darkromancelover's review
4.0
I found this book to be a refreshing read. In this story we learn that fairy tales really did exist. It all happened in a place called Everafter.
Bianca works at the family owned and operated children's museum with her mom, Rose. What makes this museum so special is that it's devoted to fairy tales and carries artifacts from the stories. Bianca is about to find out that she's a witch and that fairy tales are true. Not only are fairy tales true but the artifacts in the museum are actual items from the stories. They are magical and some of them can be very dangerous. On a personal note I would love to go to a museum like theirs.
Bianca crosses into Everafter (where most of the story will take place) with her friend Ming to find her mom who has been kidnapped by the evil witch. Yes you read that right the "evil witch" took her mom. They encounter Prince Ferdinand and his best friend Terrance towards the beginning of their journey. It doesn't take long until they decide to accompany the maidens on their adventure...
Liz manages to describe and take you on an adventure to a magical place that you only read about in fairy tales. You meet some pretty famous fairy tale characters while learning a few bits of background information on a couple of the characters. A story full of action, laughter, tears at times, and young new love forming and growing. A place where anything can happen if you believe. This is a good start to an interesting series.I can't wait to see where you go next with this series. My friends really need to check this out along with all my fellow book lovers.
Bianca works at the family owned and operated children's museum with her mom, Rose. What makes this museum so special is that it's devoted to fairy tales and carries artifacts from the stories. Bianca is about to find out that she's a witch and that fairy tales are true. Not only are fairy tales true but the artifacts in the museum are actual items from the stories. They are magical and some of them can be very dangerous. On a personal note I would love to go to a museum like theirs.
Bianca crosses into Everafter (where most of the story will take place) with her friend Ming to find her mom who has been kidnapped by the evil witch. Yes you read that right the "evil witch" took her mom. They encounter Prince Ferdinand and his best friend Terrance towards the beginning of their journey. It doesn't take long until they decide to accompany the maidens on their adventure...
Liz manages to describe and take you on an adventure to a magical place that you only read about in fairy tales. You meet some pretty famous fairy tale characters while learning a few bits of background information on a couple of the characters. A story full of action, laughter, tears at times, and young new love forming and growing. A place where anything can happen if you believe. This is a good start to an interesting series.I can't wait to see where you go next with this series. My friends really need to check this out along with all my fellow book lovers.
thebookheap12's review
3.0
far too rushed with a share of gaping plot holes but...yeah, enjoyable. I don't think I'll be reading the sequel though if there is one.
kate2440's review
4.0
When I first started this book I wasn't actually sure that I was going to enjoy it as nothing was happening and everything was very much mundane. When Bicanca found out her and her families history it did start to pick up and it built up to a brilliant story that I very much enjoyed. When things did get better I found that there was a lot happening and enjoyed everything that was happening and kept me entertained. There was a bit of romance that was done in a way that had me gripped from the moment it started I would have liked to have had a bit more but only because I enjoyed it. I love the twist on the fairytale classics that we all know and love it brought out the inner child in me even if this was aimed for the Young Adult genre.
I thought the characters where very entertaining. Bianca started out going about her life not knowing who she really was and it was great to see her change once she found out. Her bestfriend was really sweet and very trusting which everyone needs. Terrence was a great male character and another sweet person who I really did feel for him. The Prince was really funny and reminded me of the Princes that are in the fairytales. Bianca's parents where great and it was nice to see that they wasn't evil like in most fairytales and even most other books that I have read.
Overall I found it a captivating story once it got started and I can't wait to read more from this author.
mierke's review
4.0
This book is really well structured. It doesn’t start in the middle, but it starts with setting the scene. The first quarter of the book is devoted to establishing the connection between Bianca and her mother, to Bianca getting a bit used to the idea that magic is real, to letting the reader form an emotional connection to both Bianca and her mother. When everything goes to hell in chapter six, the stakes are raised and you really want Bianca to succeed in her quest.
At first, this book seems to follow the stereotypical characters that seem to be set for these books: a female heroine who just wants a normal life, her quirky best friend, and her one parent (for some reason these characters never have two parents). But soon Bianca, Ming and Rose turn shed their stereotypes and turn into actual human beings. I loved all three of these characters. Bianca is a strong fighter, and Ming her loyal sidekick – but they’re both more than that. Bianca also loves fiercely, and Ming has this quirky personality that nicely balances out Bianca’s more serious side. I love that both Bianca and Ming get scared. Not just a little, but actually frightened. It makes this whole quest seem so much more realistic and so much more dangerous.
Instead of Bianca having to face everything alone, her and her mother are in this together, and Rose is actually helping out Bianca. They have an us vs. them attitude that I much prefer over the “I have to do it all on my own” thing that most of these books seem to apply.
Terrence, Bianca’s love interest, was a bit too cardboard for me. I would have liked it if he would have gotten some more personality, and I’m hoping to see that in the next book. Prince Ferdinand was absolutely hilarious (he’s just riding around to find a princess to save, for example).
The only character that could have used a bit more characterization was Lenore. I could have done without the chapters from her point of view, because I thought these cemented her as the typical evil villain, making those chapters the definite weak point of the book.
What I loved most about the setting of this book is that there is some actual mythology woven around the use of magic; for example, we get to see Bianca train, and I loved that. Add to that the fact that the fairytales reside on an alternate universe and Bianca crosses over in this book, and you’ve got everything set for me to enjoy the world!
The ending, though, felt a bit rushed. For a moment I was entirely confused over what happened in fairy tale land, and I’m still not entirely sure what the very last scene means.
At first, this book seems to follow the stereotypical characters that seem to be set for these books: a female heroine who just wants a normal life, her quirky best friend, and her one parent (for some reason these characters never have two parents). But soon Bianca, Ming and Rose turn shed their stereotypes and turn into actual human beings. I loved all three of these characters. Bianca is a strong fighter, and Ming her loyal sidekick – but they’re both more than that. Bianca also loves fiercely, and Ming has this quirky personality that nicely balances out Bianca’s more serious side. I love that both Bianca and Ming get scared. Not just a little, but actually frightened. It makes this whole quest seem so much more realistic and so much more dangerous.
Instead of Bianca having to face everything alone, her and her mother are in this together, and Rose is actually helping out Bianca. They have an us vs. them attitude that I much prefer over the “I have to do it all on my own” thing that most of these books seem to apply.
Terrence, Bianca’s love interest, was a bit too cardboard for me. I would have liked it if he would have gotten some more personality, and I’m hoping to see that in the next book. Prince Ferdinand was absolutely hilarious (he’s just riding around to find a princess to save, for example).
The only character that could have used a bit more characterization was Lenore. I could have done without the chapters from her point of view, because I thought these cemented her as the typical evil villain, making those chapters the definite weak point of the book.
What I loved most about the setting of this book is that there is some actual mythology woven around the use of magic; for example, we get to see Bianca train, and I loved that. Add to that the fact that the fairytales reside on an alternate universe and Bianca crosses over in this book, and you’ve got everything set for me to enjoy the world!
The ending, though, felt a bit rushed. For a moment I was entirely confused over what happened in fairy tale land, and I’m still not entirely sure what the very last scene means.
kaylana's review
3.0
I'd give it a 3.5. It was a fun and fast read. I really enjoy fairy-tale retellings and this one was an exciting read.
What I liked: It had a great premise. Bianca and her mother rose own a fairy-tale museum. Rose reads stories to cute little kids and sells them wands and Cinderella outfits. The creepy apple from Snow White and the mirror are all in there. Plus, DeJesus throws in some great world-building elements like the history of how the museum was started back in the Great Depression by her grandfather. She has a fun relationship with her mom. She also has a really great friend. You can kind of feel their history and loyalty.
I also enjoyed the way she weaves the fairy-tale world in Everafter with our modern world. She explains who the Grimm Brothers were and why they told the fairy tales the way they did. It adds some credence to the world she's built. And I liked Bianca's inner dialogue. DeJesus had fun writing her female characters. Her male characters were a bit dimmer but they weren't major characters so I didn't mind as much.
What I didn't like as much: The story didn't flow in some parts. Some plot devices were thrown aside to make things easier. She learns magic super fast. An old woman who's magic finds them, stops time and teaches her a bunch of stuff. Another character tells her to believe and not doubt and she can do anything and the next encounter she can do all this stuff just because of that. At the beginning when her and her friend get to Everafter, they just happen to immediately find a somewhat dim prince and his awesome servant who are super helpful and become their respective love interests.
Also, many times Bianca wants answers and to understand things; she has questions but the characters just say 'don't worry about it,' 'just believe.' Nah, it's good to question and want to understand and have doubts.
The true love theme was a bit cheesy, too. Bianca's romance was a bit strained but not too heavy-handed so I didn't mind so much. The ending wasn't my favorite. I was hoping for more real life and less movie magic fantasy but oh well.
Overall, it's a really cute book. I liked the fantasy, the characters, fairy-tales and how it all came together. But due to it's 'rough-around-the-edges' nature, I had to lower my rating. I do look forward to continuing the series, though.
What I liked: It had a great premise. Bianca and her mother rose own a fairy-tale museum. Rose reads stories to cute little kids and sells them wands and Cinderella outfits. The creepy apple from Snow White and the mirror are all in there. Plus, DeJesus throws in some great world-building elements like the history of how the museum was started back in the Great Depression by her grandfather. She has a fun relationship with her mom. She also has a really great friend. You can kind of feel their history and loyalty.
I also enjoyed the way she weaves the fairy-tale world in Everafter with our modern world. She explains who the Grimm Brothers were and why they told the fairy tales the way they did. It adds some credence to the world she's built. And I liked Bianca's inner dialogue. DeJesus had fun writing her female characters. Her male characters were a bit dimmer but they weren't major characters so I didn't mind as much.
What I didn't like as much: The story didn't flow in some parts. Some plot devices were thrown aside to make things easier. She learns magic super fast. An old woman who's magic finds them, stops time and teaches her a bunch of stuff. Another character tells her to believe and not doubt and she can do anything and the next encounter she can do all this stuff just because of that. At the beginning when her and her friend get to Everafter, they just happen to immediately find a somewhat dim prince and his awesome servant who are super helpful and become their respective love interests.
Also, many times Bianca wants answers and to understand things; she has questions but the characters just say 'don't worry about it,' 'just believe.' Nah, it's good to question and want to understand and have doubts.
The true love theme was a bit cheesy, too. Bianca's romance was a bit strained but not too heavy-handed so I didn't mind so much. The ending wasn't my favorite. I was hoping for more real life and less movie magic fantasy but oh well.
Overall, it's a really cute book. I liked the fantasy, the characters, fairy-tales and how it all came together. But due to it's 'rough-around-the-edges' nature, I had to lower my rating. I do look forward to continuing the series, though.
ayanamifaerudo's review
3.0
First Frost is about Bianca Frost who was working for the family-run museum, the Museum of Magical and Rare Artifacts, and dreamed of a life more than inheriting the ownership of said museum. But one day, she discovered that there was more to the artifacts being displayed in the museum and that her family has got every right to be custodians of Cinderella’s glass slipper, Snow White’s poisoned apple, the evil queen’s magic mirror, Sleeping Beauty’s enchanted spinning wheel…
It kind of surprised me that Bianca readily accepted her heritage. Perhaps having been around the museum and the artifacts within kind of prepared her for it. Not to mention that she properly witnessed her mother battling it out with the evil witch. So, off she goes then with her faithful bestfriend, Ming (I liked her very much since she didn't think twice about accompanying Bianca into the unknown), to rescue her mother. The stage is set and Bianca started her journey.
Sometimes, the plot dragged while other times (mostly) it sped by at a pace that some moments worthy of a proper description and exploring are sacrificed. The romance left a lot to be desired. Instalove. Did I tell you I am not a fan of instalove.
However, I must say that this version of fairy tale retelling is... this is the first time I've encountered a heroine who was the descendant of Snow White and wherein her family are witches. The Happily in Ever After part? Inspired.
Originally posted in Whatever You Can Still Betray.
It kind of surprised me that Bianca readily accepted her heritage. Perhaps having been around the museum and the artifacts within kind of prepared her for it. Not to mention that she properly witnessed her mother battling it out with the evil witch. So, off she goes then with her faithful bestfriend, Ming (I liked her very much since she didn't think twice about accompanying Bianca into the unknown), to rescue her mother. The stage is set and Bianca started her journey.
Sometimes, the plot dragged while other times (mostly) it sped by at a pace that some moments worthy of a proper description and exploring are sacrificed. The romance left a lot to be desired. Instalove. Did I tell you I am not a fan of instalove.
However, I must say that this version of fairy tale retelling is... this is the first time I've encountered a heroine who was the descendant of Snow White and wherein her family are witches. The Happily in Ever After part? Inspired.
Originally posted in Whatever You Can Still Betray.
condygurl's review
5.0
I have always loved Fairytales. It's one of the reasons why I loved the TV show "Once Upon a Time". What Liz DeJesus has created in these books is a brand new take on the old stories. These books will suck you in and delight even the most reluctant readers. But it isn't just for the kids. Oh no, don't let the label YA fool you, this book is by no means for kids only!
We have Bianca Frost, who is 17 years old. Her best friend is Ming, and their lives are about to be changed forever. Bianca works in her mother's Museum. A fabulous place which has relics of all the fairy tales. But what Bianca didn't know is that the fairy tales are all REAL!
I can't go into any details because there is just so much to say about this book and I am seriously afraid that I will give it all away. What I will say is the Characters are strongly written, believable and enjoyable. The plot moves along at a fairly fast pace and keeps you absorbed in the story. The world creation is detailed but not so much that it is an information dump. It literally sucks you in and you can see the home the Three Little Pigs built of bricks. You can see the different story characters come to life. This is an amazing book, and I am sure that you and your children will love it. This book is easily appropriate for children, I passed it along to my 10 year old son. It can even be read aloud, although if you do that I fear your kids won't go to sleep very early!
The link to purchase it is above and I HIGHLY recommend this 5 star read to young and old alike.
Details/Disclaimer: Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
We have Bianca Frost, who is 17 years old. Her best friend is Ming, and their lives are about to be changed forever. Bianca works in her mother's Museum. A fabulous place which has relics of all the fairy tales. But what Bianca didn't know is that the fairy tales are all REAL!
I can't go into any details because there is just so much to say about this book and I am seriously afraid that I will give it all away. What I will say is the Characters are strongly written, believable and enjoyable. The plot moves along at a fairly fast pace and keeps you absorbed in the story. The world creation is detailed but not so much that it is an information dump. It literally sucks you in and you can see the home the Three Little Pigs built of bricks. You can see the different story characters come to life. This is an amazing book, and I am sure that you and your children will love it. This book is easily appropriate for children, I passed it along to my 10 year old son. It can even be read aloud, although if you do that I fear your kids won't go to sleep very early!
The link to purchase it is above and I HIGHLY recommend this 5 star read to young and old alike.
Details/Disclaimer: Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
bookbriefs's review
4.0
I think it's fairy tale week at Book Briefs, because here is another fairy tale book. But this isn't a retelling, it is more of an alternate universe to fairy tale land, kind of book. I loved how the worlds were set up. Fairy tales are real and Bianca's family has possibily the coolest museum in the whole world. They have a fairy tale artifacts museum. I would love to go there!
So one day Bianca finds out that the stuff at the museum is real and that her family are actually witches that come from a direct line of Snow White. First Frost is a fast paced action adventure with a big time magical twist. I loved seeing all of the various items from the fairy tales and seeing how Bianca used them on her quest. What was her quest? She had to get her mother back from the evil witch. First Frost kind of reminded me of the tv mini series, The Tenth Kingdom or the ABC show Once Upon a Time. I just love the idea of all the fairy tales together and having a modern take on how all of it really went down.
Bianca took the news that her family is magical all in stride. At first I thought it was a little unrealistic how easily she was taking in all of the information, but then I stopped to think about it for a minute. She saw actual magic. I guess once you see magic in action, the cat is out of the bag. Plus her friend, jumped on board as soon as she found out as well, BUT she was justifiably nervous in the new land. I thought that she initial reaction was a little unrealistic, but as soon as Ming had time to think things over she reacted how I would have in her shoes. It made me like her a little more.
Bianca crosses over to Everafter with a spell. There she meets a prince and Terrance. I liked both of them. I really liked how the prince was kind of cocky and thought he was the best thing since sliced bread, because lets be honest- a prince probably would be spoiled and a little arrogant. I thought that was a nice touch, rather than having the super charming prince that everyone loves.
First Frost mixes a bunch of different classic fairy tales together. I thought it was well written, and I loved seeing all of the characters work together and interact. My favorite part was seeing how Bianca would use the artifacts from the museum on her quest. There is even a small, but adorable, romance brewing in the story. Fans of fairy tales should check out First Frost. There is a bit of a cliffhanger to segway into book 2, but I thought overall book 1 was a complete story on its own. I wasn't left completely hanging. This is a great fairy tale adventure.
So one day Bianca finds out that the stuff at the museum is real and that her family are actually witches that come from a direct line of Snow White. First Frost is a fast paced action adventure with a big time magical twist. I loved seeing all of the various items from the fairy tales and seeing how Bianca used them on her quest. What was her quest? She had to get her mother back from the evil witch. First Frost kind of reminded me of the tv mini series, The Tenth Kingdom or the ABC show Once Upon a Time. I just love the idea of all the fairy tales together and having a modern take on how all of it really went down.
Bianca took the news that her family is magical all in stride. At first I thought it was a little unrealistic how easily she was taking in all of the information, but then I stopped to think about it for a minute. She saw actual magic. I guess once you see magic in action, the cat is out of the bag. Plus her friend, jumped on board as soon as she found out as well, BUT she was justifiably nervous in the new land. I thought that she initial reaction was a little unrealistic, but as soon as Ming had time to think things over she reacted how I would have in her shoes. It made me like her a little more.
Bianca crosses over to Everafter with a spell. There she meets a prince and Terrance. I liked both of them. I really liked how the prince was kind of cocky and thought he was the best thing since sliced bread, because lets be honest- a prince probably would be spoiled and a little arrogant. I thought that was a nice touch, rather than having the super charming prince that everyone loves.
First Frost mixes a bunch of different classic fairy tales together. I thought it was well written, and I loved seeing all of the characters work together and interact. My favorite part was seeing how Bianca would use the artifacts from the museum on her quest. There is even a small, but adorable, romance brewing in the story. Fans of fairy tales should check out First Frost. There is a bit of a cliffhanger to segway into book 2, but I thought overall book 1 was a complete story on its own. I wasn't left completely hanging. This is a great fairy tale adventure.