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Never After #3
The Broken Mirror
Real life and fairy tales collide in Never The Broken Mirror , book three of the funny and thrilling middle-grade saga perfect for fans of The Land of Stories series from the #1 New York Times bestselling creator of the Descendants, Melissa de la Cruz.
The Never After crew is back for another twisted adventure. This time, they’re off to Snow Country―that is, after they rescue the beleaguered Lord Sharif of Nottingham from the evil Robin Hood, who has been plaguing the land with his thievery and mischief.
But Robin’s antics aren’t the only dangers afoot in the Kingdom of Never After. At the behest of her daughter, the evil Cinderella, Queen Olga has turned Prince Charming into a Frog after his wedding to the beautiful Hortense. And how could we forget the ominous Prophecy, which still looms large over Filomena and her friends?
Along with Jack, Alistair, Gretel, Beatrice, Byron Bessley, and some new Snow Country pals like Rose Red and a chatty magic mirror, Filomena sets off to find the only ones who can save the kingdom once and for The League of the Seven – a group of fearless warriors devoted to fighting the ogres at any cost.
Still, new threats lurk around every corner, both in Never After and back home in North Pasadena . . . Even with the League of the Seven’s help, can Filomena and her friends rescue the land from Olga’s clutches? Or will the ogres finally prevail?
The Never After crew is back for another twisted adventure. This time, they’re off to Snow Country―that is, after they rescue the beleaguered Lord Sharif of Nottingham from the evil Robin Hood, who has been plaguing the land with his thievery and mischief.
But Robin’s antics aren’t the only dangers afoot in the Kingdom of Never After. At the behest of her daughter, the evil Cinderella, Queen Olga has turned Prince Charming into a Frog after his wedding to the beautiful Hortense. And how could we forget the ominous Prophecy, which still looms large over Filomena and her friends?
Along with Jack, Alistair, Gretel, Beatrice, Byron Bessley, and some new Snow Country pals like Rose Red and a chatty magic mirror, Filomena sets off to find the only ones who can save the kingdom once and for The League of the Seven – a group of fearless warriors devoted to fighting the ogres at any cost.
Still, new threats lurk around every corner, both in Never After and back home in North Pasadena . . . Even with the League of the Seven’s help, can Filomena and her friends rescue the land from Olga’s clutches? Or will the ogres finally prevail?
336 pages, Hardcover
First published December 6, 2022
79 people are currently reading
5447 people want to read
About the author
Melissa de la Cruz
187 books15.8k 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 92 reviews
July 9, 2023
OMG! FILOMENA AND JACK KISSED!!! THREE TIMES AT LEAST!! AHHHHHHH I’M SQUEALING!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2024
4.25🌟
The never after series was one of my favourites growing up and recently a friend of mine read them and begged me to continue the series. I ended up enjoying this much more than I thought I would.
It was VERY cheesy at times and a bit predictable but other than that I liked it a lot. The characters are very likeable from the beginning and I flew through the book.
The writing wasn’t my favourite but it was still good and the romance was good, not anything super memorable though. I think I will start the fourth book soon, with the way the third ended and I’m really excited to.
If you are looking for fairytale vibes and something a little lighter this is the perfect book for you. I also think this would definitely help to get out of a slump.
A surprisingly good read, for ages 9/10 and up.
The never after series was one of my favourites growing up and recently a friend of mine read them and begged me to continue the series. I ended up enjoying this much more than I thought I would.
It was VERY cheesy at times and a bit predictable but other than that I liked it a lot. The characters are very likeable from the beginning and I flew through the book.
The writing wasn’t my favourite but it was still good and the romance was good, not anything super memorable though. I think I will start the fourth book soon, with the way the third ended and I’m really excited to.
If you are looking for fairytale vibes and something a little lighter this is the perfect book for you. I also think this would definitely help to get out of a slump.
A surprisingly good read, for ages 9/10 and up.
August 13, 2022
Loved this book. It’s a great addition to the Never After series, love reading about how the characters grow and change in this latest installment, and how different fairy tales are brought into the real world.
July 31, 2024
3.86 stars!!
I am back yet again with book 3 from my friend’s five star series!! (Shoutout to her because this has been so fun)
I will say the poems in the books got less cheesier but they were still bad. The writing still sucks (thats probably never gonna change🤩) BUT HEY! THIS WAS MY FAVORITE ONE SO FAR!!!
The story made sense (more or less😀) My king Jack delivered again. The rest of the characters were more likable. (ALSO THE TWO CHARACTERS I SHIPPED SINCE BOOK ONE ARE LIKE A THING NOW) (FILOMENA AND JACK🫨✨🤍) Anyways. The story was less fast paced (still pretty fast) but i guess it was more enjoyable. So shes improving (more or less).
I am back yet again with book 3 from my friend’s five star series!! (Shoutout to her because this has been so fun)
I will say the poems in the books got less cheesier but they were still bad. The writing still sucks (thats probably never gonna change🤩) BUT HEY! THIS WAS MY FAVORITE ONE SO FAR!!!
The story made sense (more or less😀) My king Jack delivered again. The rest of the characters were more likable. (ALSO THE TWO CHARACTERS I SHIPPED SINCE BOOK ONE ARE LIKE A THING NOW) (FILOMENA AND JACK🫨✨🤍) Anyways. The story was less fast paced (still pretty fast) but i guess it was more enjoyable. So shes improving (more or less).
July 7, 2023
As with the first two, it’s fun to see a different take on the fairytales we all know. This time around: Robin Hood, Snow White, and Rose Red were the major spins. And now we’re left on a cliffhanger for the forth book in December!
Want to read
February 24, 2022I finished the 2nd book today and I am so sad that I have to wait for a long time for this book to be published. I am requesting the author to finish this book quickly. I am a true Nevie.
September 30, 2025
This was so good! It was very hard for me to put down. I really got into the plot/story.
STUPID OLGA for poisoning Filomena’s mom. 😠😠
STUPID OLGA for poisoning Filomena’s mom. 😠😠
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2025
5 ⭐️ per my 8 year old
December 12, 2022
This is the third book in the series. It can be read alone but is best read in order.
Filomena and friends are back. This time, they need to help defeat the ogres so the correct people can be crowned in the three areas in Never After. At home, Filomena's mom is sick and she is distracted with worry over her mom.
Opinion
Yet again, de la Cruz amazes me with her twists on fairy tales. Even though I recognize the stories embedded into this book, the new take on them is thrilling. How does the frog prince return to his human form? Who are the seven dwarves really? De la Cruz has turned fairy tales upside down and given you a story you won't forget.
This book is perfect for the middle grade reader who clings to childhood but wants to venture closer to adulthood. This book offers a little of both worlds.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing me an ARC of this book.
Filomena and friends are back. This time, they need to help defeat the ogres so the correct people can be crowned in the three areas in Never After. At home, Filomena's mom is sick and she is distracted with worry over her mom.
Opinion
Yet again, de la Cruz amazes me with her twists on fairy tales. Even though I recognize the stories embedded into this book, the new take on them is thrilling. How does the frog prince return to his human form? Who are the seven dwarves really? De la Cruz has turned fairy tales upside down and given you a story you won't forget.
This book is perfect for the middle grade reader who clings to childhood but wants to venture closer to adulthood. This book offers a little of both worlds.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing me an ARC of this book.
January 19, 2024
Oh wow, there is a lot of things I want to say. First of all, this book was phenomenal. I'm certainly in the middle of finishing the last few pages, I was expecting there was gonna be a lot of problems a long the way but what the heroes' were facing in this book was unbelievable.
The amount of times they had to run for there lives in this book was crazy, and the fact that Olga cursed Filomena mother is crazy, on top of that Jack and Filomena FINALLY kissed. I've been waiting for this day since reading the firs 2 book and my theory was correct.
I almost cried while reading this book because Rosie mother died on the same day they got reunited, that is so sad. The way Filomena and Jack care for each other is so adorable, the way they connect to each other so much is crazy. I'm looking forward to reading the 4th book, hopefully there's more to come.
The amount of times they had to run for there lives in this book was crazy, and the fact that Olga cursed Filomena mother is crazy, on top of that Jack and Filomena FINALLY kissed. I've been waiting for this day since reading the firs 2 book and my theory was correct.
I almost cried while reading this book because Rosie mother died on the same day they got reunited, that is so sad. The way Filomena and Jack care for each other is so adorable, the way they connect to each other so much is crazy. I'm looking forward to reading the 4th book, hopefully there's more to come.
July 20, 2022
O. M. G. Another amazingly written story by Melissa!! Firstly we def need more Ira Glassman!! Secondly I love how all these tales weave their way together. I’m a fairytale addict and this was just the fix I needed. Philomena is a great character and finally get what we want with her and Jack! I cannot wait for the next book! Please come out soon!!!
To sum up: great story. Lots of fairytale characters. Dying for the next book ..........
To sum up: great story. Lots of fairytale characters. Dying for the next book ..........
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2022
I loved this book so much! This was definitely the best book of the series and I can’t wait to see where this is taken
I love Filomena and Jack’s relationship throughout the book, as well as the multiple plot twists and side plots
I love Filomena and Jack’s relationship throughout the book, as well as the multiple plot twists and side plots
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2023
This is the third book in the series. The fourth is due December 2023! So long from now 😭! If you have been following me at all, you know I have been on a fairytale kick. This series is good! You easily can see from book to book how the characters grow!
January 10, 2024
The 3rd book to this series is just fantastic. It was a fun ride and I love it. This book is by no means a "Perfect" book but what really is? I enjoy a good story and this book brings just that. I love it and i want more of theses characters.
January 1, 2023
3.75⭐️
March 1, 2025
This excellent series continues with Filomena and her friends taking on Robin Hood and rescuing Sharif of Nottingham. What a great fractured fairy tale!
August 4, 2023
I love this series! Summer
Might have gotten in the way of my reading but it didn’t take long to finish it after picking it up again. I can’t wait to read book 4.
Might have gotten in the way of my reading but it didn’t take long to finish it after picking it up again. I can’t wait to read book 4.
January 10, 2024
A good book with twists and tales along the way. Everything you think you know about fairy tales is completely flipped on it's head, creating a new narrative to every fairytale you've heard. Great to finally see Filomena and Jack together as well as the interesting cliffhanger of Filomena having to go it alone in the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2022
Filomena and her friends are on another adventure!! Will they save Never After in time? Another great book in this series!!!!
March 30, 2023
4 stars
Okay, not bad at all!
I want to start off this review by saying I know this is a middle-grade book. I'm reading it because it's part of one of my favorite childhood series and when the third one came out I knew I had to read it. Obviously, as I talk about this book, I'm going to take into account that it is absolutely a children's book.
Okay. Now we can get started.
What I liked: This book immediately got into the action. There were no reminders of world-building or reintroducing characters. No. It jumped straight into the drama and I loved that. Also, it was very fast-paced which I enjoyed. It was also super super funny for being a children's book like I was smiling while reading it at some parts. Adding on, there was so much representation in this book! The main character, Filomena, is a person of color and a lot of her friends are as well. I think Cruz did a good job of including it in this book. There was also a lot of surprising bits in this book. Like the scene where the I was so shocked it caught me so off guard. I also wanted to add that I think this series is growing with it's readers. There was some mentions to drinking and a lot of romance. SPEAKING OF THE ROMANCE OH MY GOODNESS. One of my favorite trope's is fantasy series with slow burn subplots that last through multiple books, and this book gave JUST THAT. Like the romance between Jack and Filomena was soooo annoyingly slow in the best way possible and I also love Filomena's nickname, which is Fil, and it just hits DIFFERENT when Jack says it.
Things I disliked: This book was definitely cringy. Obviously, I know that it was a children's book so I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt, but that's still not to say it wasn't cringy. I think Cruz decided to be...modern...so there was a lot of phrases like "ick" and "one of the boys" and "not like other girls" and "mansplain" in this book. I think the writing in general was a little cringy, but I'm used to reading adult novels, so I'll let this one slide. However, I also want to recognize that this book is EXTREMELY predictable. I sort of have a curse where I guess plot twists really easily, but I literally guessed every. Single. One. Cruz couldn't have even tried a little bit harder to make it less predictable? I don't believe that.
Overall, though I really liked this book and I think it absolutely redeemed itself at the end. I would for sure recommend reading this series because it is worth it, I promise you.
Okay, not bad at all!
I want to start off this review by saying I know this is a middle-grade book. I'm reading it because it's part of one of my favorite childhood series and when the third one came out I knew I had to read it. Obviously, as I talk about this book, I'm going to take into account that it is absolutely a children's book.
Okay. Now we can get started.
What I liked: This book immediately got into the action. There were no reminders of world-building or reintroducing characters. No. It jumped straight into the drama and I loved that. Also, it was very fast-paced which I enjoyed. It was also super super funny for being a children's book like I was smiling while reading it at some parts. Adding on, there was so much representation in this book! The main character, Filomena, is a person of color and a lot of her friends are as well. I think Cruz did a good job of including it in this book. There was also a lot of surprising bits in this book. Like the scene where the I was so shocked it caught me so off guard. I also wanted to add that I think this series is growing with it's readers. There was some mentions to drinking and a lot of romance. SPEAKING OF THE ROMANCE OH MY GOODNESS. One of my favorite trope's is fantasy series with slow burn subplots that last through multiple books, and this book gave JUST THAT. Like the romance between Jack and Filomena was soooo annoyingly slow in the best way possible and I also love Filomena's nickname, which is Fil, and it just hits DIFFERENT when Jack says it.
Things I disliked: This book was definitely cringy. Obviously, I know that it was a children's book so I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt, but that's still not to say it wasn't cringy. I think Cruz decided to be...modern...so there was a lot of phrases like "ick" and "one of the boys" and "not like other girls" and "mansplain" in this book. I think the writing in general was a little cringy, but I'm used to reading adult novels, so I'll let this one slide. However, I also want to recognize that this book is EXTREMELY predictable. I sort of have a curse where I guess plot twists really easily, but I literally guessed every. Single. One. Cruz couldn't have even tried a little bit harder to make it less predictable? I don't believe that.
Overall, though I really liked this book and I think it absolutely redeemed itself at the end. I would for sure recommend reading this series because it is worth it, I promise you.
December 25, 2023
I'm still enjoying the series but this one didn't grab me as much as the previous two books did. Also this time Filomena isn't always in Never After (for good reasons) but it sort of takes away some of the magic of this world. My faith however has been restored by the end of this book and it seems to be switching things up, or possibly does. I've already got book 4 ready to go. Its hard to believe that I'm almost caught up with this series.
November 19, 2022
I love the world of Never After, I think it is so fun to turn fairy tales on their heads. Having characters such as Robin Hood no be the hero who steals from the rich and gives to the poor, is just such a fun way to say that stories are truly written from one point of view. What about the other people involved. In this story we find Filomena, Jack, Alistair, Gretel, Beatrice, and Byron Bessley all trying to once again thwart Olga’s plans to take over Never After. This time they need to head to the Snow Country in hopes that Rose Red, Snow White’s daughter might be able to help them. As always, the journey doesn’t quite go as planned when they are asked to help save the Sharif of Nottingham and return a crown to its rightful queen. At the same time Queen Olga has turned Prince Charming into a frog. With so many Kings and Queens of Never After falling under a spell will it leave the perfect opening for the ogres to finally take over or can Jack and Filomena find a way to stop them once again?
Kids will love reading these stories. They are the perfect twisted fairy tale. I will say though as a reader I was a little upset that Filomena and Jack’s crew left Jeanne right as her uncle attacks. That just seemed so out of character for our crew of heroes. I am glad the story circled back to help bring a conclusion, but it just seemed so odd to leave a story half finished and wait till the end to really bring everything together.
Kids will love reading these stories. They are the perfect twisted fairy tale. I will say though as a reader I was a little upset that Filomena and Jack’s crew left Jeanne right as her uncle attacks. That just seemed so out of character for our crew of heroes. I am glad the story circled back to help bring a conclusion, but it just seemed so odd to leave a story half finished and wait till the end to really bring everything together.
September 24, 2022
This was the third novel in the Never After series and it was just as good as the previous two. It starts off right as we left off on the previous novel Filomena, Jack and the gang are heading to Snow Country to help Zera, Filomenas Aunt to rally the dwarves to help fight off the ogres, while on the they get ambushed by Robin Hood and his gang who steals all their things. So they end up helping Princess Jeanne who is trying to find the Sharif of Nottingham who disappeared while looking for her lost crown that she thinks Robin stole for her Uncle who usurped her throne but they both need the crown to be the true ruler of the kingdom. They end up having a really fun adventure with more fairy tale characters such as Snow White who is in Snow Country with her giant dwarves as well as still fighting against Queen Olga and trying to prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled and the ogres taking over Never After. They haven’t defeated the Queen Olga by the end of this book so there will definitely be another book. I love all the different interpretations of the fairy tale stories and how the author flips who is the good guy and who is the bad guy like we know the story to tell. There was a little romance blooming between Jack and Filomena which was so cute and fluffy. Great story, fast read and I can’t wait for the next installment.
Thanks to Roaring Book Press and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book in e-book form. All opinions in this review are my own.
Thanks to Roaring Book Press and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book in e-book form. All opinions in this review are my own.
December 4, 2023
Slight SPOILER ALERT WARNING
So in this one we get a mix of Snow White & The Six Swans along with Robin Hood haha
Robin Hood is not really a good guy in this version 🥺😭
Lots of betrayals going on in the fight for the kingdoms against the orges. With all the pressure our heroes get a bit insecure but....in the end they come together ☺️
And we get some extra romance between Filomena and Jack 😍😍 So cute haha
Olga takes some of the fight into our world though and now Filomena has to save her mother! Can't wait to read the next installment when it releases tomorrow 🤩
So in this one we get a mix of Snow White & The Six Swans along with Robin Hood haha
Robin Hood is not really a good guy in this version 🥺😭
Lots of betrayals going on in the fight for the kingdoms against the orges. With all the pressure our heroes get a bit insecure but....in the end they come together ☺️
And we get some extra romance between Filomena and Jack 😍😍 So cute haha
Olga takes some of the fight into our world though and now Filomena has to save her mother! Can't wait to read the next installment when it releases tomorrow 🤩
February 3, 2023
Book 3 and I am so in love with this series 😍🥰
Reasons I love it -
• filomena is just an average girl who experiences the rubbish parts of high school
• it's not the usual fairytales
• it's not focused on 'teen love'
I actually cannot wait for the next installment of Never After 💜
Reasons I love it -
• filomena is just an average girl who experiences the rubbish parts of high school
• it's not the usual fairytales
• it's not focused on 'teen love'
I actually cannot wait for the next installment of Never After 💜
April 7, 2025
The Never After crew is back for another twisted adventure in the third book in this MG series. In this story they head to Snow Country, where the evil Queen Olga has turned Prince Charming into a frog. Along the way they save The Never After crew is back for another twisted adventure. The seven heroes, known as the League of Seven, Philomena, Alistair, Gretel, Jack, Beatrice, Byron Bessley and new friend Rose Red once again face off against Queen Olga's evil ogres. This time Philomena is able to use her fairy power to take an ordinary mirror and turn it into a magic mirror. Can they turn Prince Charming back into a human? Can they defeat the ogres and Queen Olga to save Never After?
This is a mash up of Robin Hood and Snow White. Of course the fairytales we know and love are far from the truth of what really happened according to this book. Cinderella is Queen Olga's daughter, Robin Hood is the bad guy and Sharif of Nottingham is trying to capture him and give everyone back what has been stolen. Prince Charming is a frog, but needs to be turned back into a person so he can sit on the throne and rule his kingdom and then there are the ogres to fight. I like these heroes. They are only teenagers, but never give up on saving their world. They are extremely supportive of one another and smart enough to always be one step ahead. There is a bit of romance brewing with Philomena and Jack, but nothing carried away. Phil is still traveling between Never After and the real world where she lives in Pasadena. This book ends on a cliff hanger, which I am not a fan of, but, the next book is already published, so I will jump right in and see where we end up the next time out.
This is a mash up of Robin Hood and Snow White. Of course the fairytales we know and love are far from the truth of what really happened according to this book. Cinderella is Queen Olga's daughter, Robin Hood is the bad guy and Sharif of Nottingham is trying to capture him and give everyone back what has been stolen. Prince Charming is a frog, but needs to be turned back into a person so he can sit on the throne and rule his kingdom and then there are the ogres to fight. I like these heroes. They are only teenagers, but never give up on saving their world. They are extremely supportive of one another and smart enough to always be one step ahead. There is a bit of romance brewing with Philomena and Jack, but nothing carried away. Phil is still traveling between Never After and the real world where she lives in Pasadena. This book ends on a cliff hanger, which I am not a fan of, but, the next book is already published, so I will jump right in and see where we end up the next time out.
March 22, 2023
Mellisa De La Cruz’s, Broken Mirror, the third installment in the Never After series brings you to a world where you can’t trust anyone. Ogres lurk at every turn. Mellisa De La Cruz turns normal fairy tales into her own version and makes you believe that’s how they were the whole time. The book follows them as Filomena, Allistar, the famous Jack the Giant Stalker, and Gretel find the seven heroes that can save Never After that turns out to include themselves, they find Princess Jeane’s crown, turn Prince Charlie back into a human, and make Filomena queen in a matter of a week from falling into the ogre’s hands. Although it does seem rushed pushing a lot to the very end of the book, it does leave you wishing you had the next book in your hands. It leaves you flipping every page just to find out what happens next. The book starts out very interesting unlike most books and takes no time to get interested in. Filomena and Jack finally share how they feel about each other and kiss multiple times. Filomena finds out her mom is sick with an unknown curse by Queen Olga. But along the way she develops unforgettable and never-ending friendships with her best friends. Mellisa De La Cruz makes you question the actual fairy tale. Why was the stone soup made? Who are the seven dwarves? Could Prince Charming also be a frog and does true love’s kiss actually work? Is Robin Hood the hero or is he the one who needs to be saved?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2023
I am super loving this series. It’s so cute. The characters are both childish and more responsible than most adults I know (me included 😬), her parents are lovely (and alive!), the quests they go on are fun and scary, and it’s neat to see how the fairytales are going to be twisted.
I love that Alister’s love of food translated to his love of cooking. That’s cute.
My beefs are only with the worldbuilding! So many questions. Jack is both thousands of years old and also 12. And he’s crushing on a real 12 year old. When he’s led armies into battle. Is that not a bit creepy? (Don’t get me wrong they’re adorbs together but this is always my problem with vampire romance or fairy romance: the dudes are hundreds of years old and the ladies are barely legal.)
Why are Charlie’s parents not king and queen of that kingdom? How is anyone a parent at all there if they all live forever how are the not 50 billion people in Never After? Do people who go to the real world not need passports to get to Bali? Do they age at different rates? Like if Filomena spends a few years in the real world and grows up a bit and Jack stays in Never After will he still be 12 and she’s 18? (But in his soul/mind another 30 years has passed?)
Anyway. None of this diminished my enjoyment of the series! Just would love to see de la Cruz’s notes!
I love that Alister’s love of food translated to his love of cooking. That’s cute.
My beefs are only with the worldbuilding! So many questions. Jack is both thousands of years old and also 12. And he’s crushing on a real 12 year old. When he’s led armies into battle. Is that not a bit creepy? (Don’t get me wrong they’re adorbs together but this is always my problem with vampire romance or fairy romance: the dudes are hundreds of years old and the ladies are barely legal.)
Why are Charlie’s parents not king and queen of that kingdom? How is anyone a parent at all there if they all live forever how are the not 50 billion people in Never After? Do people who go to the real world not need passports to get to Bali? Do they age at different rates? Like if Filomena spends a few years in the real world and grows up a bit and Jack stays in Never After will he still be 12 and she’s 18? (But in his soul/mind another 30 years has passed?)
Anyway. None of this diminished my enjoyment of the series! Just would love to see de la Cruz’s notes!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2025
Omg, the never after series is absolutely incredible!! This book had me hooked and within 2 days I am already up to book 4, I read this book in a span of a day. This series is soo good and I love it. I also love the sibling relationship between Alistair and Gretel, these two bickering make me laugh so hard. The friendship between them all is amazing. I also love the nickname they gave Filomena, Fil. Alistair and Filomena are also so cute with their friendship, also like siblings, I love how Fil cheered him up after the argument. Also don���t get me started on the swing scene at the cabin!! I always thought they would suit each other and they totally do, they are both so cuteee! This series is definitely a 5 stars for me and I will definitely be getting the hard covers because I read these as e-books.
April 22, 2023
The Broken Mirror, the third of the Never After series, is the best written of the three.
The story is tighter, the ogres are biding their time and the quests, while tamed by insight and better choices of the characters, are more fraught with personal relationships and responsibilities. There is less fun and humor, compared with the first two books. If it weren't for the adolescent crushes, the characters could be much older.
I've not moved from my opinion that most ten- to twelve-year-olds would not appreciate the humor of the Never After series, although of the three I believe The Broken Mirror would be most enjoyed by that audience.
4 Stars for The Broken Mirror.
The story is tighter, the ogres are biding their time and the quests, while tamed by insight and better choices of the characters, are more fraught with personal relationships and responsibilities. There is less fun and humor, compared with the first two books. If it weren't for the adolescent crushes, the characters could be much older.
I've not moved from my opinion that most ten- to twelve-year-olds would not appreciate the humor of the Never After series, although of the three I believe The Broken Mirror would be most enjoyed by that audience.
4 Stars for The Broken Mirror.
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