Fairest by Chanda Hahn

Synopsis:
In the sequel to UnEnchanted, Mina Grime discovers that all is not fair when it comes to the Fae and their tales, especially when they don’t all play by the rules. Barely surviving the Story’s first fairy tale quest, Mina still has hundreds to go before she can end the curse on her family. But a new player arises to challenge Mina while new rules revamp the game she has just barely begun to understand.
All the while, people are mysteriously disappearing, including Jared, whom Mina must finally determine to be friend or foe. And with the loss of her greatest weapon, Mina must try to outwit a deadly hunter. Can Mina survive the most difficult quest yet while protecting those she loves from falling victim to one of the lethal tales of all? Or will she become a pawn when she strikes a bargain with the Queen of Fae?

Review:

Hmm, I think I liked the first book a bit more, but I still enjoyed this one. I think the ending bumped it up a star for me though. It’s been about a month since the last book ended and Mina has completed a few more stories and has built up some confidence. While I like Mina, I got frustrated with her a bit in this one, but at the same time I liked that her “role” in the story wasn’t what she expected. The romance was pretty lacking in this one. I’m not sure who were supposed to be rooting for and admit I was disappointed with Brody’s story. I wonder how all that will work out? I do like that the “love-triangle” (which I use the term lightly) is a bit more unique from most. Both guys were actually absent quite a bit of the story and I missed them. I like both Brody and Jared, although I’m still rooting for a certain one of them to be Mina’s prince charming. While Mina did drive me nuts a couple times, I did like the growth she went through towards the end. I think she is learning from her mistakes and to be careful what she wishes for.

There were some interesting revelations at the end and I look forward to seeing where the story will go. There wasn’t as many POV jumps this time around. I actually kind of missed hearing from Brody and even Jared. I wonder how many books will be in the series, it doesn’t seem like things can get wrapped up in just one more book. I like the story though and wouldn’t mind if it was a bit longer series.

Overall, a good installment. If you liked the first book then I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one as well.

Content: Clean. A bit of fairy tale violence.

Reading Order:

Book One: Unenchanted

Book Two: Fairest

Book Three: TBA

UnEnchanted by Chanda Hahn

Synopsis:
Mina Grime is unlucky, unpopular and uncoordinated, that is until she saves her crushes life on a field trip, changing her High School status from loser to hero overnight. But with her new found fame brings misfortune in the form of an old family curse come to light. For Mina is descended from the Brothers Grimm and has inherited all of their unfinished fairy tale business. Which includes trying to outwit a powerful Story from making her it's next fairytale victim. To break the fairy tale curse on her family and make these deadly occurrences stop, Mina must finish the tales until the very Grimm end.

Review:
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. I had seen a few good reviews and it was free for my Kindle so I thought I’d give it a try. I love fairy tales and thought it was fun to see how they were interwoven into this story. Mina was a likable heroine. She was special, but didn’t know it yet. Her mom to try and protect her had tried to encourage her to NOT stand out. Mina always thought she was a klutz and didn’t mind not being noticed. Then one day on a field trip she saved the hottest guy in school, Brody, from falling over a railing. By saving Brody she sets forth a chain of events that literally changes her life. It turns out that Mina is related to the Brothers Grimm, and the fairy tales from their stories are real. Mina has to live each of the fairy tales and complete the stories in order to break a curse on her family.

I liked the side characters, Nan, Brody, Jared and little Charlie. I think there is a lot more going on with Nan that what we’re given and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with her in future books. I liked Brody, a lot. At times it did feel that he talked and acted a lot older than sixteen, but he was still really likable. I was surprised by how his story played out. Jared was interesting. I wasn’t sure if there was supposed to be a love-triangle and I’m not sure which side Jared is on. I’m curious to see what happens with him in future books. I think I’m still on Team Brody though, even though I don’t know what will happen with him now.

I thought the book was well written; I got sucked in and thought it flowed well. I admit, some of the POV changes were a little choppy. We’d be in Mina’s head and then suddenly in Brody’s, for like a paragraph, and then back in Mina’s. I think the transitions could have been a little better. I actually, for once, did like hearing things from Brody, Nan and Jared’s POV.

Overall, if you like fairy tales you’ll enjoy this one. I think it will be a fun series and I look forward to reading more. I liked the cover and I also liked that it was clean!

Content: Clean. A bit of fairy tale violence.

Reading Order:

Book One: Unenchanted

Book Two: Fairest