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Never After #5
The End of the Story
Return to the land of Never After for the last time in the riveting conclusion to New York Times–bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz's hit middle-grade series perfect for fans of The Land of Stories books.
With the evil Olga drawing ever nearer, Filomena and her friends race to find the last surviving fairy, Sabine. For if Sabine perishes at the hands of the ogres, all of Never After will fall. Without a moment to lose, Fil, Jack, Alistair, Gretel -- along with friends old and new -- set off for Neverland to find Sabine and protect her at all cost.
But even in Neverland, there's mischief afoot. Not only does Peter Pan turn out to be an agent of chaos, but the crew discovers Sabine goes by another name in this mysterious land...Tinker Bell! Even more mysteries abound as Fil and her steadfast friends navigate mermaids, magical fruit, and prophecies with the help of some unexpected allies, like Captain Hook.
With Olga's forces closing in, will Fil find a way to protect the magic of Never After once and for all, and ensure a happily-ever-after for the End of the Story?
With the evil Olga drawing ever nearer, Filomena and her friends race to find the last surviving fairy, Sabine. For if Sabine perishes at the hands of the ogres, all of Never After will fall. Without a moment to lose, Fil, Jack, Alistair, Gretel -- along with friends old and new -- set off for Neverland to find Sabine and protect her at all cost.
But even in Neverland, there's mischief afoot. Not only does Peter Pan turn out to be an agent of chaos, but the crew discovers Sabine goes by another name in this mysterious land...Tinker Bell! Even more mysteries abound as Fil and her steadfast friends navigate mermaids, magical fruit, and prophecies with the help of some unexpected allies, like Captain Hook.
With Olga's forces closing in, will Fil find a way to protect the magic of Never After once and for all, and ensure a happily-ever-after for the End of the Story?
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2024
54 people are currently reading
728 people want to read
About the author
Melissa de la Cruz
162 books16k followersMelissa de la Cruz is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens including The Au Pairs series, the Blue Bloods series, the Ashleys series, the Angels on Sunset Boulevard series and the semi-autobiographical novel Fresh off the Boat.
Her books for adults include the novel Cat’s Meow, the anthology Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys and the tongue-in-chic handbooks How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less and The Fashionista Files: Adventures in Four-inch heels and Faux-Pas.
She has worked as a fashion and beauty editor and has written for many publications including The New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews.
Melissa grew up in Manila and moved to San Francisco with her family, where she graduated high school salutatorian from The Convent of the Sacred Heart. She majored in art history and English at Columbia University (and minored in nightclubs and shopping!).
She now divides her time between New York and Los Angeles, where she lives in the Hollywood Hills with her husband and daughter.
Her books for adults include the novel Cat’s Meow, the anthology Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys and the tongue-in-chic handbooks How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less and The Fashionista Files: Adventures in Four-inch heels and Faux-Pas.
She has worked as a fashion and beauty editor and has written for many publications including The New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews.
Melissa grew up in Manila and moved to San Francisco with her family, where she graduated high school salutatorian from The Convent of the Sacred Heart. She majored in art history and English at Columbia University (and minored in nightclubs and shopping!).
She now divides her time between New York and Los Angeles, where she lives in the Hollywood Hills with her husband and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
December 25, 2024
WHY DID THIS BOOK END SO QUICK
Overall review-4.9 stars!⭐️
0.1 off due to the bonus chapter- IT CANNOT END THAT WAY I NEED MORE INFO
it ended too quick- I wish the series kept going
It had an amazing plot twist tho- like I almost cried five times
😁
My notes to the author: please Melissa make another book for this series📚
Loved it loved it loved it
I can’t believe that’s the end to it tho
I’m in denial🥳
Please make a 6th book
please make a 6th book
please make a 6th book
In this story…….
Lots and lots of POTC🏴☠️ references so loved that as well as Peter Pan🧚!
I need to know more info tho
Please make another book I don’t want this to be the end although it’s called the end of the story
My final remarks: make another book pls✨✨✨✨
Also: If you liked this series you’ll defend enjoy half upon a time
Thank you for your time😀
Overall review-4.9 stars!⭐️
0.1 off due to the bonus chapter- IT CANNOT END THAT WAY I NEED MORE INFO
it ended too quick- I wish the series kept going
It had an amazing plot twist tho- like I almost cried five times
😁
My notes to the author: please Melissa make another book for this series📚
Loved it loved it loved it
I can’t believe that’s the end to it tho
I’m in denial🥳
Please make a 6th book
please make a 6th book
please make a 6th book
In this story…….
Lots and lots of POTC🏴☠️ references so loved that as well as Peter Pan🧚!
I need to know more info tho
Please make another book I don’t want this to be the end although it’s called the end of the story
My final remarks: make another book pls✨✨✨✨
Also: If you liked this series you’ll defend enjoy half upon a time
Thank you for your time😀
January 5, 2025
You know, I should be way to old to read this, but here we are. I started the series when the first book came out, and here we are, the end of the adventure. One thing- Jack and Fil are the cutest couple. The amount of times I giggled and squealed was out of hand. Oh, and cried. But it is beautifully balanced with romance AND fantasy, my favs! This book, like others, had me questioning my muggle, mortal, and human life. I mean, those really hit the fantasy scratch I needed. Just escaping reality for an hour or two into a world of never afters, Hogwarts, Camp Half Blood, all of the fantasy worlds I wished I was part of, or in their places. Melissa De La Cruz showed us all how fascinating she is to be able to show these different worlds. After all that, I really recommend reading the series! (WARNING:DO NOT READ THIS ONE BEFORE YOU READ THE OTHER 4)
December 29, 2024
I only learned of this series last December and binged my way through the first 4 within record time. Like I hadn't read so fast in years and the quality of the stories never really dipped much either. So when I heard last year that book 5 was going to be the finale I was both sad but a little relieved that the series wasn't getting milked to death and that it wasn't going to be a 20+ book series spanning many years of waiting ahead. I'm glad that I got to finish before the years end as I had started some new book series and more to start next year. So there's a lot of stuff that going on in this book and some new characters as well. I always thought that Peter Pan was more than a bit shady and this book sort of shows that I'm not the only one who has thought this. Captain Hook is far nicer than his Disney counterpart and it was odd to see him in this role but also sort of cool. The group also tends to separate at times, but especially during a big battle and while I usually don't like this happening, in this case it was totally necessary and worked well. I did like the ending and while its a bit gets-the-cake-and-eat-it-too it doesn't leave any bittersweet feelings this way. I loved this series as a whole and would recommend it from ages 10-11 and up, 9 might be pushing things a bit.
February 24, 2025
3.5⭐️
I liked the wrap up from the characters that this book provided but I did find it hard to follow at times. Considering it took place in a different timeline, it was hard to put the 4 precious books aside to focus on this one. But overall I did enjoy it and feel complete with the wrap up.
I liked the wrap up from the characters that this book provided but I did find it hard to follow at times. Considering it took place in a different timeline, it was hard to put the 4 precious books aside to focus on this one. But overall I did enjoy it and feel complete with the wrap up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2025
you see, i just had to know how this series ended, and now i feel completed :)
March 22, 2025
...and they lived happily ever after.
Or, did they?
End to a very good fractured fairy tale.
Or, did they?
End to a very good fractured fairy tale.
January 27, 2026
I absolutely loved this book! I am incredibly sad that I finished this series! One of my absolute favorite series that I have ever read!
February 4, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
November 8, 2025
Finally finished the series!! I just love how whimsical and precious these books are!! And that Addi loves them, too!!
December 22, 2024
I really liked the ending for this book! I thought it was super cute and I love Jack and Fil!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2025
As with The Thirteenth Fairy, The End of the Story is somewhat slow and plodding, and lacking the fun - who couldn't love the wolf motorcycle gang - nor is there the both blatant and sly humor found in the other books.
Along with the adventure there is far too much agonizing by Jack and Filomena about their love for each other, albeit because of Filomena's forced secret which appears to be a secret only to her three companions.
Soon after I began reading and became engrossed in The End of the Story I ordered The Thirteenth Fairy for my eleven-year-old granddaughter because she has recently started to read original fairy tales (as opposed to the sanitized Disney versions). However, as I continued reading The End of the Story, I found it to have far less charm than the original Never After and I won't encourage her to read it.
Coco Chanel believed that accessories were the finishing touch to any outfit. She famously said, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” This quote emphasizes that sometimes less is more when it comes to accessorizing.
I think Melissa de la Cruz could have applied that advice to The End of the Story with her afterthought "Bonus Wonderland Story". Ira's story would have been far better included in The Broken Mirror than as an appendage to The End of the Story.
3 Stars for The End of the Story.
Along with the adventure there is far too much agonizing by Jack and Filomena about their love for each other, albeit because of Filomena's forced secret which appears to be a secret only to her three companions.
Soon after I began reading and became engrossed in The End of the Story I ordered The Thirteenth Fairy for my eleven-year-old granddaughter because she has recently started to read original fairy tales (as opposed to the sanitized Disney versions). However, as I continued reading The End of the Story, I found it to have far less charm than the original Never After and I won't encourage her to read it.
Coco Chanel believed that accessories were the finishing touch to any outfit. She famously said, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” This quote emphasizes that sometimes less is more when it comes to accessorizing.
I think Melissa de la Cruz could have applied that advice to The End of the Story with her afterthought "Bonus Wonderland Story". Ira's story would have been far better included in The Broken Mirror than as an appendage to The End of the Story.
3 Stars for The End of the Story.
April 8, 2025
The End of the Story is the fifth and final book in the Never After series. It opens in California, about ten years after the last book. Filomena has just finished University. She has a boyfriend and remembers nothing about Never After. Gretel stayed behind in the last book and is working as a designer in Paris. The next thing you know, Jack is comatose on her couch and Alistair is telling her she needs to help him, as he tried to get to her through a portal. The more she talks to them, the more she begins to remember. She contacts Gretel to come home and they all end up back in Never After. The land is in bad shape. Olga and ogres have pretty much taken over, and Sabine is the last fairy, who must be saved at all costs. This time they end up in Neverland, where Sabine goes by a different name, Tinkerbell. Of course this time around, Hook is the good guy, and Peter Pan is an agent of chaos. We also meet Dracula and the undead, who play a part in the final showdown. The battle is fierce, Who would survive?
This final book brings back all the kings, queens, princes, princesses, mirrors and wizards that we met throughout the series. They are all banding together to defeat Olga for the last time. I enjoyed visiting Neverland and seeing the story told with the flip in character traits. The League of Seven once again were together to support one another. With the various timelines that stories occurred, it was funny to see them trying to come to grips with their feelings and some of the events. The final showdown with Olga was tense. The relationships change a bit in this book and the romance of Jack and Fil is cute and very much the Disney fairytale type. This was a great ending to the series, with Olga finally vanquished and all the heroes together in one place. This is a fun MG series, a different take on the original stories, and one that shows the females as strong and independent, not the innocent women who need a man to save them.
This final book brings back all the kings, queens, princes, princesses, mirrors and wizards that we met throughout the series. They are all banding together to defeat Olga for the last time. I enjoyed visiting Neverland and seeing the story told with the flip in character traits. The League of Seven once again were together to support one another. With the various timelines that stories occurred, it was funny to see them trying to come to grips with their feelings and some of the events. The final showdown with Olga was tense. The relationships change a bit in this book and the romance of Jack and Fil is cute and very much the Disney fairytale type. This was a great ending to the series, with Olga finally vanquished and all the heroes together in one place. This is a fun MG series, a different take on the original stories, and one that shows the females as strong and independent, not the innocent women who need a man to save them.
December 13, 2024
Quick Summary/Spoiler: Filomena is back to Never After, but in a different timeline. Last book she was stuck between choosing to stay in the mortal world with Gretel or staying in Never After. After she chose to stay in the mortal world, Jack risks his life coming through the broken portal to come see her and to save his life Filomena and Gretel decide to go back to Never After to save him, but a twist happens. Now in the conclusion of this book one final fight is happening with new characters joining the party like Kaya (King Arthur's sister) and Captain Hook with a surprise appearance from Dracula. The Never After series is an amazing story to read, it teaches kids lessons like power of friendship, it's ok to ask for help and you don't need to have to do it all alone, everything isn't what it seems, courage is needed to discover the truth, and you can do anything you put your mind to despite the age. I'm happy to say the story did end with a happy ending and two additional in between short stories toward the end. 10/10
February 2, 2026
GET YOUR TISSUES READY WHILE READING THIS BOOK😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭.
Omg was this a roller coaster of emotions, This is my favorite series and im so mad that it's over with. I love the Never After World and the characters with all my heart im literally crying while typing this.
This had me hooked from beginning to end i literally read this in one sitting and I didn't put it down unless I had to eat or use bathroom.
I was hesitant to read this since its the final book in the series and i just didn't want it to end but I was so eager to know what would happen to Filoma and her friends especially after that major cliffhanger in the 4th book so I started it.
And I was not disappointed in the least. I lived how the story took place in Neverland with hook, Peter, and Tinker bell. I did love how instead of hook being evil he was actually a really nice and intelligent guy who just wanted to explore neverland and the other world, Peter of course was still the playful trickster although I absolutely hated how he joined the evil queen and her minions, I liked how they kept thinkerbell as her loving all though shy self and used her thinker abilities to be a welder. I basically enjoyed all the new characters and back stories that were introduced. Im glade everything worked out in the end but oh my god was that a close call and the author definitely had me a few time there in some parts.
But overall i loved this series, and i am really am sad this series is over.
Omg was this a roller coaster of emotions, This is my favorite series and im so mad that it's over with. I love the Never After World and the characters with all my heart im literally crying while typing this.
This had me hooked from beginning to end i literally read this in one sitting and I didn't put it down unless I had to eat or use bathroom.
I was hesitant to read this since its the final book in the series and i just didn't want it to end but I was so eager to know what would happen to Filoma and her friends especially after that major cliffhanger in the 4th book so I started it.
And I was not disappointed in the least. I lived how the story took place in Neverland with hook, Peter, and Tinker bell. I did love how instead of hook being evil he was actually a really nice and intelligent guy who just wanted to explore neverland and the other world, Peter of course was still the playful trickster although I absolutely hated how he joined the evil queen and her minions, I liked how they kept thinkerbell as her loving all though shy self and used her thinker abilities to be a welder. I basically enjoyed all the new characters and back stories that were introduced. Im glade everything worked out in the end but oh my god was that a close call and the author definitely had me a few time there in some parts.
But overall i loved this series, and i am really am sad this series is over.
December 2, 2024
“13 fairies born to the fairy king and queen when none live so shall never after die with them”
Everything lies on Filomena as she desperately tries to keep the past from repeating itself.
I will admit that I made a mistake and didn’t realize that this was the fifth book in a series , that being said however , I thoroughly enjoyed this book to the point that I plan on going back and reading the first four books that I have yet to read.
I highly recommend this book, especially for older kids and teenagers, but I also think a good majority of adults who enjoy magic and fairytales would also enjoy this book.
The narrator Imani jade Powers did an amazing job at bringing the characters to life
Thank you Netgalley McMillan audio for the arc
Everything lies on Filomena as she desperately tries to keep the past from repeating itself.
I will admit that I made a mistake and didn’t realize that this was the fifth book in a series , that being said however , I thoroughly enjoyed this book to the point that I plan on going back and reading the first four books that I have yet to read.
I highly recommend this book, especially for older kids and teenagers, but I also think a good majority of adults who enjoy magic and fairytales would also enjoy this book.
The narrator Imani jade Powers did an amazing job at bringing the characters to life
Thank you Netgalley McMillan audio for the arc
February 26, 2025
THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW!
This can only be described as: Genius,Pure Perfection, and Out of this world Good!
The 4th book's the cliffhanger almost killed me; I was devastated! But this book right here saved me! LITERALLY! The romance, the heartbreak, I cried,I smirked, I laughed, I sighed-in content, I got upset, and I was ogling over it for forever!(I still am!)😍AHHH it was so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THE MOST PERFECT LOVE STORY IN ALL TIME(aka my life) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Also Jack's jealousy, and the whole Prince Stefan thing, 'cause IDK about Y'all but I was wondering who he was since book #1... and the fact that Jack's middle name is Stefan AHHHHHHHHHHHHH I loved this book immensely!
This can only be described as: Genius,Pure Perfection, and Out of this world Good!
The 4th book's the cliffhanger almost killed me; I was devastated! But this book right here saved me! LITERALLY! The romance, the heartbreak, I cried,I smirked, I laughed, I sighed-in content, I got upset, and I was ogling over it for forever!(I still am!)😍AHHH it was so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THE MOST PERFECT LOVE STORY IN ALL TIME(aka my life) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Also Jack's jealousy, and the whole Prince Stefan thing, 'cause IDK about Y'all but I was wondering who he was since book #1... and the fact that Jack's middle name is Stefan AHHHHHHHHHHHHH I loved this book immensely!
September 23, 2025
I cannot tell you how happy I am to be done. It may seem unfair for me to rate this one star when I knew I wouldn't like it, but I did want to know what happened to them all, and that one star is for it. But the story was just so disappointing. we jump back, have to redo it all, but somehow with even more drama. Nobody grows at all, and it just feels very rushed. I did really appreciate that the romance was kept to just kissing, but still, 12 year olds confessing love felt really gross for me.
This book also includes references to, and several LGBTQ couples, and most of them are 12-year old kids.
I probably won't read anything more by this author, but I did really love her Descendants novels. Those are amazing.
This book also includes references to, and several LGBTQ couples, and most of them are 12-year old kids.
I probably won't read anything more by this author, but I did really love her Descendants novels. Those are amazing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2024
This was a fantastic ending to this series of stories. 12 year old me would have been in heaven, not that old lady me wasn’t. It was great to get reacquainted with Fil, Jack, Gretel & Alistair along with meeting a bunch of new characters. The dragons, the undead, a great villain along with Pan, Hook and others were so fun. I enjoyed the variety of settings and the way the story was set up in parts. I liked that the ending was very satisfying and tied up all the loose ends for characters that I came to like very much. The narrator was fabulous & listening to her was a joy.
Thanks to NetGalley & MacMillam Audio for Roaring Brook Press for an audiobook copy.
Thanks to NetGalley & MacMillam Audio for Roaring Brook Press for an audiobook copy.
February 13, 2025
This was the final book in Melissa de la Cruz’s Never After series; a much anticipated conclusion for the League of Seven. I give this one a 3.5.
I flew through the first four books, couldn’t wait to get to the next, this one took me a little while to really get into. I am not sure if it was the repeating of topics over and over or if there was a shift in where the adventure was going, but something was off at the start.
Once I got into it though, it was a quick read and I was happy with the outcome. Melissa brought the story to a gentle close and left me feeling that the characters had their happily ever after.
I flew through the first four books, couldn’t wait to get to the next, this one took me a little while to really get into. I am not sure if it was the repeating of topics over and over or if there was a shift in where the adventure was going, but something was off at the start.
Once I got into it though, it was a quick read and I was happy with the outcome. Melissa brought the story to a gentle close and left me feeling that the characters had their happily ever after.
January 31, 2025
I have no business loving this series as much as I have, but here we are. This book was the perfect ending to this series, even though I wish it could go on longer! I loved the different timelines and “trying to get it right” but in the end Filomena and Jack will always be in love. I really enjoyed that this story had Peter Pan and King Arthur story lines in it and we got closure from all of the characters and their stories at the end. Perfect middle grade series for those who love fairy tale retellings!
February 5, 2025
Omg….that ending with the bonus chapter 😭 I wanna learn more about Alice and ira and her love… Jack and fil in this book were amazing as always! But I wish I got a little more about them at the end, just to know how there love ended up! Overall this book was amazing and went by so fast! Loved almost every second of this series and I wish there was more! But all good stories have an end eventually i guess, loved this series!
October 13, 2025
An amazing ending to the story. Plus the side story was nice and it was cool to see Ira have that whole story on the side and it makes me curious what other characters have side stories like that and the gay couples are a little weird but, it's okay. I wish there was a book just of bonus stories. That would be awesome 👌🏾
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2025
I love this book since I first started reading it's a really great book and I enjoyed reading it a lot. I love the characters, plot dialogue and description of scenes from the book. It's a good book all the way to the end. I give it 5 stars and recommend it to anyone else to read it.
April 27, 2025
This was an amazing book! I love how Filomena had to be careful not to expose the different timelines to her friends. This book is fast paced and witty. I loved learning Ira’s story from before she was a mirror.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2025
I love how the Never After series rapped up! At the end there was a glorious moment shining through the pages. I loved how many rising actions and downfalls this book was full of. It was amazing hearing everything that happened after Olga was defeated!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2024
I love the never after so much, I never want it to end!!!
December 15, 2024
I liked this ending WAY more than book 4's!
Much happier HEA. I did feel that this could have just been the ending then.
I didn't feel this adventure was necessary and the whole answer was, typically, right in front of them.
Hate how Filomena was keeping Jack at a distance, breaking his heart tho. That's never the right answer even if you think it's what would save them lol
Luckily all ended well so this would have been a 3 star for me 😅
But I love Jack 🥰🤭 haha
Much happier HEA. I did feel that this could have just been the ending then.
I didn't feel this adventure was necessary and the whole answer was, typically, right in front of them.
Hate how Filomena was keeping Jack at a distance, breaking his heart tho. That's never the right answer even if you think it's what would save them lol
Luckily all ended well so this would have been a 3 star for me 😅
But I love Jack 🥰🤭 haha
December 12, 2024
A really great ending to the series!
January 2, 2025
This book was an amazing ending to the series. It takes the reader through a fantastic journey and finally comes to the end of our favorite questing heros.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews