TLOS6 Worlds Collide - Chris Colfer

Chris Colfer's The Land of Stories has come to an end. And while it's sad, the conclusion was fabulous.

When we last saw our beloved twins, Alex had been placed under an evil spell and was wrecking havoc. So now it's time for Connor and his army to try to save Alex, fight the witches AND beat the Grand Army. Phew!

Chris Colfer does an amazing job of tying up all, and any loose ends. All our characters are revisited. Any questions you may have had are answered. Characters you may have wondered about, or forgotten about, are back. And we even get a glimpse into the future.

The Land of Stories has been amazing for a couple reasons.
1) I absolutely loved the series. I would mark down the date for the next books' release and anxiously wait for it.
2) Ethan discovered the series last summer. We spent many days discussing it, making predictions and sharing our favourite moments. This time around, we argued over who got to read it first, and then shared our favourite moments.

What will we do now?

Spelled - Betsy Schow

"Girl of Emerald, no man can tame. Burn down the world, consumed by flames."

This is the curse placed on Dorthea's family. And because of this curse, our dear princess has never left her castle. And this has also probably been the reason she's turned into an incredibly self-centred brat!!!!

Like all fairytales, Dorothea's parents would like to see her married. They arrange a marriage between her and a prince, she's met once and thought he was the gardener. Needless to say, she's furious!

Wanting to escape this nightmare, Dorothea makes a wish from some orb thingy that was given to her by the Grey-Witch-disguised-as-a-child. Have you ever heard, "be careful what you wish for?" Yeah well, that's an understatement. The wish causes her parents to disappear, protective barriers to be broken and her would-be-husband into a chimera. 

So now Dorothea, Kato (the dog-groom) and Rexi (think she was the cook) are on a quest to fight the evil witch.

For a YA book, it was ok. The best parts were the cute references to modern day things (flitter for twitter, Hans Christian Louboutin shoes instead of Christian Louboutins). Each chapter also starts with a quote from another (made up) book which was quite amusing. 

But Dorothea was a brat. And I really struggled to find any redeeming qualities in her. Yes, she does grow up, but it comes really late, and suddenly. Even as fun as Rexi was, she irritated me. Actually, come to think of it, when Dorothea got on my good side, Rexi not so much. Hmmm.....

Lost in a Book - Jennifer Donnelly

What's the opposite of Death? Think life? Nope, it's Love.

So I'm a huge Belle fan. Love her! My biggest disappointment last week in Disney was not being able to meet her. And yes I'm totally serious.

Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book begins with Love and Death. They are sisters and the total opposites of each other. (In case you didn't get that with their names.) They have been watching Belle and the Beast and Love is confident the spell will be broken. Death, as you can imagine, would prefer not. They wager, and Death decides to cheat.

Meanwhile, Beast tries to make Belle more comfortable in the castle and gives her his library. We all know how much she likes books. But Death has a plan. She plants the book Nevermore in the library.

Nevermore is an enchanted book. You don't just read the book, you enter it. Belle enters the book and meets wonderful characters who treasure her, value her, make her feel like she has friends. But it's a trap that Death has set, in order to capture Belle and keep her there, preventing her from returning to the Beast, and possibly breaking the spell.

While we all know the story of Beauty and the Beast, we know that the spell eventually breaks, but what's wonderful here is watching Belle struggle with her two realities. Are her friends in Nevermore real, or her friends in the castle?

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry - Fredrik Backman

In February, I read and fell in love with Fredrik Backman's book, A Man Called Ove. It was one of those extremely heart warming books that made you laugh, cry, and feel.

So when I found out there was another book by the same author, I had to go for it.

Elsa is an incredible 7-year old. I call her incredible. The school and everyone else calls her different. Her best, and only friend is her 77-year old grandmother. Her grandmother is a no-nonsense, tough as nails, don't-you-dare-hurt-my-granddaughter kind of woman. She helps Elsa cope with being different by taking her to the Land of Almost-Awake and the Kingdom of Miamas where everyone is different and no one is normal.

But then, Elsa's grandmother dies. She leaves behind a letter for Elsa to deliver, and let's her know it's part of a treasure hunt. What ensues is Elsa learning about those around her. She learns about herself and her grandmother. She meets wonderful, incredible people. Some she likes, some she does not.

Ethan has just finished reading the Land of Stories series, and has returned to Harry Potter. I mention this, because the fairy tales Elsa and her grandmother share are lovely. And Elsa is obsessed with Harry Potter. She even judges people who have never read Harry Potter. "There are no photos here, as there were in the woman's flat. Only books. "You got any good ones, then?" she asks, scanning the shelves. "I don't know what you think is good," the woman answers carefully. "Do you have any Harry Potters?" "No." "Not even one?" Elsa asks, incredulous. "No." "You have all these books and not a single Harry Potter? And they let you fix people whose heads are broken?"

".....Elsa had grown conscious of the fact that the girl hadn't read Harry Potter at all. She knew who he was, of course, everyone knows who Harry Potter is, but she hadn't read the books....And while Elsa didn't want to be elitist or anything, how could one be expected to reason with a person like that? Muggles."

An Author's Odyssey - Chris Colfer

An Author's Odyssey is book five in Chris Colfer's Land of Stories series. When the series first began, he brought us to the land of fairy tales. Slowly, he introduced other elements of literature, that gets one excited, not just about his books, but for the literature that exists.

In this one, we see a combination of our favourite fairy tales characters, some literary characters and now Connor has brought his own characters to life. A character who creates characters! Gotta love it!!

When we last saw our heroes, the Masked Man had gathered all the most villainous villains for modern day literature to take over the Fairy World. Connor realizes that the way to fight the Masked Man's army is to gather one of his own, from his own short stories. So he and Alex set out to enter the world of Connor's imagination and bring these characters to life, to fight the battle to end all battles.

The bulk of this book is spent with Connor entering his stories and we see more of his growth. He is no longer the lazy boy from book 1. We also see Alex soften a little. She was always, to me, the "chosen one". She was a gifted student. She became an apprentice to the fairy godmother and then one herself. I don't think she ever truly appreciated Connor or noticed his qualities. I also loved how their mother and step-father were willing to babysit all the characters as Connor brought them home.

Now to wait another year before the battle begins....

Return to the Isle of the Lost - Melissa de la Cruz

On our way back from Vegas, Ethan saw this book at the airport and asked if I'd buy it for him. After reading it, he asked me to please read it too. Who am I to refuse?

This is definitely a book for the young. It takes place after the Disney Movie, The Descendants.

Mal, Evie, Carlos and Jay have found their place in Auradon. They are good. They are happy. They are settled.

But then, each of them receive strange messages telling them to return to the Isle. Upon their return, they learn of a group called the Anti-Heroes who believe that just because their parents were evil, they are not destined to follow this path. But there are also those who want evil to prevail.

Our four friends are set on a quest within the Endless Catacombs of Doom. They are each tasked with finding their parent's talisman to prevent them from returning to power. Each task forces them to face their true fears. The doubts they have about who they are and what they are.

For the pre-teen Disney fan, it's a great book that continues the story of the children of villains. And if they saw the movie, it's an extension to the story.

Winter - Marissa Meyer

The Lunar Chronicles has come to an end with Winter.

Winter is a lovely princess, the step-daughter of Queen Levena. She is admired by all the Lunar people, and despite the three scars on her face, it is said she's more beautiful than the Queen. And unlike to Queen, she does not need to use her glamour to make it appear she's beautiful. She just is. But not using her glamour, means her mind plays tricks on her.

Winter despises her stepmother. She doesn't like the way Levena treats the people of Luna. She doesn't like the way Levena treats her. She knows Levena would never approve of her feelings for Jacin, the palace guard.

But now, it's time for Winter to stand up to her stepmother. She joins Cinder, Scarlet, Wolf, Cress and Thorne in their effort to launch a revolution and de-throne Levena.

Meyer does a great job of building up to the war. She also answers questions we have had since book one. We learn more about the disease, Letumosis, and how the shells were treated. We see Cinder's reactions and thoughts about what to do if she wins and becomes Queen Selene. We learn more about the class system in Lunar, the Nobles vs the Shells.

The Lunar Chronicles was one that I loved at first, but then started to loose some interest. But I'm glad I stuck with it, and finished the series. It was great. Even the play on Snow White in this one.

Beyond the Kingdoms - Chris Colfer

I have been waiting for this book for months!

I even sat outside the bookstore,

enjoying my Starbucks,

and walked in as soon as it opened,

to get it

the day it was released.

The Masked Man is on the loose.

Alex is determined to find him.

So determined,

that she forgets her duty as

Fairy Godmother

and she looses control of her powers.

Feeling they have no choice,

the fairies strip her of her title.

So now,

with no rules to hold her back,

Alex, her twin brother Connor

with the help of Jack, Goldilocks, Red and Mother Goose

are off to find the Masked Man.

They learn the potion he stole

will allow him to enter any book,

and he plans to recruiting the most evil

characters he can.

And so,

in this fourth installment of

The Land of Stories,

our favourite fairy tale characters

now find them in wonderful pieces of literature.

The travel to Oz, 

Wonderland,

Never Neverland.

They meet 

(the future) King Arthur

and Robin Hood.

But can they stop the Masked Man??

Writer's Workshop - Disney Princess

If you had to choose a Disney princess 

to live the rest of your life as....

which princess would you choose

and why?

I love Disney.

I love Disney princesses.

I have a boy, 

so I'm one of those moms 

that doesn't get upset

that the princesses are princesses.

Yes, 

I love the fractured fairy tales

where the princess is tough.

But I do love a good fairy tale too.

I have a slight Cinderella obsession.

I collect Cinderella books.

I have a whole lot!

So,

when I saw this prompt,

I immediately thought

Cinderella!

I mean,

isn't she the Queen of Princesses?

If you've read

Chris Colfer's Land of Stories

series

Cinderella is awesome,

yet boring.

Kind of. 

Red Riding Hood is more interesting.

And then I thought;

Do I want to be a princess who sits around

all day in fancy gowns?

Ummm... no!

But then,

every once in awhile,

I get a picture of a Rebel Princess

show up on my Facebook page.

Have you seen them?

My main issue with the Disney princesses

is I don't fit in.

I have a mouth.

And an attitude.

So these non-traditional princesses

suit me better.

So, let's re-visit today's prompt.

Which princess would I be?

I decided to go with Belle.

Come on...

she lives in a huge house filled with

BOOKS!!!

Plus,

I came across this picture...

Who can resist Sheldon?

And this....

Doesn't she look awesome?

So,

good looks + attitude + books = Belle!

A Grimm Warning - Chris Colfer

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series.

It's not just the wonderful spin on 

favourite fairy tale characters

but it's also the well crafted characters

and story line.

A Grimm Warning

does not disappoint.

Alex Bailey now lives in The Land of Stories.

She's training to one day become

the Fairy Godmother

and taking over for her grandmother. 

Meanwhile, 

her twin, Connor,

goes on a school trip to Germany

to hear the unpublished story

by the Brother's Grimm

that was found in a time capsule.

Soon the twins find themselves on another adventure.

This time, 

they are trying to protect the land

from a 200 year old French Revolution Army.

Now, 

the last two books

have that lovely fairy tale ending.

You know,

happily ever after.

And when you pick up the next book

you feel like you're back with some old friends

and hearing their latest adventure.

But this time,

this time,

oh my!

Colfer leaves you hanging!

Yes, he leaves us with a cliffhanger.

An OMG-did-that-just-happen

cliffhanger.

And I have no idea

when he'll publish the next installment!

Yikes!!!

The Sisters Grimm - Michael Buckley

I have a love for fairy tales.

So when a parent at school

told me about this series

I had to give it a try.

It is lovely!!!

Sabrina and Daphne's parents

mysteriously disappeared.

They have spent the last year

floating between foster families.

Then, 

they are told their grandmother wants them to go

live with her.

This surprises the sisters,

as they were told their grandmother was dead.

So Sabrina and Daphne meet 

their eccentric grandmother,

Granny Relda.

She informs them,

that they are descendants of the famous

Brothers Grimm

and that all these fairy tale characters

actually exist.

Not only do they exist,

but it's part of the Grimm's family job

to keep them in line.

Soon, 

the girls find themselves on an adventure.

There's a giant on the loose,

and he's kidnapped Granny Relda.

The mayor (Prince Charming)

acts awfully suspicious.

With the help of Jack

(as in and the Beanstalk)

and Puck

(yes Shakespear)

the girls are out to

save their grandmother!

The Enchantress Returns - Chris Colfer

Last month,

I read and fell in love with 

The Wishing Spell.

Chris Colfer

did an amazing job

of bringing fairy tales to life.

So,

of course,

I had to get the second book in

The Land of Stories.

In The Enchantress Returns

the evil enchantress,

the one that cursed Sleeping Beauty

is back.

And she wants revenge!

Part of her plan

is to kidnap the granddaughter

of the Fairy Godmother. 

However,

she ends up kidnapping Charlotte,

Connor and Alex's mother instead. 

Now the twins must find their way back

into the Land of Stories

and find a way to save their mother.

Colfer brings up our favourite characters

from the first book.

Red Riding Hood is still as shallow as ever!

But he also introduces us to new ones,

and gives them their own stories.

Have you ever wondered why Cinderella's

stepmother was so mean?

Maybe she was just misunderstood?

Wonder why the name Beauty

is used twice?

I mean,

there's Beauty

from Beauty and the Beast

and then there's 

Sleeping Beauty.

Hmmmm.....

could they be related?

Once again,

I was transported into a land of stories

and loved Connor and Alex's adventures. 

Cruel Beauty - Rosamund Hodge

I am a huge fan of Cinderella stories.

Actually, 

if am honest,

I'm a huge fan of fairy tales.

So when I heard that Cruel Beauty

was a new twist on

The Beauty & the Beast

I knew I had to give it a read.

I didn't so much read this book

as I did gobble it up!

Nyx is an amazing character.

She is strong-willed,

witty, brave

and,

dare I say,

sarcastic!

She is angry, bitter and fierce.

And she craves to be loved. 

She has spent her whole life 

being prepared to sacrifice her life

and kill a beast. 

Before her birth,

her father made a deal with the Gentle Lord,

the evil ruler/monster

of their kingdom. 

In exchange for allowing his wife

to conceive the twins, 

their father promised one twin

to the Lord in exchange.

But the Lord plays tricks.

He granted the father's wish,

and Nyx and her sister were born.

But he also lost his wife

to childbirth.

Then there is the Gentle Lord,

Ignifex.

For centuries her has terrorized

the kingdom. 

But things are never as they seem.

Cruel Beauty mixes the best of two of my favourite genres;

fairy tales and Greek mythology.

It is cleverly written and hooks you in 

from the start. 

If this is how she debuts,

I cannot wait to read more from this amazing

author.