Tools for this page
Print

Fairy Tale

(2009, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by Cyn Balog)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Occasionally amusing but flat supernatural romance.

Themes in this book include:   dating/crushes, friendship, growing up, loss, materialism

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Some unheathy views of love. Morgan can't imagine life without her boyfriend. Pip, who loves Morgan, will do anything she asks without question, even if it will ruin his life. Emphasis on physical attractiveness, with little sense any other reasons for the love.

  • Role models:

    The author presents a very superficial view of love, very much tied to appearance. Much discussion of how handsome and muscular Morgan's boyfriend is and, though she says she will continue to love him as he loses that appearance, in fact she starts falling in love with Pip as he gets handsomer and more muscular.

  • Violence:

    A boy is pummeled, kicked, and strangled almost to death. He also has scars, presumably from whipping.

  • Sex:

    A character is presumed to be gay. There's some kissing, mildly erotic dreams, references to porn sites, thinking about sex, fornicating, a hickey.

  • Language:

    "Ass,"  "hell," "bitch," "damn" all used infrequently.

  • Consumerism:

    A whole department store of commercial references: candy, car, clothing, shoe, skin care, electronics, snack, cereal, pain reliever, hair care, cookie, ice cream, fast food, soda, clothing store, perfume, frozen food, video game, orange juice, coffee machine, breakfast food, supermarket brands all mentioned, mostly approvingly.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    References to crack, meth, drinking into a stupor.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Fairy Tale

Parents need to know that the author seems unable to mention an object, food, or place without attaching a brand name to it, which, of course, will date this book very quickly. There's also some mild swearing, violence, and sexual references.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the current popularity of supernatural teen romance. Why do you think this genre has become so popular recently? What about it appeals to you? 
  • What is the appeal of fairies, vampires, werewolves? Do you wish you knew one? Were one? Do you think they exist? Why are creatures that in the past were portrayed as monsters now seen as attractive, even sexy?
  • Why do you think there are so many products mentioned in this book?
  • What do you think of the way love is portrayed here? Do Morgan and Cam have a real connection? What about Morgan and Pip? Morgan repeatedly says she can't imagine life without Cam -- is that a healthy love?
  • What do you think of the way Pip acts. Is he selfless or a pushover?
Tools and tips that can help

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you read it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Fairy Tale?

  •  I think this book is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Age 9+
    Where the Wild Things Are

    Where the Wild Things Are

    Sometimes-dark adaptation focuses on friendship, loneliness.

  • Tech Tip

    How to help them think more ... and want less.Making the Sale

    How to help them think more ... and want less.

  • Book of the Week

    Age 15+
    Lips Touch Three Times

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Wildly inventive, wonderful fairy tales for mature teens.

  • Member Buzz

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Is it easier for parents to communicate with their kids via text?

  • Game of the Week

    Age 8+
    LEGO Rock Band

    LEGO Rock Band

    Simplified, no-fail Rock Band with a whimsical story.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.