I’ll be the first to admit that I thoroughly enjoy reading books that are, apparently, meant for children. This series, recommended to me by a friend, is no exception. However, while the series is undoubtedly tailored to a younger audience, it would also be a mistake for an older reader to discard it.
The series is, for one, a lot scarier than any other children’s book I’ve read. And there are other themes that are more mature and complex than one would really expect from a children’s book. It’s something I’ve always appreciated about the books, but I liked how that continued in this one.
All the conflicts of the previous books finally hit their climax with this instalment of the series. The most significant change is that Sabrina and Daphne’s parents have finally been awakened and while battle looms, the girls’ father is anxious to get them as far away from Ferryport Landing as possible. The girls both respond differently – Daphne is, as always, eager to help the Everafters. Sabrina, however, is happy to finally be leaving. That she eventually changes her mind marks just how much Sabrina has developed as a character. Sabrina, throughout the entire series, has been a bit of a brat. I feel like this, above all, is the book when she finally peaks as a character. She becomes more than a brat – she becomes a real heroine and a protagonist that all can really root for.
The Everafter War ended up being exactly what I wanted from this book. Sabrina’s development was excellent and I especially enjoyed the ever-growing relationship between her and Puck. The already revealed future marriage between the two is an ending that pleased me greatly, but it was obvious that the two future versions of Sabrina and Puck were miles away from the Sabrina and Puck we’ve meet in the series. Although the two have had a fair number of flirtations and happily protect each other, it was in The Everafter War that the two as a future couple actually made good sense.
I liked how Henry and Veronica didn’t seamlessly slip into the current situation. They argued. Henry wanted to leave. They found it difficult to get along with their kids, who have both become very different people. They’re older and know more than they did then. That the two of them had to work to fit into the story appealed to me. Anything else would’ve felt wrong – too perfect for a world of distorted fairy tales.
I loved this book for how wonderfully it continued and developed the series. And while this review is for this book specifically, it would be wrong for me to not talk about how much I adore the series as a whole (and how much I’m longing to get my hands on the next two books!). The concept itself – rewritten fairy tales – is one that has been done time and time again. Despite this, I truly believe that this series is a unique take on fairy tales and I wholeheartedly recommend the series to readers of all ages.