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zapkode's review
5.0
{My Thoughts} – Abby and Jonah get to go on another exciting adventure in the fairy tale world within the pages of the book. Abby is upset in the beginning of the book because she finds out that she and her mother aren’t going to go on a trip they were suppose to go on to go and see her grandma. She even had her suitcase packed and everything and then she learned the trip wasn’t happening. In an attempt to figure out how to deal with the poor news she’d gotten her and Jonah go down to the basement with the suitcase she packed, they even add some extra things inside for Jonah and they visit the magic mirror. They hope against all odds that they have what they need with them to go on a trip through the mirror. It appears they did because they were able to travel to the Kingdom of Mustard and got to meet Lana the Little Mermaid.
It is up to Abby and Jonah to help Lana so that her story can become a happy ending, instead of a sad ending like the original tale had been. Abby and Jonah know all the original tales because their grandma had read them to them as they were growing up. I quite personally don’t think I could have been able to read such gruesome tales to my children, so in my house we stick with happy re-writes. My daughter seems to be the only one that is interested in them to say the least, but its an interest her and I both share.
I am really enjoying being able to bond with my daughter over these books, I am also enjoying reading about how things could have been instead of what they were. These stories as old as they are, will always be subject to rewrites. I haven’t read many rewrites that I haven’t been able to fall in love with, there are so many out there and most of them have the ability to capture my attention until the very end. I truly enjoy reading this series for that reason. I want to get to the end, I want to read all the happy ending rewrites, and I am totally in love with Jonah and Abby. They make such a wonderful character duo within the pages of these books, they each have such a unique personality but when you blend the two together in conversation it turns into something amazing.
If you want to know what happens in Lana’s story your going to need to read the book. I am going to be moving onto the next book within the series shortly.
It is up to Abby and Jonah to help Lana so that her story can become a happy ending, instead of a sad ending like the original tale had been. Abby and Jonah know all the original tales because their grandma had read them to them as they were growing up. I quite personally don’t think I could have been able to read such gruesome tales to my children, so in my house we stick with happy re-writes. My daughter seems to be the only one that is interested in them to say the least, but its an interest her and I both share.
I am really enjoying being able to bond with my daughter over these books, I am also enjoying reading about how things could have been instead of what they were. These stories as old as they are, will always be subject to rewrites. I haven’t read many rewrites that I haven’t been able to fall in love with, there are so many out there and most of them have the ability to capture my attention until the very end. I truly enjoy reading this series for that reason. I want to get to the end, I want to read all the happy ending rewrites, and I am totally in love with Jonah and Abby. They make such a wonderful character duo within the pages of these books, they each have such a unique personality but when you blend the two together in conversation it turns into something amazing.
If you want to know what happens in Lana’s story your going to need to read the book. I am going to be moving onto the next book within the series shortly.
rumaisairfan's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
camkitcat's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
rodneywilhite's review
5.0
Whatever After is my 6yr old's favorite series, and this is the book that sent us down the rabbit hole (well, not literally--that would be the Special Edition: Abby in Wonderland). We have read the first eleven books over the course of the year, and this one is her particular favorite. We've read it three times so far. I expect we'll read it a couple more.
It's not my favorite at all, though. It's a little sillier than some of the others (the kingdom's obsession with mustard just doesn't land for me, for instance). But it still has some great characters.
The prince in this one is just the cringiest f---face on the planet, and I was very happy. The whole trip undersea was wonderful. Recommended.
It's not my favorite at all, though. It's a little sillier than some of the others (the kingdom's obsession with mustard just doesn't land for me, for instance). But it still has some great characters.
The prince in this one is just the cringiest f---face on the planet, and I was very happy
Spoiler
when Lana ditched him at the altarkice7788's review
2.0
this was not one of the better ones in the series which really disappointed me because the little mermaid is my favorite tale!! I am still going to read the rest of the series but hoping the next one is better!
janeeyre_914716's review
5.0
How cute was this one! I actually liked this Little Mermaid twist and Abby and Jonah this time changing the actual story so that the little mermaid won't die compared to the depressing original Hans Christian Anderson version. For a kids story/twist this one was adorable and Jonah cracked me up even more. The narrator actually does a really good job on these stories and I enjoy her for kids books. As hard as they are to get on Libby right now because of so many holds and long waits, I'm so glad my library actually has these on CD so I can listen to them! They're short, quick reads and listen to (only 3+ hours, never 4 as far as I know) and if you're a mom looking for good fun books for your kids who love fairytales or for any books in general for your kids to read, these are it! This is another series I'd love to own someday for my own future kids alongside the
[b:I Survived Collection #1-18|53134899|I Survived Collection #1-18 (Pack of 18)|Lauren Tashis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1586659389l/53134899._SX50_.jpg|79866310] (I survived series)
[b:Goddess Girls The Glittering Collection (Charm Bracelet Inside): Athena the Wise; Aphrodite the Diva; Artemis the Loyal; Medusa the Mean|17416000|Goddess Girls The Glittering Collection (Charm Bracelet Inside) Athena the Wise; Aphrodite the Diva; Artemis the Loyal; Medusa the Mean|Joan Holub|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1367831064l/17416000._SX50_.jpg|24267951] (Goddess Girls) and
[b:Gustav Gloom and the People Taker|13576316|Gustav Gloom and the People Taker (Gustav Gloom, #1)|Adam-Troy Castro|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1333480556l/13576316._SX50_.jpg|19158802] (Gustav Gloom) series and I'm sure a few others I can't think of at the moment. But this Whatever After set I'd totally love hands down! They're adorable, well written, and fun reads.
sheepishreader's review
5.0
2022 Reread: Jonah is a whole mood. And while I have come to appreciate mustard on burgers, I am also team Ketchup.
sqeeker's review
4.0
- I have to admit these are becoming a little bit of a guilty pleasure for me.
- Abbey and Jonah are so much fun. Jonah really won the spotlight in this one. His fun loving nature just brings a smile to my face.
- My daughter is on an Ariel kick right now, and I think she'd love this book. I need to start reading middle grade to her. She is getting old enough.
- I can relate to Abbey on a few levels. It is werid to be able to relate to a 10 year old, but there you go. I used to be scared of water and swimming as well.
- I really like how these retellings are based on the original fairy tales and not Disney's versions. The Little Mermaid is not a happy story, and I love how that came into play.
- I really like how the mermaid took her life into her own hands. She made her own decisions in the end.
- Things are so much simpler in the eyes of child, and I love how the author used that.
- If you want a light, fluffly, and cute quick read, this series is for you!
- Abbey and Jonah are so much fun. Jonah really won the spotlight in this one. His fun loving nature just brings a smile to my face.
- My daughter is on an Ariel kick right now, and I think she'd love this book. I need to start reading middle grade to her. She is getting old enough.
- I can relate to Abbey on a few levels. It is werid to be able to relate to a 10 year old, but there you go. I used to be scared of water and swimming as well.
- I really like how these retellings are based on the original fairy tales and not Disney's versions. The Little Mermaid is not a happy story, and I love how that came into play.
- I really like how the mermaid took her life into her own hands. She made her own decisions in the end.
- Things are so much simpler in the eyes of child, and I love how the author used that.
- If you want a light, fluffly, and cute quick read, this series is for you!
chelse34's review
4.0
This was a really cute read for a 9-12 year old (but I'm kind of stuck in that childish phase). With this series, Abby and Jonah can jump into fairytales through a magic mirror. This time they jump into the Little Mermaid. They always seem to "accidentally" change up the story and create a different ending to the tale. Fun read and perfect for my sister Carly! (Although I may continue reading the series because they were short and fun).
teganbeesebooks's review
4.0
I really enjoyed that in this one instead of trying to fix the story to its normal ending, they were trying to change it to a different one! Full review to come.