Book Review: The Enchantress Returns( Land of Stories 2)-Chris Colfer

 

Last year, Chris Colfer of the TV show Glee added "author" to his resume with the publication of his first book, The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell, in which two children enter a world where fairy tales come to life. Named as one of " Best Books of 2012" by Barnes and Nobles (and a number one best seller on the children's chapter book list of the New York Times), the adventures continue in The Land of Stories: The Enchantress Returns.


I loved Wishing Spell ( so much that I used for a program) and have been waiting for the sequel. And the wait was definitely worth it. Once again, Colfer creates a magical world that at times reinvents the fairy tales or stays true to the fairy tales (with wonderful illustrations from Brandon Dorman featured at the start of each chapter). Many characters from Wishing Spell return, but with bigger roles to play in the story. Froggy, Queen Red, Golilocks, and Jack ( of the beanstalk) team up with the twins on a greatest villain quest to save their mother and the fairy tale world. We also get a lot of new characters, like  a ghost called the Lady of the East,  Mother Goose,  Rumplestikin, and Emzia, an dark and evil enchantress who plots to take over the fairy tale world ... and beyond.

For those that love fairy tales or loved the first Land of Stories, it's a good read. It is a bit heavier and darker in plot ( especially the final half of the story, which is amazing) and the ending is bittersweet. I'll probably buy  myself a copy and reread it  a couple of times for a possible  program in the future. And I really hope we haven't seen the last of Alex and Conner or Land of Stories.

The Enchantress Returns ( Land of Stories 2) by Chris Colfer
Age Range: 8-12
Lexile: 730
**** 1/2 ( 4 and half stars)


For more information on The Land of Stories, visit the official website.