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sandrasbooked's review against another edition
3.0
3.75 ⭐️’s
Everything I felt about the first book, I feel for this one, except a little more this time. The writing’s still great, the plot’s also great, of course. Have to add in the same biases I may have for the 1st book, I have for this one; simply because of nostalgia, and my reading experience involving this book when I was younger, so if your grabbing this book (especially as an adult) because of this review, proceed with caution!!
I loved the 2nd book more, especially because I felt so much more immersed into the story and its characters. We got to dig deeper into the different parts of the mission they were on this time, and we got to spend more time with everything that was occurring to the characters. Also, I loved the ending of this book as well. The author ties everything up so well, while still making sure to add a twist in there that also ties into the story flawlessly.
Overall, I rate this book a little higher than the first one. Like the first book, I’d be a little more weary recommending this to the adults around me only because it is a children’s book, and I’m not sure if all adults have grown out of them, but I’m definitely recommending this to the age it’s geared towards. I loved every part of this book, and the nostalgia of this series feels so comforting right now.
Everything I felt about the first book, I feel for this one, except a little more this time. The writing’s still great, the plot’s also great, of course. Have to add in the same biases I may have for the 1st book, I have for this one; simply because of nostalgia, and my reading experience involving this book when I was younger, so if your grabbing this book (especially as an adult) because of this review, proceed with caution!!
I loved the 2nd book more, especially because I felt so much more immersed into the story and its characters. We got to dig deeper into the different parts of the mission they were on this time, and we got to spend more time with everything that was occurring to the characters. Also, I loved the ending of this book as well. The author ties everything up so well, while still making sure to add a twist in there that also ties into the story flawlessly.
Overall, I rate this book a little higher than the first one. Like the first book, I’d be a little more weary recommending this to the adults around me only because it is a children’s book, and I’m not sure if all adults have grown out of them, but I’m definitely recommending this to the age it’s geared towards. I loved every part of this book, and the nostalgia of this series feels so comforting right now.
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
My full review can be found on my blog - Best Kids' Reads.
Twice Upon a Time finds May, Jack and Phillip trying to undo the wrongs that they caused during the first quest! This story is action-packed and full of suspense. The characters are still delightful and the story takes a few more twists and turns that will keep you guessing right up until the very end. My son and I can't wait until the final book of the trilogy comes out in May! If you haven't already, hurry out and get the first two books so that you'll be ready for the last book's May 7th release!
Twice Upon a Time finds May, Jack and Phillip trying to undo the wrongs that they caused during the first quest! This story is action-packed and full of suspense. The characters are still delightful and the story takes a few more twists and turns that will keep you guessing right up until the very end. My son and I can't wait until the final book of the trilogy comes out in May! If you haven't already, hurry out and get the first two books so that you'll be ready for the last book's May 7th release!
luisasm's review
3.0
Not as good as the other one. Just too fast. But there was some excellent character development that kept you guessing. Jack is ridiculously likable, and so is May. Even Phillip got some action near the end that really made you respect him. Still, the plot was so convoluted, that you were just glad that the ending was so good. And it was, really setting up the next book.
papalbina's review
4.0
the book doesn't deserve four stars, but it would be like a 3.75...
i enjoyed it very much, love to look for the tales in the book and love how they are entangled.
i really, really like jack, the anti-hero; he's by far the best thing in this series and what makes it worth reading.
the problem i had with this book was that there were too many things going on. they were always getting from one problem to the next one, always at the verge of dying and being barely saved to fall in the hands of the next danger... it was too much to follow sometimes (and there was too much water for my taste too). and i had troubles to understand completely what happened at the end in the fairy homelands... but that might be because it was late at night and i was supposed to have been sleeping, not reading. probably my brain was not fully functional xDD
anyway, i love this series so far and i already started the third book, let's see how jack's story ends!!
i enjoyed it very much, love to look for the tales in the book
Spoiler
(hamelin, peter pan, bluebeard, the little mermaid, sleeping beauty... xD)i really, really like jack, the anti-hero; he's by far the best thing in this series and what makes it worth reading.
the problem i had with this book was that there were too many things going on. they were always getting from one problem to the next one, always at the verge of dying and being barely saved to fall in the hands of the next danger... it was too much to follow sometimes (and there was too much water for my taste too). and i had troubles to understand completely what happened at the end in the fairy homelands... but that might be because it was late at night and i was supposed to have been sleeping, not reading. probably my brain was not fully functional xDD
anyway, i love this series so far and i already started the third book, let's see how jack's story ends!!
booksnorkel's review against another edition
5.0
This book series does a really great job with taking the fairy tales that you know, adding in the fairy tales that you know from Disney, and mashing them all up and adding a ton of fun and hilarity. Peter Pan, Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, all of them are being changed because of May, Jack, and Phillip. I love how these books twist the fairy tales, and you never know where they will go next! A great series and this book is for those who read the first and can’t wait for the third.
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Round 2 -- Love this series and this book is where you start seeing more of the darker fairy tales coming into play. If you are like me, a person who loves mixed up fairy tales, and snide asides you will love this series. For those who have read the first book fourth grade on up.
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I laughed I laughed and then I laughed some more, this series is great and I love how this book combines Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, and some other pretty classic fairy tales together to continue the story from Half Upon a Time.
Great fun, a fast read, and if you love Jack and May and Phillip you will love this book. For fourth graders on up for both boys and girls and for people who love a great mixed up fairytale.
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Round 2 -- Love this series and this book is where you start seeing more of the darker fairy tales coming into play. If you are like me, a person who loves mixed up fairy tales, and snide asides you will love this series. For those who have read the first book fourth grade on up.
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I laughed I laughed and then I laughed some more, this series is great and I love how this book combines Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, and some other pretty classic fairy tales together to continue the story from Half Upon a Time.
Great fun, a fast read, and if you love Jack and May and Phillip you will love this book. For fourth graders on up for both boys and girls and for people who love a great mixed up fairytale.
discreetpuppet's review against another edition
5.0
I KNEW IT!! Such a great book, started off with a lot of actions and introduced interesting new character. Answered some questions from the first book but left a lot more in its wake. Can't wait to read the last book and see how it all ends!
notbrandonwatkins's review against another edition
5.0
Reread 2022:
I still liked it a lot. It still gets five stars. But there’s a couple things I didn’t understand. The Sea King was so quick to go insane when she believed Meghan had been taken, but THREE of his daughters go missing for 40 YEARS, and he doesn’t give a crap. Other than that huge plot hole, I thought the showdown with The Sea King wasn’t as good as I originally thought. And it never explains why the Kingdom looks to burn at the end but then just magically has been protected. No answer is ever given for how this happened. And it was such an easy thing to come up with an answer for. I still love it though and that will never change
I still liked it a lot. It still gets five stars. But there’s a couple things I didn’t understand. The Sea King was so quick to go insane when she believed Meghan had been taken, but THREE of his daughters go missing for 40 YEARS, and he doesn’t give a crap. Other than that huge plot hole, I thought the showdown with The Sea King wasn’t as good as I originally thought. And it never explains why the Kingdom looks to burn at the end but then just magically has been protected. No answer is ever given for how this happened. And it was such an easy thing to come up with an answer for. I still love it though and that will never change
scribesprite's review
4.0
Should I be embarassed that I read books like this for fun even though I'm technically an adult? Probably, but since this is the internet I'm not that worried. Everyone who knows me in real life on this site already knows I'm a huge dork who can't seem to grow up properly.
So, I as I mentioned above if you like [a:Rick Riordan|15872|Rick Riordan|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1383677264p2/15872.jpg]'s stuff I really think you should give this a try. He kind of has that silly satire that I love. If you are the kind of reader that can't take slow paced stories, than this is definitely the book for you. I was feeling exhausted for these characters about half-way through the book because there is never a break. Wait, there is maybe one near the beginning, I lied. Poor Jack, because to be honest how many times can a person get beat up and still be moving? It takes push-yourself-up-and-try-again to a whole new level. You know when the Hulk (in the Avengers) just grabs Loki like a rag doll and flings him back and forth? It’s like that, just done maybe five more times. The body can only take so much, but I assume since Jack is an Eye he can take a few more hits?
Twice Upon a Time takes place about three months after [b:Half Upon a Time|7327326|Half Upon a Time (Half Upon a Time, #1)|James Riley|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348428216s/7327326.jpg|8944721] finishes. The first should be read before this one. May, Phillip, and Jack are all still together trying to find out who May’s parents are but low and behold it’s not that easy to just walk into fairy land and just ask. Some way or another they end up meeting King Pan (or Peter Pan), a bluebeard pirate, King of the World, and a mermaid princess with a past.
I might have given the book 5 stars if it wasn’t for May. I thought I’d warm up to her by now and I have but I still find her a bit exasperating. May is no longer sarcastic, but she does a lot of threatening which got tiring because she hardly ever follows through. It's not that I think she should kick everyone’s butt, but it seems like she is more bark than bite.
The ending I loved but I’ll keep the details to myself.
So, I as I mentioned above if you like [a:Rick Riordan|15872|Rick Riordan|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1383677264p2/15872.jpg]'s stuff I really think you should give this a try. He kind of has that silly satire that I love. If you are the kind of reader that can't take slow paced stories, than this is definitely the book for you. I was feeling exhausted for these characters about half-way through the book because there is never a break. Wait, there is maybe one near the beginning, I lied. Poor Jack, because to be honest how many times can a person get beat up and still be moving? It takes push-yourself-up-and-try-again to a whole new level. You know when the Hulk (in the Avengers) just grabs Loki like a rag doll and flings him back and forth? It’s like that, just done maybe five more times. The body can only take so much, but I assume since Jack is an Eye he can take a few more hits?
Twice Upon a Time takes place about three months after [b:Half Upon a Time|7327326|Half Upon a Time (Half Upon a Time, #1)|James Riley|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348428216s/7327326.jpg|8944721] finishes. The first should be read before this one. May, Phillip, and Jack are all still together trying to find out who May’s parents are but low and behold it’s not that easy to just walk into fairy land and just ask. Some way or another they end up meeting King Pan (or Peter Pan), a bluebeard pirate, King of the World, and a mermaid princess with a past.
I might have given the book 5 stars if it wasn’t for May. I thought I’d warm up to her by now and I have but I still find her a bit exasperating. May is no longer sarcastic, but she does a lot of threatening which got tiring because she hardly ever follows through. It's not that I think she should kick everyone’s butt, but it seems like she is more bark than bite.
The ending I loved but I’ll keep the details to myself.
unreliablebooknerd's review against another edition
2.0
Not as fun as the first book but overall still great read. It’s just I’ve had enough of mermaid realms but the end made me can’t wait to read the next
ijsselmeer13's review against another edition
3.0
This was a great second book in the Half Upon a Time series. Although, it wasn't as good as the first book, there were some great plot twists that you never would have expected. One of the fun things about this book is figuring out who everyone is in what fairy tale.
I realized, though, as I finished the book, that not a lot actually happens in this book. There isn't a very clear plot, and I often forgot what the characters were actually trying to work towards.
I have to admit, the only reason I got through this middle-grade book was because of the unexpected plot twists and the love triangle. :)
I realized, though, as I finished the book, that not a lot actually happens in this book. There isn't a very clear plot, and I often forgot what the characters were actually trying to work towards.
I have to admit, the only reason I got through this middle-grade book was because of the unexpected plot twists and the love triangle. :)