The Wishing Spell

4.5*This was SO much fun! Such a quick and engaging read. I loved how all the fairy tales I know and love were incorporated into the story. I actually listened to the audiobook, which is read by Chris Colfer, and it really enhanced my reading experience. I will admit, I found the writing at times to be a tad lackluster, but that was mostly a problem with showing vs. telling that I think can be attributed to the fact that it's a middle grade novel. I think this is a series I will definitely be co [...]

Who ever said an actor cannot be an author? No one ever, because it’s not true at all.Well this was such a lovely surprise. The world that Chris Colfer introduces us to is filled with magic, charming creatures and familiar names of princesses, princes, fairytale heroes and heroines.Although I’m one of those readers who can read anything from children’s books to mature adult books, it doesn’t mean I like everything I stumble across. For my middle grade reads, I look for 1. creativity, 2. [...]

In Which I Drink Haterade and Review The Wishing SpellI'm not getting my hate on just to hate. I'm getting my hate on because this book was the most painful reading experience I have ever had. I didn't think a book could irritate me so much that it would result in a terrible weight in my chest, but it did. It did.Colfer's prose is cliche and redundant from the first page. His sentences are short and simplistic with no signs of imagery or depth. Instead of showing emotion and action, Colfer opts [...]

Actor, Golden Globe winner, 2-time Emmy nominee, one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World, singer, screen writer, producer and now author? And all of that at just 22 years old? I understand how some people might be a bit skeptical in regards to Chris Colfer's actual writing talents, but the truth is - the guy just seems to be a natural-born storyteller, and it doesn't matter which medium he uses for it.His first novel, "The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell", is the firs [...]

The main reason I am writing this review here is because I am tired of hearing only positive things about this book. I find it misleading and I know that there are many other better written stories for our readers. Chris Colfer is an actor on the television show Glee, and this book reads like a long drawn out screenplay. Descriptions are either nonexistent or so basic that my students could paint a far better image. When describing a cavalcade of knights arriving in front the twins, Colfer descr [...]

I picked this book up at the airport because I was trying to convince my ten year old brother to start reading more imaginative stories and less Diary of a Wimpy Kid.I figured I'd read it first and see what it was like. Then I found out the author was this dude on glee, apparently, and I admit my enthusiasm kind of dipped. And, good thing it did, because this book was very I don't know. The plot and the fairytale world was good enough, but the whole story was quite bland. Not to mention that the [...]

I read this book before I let my eight year old daughter take it on. What a lovely surprise this turned out to be. This middle-grade book was a delight to read as it incorporates many of our favourite childhood fairy tales into the overall story arc. Definitely a recommended read!

The synopsis of this book showed such a fun, interesting idea, and the artwork is done by one of my favorite book artists. I began reading it to see if my daughter would enjoy it, because she gets easily bored with books. I'll not be recommending it to her. Too bad the artist can't write, too. This is obviously a first time writer, and I wonder if he was published so quickly and easily because he's on TV. I dunno. There was too much going on without much consequence. It was supposedly a dangerou [...]

Os Gémeos da FantasiaAlex é uma jovem solitária, "demasiado esperta para seu próprio bem".Connor é sarcástico, dissonante, rebeldeDois Gémeos sem mundo, descobrem o Mundo em Terras de Fantasia!Não é esse o poder encantador das estórias?! Mergulham-nos em mundos não nossos, onde nos encontramos e perdemos deliciosamente!!!“There is this idea that you either read to escape or you read to find yourself.”I believe that both things happen ;)A leitura é um voo exterior, rumo à verdade [...]

I wanted to read this book and like it, but I just couldn't finish it. I barely got to the start of Alex's and Conner's adventure, but there were so many things that annoyed me in this book. The way the book talked about fairy tales made me want to grind my teeth. The emphasis on "all fairy tales have a moral and there is only one correct interpretation" really was what made me give up on this book. It indicates a real lack of research or general knowledge about either fairy tales or literary an [...]

The Land of Stories book one follows two twins, Alex and Connor Bailey, who one day after hearing so much about a world full of fairytales, end up in that world. I really enjoyed this! It took me a very long time to read. For some reason, despite reading quickly and the story going by smoothly, every time I looked at my page numbers I felt like I had only read 10 pages. I think that's because so much happens in these pages and none of the events themselves were particularly long, so it went by " [...]

Writing felt annoyingly clunky, and not in a juvenile way (though I did think the writing explained EVERY LITTLE THING. I am not stupid here!)--in a messy way. I listened to the audiobook, and I am surprised Chris Colfer didn't feel the urge to clean his weird sentences. The dialogue felt too rigid, and all those he said, she saids annoyed me (maybe more because it was an audiobook, complete with voice actors?) I have a feeling Colfer made Alex and Connor twins just so he could refer to them as [...]

“It doesn’t matter how greatly you’ve been hurt or how much you’re hurting, it’s what you do with the pain that counts. You could cry for years, and rightfully so, or you could choose to learn and grow from it. Take it from me: I spent years hiding in a hole, afraid to come out because of what people would think of me. But one day I decided to leave, and I ended up saving lives!”"The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell" is the most incredible book I've read since "The Never-ending Sto [...]

I can see why many wonder about it being another celebrity using a ghost writer but Chris Colfer has been into writting for far longer than you think. While not professionally, and it's fun because he didn't do professional acting before Glee and a short movie and ressulted excelent on it, he's done work adapting musicals and being on the writers club at his school. While that is cute and all, there's then that he's done the scriptwritting for Struck By Lightning, a movie which he stars and prod [...]

So, was that ending exactly like the Narnia ending or what?A part of me thinks I would've enjoyed the book more if I was a bit younger. The other part of me is saying "uhm Therese you read a lot of children books, and you don't have any problems with them." So who knows? Maybe I would've liked it more if I was 10. Maybe not.The good parts:* There were some really good and funny quotes.The bad parts:* The teacher at the start made me really, really angry. She was just extremely pretentious, and w [...]

If I had only one word for this book it would be "boring." There are problems with this book at every level. I bought it because I like Chris Colfer and was interested to see what he wrote like. He sings way better than he writes.However, all the problems I have with this book are age-related. He writes like a teenager. His diction is painful, problems are CONSTANTLY being solved through happy coincidences, the tension is poorly handled (basically non-existent), there are italics and ellipses ev [...]

Reseña completa en el blog: La cueva de Danny.No importa cuánto te han herido o cuánto estás sufriendo, lo que verdaderamente importa es lo que haces con el dolor. Podrías llorar por años y con razón, o podrías elegir aprender de él y crecer.¡Me ha encantado! El libro es bastante entretenido y rápido de leer, con muchas aventuras, cuentos de hadas, grandes personajes, un mundo maravilloso, me sorprendió en varias partes y fue más de lo que esperaba, la verdad, próximamente reseña [...]

Una historia muy bonita y entretenida♥VIDEO RESEÑA (sin spoilers) + CONCURSO PARA GANAR EL LIBRO (arg): youtu/9QIdAaU1bn0

Being a fan of Glee and generally supportive of all the cast (and being a huge fan of children's fantasy novels) I decided to read this book.I found the writing to be of extremely poor quality for several reasons.1) The sentences were far too simplistic, even for a children's bookFor example he uses "Connor said" or "Alex said" every single time they speak. 2) As someone else mentioned, Colfer simply tells the reader what is happening rather than showing us, as the writing completely lacks imagi [...]

Absolutely and totally loved reading this!

Before I review this book, I must tell you that the author, Chris Colfer, is one of my favorite actors, but as I read this book I put that out of my mind to judge him as a novelist only. I have attempted to review this book as fairly and impartially as I do all the novels I read.There is no question that this story is entertaining. The number of times I laughed out loud, teared up, and let my imagination run wild with theories cannot be counted. Colfer is, as he’s said in his own words, a cons [...]

I really tried to like this book. I just couldn't do it. The dialogue and narrative is stilted, and the descriptions are just weird sometimes. (I'm still trying to figure out how metal chains "rustle".) Despite all this, I might have liked the book if the characters were even remotely likable or realistic. They weren't. Every character was so fake. I couldn't make it past chapter three. I tried. I really did, but this book just had too many fundamental problems.

I can't believe that they have a page for this book. it's not coming out till next year. when it comes out I'm so buying this book. It's great that Chris Colfer is expanding his horizion with Glee, making a movie, making a pilot for Disney and writing 2 books. My bb is going far

Originally reviewed on Books Take You Places.Alex and Conner are doing their best to get by. Having recently lost their father to an accident, the twins live with their overworked mother in a small rental home and rely on one another for comfort. Alex is an overachiever, the teacher’s pet and the logical one of the two, whereas Conner is the comedian, and the more impulsive twin. Both children hold memories of their father close and look upon his stories when they need comfort. On their twelft [...]

“A villain is just a victim whose story hasn’t been told.” This one breaks my heart, I was sure this would be a higher rating. The Wishing Spelltook me forever to finish, I really pushed on it. I probably should have given up after awhile but I was trying so hard to convince myself that I liked this book. Why would I do that? Mostly because this book should have won me over so easily. It had all my favorite elements: middle-grade adventure, fairytale-retelling and lots of fun recognizable [...]

Initial Excitement:I freaking love Chris Colfer, so excited for this!My Review:The Land of Stories was a delightful tale for anyone who ever enjoyed any fairy tale whatsoever. Even when our favorite tales ended, they were still continuing in this world. For example, Cinderella is pregnant and the Evil Queen is in Snow White's dungeon. Alex and Conner were realistic children who had to track down some impossible items, and reading about their journey was really fun.First off, this book is gorgeou [...]

This was just as much fun as I remembered. I can't wait to finally dive into the sequels. Perfect for fans of the TV show ONCE UPON A TIME.

IT'S SO INCREDIBLY GOOD WHERE IS THE NEXT ONE!?

REVIEW ALSO ON: bibliomantics/2012/06/29/mThe Land of Stories revolves around two twins obsessed with fairy tales. There’s brainy Alex who loves to learn, and the Bart to her Lisa, her brother Conner. Conner is one of the few likeable characters, with a great sense of humor. This is slightly ruined when Colfer makes sure to tell us Conner is funny without meaning to be. When things in their life are at their lowest (their father recently died and their birthday looks like it will be a meager o [...]

*4,5*Ahhhh. Neskutočne milá kniha, nevinná, ale zato má v sebe množstvo krásnych myšlienok a celkovo má príbeh jedno dôležité a krásne posolstvo. Keď som sa dopočul, že Colfer bude vydávať knihu, myslel som si, že to bude presne tá kniha od nejakej celebrity, ktorú ani dotyčná osoba vskutku nenapísala, proste len aby boli money. No (to by som nebol ja) Chrisa som si preklepol vďaka rôznym rozhovorom, a tento chlapík má príbehy a písanie už dlho v srdci a sú to jeh [...]