What do you think?
Rate this book
Everafter #1
The Bitches of Everafter
From the author of the #1 bestselling book, OPAL FIRE, comes a brand new spellbinding trilogy inspired by the characters of fairy tales.
These are not the mild-mannered maidens of your childhood. These are fallen princesses and fierce women with no recollection of who they are, where they came from, or how they arrived in a mysterious town called Everafter. All they know is that they've been sentenced to a stretch in a half-way house by a malicious judge with an ax to grind. They've been stripped of their freedom, their kingdoms, and their true loves. Now, they have nothing left to lose.
Snow White is the newest parolee to arrive at Granny's House for Girls. It isn't long before she learns that her housemates harbor secrets, and that the mansion itself is a meandering enigma. She stumbles upon forbidden doorways, ghostly passages, and walls that seem to breathe. Determined to find out what's really happening inside those old walls, Snow embarks on a dangerous discovery mission. Not everyone is thrilled about her nosing around. In fact, there are some who would kill to keep the secrets that the house-and its occupants-hold.
These are not the mild-mannered maidens of your childhood. These are fallen princesses and fierce women with no recollection of who they are, where they came from, or how they arrived in a mysterious town called Everafter. All they know is that they've been sentenced to a stretch in a half-way house by a malicious judge with an ax to grind. They've been stripped of their freedom, their kingdoms, and their true loves. Now, they have nothing left to lose.
Snow White is the newest parolee to arrive at Granny's House for Girls. It isn't long before she learns that her housemates harbor secrets, and that the mansion itself is a meandering enigma. She stumbles upon forbidden doorways, ghostly passages, and walls that seem to breathe. Determined to find out what's really happening inside those old walls, Snow embarks on a dangerous discovery mission. Not everyone is thrilled about her nosing around. In fact, there are some who would kill to keep the secrets that the house-and its occupants-hold.
202 pages, Paperback
First published November 9, 2014
1342 people are currently reading
2795 people want to read
About the author
Barbra Annino
35 books620 followersBarbra Annino writes about strong women with a flair for humor and a penchant for trouble. Her bestselling Stacy Justice Mysteries books have hit the top ten in the Amazon charts multiple times, with Opal Fire claiming the #1 slot in the entire store. Check out her Everafter series if you like grown up fairy tales, and Fury Rising for a steamy urban fantasy. Sign up for freebies, exclusive content, release dates, and fun stuff at www.authorbarbraannino.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 293 reviews
December 3, 2014
I have enjoyed the author's Stacy Justice series but this start to a new series didn't work for me. As a reader I totally get the title and what she's trying to do, I don't need the characters constantly calling each other "bitch" to show me that these are not the sweet fairy tale princesses that we grew up with. Quit hitting me over the head with the "bitch" sledgehammer.
It's an interesting enough idea--fairy tale characters placed under a curse so that they lose their memories and are transported to our world where they are all guilty of a crime. The problem was the plot just didn't hold together very well; there is a way for the girls to get their memories back but they don't until it's convenient for the story. For me there was never any real tension, I didn't feel the urgency that something terrible was going to happen in the fairy tale world. Also, waiting until the very end to reveal anything about the evil mastermind made it so that I just didn't care at that point.
Finally, I was extremely annoyed when the book ended abruptly at 95% with an excerpt from another of the author's books. I don't mind the preview but I want a table of contents that shows when the actual book ends. The good news is I was intrigued enough by the preview that I will probably check that series out, but this one is off my list.
It's an interesting enough idea--fairy tale characters placed under a curse so that they lose their memories and are transported to our world where they are all guilty of a crime. The problem was the plot just didn't hold together very well; there is a way for the girls to get their memories back but they don't until it's convenient for the story. For me there was never any real tension, I didn't feel the urgency that something terrible was going to happen in the fairy tale world. Also, waiting until the very end to reveal anything about the evil mastermind made it so that I just didn't care at that point.
Finally, I was extremely annoyed when the book ended abruptly at 95% with an excerpt from another of the author's books. I don't mind the preview but I want a table of contents that shows when the actual book ends. The good news is I was intrigued enough by the preview that I will probably check that series out, but this one is off my list.
July 21, 2015
I really enjoy this author's Stacy Justice series and thought I would give this book a try. It really does rather lend itself to the TV show Once Upon A Time. Still, the premise is fun, (in the land of Enchantment, the five princesses have signed a blood oath to protect all of their lands. Rapunzel, Belle, Aurora, Cinderella and Snow White) and it is interesting to see how the various fairy tale characters are portrayed. Honestly, I just don't like them all that well as their alter-egos. I do like Snow, but could do without Rapunzel (Punzie) and Cinderella (Cindy) in this story. I thought it was a neat take on Little Red Riding Hood, as well as Robin Hood and Jack the Giant Killer, as well as Hansel and Gretel and the writers Grimm. I will probably read the next in the series to see if they ever make it back to Enchantment.
November 26, 2014
So, when I started this book I wasn't sure what to think. It was difficult imagine my favorite fairytale princesses being so nasty and foul mouthed. It took a little to wrap my head around it. But as the story moved along I became more curious and by the end I was intrigued as to where else this story was going to take me. Now I just want to read more. So, maybe not my favorite series (I love the others soooo much) but was a fun read.
April 1, 2018
Just DON'T. Watch Once Upon a Time on TV. It's a better story. I really wanted to like this first off. But seriously they call each other bitches 34 times in the book (not including the title) for NO REASON!!! They aren't even really bitches, no schemes, they aren't even being rude. Nothing that I would consider being "bitchy" they do cuss but they are just foul mouthed like me. ANYWAYS enough of that. I HATE cliffhangers for the sake of having a series. I wanted more answers I understand leaving out some things but seriously just stopping mid story is annoying. I won't read the second.
June 28, 2016
2.5
This was a cute idea and the author managed to pull it off, but the shtick really did get old quickly. After a while it just started to feel ridiculous. It did make me laugh more than once though and the writing is pretty good. But I'm taking off half a start for not being a complete arc.
For real, some people might call this a cliff-hanger, but I don't think that's accurate. I don't even think precipitous cliff-hanger is accurate, because nothing wraps up in this story. It literally just ends. I firmly believe that in order to be a cliff-hanger the book needs to leave something open for continuation while some part of the story concludes, thus marking the end of the book. That doesn't happen here. This feels MUCH more like a serial than a series and I HATE serials. Why would I want only part of a story? I won't bother with the next installment. Because this is a trilogy, so the next one will probably be just as incomplete. (See, author-person, you've completely created distrust in your reader.)
This was a cute idea and the author managed to pull it off, but the shtick really did get old quickly. After a while it just started to feel ridiculous. It did make me laugh more than once though and the writing is pretty good. But I'm taking off half a start for not being a complete arc.
For real, some people might call this a cliff-hanger, but I don't think that's accurate. I don't even think precipitous cliff-hanger is accurate, because nothing wraps up in this story. It literally just ends. I firmly believe that in order to be a cliff-hanger the book needs to leave something open for continuation while some part of the story concludes, thus marking the end of the book. That doesn't happen here. This feels MUCH more like a serial than a series and I HATE serials. Why would I want only part of a story? I won't bother with the next installment. Because this is a trilogy, so the next one will probably be just as incomplete. (See, author-person, you've completely created distrust in your reader.)
July 29, 2016
audiobook.............
Story is not my cup of tea.
Story is not my cup of tea.
April 14, 2015
(I received this book for free as part of Goodreads First Reads giveaways).
(This review may contain spoilers).
Although fairytale-based plots aren't terribly unique, I did find this to be a really entertaining read. Parts of it made me think a little of Once Upon a Time, but it was different enough that, although it triggered thoughts of the series, I wasn't picturing the characters from the show while I was reading this.
The idea behind this book was quite a unique one, though I did feel that the constant used of the word 'bitch' wasn't necessary. There were times it felt like it was just used for the sake of it.
There wasn't really any attempt made to hide the identity of any of the characters in the town, though I found it interesting that many of them had traits that were similar to their fairytale counterparts. At the same time, there were some very big differences to how I would have perceived the different princesses; such as Punzie being a stripper.
It was interesting to see the differences to the normal fairytales, such as in Bella's story... and also Cindy's. I would have liked to learn a bit more about their history and what the 'true' stories about them were.
I liked seeing Robin Hood and Tink in this book. It was interesting to see who the Judge was, though I didn't really understand how she fit in and what her connection to Snow White was, even though it was mentioned in the book.
I thought the idea about the different nemesis was a pretty interesting one, but I was a bit confused about Bella's. The other princesses had something I could recognise and their stories were at least similar to the legends I knew, whereas Bella's came across as vastly different... though still really intriguing.
I thought the halfway house was interesting and it was good to see characters from other fairytales, too. I would have liked to know what happened to the other characters - such as Marion, who was mentioned but not shown much of.
The ending of the book was really intriguing and enough to make me want to read more. I would like to see more of the characters and the situation they found themselves in. And it would be good to know more about their pasts, too.
(This review may contain spoilers).
Although fairytale-based plots aren't terribly unique, I did find this to be a really entertaining read. Parts of it made me think a little of Once Upon a Time, but it was different enough that, although it triggered thoughts of the series, I wasn't picturing the characters from the show while I was reading this.
The idea behind this book was quite a unique one, though I did feel that the constant used of the word 'bitch' wasn't necessary. There were times it felt like it was just used for the sake of it.
There wasn't really any attempt made to hide the identity of any of the characters in the town, though I found it interesting that many of them had traits that were similar to their fairytale counterparts. At the same time, there were some very big differences to how I would have perceived the different princesses; such as Punzie being a stripper.
It was interesting to see the differences to the normal fairytales, such as in Bella's story... and also Cindy's. I would have liked to learn a bit more about their history and what the 'true' stories about them were.
I liked seeing Robin Hood and Tink in this book. It was interesting to see who the Judge was, though I didn't really understand how she fit in and what her connection to Snow White was, even though it was mentioned in the book.
I thought the idea about the different nemesis was a pretty interesting one, but I was a bit confused about Bella's. The other princesses had something I could recognise and their stories were at least similar to the legends I knew, whereas Bella's came across as vastly different... though still really intriguing.
I thought the halfway house was interesting and it was good to see characters from other fairytales, too. I would have liked to know what happened to the other characters - such as Marion, who was mentioned but not shown much of.
The ending of the book was really intriguing and enough to make me want to read more. I would like to see more of the characters and the situation they found themselves in. And it would be good to know more about their pasts, too.
April 20, 2015
This is a good book to read when you are in the need of some laughs. It is a rather extreme fairy tale retelling but very entertaining.
March 17, 2018
Pharmacy Book Club!
It was a free book, that was the decision to read it. That and the name of the book made me chuckle. In any case, the start of the book was kind of rough, but it really grew on me as I went on. Really reminded me Once Upon a Time, if it were in book format.
It was a free book, that was the decision to read it. That and the name of the book made me chuckle. In any case, the start of the book was kind of rough, but it really grew on me as I went on. Really reminded me Once Upon a Time, if it were in book format.
April 9, 2018
I wasn't sure what to think of this when it first started but I actually really enjoyed it by the end, downloaded book 2 ready to find out what happens next, it reminds me of the once upon a time TV series where all the characters are in an alternative reality but have that link somewhere along the line. A fun alternative to the stories we already think we know
July 17, 2019
It was a great tale. A lot like the show Once Upon a Time with Sass. I enjoyed it and would have given it 5 stars except that I noticed several grammatical errors within the book. Otherwise, it was a great read.
April 30, 2017
The characters were just too unlikable for me to really enjoy this book. Plus, it doesn't really end - just set you up for the next one.
May 11, 2020
Cute story. Fun idea. Didn’t love it or hate it. Just in the middle for me. I loved the use of all the characters but the story was a bit silly for me.
October 23, 2022
3.5 to 4 Stars:)
April 17, 2020
Fun take on a What If for fairy tales and a light read. Kind of want to read second book, but the third book isn't out so not sure I want to do that 😋
January 28, 2018
I won this book through a GR giveaway. I entered it because the premise is very interesting: reimagining traditional characters from fairytales always seems like a fun plot. The idea of portraying a princess as a strong and independent woman is smart and breaks the stereotypes that are so often reinforced in these ancient tales. After reading it, I can say that it is indeed a light read and I get why many people enjoy it. However, in my personal view, although I appreciate the author's effort, I believe that this book was not as good as it could have been.
First, as other reviewers have pointed out, it resembles too much the TV show "Once Upon a Time". I don't believe there is a problem in working with fairytale characters, but the elements that build the book should have been more different from the show. Well-known fairytale protagonists, trapped away from their world, in a city with a strange name, having little or no memory of whom they were... It is all too similar to the ABC hit show and makes comparisons inevitable.
Beyond that, the author also seems to have the need of emphasizing the word "bitch" over and over again. I know that it is fun to be reminded of the title once in a while, but I think she should have been more careful and more restrained. It makes the reader laugh in the beginning, but afterward, it seems to have no good impact on the dialogues.
I also do not understand why did it need such a big cliffhanger in the end. I know that trilogy is a trend in the book market nowadays, but, even so, a book should be able to tell a story by itself, ending an arc and building another one (with the same characters) on another book. This should be a concern to every writer, but especially to independent authors, that cannot really guarantee to his/her readers that there will be a continuation of the story. As we can see by the reviews, it often backfires and some readers appreciate the story less because of it.
I would also point out that the physical copy has many issues. It seems that the e-book was printed out on paper without any change in its layout. The font is too small for a physical book and the pages are not even numbered. It needed more attention.
Finally, I just want to say that the aim of this review is to be constructive. I do believe that the author is talented and has a great future ahead of her. The "flaws" I point out, either on the narrative or on material aspects, are common among independent writers. I really feel she can work on them to improve the books she might publish in the future.
First, as other reviewers have pointed out, it resembles too much the TV show "Once Upon a Time". I don't believe there is a problem in working with fairytale characters, but the elements that build the book should have been more different from the show. Well-known fairytale protagonists, trapped away from their world, in a city with a strange name, having little or no memory of whom they were... It is all too similar to the ABC hit show and makes comparisons inevitable.
Beyond that, the author also seems to have the need of emphasizing the word "bitch" over and over again. I know that it is fun to be reminded of the title once in a while, but I think she should have been more careful and more restrained. It makes the reader laugh in the beginning, but afterward, it seems to have no good impact on the dialogues.
I also do not understand why did it need such a big cliffhanger in the end. I know that trilogy is a trend in the book market nowadays, but, even so, a book should be able to tell a story by itself, ending an arc and building another one (with the same characters) on another book. This should be a concern to every writer, but especially to independent authors, that cannot really guarantee to his/her readers that there will be a continuation of the story. As we can see by the reviews, it often backfires and some readers appreciate the story less because of it.
I would also point out that the physical copy has many issues. It seems that the e-book was printed out on paper without any change in its layout. The font is too small for a physical book and the pages are not even numbered. It needed more attention.
Finally, I just want to say that the aim of this review is to be constructive. I do believe that the author is talented and has a great future ahead of her. The "flaws" I point out, either on the narrative or on material aspects, are common among independent writers. I really feel she can work on them to improve the books she might publish in the future.
June 14, 2016
Apart from the language- which had been expected, considering the title- I rather enjoyed this book. An interesting twist on fairy tales, with a slight feel of Once Upon A Time, but definitely holds its own. It's a pretty quick read, but kept me wanting to know more. I will be reading the sequel once it's released.
Read
June 22, 2016A brilliantly entertaining rewrite of all those fairy tales. Clever and quirky and very original. I enjoyed the author's style and the characters were both amusing and believable.
However the cliffhanger ending was unexpected and left me feeling somewhat duped. I would have rated this a strong four stars if there had been a more appropriate ending, but for now I am not rating
However the cliffhanger ending was unexpected and left me feeling somewhat duped. I would have rated this a strong four stars if there had been a more appropriate ending, but for now I am not rating
January 22, 2015
Loved it!! So funny. A must read for a Disney Princess fan that isn't into princesses anymore. Can't wait until book 2!
At first it kinda feels like a "Once Upon a Time" (tv show) kind of story....but it's so not. Love love love!
At first it kinda feels like a "Once Upon a Time" (tv show) kind of story....but it's so not. Love love love!
June 17, 2016
I liked the premise of this, the Grimm princesses are living in a halfway house because of crimes they'd committed. None can remember what happened and who they were, but clues do show up here and there. Snow is the last to arrive and the first to start putting the clues together.
July 28, 2016
What happens if the closing line to all the princess fairy tales is changed from "and they lived happily everafter" to "and they lived happily in everafter"? There's princesses with amnesia and a wicked foe. What a great premise and the story delivers.
February 9, 2015
Shes done it again! I love this writer and how she can write with such sass and humor!! I cant wait to get my hands on more of her writing!
October 17, 2019
This story is a fairy tale retelling story...
5 princesses dont remember their past and all the goodness they spread around to their families and communities, they turn into criminals and have to stay in grannys house for troubled woman and do community service , check in with their parole officer and go to counciling sessions..
The 5 princesses are.... Rapunzel, who is a pole dancer and a stripper, Aura Rose, who likes to steal cars and pick locks, Cinderella, who divorced her prince when she found out he was gay, then she became a drunk, Belle, who is like a biker chick, bully and the leader, she gives orders to the others, and Snow White joins them after she starts a fire...
Snow White discovers hidden objects that start to jar her memory and makes for interesting conversations between her and the other women. But their is someone that doesnt want them to remember who they are and this person is trying to do everything possible to make sure they dont remember.
I loved the snarky talk between the ladies... I was picturing each of the princesses and trying to see them swear and talk and act bad like the story portrays, but it was hard to do.. There were laugh out loud moments as well...
I really enjoyed this story and would read the next one in this series....
5 princesses dont remember their past and all the goodness they spread around to their families and communities, they turn into criminals and have to stay in grannys house for troubled woman and do community service , check in with their parole officer and go to counciling sessions..
The 5 princesses are.... Rapunzel, who is a pole dancer and a stripper, Aura Rose, who likes to steal cars and pick locks, Cinderella, who divorced her prince when she found out he was gay, then she became a drunk, Belle, who is like a biker chick, bully and the leader, she gives orders to the others, and Snow White joins them after she starts a fire...
Snow White discovers hidden objects that start to jar her memory and makes for interesting conversations between her and the other women. But their is someone that doesnt want them to remember who they are and this person is trying to do everything possible to make sure they dont remember.
I loved the snarky talk between the ladies... I was picturing each of the princesses and trying to see them swear and talk and act bad like the story portrays, but it was hard to do.. There were laugh out loud moments as well...
I really enjoyed this story and would read the next one in this series....
January 29, 2019
So, I have no recollection of buying this book. I am guessing I got it when it was free one day because I honestly can't see me buying with bitches in the title because my first thought at seeing it in my Kobo was, "Is this some sort of romance novel?" I was on my 3rd flight from Dublin to Chicago during a huge snowstorm, I had just finished the book I was reading, and was so done with everything so when I saw this I was like "Screw it, I've never seen this book before. I'm going to read it whether there are loins on fire or not." And I am so glad I did. It was not at all what I was expecting. It was hilarious and I thought the plot was interesting. I am a sucker for retellings. I've seen some reviews that said that Once Upon a Time did this idea better but I have never seen that show so I have no idea if it is or not but I thought this book was great. I will say that I could have done without the excessive bitch/bitches throughout. I felt it detracted a bit from the story but otherwise I thought this was a fun read and I may have already bought the sequel.
May 24, 2021
I love the idea of this book but it felt rushed and left me wanting more. The characters were set up well, but we never got much of a backstory for anyone other than Snow so I felt disconnected to the characters and uninvested in their struggles. I'm sure more character development would come in the sequel, but the lack of investment from the first novel left me unsure whether or not I cared to read the second. This was also a seriously plot-driven story which in and of itself isn't a problem, but the driving conflict was never even close to being resolved. This book ended so abruptly that it felt like I had just watched the pilot episode of a Netflix original, not read the first book of a trilogy. Maybe other books I've read recently have me spoiled, but this story did not live up to my expectations.
January 21, 2022
Oh lookout! The princesses we all grew up loving are parolees! “We’re not friends, Princess. This isn’t a fairy tale.” This is a very creative take on the fairy tales we all know with surprising turns behind every locked door. I mean, these princesses are twisted but absolutely delightful, Bahahaha! “It’s colder than a witch’s wart wearing a flannel eye patch in here. Turn the blasted heat on!” There were many times while reading this that I was literally laughing out loud at the shenanigans that were happening. It had me in stitches! On top of just the funny, there is a really great story here. And because we all know these characters, or at least we thought we did, it keeps you on your toes turning the pages trying to figure out who is behind the trickery…and why. A great twist on old fairy tales!
February 17, 2021
I really enjoyed this take on the classic Grimm fairytales princesses. Upon royal edict, the storyteller, Grimm, inserts the word "in" just before ever after at the end of Snow White, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast, enacting a curse that strips their memories and plunges them into the modern world. Along with versions of other characters from well know classic fairytales these five must find their memories and undo the curse before time runs out. The only problem is that they're all convicted criminals living in a state run house with mandated meetings with a shrink and parole officer while they are being rehabilitated for their crimes and they don't know who they really are.
January 4, 2018
Now why would a older guy be reading Fairy Tales? Especially, about "bad girls" in Fairy Tales? Hey, I remember hearing these stories growing up; I've seen the Disney movies, too!!
I loved the way the old characters are re-imagined as modern players, but with the same (or similar) traits, and in a modern (read early 2000's) setting. But these girls are not THOSE girls!!! This read is strictly for adults (ok, one spoiler - Punzie is a stripper/pole dancer! If you want more - READ THE BOOK!!)
I loved the way the old characters are re-imagined as modern players, but with the same (or similar) traits, and in a modern (read early 2000's) setting. But these girls are not THOSE girls!!! This read is strictly for adults (ok, one spoiler - Punzie is a stripper/pole dancer! If you want more - READ THE BOOK!!)
March 18, 2018
This was an early add to my wish list when I first got my Kindle, and it was gifted to me by a friend. I wish it had been better. I finished it, but not without effort, and I have zero interest in reading the follow-up.
I liked the idea of it, but I just feel it wasn't executed well. It was an awful knockoff of Once Upon a Time. The writing was poor, the editing was poor, and the author tried too hard to squeeze all these different fairy tale references in. Plus, how dare she make Red Riding Hood a villain? I liked Bob (I was disappointed when he was turned back into a man) and Granny the best. I loved Granny's vernacular; it made me laugh.
I liked the idea of it, but I just feel it wasn't executed well. It was an awful knockoff of Once Upon a Time. The writing was poor, the editing was poor, and the author tried too hard to squeeze all these different fairy tale references in. Plus, how dare she make Red Riding Hood a villain? I liked Bob (I was disappointed when he was turned back into a man) and Granny the best. I loved Granny's vernacular; it made me laugh.
January 3, 2019
3.5 stars
I almost didn't finish this book. It really didn't grab me until about 30% in. But damn am I happy I finished it! This is definitely a different view on our classic Princesses. They're rude, heartless, criminal women lost in our modern society, but things happen to show them who they really are.....
This story though, just, stops. There is no closing of what has happened. There's no answers. It literally just stops. I would have rated this higher if there would have been SOME sort of ending......
I almost didn't finish this book. It really didn't grab me until about 30% in. But damn am I happy I finished it! This is definitely a different view on our classic Princesses. They're rude, heartless, criminal women lost in our modern society, but things happen to show them who they really are.....
This story though, just, stops. There is no closing of what has happened. There's no answers. It literally just stops. I would have rated this higher if there would have been SOME sort of ending......
Displaying 1 - 30 of 293 reviews