Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the free digital copy in exchange for an honest review! This book is out soon on 2/1. 🎉
This is the second in Melissa de la Cruz’s middle-grade “Never After” fantasy series and it was just as fun and enjoyable as the first. This story follows Filomena Jefferson-Cho and her friends Jack, Alistair, and Gretel on another adventure to try to save the fantastical and fairy tale world of Never After, this time by trying to save some familiar-sounding glass slippers from none other than Cinderella. This second story takes place right where the first ends, which I enjoyed because it saved time trying to figure out the passing of time. I won’t give anything away, but the way this story ended, I believe the third will start in a similar way.
What I love about these stories is that while they draw from fairy tales and fantasies, these books are still wholly original. Cruz flips the fairy tales on their heads which makes it all fresh and entertaining. Just like Filomena, I definitely had to have an open mind–it’s amazing how ingrained some fairy tale stories are! The little band of friends that the reader meets in the first book continue to delight in this story. I do wish there had been a bit more character development/growth, but as this was set so close to the first one, I’m sure we will see more of this in the second one.
I recommend for lovers of middle-grade and fairy tale/fantasy stories! I listened to the audio and Imani Jade Powers is a wonderful narrator! Her way with voices is awesome and makes this an exciting read.
The Bookish Bird 