BOOK REVIEW: The Enchantress Returns (The Land of Stories #2) by Chris Colfer

The Enchantress Returns (The Land of Stories #2)

by Chris Colfer

ISBN13: 9780316201544

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication date: August 6th 2013

Pages: 517

Genres: Fantasy | Children’s Literature

Buy from: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Book Depository

After decades of hiding, the evil Enchantress who cursed Sleeping Beauty is back with a vengeance.

Alex and Conner Bailey have not been back to the magical Land of Stories since their adventures in The Wishing Spell ended. But one night, they learn the famed Enchantress has kidnapped their mother! Against the will of their grandmother, the twins must find their own way into the Land of Stories to rescue their mother and save the fairy tale world from the greatest threat it’s ever faced.

Contains spoilers from The Wishing Spell (The Land of Stories #1).

Surprise, surprise! I read the second book, guys. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still because of my sister. Remember when I mentioned she didn’t want an incomplete series? Yes, that’s why I bought it. The actual rating for this is like 3.5 stars but I rounded it down for some reasons you’ll find out soon.

After traveling from the fairytale world for the first time…

Alex and Connor have always wondered if they could get a second chance to visit it again. They try to find away back to the Land of Stories, especially when they find their mother missing, but their grandmother forbids them because the fairytale world is now in a serious danger and it can be too dangerous for them. The Enchantress, the one who was considered dead for a hundred years, has returned with more power. It makes her impossible to be defeated. Even though the quest is hard, Connor and Alex are ready to help and save the fairytale world once again.

It leveled up!

This one leveled up from The Wishing Spell! Unlike the first book, The Enchantress Returns is more a balanced book, the portion of ‘reality stuff’ and fantasy is just right. I was so bothered by Colfer’s writing in the first book, which was really messy, and now it’s kind of paid off because not only the writing is better but the character developments are too.

There are still some minor mistakes in this book, I hoped for a way better reading experience but nah, it didn’t happen. I’d say at least 200 of 500 pages are unnecessary, and the storyline is too forced to be true. Well, I know it’s a fantasy read but hey, at least make it more realistic. It seems like the twins are way too ‘polite’ to everyone in the fairytale world, they help anyone who comes across and often risk themselves for strangers, that leaves me with billion of question marks. Gladly, this series is for children so I hope they won’t notice things like that. And plus points for the beautiful illustrated cover! This series has good ones, thanks to Brandon Dorman.

I hope the sequel is even better than this!

“People only love you as long as they’re getting something of you, but the minute you say something they don’t want to hear or do something they don’t want to see, all the admiration drains from their hearts.”

Would you recommend this book to anyone?