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adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
En algún momento, me ocupé tanto de cambiar al mundo que me olvidé de cambiarme a mí.
La representación de la salud mental...guau. De verdad, necesitaba este libro cuando era pequeña, y estoy segura de que me hubiera encantado. Aunque no fue tan agradable como la primera novela, todavía estoy emocionada (!!) para leer la conclusión jeje <3
Quizás después leeré La Tierra de Historias otra vez...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Blood
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can tell that Colfer chose a different route for this series, because in the previous Land of Stories series, he had the ability to pull from already present fairy tales and their life lessons. In a Tale of Magic series, those fairy tales haven’t taken place in the universe yet, so these books in order to still provide young children with life lessons, have their own big ideas and messages. Chris Colfer himself has stated that the hatred of the magical community in the fairy tale world represents the hatred of the LGBTQ community in our world. And that theme shines throughout this book and the series, and several lines in book two stood out to me when it came to this metaphor. Book two is 100% about mental health and the importance of it. From <(spoiler!)> the snow queen growing inside of madame weatherberry and how she never asked for help; <(spoiler over)> to Brystal’s struggle with her mental health and intrusive thoughts. Though this message was pushed very hard, it’s a message young children don’t get told enough so I liked the presence in this book. I didn’t love how disturbingly dark Brystal, a 14/15 year old girl’s thoughts were though. It’s outlined in the book that she has depression, and her inner thoughts from struggling with the illness are prominent in a lot of chapters. But they get so dark there’s clear metaphors for killing herself <(spoiler-when she contemplates surrendering to the Southern Kingdom)>,and suicidal tendencies. Also, a lot of deaths. the land of stories series can certainly be read by kids as young as 8, but i would recommend this series for mature children, 10+ but that may be because i can understand all metaphors, references, and comparisons that Colfer implements. I can compare the two series by saying the Land of Stories series is more an elementary school reading, whilst A Tale of Magic series is more of a middle school reading. Colfer said that book two is about Lucy, and that if he continues the series, he will eventually focus on an individual fairy council member in each book. I personally love this, and having already read A Tale of Sorcery, I thoroughly enjoyed the spotlight bring on Xanthous. I’m still impartial to the Land of Stories original series, and examining all of the life lessons from original fairy tales, but I also like the path colfer has taken with this triology. Book two is my least favorite out of the series just because it holds a theme of impeding doom, but leaves room for hope and motivation in book three.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, War
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was truly incredible, I had high expectations following The Land of Stories series and the first book in this series, and I honestly think this is Chris Colfer's best book yet. He broke his own formula and explored important themes in a really intriguing and respectful way. The character development really showed through, and it made me so happy to know that my favorite characters were doing well within their world. Lucy, Brystal, and Xanthous had the most dramatic changes (in my opinion) and it was really fun to see Lucy explore more about herself on her own and figure out her own way to defend magic. The resolution was very fitting for the book, especially in regards to everything Brystal went through and her friendship with Lucy. The entire time I was reading I couldn't help but feel excited about the kids who finally have language for their struggles. The way Brystal's intrusive/depressive thoughts were written was so accurate to how they are actually experienced and how her struggles impact her relationships was so well done. He clearly did a lot of research about how mental illness and those kinds of thoughts work in order to write it so accurately. I'm so glad that this book exists for all the kids who will realize that they finally have the words to explain what's going in their head, or will be less ashamed if they experience depression in the future or the parents who struggle with mental illness who now have a way to explain it to there children. There are so many layers to this book, and I can see myself reading to over and over again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
🟩
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Minor: Death