Here is the summary of the book:
When Agatha secretly wishes she’d chosen a different happy ending, she reopens the gates to the School for Good and Evil. But the world she and Sophie once knew has changed.
Witches and princesses, warlocks and princes are no longer enemies. New bonds are forming; old bonds are being shattered. But underneath this uneasy arrangement, a war is brewing and a dangerous enemy rises. As Agatha and Sophie battle to restore peace, an unexpected threat could destroy everything, and everyone, they love—and this time, it comes from within.
Soman Chainani has created a spectacular world that Newbery Medal-winning author Ann M. Martin calls, “a fairy tale like no other, complete with romance, magic, and humor that will keep you turning pages until the end.”
Choices made and consequences wrought. At the end of 'The School for Good & Evil' first book, we see Agatha choose Sophie instead of Tedros, to save her best friend's life and wen back to Gavaldon. But Happily Ever After lasts only when you actually mean it and Agatha doubts she chose the right one. When your best friend tries to kill you, that leaves a bitter after taste thus in a moment of weakness she wishes for her Prince depositing them back to the school but thins are different now. Instead of 'A school for Good & Evil', it now spells 'A School for Boys & Girls'.
A choice, a single spark blazes the path to unexpected beginnings. Who needs a Prince when you have a powerful witch friend by your side or vice versa. A tense arrangement at best. For the girls, the subjects go from Debeautification, Princeless Power, History of Heroines and for the boys every battle training they would need for the brewing war. A recipe for disaster as an old evil hides in the shadows waiting for the moment to stake its claim. Agatha & Sophie's friendship is tested. The motives, the means and their resulting actions are intricately woven throughout this tale. Their actions may vary but their motives are same. Both want to be accepted and loved and cared for.
Sophie was pretty much he same as was in the first book but the selfish and narrow-minded side rears its head more than others. It is attention she craves and most of all as I already stated not to be alone. As long as Agatha is at her side but its this wish that sends it all spiraling again. In her misguided sense of love, she does questionable things again. Desperation has always clouded her mind and you just can't help seeing her complexity shine through these moments. Fairytales today stress on this one fact the most - 'Villains are not born, they are made' and I very much appreciate Chainani for incorporating this element throughout this series.
Agatha on the other felt in denial. Her choice - Sophie or Tedros. These oscillating feelings made her doubt herself brought her down a few notches. The rebellious sarcasm, the wit and intelligence she had in leaps and bounds in the first time felt sorely lacking this time. Always turning a blind eye to Sophie's faults just so she could keep a lid on her feelings for Tedros.
Now Tedros Pendragon on the other hand had the most character degradation. Resorting to letting his rage and his sword do the talking he felt truly pathetic. Prone to being easily manipulated, he felt kind of pathetic without Agatha by his side and not all that resolute and charismatic Prince he was in the first book. In a way he reminded me of Bradley James' portrayal on the BBC show 'Merlin', prone to self-pity and indecision during the time when something went bad. Tedros is given more ground and somehow we can't help but sympathize with where he is coming from.
Looking at the scenes as they play, 'A World Without Princes' is not all that different from the first book. But Kudos to Soman Chainani for presenting his characters in similar but such different styles. Despite propensities of the needful, the author has created an exotic and stratifying-ly elegant sequel. Coupled with its many diverse character developments and a much darker tone, 'A World Without Princes' keeps us tight and on tenterhooks till the end. Definitely looking forward to what 'Last Ever After' has instore for us.
"An epic intrinsically magical and exponentially breathless sequel"
Genre : Young Adult, Fantasy, Fairytale Retellings, Paranormal
Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: 15th April, 2014
My Copy: bought (paperback)
Rate: 5/5 (It was Amazing)
Other Books in the Series(review links):
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository
Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: 15th April, 2014
My Copy: bought (paperback)
Rate: 5/5 (It was Amazing)
Other Books in the Series(review links):
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository
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