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The Ever Afters #1
Of Giants and Ice
When Rory realizes fairy tales are the real deal at Ever After School, she embarks on a classic quest to fulfill her destiny in this “ fast-paced combination of middle school realism and fairy-tale fantasy” ( Kirkus Reviews ).
Rory Landon has spent her whole life being known as the daughter of a famous movie star mom and director dad. So when she begins a new after-school program and no one knows who her family is, Rory realizes something is different. After she ends up fighting a fire-breathing dragon on her first day, she realizes the situation is more unusual than she could have imagined. It turns out the only fame that matters at Ever After School is the kind of fame earned from stories Rory thought were fictional. But as Rory soon learns, fairy tales are very real—and she is destined to star in one of her own.
This first installment of The Ever Afters series reimagines classic fairy tale characters in a modern context, merging familiar fantasy with the everyday realities of middle-grade existence.
Rory Landon has spent her whole life being known as the daughter of a famous movie star mom and director dad. So when she begins a new after-school program and no one knows who her family is, Rory realizes something is different. After she ends up fighting a fire-breathing dragon on her first day, she realizes the situation is more unusual than she could have imagined. It turns out the only fame that matters at Ever After School is the kind of fame earned from stories Rory thought were fictional. But as Rory soon learns, fairy tales are very real—and she is destined to star in one of her own.
This first installment of The Ever Afters series reimagines classic fairy tale characters in a modern context, merging familiar fantasy with the everyday realities of middle-grade existence.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 24, 2012
About the author
Shelby Bach
5 books286 followersShelby Bach grew up reading every book she could find and writing stories in battered notebooks. She also rarely came home with a clean shirt and had lots of accidents that ended with a hunt for Band-Aids. Nowadays she writes on her laptop rather than in a notebook, but not much else has changed. She now lives in Portland, OR.
P.S. I tend to only rate books that make my "Best of the Year" roundup blog posts (in other words, prepare yourself for many five star ratings about a year in between). But I may also add a few reviews for titles I really adore.
P.S. I tend to only rate books that make my "Best of the Year" roundup blog posts (in other words, prepare yourself for many five star ratings about a year in between). But I may also add a few reviews for titles I really adore.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 268 reviews
March 25, 2015
Original BookTube review HERE
Oh my gumdrops, it’s awesome! This is a middle grade fantasy and, you know what, I’ve got to be honest with you guys. Middle grade fantasy is my favorite genre. It’s fun, it’s quirky, it’s innocent, it’s full of magic, and still manages to retain that beautiful wonder of childhood. I don’t know about you, but that’s a feeling I want to hold onto for a long time.
The reason I picked this book up was the cover. I know we’re not supposed to judge books by their covers, but look at this thing! It’s an explosion of beautiful artwork –there’s even a dragon– and I couldn’t help myself.
Re-told fairy tales are running wild in books and film today –which I absolutely love– so there’s a lot of competition in this genre. There’s the Sisters Grimm series by Michael Buckley, The Hero’s Guide series by Christopher Healy, and so many more. But Bach has become my hero in the retold fairy tale department because she has not only employed the beloved classics, like Snow White and Rapunzal, but also incorporated several lesser-known fairy tales and actual fairy ‘mythology’ into her world. This is an especially great treat to any of us who have read the original tales or, say, studied up on fairy tale mythology for a book or something. Because of this, I feel that Bach has managed to develop a new niche to dominate. The Ever Afters is a deliciously unpredictable take of a brilliant concept. I finished this book in two days, which I haven’t done in a while.
It was a relief to note that the three predominant characters, and not just the protagonist, experience character development in this book. About halfway through I was getting a little impatient for some development, but the fact that it did grow more slowly and through specific experiences was realistic.
I loved that this book used the fantasy adventure aspects to help the characters grow, not only as adventurers, but as kids dealing with normal issues of growing up and family hardships.
The writing is smooth and easy to read, the main character has attitude, but in a fun voice, and Ms. Bach certainly knows how to capture your imagination. I was hanging on her every word. The story itself has a high adventure feel that could appeal to older readers, even though it is a middle grade novel, and her hidden fairy civilization a nice sophistication to and a darker tone appropriate for the original stories.
Of Giants and Ice gets 5 stars, and anyone who loves fairy tales or fantasy adventure needs to read this book, so spread the word, and spread it fast!
Oh my gumdrops, it’s awesome! This is a middle grade fantasy and, you know what, I’ve got to be honest with you guys. Middle grade fantasy is my favorite genre. It’s fun, it’s quirky, it’s innocent, it’s full of magic, and still manages to retain that beautiful wonder of childhood. I don’t know about you, but that’s a feeling I want to hold onto for a long time.
The reason I picked this book up was the cover. I know we’re not supposed to judge books by their covers, but look at this thing! It’s an explosion of beautiful artwork –there’s even a dragon– and I couldn’t help myself.
Re-told fairy tales are running wild in books and film today –which I absolutely love– so there’s a lot of competition in this genre. There’s the Sisters Grimm series by Michael Buckley, The Hero’s Guide series by Christopher Healy, and so many more. But Bach has become my hero in the retold fairy tale department because she has not only employed the beloved classics, like Snow White and Rapunzal, but also incorporated several lesser-known fairy tales and actual fairy ‘mythology’ into her world. This is an especially great treat to any of us who have read the original tales or, say, studied up on fairy tale mythology for a book or something. Because of this, I feel that Bach has managed to develop a new niche to dominate. The Ever Afters is a deliciously unpredictable take of a brilliant concept. I finished this book in two days, which I haven’t done in a while.
It was a relief to note that the three predominant characters, and not just the protagonist, experience character development in this book. About halfway through I was getting a little impatient for some development, but the fact that it did grow more slowly and through specific experiences was realistic.
I loved that this book used the fantasy adventure aspects to help the characters grow, not only as adventurers, but as kids dealing with normal issues of growing up and family hardships.
The writing is smooth and easy to read, the main character has attitude, but in a fun voice, and Ms. Bach certainly knows how to capture your imagination. I was hanging on her every word. The story itself has a high adventure feel that could appeal to older readers, even though it is a middle grade novel, and her hidden fairy civilization a nice sophistication to and a darker tone appropriate for the original stories.
Of Giants and Ice gets 5 stars, and anyone who loves fairy tales or fantasy adventure needs to read this book, so spread the word, and spread it fast!
July 16, 2013
I initially wanted to give this book a four-star rating but I find, on reflection, that there are some things that are really well done in this new series. I also appreciate that my 11 year-old son, who read this book with me, was engaged throughout. He loved the humor, the plot twists, and the intelligence of the (female) protagonist. There was lots of action, swordplay, snappy dialogue, and pranks to keep him engaged!
The book takes a "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" approach to fairy tales: Fairy tales are not static, they repeat themselves every so often, and the Ever After School was established so that Characters (children with the potential to take the lead in a fairy tale) can be identified and trained for whichever story they will be called to play a role in. The school also ensures that fatalities are kept to an absolute minimum. There are still major injuries, and the students understand that undertaking a quest is a serious matter with risks, but the school prepares them as best as possible for whatever they might have to face.
Aurora "Rory" Langdon is the daughter of divorced Hollywood heavyweights: Mom is an actress, dad is a director, they both have Oscars, and our heroine has no identity of her own between them. Although some readers have commented on how repetitive her complaints were about this condition, pre-teens and teens all face the struggle to create an identity separate from their parents, and this is a major theme for this age group. The Langdon's divorce is also an oft-mentioned topic throughout the story and, as with the identity question, it didn't bother me that it came up a lot. Our heroine is only 11, and this is a really big deal in her world. It doesn't help that her mother is coping with the divorce by trying to outrun her emotions; she moves Rory to whatever new location she happens to be working, and Rory is left without much to ground her during a time of tremendous upheaval in her life. When Rory is identified as a candidate for the Ever After School (EAS) she is also presented with an opportunity to create a space of her own, no longer at the mercy of her parents' infighting, their fame, and their sometimes callous decisions.
Through Rory's exploration of this fantastic new world the story also delivers some large themes for pre-teens to sink their teeth into: The importance of courage in the face of adversity; the willingness to put the needs of others before oneself; and the effect of choices.
Although the narrative is not overly complex, this is also the first book in what is intended to be a series. The characters are sixth graders, and I expect that as the series progresses and the characters age, so will the complexity of the story. I would rate this book for ages 9+, and an excellent choice for classroom libraries.
The book takes a "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" approach to fairy tales: Fairy tales are not static, they repeat themselves every so often, and the Ever After School was established so that Characters (children with the potential to take the lead in a fairy tale) can be identified and trained for whichever story they will be called to play a role in. The school also ensures that fatalities are kept to an absolute minimum. There are still major injuries, and the students understand that undertaking a quest is a serious matter with risks, but the school prepares them as best as possible for whatever they might have to face.
Aurora "Rory" Langdon is the daughter of divorced Hollywood heavyweights: Mom is an actress, dad is a director, they both have Oscars, and our heroine has no identity of her own between them. Although some readers have commented on how repetitive her complaints were about this condition, pre-teens and teens all face the struggle to create an identity separate from their parents, and this is a major theme for this age group. The Langdon's divorce is also an oft-mentioned topic throughout the story and, as with the identity question, it didn't bother me that it came up a lot. Our heroine is only 11, and this is a really big deal in her world. It doesn't help that her mother is coping with the divorce by trying to outrun her emotions; she moves Rory to whatever new location she happens to be working, and Rory is left without much to ground her during a time of tremendous upheaval in her life. When Rory is identified as a candidate for the Ever After School (EAS) she is also presented with an opportunity to create a space of her own, no longer at the mercy of her parents' infighting, their fame, and their sometimes callous decisions.
Through Rory's exploration of this fantastic new world the story also delivers some large themes for pre-teens to sink their teeth into: The importance of courage in the face of adversity; the willingness to put the needs of others before oneself; and the effect of choices.
Although the narrative is not overly complex, this is also the first book in what is intended to be a series. The characters are sixth graders, and I expect that as the series progresses and the characters age, so will the complexity of the story. I would rate this book for ages 9+, and an excellent choice for classroom libraries.
April 18, 2017
Maybe I've read too many MG contemporary fairy tales about kids at a magic school, but in my opinion this is too much of the same. There are some interesting attempts at originality and at thoughtfulness, but it goes on far too long with not much happening, not much getting to know the characters beyond their iconographic roles, and an ending that is almost a cliffhanger. And yet, I'm done. I don't really want to know ppl better or know what happens next.
I did get a recommendation to find out what the tale "The Garden of Paradise" is....
I did get a recommendation to find out what the tale "The Garden of Paradise" is....
July 20, 2018
*claps* Bravo! Simply wonderful! This was a book that got me out of a reading slump! Even though it took me a while to finish, I still loved it! Need the next book now!
November 23, 2017
THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD I LOVE IT SO MUCH.
November 30, 2021
second read through 6/21/21: IT WAS AS GOOD AS I REMEMBER, I WENT THROUGH IT SO FAST!! I LOVE THE CHARACTERS, I MISSED THEM AND THEIR DYNAMIC SO MUCH IM SO SAD
also the mcs are literally kids, in this book they're in sixth grade (middle school fantasy genre), which i tend to forget, really makes all of this feel different, like percy jackson a little
I read this when I was in middle school and I was obsessed, it was so so good! I was in my fairy tale phase then and this series has fairy tale concepts and spin-offs so it was perfect for me
Might consider rereading it soon. . .
also the mcs are literally kids, in this book they're in sixth grade (middle school fantasy genre), which i tend to forget, really makes all of this feel different, like percy jackson a little
I read this when I was in middle school and I was obsessed, it was so so good! I was in my fairy tale phase then and this series has fairy tale concepts and spin-offs so it was perfect for me
Might consider rereading it soon. . .
December 4, 2019
4.5
This is the series that got me into fantasy and I am grateful for that! It has been so much fun revisiting this after such a long time
reading count: 8 (pre Goodreads days)
This is the series that got me into fantasy and I am grateful for that! It has been so much fun revisiting this after such a long time
reading count: 8 (pre Goodreads days)
February 4, 2017
One of the best books I've ever read.
January 7, 2013
The first part of Giants and Ice is getting to know Rory and her family and an introduction to the Ever After School (EAS). Rory is in the sixth grade, her parents are divorced and both her parents are movie stars. Being from famous parents, she has always felt like she never really had true friends plus it's hard to get to know anyone when your moving from place to place all the time. The Ever After School (EAS) is an after school program designed to assist the students with their "tales." An interesting concept where everyone is a character in a fairy tale and they are waiting for their tale to begin. This part of the story kinda got bogged down for me. Rory seems to worry a lot, worries about making friends, having her own tale, will she be able to complete it and there is quite a bit of bickering between her and Chase. There's one big action scene at the beginning and even some mysterious dreams that Rory doesn't seem to understand but more alluding to what is to come.
The second part of the story is where things get imaginative and creative, Rory's friend Lena is given a tale. Not just any tale, but Jack and the Beanstalk and she chooses Rory and Chase to be her companions. This is where all the action happens and Rory begins to grow as a character. There are some great scenes between Rory and Chase and I hope they will continue to be prominent in the second book in the series. I really like the balance of Rory who has a strong desire to do well, and Chase who can be infuriating, with the brainy Lena who is very smart but also makes mistakes as well. Most of all, I really enjoyed the twists with the fairy tale characters, the giants were certainly different then what I recall but quite amusing.
Review copy provided by authors agent and won as a giveaway from literaryrambles.com. A big thank you to both.
The second part of the story is where things get imaginative and creative, Rory's friend Lena is given a tale. Not just any tale, but Jack and the Beanstalk and she chooses Rory and Chase to be her companions. This is where all the action happens and Rory begins to grow as a character. There are some great scenes between Rory and Chase and I hope they will continue to be prominent in the second book in the series. I really like the balance of Rory who has a strong desire to do well, and Chase who can be infuriating, with the brainy Lena who is very smart but also makes mistakes as well. Most of all, I really enjoyed the twists with the fairy tale characters, the giants were certainly different then what I recall but quite amusing.
Review copy provided by authors agent and won as a giveaway from literaryrambles.com. A big thank you to both.
April 30, 2015
It took a while for me to get in to this book. There was just SO much exposition at the beginning and I just wanted the book to get to its part where the main characters go on a Tale. Once we were there it was much more entertaining. I think if the other books can get right to the fun, interesting parts of where the story arc is going, I will enjoy the others in the series. Definitely want to try, but we'll see how time allows for me to get to them.
October 15, 2020
Age: 10+
Content Warnings: Divorce, minimal violence, death, alcohol consumption
Library Category: Juvenile (Fairy-Tale Fantasy)
This is one of the few middle-grade novels that hasn’t lost its charm. It’s disappointing that, with such a high average rating, barely anyone’s ever heard of it; even my huge library network only has a couple of copies. Anyways, it’s a fairy-tale world with a questing aspect to it that gives it a bit of a Percy Jackson vibe. The writing wasn’t high-level, per se, but for a middle-grade novel it didn’t disappoint. The plot and pacing were well done, and I was almost constantly on the edge of my seat even though I’ve read the book before.
My only concern is the example the characters are setting for younger children. Just like my re-read of another middle-grade fantasy novel, Fablehaven, I found that the characters were not the best role models. Back to this book, in some ways they learned to work together and become friends, but the teasing was more rude and mocking than in good humor, and the fights were often extremely petty. This isn’t to say that it’s not a realistic outlook on today’s society or a reflection of how typical children/teens act, but I also don’t think we should be feeding our children this kind of behavior.
Possibly offensive content: For anyone 13+, there shouldn’t be many issues, although the MC's parents were divorced and there was one scene in which an adult drank to excess. For younger children, as I mentioned above, the amount of blatant rudeness could definitely be considered a little over-the-top. There was some violence, but it wasn’t too graphic (there were a few dragon fights, a kid lost a few fingers, multiple kids fainted, etc.). There were definitely a few mature themes (mature in terms of elementary schoolers). Really, think of other middle-grade novels like The Wishing Spell (The Land of Stories series), Fablehaven (the Fablehaven series), The Lightning Thief (the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series), etc.
I would highly recommend this quartet to anyone looking for a fun, quick read for themselves or their children!
Content Warnings: Divorce, minimal violence, death, alcohol consumption
Library Category: Juvenile (Fairy-Tale Fantasy)
This is one of the few middle-grade novels that hasn’t lost its charm. It’s disappointing that, with such a high average rating, barely anyone’s ever heard of it; even my huge library network only has a couple of copies. Anyways, it’s a fairy-tale world with a questing aspect to it that gives it a bit of a Percy Jackson vibe. The writing wasn’t high-level, per se, but for a middle-grade novel it didn’t disappoint. The plot and pacing were well done, and I was almost constantly on the edge of my seat even though I’ve read the book before.
My only concern is the example the characters are setting for younger children. Just like my re-read of another middle-grade fantasy novel, Fablehaven, I found that the characters were not the best role models. Back to this book, in some ways they learned to work together and become friends, but the teasing was more rude and mocking than in good humor, and the fights were often extremely petty. This isn’t to say that it’s not a realistic outlook on today’s society or a reflection of how typical children/teens act, but I also don’t think we should be feeding our children this kind of behavior.
Possibly offensive content: For anyone 13+, there shouldn’t be many issues, although the MC's parents were divorced and there was one scene in which an adult drank to excess. For younger children, as I mentioned above, the amount of blatant rudeness could definitely be considered a little over-the-top. There was some violence, but it wasn’t too graphic (there were a few dragon fights, a kid lost a few fingers, multiple kids fainted, etc.). There were definitely a few mature themes (mature in terms of elementary schoolers). Really, think of other middle-grade novels like The Wishing Spell (The Land of Stories series), Fablehaven (the Fablehaven series), The Lightning Thief (the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series), etc.
I would highly recommend this quartet to anyone looking for a fun, quick read for themselves or their children!
August 4, 2025
A reread of a childhood favorite. Five stars for being just as great as the first seven times, and for being one of the reasons I always wanted to write :)
Read
April 1, 2026nostalgia
March 15, 2017
"Your life starts when you stop just reacting to what happens, and you start making decisions about what you can do. Your life starts when you start taking matters into your own hands--no matter how scared you might be." -Rory Landon
...so I figured it was finally time to make a real review for this book.
The only reason I got this book was because someone gave it to me last year. To be honest, I didn't even like reading back then.
But, hey, it looked cool.
And now you're thinking, "OHHHHHHHHHH MYYYY GOSHH DID SHE JUST--"
Yes. I did judge a book by its cover. I mean, come on! Look at those faces! They're just so... facial...
THAT'S IT I'M DONE
In the beginning of the book, I found I could totally relate to Rory, which just made me want to read more about her.
One of the best parts about this book is how Shelby Bach manages to entwine both of Rory's worlds--the real one and the fairy tale one. It's amazing, but--HOW ON EARTH DOES SHE DO IT?!
I loved Rory's first day in EAS. I loved the friends she made (though a certain one was kind of her enemy). I loved all that time between the start of the book and the part where more action occurs. And although it took a few chapters to get some action, it was perfect! It just proves how much Rory has learned, and what she still needs to learn.
Anyway...I LOVE THE TALE! I love how the relationships between the three main characters grew stronger! GAH. I JUST LOVE IT!
(*whispers* Chaurora! SHIP! Sorry not sorry.)
ACTUALLY JUST QUIT READING MY REVIEW RIGHT NOW AND GO READ THIS BOOK. THIS SERIES. READ IT ALL!
...so I figured it was finally time to make a real review for this book.
The only reason I got this book was because someone gave it to me last year. To be honest, I didn't even like reading back then.
But, hey, it looked cool.
And now you're thinking, "OHHHHHHHHHH MYYYY GOSHH DID SHE JUST--"
Yes. I did judge a book by its cover. I mean, come on! Look at those faces! They're just so... facial...
In the beginning of the book, I found I could totally relate to Rory, which just made me want to read more about her.
One of the best parts about this book is how Shelby Bach manages to entwine both of Rory's worlds--the real one and the fairy tale one. It's amazing, but--HOW ON EARTH DOES SHE DO IT?!
I loved Rory's first day in EAS. I loved the friends she made (though a certain one was kind of her enemy). I loved all that time between the start of the book and the part where more action occurs. And although it took a few chapters to get some action, it was perfect! It just proves how much Rory has learned, and what she still needs to learn.
Anyway...I LOVE THE TALE! I love how the relationships between the three main characters grew stronger! GAH. I JUST LOVE IT!
(*whispers* Chaurora! SHIP! Sorry not sorry.)
ACTUALLY JUST QUIT READING MY REVIEW RIGHT NOW AND GO READ THIS BOOK. THIS SERIES. READ IT ALL!
January 18, 2015
This tale is about Ever After School's newest arrival, Rory Landon. Rory may not know it, but she is destined to save the world. Throughout the book Rory gains new and unexpected friendship, and several new skills. There is tons of character development, one thing out of many that makes this such a great book. Because of the wonderful descriptions and detail the world seems to pop out of the pages and surround you. You'll feel the same emotions as the characters and live their story through their eyes. In these books, a full page does not exist.
The Ever Afters is one of my top 5 favourite books in the whole world, which trust me, is saying a lot! I've read each book in the series 71 times except for Of Sorcery And Snow. Which I've read 76 times. Even though I've read it so many times, each time it just gets better and better! I can't wait for of enemies and endings!
The Ever Afters is one of my top 5 favourite books in the whole world, which trust me, is saying a lot! I've read each book in the series 71 times except for Of Sorcery And Snow. Which I've read 76 times. Even though I've read it so many times, each time it just gets better and better! I can't wait for of enemies and endings!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2015
Once again I was on the prowl for a book my reading-reluctant daughter could enjoy. I think this one is a winner. It's a nice adventure tale with challenges and heroics and friendships. The only item I'm nit-picking over is the fact that the main character chooses to deliberately lie to her mom about what her school really is, when the school has no rules about keeping it secret. I really don't like books teaching my children that it is ok to lie to their parents. But I'll wait until the next book, perhaps there will be a consequence to her lack of truthfulness. It wasn't such a big plot point that I've already given the book to said daughter, and so far she is enjoying it. Besides, if there's a point I don't agree with, I can still let her read it, and we can discuss it together. Teaching opportunities!
October 30, 2015
My daughter loved theses books and said I had to read them, so I did, and I love them too. They are a fun twist on fairy tales for our day. Did you magic still exists and you could be a character in your own fairy tale? With famous fairy tales and characters like Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Jake and the Bean stalk, the big Bad Wolf and so much more, if you like fairy tales you will like this book.
September 4, 2012
Maybe I'm just a sucker for fairy tale adventure stories (no matter what age they're written for) but I really enjoyed this book. The "secret school/camp for kids with special powers/heritage" isn't exactly a new idea, but this was well done. I'll be interested to see how the series progresses.
April 20, 2024
In my youth I read a lot of series that were "oh, I am but a wee modern child and I have fallen into a fantastical world! I must not let my parents find out about my magical powers or else the villains will boil them in syrup!"
This book is not that. The whole series has been a cherished memory since I first read them, and I love it so much. Rory is a lovely protagonist with flaws and strengths that are really inspiring for a child reader. Chase is exactly who he should be to teach a lesson of forgiveness and the depth of a person's life. Lena is so moving and so adorable. I want to hug them all. I want to adventure with them.
This book is not that. The whole series has been a cherished memory since I first read them, and I love it so much. Rory is a lovely protagonist with flaws and strengths that are really inspiring for a child reader. Chase is exactly who he should be to teach a lesson of forgiveness and the depth of a person's life. Lena is so moving and so adorable. I want to hug them all. I want to adventure with them.
July 12, 2023
Am I too old for this series? Probably, but they're so good okay—
July 30, 2025
A childhood favorite that still holds up!!!
July 31, 2020
I liked it. Fairy tale retellings are some of my favorite thing to read I honestly only started to really get into it towards the end of the book and am really excited to read the rest of the series.
October 23, 2023
One of my favorite childhood series... Sweet, innocent, and heartfelt.
May 15, 2016
Here's another one I found (and read) in a bookshop. Considering my lack of millions and the amount of time I spend in stores, I've developed a simple test for whether or not I want to buy a book. I read the first few chapters, and if it stays on my mind I skim a few more, and if I keep on thinking about it, I purchase it. This one I finished in the store, and when it hung in my mind for the next few weeks, I decided it was definitely worth it.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ◊ ◊ ◊
I have been really thrilled about the recent resurgence of the modern-fairy-tale-mashup genre. It combines dozens of fun Grimm and Lang and Anderson elements with great contemporary characters. This one achieves that confusing blend to near perfection.
Rory Landon has a rough time of it, what with her amazing movie star mother and academy-winning director father. She thinks her parent's careers define her life, and it doesn't help that they're divorced. All that is put into perspective when she joins an after-school program led by Sleeping Beauty.
The Ever After School trains kids destined for magical Tales, teaching everything from alchemy to combat. There, Rory finds herself with a new identity as a character. She makes friends with a young inventor named Lena and defends against bullies like Chase and Adelaide, while studying fairy stories and killing herself in sword practice. And the real problems start with the sudden appearance of a seriously tall beanstalk.
The first page did not suck me in, despite a pretty dramatic sentence. Rory gives a little spiel on taking control of your own life, which is a nice sentiment and all, but I feel like that's really implied by the rest of the book. Also, the writing style is a little choppy, which isn't surprising since it's the author's first published work. I would have liked more definition in some of the side characters, particularly the teachers at the Ever After School. It's not that they fall into bad stereotypes, but their strengths and weaknesses are the only things apparent, rather than a round blend. Rory's narration glosses over points like this. Also, her gullibility at the start bothered me a lot.
Her extraordinary determination, however, balances out this flaw. She's the kind of spunky that's not obnoxious, the strength that's not flawless, and the toughness that's not callous. While she sometimes lacks confidence, this fails to diminish her backbone. Lena might be the typical crazy smart best friend, but she has the heart and occasional gust of grit to make up for it. The character who really surprised me was Chase. I expected him, from his appearance on the cover, to be one of those fun characters who starts out undecided and a little unpleasant but then you find out that he's got a heart of gold, etc. Actually, he drove me up the wall, but not out of the book, which is a delicate balanced the author performs nicely. I kept believing he would eventually change but actually questioned at times whether I wanted him to, since his nasty attitude infuriated me. The subtlety of his character shifts fix any tendencies to hate him with a passion, the changes slow and very well done.
As for the plot, it moves very briskly, even with the necessary exposition. A few dramatic shockwaves and a smattering of problems at home provide interesting bends in the storyline, rather than becoming overly caught up in introductions (which I have seen happen a lot). These early encounters eventually culminate in the last half of the book zipping by with a flurry of new questions and freaky confrontations. Even though the high villainess appears only in the last quarter, this actually added to her general air of mysterious cruelty. A villain who remains hidden is frequently the most dangerous kind, and this one gave me the creeps. I wanted to hold tight to the last pages, especially because I read it just after it was published and I had a good year before the next one came out. A note for any potential readers: if you're already dying because you're waiting for several other series to end, don't kill yourself by starting this one until the fourth and final book comes out next year. Or maybe you're like me and just can't help it when something this engaging comes along.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ◊ ◊ ◊
I have been really thrilled about the recent resurgence of the modern-fairy-tale-mashup genre. It combines dozens of fun Grimm and Lang and Anderson elements with great contemporary characters. This one achieves that confusing blend to near perfection.
Rory Landon has a rough time of it, what with her amazing movie star mother and academy-winning director father. She thinks her parent's careers define her life, and it doesn't help that they're divorced. All that is put into perspective when she joins an after-school program led by Sleeping Beauty.
The Ever After School trains kids destined for magical Tales, teaching everything from alchemy to combat. There, Rory finds herself with a new identity as a character. She makes friends with a young inventor named Lena and defends against bullies like Chase and Adelaide, while studying fairy stories and killing herself in sword practice. And the real problems start with the sudden appearance of a seriously tall beanstalk.
The first page did not suck me in, despite a pretty dramatic sentence. Rory gives a little spiel on taking control of your own life, which is a nice sentiment and all, but I feel like that's really implied by the rest of the book. Also, the writing style is a little choppy, which isn't surprising since it's the author's first published work. I would have liked more definition in some of the side characters, particularly the teachers at the Ever After School. It's not that they fall into bad stereotypes, but their strengths and weaknesses are the only things apparent, rather than a round blend. Rory's narration glosses over points like this. Also, her gullibility at the start bothered me a lot.
Her extraordinary determination, however, balances out this flaw. She's the kind of spunky that's not obnoxious, the strength that's not flawless, and the toughness that's not callous. While she sometimes lacks confidence, this fails to diminish her backbone. Lena might be the typical crazy smart best friend, but she has the heart and occasional gust of grit to make up for it. The character who really surprised me was Chase. I expected him, from his appearance on the cover, to be one of those fun characters who starts out undecided and a little unpleasant but then you find out that he's got a heart of gold, etc. Actually, he drove me up the wall, but not out of the book, which is a delicate balanced the author performs nicely. I kept believing he would eventually change but actually questioned at times whether I wanted him to, since his nasty attitude infuriated me. The subtlety of his character shifts fix any tendencies to hate him with a passion, the changes slow and very well done.
As for the plot, it moves very briskly, even with the necessary exposition. A few dramatic shockwaves and a smattering of problems at home provide interesting bends in the storyline, rather than becoming overly caught up in introductions (which I have seen happen a lot). These early encounters eventually culminate in the last half of the book zipping by with a flurry of new questions and freaky confrontations. Even though the high villainess appears only in the last quarter, this actually added to her general air of mysterious cruelty. A villain who remains hidden is frequently the most dangerous kind, and this one gave me the creeps. I wanted to hold tight to the last pages, especially because I read it just after it was published and I had a good year before the next one came out. A note for any potential readers: if you're already dying because you're waiting for several other series to end, don't kill yourself by starting this one until the fourth and final book comes out next year. Or maybe you're like me and just can't help it when something this engaging comes along.
February 8, 2016
My Review:
The idea of this book was something that grabbed my attention right away besides the awesome cover. I loved the idea of Modern Fairytales and I couldn’t wait to read this. Months passed and I never picked it up but when my 2016HW challenge came around I figured I need this book on that list. Of course it was the first book I read for it. I wasn’t disappointed but I will say that this book is an intro book to the characters, the world build and the up and coming return of evil. So for me it was a tab bit slow and some of the characters got on my nerves, at least in the beginning. The book is a great build of characters and the MC Rory Landon really does a lot of growing in this book, from a guilty (almost always), shy girl to a confident butt kicker. Rory has famous parents so every time she starts a new school (because her mom wants to move a lot and her parents are divorced) she always gets the attention about being the girl with the famous parents. When she gets invited to Ever After School she realizes no one knows her parents and soon she starts to get the attention she always wanted on her and not her parents.
I loved the mix of characters and how each character in the story (the kids) will start their own tale based on tales we all know and love. Each kids must complete their tale to have their story written in the books. If you fail your tale and some have, you get your name on a wall. You don’t want your name on the wall. Rory is a special girl but doesn’t realize how special she really is. With the help of her new friend Lena and Chase they go on an epic tail to complete a story and find out that the Evil Snow Queen might be returning. This is what I loved most about this story, the evil villain wasn’t one that was used a lot in stories and for some reason I am always drawn to the Snow Queen however I was never a fan of that fairytale. Something about how evil she is just seems to never be done the way it should be in remade stories. This one I liked and looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book.
Even with the slow start and the characters getting on my nerves in the beginning, once the action started I was pretty much all in and couldn't wait to find out what Rory’s destiny is. I loved how this story was done and I loved the twist on the fairytales. I thought that was very well done. I am looking forward to reading the next one, just hope it doesn’t take me as long to get to it as this one did. I totally recommend to kids and adult, as long as you can get passed the characters in the beginning however kids would really enjoy this and probably wouldn't mind that part. This really was a great story. Glad I finally got the chance to read it!
This review was originally posted on Because reading is better than real life
The idea of this book was something that grabbed my attention right away besides the awesome cover. I loved the idea of Modern Fairytales and I couldn’t wait to read this. Months passed and I never picked it up but when my 2016HW challenge came around I figured I need this book on that list. Of course it was the first book I read for it. I wasn’t disappointed but I will say that this book is an intro book to the characters, the world build and the up and coming return of evil. So for me it was a tab bit slow and some of the characters got on my nerves, at least in the beginning. The book is a great build of characters and the MC Rory Landon really does a lot of growing in this book, from a guilty (almost always), shy girl to a confident butt kicker. Rory has famous parents so every time she starts a new school (because her mom wants to move a lot and her parents are divorced) she always gets the attention about being the girl with the famous parents. When she gets invited to Ever After School she realizes no one knows her parents and soon she starts to get the attention she always wanted on her and not her parents.
I loved the mix of characters and how each character in the story (the kids) will start their own tale based on tales we all know and love. Each kids must complete their tale to have their story written in the books. If you fail your tale and some have, you get your name on a wall. You don’t want your name on the wall. Rory is a special girl but doesn’t realize how special she really is. With the help of her new friend Lena and Chase they go on an epic tail to complete a story and find out that the Evil Snow Queen might be returning. This is what I loved most about this story, the evil villain wasn’t one that was used a lot in stories and for some reason I am always drawn to the Snow Queen however I was never a fan of that fairytale. Something about how evil she is just seems to never be done the way it should be in remade stories. This one I liked and looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book.
Even with the slow start and the characters getting on my nerves in the beginning, once the action started I was pretty much all in and couldn't wait to find out what Rory’s destiny is. I loved how this story was done and I loved the twist on the fairytales. I thought that was very well done. I am looking forward to reading the next one, just hope it doesn’t take me as long to get to it as this one did. I totally recommend to kids and adult, as long as you can get passed the characters in the beginning however kids would really enjoy this and probably wouldn't mind that part. This really was a great story. Glad I finally got the chance to read it!
Thank you so much for stopping by to check out my review
Hope you have a great day and Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Because reading is better than real life
Read
August 31, 2025guys I’m finally speaking my truth. ever since I first read this series in like 7th grade I’ve reread it probably almost every single year. yes it’s for middle schoolers and yes the ages of the main characters are unrealistic but I DONT CARE. an incredibly biased 5⭐️ for my emotional support book.
Want to Read
June 17, 2020I've heard from people on bookstagram and GR that this series is great for fans of The School for Good and Evil, so OF COURSE I must read this
July 21, 2025
July 2025 Rating: 5/5 stars
July 2025 Review:
YEAH THIS STILL HOLDS UP
I had to request through Inter Library Loan from my library, but man was the wait worth it. It's been 4 years since I've last read it, and it has absolutely held up. The characters, the world-building, the writing; everything here is done so beautifully and so tightly. This is a story well told, and it knows it. It owns what it wants to be, and then accomplishes every single thing (and more!) that it promised it would.
October 2021 Rating: 5/5 Stars
October 2021 Review:
The ending. The plot. I- wow. While I would say that Shelby Bach's writing style lacks the kind of comedic flare that Michael Buckley's Sisters Grimm series has and the charm of Shannon Hale's Ever After High novels, its practicality and tightness makes it no less enjoyable to read. The plot and the world-building are executed wonderfully, and I had a fantastic time reading this. I love the attention to detail that is paid to lesser-known fairy-tales and to the continuity. Character arcs are being set in motion, but you are also able to enjoy the characters for who they are.
This is definitely a middle grade book, what with our main heroes all being around 11 and 12, but in some ways, it feels very much like it was written for an older audience because of how competent and confident the story is. I can't believe no one talks about this series more?? I can't wait to read the rest.
July 2025 Review:
YEAH THIS STILL HOLDS UP
I had to request through Inter Library Loan from my library, but man was the wait worth it. It's been 4 years since I've last read it, and it has absolutely held up. The characters, the world-building, the writing; everything here is done so beautifully and so tightly. This is a story well told, and it knows it. It owns what it wants to be, and then accomplishes every single thing (and more!) that it promised it would.
October 2021 Rating: 5/5 Stars
October 2021 Review:
The ending. The plot. I- wow. While I would say that Shelby Bach's writing style lacks the kind of comedic flare that Michael Buckley's Sisters Grimm series has and the charm of Shannon Hale's Ever After High novels, its practicality and tightness makes it no less enjoyable to read. The plot and the world-building are executed wonderfully, and I had a fantastic time reading this. I love the attention to detail that is paid to lesser-known fairy-tales and to the continuity. Character arcs are being set in motion, but you are also able to enjoy the characters for who they are.
This is definitely a middle grade book, what with our main heroes all being around 11 and 12, but in some ways, it feels very much like it was written for an older audience because of how competent and confident the story is. I can't believe no one talks about this series more?? I can't wait to read the rest.
June 6, 2012
The main character, Rory Landon, is the daughter of famous movie people and thus some children may have a hard time relating to her. But she’s also suffering from a divorce, left with a mother who tries too hard and a father who doesn’t try hard enough. She has to deal with moving around a lot and making new friends wherever she goes. Her woes and fears are very real and her efforts at dealing with her problems make her a very credible and appealing creation. She’s not a expected choice as a heroine (and doesn’t she know it!) but Ms. Bach proves that the unlikeliest people can rise to the occasion.
Operating on the notion that Fairy Tale Characters might be real is a plotline that’s gotten a lot of attention and dedication from screenwriters, novelists, comic book writers, etc. Ms. Shelby takes that notion a bit further and posits that these stories are ongoing, drawing characters from every generation to carry on with their own Tales, each specifically made for the ones chosen to undergo their rigors and dangers. The Characters themselves (fairy tale creations that have achieved a kind of immortality like Rapunzel, Jack, Snow White, etc.) are a colorful bunch and definitely not the typecast beings you would expect (although I found Rapunzel’s constant prophesying to be a bit boring).
It’s easy to see why this book is geared towards younger readers. There are tales familiar and unfamiliar written about within these pages. Just hearing their titles is enough to send the curious searching the shelves to find their origins. Behind its not-so-subtle ploy to get younger children reading something besides Harry Potter or the Twilight series, this is an outstanding book with entertaining characters, a ripping great premise and deftly written scenes that aren’t just rip-offs from the original fairy and folk tales.
The subtitle “The Ever Afters” hints that this may be the first of a series. Let’s hope the following ones are as well written as this one.
Operating on the notion that Fairy Tale Characters might be real is a plotline that’s gotten a lot of attention and dedication from screenwriters, novelists, comic book writers, etc. Ms. Shelby takes that notion a bit further and posits that these stories are ongoing, drawing characters from every generation to carry on with their own Tales, each specifically made for the ones chosen to undergo their rigors and dangers. The Characters themselves (fairy tale creations that have achieved a kind of immortality like Rapunzel, Jack, Snow White, etc.) are a colorful bunch and definitely not the typecast beings you would expect (although I found Rapunzel’s constant prophesying to be a bit boring).
It’s easy to see why this book is geared towards younger readers. There are tales familiar and unfamiliar written about within these pages. Just hearing their titles is enough to send the curious searching the shelves to find their origins. Behind its not-so-subtle ploy to get younger children reading something besides Harry Potter or the Twilight series, this is an outstanding book with entertaining characters, a ripping great premise and deftly written scenes that aren’t just rip-offs from the original fairy and folk tales.
The subtitle “The Ever Afters” hints that this may be the first of a series. Let’s hope the following ones are as well written as this one.
July 28, 2025
"This book is the adventure you wish you had as a kid—but with way higher stakes and way cooler monsters."
Okay, first of all, if you ever dreamed of stumbling into a secret world where fairy tales are real and you get to be the hero, this is the book for you. Rory Landon doesn’t just read stories—she gets thrown into them, and not as some side character, but as the one who has to face down giants, outsmart witches, and basically save the day while still dealing with normal middle-school problems. (Because yeah, even Chosen Ones have homework.)
What makes this story so good is how it takes all those classic fairy tale tropes and flips them on their heads. The giants aren’t just dumb brutes—they’re terrifyingly clever. The magic isn’t easy—it’s messy and dangerous. And Rory? She’s not some perfect hero. She’s stubborn, scared, and totally out of her depth, but she keeps going anyway, which makes her a thousand times more relatable (and awesome).
The pacing is chef’s kiss—no boring parts, just one wild adventure after another. And the world-building? Impeccable. The Ever After School (where kids train to be fairy tale heroes) is the kind of place you’ll wish was real, even though it’d probably get you eaten by a dragon.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) – A perfect mix of heart, humor, and high-stakes fantasy. If you love Percy Jackson but wish it had more fairy tales, this is your new obsession.
P.S. If you don’t finish this book and immediately check your closet for secret portals, did you even really read it?
Okay, first of all, if you ever dreamed of stumbling into a secret world where fairy tales are real and you get to be the hero, this is the book for you. Rory Landon doesn’t just read stories—she gets thrown into them, and not as some side character, but as the one who has to face down giants, outsmart witches, and basically save the day while still dealing with normal middle-school problems. (Because yeah, even Chosen Ones have homework.)
What makes this story so good is how it takes all those classic fairy tale tropes and flips them on their heads. The giants aren’t just dumb brutes—they’re terrifyingly clever. The magic isn’t easy—it’s messy and dangerous. And Rory? She’s not some perfect hero. She’s stubborn, scared, and totally out of her depth, but she keeps going anyway, which makes her a thousand times more relatable (and awesome).
The pacing is chef’s kiss—no boring parts, just one wild adventure after another. And the world-building? Impeccable. The Ever After School (where kids train to be fairy tale heroes) is the kind of place you’ll wish was real, even though it’d probably get you eaten by a dragon.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) – A perfect mix of heart, humor, and high-stakes fantasy. If you love Percy Jackson but wish it had more fairy tales, this is your new obsession.
P.S. If you don’t finish this book and immediately check your closet for secret portals, did you even really read it?
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