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Whatever After #7
Beauty Queen
The magical seventh installment in this NEW YORK TIMES bestselling series!
This time, the magic mirror sucks Abby and Jonah into the story of Beauty and the Beast. When Jonah angers the Beast by picking flowers from his garden, he becomes the Beast's prisoner! Abby has to save her brother by finding Beauty, whom the Beast will surely fall in love with, right? NOPE. The Beast doesn't like Beauty, so it's up to Abby and her brother to match-make this reluctant pair and fix this fractured fairy tale before things get pretty ugly!
This time, the magic mirror sucks Abby and Jonah into the story of Beauty and the Beast. When Jonah angers the Beast by picking flowers from his garden, he becomes the Beast's prisoner! Abby has to save her brother by finding Beauty, whom the Beast will surely fall in love with, right? NOPE. The Beast doesn't like Beauty, so it's up to Abby and her brother to match-make this reluctant pair and fix this fractured fairy tale before things get pretty ugly!
176 pages, Hardcover
First published April 28, 2015
288 people are currently reading
2250 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Mlynowski
161 books3,354 followersSarah was born in Montreal, Canada. After graduating with an honors degree in English literature from McGill University, she moved to Toronto to work for Harlequin Enterprises. While she never met Fabio, she used her romance publishing experiences to fuel her first novel Milkrun.
Since then, Sarah has written four additional novels for adults: Fishbowl, As Seen on TV, Monkey Business, and Me vs. Me; the New York Times bestselling middle grade series Whatever After; the middle grade series Upside-Down Magic (with Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins); and the teen novels Bras & Broomsticks, Frogs & French Kisses, Spells & Sleeping Bags, and Parties & Potions (all in the Magic in Manhattan series), as well as Gimme a Call, Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have), Don't Even Think About It, Think Twice, and I See London, I See France. Along with Lauren Myracle and E. Lockhart, Sarah also wrote How to Be Bad, and along with Farrin Jacobs, she wrote See Jane Write, a guide to writing. Sarah also co-edited two bestselling charity collections (Girls' Night In and Girls' Night Out), and has contributed to various anthologies (American Girls About Town, Sixteen: Stories About That Sweet and Bitter Birthday, 21 Proms, First Kiss (Then Tell), Fireworks, and Vacations from Hell).
Sarah is also a co-founder of OMG BookFest, a celebration of books aimed at the early to middle grade reader (ages 7-12) that brings together commercial and award-winning authors with underserved local communities for an exciting experience of books, games and activities.
Sarah's books have been translated into twenty-nine languages and optioned to Hollywood. She now lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.
Since then, Sarah has written four additional novels for adults: Fishbowl, As Seen on TV, Monkey Business, and Me vs. Me; the New York Times bestselling middle grade series Whatever After; the middle grade series Upside-Down Magic (with Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins); and the teen novels Bras & Broomsticks, Frogs & French Kisses, Spells & Sleeping Bags, and Parties & Potions (all in the Magic in Manhattan series), as well as Gimme a Call, Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have), Don't Even Think About It, Think Twice, and I See London, I See France. Along with Lauren Myracle and E. Lockhart, Sarah also wrote How to Be Bad, and along with Farrin Jacobs, she wrote See Jane Write, a guide to writing. Sarah also co-edited two bestselling charity collections (Girls' Night In and Girls' Night Out), and has contributed to various anthologies (American Girls About Town, Sixteen: Stories About That Sweet and Bitter Birthday, 21 Proms, First Kiss (Then Tell), Fireworks, and Vacations from Hell).
Sarah is also a co-founder of OMG BookFest, a celebration of books aimed at the early to middle grade reader (ages 7-12) that brings together commercial and award-winning authors with underserved local communities for an exciting experience of books, games and activities.
Sarah's books have been translated into twenty-nine languages and optioned to Hollywood. She now lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
June 10, 2025
این سری مجموعه ها خیلی خوبن
این جلدش هم خیلی کیوت بود🙂
این جلدش هم خیلی کیوت بود🙂
January 31, 2025
This was such a fun and unique take on Beauty and the Beast!
May 30, 2015
This series is perfect for kids and anyone who wants a light, fun, fairy-tale inspired tale. Overall 2/5 stars; I would definitely recommend the series, but this particular book did not impress me.
June 6, 2015
Definitely the best so far. Abby had a lot of character growth, and THAT ENDING. ASDFGHJKL
July 22, 2022
This is the fourteenth time I have read a book in this series. I have been reading these stories with my girls for over 6 years now. I read a few of these stories with my oldest starting in 2016. Now my youngest is reading them to me, and her sister has handed down the first several stories in the series. We had started reading them in 2016 but my oldest skipped around a bit and read a couple of volumes to her Aunt and Grandma while on a road trip. This was my first time encountering this specific story. My youngest insists we review everything that we read together, so this review from 2022 is part of that effort. Between reading with my oldest and youngest this is the fourteenth time I have read a book in this series. The stories have great staying power. Even as an adult I can enjoy these books, not only the first time but rereading them again and again.
Mlynowski always does a wonderful job with the story in this book, and all we have read in the series so far. My oldest was a reluctant reader. Back then when we read, I would read two pages for every page she read to me. The whole family loves these stories from 8-years old to 80 years old. It is a fantastic series. The stories are fun and entertaining, but also have some valuable lessons and insight.
My youngest daughter and I give this story a solid 5/5 stars, she says this is her favourite to date, because we got to learn a lot about Maryrose and Jax. She was also surprised by what happened at the end with Jonah’s memories and some other memories. This story had a lot of twists and turns that she had not guessed and took her completely by surprise. She was totally taken by what happened at the end with both Freckles and Beauty. And she loved the surprise around what happened to Abby’s jewellery box once the story was resolved.
The description of this story is:
“This time, the magic mirror sucks Abby and Jonah into the story of Beauty and the Beast. When Jonah angers the Beast by picking flowers from his garden, he becomes the Beast's prisoner! Abby has to save her brother by finding Beauty, whom the Beast will surely fall in love with, right? NOPE. The Beast doesn't like Beauty, so it's up to Abby and her brother to match-make this reluctant pair and fix this fractured fairy tale before things get pretty ugly!”
I enjoyed Abby’s growth in this story. Her realizing who she was becoming and taking steps to change it. I also was surprised by some of the twists in this one. It is one of the best in the series.
We always enjoy Mlynowski’s twists and takes on old tales. Another great take on a familiar tale. The writing in these stories is excellent. My daughters and I love reading them together. And the retelling of this story surprised both of us at several different points and I am certain it will surprise you. It is a great book in an excellent series.
Mlynowski always does a wonderful job with the story in this book, and all we have read in the series so far. My oldest was a reluctant reader. Back then when we read, I would read two pages for every page she read to me. The whole family loves these stories from 8-years old to 80 years old. It is a fantastic series. The stories are fun and entertaining, but also have some valuable lessons and insight.
My youngest daughter and I give this story a solid 5/5 stars, she says this is her favourite to date, because we got to learn a lot about Maryrose and Jax. She was also surprised by what happened at the end with Jonah’s memories and some other memories. This story had a lot of twists and turns that she had not guessed and took her completely by surprise. She was totally taken by what happened at the end with both Freckles and Beauty. And she loved the surprise around what happened to Abby’s jewellery box once the story was resolved.
The description of this story is:
“This time, the magic mirror sucks Abby and Jonah into the story of Beauty and the Beast. When Jonah angers the Beast by picking flowers from his garden, he becomes the Beast's prisoner! Abby has to save her brother by finding Beauty, whom the Beast will surely fall in love with, right? NOPE. The Beast doesn't like Beauty, so it's up to Abby and her brother to match-make this reluctant pair and fix this fractured fairy tale before things get pretty ugly!”
I enjoyed Abby’s growth in this story. Her realizing who she was becoming and taking steps to change it. I also was surprised by some of the twists in this one. It is one of the best in the series.
We always enjoy Mlynowski’s twists and takes on old tales. Another great take on a familiar tale. The writing in these stories is excellent. My daughters and I love reading them together. And the retelling of this story surprised both of us at several different points and I am certain it will surprise you. It is a great book in an excellent series.
May 6, 2024
If I were rating this just for fun, 3 stars, but as a version of Beauty and the Beast, 2 stars. It doesn't have much of the themes from the original Fairytale instead being about jealousy, with a beauty is in the eye of the beholder lesson tacked on at the end. At least the Beast doesn't do anything wrong to deserve getting cursed. In the original he didn't deserve it either. Given his original backstory was trying to escape a wicked fairy who tried to force him to marry her when he was not yet of age, I understand changing it to a fairy who was jealous of the prince for having everything and being a good person. The ending gets a tad silly, and has the Beast decide to remain a beast to break a counter curse put onto our main character and decide that he likes being a beast and that it is his true self. The cheese monger and the Beast then fall in love at first sight and open a bed and breakfast together. Beauty learns to make time for self care and becomes the town librarian.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2016
This book is great! In this book Abby and Jonah go on another magical adventure through the magic mirror. This time Maryrose takes them to the story of the Beauty And The Beast! This story is amazing! Abby and Jonah's puppy Prince even tags along with them!
When Abby, Jonah, and prince get into the story they start off in the rosebush and it is Abby and Jonah's moms birthday soon so Jonah thinks it would be nice to give his mom a rose from the beast's pretty rose bush. Prince starts wondering around and he ends up playing with Mr. Beast and then Jonah walks out to find prince and the Beast gets mad at Jonah for picking one of his roses.
I love this book find out what else happens in the book!
When Abby, Jonah, and prince get into the story they start off in the rosebush and it is Abby and Jonah's moms birthday soon so Jonah thinks it would be nice to give his mom a rose from the beast's pretty rose bush. Prince starts wondering around and he ends up playing with Mr. Beast and then Jonah walks out to find prince and the Beast gets mad at Jonah for picking one of his roses.
I love this book find out what else happens in the book!
November 22, 2016
Fairy tales are meant to make you feel like anything is possible, this one however, made me feel trapped.
Beauty and the Beast is a classic. We expect Belle to be a perfect sweet human being and the beast to go through a major personality chance. Although, I enjoyed Mlynowski's idea to take over this story I found that compare to the other books in the series, this one fell flat. Abby decides to take Jonah out of pure egotistical reasons and the rest of the characters lack a special quality that makes them worth writing about.
Not for me.
Beauty and the Beast is a classic. We expect Belle to be a perfect sweet human being and the beast to go through a major personality chance. Although, I enjoyed Mlynowski's idea to take over this story I found that compare to the other books in the series, this one fell flat. Abby decides to take Jonah out of pure egotistical reasons and the rest of the characters lack a special quality that makes them worth writing about.
Not for me.
September 29, 2019
من هر چی بگم از این کتاب کمه 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
هر کسی که عاشق داستان های پرنسسی و ماورایی است باید این کتاب را بخونه تا بالغ بشه و کارنامه ی داستان هایش کامل بشه
این کتاب به ما کمک می کند که داستان ها را از هزار راه ببینیم و درک کنیم
این کتاب به کسانی که داستان های سریالی دوست ندارند این کتاب را نخوانند چون به شددت ماجرایی و سریالی است
ترجیحاً به دختر ها پیشنهاد می کنم چون راوی داستان دختر است و شخصیت اصلی داستان
اما برای پسر ها هم جا دارد چون شخصیت بعدی پسر است
به شدت طنز پنهان دارد که موقع ای که ایبی ( شخصیت اصلی داستان ) با خودش فکر میکند دقیقاً همان حرف هایی می زند که ما با خودمان فکر می کنیم و خیلی خنده دار است
خیلی خیلی جالب است بخوانید تا کارنامه تان تکمیل شود
هر کسی که عاشق داستان های پرنسسی و ماورایی است باید این کتاب را بخونه تا بالغ بشه و کارنامه ی داستان هایش کامل بشه
این کتاب به ما کمک می کند که داستان ها را از هزار راه ببینیم و درک کنیم
این کتاب به کسانی که داستان های سریالی دوست ندارند این کتاب را نخوانند چون به شددت ماجرایی و سریالی است
ترجیحاً به دختر ها پیشنهاد می کنم چون راوی داستان دختر است و شخصیت اصلی داستان
اما برای پسر ها هم جا دارد چون شخصیت بعدی پسر است
به شدت طنز پنهان دارد که موقع ای که ایبی ( شخصیت اصلی داستان ) با خودش فکر میکند دقیقاً همان حرف هایی می زند که ما با خودمان فکر می کنیم و خیلی خنده دار است
خیلی خیلی جالب است بخوانید تا کارنامه تان تکمیل شود
December 18, 2017
I think this was a great book! I rated it 5 stars because it was so interesting! I never wanted to put the book down! This book is about a girl named Abby and her brother Jonah who have a magic mirror in their basement. They realized that they were in the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast after they messed up their story! Plus Jonah doesn't remember anything from the previous fairy tales, so that's a huge problem! And to make everything worse, Jax the evil fairy turns Abby into a beast! And the only way to turn her back would be if she broke up Beauty and the Beast's wedding! Will they be able to restore Jonah's memories and turn Abby back into her normal self? Read the book and you'll find out!
May 5, 2022
This series came recommended to me through through a "you may also enjoy" list. I chose one from the middle, the seventh I believe, and gave it a listen. As much as I love middlegrade fiction and fairytale retellings and reimaginings, my feelings while listening to this audiobook could be summed up by the grandson in *The Princess Bride*: You're ruining the story. Now get it right!
Maybe I'm getting too old for middlegrade fiction. Points of interest were another Jewish protagonist and most bad behavior being addressed.
Maybe I'm getting too old for middlegrade fiction. Points of interest were another Jewish protagonist and most bad behavior being addressed.
September 15, 2017
A série ficou repetitiva, porém o final dá um gancho para que o próximo livro seja mais diferente. Continua sendo uma ótima companhia para noites de insônia. 😋
June 19, 2020
At first, the beginning of this book was very boring, but I kept reading, and it got better and better!
I would recommend!
I would recommend!
October 8, 2020
An Addi recommendation and I loved it! She’s the sweetest and this is her favorite series!
December 2, 2020
A little predictable and Abby's pity for herself got on my nerves but it was still good
February 11, 2021
Don’t judge me I needed something lighthearted okay
April 23, 2022
These are very fun and cute stories about siblings that travel thru a mirror into fairy tale stories. This one is obviously Beauty and the Beast.
August 28, 2025
loved it
August 7, 2020
I liked the way the story end and story was okay
October 10, 2018
If the rating was 10 stars I would put ten stars
May 26, 2022
I actually liked this one and the little twist at the end of this story of who the real beauty was in this story was a great twist and for the last two or three of these books, I'm liking how these fairytale stories have become lessons and morals for Abby to learn from and to help her change her attitude and learn valuable lessons. Like this one which was about jealousy and the harm just one emotion such as this can cause pain and grief but sadness in oneself if they have it.
One part I nearly lost it with Jonah was when a kingdom in this one actually had his favorite 'food' or condiment which was KETCHUP! *laughing* like seriously, it made me laugh and I nearly lost it since I know how much Jonah LOOOOVES his ketchup since book 1 it seems but acts like a total 7 year old on top of that with it. The end to this one was like what the frick!? Now I'm wanting to finish this series for sure and I'm loving them even more as each book has gone on and they're ones I'd totally love to have and collect one day and read to my little niece who'll be four months tomorrow (May of 2022) and even to my future kids when I get married and have kids one day. These are so much fun and I can't wait for now until my little niece gets older and I can read these to her!
For any mom who's looking for good, fun, clean stories for their kids, these are it and perfect even for little boys who will totally relate to Jonah and vice versa with girls and Abby. These are seriously so much fun and I'm absolutely loving them!
May 6, 2015
The most amazingest book ever!!!!!!!!! I really couldn't wait until I started reading this and finished reading this. I love how the in the book it talks about what happened in some of the previous books. An example would be like that in the last one which was Cold as ice, Jonah (Abby's brother), got hypnotized by maryrose the fairy in their mirror! I love everything and there is nothing that the author could do to make it better. Abby and Jonah go to the story of the Beauty and the Beast! There are really funny parts, like that everyone's name in the kingdom describes themselves. Like the Kingdom's name is Kingdom, and the beauty's name in beauty and the beast is Beauty! Abby was trying to make Jonah get his memories back. (SPOILER ALERT) Jonah does get his memories back and he gets some of Mary-rose's memories back too!!!!! I wish that Sarah Mylinowski can make more books in this series and in one of my favorite other series too. I recommend this and give it 5 stars.
June 10, 2015
This is a wonderful series of books for anyone. They have become a family favorite in our house. The first book starts with Jonah and his sister Abby living in a normal town in a normal house until they find an old mirror in the basement. Each book takes these two children to a different fairy tale. Each fairy tale has its own twists and turns and while the mirror swept them into the fairy tale it may not be the way back. These books are brilliant, fun and amazingly creative.
I won a signed copy for an honest review and my granddaughters (ages 9, 6 and 4) were delighted since we were patiently awaiting its release. These books should be in all school libraries. They have strong with girl power and many good values.
I won a signed copy for an honest review and my granddaughters (ages 9, 6 and 4) were delighted since we were patiently awaiting its release. These books should be in all school libraries. They have strong with girl power and many good values.
August 26, 2016
I liked it. When I read this series its always like there is one major problem and then towards the end smaller problems occurred. To me, I wished some of the smaller problems were the bigger issues. For example, when Abby turned into a beast herself in the end I wished the author expanded a little bit more. Maybe I am outgrowing this series. I am 12 and I don't know what the recommended age is for these books, but that's my opinion on it. I finished it in two days. Maybe I need to start reading thicker books :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2015
i loved this!!
January 31, 2016
Good choice for girls grades3-5, depending on reading levels.
Abby and Jonah meet Beauty and the Beast.
Abby and Jonah meet Beauty and the Beast.
November 5, 2016
So, so fun and clever. This was light-hearted children's book perfection.
November 4, 2019
Whatever After is a magical fantasy series about a girl named, Abby and her brother, Jonah, who have discovered a magic mirror in their basement that can take them into different fairy tales. In this book, Abby and Jonah travel into the fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast. Problems start to emerge when Jonah picks a rose from the Beast’s garden. The author keeps the reader in suspense in whether or not Abby and Jonah will get back home in time before their parents awake. Whatever After Beauty Queen is an excellent fantasy that captures the reader's attention by the author’s unique character development. The book would be a good fit for third to fifth graders.
In the classroom, this book would be an excellent source for teaching voice. The author created the book through Abby’s point of view, therefore the book is a good example of illustrating personal voice. Students can create their own fantasy by writing short stories about their reactions to being in a fairy tale. Some example questions for students are: What fairy tale would you like to be a part of? How would you react to a similar conflict in the book, Whatever After Beauty Queen? Would you attempt to change the fairy tale? How and why?
Another in class learning experience could be about problem and solution. In the book, Abby and Jonah experience many conflicts. As a whole class, determine the different problems that occurred in the book. After, in groups, students can brainstorm various solutions and share out at the end.
I considered, Whatever After Beauty Queen, to be a WOW book because it is enjoyable, suspenseful, and has excellent illustration of characterization. The book is a magical journey for children to read. As a teacher, you want your students to enjoy the books they are reading. The Whatever After series is a great attention grabber and encourages your imagination to run wild. Have fun with the book! Most students love to write fantasies.
In the classroom, this book would be an excellent source for teaching voice. The author created the book through Abby’s point of view, therefore the book is a good example of illustrating personal voice. Students can create their own fantasy by writing short stories about their reactions to being in a fairy tale. Some example questions for students are: What fairy tale would you like to be a part of? How would you react to a similar conflict in the book, Whatever After Beauty Queen? Would you attempt to change the fairy tale? How and why?
Another in class learning experience could be about problem and solution. In the book, Abby and Jonah experience many conflicts. As a whole class, determine the different problems that occurred in the book. After, in groups, students can brainstorm various solutions and share out at the end.
I considered, Whatever After Beauty Queen, to be a WOW book because it is enjoyable, suspenseful, and has excellent illustration of characterization. The book is a magical journey for children to read. As a teacher, you want your students to enjoy the books they are reading. The Whatever After series is a great attention grabber and encourages your imagination to run wild. Have fun with the book! Most students love to write fantasies.
June 11, 2020
In this story Abby and Jonah travel too Beauty and the Beast, but this fairytale takes a completely different turn of events from the original story. Jonah picks a rose and Abby goes to get help from Beauty. Everything seems too be going great, Beauty and Mr. Beast get engaged. Mr. Beast turns back into a human. But then the fairy Jax comes along and changes everything. First abby is a beast again and then they break the engagement but once again Jax changes things and everyone else is a beast until they steal the yo yo.
The ending was amazing Jonah finds Abby in school and and tells her that he has some of Maryroses memories in his head.
Abby learns a very important lesson in this book. She learns that everyone has different talents and that every talent is special. She starts off by being jealous of Penny and at the end when she apologizes she learns that Penny has a hard time in geography and that comes easier to her.
The ending was amazing Jonah finds Abby in school and and tells her that he has some of Maryroses memories in his head.
Abby learns a very important lesson in this book. She learns that everyone has different talents and that every talent is special. She starts off by being jealous of Penny and at the end when she apologizes she learns that Penny has a hard time in geography and that comes easier to her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2023
Jonah has lost all his memories of their fairy tale adventures. Abby finally gets the mirror to work one night and they find themselves in 'Beauty and the Beast.' Their first stop is the castle. Jonah picks a rose. Uh, oh. Beast is not pleased and insists on keeping him until Abby can find a substitute. No problem. She'll just dash into the village and find Beauty. As usual, complications arise. There were fun things like the concrete names of all things in this kingdom from 'Cheese Shop' to 'Grumpy Great Grandmother.' Beast has always wanted a brother and finds the Jonah is great fun as a guest. They discover that a jealous fairy named Jax is the spellbinder. He returns for the wedding and reminds Abby of her own struggles with jealousy back in Smithville. This is one of my favorites because of the creativity in altering the tale and the Abby's character development. Will Jonah get his memories back? You will have to read this one yourself and find out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews