If you ever
wander down the toy aisle, maybe you’ve noticed the Ever After High dolls from Mattel. This storyline was their idea.
And if you like fairytales, it’s a very good idea!
This review only covers the very
first book in the first trilogy of the Ever
After High series. The series continues with stories by Suzanne Selfors,
all of which are as cutely enjoyable to read as those by Shannon Hale. I read
this first book over 1 ½ years ago and had meant to review the three books by
Hale, but since I never did, I thought I’d post the one-book review that I had
written.
Lately it seems
that to be a fairytale villainess means you get to wear wickedly** awesome
clothes. But Raven Queen doesn’t care. Hex no! She’s next in line to be the
Evil Queen and poison dear, sweet Apple White – daughter of Snow White, of
course – so she can be kissed by her own Prince Charming – whose name is Daring
– and live happily ever after. Blah, blah, blah. The Evil Queen wants Raven to
follow her gloriously evil example, but Raven has always been nice. Which is
not hexcellent. The start of the school year is fairy-fail, as others around
her are beginning to startle at the sight of her and even run the other way. As
if that’s not enough, she has to chase down her advisor’s cottage just to get
her class schedule and the one hextbook she wants she doesn’t have, because she
was denied entrance to Muse-ic class
on account that it’s not a villainous class. And this year is important for
Raven, Apple, Daring and others. It is their Legacy Year, where they sign the
Storybook of Legends and seal their classic storybook fates. Some will get
their Happily Ever Afters. But for some others, like Raven, it has to be a
Happily Never After.
Or does it?
I don’t care that this is a
middle-grade novel; it is terrific fairytale fiction. Hale’s writing has depth,
but not so much that it would confuse the target demographic (8-12-year-olds).
Instead, she writes a wonderful plot, familiar in its utilization of fairytales,
but focusing on their progeny instead, and unique in the presentation of the
storyline. Her writing is full of humor and there is no limit on fairytale
wordplay or the presence of magic. After all, it’s a fairytale-in-progress for
these characters. Sure, there’s a bit of emphasis on clothes, but what do you
expect? A princess’ wardrobe is important! (Besides, Mattel is never short on
doll clothing and accessories.) This first book is fun but not completely
juvenile, frothy and frilly but not without depth. It features a strong girl in
a school full of the usual teenager angst, albeit with magical fairytale style,
who wants to make her own choices. This story is good fun. Royally good!
** All puns are
intended!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Below are the chronological covers through 2016, NOT including companion novels.
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