The Wishing Spell ended. But one night, they learn the famed Enchantress has kidnapped their mother!

Against the will of their grandmother, the twins must find their own way into the Land of Stories to rescue their mother and save the fairy tale world from the greatest threat it's ever faced.

Category: Children/Early Teen 

Why I chose this book - Fairy tales are some of my favorite stories and I enjoy modern retellings and spin-offs.

My personal opinion (the review)

Things I enjoyed:
Now that the basic story has been set up in the first book, this second book has more ability to expand both in learning more about The Land of Stories itself, the people who live there, and about the heroine and hero, Alex and Conner, as well.

Just like in the first book we are able to follow Conner and Alex on their journey to collect items to create a magic item, but this time instead of collecting items from beloved Princess characters they collect items from the most hated storybook characters. Through this quest we are able to meet some storybook characters not previously mentioned and find out about who truly is evil and who is not.

This story also had quite the surprise ending that caught me off guard, though I think it fits in well with the story.  

Warnings (language, violence, "adult" situations, death, etc.) - None. 

Movie rating equivalent - PG

Protagonist description - Because Alex and Conner have been to the Land of Stories before (and because of their purpose for being there) they are able to take on more of a leadership, rather than a passive, role in this book. They are also able to diverge more and take separate paths rather than being connected and seen as one unit at all times. 

Point of view of story - Third Person

Book length- About a week.

Story flow -The continuity was good, no slow spots. 

Grammar and spelling issues - No

Character connection (no spoilers) - None. 

For series:
Independent or integral (stand-alone or back story dependent) 
Back story dependent.  

Series review as a whole
I have really enjoyed this series. You get to know what happens to your favorite princes and princesses after their individual stories have ended. Some of the events and people are a bit far fetched, but a do feel the author has done a good job weaving the characters together. Overall both the modern day kids and the storybook characters are quite believable.  

If you only have time for one, read: (which one) 
The Land of Stories - because it's the first one and gives all the background and introductory information. However, so far I have enjoyed the story of  the second book, The Enchantress Returns, best. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Happily Ever After Kiera Cass

Brief synopsis (no spoilers): Short novellas and after stories from the perspective of other main characters from The Selection Series. Includes: -The Prince (with the two bonus chapters), Maxon’s novella -The Guard, Aspen’s novella -The Queen, Amberly’s novella -The Favorite, Marlee’s novella -Three scenes from Celeste’s POV -Lucy’s scene (bonus scene from The One) -The bonus epilogue -Where are they now? Category: YA Why I chose this book: Selection of novellas filling in gaps in The Selection series.  My personal opinion (the review): Of the entire series this was by far and away my favorite. I loved getting to hear parts of the stories from other perspectives. There was also additional details not found in the original story. All my questions or things I wondered about where answered through these stories.  Warnings Language: None  Violence: None "Adult" situations: As with the other novels, a few scenes with more description than I would have liked. ...

Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson

Summary: Every book needs you to turn the pages. But not every book needs you to tap it, shake it, jiggle it, or even blow it a kiss. Innovative and timeless, Tap the Magic Tree asks you to help one lonely tree change with the seasons. It begins with a bare brown tree. But tap that tree, turn the page, and one bright green leaf has sprouted! Tap again—one, two, three, four—and four more leaves have grown on the next page. Pat, clap, wiggle, jiggle, and see blossoms bloom, apples grow, and the leaves swirl away with the autumn breeze. (Amazon) Attention Span/reading level: Perfect for my three year old. I would say that ages 2-10 would really enjoy something like this. It really keeps kids engaged and makes them feel like part of the story. There is one word to one sentence per page. Good uses for book in teaching: Interaction, that the reader takes part in making the story, what a tree can do (leaves, blossoms, fruit) Favorite part:      Child: The fact that ...

Blackbird by Anna Carey

Brief synopsis (no spoilers): A girl wakes up in LA, beside a train track, with a backpack and no memory. There's money in the backpack, a map, and some other supplies. But she has no idea who she is, what her history includes, or where she's going. One thing is for sure- people are trying to kill her. Category : Fiction Why I chose this book : Sale on Amazon My personal opinion : No, thanks. The storytelling was captivating, and the premise was intriguing, but the violence and the sex scenes were too much. I do not recommend it to anyone. Warnings Language: Infrequent, but strong (f-words) Violence: Yes, frequent "Adult" situations: Yes, two scenes Death: Yes, common Movie rating equivalent : R, for violence and sexual situations Protagonist description : "Sunny" (a name she chooses, since she doesn't know hers) is stronger than she looks, and stronger than she feels. She grows in her confidence Point of view of story : Second and third person, chang...