Parents' Guide to

The Enchantress Returns: The Land of Stories, Book 2

By Mary Eisenhart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Adventure, sweetness, peril, some loss in fairy tale sequel.

Book Chris Colfer Fairy Tale 2013
The Enchantress Returns: The Land of Stories, Book 2 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 2 parent reviews

SamiaFM
SamiaFM Parent
July 29, 2019
age 7+

AMAZING!!!!

I really liked this book Chris Colfer wrote. When I read the last word I wanted the next book in my hand at the moment.Too bad I didn't have the book set. I know Chris stopped at Worlds Collide, so hopefully he will make another one. Anyway back to the book, it was really funny how Red talked and how she was so into Shakespeare. Also something I didn't know was that Rumplestikin was a dwarf. All in all this book was amazing. So thank you world and bye.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Shannon Farese
Shannon Farese Adult
May 10, 2016
age 10+

Good but iffy for age 8

I enjoyed reading this book with my children but I must say, considering the recommend age of 8 and up, I was a little surprised with some of the content. One topic was when the character Collin referenced not even trying to get to 1st base (which led to questions from y 8 year old that I didn't think appropriate)... The other was regarding the unwed pregnant character during the Princess and the Pea referenced in the story. Not exactly what I'd consider 8 year old topics. Otherwise, this story is engaging, interesting and an overall fun read... I'd just recommend that maybe it's for ages 10 and up rather than 8 and up.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Since they got home from the Land of Stories following the adventures in The Wishing Spell, Conner and Alex Bailey, now 13, have often missed their fairy-tale-character companions and longed to return. When their mother suddenly disappears, they soon learn that she's been abducted to the fairytale world by an enchantress who seems bent on destroying everything in her path. Defying their grandmother, who's trying to keep them safe, they figure out a way to get back to the Land of Stories, where they quickly reunite with Froggy, Goldilocks, Jack, Red, et al in a quest to save the twins' mother, a kidnapped baby, and the world.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (17 ):

Author Chris Colfer's narrative balance of wisdom and wisecracks frequently strikes an odd note in THE ENCHANTRESS RETURNS, but many kids will find that part of the charm. His breezy, engaging style sometimes doesn't quite work with the emotional and ethical issues that drive many characters; squabbling queen-zillas, beloved people dying or in mortal danger, happy reunions and dramatic reversals follow one another with video-game-like pacing and keep the pages turning, though sometimes at the expense of character development beyond the cartoon stage.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why new stories about familiar characters are so popular. How do you feel about the fairy tale characters who appear here compared with the versions of them in other stories?

  • Traditionally, fairy tales were used to teach lessons. Do you think there are any lessons being taught here? If so, what do you think they are?

  • Why do you think the Enchantress and Alex turned out so differently when they seem to have a lot in common?

Book Details

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