Common Sense Media Review
By Darienne Stewart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Action picks up in fairy tale fantasy sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Rory has settled in happily at Ever After School, which finds and trains Characters for their roles in real fairy tales and quests, like battling trolls and griffins. Rory, used to notoriety as the daughter of Hollywood royalty, already has a reputation in the fairy tale world for a mysterious Destiny that remains secret to her. Rory arrives at Ever After School for what should be a fantastic vacation week with her friends, Lena and Chase. But the Snow Queen carries out a terrible attack that threatens the lives of nearly everyone at school. To save the school, Rory and her friends have just seven days to find and retrieve the Water of Life from Atlantis, teeming with hostile creatures.
Is It Any Good?
Author Shelby Bach introduces an abundance of plot twists and new creatures the second installment of her fun Ever Afters series about a magical school for fairy-tale Characters in training. Binding Oaths, enchantments, and boons play a large role in the harrowing journey to Atlantis, inhabited by hostile Fey fairies and witches. Rory's inner doubts and family drama will resonate with any young teen. Revelations about Chase and Rapunzel give both characters more emotional resonance.
Bach aims for a preteen voice and captures some of the sardonic give-and-take among friends. Overall, however, the characters lack depth and authenticity, making it a less engaging choice for older readers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the activities Rory hides from her parents. Are her lies justified? Should she try to better reconcile her life as a destined hero with her life as the daughter of famous, divorced parents?
Look at how children's fairy tales are reinterpreted for different-aged audiences, such as the classic "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "The Little Mermaid," the world of Shrek, and dark films like Snow White and the Huntsman.
Talk about some of the hallmarks of magical school stories -- the wise mentor, the conflicted hero, the loyal friends, the menacing nemesis -- then use these archetypes to create your own story about a magical program for kids.
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Book Characters , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster
- Publication date : July 26, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 400
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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