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The Librarian #2
Unhappily Ever After
Yesterday, Taylor and Wes turned a boring field trip to their local library into a grand adventure when they found a mysterious portal leading into the fabled Land of Oz.
But that was yesterday.
Today they've learned their actions have had grave consequences. Not only did they alter the Oz mythos, but their deeds may have had unexplained repercussions in the real world as well. Taylor's returned home to find she's living a life that isn't her own. Nothing's as she left it. Her normally warm father has become cold and distant. Her grades have fallen overnight. Teachers who once saw her as their favorite student, now consider her their most problematic pupil. Only Wesley remembers Taylor as she truly is, and together, he and Tay return to Oz hoping they can undo the damage and restore both worlds to the way they were.
But the children quickly find they're in way over their heads. Not only has the Wicked Witch taken control of Oz, but Douglas Stanford has stayed behind to build a small army of storybook villains to help him obtain the magic hidden within Astoria's library. The librarian's returned to stop him, but the old man may need the children's help as the fate of every known world hangs in the balance.
The adventure continues in this action-packed continuation of The Librarian Saga! Exclusive to Amazon's Kindle, The Librarian is a thrilling new series that provides kids an opportunity to experience the world’s most beloved fantasy novels in a brand new way – through the eyes of children just like them. And the fun doesn't stop there! Librarian author Eric Hobbs has teamed with The Sylvan Learning Center to launch The Librarian Book Club. Toward the back of the book, each copy of The Librarian contains an exclusive invitation to join. Open to students in grades K-8, the club will bring kids together from around the globe to compete in a monthly reading contest where they’ll have a chance to win exciting prizes: gift cards, autographed books, new toys, video games, DVDs, iPods…even a brand new Kindle Fire! All kids have to do is answer questions about the books they’re currently reading! That’s it! It’s that easy! Pick up the book and join the book club today!
But that was yesterday.
Today they've learned their actions have had grave consequences. Not only did they alter the Oz mythos, but their deeds may have had unexplained repercussions in the real world as well. Taylor's returned home to find she's living a life that isn't her own. Nothing's as she left it. Her normally warm father has become cold and distant. Her grades have fallen overnight. Teachers who once saw her as their favorite student, now consider her their most problematic pupil. Only Wesley remembers Taylor as she truly is, and together, he and Tay return to Oz hoping they can undo the damage and restore both worlds to the way they were.
But the children quickly find they're in way over their heads. Not only has the Wicked Witch taken control of Oz, but Douglas Stanford has stayed behind to build a small army of storybook villains to help him obtain the magic hidden within Astoria's library. The librarian's returned to stop him, but the old man may need the children's help as the fate of every known world hangs in the balance.
The adventure continues in this action-packed continuation of The Librarian Saga! Exclusive to Amazon's Kindle, The Librarian is a thrilling new series that provides kids an opportunity to experience the world’s most beloved fantasy novels in a brand new way – through the eyes of children just like them. And the fun doesn't stop there! Librarian author Eric Hobbs has teamed with The Sylvan Learning Center to launch The Librarian Book Club. Toward the back of the book, each copy of The Librarian contains an exclusive invitation to join. Open to students in grades K-8, the club will bring kids together from around the globe to compete in a monthly reading contest where they’ll have a chance to win exciting prizes: gift cards, autographed books, new toys, video games, DVDs, iPods…even a brand new Kindle Fire! All kids have to do is answer questions about the books they’re currently reading! That’s it! It’s that easy! Pick up the book and join the book club today!
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 5, 2012
50 people are currently reading
669 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 14, 2016
This came out in 2012 and ended with a cliffhanger!!!
With that said this was better then the first one and we got to see more of Oz which was exciting! The characters got on my nerves at different parts of the book but not too much. Wish there was more books coming out since it said to be continued and ended with a freakin cliffhanger but I guess not.
With that said this was better then the first one and we got to see more of Oz which was exciting! The characters got on my nerves at different parts of the book but not too much. Wish there was more books coming out since it said to be continued and ended with a freakin cliffhanger but I guess not.
August 24, 2017
Another cute book. Guess there are no more so another cliffhanger ending kind of sucked. Fun for what it was, not the best thing ever.
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November 29, 2023Unhappily Ever After
Taylor’s mom Karen shows up at the museum and she shows her the Oz exhibit. Instantly they are transported to the Tin Man’s hut. Karen is amazed and Taylor then takes her on a tour of Oz. The sky starts to get dark and they cut through the forest to go home. There they notice what looks like a black dog, but turns out to be a wolf with red eyes (one ear missing). The wolf’s pack appears and gives chase. The ground starts to sink chasing Karen and Taylor to fall. Karen blames Taylor saying that she knew this would happen. As they wolves leap to attack, Taylor awakens to find she’s dreaming and her copy of Oz is beside her. She flings the book across the room.
Wesley’s mom Rhonda finds him looking for the Wizard of Oz DVD she got him for Christmas and questions him about it. He says he needs it for school (a half-truth). She seems to never have seen the movie. She forbids him from spending so much time with Taylor and says he needs to find other friends that are “more like him”. Westly wonders if what happened in OZ had repercussions off the page. Taylor also notices changes. Her dad usually buys stick butter. This morning he has something in a container and bitter syrup in a container inside of warned up in the glass picture. Also, her papers and report cards are nowhere to be found on the refrigerator. Her father tells her about the Bates's decision for him to keep her away from Wesley and tells her he just doesn’t know what to do with her anymore. (Showing he blames her for Wesley’s disappearance the same as Mrs. Bates and their teacher).
Wesley and Taylor talk before school and Wesley says he suspects that all her good marks weren’t taken off the refrigerator. Also, it was strange that they were in the librarian's book and now he’s noticed that the story of the Wizard of Oz in the books has changed. His DVD was missing and when he did a search on the internet there was no movie of The Wizard of Oz. He also says his mom had never heard of it. Meanwhile, the Librarian searches Oz in the daytime for any signs of Doughlas, Randy, and their dark-haired friend but finds only dark trenches and remains of where the yellow brick road once were. In class, Wesley and Taylors' teacher give a lecture on the powerful impact of the written word's influence. The principal comes in and calls Taylor to come with him. He has a blue slip in his hands. She doesn’t come back.
Wesley finds Taylor in ISS (In School Suspension) and gets her out. Some of the teachers catch them and give chase, but they make it to the library. Since the door is locked, Wesley has to break the window. He’s halfway down when something tugs at him. Taylor tries to pull im back up but the thing guts him down all the way. Douglasm Randym and Bones appear in Oz. Randy is full of questions. Douglas tells him the librarian has something that he promised him a long time ago. It’s a ghost book about them. Ahead of them they see a dark castle and head toward it. Randy gets the feeling he should have turned back because he senses there’s an evil in it more powerful than anything in Sleepy Hollow.
Hope tells them the librian went to clean up their mess. When they ask how they also confess that they freed the Tin Man. Hope then tells them they messed with an important piece of the story. Because they did this they didn’t change anything in their world. They took them to a whole different one.
Wesley and Taylor tell Hope the only way they can fix things is by going back. Hope says that even if they do they won’t be able to get back. The portal only opens from their side otherwise they’d have a bunch of literary characters in their world that aren’t satisfied with there. But she says there is an amulet used in special cases. Only she doesn’t know what it looks like. Wesley realizes that the silver cord he was given is the amulet. Hope tries to snatch it off him but restrains herself. She says if *he* doesn’t have it he can’t get back.
When in OZ, Taylor Wesley, and Hope ) find an old woman in house rocking what turns out to be the Tin Man’s Head (mouth opened in a scream) ad talking out of her head. Taylor tries to ask the woman if she knows where the girl is who once lived there but she can’t get any sense out of the woman. She asks Wesleey if he can fix the Tin Man (whose parts are lying all about the room). He says that he might not be alive even if he can and the screws are all different. They decide to go to the man who put him together, The woman before they leave mumbles some gibberish about her doing it because she didn’t want him to leave and begs them to stay. She tells Taylor to tell them she’s sorry.. It starts to rain. Wesley and Taylor think they should turn back to the library but Hope wants to continue on through the forest. So they do.
Meanwhile, Doughlas demands to see the witch and ends up shooting a guard, The witch receives them, and Douglas offers her the gun after she’s told him she heard it took down her guard. He tells her she’ll need it. She finds this amusing. He tells her there’s only one person in charge and it’s not her. It’s Frank L Baum. This does strike a little fear in her. In a shop, Hope, Wesley, and Taylor come across Nel (the timesman’s daughter) who starts to work on the Tinsman When his head is attached, he begins to screech death threats at Nel which frighten her. Wesley and Taylor have to tell him she saved him. He apologizes and asks if they know what they did with his fiancée. They say that’s what they’ve come to find out. Then the Wheelers come. The Tinsman confronts one of them and then goes a little too far getting revenge and offs one of them with a sledgehammer.
The Witch doesn’t seem to think she’ll need Douglas’s help, but he makes a deal with her. He’ll arm all her men with “noisemakers” and she’ll never lose control of Oz again. The Tinsman tells the children in the village (who are all that’s left now) how he lost his fiancée. There was a terrible storm and when he got to his hut he found the witch who lured the winged monkeys and the wheelers. They tore him apart as his fiancée watched. He says he won’t go with them to fight the witch. The children say they’ll go with him to find fiancée. So will Westly, Hope, and Taylor. Then they’ll go find the Lion and Scarecrow and go to the place where Dorthy fell, and get someone to fight in her place to change the story back.
The Librarian makes his way to the castle’s entrance and distracts the guards with gifts while he uses magic to sneak past them. He’s almost there when he’s hit by a archer’s arrow from in a tower above and falls to the ground in a pile of bones, blood flowing into the castle.
As they go on, they find a field were the Muchkin maiden, the Scarecrow, and the Coaradly Lion are bing held as leaves. While the children and the Tinsman distract the gnomes with weapons and a sledgehammer, Wesley frees the Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tinsman. The other slaves mob him all wanting him to free them. Once he does one of them runs to join the fight to help his child. Then he’s joined by some of the others. Nel and her father make a run for it. Nel’s father starts to slow and tells her to go ahead but she won’t leave him. When it looks like the gnomes are going to catch up to them the trees start to attack and take down the gnomes. Meanwhile, the gnomes are catching up to Wesley and Taylor. Taylor is quick enough to hop up a tree, but Wesley isn’t and finds himself surrounded on a cliff with a 3200-foot drop. Taylor saves him by swinging down on a vine and knocking the gnome that’s lashing at him with a whip into the water below.
The Librian isn’t dead. He’s locked up in a cell. Douglas pays him a visit and he tells him the book isn’t his too give. He’s only the protector. Douglas is angered by this and says he will get back everything that wa stolen from him. Wesley is mad at Taylor and walks away from her after she saves him. Taylor lies to the Lion and the Scarecrow and says the Wizard sent them to save them. Yhr Yindmsn and the Maiden end up parting in sorrow and anger when he tells her he’s decided to go with the others to fight the Witch and she begs him stay. Using his glasses, the Librarian is able to free himself. The others visit Dorothy’s grave and come up with a plan to get the bees to break their stingers by attacking the Tin Man. Taylor and Wesley have a fight over Taylor bullying him. He says he should have listened to her (by not returning( and she mostly agrees.
They all fall asleep on the way to the castle. When Weley awakenes Taylor is gone and Hope has his bookmark amulet. He realizes she’s working with Douglas. She tells him not to worry. He’ll bring Taylor back but don’t even think about going after her. She doesn’t want him. Wesley makes a run for it. She doesn’t get to tell him when its over (Taylor that is). The Tinsman’s plan Works. Douglas advises the Witch to now send out the winged monkeys. She commands them to bring the girl to her. Wesley reaches her just before watching them take her away. The Lion is captured. The Scarecrow is left for dead. The Tinsman is now amongst the jagged street.
Douglas sends Randy to greet Taylor. When she arrives he tells her that the monkeys will take her back. His dad sent them. He tells Taylor to just go and not do anything to anger his dad because he’s different there. Different just like her dad Taylor realizes. The Librarian finally escapes the cell. Douglas decides they should get out of there. The witch says she might have a way, but while mixing a concoction, Taylor melts her with a bucket of water. The scene changes as the castle disappears and transports them back to the meadow outside the Tinman’s hut. Just as they vanish Taylor sees Wesley but convinces herself he’s not real.
Taylor notices that nothings changed and loses all hope. Until she sees one and then three pink roses before Douglas opens the portal back and pushes her through. The Librarian tells Wesley he might not have won the war, but the story is getting back on the right track. He points out the villagers cheering for him. Then he asks where the bookmark is. Wesley thinks about how he’s going to have to break the Librians heart and tell them he doesn’t have it. They’re trapped in Oz.
My Thoughts
It was okay for what it was. It started off interestingly enough with all the changes going on affected by how they changed the story. But then they got to Oz and I don’t know. I just didn’t feel anything about the story after that. But to be fair I read an Oz book this year and it left me with the same feeling of indifference. The ending was also interesting tho and made me wonder how they’ll get out of Oz. So
Rating: 6
Taylor’s mom Karen shows up at the museum and she shows her the Oz exhibit. Instantly they are transported to the Tin Man’s hut. Karen is amazed and Taylor then takes her on a tour of Oz. The sky starts to get dark and they cut through the forest to go home. There they notice what looks like a black dog, but turns out to be a wolf with red eyes (one ear missing). The wolf’s pack appears and gives chase. The ground starts to sink chasing Karen and Taylor to fall. Karen blames Taylor saying that she knew this would happen. As they wolves leap to attack, Taylor awakens to find she’s dreaming and her copy of Oz is beside her. She flings the book across the room.
Wesley’s mom Rhonda finds him looking for the Wizard of Oz DVD she got him for Christmas and questions him about it. He says he needs it for school (a half-truth). She seems to never have seen the movie. She forbids him from spending so much time with Taylor and says he needs to find other friends that are “more like him”. Westly wonders if what happened in OZ had repercussions off the page. Taylor also notices changes. Her dad usually buys stick butter. This morning he has something in a container and bitter syrup in a container inside of warned up in the glass picture. Also, her papers and report cards are nowhere to be found on the refrigerator. Her father tells her about the Bates's decision for him to keep her away from Wesley and tells her he just doesn’t know what to do with her anymore. (Showing he blames her for Wesley’s disappearance the same as Mrs. Bates and their teacher).
Wesley and Taylor talk before school and Wesley says he suspects that all her good marks weren’t taken off the refrigerator. Also, it was strange that they were in the librarian's book and now he’s noticed that the story of the Wizard of Oz in the books has changed. His DVD was missing and when he did a search on the internet there was no movie of The Wizard of Oz. He also says his mom had never heard of it. Meanwhile, the Librarian searches Oz in the daytime for any signs of Doughlas, Randy, and their dark-haired friend but finds only dark trenches and remains of where the yellow brick road once were. In class, Wesley and Taylors' teacher give a lecture on the powerful impact of the written word's influence. The principal comes in and calls Taylor to come with him. He has a blue slip in his hands. She doesn’t come back.
Wesley finds Taylor in ISS (In School Suspension) and gets her out. Some of the teachers catch them and give chase, but they make it to the library. Since the door is locked, Wesley has to break the window. He’s halfway down when something tugs at him. Taylor tries to pull im back up but the thing guts him down all the way. Douglasm Randym and Bones appear in Oz. Randy is full of questions. Douglas tells him the librarian has something that he promised him a long time ago. It’s a ghost book about them. Ahead of them they see a dark castle and head toward it. Randy gets the feeling he should have turned back because he senses there’s an evil in it more powerful than anything in Sleepy Hollow.
Hope tells them the librian went to clean up their mess. When they ask how they also confess that they freed the Tin Man. Hope then tells them they messed with an important piece of the story. Because they did this they didn’t change anything in their world. They took them to a whole different one.
Wesley and Taylor tell Hope the only way they can fix things is by going back. Hope says that even if they do they won’t be able to get back. The portal only opens from their side otherwise they’d have a bunch of literary characters in their world that aren’t satisfied with there. But she says there is an amulet used in special cases. Only she doesn’t know what it looks like. Wesley realizes that the silver cord he was given is the amulet. Hope tries to snatch it off him but restrains herself. She says if *he* doesn’t have it he can’t get back.
When in OZ, Taylor Wesley, and Hope ) find an old woman in house rocking what turns out to be the Tin Man’s Head (mouth opened in a scream) ad talking out of her head. Taylor tries to ask the woman if she knows where the girl is who once lived there but she can’t get any sense out of the woman. She asks Wesleey if he can fix the Tin Man (whose parts are lying all about the room). He says that he might not be alive even if he can and the screws are all different. They decide to go to the man who put him together, The woman before they leave mumbles some gibberish about her doing it because she didn’t want him to leave and begs them to stay. She tells Taylor to tell them she’s sorry.. It starts to rain. Wesley and Taylor think they should turn back to the library but Hope wants to continue on through the forest. So they do.
Meanwhile, Doughlas demands to see the witch and ends up shooting a guard, The witch receives them, and Douglas offers her the gun after she’s told him she heard it took down her guard. He tells her she’ll need it. She finds this amusing. He tells her there’s only one person in charge and it’s not her. It’s Frank L Baum. This does strike a little fear in her. In a shop, Hope, Wesley, and Taylor come across Nel (the timesman’s daughter) who starts to work on the Tinsman When his head is attached, he begins to screech death threats at Nel which frighten her. Wesley and Taylor have to tell him she saved him. He apologizes and asks if they know what they did with his fiancée. They say that’s what they’ve come to find out. Then the Wheelers come. The Tinsman confronts one of them and then goes a little too far getting revenge and offs one of them with a sledgehammer.
The Witch doesn’t seem to think she’ll need Douglas’s help, but he makes a deal with her. He’ll arm all her men with “noisemakers” and she’ll never lose control of Oz again. The Tinsman tells the children in the village (who are all that’s left now) how he lost his fiancée. There was a terrible storm and when he got to his hut he found the witch who lured the winged monkeys and the wheelers. They tore him apart as his fiancée watched. He says he won’t go with them to fight the witch. The children say they’ll go with him to find fiancée. So will Westly, Hope, and Taylor. Then they’ll go find the Lion and Scarecrow and go to the place where Dorthy fell, and get someone to fight in her place to change the story back.
The Librarian makes his way to the castle’s entrance and distracts the guards with gifts while he uses magic to sneak past them. He’s almost there when he’s hit by a archer’s arrow from in a tower above and falls to the ground in a pile of bones, blood flowing into the castle.
As they go on, they find a field were the Muchkin maiden, the Scarecrow, and the Coaradly Lion are bing held as leaves. While the children and the Tinsman distract the gnomes with weapons and a sledgehammer, Wesley frees the Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tinsman. The other slaves mob him all wanting him to free them. Once he does one of them runs to join the fight to help his child. Then he’s joined by some of the others. Nel and her father make a run for it. Nel’s father starts to slow and tells her to go ahead but she won’t leave him. When it looks like the gnomes are going to catch up to them the trees start to attack and take down the gnomes. Meanwhile, the gnomes are catching up to Wesley and Taylor. Taylor is quick enough to hop up a tree, but Wesley isn’t and finds himself surrounded on a cliff with a 3200-foot drop. Taylor saves him by swinging down on a vine and knocking the gnome that’s lashing at him with a whip into the water below.
The Librian isn’t dead. He’s locked up in a cell. Douglas pays him a visit and he tells him the book isn’t his too give. He’s only the protector. Douglas is angered by this and says he will get back everything that wa stolen from him. Wesley is mad at Taylor and walks away from her after she saves him. Taylor lies to the Lion and the Scarecrow and says the Wizard sent them to save them. Yhr Yindmsn and the Maiden end up parting in sorrow and anger when he tells her he’s decided to go with the others to fight the Witch and she begs him stay. Using his glasses, the Librarian is able to free himself. The others visit Dorothy’s grave and come up with a plan to get the bees to break their stingers by attacking the Tin Man. Taylor and Wesley have a fight over Taylor bullying him. He says he should have listened to her (by not returning( and she mostly agrees.
They all fall asleep on the way to the castle. When Weley awakenes Taylor is gone and Hope has his bookmark amulet. He realizes she’s working with Douglas. She tells him not to worry. He’ll bring Taylor back but don’t even think about going after her. She doesn’t want him. Wesley makes a run for it. She doesn’t get to tell him when its over (Taylor that is). The Tinsman’s plan Works. Douglas advises the Witch to now send out the winged monkeys. She commands them to bring the girl to her. Wesley reaches her just before watching them take her away. The Lion is captured. The Scarecrow is left for dead. The Tinsman is now amongst the jagged street.
Douglas sends Randy to greet Taylor. When she arrives he tells her that the monkeys will take her back. His dad sent them. He tells Taylor to just go and not do anything to anger his dad because he’s different there. Different just like her dad Taylor realizes. The Librarian finally escapes the cell. Douglas decides they should get out of there. The witch says she might have a way, but while mixing a concoction, Taylor melts her with a bucket of water. The scene changes as the castle disappears and transports them back to the meadow outside the Tinman’s hut. Just as they vanish Taylor sees Wesley but convinces herself he’s not real.
Taylor notices that nothings changed and loses all hope. Until she sees one and then three pink roses before Douglas opens the portal back and pushes her through. The Librarian tells Wesley he might not have won the war, but the story is getting back on the right track. He points out the villagers cheering for him. Then he asks where the bookmark is. Wesley thinks about how he’s going to have to break the Librians heart and tell them he doesn’t have it. They’re trapped in Oz.
My Thoughts
It was okay for what it was. It started off interestingly enough with all the changes going on affected by how they changed the story. But then they got to Oz and I don’t know. I just didn’t feel anything about the story after that. But to be fair I read an Oz book this year and it left me with the same feeling of indifference. The ending was also interesting tho and made me wonder how they’ll get out of Oz. So
Rating: 6
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2015
Not Child Friendly
My word,
The author sure took this to a much darker place. In no way would no let my children read this until they were much older. I'm 36 and can't believe the things that were written in this book.
The first book was light hearted and child appropriate..this one...well just take a look at these examples taken directly from this book....these are just 2 of MANY
"Taylor squeezed her eyes shut, but there was nothing she could do to counter the sounds of tearing flesh, breaking bones and her mother's heartbreaking scr—"
"The Tinman buried the massive hammer in his chest again, and this time, bones and skin were broken. Blood gushed from a wound where broken ribs had torn through the Wheeler's chest."
I don't see how anyone could write that thinking it would be child appropriate..... there is no way I would EVER continue to read the rest of the books in the series if they were ever published.
My word,
The author sure took this to a much darker place. In no way would no let my children read this until they were much older. I'm 36 and can't believe the things that were written in this book.
The first book was light hearted and child appropriate..this one...well just take a look at these examples taken directly from this book....these are just 2 of MANY
"Taylor squeezed her eyes shut, but there was nothing she could do to counter the sounds of tearing flesh, breaking bones and her mother's heartbreaking scr—"
"The Tinman buried the massive hammer in his chest again, and this time, bones and skin were broken. Blood gushed from a wound where broken ribs had torn through the Wheeler's chest."
I don't see how anyone could write that thinking it would be child appropriate..... there is no way I would EVER continue to read the rest of the books in the series if they were ever published.
October 25, 2016
Wesley and Taylor are back and they're in so much trouble. Not only did they trespass the library's hidden secrets, they managed to change the course of history by changing the story of Wizard of Oz. The Tinman had been freed and could no longer help Dorothy, and Captain Hook met a new ally from the real world, a world Neverland had never heard of. Could this be the end of Peter Pan's mischiefs? Will Taylor and Wesley ever change everything back to order? Will their parents ever trust them again?
This had been a terrific sequel to The Librarian first book. Wesley has finally grown on me. Taylor the little troublemaker had impressed me with her grit and friendship. Randy the bully still pissed me off and his father Douglas got a lot of tricks up his sleeves. This has been a truly terrific and magical read, plus the cliffhanger in the end had me screaming like The Scarecrow! Oh gosh, this is perfect for Halloween!! Thumbs up from my boys and me!
This had been a terrific sequel to The Librarian first book. Wesley has finally grown on me. Taylor the little troublemaker had impressed me with her grit and friendship. Randy the bully still pissed me off and his father Douglas got a lot of tricks up his sleeves. This has been a truly terrific and magical read, plus the cliffhanger in the end had me screaming like The Scarecrow! Oh gosh, this is perfect for Halloween!! Thumbs up from my boys and me!
October 14, 2017
The Librarian is Fantastic!!
Eric Hobbs has outdone himself with the first two books in the Librarian series! I literally couldn’t put them down!
The characters are well developed and the storyline draws you in deeper and deeper with every page, yet he keeps elements of the character’s lives just out of reach to keep you coming back for more!
I loved that while the book, I believe, is geared towards the Middle Grades, everyone who picks up this book will fall in love with it and wait with bated breath for the next installment!
I look forward to seeing what happens next! Pick The Librarian up today and explore the secrets of the Library for yourself!
Eric Hobbs has outdone himself with the first two books in the Librarian series! I literally couldn’t put them down!
The characters are well developed and the storyline draws you in deeper and deeper with every page, yet he keeps elements of the character’s lives just out of reach to keep you coming back for more!
I loved that while the book, I believe, is geared towards the Middle Grades, everyone who picks up this book will fall in love with it and wait with bated breath for the next installment!
I look forward to seeing what happens next! Pick The Librarian up today and explore the secrets of the Library for yourself!
March 26, 2019
Ok, so not as good as the first book, but it was still good.
As a book lover, it is a unique perspective to go inside a classic story like The Wizard of Oz or Peter Pan. That alone keeps me turning page after page. The author is quite creative, but also creates well developed characters to go on these adventures.
I do still feel like this one didn't flow as well as the first book. There were a couple of moments that just didn't make sense to me, the moments just flipped too quick maybe....
Still, I want to read book 3. Just not right away. I feel like this one left off at a place that I'm okay with returning to at a later time.
3.5/5
As a book lover, it is a unique perspective to go inside a classic story like The Wizard of Oz or Peter Pan. That alone keeps me turning page after page. The author is quite creative, but also creates well developed characters to go on these adventures.
I do still feel like this one didn't flow as well as the first book. There were a couple of moments that just didn't make sense to me, the moments just flipped too quick maybe....
Still, I want to read book 3. Just not right away. I feel like this one left off at a place that I'm okay with returning to at a later time.
3.5/5
January 7, 2014
Great 2nd entry in this series. Really enjoyed the overlap of this story with another story, The Wizard of Oz (one of my personal favorites!). The kids seem to be growing up a little in this one and there's some more "adult" themes such as violence and death, although not done in a dark, scary way in my opinion. Looking forward to the next installment.
April 6, 2019
This is the sequel to Little Boy Lost. We follow Taylor and Wesley after they were lost in the library the day before and they come to find out that their actions the day before have had consequences not only in Oz but in their own world as well. They head back to the library to find The Librarian to fix what they have broken and reset the story and get their lives back. When they arrive at the library, the find that the Librarian has already returned to Oz to set things to rights, but his assistant Hope is there to help them. Hope isn't exactly helpful though. Taylor figures out what she needs to do to fix her mistakes from the previous day and won't let anyone stop her.
Also in Oz are Randy and Douglas and Bones, who have their own agenda. I'm still not 100% clear on what Douglas is up to, but I'm hopeful that will be all cleared up in book 3. Bones and Randy don't really play much of a part in this Wizard of Oz retelling. This is definitely darker than the first book which was fun and whimsical. This has a more YA feel while the first one had a more middle grade feel. Then again I haven't read the original Oz books so I'm not sure how dark or violent it is so I'm not sure if it compares.
I like the original take on a classic tale. The characters are decent and the friendship between Wes and Taylor is great. This does end on a cliffhanger like book 1, but I do feel like the story this book has to tell was complete. They finished what they set out to do, and while there is more to tell this part of the story was told. Book 3 is out now, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the tale ends.
Also in Oz are Randy and Douglas and Bones, who have their own agenda. I'm still not 100% clear on what Douglas is up to, but I'm hopeful that will be all cleared up in book 3. Bones and Randy don't really play much of a part in this Wizard of Oz retelling. This is definitely darker than the first book which was fun and whimsical. This has a more YA feel while the first one had a more middle grade feel. Then again I haven't read the original Oz books so I'm not sure how dark or violent it is so I'm not sure if it compares.
I like the original take on a classic tale. The characters are decent and the friendship between Wes and Taylor is great. This does end on a cliffhanger like book 1, but I do feel like the story this book has to tell was complete. They finished what they set out to do, and while there is more to tell this part of the story was told. Book 3 is out now, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the tale ends.
May 14, 2017
Book 2 of the series...though I don't see subsequent entries.
Taylor and Wes head back to Oz to try to fix their mistakes from Book 1, as their world has begun to change due to the changes in Oz...not just little stuff like the texts, but also personalities and life-altering details. The Librarian is in there, as well as the bully and bad guys from Book 1. Hobbs starts to give the bully a change of heart based on his interactions with his dad, who acts differently in this new world, but it's incomplete.
Book 2 is much darker than Book 1...no longer a suitable bedtime story, unfortunately. Curious as to whether Hobbs will eventually continue the series, as it's not wrapped up but it's been a while since 2 came out.
Taylor and Wes head back to Oz to try to fix their mistakes from Book 1, as their world has begun to change due to the changes in Oz...not just little stuff like the texts, but also personalities and life-altering details. The Librarian is in there, as well as the bully and bad guys from Book 1. Hobbs starts to give the bully a change of heart based on his interactions with his dad, who acts differently in this new world, but it's incomplete.
Book 2 is much darker than Book 1...no longer a suitable bedtime story, unfortunately. Curious as to whether Hobbs will eventually continue the series, as it's not wrapped up but it's been a while since 2 came out.
September 3, 2017
So yeah, this book ends on a cliff hanger just like the 1st one did and then I learn that while it was written in 2012 and the author promises at the end of it that he knows where how the story will end and that the next books will be coming they haven't been written. So, can't really recommend the series for that reason right there and then there's the fact that there were some quite disturbing things going on in this book - like the Tin Man beating to death a Wheelie in front of a bunch of kids.
September 12, 2018
We all know the story of the Wizard of Oz. Now hear a new version which is a little darker than the original. Follow along with Tay and Wes as they make their way through the picture in the Library to the Land of Oz and try to fix what went wrong. Meet all of your favorites such as the Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion as well as the Wicked Witch and those pesky flying monkeys. Great book #2 for those middle readers.
May 16, 2017
So a decent book that expands on the origional story and develops the underlying problems. They have come back to a world that isn't quite right. Now they need to fix it. I was really enjoying the read until I reached cliffhanger number two. Not a problem except there is no book three and am unsure as to whether there ever will be. As a result I must say read at your own risk.
June 3, 2017
I really liked this one, but think it is for a slightly older crowd than the first one. We raised a houseful of boys and now they've got boys in that bloodthirsty age group, so I think that they will gleefully enjoy reading it on their own or with friends. The story line picks up where the first one left off, and I surely wish I could find the next one!
April 29, 2023
3.0. This book did not capture the essence of the first book in the series. Unhappily Ever After had the feeling of bad fan fiction rather than the leap into adventure of the first book. Not terrible but not great either.
January 10, 2018
I wish there was more detail about Hope, but otherwise I liked it better than book 1. A solid story and I'm disappointed that book 3 isn't out yet!
June 16, 2018
The Librarian book2
Another cliffhanger for sure... Eric Hobbs is a great storyteller and has a special way of twisting the story to keep you reading.
Another cliffhanger for sure... Eric Hobbs is a great storyteller and has a special way of twisting the story to keep you reading.
August 13, 2012
5 STARS I enjoyed the first book so much when I was let known that the second book was out and recieved it. I read it right then and did not put the book down till I was through. The first book ended and the second takes up right away. In the Lost Boy they had made some changes to The Wizard of Oz that changed the story so the The wicked witch won and took over Oz. That was not the worst of it. When Taylor and Wesley made it back into thier real world it had changed to. Instead of Taylor being straight A's she is in detention and her dad has changed with her. Wes's mother does not want him to be her friend because she is such a trouble maker. Wes is afraid because of the changes to the story were so critical it changed things in the real world. They think maybe the Librarian will know how to help them, but when they breakout of school they find he went back to try and correct what they had done. But he has not made it back and no longer as the amulet that will let him stay longer that Wes has it. So they decide it is thier fault they need to make it right. So they got back into the world of Oz to stop the wicked witch. Also Hope who works with the Librarian goes back with them. Another book that is real and having changes made to it is Peter Pan. Someone wants to help Captain Hook defeat Peter Pan and the Lost Boys. They also talk about the difference from the wizard of Oz the movie and the things that are different from the book. I have to say I never picked up that book to read and I usually like books better than movies. The Librarian brings books to life and as we step into the books and discover a new world this is a good entertaining book. Most of the characters are old favorite ones and some new ones that will be favorite hopefully a long time. I was given this ebook by the author Eric Hobbs and asked to review it when I finshed with honest review. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. Personally I don't like to wait for next books I want to know now what is going to happen. 08/05/2012 PUB 237 pages File Size: 287 KB
January 1, 2021
Book #2 in The Librarian
This is the second story in this series, and this one is a little more choppy. At the beginning, Taylor is reunited with her mom at the Astoria Library. Maybe it has been a while since I've read this first book (it has,) and I should go back and read the first one again. But, I was a little lost at the beginning of the book. Some of the chapters were very short and they jumped around in location from the end of one chapter to the beginning of the next. It was confusing and maybe could have been written smoother. However, I really like this series and the characters in it. It's fun to read, and I think middle-school and younger YA readers would really enjoy this series. The book did end on a cliffhanger. That didn't make me so happy. Four stars.
UPDATED from 2015: Here's the thing that bother me the most about this series: I read this book right after I bought it (in 2012,) and again in 2015. My issues: the ending of the book is a real cliffhanger; however, there is no third book in sight. I have read online, here and there, that Mr. Hobbs is working on a graphic novel series for this, but PLEASE, just give us a concluding book three for us non-graphic novel fans. Personally, I am not fond of the current trend of making books into graphic novels. They don't reproduce very well on e-readers, for one thing. Another: I enjoy creating this characters in my head, not have someone show me what these characters should look like. I have to knock this down to a three star. I liked it a lot, but if this is all I'm going to get to read, it really upsets me. This series was just getting started, and just getting good too. Bummer. I'm deleting my books in this series, as I fear I will not get to read anymore of them. Ever.
This is the second story in this series, and this one is a little more choppy. At the beginning, Taylor is reunited with her mom at the Astoria Library. Maybe it has been a while since I've read this first book (it has,) and I should go back and read the first one again. But, I was a little lost at the beginning of the book. Some of the chapters were very short and they jumped around in location from the end of one chapter to the beginning of the next. It was confusing and maybe could have been written smoother. However, I really like this series and the characters in it. It's fun to read, and I think middle-school and younger YA readers would really enjoy this series. The book did end on a cliffhanger. That didn't make me so happy. Four stars.
UPDATED from 2015: Here's the thing that bother me the most about this series: I read this book right after I bought it (in 2012,) and again in 2015. My issues: the ending of the book is a real cliffhanger; however, there is no third book in sight. I have read online, here and there, that Mr. Hobbs is working on a graphic novel series for this, but PLEASE, just give us a concluding book three for us non-graphic novel fans. Personally, I am not fond of the current trend of making books into graphic novels. They don't reproduce very well on e-readers, for one thing. Another: I enjoy creating this characters in my head, not have someone show me what these characters should look like. I have to knock this down to a three star. I liked it a lot, but if this is all I'm going to get to read, it really upsets me. This series was just getting started, and just getting good too. Bummer. I'm deleting my books in this series, as I fear I will not get to read anymore of them. Ever.
August 28, 2012
I received a copy of Unhappily Ever After from the author for an honest review.
Unhappily Ever After begins with Tay and Wes's return to the 'real' world. Unhappily is a perfect way to explain their return. Both kids keep saying things are 'off'. A quick return to the library offers an explanation and once again the kids are going back to Oz. Except, everything is different. Oz is a much darker place.
The story is wonderful. Ms. Hobbs has included aspects of Oz that are unique to the book, things not from the movie. I loved the way in which we saw both Wes and Tay grow as characters. These are not the same kids we saw in the first book. These kids are well aware their actions caused horrible consequences. All the changes in Oz are a result of their visit. They must fix the problems.
We see some familiar characters, Scarecrow, Tinman and of course (my favorite) the Lion. Alas, Dorothy is no longer around. The Wicked Witch controls Oz, along with her flying monkeys.
If you enjoyed the first book The Librarian, you will enjoy the continued adventures of Wes and Tay. This is not the end of the story. I look forward to the third book. I would love to see Wes and Tay resolve the problems they have created. By the way, I went back and reread my copy of The Wizard of Oz...Enjoyed it much more after reading Eric Hobbs books.
I give this book 5 stars.
Unhappily Ever After begins with Tay and Wes's return to the 'real' world. Unhappily is a perfect way to explain their return. Both kids keep saying things are 'off'. A quick return to the library offers an explanation and once again the kids are going back to Oz. Except, everything is different. Oz is a much darker place.
The story is wonderful. Ms. Hobbs has included aspects of Oz that are unique to the book, things not from the movie. I loved the way in which we saw both Wes and Tay grow as characters. These are not the same kids we saw in the first book. These kids are well aware their actions caused horrible consequences. All the changes in Oz are a result of their visit. They must fix the problems.
We see some familiar characters, Scarecrow, Tinman and of course (my favorite) the Lion. Alas, Dorothy is no longer around. The Wicked Witch controls Oz, along with her flying monkeys.
If you enjoyed the first book The Librarian, you will enjoy the continued adventures of Wes and Tay. This is not the end of the story. I look forward to the third book. I would love to see Wes and Tay resolve the problems they have created. By the way, I went back and reread my copy of The Wizard of Oz...Enjoyed it much more after reading Eric Hobbs books.
I give this book 5 stars.
October 21, 2013
It’s such a great concept to have adventures begin in a library, don’t you think? After all, don’t libraries hold within their walls some of the greatest adventures? And the very best librarians are those who not only know the secrets within the books that surround them but who, rather than reveal them outright, simply point adventurers in the right direction.
I really enjoyed the fact that Hobbs chose to have very small, bite-sized chapters in The Librarian Saga. They helped me compartmentalize what was happening to the various characters. The pacing of the story was wicked fast … so much so that I finished Part 1 in one sitting because I just couldn’t wait to get to the ending.
What’s in store for you in Part 2?
• more action
• greater character development of the main characters
• two main characters whose friendship is put to the test
• a bully you might just feel something for
• an adventure down the yellow-brick road
Hobbs has a great love for books and the art of storytelling. His passion seeps through every page of his work. I'm very interested in reading what happens next in Part 3!
I really enjoyed the fact that Hobbs chose to have very small, bite-sized chapters in The Librarian Saga. They helped me compartmentalize what was happening to the various characters. The pacing of the story was wicked fast … so much so that I finished Part 1 in one sitting because I just couldn’t wait to get to the ending.
What’s in store for you in Part 2?
• more action
• greater character development of the main characters
• two main characters whose friendship is put to the test
• a bully you might just feel something for
• an adventure down the yellow-brick road
Hobbs has a great love for books and the art of storytelling. His passion seeps through every page of his work. I'm very interested in reading what happens next in Part 3!
July 3, 2013
Things will never be the same again...
A fanciful exploration into classic literature - showing not only how it changes our lives, but through the Library's portals, how we can change the literature itself. Classic tales irrevocably altered by readers entering the lands of beloved novels, combined with dark forces and an unknown end as the world changes around them...when they alter the story, it alters our world as well!
A wonderful continuation from the first book, Eric Hobbs has set the stage for even more literary intercession, as the children and the Librarian try to put things (mostly) right again.
A thoroughly enjoyable, fun read - I will be passing this on to my children!
Well done.
Gary Nelson, author of The Ultimate Tree House Project
A fanciful exploration into classic literature - showing not only how it changes our lives, but through the Library's portals, how we can change the literature itself. Classic tales irrevocably altered by readers entering the lands of beloved novels, combined with dark forces and an unknown end as the world changes around them...when they alter the story, it alters our world as well!
A wonderful continuation from the first book, Eric Hobbs has set the stage for even more literary intercession, as the children and the Librarian try to put things (mostly) right again.
A thoroughly enjoyable, fun read - I will be passing this on to my children!
Well done.
Gary Nelson, author of The Ultimate Tree House Project
February 21, 2013
More for children than for young adults. Focuses a lot on some literature masterpieces as The wizard of Oz and (presumably, in the third part) on peter Pan. The narration represents an "ucronia" (alternate history) set in the literary world. The carachters reach for the romance and change events and the re-writing of the story influences their reality. This kind of narration has been masterly exploited in sci-fi, here it doesn't appear so effective. The parts (three or are there more?) of the book do not stand by themselves as they do not reach a "stop" in the narration as it usually happens in series and episodes. The taste you get is to be left on the core of the narration, waiting for next part, more like a publication in episodes on a magazine than a book.
September 19, 2014
Taylor and Wesley wake up to find the effect they had on the Tinman affected The Wizard of Oz story and their real world. Randy's dad, Douglas Stanford is also making changes. He has met with the Wicked Witch and Captain Hook and introducing a gun and cell phone respectively. Wesley and Taylor decide they need to get back into the land of Oz and make things right, after a few more wrongs like skipping school, stealing a bike and breaking into the library.
I have never read any of the Oz books, only watched the movie. I was surprised by the bloodshed described in the story and referenced back to the original by Baum. Not sure I want to read the original. As of this review the third installment was no available, though I don't know if I'll read that either.
I have never read any of the Oz books, only watched the movie. I was surprised by the bloodshed described in the story and referenced back to the original by Baum. Not sure I want to read the original. As of this review the third installment was no available, though I don't know if I'll read that either.
September 22, 2012
Book Two is just as exciting as Book 1, in other words a page turner. Having visited the Land of OZ, Wes & Taylor find that they have made a fatal mistake. How they go about fixing it is the jest of this tale. I really, really like the characters, the storytelling, its just the mis-handling of the plot I do not like. Maybe its just me, but if you shift worlds in an effort to get back to the original you need a bit more on the ball. Dorthy can no longer be dead, and TinMan cannot be with his true love. Solve those two in the next book and I will be a believer again. READ THIS BOOK, & see if I'm off base or not!
March 1, 2014
Another wonderful adventure with Wesley and Taylor! On their return home after their first visit to Oz, Wesley and Taylor realize their lives seem a little bit off. Their good deed from the previous story has messed up things in Oz and the kids vow to fix it as soon as they can. It's a battle to save Oz from the Wicked Witch and from someone closer to home and the two friends rise to the challenge. the first two books were delightful to read and I'm signed up to receive notification when Book 3 come out so I don't miss it. As to the complaints from some reviewers about the violence, I'd have to say the video games the kids play today are much more violent than this book was.
April 16, 2014
This is the second book in The Librarian series by Eric Hobbs. My son and I both enjoyed it very much, just as we did the first book. However, this book is darker and a little more graphic than the first in the series. It's portrayed as a middle school book, and I think that fits pretty well for age. My son is 8 though, so as I read this to him a couple chapters per night, I watered down the more graphic scenes to be appropriate for a younger child. He was very sad that there wasn't a book 3 for us to purchase and continue the story with right now. I'll continue to keep an eye out for it. =)
July 20, 2016
"Unhappily Ever After" by Eric Hobbs is a fun adventure that will work for adults as well as for children. A portal leads from the library to Oz and our heroes Wesley and Taylor did create a mess in there last time that needs to be corrected.
Being a trained librarian and bibliophile I loved the book for its concept and the message of books coming alive in your imagination. I enjoyed it for its adventure story with lots of action, the play on the Wizard of Oz theme and its rich characters.
Well written and hugely enjoyable.
I do agree with some of the reviewers that for sensitive younger children some scenes might be very strong, so parental guidance is advised.
Being a trained librarian and bibliophile I loved the book for its concept and the message of books coming alive in your imagination. I enjoyed it for its adventure story with lots of action, the play on the Wizard of Oz theme and its rich characters.
Well written and hugely enjoyable.
I do agree with some of the reviewers that for sensitive younger children some scenes might be very strong, so parental guidance is advised.
April 14, 2013
Having been so long since I read "Little Boy Lost", I was a little confused at first about the story. I remembered Wesley being the class nerd and Taylor being his loyal friend. What a shock to find out that time had been changed and Taylor was not considered a good girl or a good friend anymore. As usual, the plot of the book is fantastic - going in and out of Oz and changing the story of the book.
I love the character interactions in the book - the adults influencing the kids and the kids having to make their own decisions about right and wrong.
Can't wait for #3!
I love the character interactions in the book - the adults influencing the kids and the kids having to make their own decisions about right and wrong.
Can't wait for #3!
February 26, 2013
Interesting premise and fun read. How does one react when you discover you can visit the world of a child's story book like The Land of Oz or Never Never Land...but only if you observe and don't interact with anyone there? What happens when you decide to go and then don't live up to your end of the bargain. This read covered books 1 and 2. Will take a break and then go back to see what happens next.
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