The Land of Stories 2 : The Enchantress Returns Read and Discuss thread!

[tanita_mors]

The Enchantress Returns (The Land of Stories #2)

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

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

given that it's august the 6th, all bets are off. no more spoiler bars. enter at you own risk. and of course, enjoy

[MoviesAreLife]

 Don't mind me, just stalking for spoilers....  

[Lottie2303]

I finished the book. Beware of spoilers - GET OUT NOW IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK!!! I will talk about the book. I will talk about the very last page! I talk about EVERYTHING!!! So please don't be curious and get out now. Am I clear now?! Good . Everything his below the spoiler bar:

Ooooookay, I've read the book very, very quickly. That is always a good sign. I also didn't read it out of obligation, because this is well Chris and I would follow everything he does, but because I wanted to. I liked a lot, I disliked some bits, but overall I am happy. It is also very clear there will be more books in the future. That is always nice to know.

The very good parts:
- I was happy to see so many beloved characters back and also got introduced to many new ones
- Mother Goose is hilarious. I wanted to see more of her relationship with Connor as it sounded hilarious.
- This is very much Alex story but it suits her. I liked the development of the twins.
- I really love Connor as a writer.
- I was very amused about the Brian inspiration. Just the idea...
- The end broke my heart. It literally tore it apart and I teared up a bit. Everything made sense why it happened, but still... :(The twins being separated between the worlds, maybe for good  
- I love the 'lessons' of the day. I loved that Charlotte was allowed to love again, instead of this nonsense to wait until her death to be reunited with her husband. I liked the statements "When you are on a pedestal and privileged, you are not allowed to complain" and "When you have a pretty face instead of an average one, people are more likely to listen". Those are very true.
- I loved the chapter with Lucy, Wendy, Dorothy and Alice. I just loved it.
- I liked the Enchantress was more evil with no mercy. Yes, she had a bad story and her reasons but Chris didn't try to excuse her too much. That drove me nuts during the first book.
- I loved all the connections between the books. Beauty and the Beast as Sleeping Beauties grandparents. Rumpelstichen as the eight dwarve. It made so much sense in a weird was.

The average
- For the next book, Chris needs a different idea instead of a scavenger hunt. It still suited the book very fine, but it will get repetitive soon.
- The wand sounded too much like the Elder Wand from Harry Potter. You can clearly see inspiration.

The to be improved
- Too much 'said' and 'asked' once again.
- Chris sometimes jumps to quick from one scene to the next. I thought a certain flow was missing. He also uses a lot of "tell instead of show". Maybe a bit longer time to write the book would have been advised?!
- There needs to be a third book. Otherwise I am mad .

[MoviesAreLife]

Oh NO!!! I love the twins...they are my favorite characters! I love them as an item and the idea of them being separated just breaks my heart!

[Lottie2303]

HEATHER!!! Guess my disclaimer didn't work. Yeah, it makes sense in the book and they get a farewell and all. But it broke my heart.

[MoviesAreLife]

Wait...one of them willingly stays behind?? Let me guess, Alex?

[Lottie2303]

Wait...one of them willingly stays behind?? Let me guess, Alex?

Yup, my the world are sealed off each other. Alex stays behind by choice and Connor returns. It makes so much sense actually, but still, the idea of them being separated pains me  

[MoviesAreLife]

I thought so. Chris constantly mentions (via the narration) how much Alex prefers the fairytale world over the real one. The idea of them being separated is so sad. I love Alex, but why would she choose to leave behind her mother and her brother like that?!

[Lottie2303]

Because she is at home in Land of Stories. It is where she can fulfill her dreams and full potential. She is the hero of the book, not Connor. Also her mother, Charlotte, actually tells her to stay behind. It doesn't cross Alex mind until her mother encourages her to stay. It is also explained how it was always supposed to be. Twins, the only persons ever to be connected to both worlds. One for the Land o Stories; One to write down and tell the stories in our world

[MoviesAreLife]

Oh! I see! And the one to write down the stories for our world would be Conner? Huh. Interesting. I'm side-eyeing their mother a little bit for encouraging her 13/14 year old daughter to stay in another world...but okay. I wonder what the third book will be about? Alex and Conner reuniting? What would they be reuniting for, I wonder? Also, do the twins celebrate their 14th birthday in this book?

How emotional was the goodbye between Alex and Conner?

Also, how can Alex not think she was capable of fulfilling her potential in the real world? She's a smart and capable girl and seemed to be doing just fine in the few pages I was able to read (college courses and all).

[Lottie2303]

A year passed since the first book. I believe they are 13.

There is an entire chapter where Alex meets Dorothy, Wendy, Alice and Lucy and talks about it. She says she doesn't feel home in her own world. Also she stays with her grandmother. It is part of who she is, being a fairy and all.

But I agree she would have been fine without the Land of Stories as well. She is after all a smart girl.

She farewell isn't that long and there is a strong implication that Connor knows he will see her again. They also communicate once a week via magic mirrors (sideeying Chris a bit, because there a quite a few Harry Potter elements in this particular book). So it is not like they never see each other again. But of course they are distraught.

[MoviesAreLife]

I recognize the names Dorothy, Wendy and Alice but where is Lucy from?

How cute! I love the idea of the magic mirrors!  

[Lottie2303]

I recognize the names Dorothy, Wendy and Alice but where is Lucy from?

How cute! I love the idea of the magic mirrors!

Narnia. (even though I hated those books...)

The mirror unfortunately sounds a lot like a piece of item from the Harry Potter verse. People will notice and it may receive some negative feedback. Harry Potter books are holy to its fanbase.

[MoviesAreLife]

Ah, yes. Thank you. I've never read the books or seen the films.

Knowing Chris, he probably indeed borrowed that idea from Harry Potter.   But it's cute. It suits the magic world better than a cell phone communication would.

Did you mention that both worlds are sealed off from one another now, with a twin in each world, or did I misunderstand you?[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Oh, Lottie-kins, you are THE BEST!!!  

[Lottie2303]

Yup, the worlds are sealed of for reasons.

Ahhh, thank you  

[MoviesAreLife]

I would ask what those reasons are, but I think I've been greedy enough for one day!

You're welcome!

[MoviesAreLife]

Actually, I have one more question: Do we get any glimpses into Conner as a budding author?

[fantastica]

not reading. 

[MoviesAreLife]

But it's fun! *evil laugh*

Why are the worlds sealed off now? Does Trollbella appear in this book?

[ColferInspired]

Nope. Staying strong.  

[Lottie2303]

I would ask what those reasons are, but I think I've been greedy enough for one day!

You're welcome!

The Enchantress is actually from our world and tries to take over the fairytale and Otherwolrd (aka: our world). They want to prevent that in the future and therefore seal off all gateways. Therefore Alex stays because she cannot bear to never return again.

Actually, I have one more question: Do we get any glimpses into Conner as a budding author?

Does Trollbella appear in this book?

Yup  and yup.  

[MoviesAreLife]

Do they defeat The Enchantress in the end? Is Froggy back to his frog form? Do either Alex or Conner begin showing magical abilities?

[Lottie2303]

Are you actually planning to read the book???!   

[MoviesAreLife]

Of course I am!  

[ChrisColferFan1]

I plan on buying it too.

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