The Storybook of Legends

Okay, now before I start, let me say, I have read all of Shannon Hale's other YA books and Goose Girl and Rapunzel's Revenge will always hold a special place in my heart. Admitting that, along with the fact I am a major Ever After High fan, I will now commence with my review. The book is centered around Apple White and Raven Queen, two students in Ever After High. For those of you not familiar with Ever After High, it is a high school where the sons and daughters of fairy tale characters go. On their second year, every student must pledge to follow in their parent's footsteps. If a student doesn't take the pledge, then the story they are in and they themselves will cease to exist. Apple White is the perfect future queen, caring, smart, beautiful and kind. Her only perceivable flaw is the fact she is blonde (so the book says, multiple times). She is ready to take on her destiny as queen. Raven, on the other hand, is the daughter of the evil queen. All her life, people have been telling her to be evil, and expected her to be a horrible person. Raven wants to be able to change her fate. Raven and Apple are going into their second year at Ever After High, the year when they take the pledge. They are rooming together, and are very different people. Raven wants to choose her own fate, and Apple is trying to make sure that Raven stays on her path, so that the story will continue to exist and her own story will end happily ever after. The relationship between them is very Wicked Galinda-Elphaba. Neither really understands the other at first, but the gradually become friends, despite the fact that Raven will someday have to poison Apple. Awkward much? I really didn't like Apple. Although she is just a pawn, she is very self-centered. When Raven confides in Apple, telling her how she wonders why everyone can't look past who her mother is and just be her friend, Apple thinks, "You are supposed to be evil, Raven. It's not wrong for people to see in you your true nature" (Hale). Fine, she is "supposed" to be evil, but being told you are evil doesn't make exclusion hurt any less. Apple has been adored her whole life, she really has no right to judge Raven, even if it is just silently. Saying that, there are some characters and parts of the story I adore! Maddie is my favorite character, followed by Raven. Cedar Wood and Cerise Hood are pretty cool to. And Dex, OMG, he and Raven are so cute together! I love how Maddie Hatter can communicate with the narrator, because she is mad herself, it makes the story seem almost second person perspective, the reader is so involved. I love how everyone is not how they first appear. Again, it's very much like Wicked. Everyone expects Raven to be bad, but really, it could be argued her cause is much more noble than Apple's. This book is chock-full of magic and plot twists, very Wicked meets Harry Potter meets Gossip Girl. I don't want to give to much away, so let me end with this. When buying the book, I would have liked to know more about when it ends. The descriptions were kinda vague about that, just going up to legacy day, which, in all fairness, is the climax of the story. Also, I would love to get inside the faculty's mind, to see what people other than the students and the narrator are thinking. Would I read this book again? Yes Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes Would I like to know more about some other characters and their motivations? Yes Would I change the story? No Overall, I really loved this book, the plot was really intricate, if a bit predictable and the writing and characterization were phenomenal! I am even bigger fan of Ever After High now, and I am anxiously awaiting the sequel! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1JcWRqBq9c I first found this book by watching the webisodes that Autumn @ Kitty Cat Reads recommended me to watch. These are absolutely adorable and are created by the same people that created Monster High! It is just too much cute to handle and I knew I just needed more story and I was completely satisfied with the first book in the series of Ever After High, The Storybook of Legends by Shannon Hale! The stories of Ever After High revolves around the lives of fairy tale characters children. The main characters are Apple White, daughter of Snow White and Raven Queen, daughter of the Evil Queen. The children of fairy tale characters head off the Ever After High to learn how to prepare to follow in the footsteps of their parents. This was an absolutely adorable middle grade fantasy (fairy tale retelling) The characters were so dynamic and entertaining. All with their own quirks and similarities with their parents. The language used was fantastic and really gave a youthful vibe that fit perfectly in the world, which was absolutely hexellent! There was adventure and drama and some great messages about being yourself, accepting who you are and making your own decisions to follow your own path! I was able to finish this in one day and just could not put it down. I got so engrossed in the world and fell absolutely in love with all the characters! It is a fast paced enjoyable read that had me laughing and wanting more. I immediately picked up the second book in the series because I just could not get enough of this world and characters! Overall if you are looking for a fast, highly enjoyable and super adorable (and precious and cute all all other words that convey the deep love I had for this book! ) read that focuses on stories we are all familiar with from our childhood this is definitely a book for you. Also I highly recommend watching the webisodes because they are just perfect (and different from the book in ways that give you more stories and the background to more characters!)

The book arrived quickly and in good condition. I'm eager to read it because it's one of my favorite animated series✨️✨️

This review will center more on the value of the story in respects to the young readers, and not so much the actual story. Its purpose is to re-assure the quality of this story and its contents to potentially concerned parents (not to imply there's definite probable cause for concern). Below is a brief review, followed by its more in dept sister: Short Version: -This was an enjoyable light-hearted read which proves perfect for ages 8 and above. Behind this simple yet entertaining story lies a morale truth that one should strive to find and fabricate her own destiny, and to not feel trapped to merely follow a path laid out for her. The characters all harmonize well with one another, and even the characters designed to be antagonistic are relatable and fair. There is no hint of violent imagery, with the exception of an abstract dream sequence, however said dream is done in good taste, and with no blood or gore being illustrated. For those concerned with potential religious influences, know that there exist none within the realm of this story. It is safe for any children whose parents possess extreme religious "concern" for them to read and enjoy this story. Although the story is very short (one might question it being worth the $9.00 kindle edition due to its mere 200 page large-font length), its creative twist on well-known characters proves an entertaining read sure to not only spark interest in these characters, but also those classic fairy tales with which they've originated! I would suggest this for any child 8 year of age or above, and is positive they'll come from this reading with an interest in reading and creativity. Long Version: (Warning, potential SPOILERS) -Ever After High is a short 200 page novel about the lives of descendants from classic fairy tale characters and royalty. These characters, each a little different from their parental originals, attend a private boarding school designed to teach, and prepare these youths to replace and carry on the storybook tales of their parents. In their Sophomoric year attending this school, all of these characters must sign the "Storybook of Legends" which magically seals their fates to live out the lives predetermined by this book. Such characters include the daughter of the Mad Hatter, Cinderella's princess daughter, Pinocchio's wooden daughter, the daughter of Little Red Riding Hood, and a multitude of many important characters from the Snow White story. The majority of the story is told from the point of view of Snow White's blonde-haired daughter, "Apple White," as well as the wicked sorceress queen's daughter from the same story, "Raven Queen." Apple is delighted to eventually live her happily ever after once she fulfills her destiny of biting a poisonous apple, falling asleep, and being awakened by her fair prince's kiss. Raven Queen, on the other hand, despises the idea of being forced to become the evil queen, and throughout the story seeks a means of avoiding her fate. However, they soon learn that those who do not sign their Storybook of Legends page and fail to re-live their unique stories risk being blinked out of existence! Raven accepts her fate and plans to sign the Storybook of Legends, only to stumble upon a long-lost story of two sisters who refused to sign their pages, and regardless of this lived their own lives happily. Raven, accompanied by her concerned friend Apple White, go upon an adventure to discover the fate of these lost sisters, and determine once and for all the truth behind the Storybook of Legends, and the truth behind their own lives. The character design of many of these characters is somewhat lacking. With the exception of Raven, Apple, and Maddie (the Mad Hatter's Daughter), nothing stands out too much in the way of character complexity. Some characters are simply bland cookie-cut outs with a single shtick to which they merely provide to the story. An example is Briar Beauty, Sleeping Beauty's daughter. Although they make her out to be an adventurous party girl looking to live her life to the fullest before she's put under her infamous sleeping spell, she is in truth nothing more than a dull boring and simple character who seems to truly bring nothing to the table outside of being Apple's best friend. It is this reviewer's hope that they'll explore the potential complexity of each character in future novels, that way any young reader who happens to relate to these currently shallow-developed simple labels for each girl can more adequately submerge themselves in whatever unique lesson or morale each character may potentially offer. An entire novel could be written about Red Riding Hood's daughter and provide a well-needed morale on accepting who you are, and knowing that true friends accept you for your fabs and faults alike. One hopes such an opportunity like this is explored, for the potential for a long-lasting line of stories is great if followed to this measure. With the main characters they actually DO follow, however, they are flushed out and developed in surprisingly-complex varying ways (which in my opinion makes up for what other characters lack). No character is "too perfect..." even the ones designed to be! There clearly exists a unique moral struggle not only in Raven, but surprisingly Apple as well! Even after everything is said and done, both of these characters develop a deep admiration and (arguable) respect for one another, despite their very nature to imply the opposite. Maddie Hatter stands out as one of the funniest, most enjoyable characters in the book! She lives as a sort of enigma into her own self, and even breaks the fourth wall often to help her comedic agenda. It is hard to image what an entire story written for her would be like, especially since it would have Lewis Carroll's mind-bending original to compete with! With this fresh new twist to character, however, one is certain it would be, in its own ways, a wonderful addition to the story arc. It is important to note that this book is only one half of the full story, the second half is due to come out in March 2014. There are multiple short stories downloadable for kindle which reveal a short seven to ten-page background for each of the various main and sub-characters. It is suspected by this reviewer that a single book was originally written to be sold, but producers chose to break it apart so as to not only make more money, but also extend the interest of the series over a longer period of time. The Ever After High series is created by Mattel and any sub-stories are more than likely fuel for their ultimate plan of selling Ever After High dolls and characters. Another similar series which has garnered modest results is the Monster High series, and is currently within its third season of animated shorts available for free on the Monster High website. With that being said, any series created to, in essence, sell dolls and merchandise would be foolish to not design their show around fashion and general consumerism. Although to their credit this is not beat in by the story, the mannerisms of the characters do imply such values. This, however, might be reflective of these young girls in the story (which a majority of these characters do act, and would act this way), as well as young girls in general. Who are they to not please their audience, and furthermore ignore the natural tendencies of their demographic? Regardless of this plausible agenda, Mattel clearly gave the author and creative team the freedom to develop the story with little to no restraints. This story is innocent, enjoyable, and with no hidden agenda in sight. To end on a good note, I personally enjoyed this story, and would even allow my niece to read it. Here's hoping the crew at Mattel, and author Shannon Hale will invest more into make this something truly worth experiencing through future novels.

Unlike the cartoon series from 2013, I referred the novel anytime since it made sense when there was no word including the Rebel until the end of the novel. It shows the highlight on Raven struggled with a reputation just because she's the daughter of the Evil Queen. While Apple wanted to follow her destiny and prove a point, but she wasn't aware that Raven doesn't want to be the next evil queen and have a horrible fate. It have solid highlight on how Maddie interact with the narrator in her own chapter. I had to laugh when the author did a great job on that, but it is a surprise that Maddie was interacting with the readers. It brought a great highlight moments when everyone wanted to follow their parents' destinies. What if one person doesn't want to follow her destiny, but want to change it things differently for better. It gave a great moral to follow your path to become yourself. If you are a child or an adult, it is worth a good read and I wished that there was more.

I discovered Ever After High by chance, and the 11 webisodes intrigued me, as did the dolls. When I learned there was a book, I was excited. Finally, more detail and a plot than the webisodes! Now maybe more people will learn of Ever After High. The story is technically for younger readers, but there is a deepness to it. The characters are charged with following in the footsteps of their parents. While some embrace, others realize they are trapped. There is a hint of darkness in the story. Raven is my favorite character. I really liked Maddie too. Raven doesn't want to follow in her mother's footsteps, and she doesn't want her classmates to have to follow their set path if they don't want to, either. Raven wants to live in a world where there are choices. I knew about Ashlyn and Hunter, and Cerise from the webisodes, but it was great to finally have a detailed story! In the webisodes, it was hinted that Dex might fancy Raven, and it's obvious in Storybook of Legends. I think they're cute, but the only thing that grated on me was the scene when Raven dressed in her mother's clothes for Legacy Day. She suddenly felt the power her mother did, and thought it would awesome to have minions Then Dex shows up, and Raven realizes she almost started thinking like her mother. Like all princesses, Raven needed a prince to save her, or at least remind her of her original purpose. Or maybe I am just reading too much into it. Raven probably would have realized what she was doing on her own--as she should have. Dex and Raven are cute though. I can't wait for the sequel, and just more Ever After High stuff in general.

So the book was solidly good. It had a good structure, it felt like a complete story but the beginning of a series. There wasn't anything wrong with the characters, though I still don't know if I like Hunters shirt ripping, but the characters were... well let's move on for now. I liked that it helped clarify some things, like that the Evil Queen went off script, and which version of Snow White we're working on. Another big upside was it only focused on Apple White and mostly Raven. I was afraid based on the short snippets that it would try to balance all their stories as if they were main characters, instead she did write them so you knew they all had their own stories, but were still side characters. I also like fairy tales have been going on for generations, it brings up some problems, however, since such a long time has gone by, even longer since some characters rebelled from their "rightful path" explains why they were so complacent and sloppy when dealing with Raven and her obvious reluctance to follow her story. Oh, yes, SPOILERS. So while the story was good, it wasn't great. Some questions came up for me on continuity and "what were they thinking". So I was able to head cannon how it worked out that the Evil Queen went insane instead of going to her step-daughter's coronation, but why didn't they kill her? The only thing I can think of is that maybe it was Snow White's fault she didn't invite her stepmother in the first place, and not out of spite, but because she didn't hate her. Instead she tried to save her, and thus that was the reason she advocated to have the Evil Queen imprisoned instead of killed for her crimes. Then, how does Duchess exist, and just how tragic was her mother's story? Because the version I know, she does end up with her prince, as in, they both die to be together and I wasn't given the impression there was enough time for there to be a child. Oh, they "danced" together, but I didn't think there was a nine month stretch. I really like Apple as a character. I'm not saying I'd like her as a person, but I like her selfish attitude. The batting of the lashes is silly, but I get the jab even if it is ham-fisted. I think Apple really shined in the last part. I love when Apple scolds Raven that now Raven will never have her happily ever after. Stupid girl, she was never going to get a happily ever after, she was going to do evil things because she was bitter and then she'd get locked up, but hey, that was exactly the reaction I was supposed to have. Raven as a character on the other hand, well, she was bland and for some reason she seemed younger than she was supposed to be. I think if she acted more sarcastic like she is in the webisodes it would have been better. Because in the webisodes she's still unsure, but I believe more that she hasn't tried to find a different way. Hale explained why hers didn't, but it didn't ring true. In the webisode Raven doesn't want to be evil, but that sarcastic edge to her character gives her this fatalistic mindset that would let her just accept it until finally confronted with the fact she has to be evil. This Raven acted like a middle schooler and was so boring to read. I never got that she was a particularly "good" person, or evil, she just was whiny. I liked the book structure, going between Raven and Apple however some things like Maddie talking to the narrator, while fun for the writer and some readers didn't do anything for me. I just would have liked Madeline talking about things the narrator said. In the worse case the way the extra Maddie chapters could be seen as lazy interludes, especially later on. Actual short chapters that were put into move the plot through Maddie when the narrator technically shouldn't have been concentrating their narration anywhere close to Maddie. Also, what was with the Headmaster Grimm's chapter. There was a more clever way to give extra hints that the Headmaster set up the hunt. A riddle from his poorly introduced brother, an overheard shout toward Gus that indicated he'd done at least one of the hints toward the fake trail. Why did we have a chapter that basically just confirmed clumsily that yes he was behind everything, and yes he is a power hungry villain. I'm sorry, at least give away more than that. Give us some history, give us something interesting. The laughing was not interesting. I have more nitpicks I could go over, but I think I covered the most important things to me. In future stories I'd like to see the back story fleshed out more of this fairy tale land. I can't even say for sure I'll be getting the second book. I'll decide when it gets closer to time, but despite the slightly shorter length, it still took me a couple of days to read the book because it didn't grab me enough to read it in one sitting. Still, the message was good, the characters well balanced if things were spelled out a little too much at some points even for children. Overall, a good start with a few rocky parts in my own opinion, but worth a read. If it ends up in your library and you enjoy books either based on fairy tales or stories aimed at children, then this is worth at least a look through. I can't promise you'll like it, but it's an interesting twist on the fairy tale mythos.

My daughter and I read this together over several nights and I really enjoyed it. We had seen the cartoon and I was expecting it to be exactly the same. Silly, I know. It was the same basic concept and characters, but the story was great. It took us a few weeks to finish and we both were sad when it was over. I'm looking forward to getting the next ones. Spoiler alert...maybe? I really liked that they didn't make one or the other of the girls out to be "better," just different. I kept waiting for them to have some big argument or falling out and Apple to be the typical stuck up, popular girl. I was pleasantly surprised that even though she was kinda sticky sweet and froo froo, she was a good friend to Raven. It is always nice when stories have people who are obviously different, want different things, and aren't perfect but still manage to work together and be kind to each other.

Ok

El libro llegó bien protegido y en perfecto estado.

[...] You have to go out there and force life to be what you want it to be, like I did. That is not a flawless book yet amazing. :3

This is a very well written book that I'm sure a lot of younger girls and boys would like. It's well written, funny and has a nice spin on the fairy tale genre that make it an entertaining read even for adults. There ARE a lot of puns and some of them are laughably bad, so you'll have to get used to it. I've never really been a fan of Mattel since they produce Barbie which I've seen movies of thanks to my sister. They seemed too... corny for my liking. I saw a commercial for Ever After High and found myself immediately interested due to the characters despite knowing who made it. I watched the webisodes first then bought and read the book. The webisodes are good (especially for showing off the characters), but they are very short, so the plot is rushed. I'd recommend both watching the webisodes and reading the book, but it doesn't really matter what order you do it in. I really like how the book goes into so much detail about how Raven Queen is feeling. Even though her and Apple White are the main characters, this book focuses a lot more on Raven, which is understandable considering her doomed situation. Another thing I like is the exploration into Apple White's character. In the webisodes she appears to be extremely selfish and overconfident, so she ended up as my most disliked character. The book changed my opinion of her. Although she still retains some of her selfish and mean personality, she is a much better person than in the webisodes. After reading through the entire book, I am now eagerly awaiting the next one. I never thought that I as a guy would get into a series like this, but I'm sure glad I gave it a chance.

This book had a lot of adventure and a very engaging story line. Apple and Raven are very different but still friends. I liked the fact that Apple helped Raven inspite of having different opinion about their destinies. The side story of Bella Sister was also suspenseful.