Reading Metrics
Description
An anxious prince, his restless cousin, and a graduate of Wizard School all follow a folktale to a remote castle buried in thorns and briars, where they find one princess and three princes bound in eternal sleep.
Quick Summary
Never After drops readers into a twisted fairy-tale adventure where an anxious prince, his restless cousin, and a graduate of Wizard School chase a legend to a castle hidden behind thorns, only to discover a princess and three princes trapped in a centuries-old sleep. The story mixes laugh-out-loud moments with genuine tension, making it a good pick for kids who like a mix of humor and mild suspense. Each character brings a distinct voice the nervous prince worries about everything, the cousin can't sit still, and the wizard-trained heroine solves problems with clever spells so readers get a lively ensemble that feels fresh. Parents will appreciate that the scary parts are balanced by friendship and problem-solving, and there are subtle lessons about dealing with anxiety and trusting yourself. If your kid loves stories like The Land of Stories or The School for Good and Evil, they'll find the same blend of magical mayhem and heart here. At about 70,000 words, it's a solid middle-grade read that can keep a reluctant reader turning pages without feeling overwhelming.