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The Land of Stories#6
Worlds Collide
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Middle Grade & Children's (2017)The epic conclusion to Chris Colfer's #1 New York Times bestselling series The Land of Stories!
In the highly anticipated conclusion to the Land of Stories series, Conner and Alex must brave the impossible. All of the Land of Stories fairy tale characters--heroes and villains--are no longer confined within their world!
With mayhem brewing in the Big Apple, Conner and Alex will have to win their biggest battle yet. Can the twins restore order between the human and fairy tale world?
Breathtaking action mixed with laugh out loud moments and lots of heart will make this a gripping conclusion for many fans!
In the highly anticipated conclusion to the Land of Stories series, Conner and Alex must brave the impossible. All of the Land of Stories fairy tale characters--heroes and villains--are no longer confined within their world!
With mayhem brewing in the Big Apple, Conner and Alex will have to win their biggest battle yet. Can the twins restore order between the human and fairy tale world?
Breathtaking action mixed with laugh out loud moments and lots of heart will make this a gripping conclusion for many fans!
448 pages, Hardcover
First published July 11, 2017
About the author
Chris Colfer
46books10.5kfollowersChris Colfer is an Emmy-nominated and Golden Globe-winning actor best-known for his portrayal of Kurt Hummel on the FOX television series "Glee".
He is also a New York Times bestselling author whose books include the first three novels in the "Land of Stories" series ( "The Wishing Spell", "The Enchantress Returns" and "A Grimm Warning" ) as well as "Struck By Lightning: The Carson Philips Journal" which is a novelization based on the script he wrote for the film "Struck By Lighting" (Colfer also co-produced and starred in that movie).
He is also a New York Times bestselling author whose books include the first three novels in the "Land of Stories" series ( "The Wishing Spell", "The Enchantress Returns" and "A Grimm Warning" ) as well as "Struck By Lightning: The Carson Philips Journal" which is a novelization based on the script he wrote for the film "Struck By Lighting" (Colfer also co-produced and starred in that movie).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,175 reviews
July 13, 2017
When I first started reading it I was like
Then I read it and I was like OMG AMAZING!!!
Then after 5 Minutes I realized
No more Land of Stories books
Thank you Chris for this amazing series!
It's seriously like 6 something and I need some sleep. So full review to come soon I really loved it!
Then I read it and I was like OMG AMAZING!!!
Then after 5 Minutes I realized
No more Land of Stories books
Thank you Chris for this amazing series!
It's seriously like 6 something and I need some sleep. So full review to come soon I really loved it!
April 4, 2020
Man what an ending. The tears haven't come yet but I know once I start reading another book I will realize that this series is over. The series I grew up reading is actually finished. No more adventures with Alex, Conner and the other characters.😭 I'm not gonna say any spoilers for this so it's fine if you read this review but I will explain why you should read it and how it changed my life. This book came out when I was in fifth grade when I wasn't doing so well in school. Before our book fair we were shown books and what they were about. When The Wishing Spell came on I knew I had to buy it because it was everything I wanted in a story. It had fairytales and other dimensions. I read in like two days. Over the years this series has changed my life for the better. It is a place I can escape reality and wish I was there with Alex. I really connected with Alex because her and I are so similar. She loves to read. She's smart. She doesn't have many friends. But more so that she wants fairytales to be real. Alex and I would probably get along amazingly. When Chris announced that the last book would be coming out this year I admit that I cried. I cried because the books that helped me leave reality when I had a hard day at school or at home or just felt lonely were ending. I will forever miss this journey but also in a way I'm glad it ended because it's time for me to start my own adventure. These books have taught me so much about my life and with friendships. I will say that even though you won't read this Chris thank you for publishing these books and allowing me to learn and connect with all of these characters. I hope one day my children will also travel into the Land of Stories and learn so much about themselves. It's been a wonderful adventure. 😘
Reread: March 29-April 4th 2020
5/5 Stars
"'Happily ever after isn't the solution to life's problems or a guarantee that life will be easy; it's a promise we make ourselves to always live our best lives, despite whatever circumstance comes our way. When we focus on joy in times of heartbreak, when we choose to laugh on the days it's hard to smile, and when we count our blessings over our losses- that's what a true happily ever is all about. You don't get there by being perfect; on the contrary, it's our humanity that guides us. And that's what fairy tales have been trying to teach us all along.'"
What can I say about this book that I haven't already said? Reading this series without stopping was definitely something I needed at a time like this. The first time I read this, I didn't cry. This time, however, I did. Maybe it was because I read the series without stopping while last time I had to wait a whole year to read this, or maybe it was that I didn't want to say goodbye again. I don't know. Reading this reminded me why I love reading and writing. As cliche and weird it probably is, this series is my happy place. It's the first book I remember reading (even though I read the first one in 5th grade). It means the world to me.
Rereading this one was different. It was kind of like reading it all over again because I really could not remember anything that happened. After reading it, I realized how good of an ending it is. The novel left some stuff to the imagination, but also wrapped everything up nicely. The amount of growth every character had is astounding, and I didn't realize it before.
Red Riding Hood and Conner had the most growth in my opinion. In the first novel, Conner was a boy who fell asleep in class, and everyone thought he was never going to go anywhere in life. However, by the end of this novel, he was mature, and such a kind young man who had so many things ahead of him.
In the first novel, Red Riding Hood was all about looks. She was shallow, and thought only looks mattered. However, by the end of this one (without spoiling anything), she had changed. She was still shallow, but she had also become a great friend who looked past the looks and went to the heart of someone.
I know this is not necessary. This whole review doesn't need to be this long. It's too much in all aspects. I just love this so much.
When thinking about reading this, don't think about what category this falls into. Yes, it is middle grade, but I'm into the young adult, and almost into the new adult genres, and I still love this and can read it. I think you can read this at any age. It doesn't matter.
Reread: March 29-April 4th 2020
5/5 Stars
"'Happily ever after isn't the solution to life's problems or a guarantee that life will be easy; it's a promise we make ourselves to always live our best lives, despite whatever circumstance comes our way. When we focus on joy in times of heartbreak, when we choose to laugh on the days it's hard to smile, and when we count our blessings over our losses- that's what a true happily ever is all about. You don't get there by being perfect; on the contrary, it's our humanity that guides us. And that's what fairy tales have been trying to teach us all along.'"
What can I say about this book that I haven't already said? Reading this series without stopping was definitely something I needed at a time like this. The first time I read this, I didn't cry. This time, however, I did. Maybe it was because I read the series without stopping while last time I had to wait a whole year to read this, or maybe it was that I didn't want to say goodbye again. I don't know. Reading this reminded me why I love reading and writing. As cliche and weird it probably is, this series is my happy place. It's the first book I remember reading (even though I read the first one in 5th grade). It means the world to me.
Rereading this one was different. It was kind of like reading it all over again because I really could not remember anything that happened. After reading it, I realized how good of an ending it is. The novel left some stuff to the imagination, but also wrapped everything up nicely. The amount of growth every character had is astounding, and I didn't realize it before.
Red Riding Hood and Conner had the most growth in my opinion. In the first novel, Conner was a boy who fell asleep in class, and everyone thought he was never going to go anywhere in life. However, by the end of this novel, he was mature, and such a kind young man who had so many things ahead of him.
In the first novel, Red Riding Hood was all about looks. She was shallow, and thought only looks mattered. However, by the end of this one (without spoiling anything), she had changed. She was still shallow, but she had also become a great friend who looked past the looks and went to the heart of someone.
I know this is not necessary. This whole review doesn't need to be this long. It's too much in all aspects. I just love this so much.
When thinking about reading this, don't think about what category this falls into. Yes, it is middle grade, but I'm into the young adult, and almost into the new adult genres, and I still love this and can read it. I think you can read this at any age. It doesn't matter.
July 23, 2017
So, my previous review said that I would love it without reading it. My hypothesis was true. With the last book in the series, many people begin to feel nostalgic about it being over. This was the same for me, I give this whole series a five because this series has inspired me, and made me love reading more then I could ever imagine!!!! I personally thought there was nothing to change except to make it longer. Alex and Connor is not over in my heart. I loved the way it was full of action from page 1 to 434. Kids, Adults, Teens read this series, I got emotional just writing this review.
Want to read
August 22, 2017This has been out for over a month now and I haven't bought it yet(THE SHAME.-.).
April 23, 2018
OMG WE HAVE GOT A TITLE
Edit: THE COVER *insert heart eyes*
*********************************************
SUCH a delightful read! This book was a nostalgic rollercoaster and it was all I could've wished for. I remember reading The Land of Stories for the first time and feeling my love for fairytales grow. I just cannot put into words how I felt while reading that one book, I saw myself represented as a bookworm and as the extremely insecure child I was. This series, oh God, even though it may sound stupid and all, this series helped me through quite a lot. I grew up together with this series and I kept lookig forward to getting the next book in my hands and after that devour it in one sitting. As I grew older (OKAY THIS SOUND A BIT LIKE I AM AN OLD GRANNY BUT STILL), these books were always there for me to read whenever I needed to. OKAY ENOUGH CHEESINESS
Now about the book.
Pros:
*I liked the characteral development
*I loved being reunited with all my favorite ones (CONNER, ALEX, RED, MOTHER GOOSE OFC)
*SPEEKING OF MOTHER GOOSE, she is GREAT
*I liked the way we got to see Evly again and the closure we got when it comes to her
*Actually, I enjoyed seeing howalmostall the characters got their own happily ever after
*THE QUOTES IN THIS BOOK WERE SO SO SO INSPIRING
*YAS ALEX and YAS CONNER
*The setting YAS YAS YAS
*I liked how we got to read a flashforward and see how a few of the characters were doing
Cons:
*Uhm, why was Charlotte such a distant mum? Like okay I get it, you are used to these adventures by now BUT LISTEN MA'AM they are your KIDS!!!! It seemed as if she wasn't even bothered in the slightest bit about Alex and Conner ugh
*Did Arthur get the Holy Grail in the two months he promised it would take him to do so?
*The writing was a bit weak in some places as if the author was hurrying to get over with it
*Hero was brought into the adventure by Goldilocks but LISTEN he is a BABY he shouldn't need to be in danger of being eaten by WITCHES??!???!! Right???!!
*Okay so we had Medusa right? But what happened next? I get that she needed peace and that's why she retreated but STILLL
*Also, Evly. So she decided to be good and all however, why didn't she help our characters out?
Okay I guess that that's about it, and I hope that everyone will read this series as it is a nostalgic explosion and will make one love fairytales to THE MAX. Thank you so so so much for writing The Land of Stories Chris Colfer!
Edit: THE COVER *insert heart eyes*
*********************************************
SUCH a delightful read! This book was a nostalgic rollercoaster and it was all I could've wished for. I remember reading The Land of Stories for the first time and feeling my love for fairytales grow. I just cannot put into words how I felt while reading that one book, I saw myself represented as a bookworm and as the extremely insecure child I was. This series, oh God, even though it may sound stupid and all, this series helped me through quite a lot. I grew up together with this series and I kept lookig forward to getting the next book in my hands and after that devour it in one sitting. As I grew older (OKAY THIS SOUND A BIT LIKE I AM AN OLD GRANNY BUT STILL), these books were always there for me to read whenever I needed to. OKAY ENOUGH CHEESINESS
Now about the book.
Pros:
*I liked the characteral development
*I loved being reunited with all my favorite ones (CONNER, ALEX, RED, MOTHER GOOSE OFC)
*SPEEKING OF MOTHER GOOSE, she is GREAT
*I liked the way we got to see Evly again and the closure we got when it comes to her
*Actually, I enjoyed seeing howalmostall the characters got their own happily ever after
*THE QUOTES IN THIS BOOK WERE SO SO SO INSPIRING
*YAS ALEX and YAS CONNER
*The setting YAS YAS YAS
*I liked how we got to read a flashforward and see how a few of the characters were doing
Cons:
*Uhm, why was Charlotte such a distant mum? Like okay I get it, you are used to these adventures by now BUT LISTEN MA'AM they are your KIDS!!!! It seemed as if she wasn't even bothered in the slightest bit about Alex and Conner ugh
*Did Arthur get the Holy Grail in the two months he promised it would take him to do so?
*The writing was a bit weak in some places as if the author was hurrying to get over with it
*Hero was brought into the adventure by Goldilocks but LISTEN he is a BABY he shouldn't need to be in danger of being eaten by WITCHES??!???!! Right???!!
*Okay so we had Medusa right? But what happened next? I get that she needed peace and that's why she retreated but STILLL
*Also, Evly. So she decided to be good and all however, why didn't she help our characters out?
Okay I guess that that's about it, and I hope that everyone will read this series as it is a nostalgic explosion and will make one love fairytales to THE MAX. Thank you so so so much for writing The Land of Stories Chris Colfer!
July 16, 2017
***SPOILERS! BIG ONES! SERIOUSLY! BEWARE!***
So, The Land of Stories series.
Before I get to my review of the final book in the chapter, a bit of context:
My daughter, age 5, heard of this series thanks to an appearance by the author, Chris Colfer, on the Netflix series "Julie's Greenroom." My wife checked the first book in the series, The Wishing Spell, out for her, and she was totally hooked. And, admittedly, I was, too.
The whole series is, to sum up, good-hearted and clever. It follows twins Alex and Connor Bailey as they enter another dimension called the Land of Stories--the source of all of *our* world's fairy tales.
It deconstructs and mashes up almost every major fairy tale and fantasy story (at least those written by famous authors of European descent, anyhow) into an epic tale. It's intricately plotted, and its secret sauce is focusing on the characters' personal growth and overcoming obstacles--all in the midst of having adventures with dozens of fictional characters.
It should be noted that the author, Chris Colfer, is the award-winning actor from TV's Glee--and he's completed an epic six-book fantasy series by age 27. He's got oodles of clever ideas, but tends to fall back on stock phrases over and over again (forms of "tears came to their eyes," and "their stomachs felt like they fell out of their bodies" pop up conspicuously often, for example)... and he's also exacting in his descriptions almost to a fault, oftentimes saying something in 20 words that could just as effectively have been said in 10. And, for the most part, almost every major character makes it through all six books virtually unscathed, with countless "just in the nick of time" moments saving the characters.
But that said, he tells a heck of a yarn that pulled me in, and I had to see how the big finale would play out. True to a statement Colfer made in an interview, if the final book someday gets turned into a film, it'll be a very, very expensive one.
So it's a shame that, despite note-perfect and true-to-character emotional beats throughout all the books, two flaws pop out at me in the final book. One, a relatively minor quibble... and another, a massive plot hole that effects half the series (or based on the complex timelines of the series, the whole thing).
Minor quibble: the final book has a connected prologue and epilogue that touch on Connor at age 80, offering a charming glimpse into who the young man becomes, as well as hints at the story we're about to read. Connor, you see, became a beloved children's book author, and wrote... a six-book series that's almost exactly like the Land of Stories series.
So far, no biggie. But there's a passage that I'm assuming Colfer thought would be an amusing wink at the audience, but comes off as unintentionally, obnoxiously precious: Connor's series, its explained, became a profitable film series, spawning hefty merchandising and helping improve literacy.
Ahem.
Look, Colfer can write funny scenes and one-liners, but this bit of meta-commentary was played very matter-of-factly. For all the positive messages Colfer includes in his stories, *this* moment seemed smugly satisfied. "Well of *course* my stories are loaded with positive messages. You're welcome!" Maybe not his intent, but still.
As far that other problem...
So the last three books in the series are basically one big story arc, teed up by the events of the third book. They all boil down to the villains trying to use a magical Portal Potion--it can turn any work of fiction into a portal *into* that story's world--and the efforts of the heroes to stop their nefarious plans.
The big bad of books 3, 4, and 5--and the one who gets the whole Portal Potion plot rolling--is The Masked Man, aka the Fairy Godmother's secret first son, aka Connor and Alex Bailey's secret uncle.
The potion has very specific rules, but to sum up: three drops on the first page of any fictional work turns it into a portal. Step in, and there's a copy of that same book to use as a portal back. Get out before the story's over, and you're golden; if not, you're trapped.
So far so good; rules established. Hinted at in book 3 and made explicit in book 4, the Masked Man's goal is to rule over the Land of Stories--and basically any world he can get his hands on--by using the Portal Potion. Indeed, he spends all of book 4 recruiting Captain Hook, the Wicked Witch of the West, and the Queen of Hearts (along with scores of their armies and minions) to help him succeed.
In retaliation, Connor and Alex decide to counter by recruiting characters from *Connor's short stories*--all the better to relate to and understand characters of your own creation in order to conscript them into your army of good and right. That takes up book 5--in which Connor and Alex bring all of hundreds of recruits into their world, and manage to stash them in an unfinished hospital wing until it's time for the battle.
And book 6? Worlds collide, and so do all of the armies.
But...
But...
... Wouldn't it have been far easier for Alex and Connor to write a one-paragraph story called "The Big Comfortable Hotel Where We Kept Our Army Until it Was Time for them to Fight our Uncle's Armies"? I double-checked--yes, I had to--and nowhere is there a magic rule against writing a fresh story and turning *that* into a portal.
Yes, Colfer gets a lot of comic mileage out of cramming scores of fictional characters into the same confined space--and in "our world," no less--but given the resourcefulness of the twin protagonists, that seemed like either a massive oversight, or Colfer just wanting to play out the mother of all fish-out-of-water scenarios... but at the expense of internal narrative logic or economy.
... Taking it a step further...
We're told explicitly that the Masked Man (aka Uncle Lloyd) has literally spent almost his entire life plotting to rule the world, after having his magic taken from him as a child by his mother, the Fairy Godmother. He literally dreamed of it as a child. He's exacting, meticulous, patient, intelligent, and thorough. And, crucially, his mother *made the potion to cheer him up as a child,* so he knows its rules intimately.
... So, with no rule against using a freshly-written tale to dive into, and after finally obtaining the potion as an adult...
WHY didn't he write a story called "The Tale of How Lloyd Gained His Magic Again and Recruited an Army of Millions of Indestructible Creatures Only He Could Control to Rule Over Every Dimension"? He's a flashy villain to be sure, but he's more of a pragmatist than a showboat. I simply can't imagine how that wouldn't have been his only plan for decades. Instead, he goes on the most convoluted mission possible.
That plot hole nagged me from the moment the Portal Potion came into play. Perhaps I'd missed something? Perhaps there was a rule that it had to be fiction, but, you know, written a year or more in the past?
So through books 4, 5, and most of 6, I managed to convince myself that there must be some underlying rule preventing someone from whipping up a quick story to serve their portal purposes.
And then...
Characters in book 6 do exactly that.
Twice.
At critical points in the story.
With no mention of "Hey, we should of tried this before!" or "Good thing Uncle Lloyd never thought of that!"
One involves writing literally *just* the names of authors James Barrie, L. Frank Baum, and Lewis Carroll. (Charlotte, the twins' mother, needs to pick the authors' brains on how to defeat the villains they created. It's only mentioned in passing--a real shame we didn't delve into *that* more!)
Further, by any definition, writing down three names, any names, with no context, isn't a work of fiction; it's not even a story. So, sub-plot hole there.
The other, frustratingly, is at the climax of the book. The climax itself is beautifully written and appropriately tear-jerking... but looming over the whole scene like a stormcloud was the gaping, series-spanning plot hole. Sadly, it robbed what should have been the emotional high point of the entire series of its weight, as it was only manifested by hundreds of preceding pages built on a massive narrative snafu.
That said, it's an optimistic series that champions the power of imagination, self-confidence, and believing in oneself despite impossible odds. Hopefully young readers will be inspired--and hopefully turn into young writers who can avoid gaping plot holes in their own stories.
...
So, The Land of Stories series.
Before I get to my review of the final book in the chapter, a bit of context:
My daughter, age 5, heard of this series thanks to an appearance by the author, Chris Colfer, on the Netflix series "Julie's Greenroom." My wife checked the first book in the series, The Wishing Spell, out for her, and she was totally hooked. And, admittedly, I was, too.
The whole series is, to sum up, good-hearted and clever. It follows twins Alex and Connor Bailey as they enter another dimension called the Land of Stories--the source of all of *our* world's fairy tales.
It deconstructs and mashes up almost every major fairy tale and fantasy story (at least those written by famous authors of European descent, anyhow) into an epic tale. It's intricately plotted, and its secret sauce is focusing on the characters' personal growth and overcoming obstacles--all in the midst of having adventures with dozens of fictional characters.
It should be noted that the author, Chris Colfer, is the award-winning actor from TV's Glee--and he's completed an epic six-book fantasy series by age 27. He's got oodles of clever ideas, but tends to fall back on stock phrases over and over again (forms of "tears came to their eyes," and "their stomachs felt like they fell out of their bodies" pop up conspicuously often, for example)... and he's also exacting in his descriptions almost to a fault, oftentimes saying something in 20 words that could just as effectively have been said in 10. And, for the most part, almost every major character makes it through all six books virtually unscathed, with countless "just in the nick of time" moments saving the characters.
But that said, he tells a heck of a yarn that pulled me in, and I had to see how the big finale would play out. True to a statement Colfer made in an interview, if the final book someday gets turned into a film, it'll be a very, very expensive one.
So it's a shame that, despite note-perfect and true-to-character emotional beats throughout all the books, two flaws pop out at me in the final book. One, a relatively minor quibble... and another, a massive plot hole that effects half the series (or based on the complex timelines of the series, the whole thing).
Minor quibble: the final book has a connected prologue and epilogue that touch on Connor at age 80, offering a charming glimpse into who the young man becomes, as well as hints at the story we're about to read. Connor, you see, became a beloved children's book author, and wrote... a six-book series that's almost exactly like the Land of Stories series.
So far, no biggie. But there's a passage that I'm assuming Colfer thought would be an amusing wink at the audience, but comes off as unintentionally, obnoxiously precious: Connor's series, its explained, became a profitable film series, spawning hefty merchandising and helping improve literacy.
Ahem.
Look, Colfer can write funny scenes and one-liners, but this bit of meta-commentary was played very matter-of-factly. For all the positive messages Colfer includes in his stories, *this* moment seemed smugly satisfied. "Well of *course* my stories are loaded with positive messages. You're welcome!" Maybe not his intent, but still.
As far that other problem...
So the last three books in the series are basically one big story arc, teed up by the events of the third book. They all boil down to the villains trying to use a magical Portal Potion--it can turn any work of fiction into a portal *into* that story's world--and the efforts of the heroes to stop their nefarious plans.
The big bad of books 3, 4, and 5--and the one who gets the whole Portal Potion plot rolling--is The Masked Man, aka the Fairy Godmother's secret first son, aka Connor and Alex Bailey's secret uncle.
The potion has very specific rules, but to sum up: three drops on the first page of any fictional work turns it into a portal. Step in, and there's a copy of that same book to use as a portal back. Get out before the story's over, and you're golden; if not, you're trapped.
So far so good; rules established. Hinted at in book 3 and made explicit in book 4, the Masked Man's goal is to rule over the Land of Stories--and basically any world he can get his hands on--by using the Portal Potion. Indeed, he spends all of book 4 recruiting Captain Hook, the Wicked Witch of the West, and the Queen of Hearts (along with scores of their armies and minions) to help him succeed.
In retaliation, Connor and Alex decide to counter by recruiting characters from *Connor's short stories*--all the better to relate to and understand characters of your own creation in order to conscript them into your army of good and right. That takes up book 5--in which Connor and Alex bring all of hundreds of recruits into their world, and manage to stash them in an unfinished hospital wing until it's time for the battle.
And book 6? Worlds collide, and so do all of the armies.
But...
But...
... Wouldn't it have been far easier for Alex and Connor to write a one-paragraph story called "The Big Comfortable Hotel Where We Kept Our Army Until it Was Time for them to Fight our Uncle's Armies"? I double-checked--yes, I had to--and nowhere is there a magic rule against writing a fresh story and turning *that* into a portal.
Yes, Colfer gets a lot of comic mileage out of cramming scores of fictional characters into the same confined space--and in "our world," no less--but given the resourcefulness of the twin protagonists, that seemed like either a massive oversight, or Colfer just wanting to play out the mother of all fish-out-of-water scenarios... but at the expense of internal narrative logic or economy.
... Taking it a step further...
We're told explicitly that the Masked Man (aka Uncle Lloyd) has literally spent almost his entire life plotting to rule the world, after having his magic taken from him as a child by his mother, the Fairy Godmother. He literally dreamed of it as a child. He's exacting, meticulous, patient, intelligent, and thorough. And, crucially, his mother *made the potion to cheer him up as a child,* so he knows its rules intimately.
... So, with no rule against using a freshly-written tale to dive into, and after finally obtaining the potion as an adult...
WHY didn't he write a story called "The Tale of How Lloyd Gained His Magic Again and Recruited an Army of Millions of Indestructible Creatures Only He Could Control to Rule Over Every Dimension"? He's a flashy villain to be sure, but he's more of a pragmatist than a showboat. I simply can't imagine how that wouldn't have been his only plan for decades. Instead, he goes on the most convoluted mission possible.
That plot hole nagged me from the moment the Portal Potion came into play. Perhaps I'd missed something? Perhaps there was a rule that it had to be fiction, but, you know, written a year or more in the past?
So through books 4, 5, and most of 6, I managed to convince myself that there must be some underlying rule preventing someone from whipping up a quick story to serve their portal purposes.
And then...
Characters in book 6 do exactly that.
Twice.
At critical points in the story.
With no mention of "Hey, we should of tried this before!" or "Good thing Uncle Lloyd never thought of that!"
One involves writing literally *just* the names of authors James Barrie, L. Frank Baum, and Lewis Carroll. (Charlotte, the twins' mother, needs to pick the authors' brains on how to defeat the villains they created. It's only mentioned in passing--a real shame we didn't delve into *that* more!)
Further, by any definition, writing down three names, any names, with no context, isn't a work of fiction; it's not even a story. So, sub-plot hole there.
The other, frustratingly, is at the climax of the book. The climax itself is beautifully written and appropriately tear-jerking... but looming over the whole scene like a stormcloud was the gaping, series-spanning plot hole. Sadly, it robbed what should have been the emotional high point of the entire series of its weight, as it was only manifested by hundreds of preceding pages built on a massive narrative snafu.
That said, it's an optimistic series that champions the power of imagination, self-confidence, and believing in oneself despite impossible odds. Hopefully young readers will be inspired--and hopefully turn into young writers who can avoid gaping plot holes in their own stories.
...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2017
When I picked up this series 6 years ago, I instantly fell in love with the story and the characters. It was funny and charming! It quickly became one of my favorite series.
However, I found the last two books to be a bit of a disappointment. In my opinion, none of the characters matured and developped much and some of the events in the last two books of the series were extremely unrealistic.
*Small spoilers ahead.
In this book, it really pissed me off when Connor and his friends climbed up into Central Park from the tunnels, because Connor comments on how weird it was that it took his friends 5 minutes to follow him yet he does nothing about it!!! He's been dealing with magic for 4 years yet doesn't think this is weird at all?!?! Especially when Red respond saying that they were right behind him... Another thing, I get that Goldilocks and Jack are strong and adventurous people, but really, bringing an 8 day old baby across the country to fight an evil army and not expect anything bad to happen.... It just seemed useless to bring the baby along.
It's little things like this that made it hard for me to truly immerse myself in Colfer's story. None of it seemed realistic... I was a bit disappointed in the ending after the first 4 books were such an amazing read.
However, I found the last two books to be a bit of a disappointment. In my opinion, none of the characters matured and developped much and some of the events in the last two books of the series were extremely unrealistic.
*Small spoilers ahead.
In this book, it really pissed me off when Connor and his friends climbed up into Central Park from the tunnels, because Connor comments on how weird it was that it took his friends 5 minutes to follow him yet he does nothing about it!!! He's been dealing with magic for 4 years yet doesn't think this is weird at all?!?! Especially when Red respond saying that they were right behind him... Another thing, I get that Goldilocks and Jack are strong and adventurous people, but really, bringing an 8 day old baby across the country to fight an evil army and not expect anything bad to happen.... It just seemed useless to bring the baby along.
It's little things like this that made it hard for me to truly immerse myself in Colfer's story. None of it seemed realistic... I was a bit disappointed in the ending after the first 4 books were such an amazing read.
October 5, 2020
Well, the good news is it's never too late to rewrite your story.
Don't mind me. Just bawling my eyes out over here.
The finale was the best book in the series! It brought everything together, all the different storylines were woven together seamlessly and there wasn't much left to be addressed ().
This finale certainly needs to come with tissues, it really touched me! Alex and Connor have my love and I found a new home here. Which is why I'm definetely returning.The Land of Storiesholds a piece of my heart and won't let it go.
April 5, 2019
“Happily ever after isn’t a finish line, it isn’t a paradise, it isn’t a phenomenon that makes all your dreams come true. Happily ever after is about finding happiness within yourself and holding on to it through any storm that comes your way.” This is the quote that protagonist, Alex Bailey says at the end of this book. This quote tells us to be optimistic, despite how bad the circumstances may be. It is similar to how Kino and Juana have hope that things have to get better, the hope that they carry throughout the whole book. Hope, is what keeps us going in the darkest hour. Hope, is what drives us to carry on. Hope, the ray of sunshine in a room of darkness.
January 9, 2022
Guter Abschluss und schöner Start ins neue Jahr.
July 21, 2017
I don't even need to read this to know I'm going to love it. TLoS is my all-time favorite series and the series that got me into reading. I am really sad(and excited)that this series is coming to an end.
Let's talk about this cover. Chris's covers normally have something to do with his books. I'm really curious about that King Arthur thing. Do Arthur,Merlin,and Mother Goose make an appearance? I really hope so because I ship Alex and Arthur so hard(Rook can go die for all I care)! I am super excited for this book. July 11 cannot come fast enough.
Edit:I just started reading this.SOOOOOO GOOD.
Edit:O. M. G. This book was probably the best finale I have ever read. All my precious children got happy endings. As perfect as this book was,it completely ripped my heart out. I definitely wasn't ready to say goodbye to this series. My emotions in this book completely went haywire(especially the part with Mr.Bailey). There was also a lot of ships I didn't expect. Also that epilogue! Companion series anybody?
Let's talk about this cover. Chris's covers normally have something to do with his books. I'm really curious about that King Arthur thing. Do Arthur,Merlin,and Mother Goose make an appearance? I really hope so because I ship Alex and Arthur so hard(Rook can go die for all I care)! I am super excited for this book. July 11 cannot come fast enough.
Edit:I just started reading this.SOOOOOO GOOD.
Edit:O. M. G. This book was probably the best finale I have ever read. All my precious children got happy endings. As perfect as this book was,it completely ripped my heart out. I definitely wasn't ready to say goodbye to this series. My emotions in this book completely went haywire(especially the part with Mr.Bailey). There was also a lot of ships I didn't expect. Also that epilogue! Companion series anybody?
September 19, 2018
I finished this book overnight... and it was so worth it. I'm kind of sad that this is the last book in the series, but I think it was a really good way to conclude the awesome journey this book takes you on. If you guys haven't read the series yet, I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes a good fiction story.
September 3, 2022
کسانی که مجموعه داستان های برادران گریم رو دوست دارن از این مجموعه خوششون میاد.
شخصیت کانر و شنل قرمزی رو دوست داشتم.😄
شخصیت کانر و شنل قرمزی رو دوست داشتم.😄
July 30, 2017
Mary Sue self insert piece of drivel that showcased Chris' worst piece of writing yet. This is a complete let down and the most horrid way I've seen a series ended yet.
If I went into all of the things I disliked about this book, I'd write a dissertation so I'm only going to show just one piece of utter crap that made me roll my eyes so hard that I got a headache.
The only two adults in this book had NO IDEA how the Wicked Witch of the West, Queen of Hearts, and Captain Hook were defeated in their repestive stories. That's the biggest piece of malarky I have ever read in my entire life!!
This whole book was rife with plot holes, egotistal slaps on the back for the writer, lame plot lines, horrendous puns, and a complete lack of imagination.
If I went into all of the things I disliked about this book, I'd write a dissertation so I'm only going to show just one piece of utter crap that made me roll my eyes so hard that I got a headache.
The only two adults in this book had NO IDEA how the Wicked Witch of the West, Queen of Hearts, and Captain Hook were defeated in their repestive stories. That's the biggest piece of malarky I have ever read in my entire life!!
This whole book was rife with plot holes, egotistal slaps on the back for the writer, lame plot lines, horrendous puns, and a complete lack of imagination.
August 12, 2017
IT WAS SOOOOOO GOOD IM LEGIT GONNA DIE THE END WHERE _______________ WAS JUST SOOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL IT MADE ME CRY I CANT DO IT AND IM CRYING CAUSE IM SO SAD THE SERIES IS OVER
March 18, 2022
پایان:)
March 11, 2020
This is Mehrsa’s 12 year old daughter and i just wanted to say that this whole series is my favorite series in the world but the ending? Flat out disappointing. Up until the last few chapters, it was fantastic, but that ending was
1. It was chock full of awful puns. “Witches be witches”? Seriously?
2. There was SO MUCH GOING ON!!!! (Spoiler alert) there were people constantly going around and flying in whatever and they were preparing the whole book for the end and they beat the witches so simply with too much going on. I respect mr. colfer very much and i would have liked it a lot more if the 6th book had less going on or was split into two books, because there were so many ideas being expressed.
3. On another note, i think that in the 5th book the masked man died WAY to quickly and easily based off the struggle getting to him in the previous books.
4. The series was SO GOOD and the books were getting me very exited for the finale and it just was not as good as it could have been
1. It was chock full of awful puns. “Witches be witches”? Seriously?
2. There was SO MUCH GOING ON!!!! (Spoiler alert) there were people constantly going around and flying in whatever and they were preparing the whole book for the end and they beat the witches so simply with too much going on. I respect mr. colfer very much and i would have liked it a lot more if the 6th book had less going on or was split into two books, because there were so many ideas being expressed.
3. On another note, i think that in the 5th book the masked man died WAY to quickly and easily based off the struggle getting to him in the previous books.
4. The series was SO GOOD and the books were getting me very exited for the finale and it just was not as good as it could have been
July 20, 2018
I have to say, I justknowI'm going to be disappointed with this. The last book was all sorts of messed up and cruddy; right now I feel Colfer is just writing for the money, not the enjoyment he and his readers will get out of it.
December 9, 2017
I thought this was the best book ever and it was so good that I would read it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 11, 2024
i’m so sad this series stops at 6, it’s truly one of the books that really got me into reading and forever nostalgic for me.
OVERALL THOUGHTS ON THE SERIES:
(being older than a 4th grader this time)
while the writing style is a little simplistic (ie “said” being used almost every piece of dialogue), it’s to be expected for a middle grade series. that’s really the only complaint i have for this series — when i tell you it’s my childhood, ITS MY CHILDHOOD.
alex bailey, forever one of my favorites. she’s literally me. the overachiever finding friends in books (maybe not the best way to describe oneself but i’ll claim it happily). her arc in this book, plus how conner saves her in the end always has me bursting into tears every time. the world would be a better place if everyone had their own john bailey.
conner bailey is easily one of the funniest characters i’ve read about, despite his immature humor directed toward middle schoolers. call my humor bad all you want but i laughed out loud too often to call this book not funny. but more than that, i somehow also managed to relate to conner, despite his contrasting upbringing to alex. the constant comparison and feeling inadequate due to the exemplary performances of others around you?? how dare you call me out in such a way!!
JACK AND GOLDILOCKS ARE A PERCABETH VARIANT, i said what i said!! every time i read about them, i constantly relate them to percy and annabeth (and that’s the biggest compliment coming from the #1 percabeth shipper ever). goldilocks is such an icon, and jack is so romantic omg i love him. and auburn sally and admiral jackson, just like jack and goldilocks, are SO percabeth coded it’s crazy.
despite red being way more annoying than i remember her being, i found myself appreciating her character even more because of it. her character manages to balance a unique (somewhat irritating) personality with a good heart that would die to save the ones she loves. and her relationship with froggy, while i had my doubts at the end of “a grimm warning”, proved how well “opposites attract” truly works. the match is so well done and their personalities compliment each other well.
the book huggers were MUCH more annoying than i remember them being. and despite the small amount of sympathy i have for them because of the way adults treated them, they need serious mental help.
BREE IS AN ICON!!! like seriously. i don’t have much to say on her character but there is not a single moment i didn’t like her. (plus her and her love interest, who will not be named for the sake of spoilers, are ADORABLE)
SPOILERS FOR THIS NEXT PART!!
as a kid, i was a HUGEEEE rook hater, but having grown up, he’s more of a luke castellan but he actually makes up his mistake, more than just dying (could not say the same for luke). he sacrifices himself, not just because it’s the only way out, but because he had genuine instincts.
SPOILERS OVER!!
through all of these characters and this trip down memory lane, i’ve come to the conciliation that i’ll always love this series. its life lessons, clever plot lines, and genuine characters will always be some of my favorites. i definitely want to reread this more in the future, it’s just one of those series you can’t grow out of. and i think that’s proven by how i read all 6 books in less than 3 days.
OVERALL THOUGHTS ON THE SERIES:
(being older than a 4th grader this time)
while the writing style is a little simplistic (ie “said” being used almost every piece of dialogue), it’s to be expected for a middle grade series. that’s really the only complaint i have for this series — when i tell you it’s my childhood, ITS MY CHILDHOOD.
alex bailey, forever one of my favorites. she’s literally me. the overachiever finding friends in books (maybe not the best way to describe oneself but i’ll claim it happily). her arc in this book, plus how conner saves her in the end always has me bursting into tears every time. the world would be a better place if everyone had their own john bailey.
conner bailey is easily one of the funniest characters i’ve read about, despite his immature humor directed toward middle schoolers. call my humor bad all you want but i laughed out loud too often to call this book not funny. but more than that, i somehow also managed to relate to conner, despite his contrasting upbringing to alex. the constant comparison and feeling inadequate due to the exemplary performances of others around you?? how dare you call me out in such a way!!
JACK AND GOLDILOCKS ARE A PERCABETH VARIANT, i said what i said!! every time i read about them, i constantly relate them to percy and annabeth (and that’s the biggest compliment coming from the #1 percabeth shipper ever). goldilocks is such an icon, and jack is so romantic omg i love him. and auburn sally and admiral jackson, just like jack and goldilocks, are SO percabeth coded it’s crazy.
despite red being way more annoying than i remember her being, i found myself appreciating her character even more because of it. her character manages to balance a unique (somewhat irritating) personality with a good heart that would die to save the ones she loves. and her relationship with froggy, while i had my doubts at the end of “a grimm warning”, proved how well “opposites attract” truly works. the match is so well done and their personalities compliment each other well.
the book huggers were MUCH more annoying than i remember them being. and despite the small amount of sympathy i have for them because of the way adults treated them, they need serious mental help.
BREE IS AN ICON!!! like seriously. i don’t have much to say on her character but there is not a single moment i didn’t like her. (plus her and her love interest, who will not be named for the sake of spoilers, are ADORABLE)
SPOILERS FOR THIS NEXT PART!!
as a kid, i was a HUGEEEE rook hater, but having grown up, he’s more of a luke castellan but he actually makes up his mistake, more than just dying (could not say the same for luke). he sacrifices himself, not just because it’s the only way out, but because he had genuine instincts.
SPOILERS OVER!!
through all of these characters and this trip down memory lane, i’ve come to the conciliation that i’ll always love this series. its life lessons, clever plot lines, and genuine characters will always be some of my favorites. i definitely want to reread this more in the future, it’s just one of those series you can’t grow out of. and i think that’s proven by how i read all 6 books in less than 3 days.
July 29, 2021
Endlich, es ist da: Das von mir so sehnsüchtig erwartete Finale der Land of Stories-Serie! Ich liebe diese Reihe; die fünf bisherigen Bände waren allesamt Jahreshighlights für mich. Ich konnte es daher wirklich kaum mehr erwarten mich endlich auf den sechsten (und leider auch letzten) Band stürzen zu können.
Alex wurde von den bösen Hexen aus dem magischen Land in die Anderswelt entführt und steht unter einem furchtbaren Fluch, der sie zu einer willenlosen Marionette macht. Conner muss seine Zwillingsschwester unbedingt finden und den Bann brechen! Zusammen mit seinen Freunden begibt er sich auf die Suche nach Alex und landet schließlich in New York City. Aber nicht nur Connor und seine Freunde haben ihren Weg in die bevölkerungsreichste Stadt der Vereinigten Staaten gefunden – auch lauter finstere Schurken aus der Märchenwelt und magischen Geschichten sind in der Metropole erschienen. Ein erbitterter Kampf gegen die Welt der Menschen und der Magie beginnt...
„Land of Stories “zählt für mich inzwischen zu meinen neuen absoluten Lieblingsreihen und wie das bei solchen Reihen eben so ist, erhofft man sich von jeder weiteren Fortsetzung immer gigantisch viel. Und wenn es sich dann auch noch um das Finale handelt, sind die Ansprüche natürlich besonders hoch.
Ihr könnt euch sicherlich denken, dass ich mit enorm hohen Erwartungen an den sechsten Teil der Land of Stories-Serie herangegangen bin. Und da es mit diesem zudem heißt, Abschied von lauter liebgewonnenen Charakteren nehmen zu müssen, hat sich neben meine große Vorfreude auch eine ordentliche Portion Wehmut dazugesellt.
Ich habe aber trotz meiner wehmutsvollen Stimmung großartige Lesestunden mit dem Buch verbracht. In meinen Augen hat Chris Colfer mit „Der Kampf der Welten “ein perfektes Finale aufs Papier gebracht, mit welchem er seine wundervolle Land of Stories-Serie würdig abschließt.
Ehe ich euch berichte, warum ich so begeistert von dem Buch bin, kurze Info an alle, die die Reihe noch nicht kennen, dies aber gerne noch ändern möchten: Startet unbedingt mit dem Auftaktband und da die Bände stark aufeinander aufbauen, ist es definitiv erforderlich sie in der chronologischen Reihenfolge zu lesen.
Da mir die Ereignisse aus den Vorgängern noch sehr präsent waren, habe ich problemlos in das Land of Stories-Universum zurückgefunden. Zu Beginn halten wir uns allerdings nicht in der Zeit auf, in der der fünfte Band geendet hat. Der Prolog entführt uns in die Zukunft, in der wir den 80-jährigen Conner Bailey kennenlernen dürfen. Fand ich total cool und zudem auch super interessant, da wir Leser*innen dank dieses Einstiegs erfahren, wie es Conner in den ganzen Jahren so ergangen ist. Der Anfang schafft zudem einen brillanten Bogen zum Ende, aber mehr dazu werde ich euch hier nicht erzählen, ich will schließlich auf gar keinen Fall spoilern oder so.
Nach dieser originellen Einleitung nimmt uns Chris Colfer wieder dorthin mit, wo der fünfte Teil geendet hat und man ist sofort wieder mittendrin im Geschehen.
Bei mir herrschte auch bei diesem Band der totale Seitenverschlinger-Alarm. Einmal in das Buch versunken, wollte ich am liebsten gar nicht mehr daraus auftauchen. Die Handlung hat mich durchweg packen und an die Seiten fesseln können und der erstklassige Schreibstil von Chris Colfer hat sich wie gewohnt superangenehm für mich lesen lassen. Die Kapitel hätten für meinen Geschmack zwar gerne ein kleines bisschen kürzer sein dürfen, aber ein wunderbarer Lesefluss kam für mich natürlich dennoch zustande. Chris Colfer ist einfach das reinste Erzähltalent. Es fällt einem wirklich verdammt schwer, sich dem Zauber seiner Worte wieder zu entziehen.
Anders als in den vorherigen Bänden halten wir uns dieses Mal kaum in der Märchenwelt auf, was ich irgendwie schon schade fand, was mich letztendlich dann aber doch nicht gestört hat, da uns der Autor dafür an lauter andere tolle Orte mitnimmt.
Die Story spielt überwiegend in New York City – ein Setting, welches ich schon immer unheimlich gerne mochte. Leider war ich im Reallife noch nie dort, aber da Chris Colfer sämtliche Schauplätze sehr bildhaft und anschaulich beschreibt und es zudem eine Stadt-Karte vorne im Buch gibt (umwerfend gezeichnet von Brandon Dorman) habe ich mich jederzeit mühelos zurechtfinden und mir alles ganz genau vorstellen können.
Neben der Kulisse bin ich auch von den Charakteren mal wieder hellauf begeistert. Allesamt wurden sie erneut mit ganz viel Liebe ausgearbeitet und machen das Lesevergnügen mit ihren Eigenschaften und Besonderheiten rundum perfekt. Riesig gefreut hat mich, dass zahlreiche alte Bekannte abermals mit von der Partie sind wie Conner, Alex, Rotkäppchen, Goldlöckchen, Jack, Froggy, Bree und, und, und. Bösewichte und Figuren aus berühmten Klassikern sowie Charaktere aus Conners Geschichten haben natürlich ebenfalls wieder ihre Auftritte und auch ein paar neue Gesichter werden eingeführt.
Mich haben viele der Figuren erneut bestens unterhalten. So ist beispielsweise Rotkäppchen mal wieder ganz in ihrem Element (Rot ist einfach nur einmalig!) und Robin Hood fand ich ebenfalls herrlich; ich bin da aus dem Schmunzeln oft gar nicht mehr herausgekommen.
Neben dem Humor kommen auch die dramatischen, überraschenden und emotionalen Momente nicht zu kurz. Die Handlung kann konstant mit einer hohen Spannung aufwarten und der Showdown zum Ende hin kann sich wahrlich sehen lassen. Durchweg mitfiebern und mitbibbern ist hier definitiv angesagt. Fürs Herz gibt es aber natürlich auch jede Menge – mich jedenfalls haben so einige Szenen sehr berührt.
Auch der magische und märchenhafte Anteil nimmt selbstverständlich in diesem Band einen sehr großen Part ein, sodass Fantasyfreunde und Märchenfans ebenfalls wieder ganz auf ihre Kosten kommen werden.
Neben Chris Colfer hat auch der Illustrator Brandon Dorman erneut einen fabelhaften Job gemacht. Von der Aufmachung bin ich mal wieder ganz hingerissen. Das Cover ist ein echter Hingucker, ich liebe es! Die Land of Stories-Bücher sind einfach allesamt der reinste Augenschmaus.
Von der New York City-Karte vorne im Buch habe ich euch ja bereits berichtet, die sieht echt klasse aus. Hinten im Buch gibt es dann noch die altbekannte Karte vom magischen Land und die Kapitelanfänge werden erneut von wunderhübschen schwarz-weiß Illustrationen geziert.
Mit dem Ende konnte mich dieser Band ebenfalls gänzlich überzeugen. Es ist zufriedenstellend, herzerwärmend und einfach nur genial. Ich habe das Buch mit einem glücklichen (und sehr wehmütigen) Gefühl wieder schließen können, nachdem ich eine unvergessliche Zeit darin verbracht habe.
Fazit: Was habe ich mich auf dieses Buch gefreut und tja, was soll ich sagen, eindeutig zurecht!
Chris Colfer hat mir mit dem sechsten und letzten Land of Stories-Band ein weiteres absolutes Highlight bescheren können. Ich finde das Finale einfach nur fantastisch. Es steckt voller Spannung, Witz, Herz, Magie und Fantasie und hält uns Leser*innen durchweg in Atem. Ich habe das Buch so richtig weggesuchtet und es mit einem lachenden und einem weinenden Augen wieder zugeklappt. Echt schade, dass die Reihe nun abgeschlossen ist, schnief.
Egal ob Jung oder Alt – ich kann jedem nur ans Herz legen die Land of Stories-Serie kennenzulernen. Diese Reihe ist einfach einzigartig und hat definitiv das Zeug zum Klassiker. „Der Kampf der Welten “erhält von mir 5 von 5 Sternen!
Alex wurde von den bösen Hexen aus dem magischen Land in die Anderswelt entführt und steht unter einem furchtbaren Fluch, der sie zu einer willenlosen Marionette macht. Conner muss seine Zwillingsschwester unbedingt finden und den Bann brechen! Zusammen mit seinen Freunden begibt er sich auf die Suche nach Alex und landet schließlich in New York City. Aber nicht nur Connor und seine Freunde haben ihren Weg in die bevölkerungsreichste Stadt der Vereinigten Staaten gefunden – auch lauter finstere Schurken aus der Märchenwelt und magischen Geschichten sind in der Metropole erschienen. Ein erbitterter Kampf gegen die Welt der Menschen und der Magie beginnt...
„Land of Stories “zählt für mich inzwischen zu meinen neuen absoluten Lieblingsreihen und wie das bei solchen Reihen eben so ist, erhofft man sich von jeder weiteren Fortsetzung immer gigantisch viel. Und wenn es sich dann auch noch um das Finale handelt, sind die Ansprüche natürlich besonders hoch.
Ihr könnt euch sicherlich denken, dass ich mit enorm hohen Erwartungen an den sechsten Teil der Land of Stories-Serie herangegangen bin. Und da es mit diesem zudem heißt, Abschied von lauter liebgewonnenen Charakteren nehmen zu müssen, hat sich neben meine große Vorfreude auch eine ordentliche Portion Wehmut dazugesellt.
Ich habe aber trotz meiner wehmutsvollen Stimmung großartige Lesestunden mit dem Buch verbracht. In meinen Augen hat Chris Colfer mit „Der Kampf der Welten “ein perfektes Finale aufs Papier gebracht, mit welchem er seine wundervolle Land of Stories-Serie würdig abschließt.
Ehe ich euch berichte, warum ich so begeistert von dem Buch bin, kurze Info an alle, die die Reihe noch nicht kennen, dies aber gerne noch ändern möchten: Startet unbedingt mit dem Auftaktband und da die Bände stark aufeinander aufbauen, ist es definitiv erforderlich sie in der chronologischen Reihenfolge zu lesen.
Da mir die Ereignisse aus den Vorgängern noch sehr präsent waren, habe ich problemlos in das Land of Stories-Universum zurückgefunden. Zu Beginn halten wir uns allerdings nicht in der Zeit auf, in der der fünfte Band geendet hat. Der Prolog entführt uns in die Zukunft, in der wir den 80-jährigen Conner Bailey kennenlernen dürfen. Fand ich total cool und zudem auch super interessant, da wir Leser*innen dank dieses Einstiegs erfahren, wie es Conner in den ganzen Jahren so ergangen ist. Der Anfang schafft zudem einen brillanten Bogen zum Ende, aber mehr dazu werde ich euch hier nicht erzählen, ich will schließlich auf gar keinen Fall spoilern oder so.
Nach dieser originellen Einleitung nimmt uns Chris Colfer wieder dorthin mit, wo der fünfte Teil geendet hat und man ist sofort wieder mittendrin im Geschehen.
Bei mir herrschte auch bei diesem Band der totale Seitenverschlinger-Alarm. Einmal in das Buch versunken, wollte ich am liebsten gar nicht mehr daraus auftauchen. Die Handlung hat mich durchweg packen und an die Seiten fesseln können und der erstklassige Schreibstil von Chris Colfer hat sich wie gewohnt superangenehm für mich lesen lassen. Die Kapitel hätten für meinen Geschmack zwar gerne ein kleines bisschen kürzer sein dürfen, aber ein wunderbarer Lesefluss kam für mich natürlich dennoch zustande. Chris Colfer ist einfach das reinste Erzähltalent. Es fällt einem wirklich verdammt schwer, sich dem Zauber seiner Worte wieder zu entziehen.
Anders als in den vorherigen Bänden halten wir uns dieses Mal kaum in der Märchenwelt auf, was ich irgendwie schon schade fand, was mich letztendlich dann aber doch nicht gestört hat, da uns der Autor dafür an lauter andere tolle Orte mitnimmt.
Die Story spielt überwiegend in New York City – ein Setting, welches ich schon immer unheimlich gerne mochte. Leider war ich im Reallife noch nie dort, aber da Chris Colfer sämtliche Schauplätze sehr bildhaft und anschaulich beschreibt und es zudem eine Stadt-Karte vorne im Buch gibt (umwerfend gezeichnet von Brandon Dorman) habe ich mich jederzeit mühelos zurechtfinden und mir alles ganz genau vorstellen können.
Neben der Kulisse bin ich auch von den Charakteren mal wieder hellauf begeistert. Allesamt wurden sie erneut mit ganz viel Liebe ausgearbeitet und machen das Lesevergnügen mit ihren Eigenschaften und Besonderheiten rundum perfekt. Riesig gefreut hat mich, dass zahlreiche alte Bekannte abermals mit von der Partie sind wie Conner, Alex, Rotkäppchen, Goldlöckchen, Jack, Froggy, Bree und, und, und. Bösewichte und Figuren aus berühmten Klassikern sowie Charaktere aus Conners Geschichten haben natürlich ebenfalls wieder ihre Auftritte und auch ein paar neue Gesichter werden eingeführt.
Mich haben viele der Figuren erneut bestens unterhalten. So ist beispielsweise Rotkäppchen mal wieder ganz in ihrem Element (Rot ist einfach nur einmalig!) und Robin Hood fand ich ebenfalls herrlich; ich bin da aus dem Schmunzeln oft gar nicht mehr herausgekommen.
Neben dem Humor kommen auch die dramatischen, überraschenden und emotionalen Momente nicht zu kurz. Die Handlung kann konstant mit einer hohen Spannung aufwarten und der Showdown zum Ende hin kann sich wahrlich sehen lassen. Durchweg mitfiebern und mitbibbern ist hier definitiv angesagt. Fürs Herz gibt es aber natürlich auch jede Menge – mich jedenfalls haben so einige Szenen sehr berührt.
Auch der magische und märchenhafte Anteil nimmt selbstverständlich in diesem Band einen sehr großen Part ein, sodass Fantasyfreunde und Märchenfans ebenfalls wieder ganz auf ihre Kosten kommen werden.
Neben Chris Colfer hat auch der Illustrator Brandon Dorman erneut einen fabelhaften Job gemacht. Von der Aufmachung bin ich mal wieder ganz hingerissen. Das Cover ist ein echter Hingucker, ich liebe es! Die Land of Stories-Bücher sind einfach allesamt der reinste Augenschmaus.
Von der New York City-Karte vorne im Buch habe ich euch ja bereits berichtet, die sieht echt klasse aus. Hinten im Buch gibt es dann noch die altbekannte Karte vom magischen Land und die Kapitelanfänge werden erneut von wunderhübschen schwarz-weiß Illustrationen geziert.
Mit dem Ende konnte mich dieser Band ebenfalls gänzlich überzeugen. Es ist zufriedenstellend, herzerwärmend und einfach nur genial. Ich habe das Buch mit einem glücklichen (und sehr wehmütigen) Gefühl wieder schließen können, nachdem ich eine unvergessliche Zeit darin verbracht habe.
Fazit: Was habe ich mich auf dieses Buch gefreut und tja, was soll ich sagen, eindeutig zurecht!
Chris Colfer hat mir mit dem sechsten und letzten Land of Stories-Band ein weiteres absolutes Highlight bescheren können. Ich finde das Finale einfach nur fantastisch. Es steckt voller Spannung, Witz, Herz, Magie und Fantasie und hält uns Leser*innen durchweg in Atem. Ich habe das Buch so richtig weggesuchtet und es mit einem lachenden und einem weinenden Augen wieder zugeklappt. Echt schade, dass die Reihe nun abgeschlossen ist, schnief.
Egal ob Jung oder Alt – ich kann jedem nur ans Herz legen die Land of Stories-Serie kennenzulernen. Diese Reihe ist einfach einzigartig und hat definitiv das Zeug zum Klassiker. „Der Kampf der Welten “erhält von mir 5 von 5 Sternen!
July 14, 2017
I'm finally free from this series??? Bless.
Due to what I presume was some kind of glitch in iTunes, I only payed a dollar for this book - which is about all it was worth. I enjoyed the first book A LOT, I liked it waaay more than I originally thought I would, but since then, the quality of this series has been falling steadily. I had to read the conclusion, though, and while I'm happy it was a fast and easy read, it wasn't as mind-numbingly boring as #5 (which I listened to while painting my apartment, and it was about as much fun as literally watching the paint dry). It was still boring though? Like, the fights? Why even bother writing them? Large parts of books #3-6 have just felt tired and drawn-out.
I mean, I realize that I'm not the target group for this book. The target group is like 6-9 year-olds, I think? Possibly 9-12, but anyway, I'm still about 15-20 years "too old". However, since I very much enjoyed #1, I figured it wasn't a big deal. Also, I'm a massive fan ofRick Riordan,who also writes contemporary fantasy, for the same target group. I can make actualrelevantcomparisons, and in five years, they've never once been in Colfer's favor.
My biggest annoyance with this series has always been its complete lack of representation and diversity. Five books, all over 300 pages long, and they contain ONE single mention of a gay character, in passing. An alcoholic, drug-abusing grandmother is apparently okay, as is an inter-species relationship between a queen and a frog, but agaycharacter? Absolutely not! Also like... race. Gender identity. Stuff like that. The whole series is depressingly cishet and white. Especially considering the weird self-congratulatory prologue where he literally writes"As writers we have the profound privilege and responsibility to create a new world when the current one takes a turn for the worse. Storytellers are more than just entertainers, we're the shepherds of ideology, the street pavers of progress, and the scientists of the soul"– yet he takes none of this responsibility in this series?
And this is not me ~analyzing~ shit just for the sake of it – this is me literally yawning and skimming the loveydovey parts while reading.
But now it's over! Finally.
Due to what I presume was some kind of glitch in iTunes, I only payed a dollar for this book - which is about all it was worth. I enjoyed the first book A LOT, I liked it waaay more than I originally thought I would, but since then, the quality of this series has been falling steadily. I had to read the conclusion, though, and while I'm happy it was a fast and easy read, it wasn't as mind-numbingly boring as #5 (which I listened to while painting my apartment, and it was about as much fun as literally watching the paint dry). It was still boring though? Like, the fights? Why even bother writing them? Large parts of books #3-6 have just felt tired and drawn-out.
I mean, I realize that I'm not the target group for this book. The target group is like 6-9 year-olds, I think? Possibly 9-12, but anyway, I'm still about 15-20 years "too old". However, since I very much enjoyed #1, I figured it wasn't a big deal. Also, I'm a massive fan ofRick Riordan,who also writes contemporary fantasy, for the same target group. I can make actualrelevantcomparisons, and in five years, they've never once been in Colfer's favor.
My biggest annoyance with this series has always been its complete lack of representation and diversity. Five books, all over 300 pages long, and they contain ONE single mention of a gay character, in passing. An alcoholic, drug-abusing grandmother is apparently okay, as is an inter-species relationship between a queen and a frog, but agaycharacter? Absolutely not! Also like... race. Gender identity. Stuff like that. The whole series is depressingly cishet and white. Especially considering the weird self-congratulatory prologue where he literally writes"As writers we have the profound privilege and responsibility to create a new world when the current one takes a turn for the worse. Storytellers are more than just entertainers, we're the shepherds of ideology, the street pavers of progress, and the scientists of the soul"– yet he takes none of this responsibility in this series?
And this is not me ~analyzing~ shit just for the sake of it – this is me literally yawning and skimming the loveydovey parts while reading.
But now it's over! Finally.
September 10, 2021
Mit einem lachenden und einem weinenden Auge habe ich Band 6 der Land of Stories Serie entgegengefiebert. Ich war sehr gespannt wie der Autor das alles zu Ende bringt, gleichseitig wollte ich aber auch nicht, dass die Geschichte endet.
Mit dem Ergebnis war ich dann sehr zufrieden. In gewohnter Manier begleiten wir Alex und Conner, die zwei Zwillinge bei ihrem Abenteuer. Ich möchte was den Inhalt angeht gar nicht zu sehr ins Detail gehen, da es sich hier wie gesagt um den Abschlussband der Reihe handelt. Ich kann euch die Reihe nur ans Herz lesen, da sie wirklich bezaubernd ist und für alle Märchenfans eine Bereicherung ist.
Wie gewohnt bringt Chris Colfer viel Fantasie in seine Geschichte mit ein und auch Humor, ich liebe Rot und ihre Art, sie ist einfach herrlich. Aber nicht nur sie läuft in diesem Band zu Höchstleistungen auf. Auch anderen Charaktere haben ihre Glanzstunde und können sich im Kampf gegen die böse Übermacht bewähren. So kommt beim Lesen keine Langeweile auf, da immer wieder etwas Spannendes passiert und ich gespannt an den Seiten hing, um dem großen Showdown entgegenzufiebern.
Durch den angenehmen Schreibstil von Chris Colfer ließ sich auch dieser Band wieder flüssig lesen. Er fesselt einen an die Seiten und zaubert der Leserschaft ein vortreffliches Kopfkino. Ich konnte mir alles sehr gut vorstellen und habe diese Visualisierungen sehr genossen. Die Reihe soll ja auch verfilmt werden und ich bin gespannt, ob die Leinwandadaption an das vom Autor geschaffene Kopfkino heranreicht.
Mit dem Ausgang der Geschichte bin ich wirklich sehr zufrieden und kann die Reihe wirklich nur empfehlen, da sie konstant ihre hohe Qualität hält. Kennt ihr diese Wohfühl-Bücher, die zum Träumen verleiten und bei denen man sich einfach wohlfühlt, wenn man sie liest? Die Land of Stories Reihe gehört für mich in diese Kategorie. Und ich bin wirklich froh, dass wir mit Tales of Magic eine neue magische Reihe von dem Autor vorgesetzt bekommen.
Mit dem Ergebnis war ich dann sehr zufrieden. In gewohnter Manier begleiten wir Alex und Conner, die zwei Zwillinge bei ihrem Abenteuer. Ich möchte was den Inhalt angeht gar nicht zu sehr ins Detail gehen, da es sich hier wie gesagt um den Abschlussband der Reihe handelt. Ich kann euch die Reihe nur ans Herz lesen, da sie wirklich bezaubernd ist und für alle Märchenfans eine Bereicherung ist.
Wie gewohnt bringt Chris Colfer viel Fantasie in seine Geschichte mit ein und auch Humor, ich liebe Rot und ihre Art, sie ist einfach herrlich. Aber nicht nur sie läuft in diesem Band zu Höchstleistungen auf. Auch anderen Charaktere haben ihre Glanzstunde und können sich im Kampf gegen die böse Übermacht bewähren. So kommt beim Lesen keine Langeweile auf, da immer wieder etwas Spannendes passiert und ich gespannt an den Seiten hing, um dem großen Showdown entgegenzufiebern.
Durch den angenehmen Schreibstil von Chris Colfer ließ sich auch dieser Band wieder flüssig lesen. Er fesselt einen an die Seiten und zaubert der Leserschaft ein vortreffliches Kopfkino. Ich konnte mir alles sehr gut vorstellen und habe diese Visualisierungen sehr genossen. Die Reihe soll ja auch verfilmt werden und ich bin gespannt, ob die Leinwandadaption an das vom Autor geschaffene Kopfkino heranreicht.
Mit dem Ausgang der Geschichte bin ich wirklich sehr zufrieden und kann die Reihe wirklich nur empfehlen, da sie konstant ihre hohe Qualität hält. Kennt ihr diese Wohfühl-Bücher, die zum Träumen verleiten und bei denen man sich einfach wohlfühlt, wenn man sie liest? Die Land of Stories Reihe gehört für mich in diese Kategorie. Und ich bin wirklich froh, dass wir mit Tales of Magic eine neue magische Reihe von dem Autor vorgesetzt bekommen.
August 25, 2017
After the previous books, I had high expectations about the conclusion of the story. Sadly, the last installment was pretty much more of the same stuff, which, after so many repetitive models in structuring the book's events, was quite honestly simply boring. Neither the story, nor the characters grabbed my attention, I missed the abundant laugh-out moments from the previous books, and the ending left me... kind of indifferent. Also, the author should seriously consider limiting the use of the word "however", which pops up on almost every other page. All in all, not a bad book, but I definitely wouldn't feel poorer, had I not read it.
February 15, 2022
من خیلی افسانههای کلاسیک رو دوست دارم و به خاطر همین هم این مجموعه جای خاصی توی قلبم داره. خیلی رنگیرنگی و نفسگیره، جلد به جلد جالبتر میشه و یهچیزی توش هست که باعث شده تو این سالهای چاپ شدنش، به بهونهی سن ولش نکنم.
اگه بچهای دوروبرتون هست، این مجموعه رو براش بگیرید؛ یه سفرِ فوقالعاده بهش هدیه دادید.
پ.ن: این گودریدز چرا باز مسخرهبازی درمیاره؟
اگه بچهای دوروبرتون هست، این مجموعه رو براش بگیرید؛ یه سفرِ فوقالعاده بهش هدیه دادید.
پ.ن: این گودریدز چرا باز مسخرهبازی درمیاره؟
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April 23, 2017WE GOT A COVER YALL!!!
December 1, 2017
GGGGG-RRRRRRR-EEEEEEE-AAAAA-TTTTTTT-EEEEEEE-SSSSSSSSS-TTTTTTTT
BBBBBBBB-OOOOOOOOOO-OOOOOOOOOO-KKKKKKKKKKK
EEEEEEEE-VVVVVVVVVVV-EEEEEEEEEEEE-RRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Greatest book ever!)
BBBBBBBB-OOOOOOOOOO-OOOOOOOOOO-KKKKKKKKKKK
EEEEEEEE-VVVVVVVVVVV-EEEEEEEEEEEE-RRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Greatest book ever!)
July 30, 2021
Der letzte Band. 😭😭 und es war wieder so schön. 10 Sterne für dieses Meisterwerk an Fantasie und Kreativität. 😍😍😍😍
January 19, 2024
the chapters about froggy in the mirror were probably the most interesting
April 17, 2019
Después de casi 4 años de estar leyendo esta serie se me acaba, y no estoy listo.
La mejor manera que puedo usar para describir este libro fue la palabra que ya había puesto en la reseña: perfecto. A mi parecer, este es un libro incalculable, y no tiene ninguna falla en sus 440 páginas. Chris Colfer ha escrito una masterpiece, y una de mis series middle grade favoritas.
Este libro resalto en el departamento de la trama. Página 1 = acción sin parar hasta la última. Para haber sido el final de la serie, este fue y es una joya de final. Increíble. Espectacular. Me mantuvo en el borde de mi asiento todo el tiempo.
Nunca voy a dejar de amar a estos personajes. He crecido junto a Alex y Conner e, incluso cuando soy un poco más grandes que ellos, he podido verme reflejado en ellos durante su crecimiento. Los personajes de los cuentos, Red, Jack, Goldilocks, Trollbella y hasta los nuevos que conocimos en los cuentos de Conner; cada uno de ellos se lleva un pedazo de mi corazón. Extrañaré las ocurrencias de Red, los delirios de Trollbella, las aventuras de Mother Goose y el simple placer de leerlos.
Al inicio ese prolongado me dejo con miedo, y mucho, pero el epílogo me hizo la persona mas feliz. No lo voy a negar, mis ojos se llenaron de lágrimas al cerrar el libro, sabiendo que era la última vez que leía un libro de TLOS por primera vez.
Esta es una de esas series que se que voy a llevar conmigo el resto de mi vida, y mi nuevo objetivo en la vida es que, cuando tenga a mis hijos, los voy a hacer leer estos libros, esperando que puedan experimentar la magia que sentí al leerlos por primera vez.
Favoritos absolutos.
reseña original:
perfecto.
rtc
La mejor manera que puedo usar para describir este libro fue la palabra que ya había puesto en la reseña: perfecto. A mi parecer, este es un libro incalculable, y no tiene ninguna falla en sus 440 páginas. Chris Colfer ha escrito una masterpiece, y una de mis series middle grade favoritas.
Este libro resalto en el departamento de la trama. Página 1 = acción sin parar hasta la última. Para haber sido el final de la serie, este fue y es una joya de final. Increíble. Espectacular. Me mantuvo en el borde de mi asiento todo el tiempo.
Nunca voy a dejar de amar a estos personajes. He crecido junto a Alex y Conner e, incluso cuando soy un poco más grandes que ellos, he podido verme reflejado en ellos durante su crecimiento. Los personajes de los cuentos, Red, Jack, Goldilocks, Trollbella y hasta los nuevos que conocimos en los cuentos de Conner; cada uno de ellos se lleva un pedazo de mi corazón. Extrañaré las ocurrencias de Red, los delirios de Trollbella, las aventuras de Mother Goose y el simple placer de leerlos.
Al inicio ese prolongado me dejo con miedo, y mucho, pero el epílogo me hizo la persona mas feliz. No lo voy a negar, mis ojos se llenaron de lágrimas al cerrar el libro, sabiendo que era la última vez que leía un libro de TLOS por primera vez.
Esta es una de esas series que se que voy a llevar conmigo el resto de mi vida, y mi nuevo objetivo en la vida es que, cuando tenga a mis hijos, los voy a hacer leer estos libros, esperando que puedan experimentar la magia que sentí al leerlos por primera vez.
Favoritos absolutos.
reseña original:
perfecto.
rtc
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