OF SEA AND SONG by Chanda Hahn

“‘A treasure stolen. A kingdom teetering on ruin. And the silence of a sea witch’s curse.’ I killed a man to protect my sisters, and now I am a fugitive. With bounty hunters hot on my trail – willing to take me dead or alive – I’m forced to disguise myself as a cabin boy on the Bella Donna. I should have been safe at sea, but I cannot escape the dangerous feelings evoked by the ship's handsome captain. For I am Merisol, one of the adoptive daughters of Lady Eville, and to escape my past and save my friends I will make an uncertain bargain with a shady sea witch. The deal sounds too good to be true. What could possibly go wrong?”

What is the book about?

Merisol Eville is one of the adoptive daughters of Lady Eville and she cares about nothing more than her family. So, when one of her sisters is in trouble, she doesn’t hesitate to help and accidentally kills a man in order to protect her. Now she is on the run and is a wanted murderer, hunted by people who will find her, eventually. After a strange encounter with a mysterious man, she finds her way out of a tricky situation and manages to escape him and the bounty hunters. In order to keep hidden, Meri disguises herself as a cabin boy on the Bella Donna, thinking she will be safe at sea, but she can’t escape both the bounty hunters and the feelings she has for the ship’s captain. And after an encounter with a sea witch, she makes a deal with her, a deal which will change everything, a deal which seems too good to be true. So what could possibly go wrong?

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I really enjoyed reading both Of Beast and Beauty and Of Glass and Glamour, the two books in the Daughters of Eville series previous to Of Sea and Song, so I came into this book with high expectations. My initial thoughts on Of Sea and Song were that it was going to be a great read and I knew I was going to enjoy it.  I was so excited for another great story based on a fairy tale and after reading the blurb I was even more interested in reading this book. Once I started to read I was immediately sucked into the world of the book and knew that my initial thoughts were correct, especially at the shocking start and the way that everything was so interesting from the beginning – this book was amazing, from the very beginning. I finished the book just as quickly as all the others and loved reading it, from start to finish.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

Even though I really liked Merisol, I think I would have to say in this book my favourite character would have to be her sister Aura. Merisol was amazing and I really admired how strong and determined she was and how she did everything she could to protect her sisters, however at the end of the book she was transformed and she was willing to lose everything because she couldn’t see past her anger and pain. So she needed her sister Aura to help her and at that moment I knew she had to be my favourite character. The main reason for this was because of her power and the fact that that made her who she was and gave her the perfect personality. The fact that she could read minds and feelings made her a sensitive girl who always knew what everyone needed. But instead of people seeing her as strong, her sisters saw her as fragile because she was so sensitive to those emotions and it sometimes put her in a lot of pain and it also meant that she was unwilling to hurt others. And she wasn’t going to have people seeing her that way and when Meri thought that she immediately struck her down because she was just as determined, strong and willing to do anything to protect her sisters as the others and in that moment I  knew that I was going to love her. I just can’t wait for her story in the next book, Of Thorn and Thread. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book would probably have to be when the captain appeared at the start of the story because in that moment I knew exactly what was going to unfold and I was so excited. The start of the book had been a series of twists and turns and I initially had no idea what was going to happen, who the love interest was and anything about the sea witch mentioned in the blurb. However, when the captain appeared and I realised his true identity and Meri realised who he was, I knew exactly what was going to happen and was immediately rooting for a couple that had shown little to no interest in each other. It gave me a sense of certainty that I needed and reassured me that this book would have a romance that would (hopefully) end happily. It gave me hope for a fantasy, romance book that would be exactly like I wanted: the boy and girl defeat every obstacle in their way and get together in the end. There were so many moments when I was dreading the ending, thinking that I wouldn’t get the happily ever after I wanted because of all the twists and uncertainty, however in this moment I was oblivious to all of that and was just rooting for this couple that had met so unexpectedly after a strange twist of fate. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Of Sea and Song and there were so many things I loved about it. One thing I liked about the book was the mix of twists and predictability. At the beginning of the book and the end of the book, there were so many twists and turns in the story and the element of not knowing what would come next in the story. It gave a much needed sense of uncertainty to a fairy tale story I had been familiar with as a child. But now after reading 3 of the 7 Daughter of Eville stories I know that these are not regular fairy tale retellings and there is a magic and link between them that I have never seen before. Despite the moments of surprise in the story, there was a lot of predictability, particularly with the romance. There was nothing wrong with this of course and I loved it because who doesn’t love the predictable, cringey love story most romantic novels and books have. And it was more than just that, this romance story was deeper than that and I just loved every moment of it, which brings me onto the second thing I loved about the book – the romance. It brings such happiness to me when I root for the couple who gets together in the series, but for this book it was more than just that because of the fact that the couple spent the majority of the book pretending that neither of them knew the truth about how they had come to know each other, when in reality they both immediately recognised each other and couldn’t stop thinking about each other. This couple had so many more obstacles than either of the other from the two previous books and it made the book so much more interesting. One last thing I would like to mention was the fact that, even though this book was nothing like The Little Mermaid, it still had the main message of the story, just like all the other books before this one. Meri made a deal with a sea witch, just like Ariel did, and she chose to give up the thing that meant the most to her, all for love, which was the most special thing ever. I literally just noticed this and I noticed that the other books also had this. In Of Beast and Beauty, the couple fell in love, despite the darkness that they each had within them and the fact that they may have both been seen as beasts by others, which was very similar to the story of Beauty and the Beast. And in Of Glass and Glamour the prince went after the girl when he lost her because he knew he loved her, just like in Cinderella. I loved this so much and I will definitely look out for it in the other books because those fairy tales are stories that I grew up with, stories that I fantasised about and the fact that the author kept the main romance makes these books so special.

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend reading Of Sea and Song, but definitely read the first two books (Of Beast and Beauty and Of Glass and Glamour) before this one as there are some things that you need to know to make complete sense of it. It is the perfect book for those over 24 who love fantasy, romance and fairy tale retellings. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

The perfect romance wrapped in a magical story full of sacrifice, adventure and secrets.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

OF GLASS AND GLAMOUR by Chanda Hahn

“‘Get the guy. Get the shoes. Get revenge.’ Born under a hunter’s moon, abandoned as a child, I was raised to be a powerful sorceress—okay, a mediocre sorceress. All right, I’m good at glamour and can make things sparkle, if my spells don’t backfire. It was foretold long ago that I was a child of prophecy that would unite the fae and humans of Candor. The only problem, no one told me, and now the king wants me dead. For I am Eden, one of the adoptive daughters of Lady Eville, and I have to attend the royal masquerade ball—not to win a prince, but to avenge my parents. Even if it means pretending to be a fairy godmother and wreaking a little havoc.”

What is the book about?

Eden Eville was born under a hunter’s moon, the brightest full moon in the month of Nochtember, and, when she was abandoned as a child, Lady Eville took her in and raised her to become a powerful sorceress. However, despite Eden’s attempts to strengthen her powers, she has always just been a mediocre sorceress, not yet able to form many spells without making some mistakes and having them backfire on her. But there is one thing that she excels at – glamour. Despite Eden’s lack of skill and power, somehow she was chosen by her mother to go to the kingdom of Candor and try her hand at getting chosen to marry the prince, however the reason for her being chosen had nothing to do with ability and everything to do with her parents and the prophecy that was told about a girl born in Nochtember who would use her powers to unite the fae and humans of Candor, kill the prince and become queen. And everyone knows of the prophecy, including the king, who will do anything in his power to keep his son safe. So now, while evading being killed by the king, Eden must find out the truth of what happened to her parents and get revenge for herself, her adoptive mother and her real parents, and the way to do that is to go to a ball and try to catch herself a prince. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

After reading Of Beast and Beauty (the first book in the Daughters of Eville series), I was really interested in reading Of Glass and Glamour and discovering what adventures the other sisters would get up to. I really enjoyed the first book in the series and so by default I believed I would also enjoy this book, and, though I was right about that, I fully understand now that the books have barely anything to do with each other as they are about different sisters with different adventures and romance, so it’s kind of like a series of standalones. Because of this I know that I can’t assume I will enjoy a book and I will also not be choosing a favourite book in the series or saying which I liked best because I don’t think I should compare such different stories. Anyways, after reading the blurb of this book I was even more invested in reading it as I wanted to get answers to the many questions spiked by the blurb. Once I stared to read, I started to really enjoy it and got into it a lot quicker than I thought I would and I was soon reaching the end. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character in this book would probably have to be Eden Eville. I know it’s unsurprising as she is the main character of the book, however I really did like her. The biggest reason for my choice was because of her personality. She didn’t have much self-confidence and often doubted herself and her powers, comparing herself to her much more talented sisters and believing herself to be inferior just because she took longer with spells. However, my favourite thing about her was how she never let those feelings show to anyone other than those she felt safe around (her sisters). The reason I liked this was because she didn’t let anyone step all over her, as they probably would if she had shown her lack of confidence and self-worth. Instead she let herself act like her older sister, Rosalie – who I had gotten familiar with in the previous book – and she made sure everyone knew to fear her and that she was a sorceress who shouldn’t be messed with as she was strong, even though she didn’t feel that way. I liked how she gained confidence throughout the book and just admired the fact that she didn’t let what she thought about herself stop her from fighting. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book is definitely the main battle scene because of the way that Eden changed and showed her strength and power. I don’t want to say much because I don’t want to ruin anything for anyone who hasn’t read it, however I do want to explain what I liked about this part. During this part of the book, Eden was trying her hardest to fight for her safety and the safety of someone she loved and she was also trying out a plan to avoid what she was being forced into doing. In order to do this, she had to use a lot of her own magic and she had to step out of her shell and believe in herself, and she actually did it. She always knew deep down that it was up to her and she was going to have to fight by herself, without any help, but she never wanted to believe it because of her lack of confidence. She thought she couldn’t do it herself, however at this point of the book she pushed down those feelings and used her powers to fight and I was just so impressed and loved this part.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Of Glass and Glamour was a really good book and I enjoyed (nearly) every part of it. One thing that I really liked about the book was how different it was from the real Cinderella tale; however the main parts of the tale were still there. This book literally kept me on my toes the whole time as I never knew what was going to happen next and there were so many new twists and secrets discovered. I think that this will probably happen with a lot more book in this series due to the fact that these girls are all adopted so they know nothing about their real families and have so much to discover, so it gives the books deeper secrets to being up and a more different retelling of the fairy tales. I was never once bored reading Of Glass and Glamour and I just loved this. Another thing I really enjoyed about the book was the fact that the villain and the hero (or prince) weren’t who Eden and I initially thought them to be. I loved this because it made the story much more interesting and meant that the ending was exactly what I wanted and not what I thought would happen. I also really liked how Eden fell for their act like me because it showed me how realistic the book was and showed me that even the most powerful people can fall for the promise of love and safety for it is something that everyone wants deep down. One last thing I enjoyed about the book was how fast-paced and easy to read the book was. I found reading this book so easy because of the fact that it moved so quickly and there wasn’t a single moment where I was bored – there was always something happening. I have no doubt that the book was fast-paced, however I have a strange suspicion that the fact that I am reading the book on my kindle may be affecting the speed I’m reading the book at. I think that because I don’t see how thick the book is and all I see is how long I will take to finish the chapter and what percentage of the way through I am I find myself reading it quicker. This is because the size doesn’t deter me and the percentage makes me want to end up over 50% quicker. Either way I loved this and it made the book much more enjoyable (I may have to move to being a kindle reader, but I don’t know if I can give up my physical book buying addiction). Of Glass and Glamour was a great read and I can’t wait to read the next sister’s adventure. 

Would you recommend this book?  

Of Glass and Glamour is a perfect book for any reader that loves romance, adventure, fantasy and fairy tale retellings, and I do recommend it, specifically to those over 14. I also recommend reading the first book in the series (Of Beast and Beauty) first, as there are a couple spoilers. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A very magical, twisted retelling of Cinderella that will keep you on edge through new secrets and twists. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

OF BEAST AND BEAUTY by Chanda Hahn

“‘Something evil this way comes. 7 vengeful sisters. 7 fairytale kingdoms. 7 daughters of Eville.’ Everyone dreams of marrying a prince – except for me. I am nothing more than a pawn in my adoptive mother’s diabolical plot against the seven kingdoms. I was the chosen tool, her sharpened blade that would cut the deepest into the heart of the Kingdom of Baist. But like all deadly weapons, my wedding is two-edged sword that could cost me my soul. For I am Rosalie, one of the adopted daughters of Lady Eville, and it is my duty to enter into a loveless and hate-filled marriage with the narcissistic Crown Prince of Baist. My choices and heart are not my own to give. Yet even in the thick of dire situations, beastly vengeance can give way to beautiful attraction.”

What is the book about?

It is every girl’s dream to marry a prince – except for Rosalie, the first adoptive daughter of Lady Eville; for she knows that her arranged marriage to the crown prince of the Kingdom of Baist is just part of her plan to get vengeance on the 7 kingdoms. Rosalie was her chosen tool to take control of Baist, the strongest of her 7 daughters and the one she believed would be able to get revenge and would be able to thrive in Baist, the only kingdom that had not yet embraced magic. But this was not Rosalie’s choice, as she didn’t want to give her heart away to a man who would never want anything to do with her. However, there is a thin line between love and hate, and even the most horrible relationships can give way to a romance unlike any other. But soon Rosalie realises that there is more to her mother’s decision than she thought and she must learn the truth about her family if she is ever going to understand and help the people she will grow to care for. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

When I first started reading the An Unfortunate Fairy Tale series many years ago, I really enjoyed the few books I managed to read during that first summer, so I soon decided that I wanted to try other books by Chanda Hahn. As a result, I discovered the Daughters of Eville series and immediately downloaded all available books in the series onto my kindle as I thought I would enjoy them. I have a huge thing for fairy tale retellings as I love the magical feeling and the mix of the predictability as well as the twists that the author has introduced to keep the story from being the same as the original fairy tale, so when I realised that these books were going to be retellings I knew I would like them, but I did keep them unread in my kindle for quite a while. My initial thoughts on this particular book (Of Beast and Beauty) were similar to that of the whole series when I first got it and reading the blurb left me even more interested in the book as I had so many questions about Lady Eville and was also so excited for the suggested enemy to lovers romance, which is one of my favourite types of romances. When I started to read, it took me a little while to get used to the story and the fact that it was told from a first person perspective, however, after a few chapters, I started to really enjoy the book and was soon reaching the end in less than a couple days. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was probably Rosalie, not just because she was the main character and the one person whose mind I was able to see into but also because I really liked her personality and the way she handled things. I really liked the fact that, even though she was treated terribly just because she had powers and magic that the people of Baist were unfamiliar with and terrified of, Rosalie didn’t let that stop her and she tried her hardest to ignore them. I liked how stubborn, intelligent and strong she was and the way that she used all of these qualities to go against the wishes of the people who tried to keep her shut away and she never once let herself be controlled because she knew her own strength and wasn’t going to be treated like she was less than what she was, even by the crown prince. I also really liked the way that Rosalie never gave up, even when she was so scared and tired, and she kept fighting back and trying to find her own way, but she also knew when she needed help and was ready to ask for it. She was a great character and I liked that she was the daughter to start this series. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

This was a really hard decision to make because there wasn’t really any part of the book that stood out to me, however after much consideration I would probably say that my favourite part of the book was when the prince realised who Rosalie really was and didn’t shy away from her. I had initially really liked the way that Rosalie used the prince’s own decision to never look at his wife to her advantage and she managed to manipulate her way into doing many things; however the biggest reason why I liked this was because the prince was able to get to know her without ever knowing the truth. So then, when he found out, he couldn’t actually bring himself to hate her like he had initially done because he had grown to know her in ways he never would have. I really liked this and I enjoyed that he finally understood the truth as I was getting a little annoyed at how stupid he was being and how he couldn’t see the signs.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I quite enjoyed Of Beast and Beauty; however it wasn’t one of the best books I have read. One thing that I did enjoy about the book was the plot and the amount of twists that were incorporated in the story. Fairy tale retellings always have a certain element of predictability as they are based on stories that we have grown up reading and watching however, although there were some things that I already knew (like the fact that the prince was a beast), somehow this book managed to keep me on my toes and leave me shocked after secrets were revealed and twists in the plot occurred. I loved the fact that there was no way I could’ve seen those things coming and I loved the way that it linked different kingdoms together. Another thing that I liked was the romance. I really liked how it was different to the original story; however it also grew in a similar way to it. It may not have been the most amazing romance, but I did like it and I liked the way the book ended for the main characters. However, there were a few things that I didn’t love about the book. One of those was the fact that it was told from only one point of view, and it was told from the first person. I have really come to enjoy third person over first person, though it was the other way when I was younger, so it did take me a while to get used to it. I did grow to like it a bit, but I know that I would have probably liked the book better if it had been from the third person perspective or if it had more points of view, as I would have liked to see through others eyes. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I recommend reading Of Beast and Beauty, especially if you are over 14 and love fantasy, adventure, romance and fairy tale retellings, but you need to be ready to stick with it as there is more to it than meets the eye and you learn a lot near the end. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A dark, magical version of Beauty and the Beast, full of secrets, twists and turns that you could never have seen coming. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

FOREVER by Chanda Hahn

“‘Will Beauty have to destroy the Beast she created?’ With the Godmother Guild destroyed by Teague's army, Mina finds herself without the guidance of her Fae Godmother. Alone and confused, she must lean on her friends for support. The dark prince threatens their very existence with a show of power on the human plane that has everyone running for their lives. To save them, Mina must make a deal with the prince to become his prisoner or lose her friends forever. But is there any hope for Jared and the love they briefly shared, or must beauty destroy the beast she created?”

What is the book about?

Now that Teague and his army have destroyed the Godmother Guild, Mina finds herself without the support and guidance of her Fae Godmother and the other Godmothers, who seemed to be the only ones willing to share their knowledge of the curse and help Mina though her quests. But Mina is not completely alone as she now has her friends, both Fae and human, to lean on for support as she tries to find a way to stop the dark prince from destroying both the Fae and the human planes. However, no matter how much Mina wishes it could be different there may only be one way to save her friends and family from Teague – she must sacrifice herself to protect them and that is something that she must face alone, without their much needed support in these dark times. But, after everything she has lost, Mina is willing to do anything to not lose those she loves. She must try her hardest to stop Teague, but is it too late for the beast that she created? Mina loves him with all her heart, or at least she loves a part of him and she doesn’t think she can go through with the one way to stop the destruction: kill Teague. But is it possible that Jared is still in there somewhere and she can save him? Or will she have to kill the one she loves most?

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I had been looking forward to finally reaching the last book in the An Unfortunate Fairy Tale series for years, but before starting this book all I could think was how scared I was to actually finish the book. Mainly it was because of how worried I was that the ending wouldn’t match my expectations and that it would ruin the whole series; however I was also scared because I have been rereading this series for years and I was not sure if I was ready for it to actually end. However, I was also desperate to read on after the shocking ending to Reign and I knew that the only way to get answers to my questions was to read the book, so I finally picked it up and read the blurb. The blurb only managed to scare me more as I still had hope for Jared and I didn’t want Mina to have to kill him; however I was also even more interested in finding out what deal Mina made with the prince, so I soon started to read. Once I started reading, all my worries disappeared as I forgot the world around me and became part of the story. From the very first page I knew that this book was going to be just as good as the others and I was soon reaching the end as it was such an easy read. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

Although I really liked Mina, I feel like I have to give another character a moment to shine as she really changed in this book. I think that my favourite character was probably Ever because of the way that she started to really embrace friendship and was actually, not just willing to help out, but ready to put her life on the line for Mina. When she first appeared in Fairest, I didn’t know what to think of her and really I don’t think I liked her much. She was so grumpy and so unwilling to play any part in Mina’s quests and she was so attached to Jared, who I had been shipping with Mina, so I didn’t want her to get in the way of anything. However, in Reign something changed about her (or someone changed her) and she started to help out more, even despite how much she hated Mina for what she did to Jared. But the biggest change in her was in Forever when she chose to become Mina’s new Fae Godmother. I was so surprised and I loved this sweet change in her, though she did continue to be grumpy from time to time. She risked everything in this book and she became one of my favourite characters in the process. Also I just wanted to quickly mention Nix who also helped Mina, even though he was completely human and defenceless (and he also helped to change Ever a bit and bring some happiness in her life after Jared).

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book has got to be when Mina discovers her true self and she finally feels comfortable in her own skin. I could always tell that there was something different about Mina, something that no other Grimm who had tried to break the curse had, because ti couldn’t be that an ordinary teenage girl could succeed where the adult men in her family had failed. So when I learnt the truth about who Mina’s mother was and, therefore, who she was, I wanted to know absolutely everything and understand just how powerful Mina really was. That is why I loved this part of the book, when Mina embraces her power and lets her true self show through the glamour that had been masking her real identity her whole life. It was a shock, but it also felt right and it made so much sense when I thought back at all the strange, magical moments in Mina’s life. But my favourite thing about this part was the fact that now that Mina had discovered the truth about herself, she wasn’t going to go back and she was ready to do whatever it took, something that the old Mina would’ve struggled with, and all it took was a little magic and beauty to show her that she could beat Teague and stop him from killing everyone she loved. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Forever was amazing and I think it was the perfect conclusion to this magical, fairy tale series. One thing that I loved about the book was how fast-paced it was. With the first 3 books I found that they were a lot slower and it took me a bit longer to read (though that may have been my fault for rereading them so much and not paying attention before this time), however Reign and Forever were different. They were both so easy to read and I think that it was because of the fact that the plot flowed more, almost as if it had been destined to happen. It was so easy to read this book and I literally read it in only a couple of sittings and couldn’t put it down, even though it was really late and my eyes were burning. Another thing I really enjoyed about Forever was the romance. I know I do mention this again later on but I just have to explain just how happy and relieved I felt about the couples in the story. Since Jared’s Quest I have been rooting for a specific couple, even despite everything they went through, because I could just tell that these 2 were made for each other. That became even clearer to me once I read Reign so I had been on edge throughout Forever, hoping and praying that the 2 characters would finally get together. There aren’t even words to describe how happy I was that what I wished for came true and I know that this is one of these moments that I will hold forever in my heart. One last thing that I would like to mention about Forever was the ending. This was what I had been so scared of reading because I was worried that it wouldn’t be what I wanted and that, after reading so many books in the series, the ending would ruin it and it would have all been for nothing. When I started to reach the end I had been even more terrified than when I initially started the book because of the fact that so much had been left unsolved and there was a whole plane left to save with only a few chapters left. I had been so worried that the book would leave me with questions and that it would end so quickly. I now know that I should never have been as scared as I was, however it was not exactly the ending I had pictured. Despite this, I think it was the perfect ending for this series because it perfectly depicted the fact that every happily ever after is different and that some don’t always have a happily ever after, they just have an after (which was something that had been made clear from the very first book). It may not have been exactly the way I pictured it, but the couples that I had wanted together did get together, though maybe not exactly how I imagined, and I know that Mina is happy how she ended up, so I am too. Forever was perfect and I can’t believe that the series has actually ended after all of these years.

Which was your favourite book in the An Unfortunate Fairy Tale series? (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5)

Before I go on to explain which my favourite book was, I would just like to say that I can’t believe I got this far. After at least 5 years of having these books in my kindle and attempting to read the whole series in one summer I actually did it! I have read UnEnchanted at least 4 times now and Fairest and Fable at least 2, but I had never gotten round to reading Reign, let alone Forever. Yet, here I am, at the end of reading all 5 books and I am so glad I finally finished them because I would’ve missed out on so much if I hadn’t read them all. I am particularly pleased I read all 5 because if I hadn’t I wouldn’t be able to tell you that, despite all books being amazing, my favourite book in this series is the fifth and final one – Forever. There are 3 big reasons for this decision: Mina’s transformation, the romance and the ending. Since one of the first few books, I always knew that Mina had something special and that she had a strength and power unlike any other Grimm, but I never knew what it was until reading this last book. I loved this discovery and the way that Mina embraced her new identity and was willing to face the things she had been scared of before she knew her true self. She always thought her magic was a curse, but through her transformation she learnt it was a blessing and she had something special that no one could take from her and she could use to her advantage. She always thought that she wasn’t enough to stop Teague because what could a clumsy teen do to stop the most powerful Fae prince, but she realised here that she was strong and could do it, and I loved that. There was always romance in the series; however the one in this last book just felt right. Mina finally gave up on the one she always thought she wanted to be with and let him be with his true love, which hurt but she knew it was the right thing because she was actually in love with someone else. There was also another cute couple, who I had noticed was sprouting up in Reign, which finally got together. But the biggest thing was a couple that I had been rooting for from the very first book and continued to want together, despite one of them being a destructive, evil being, finally getting something close to a happily ever after. The ending is also something that made Forever stand out because, initially, I had been worried for how the book would end because I didn’t want it to ruin the whole series. This ending may not have been what I was hoping for, but it was good enough for me and it gave me the closure I needed. The An Unfortunate Fairy Tale series was amazing and I am so glad I finally got round to reading it.

Would you recommend this book?  

I 100% reading this book, but you need to read the previous 4 books in the series. This book is perfect for any reader over 1, who loves fantasy, adventure, romance and (specifically) fairy tale retellings. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

The perfect, magical conclusion to a fantasy series about a girl and a boy who were always destined to be together. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

REIGN by Chanda Hahn

“‘One day her prince will come, and it will be her worst nightmare.’ Going to the Fae plane against Jared’s orders has cost Mina dearly. Her decision haunts her as a new danger surfaces back on the human plane. The Grimms are fading from existence. To save her family’s future, Mina Grime will have to travel to the past with the help of her Fae Godmother and a pair of magic shoes. She must go to the Story’s very beginning, to the days before the dark prince’s reign. But can she finish her quest before her time runs out, or will she be trapped in the past forever?”

What is the book about?

When Mina went against Jared’s wishes and went to the Fae plane to retrieve something dear to her she hadn’t been expecting to lose something else she loved in the process. The events that transpired that day still haunt her and her decision has led to the creation of a danger far greater than anything she has ever faced. But now there is something worse happening, something that would lead to Mina and every other Grimm disappearing from the human plane as if they never existed, and this would mean that both the human and the Fae plane would be at risk from the monster that plagues Mina’s nightmares and there would be no Mina to help. So, the only way that Mina can save her family from ceasing to exist is if she goes into the past and finds the root of the problem and fixes it before she disappears. With the help of the Godmothers Guild and some magic shoes, she will be transported in  time to before the Story began, before her family was ever cursed and before Teague became the dark prince who threatens to destroy her and all her friends. But her time in the past has an expiration and she needs to finish her quest, or she will be trapped in the past forever and her entire bloodline will disappear. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

After reading Fable I knew I needed to immediately start reading Reign. Fable had ended with one of the most heart-breaking plot twist and cliff-hanger I have experienced and I was left in utter shock and devastation as I struggled to understand and cope with the final events of the book. I almost instantly started to read Reign when I finished Fable, but I did stop to read the blurb, which just left me feeling even more desperate to start reading as I had even more questions and immediately wanted to know what was going to happen and how in the world Mina would travel in time. Since learning about the true identity of the Story (Teague) and his other half (Jared, who was trapped in the Grimoire), I had a ridiculous amount of questions about what happened to cause the prince to become so evil and I needed to know about the backstory. So when I learnt that Mina was going to be travelling back in time to when Teague was just a normal royal Fae I was so excited to see if I would finally get answers to my questions. My initial thoughts on the book were that I was going to really enjoy reading it, like all the others in the series, and when I started I continued with Mina’s adventure as if there had never been a break in the story and loved it from the first chapters. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

In this book there were a lot of characters who I really liked, however I would probably have to say that my favourite character is probably still Mina. I really liked Nix, who was just so entertaining and I loved seeing how he adjusted to human life, and, surprisingly, I started to like Ever as she became less of the grumpy pixie that I had grown accustomed to and she stated to become friendlier (and I learnt more about her past). However, both of these characters weren’t as present as Mina (because she is the main character and she went time-travelling so didn’t see much of them). Ever since reading Fable and seeing the change in Mina, I have really liked her because she was no longer the whiny teenager narrating the story and she had finally come to accept that this was her life and she had to do things that a normal teenager would never have to deal with. At the start of the book, when she first realised that she was going to have to go back in time, she was in danger of going back to the terrified girl who didn’t want to be cursed and just wanted to live a normal life, but, after a few words from Ever (which is one of the reasons why I started to like her more in this book), Mina realised that this was her role and she had to do this or her whole family would be gone. I did feel bad for Mina; however I admired her lot more because of how she handled her situation and was willing to keep risking everything to help the people she cared about, and this selfless personality of hers is one of the biggest things I like about her. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book would probably have to be when Mina (and I) finally understood that all these events were meant to happen and that everything had started with Mina, and she was destined to end it too. It took her a while to come to terms with what was happening and that she was the reason for everything, however when she finally did I knew this had to be my favourite part because of all the questions it answered and the amazing structure it gave the series. From the very start of the first book I had so many questions about how the curse started to begin with and why in the world the Grimm Brothers would go to the Fae plane, and since those questions first appeared in my head I have been worried that I would never find out the answer, however now I know everything and I feel like my eyes and mind have finally opened up. It made so much sense and I loved the way it made the story flow and meant that Mina was destined to break the curse since before she was even born. It was a great part of the book, and really it was a great book overall.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I absolutely loved reading Reign and there is nothing that I could possibly change about it because it was perfect. One of the things I loved about this book was how incredibly fast-paced and easy it was to read. I am not joking when I say that I started reading it one night at about 10 pm and had finished it before 10 pm the next day. I found it so hard to set it down because of how easy and enjoyable it was to read and how time literally flew by as I forgot I was reading and fully submersed myself in the experience and adventure Mina was going on. I devoured the book and as soon as I reached the end I was in absolute shock from not just the ending but also the speed I read the book at. Another thing that I loved about the book was its cyclical structure, which I realised from all the new information I gained from Mina travelling back in time. From what I learnt I now know that all of this started with Mina and she is destined to end it all – hence the cyclical (circular) structure of the whole series. I loved this because it made the whole story really flow and it also filled in all the gaps that I had and answered all of my questions. That is another huge reason for why I loved reading Reign because I love getting answers to my questions and I specifically love getting them in the form of flashbacks to the past (or in this case travelling back in time). When I first started to read I had no idea what it was that Mina had to do while she was in the past, but slowly the pieces started to fit together and I started to understand that there was so much more to the story and now Mina was not only the one destined to fix everything, but she had been the one to cause the problem to begin with (and all of this blew my mind). One last thing I really liked about the book was the ending. The shocking event that happened at the end of the book had left me and all the characters in the book feeling heart-broken, however none of the character let that make them lose the hope they had to stop Teague and end the curse once and for all. I loved how now Mina had both of the humans who meant the world to her back in her life and that they were never going to be brainwashed again. This all left me feeling beyond excited for the last book in the series as I knew that together they were unstoppable. I can’t believe that after all of this time Mina will be the Grimm to break the curse and stop it from plaguing generation after generation and I know she can do it because she has gotten further than every other Grimm to ever try (and it turns out all they needed to do was have a girl try). I can’t wait to read the last book in the series, but I will be sad to see it end. 

Which book did you like better: 1, 2, 3 or 4?

Every book in the An Unfortunate Fairy Tale series which I have read so far has been incredible and I truly liked reading every single one of them. However I would have to say out of the 4 of them (UnEnchanted, Fairest, Fable and Reign) my favourite book so far would have to be Reign. The biggest reason for this decision is because there is one huge thing that is different about Reign. Once Mina finished whatever adventure and quest she went on in the other three books, the book would end with Mina right back at the beginning with a complete reset in the minds of her closest friends. Every single time they would forget her and everything she went through and she would be back at the start going through some immense déjà vu as she had to restart her relationship with Brody and had to once again explain everything to her best friend, Nan. However, with Reign it was different and no one’s memory was wiped. This gave me such as sense of hope and also made me so grateful for the fact that I wouldn’t have to once again watch Mina and Brody, or Mina and Nan argue about how weird Mina was being. This was such a huge change and left me loving Reign more than any of the other books. One other thing I loved about Reign was the amount of new information and backstory I got on the main characters. I hate being left in the dark and the suspense of not knowing the whole truth, however Reign gave me answers to so many questions and this left me feeling overjoyed as I finally understood the truth. Reign was a great book and I know that the fifth and final book, Forever, will be just as amazing and will hopefully be a magical conclusion to this fairy tale series. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend reading Reign, but obviously after the previous three books in this series (UnEnchanted, Fairest and Fable). It is the perfect book for all readers who love fantasy, adventure, romance and fairy tale retellings, and specifically those over 13.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A crazy, time-travelling adventure that links the predicted ending to the beginning of the whole story, hundreds of years before, and will leave you in shock.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

FABLE by Chanda Hahn

“‘All that glitters is not gold.’ When something precious is stolen from sixteen-year-old Mina Grime, she will do anything in her power to get it back, even if it means traveling to the dangerous Fae plane and battling one of the strongest fairy-tale villains yet. However, nothing can prepare Mina for the dangerous obstacles she will face in the Fae world, or the choices she must make when love and life are on the line.”

What is the book about?

Mina has been ignoring the Story and avoiding any tales that he sends her way. This was directly going against the rules of her family curse, but she doesn’t care as she is now not going to follow the rules because, when has the Story ever followed the rules? However, it seems that the Fae didn’t like this new attitude and now one of the things that Mina holds dearest and closest to her heart has been stolen from her and the only way she can get it back is to travel to the Fae plane and battle one of the strongest villains she has faced in one of her quests. But the Fae plane is a lot more dangerous than Mina initially thought and her friends on the Human plane are not ready to let her cross over and risk her life, even if what was stolen from her means the world to her. Despite all this discouragement, Mina is not going to give up that easily and she will do anything to get back what was hers. She thinks she is ready and that she can outsmart the one person who always seems to know her next move, but nothing could have prepared her for the Fae world and the decisions she will have to make while she is there.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Fairest ended rather dramatically and I was so excited to read on when I finished it. I had absolutely no idea of which way Fable would go and I was so scared for Mina; however I knew I needed to find out for myself and I was so desperate to start reading. After reading the blurb I was even more excited and I knew I had to read Fable and that it was going to be more interesting than the other books in the series because of the interesting discovery about the fact that Mina was going to be travelling to the Fae world. I was beyond excited and needed to start the book, so I did and I did not regret it. From the very first chapter I already really liked the book and I loved the way the book burst right in and continued on from pretty much where it left off (and summarised what had been missed). Initially I had been sure I would like the book and I had been right. It started perfectly and I found myself in shock and tears within only another couple chapters. It was an incredible read from the very start, just like I had thought.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

In this book my favourite character was surprisingly Mina, though I still did really like Jared (though he initially disappointed me and it was only until later that I realised that I shouldn’t have doubted him). The main reason I liked Mina a lot more in Fable than in any other book was because I really liked the way she didn’t do what everyone said and abandon what was taken from her. Every single person she talked to, including Jared, were telling her that she was more important than what was taken from her and that she shouldn’t risk everything just to get it back. However, Mina didn’t listen and I loved how stubborn and determined she was because it showed me a new side of her – the side that was willing to do anything for what and who she loved and who didn’t care about a stupid curse and the fact that her welfare may seem more important than saving something else. I loved the way that she didn’t care what anyone said and she was willing to go into the depths and dangers of the Fae world. It showed me that the Mina I liked in UnEnchanted was still there and that she had just gotten a little lost along the way and now she was back and was not going to let any Fae creature, not matter how powerful, mess with her or the things and people she loved. I am so confident now that Mina will break the curse and will prove everyone wrong because she is the strongest Grimm to ever try to break the curse.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was when Mina realised that she hadn’t been abandoned by the one person who had stood by her through every quest and monstrous creature the Story had thrown at her and that she could survive this one just like the others because she was not alone. Before this person arrived to help her out she knew that she wasn’t going to succeed and that she was going to die, but (and I am not over exaggerating anything here) when she laid eyes on the person who always helped her she literally said that now she was going to be fine because they always were. She had thought she was all alone in the Fae world and that her friend wasn’t going to ever come and help her, but when she saw that she wasn’t alone she realised that she could survive and that all was not lost. In every book so far they have both survived every new quest and creature because together they can do anything because they have a connection and at this part Mina finally realised that this was the person she loved, not some guy who would never remember what they had and lost, and I loved it. This feeling is the main reason why I am terrified to read the next book because I know that if Mina does what she was told she must do at the end of the book in order to break the curse then she will never get to learnt to love this person more. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall Fable was a really great book and I really enjoyed reading it. One thing that I specifically loved was the fact that the plot and adventure were a lot more enjoyable than the other books. The main reason for this is because Mina got to travel to the Fae plane and her whole aim was to get something she loved back. I really liked this because it was not only a lot more fun to read due to the differences between the Fae world and the Human one, but also because I got to see Mina in a new light and I got to really understand why she was trying to break the curse to begin with. Another thing that I enjoyed when reading Fable was the new characters, which had been introduced at the end of Fairest or had just been introduced in Fable. I really loved that Mina was able to find friends in the Fae plane, though she also made some enemies that were much stronger than any other Fae creatures she had met before. The thing I specifically loved about these new characters was the fact that one of those, who helped Mina despite the fact that he knew that if he helped a Grimm he would probably end up dragged into a fairy tale and killed. I loved this because it showed me that the Fae aren’t all bad and that there is hope for some of them. I also really loved that Mina got to repay this character’s kindness and give him a really shot at a happy life, a new life – it was the perfect ending for a great boy. One last thing I want to mention is the ending. After reading I was in shock and didn’t fully understand what it meant for the future books and what might happen, however now that I understand I am so scared to continue reading. Initially when all Mina had to do to break the curse was to complete hundreds of quests I knew that was going to be impossible and she could possibly do all of that in only 5 books, but I had hope and I thought that Mina might be able to find a way to cheat the Story. However, now I understand that it was never about the quests and I don’t know if Mina will be able to go through with her knew quest. The ending wasn’t bad and, before I found out what the true way to break the curse was, I really liked the new connection between Jared and Mina. However, after the crazy events that led to the destruction of any hope that I had for the perfect couple, I don’t know if I still like it. It was such a shocking plot twist (and I do love those), but it is one that takes away any hope I may have had for romance, though that doesn’t mean that I am not still hoping for  more (even if that is stupid and naïve). Fable was amazing and I am both dreading and desperate to read the next book in the An Unfortunate Fairy Tale series. 

Which book did you like better, the first, the second or the third?

I really liked reading all three books (UnEnchanted, Fairest and Fable), however I think I do have a clear favourite in this series so far, and that would have to be the third book – Fable. The main reason for this is because Fable linked more to the main story of the series and the fact that Mina has to do more than just complete all the quests to break the curse. I did enjoy the previous 2 books, but I enjoyed Fable more because the plot was a whole lot deeper and had more meaning as Mina wasn’t just living through fairy tales, she was actually doing something important and trying to save something that meant a lot to her. I also really liked Fable because Mina was once again the strong, determined girl I saw a glimpse of in the first book and I am glad for this because I didn’t think I could deal with any more whining about Brody and what she lost, though she was a little jealous and annoying at the start of the book. One other thing that I really liked about Fable was the trip to the Fae world and the fact that I got to go on an incredible adventure in a new world that was just as dangerous as it was beautiful. It was so magical and I loved the way she travelled all that way just for what was taken for her. I also really liked this because it made the Fae seem more real to me and the Fae plane was an actual place I could picture, rather than just something that had just been mentioned. Fable was amazing and I am so excited to continue the adventure with Reign.

Would you recommend this book?  

Fable is a really magical story full of romance, fairy tales and adventure, and I definitely recommend that anyone, particularly those over 13 who enjoy the genres I described, reads it as I am sure you will enjoy it. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A magical, fairy tale adventure of life and death, and the risks you take for love. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

FAIREST by Chanda Hahn

“‘Mirror, Mirror, on the wall. Who is the Fairest of them all?’ In the sequel to UnEnchanted, Mina Grime discovers that all is not fair when it comes to the Fae and their tales, especially when they don’t all play by the rules. Barely surviving the Story’s first fairy tale quest, Mina still has hundreds to go before she can end the curse on her family. But a new player arises to challenge Mina while new rules revamp the game she has just barely begun to understand. All the while, people are mysteriously disappearing, including Jared, who Mina must finally determine to be friend or foe. And with the loss of her greatest weapon, Mina must try to outwit a deadly hunter. Can Mina survive the most difficult quest yet while protecting those she loves from falling victim to one of the deadliest tales of all? Or will she become a pawn when she strikes a bargain with the Queen of Fae?”

What is the book about?

Mina Grime is cursed – literally – and now she has to live through hundreds of fairy tales in order to end the curse and save her brother. But she has already nearly died at least a dozen times, and she has only completed a few tales. The Fae don't play by the rules and it is proving harder than she thought to survive long enough to complete another quest. Mina has just barely gotten the grips on this deadly game of quests and now everything seems like it's changing, and she knows that there are people who are keeping secrets from her and preventing her from learning all there is to know about the Grimoire and her curse. Jared is one of these people and Mina doesn't know if he is on her side or on the side of the evil Fae trying to kill her. He is evasive and doesn't seem to want to help her with anything or share any of the knowledge he has, which she knows is plentiful. Now Mina had lost the one advantage she had in this world full of unknown mythical creatures and on top of that people (or Fae?) are going missing, including Jared, who is the one person who may hold the information she could use to win at another quest. It's all up to Mina and she must try to protect the two people she loves most in the world...or lose them to the curse. But the only way to save them may just be to make a deal with the Fae royalty and Mina may not be able to hold up her end of the bargain.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Once I finished UnEnchanted I knew I needed to read Fairest and I was so desperate to start reading. I had been left on a crazy plot twist cliff-hanger and needed to know what was going to happen next. I read the blurb and found that this did nothing to calm me and instead caused me to become more over-excited. I actually found the blurb for this book was extremely detailed and this really surprised me as a blurb is just supposed to give someone a brief view into the book and to make them want to read the book. In this case, the blurb kind of described the entire plot, but I didn’t mind much. When I finally started to read, I was delightfully surprised with the fact that the book burst right in with a load of action and I was immediately transported back to a world just like the one I was living in, only it had real magic and not just the one in my imagination. This meant that I knew right away that I was going to love reading this book and soon found myself reaching the end of yet another book. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character in this book was Jared. The main reason for this was because of the way he helped Mina and was always there for her in the moments she needed him, even if she didn’t always see it that way. To some it may have looked like Jared was a liar and didn’t actually want to help Mina because he never shared any information and always appeared to have secrets. He even left and it looked like he had abandoned Mina and left her in the moment she was at her weakest (as she lost the Grimoire). However, after reading the short story, Jared’s Quest, I knew more about Jared’s feelings for Mina and knew that he was only hiding things to protect her and help her, and I knew that he would tell her eventually when she really needed to know. He tried his best to help her in any way he could and never wanted to upset. The only reason he acted like a jerk from time to time was because he cared for her and didn’t want her to get hurt (and sometimes Mina could make some stupid decisions and get herself into a lot of trouble, which made him mad). I really hope to see more of Jared in later books, and I hope he loses some of this attitude and tries to be clearer on his feelings for Mina.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book is definitely the end, mainly because of what it meant for the other books in the series and because of Mina’s change in attitude. Throughout the whole book I found that Mina was a bit annoying because of the way she was constantly jealous of people and always living in the past and what could’ve been if it weren’t for the Story intervening. Although I understood that her whole life had been turned upside down and her feelings kept being disregarded, I wished that she would get past it and focus on the main reason she was fighting to solve quests – in order to break the curse put on her family many years ago. So, when I read the ending, I absolutely loved it because Mina finally understood her goal and chose to fight the real villain rather than hating the people who had been caught in the middle of the quests in the previous book of the series. I also loved what Mina said at the end because I knew that now Mina was going to change and she was not going to let the Story manipulate her anymore. She was bringing the fight to the Fae and, if they weren’t going to follow the rules, then she wasn’t going to do that either. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Fairest and I thought it was an incredible book, which I gained a lot of information from. One thing that I really loved was the fact that certain points in the book were written in Jared's perspective, although it was very subtle and was just separated with a little star, rather than a whole chapter. This was a welcome addition to the book as I was glad to hear from someone other than Mina, and particularly loved that I got to hear more from Jared because after reading the short story, Jared’s Quest, I really enjoyed his point of view and definitely didn’t want to lose out on it. The fact that Jared’s viewpoint was added not only gave me more of a glimpse into his head and let me see things in a new light as it was from someone other than Mina, but I also got to see how Mina looked from an outer point of view and helped me understand that, even though Jared annoyed Mina a lot, Mina was also able to annoy Jared. Another thing that I really liked about the book was everything I learnt about the link between Jared and the Grimoire. This was a very slow process as Jared never seemed to want to share anything (and I definitely have more questions which he still hasn’t answered); however after a while he did share a bit and Mina did figure out a bit. I loved learning about Jared’s real identity (and his other half) and why he was there to help Mina, but I know that there is still a lot more I have to learn. One last thing that I really enjoyed about the book and thought was incredibly good writing on Chanda Hahn’s part was the fact that the lines between good and evil were clearly faded in this book. I really liked how Mina’s mother’s point about Mina not being able to choose the part she played in the stories she would have to live through was really highlighted in this book and how even Mina – the main character of the novel – could be considered evil. It really showed me that even the most kind-hearted individuals can be subject to less attractive human emotions, such as jealousy, greed and hate, because we are all human  and can’t always choose or control our emotions. Fairest was a really good book and I am so excited for Fable now, especially after the shocking development at the end of Fairest.

Which book did you like better, the first or the second?

Even though both books, UnEnchanted and Fairest, were really good reads and I did like them both, I think that UnEnchanted was slightly better. One of the main reasons for this was the fact that I didn’t really like Mina’s new attitude in Fairest. In UnEnchanted she was new to the whole Story and curse thing, but she took it quite well for a 15 year old girl and was ready to break the curse. However, in Fairest she was constantly acting like a jealous teenager and living in the past, dreaming of what could’ve been if it weren’t for the Story getting involved. I can understand why she was acting that way (as I also would’ve liked to know this), but it was still rather annoying and it got her into a lot of trouble and meant she didn’t see that there were others who actually cared for her and remembered her. Although I did prefer the ending of Fairest (and loved Mina’s newfound determination), I did enjoy the main quest in UnEnchanted a lot more than in Fairest because of Mina’s role. In UnEnchanted, Mina was the hero and she didn’t need any prince, knight or hunter to come and save her from the monster because she had the power, strength and confidence to do it herself – she was independent and strong. In contrast, in Fairest, Mina was the villain of the story and, although I think it was the perfect eye opener for her and made her realise how stupid she was acting, I didn’t like the way that she needed a boy, a prince, to come in and finish the quest for her. For me, Mina is the one who needs to complete the quests, not some guy she thinks is amazing and so much better than her. I hope in Fable (the third book) I get to see more of the strong Mina I liked from the first book.

Would you recommend this book?  

I absolutely recommend you read this book. I think it is an amazing book and I know anyone will enjoy it, specifically those over 13 who like fantasy, adventure, romance and fairy tale retellings.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A fantasy adventure full of dark twists and magic.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego