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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
omg omg I legit just read this in like 3 days!!! I loved this book and cant wait to tell you all what I thought about it! check out my youtube and blog for my review! so far...best 2015 book!!
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youtube- youtube.com/users/kwells7788
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youtube- youtube.com/users/kwells7788
I decided to read this book because I loved all of the Descendants movies. I listened to the audiobook for this book and whoever choose the narrator for this book did a phenomenal job. The voice was exactly what I would expect Mal to sound like. The book did a good job of setting up the groundwork for the friendship between all of the characters. I’m excited to read the next book.
Spoiler
I found the parts from Ben’s perspective a little random because nothing really came from them but I think that it will be further explored in the next book.
The very first thing I want to say about this book is that it’s a middle-grade book. If you go into this thinking you’re going to be reading a YA novel, you’ll probably find yourself disappointed. I, for one, and not the biggest fan of middle-grade reads, but I actually really enjoyed this. It reads more like middle-grade than it does young adult, but it doesn’t read so low on the middle-grade scale that you feel like you’re almost reading a children’s book.
If you like middle-grade reads and you’re a fan of Disney (I’m a hardcore fan of Disney, which is what really made this an awesome book for me), then I say pick this book up and have at it, don’t bother with the rest of the review until you’ve finished it off. If you’re still iffy, or if you’ve already read it and want to see what I have to say, then continue on reading.
The book features five points-of-view to read from: Mal, daughter of Maleficent, who is the main character of this particular book; Carlos, son of Cruella de Ville; Evie, daughter of the Evil Queen from Snow White; Jay, son of Jafar; and Ben, son of Queen Belle and King Beast, who was only present in a few chapters due to this book mostly being about the evil descendants and not the good ones. Through their eyes, you get to see what the world has become after the movies have ended, both from the Isle of the Lost, where the villains are trapped under a dome that cancels out magic, and from the Kingdom of Auradon, where all the good guys now reside, and magic is not allowed (thanks Fairy Godmother).
I thought the worlds were fantastic, though I didn’t get to hear as much about Auradon as I would have liked. The areas where the villains lived and the way the kids lived their lives were interesting and very fairytale-like, and definitely reminded me of the tone Disney likes to follow when going for things that would appeal to today’s young teens and pre-teens. I think de la Cruz did a really good job creating the world and the characters in her own way. When the four of them go hunting for the scepter, I devoured the riddles they solved and the risks they took, and I definitely felt for them when they had to answer riddles with answers they did not want to be true. Carlos in particular pulled my heartstrings, with him having to state that his mother loved her furs more than she loved her own son, but that also really solidified the fact that these children came from parents of evil, so I applaud the action, even if I felt terrible for Carlos.
What was really cool for me was seeing the ways the villains had aged. Evil Queen had cracked a little, Cruella had cracked even more, Jafar had a gut. A gut! That slim as hell guy had packed it on, and I cracked up at the mental image when it was described in the book. I loved hearing how the villains from my favorite moves had aged and I hope there’s more of that to come. I also want to see how the people of Auradon aged, too, and we only got a glimpse of that when we were with Ben. More please!
One of the things that kind of irked me about it, however, was the fact King Beast was, well, King Beast. I understand why he was called King Beast since that’s what he was referred to throughout the entirety of Beauty and the Beast, and that his name is never actually mentioned in the actual movie, but isn’t Beast’s name actually Adam? I thought it would have been cool to put that in as a little tidbit of trivia for those reading. But I do understand why it wasn’t.
What I would really like to see more of in the next book (and maybe in the movie?) is more from the points of view of the good-guy’s kids. It was interesting to see things from Ben’s side when we could, but I want to see more. I also want to see if Ariel’s canon daughter, Melody, is going to be featured at all in any of the books (assuming more are going to be published, since this is listed as the first book in a series) or in the movie. Also, and this is the shipper in me, I reeeeeally want to see who ends up with who! I think it’s pretty clear who Mal’s going to be going after, but Evie and Jay are another set that I’m keeping my eye on. I hope that’s not scrapped at all in whatever’s to come. I’d prefer not to just see Mal get together with someone while all the others are just… there. Even if they don’t get together, I just want some interaction. They’re teenagers, awkward half-romantic things happen! Anyway.
All in all, this was a really good book! It was entertaining and the world was interesting and the characters were snarky and cute and fun to follow. Again, if you like Disney and middle-grade books, I think you’ll really like this.
If you like middle-grade reads and you’re a fan of Disney (I’m a hardcore fan of Disney, which is what really made this an awesome book for me), then I say pick this book up and have at it, don’t bother with the rest of the review until you’ve finished it off. If you’re still iffy, or if you’ve already read it and want to see what I have to say, then continue on reading.
The book features five points-of-view to read from: Mal, daughter of Maleficent, who is the main character of this particular book; Carlos, son of Cruella de Ville; Evie, daughter of the Evil Queen from Snow White; Jay, son of Jafar; and Ben, son of Queen Belle and King Beast, who was only present in a few chapters due to this book mostly being about the evil descendants and not the good ones. Through their eyes, you get to see what the world has become after the movies have ended, both from the Isle of the Lost, where the villains are trapped under a dome that cancels out magic, and from the Kingdom of Auradon, where all the good guys now reside, and magic is not allowed (thanks Fairy Godmother).
I thought the worlds were fantastic, though I didn’t get to hear as much about Auradon as I would have liked. The areas where the villains lived and the way the kids lived their lives were interesting and very fairytale-like, and definitely reminded me of the tone Disney likes to follow when going for things that would appeal to today’s young teens and pre-teens. I think de la Cruz did a really good job creating the world and the characters in her own way. When the four of them go hunting for the scepter, I devoured the riddles they solved and the risks they took, and I definitely felt for them when they had to answer riddles with answers they did not want to be true. Carlos in particular pulled my heartstrings, with him having to state that his mother loved her furs more than she loved her own son, but that also really solidified the fact that these children came from parents of evil, so I applaud the action, even if I felt terrible for Carlos.
What was really cool for me was seeing the ways the villains had aged. Evil Queen had cracked a little, Cruella had cracked even more, Jafar had a gut. A gut! That slim as hell guy had packed it on, and I cracked up at the mental image when it was described in the book. I loved hearing how the villains from my favorite moves had aged and I hope there’s more of that to come. I also want to see how the people of Auradon aged, too, and we only got a glimpse of that when we were with Ben. More please!
One of the things that kind of irked me about it, however, was the fact King Beast was, well, King Beast. I understand why he was called King Beast since that’s what he was referred to throughout the entirety of Beauty and the Beast, and that his name is never actually mentioned in the actual movie, but isn’t Beast’s name actually Adam? I thought it would have been cool to put that in as a little tidbit of trivia for those reading. But I do understand why it wasn’t.
What I would really like to see more of in the next book (and maybe in the movie?) is more from the points of view of the good-guy’s kids. It was interesting to see things from Ben’s side when we could, but I want to see more. I also want to see if Ariel’s canon daughter, Melody, is going to be featured at all in any of the books (assuming more are going to be published, since this is listed as the first book in a series) or in the movie. Also, and this is the shipper in me, I reeeeeally want to see who ends up with who! I think it’s pretty clear who Mal’s going to be going after, but Evie and Jay are another set that I’m keeping my eye on. I hope that’s not scrapped at all in whatever’s to come. I’d prefer not to just see Mal get together with someone while all the others are just… there. Even if they don’t get together, I just want some interaction. They’re teenagers, awkward half-romantic things happen! Anyway.
All in all, this was a really good book! It was entertaining and the world was interesting and the characters were snarky and cute and fun to follow. Again, if you like Disney and middle-grade books, I think you’ll really like this.
Twenty years ago, all the evil villains were banished from the kingdom of Auradon and made to live in virtual imprisonment on the Isle of the Lost. The island is surrounded by a magical force field that keeps the villains and their descendants safely locked up and away from the mainland. Life on the island is dark and dreary. It is a dirty, decrepit place that's been left to rot and forgotten by the world.
But hidden in the mysterious Forbidden Fortress is a dragon's eye: the key to true darkness and the villains' only hope of escape. Only the cleverest, evilest, nastiest little villain can find it...who will it be?
Maleficent, Mistress of the Dark: As the self-proclaimed ruler of the isle, Maleficent has no tolerance for anything less than pure evil. She has little time for her subjects, who have still not mastered life without magic. Her only concern is getting off the Isle of the Lost.
Mal: At sixteen, Maleficent's daughter is the most talented student at Dragon Hall, best known for her evil schemes. And when she hears about the dragon's eye, Mal thinks this could be her chance to prove herself as the cruelest of them all.
Evie: Having been castle-schooled for years, Evil Queen's daughter, Evie, doesn't know the ins and outs of Dragon Hall. But she's a quick study, especially after she falls for one too many of Mal's little tricks.
Jay: As the son of Jafar, Jay is a boy of many talents: stealing and lying to name a few. Jay and Mal have been frenemies forever and he's not about to miss out on the hunt for the dragon's eye.
Carlos: Cruella de Vil's son may not be bravest, but he's certainly clever. Carlos's inventions may be the missing piece in locating the dragon's eye and ending the banishment for good.
Mal soon learns from her mother that the dragon's eye is cursed and whoever retrieves it will be knocked into a deep sleep for a thousand years. But Mal has a plan to capture it. She'll just need a little help from her "friends." In their quest for the dragon's eye, these kids begin to realize that just because you come from an evil family tree, being good ain't so bad.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Quick Reasons: the villains of Disney!; chuckle-inducing moments; interesting plot twists; a new, inspiring look into the lives the most loved (or hated?) Disney characters
Oh my goodness, where do I even start with this book?
Okay. So, confession time: I LOVE Disney movies. I grew up watching (and owning!) pretty much all the animated films on VHS...and have since collected, and expanded, them in my DVDs. This book is a brilliant glimpse into what happens AFTER "happily-ever-after"......specifically, to the most loved (hated?) villains of the Disney universe--and their descendants.
I went into this book unsure WHAT to expect, save some mischief, shenanigans, and evil-doings. And from page one, it appeared that's pretty much what we were going to get--the book starting off with the villains pissing off (rather unwisely) Maleficent, the island's queen.
But as the story progressed, a lot of other things started happening in rapid succession. Friendships and alliances began being formed with the descendants; rules started being dismissed (even more than they already were); in general, the children and grandchildren of the villains....began thinking for themselves.
I think what makes this book most fun was the fact that Melissa de la Cruz KNOWS her Disney movies. She introduces characters, plot lines, and story concepts from the original movies; keeps the big baddies to their already-decided personalities....and still gives them a sense of quirky individuality. Evil Queen, for instance, is still ALL ABOUT being the fairest of the land...but because magic is forbidden and her mirror no longer talks to her, she makes HERSELF the mirror (personality disorder, anyone?) Jafar is still all about treasure and gold and being king....but on an island of throw-aways and leftovers, his big schemes tend to fall on deaf ears. Besides, who would listen to a man in lamp pajamas anyway?
There are so many fun, light-hearted twists to the stories we all know so well, I found myself cackling (very loudly, at times, to the chagrin of my husband). The writing, while a little bit sloppy in places (there are some typos and repeated words that are pretty noticeable, and distracting), is entertaining. The characters--both the big baddies, their descendants, AND the citizens of Auradon on the other side of the lake (they make several appearances, as well, with their own unique and individual stories!)--are endearing, though still pretty villainous. They don't, after all, quite know how to do anything but live for themselves and loathe everything else. They aren't, to be honest, really sure how to even love their children.
But the thing I think I MOST enjoyed was the growth of our four main descendant characters--Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos. Starting out practically hating each other, the adventures and misdemeanors they find themselves committing to--the journey that, as usual, turns out to be just another disappointment to their parents--bands them all together and shows them that just because the rest of the family doesn't understand what it means to be happy, doesn't mean they have to live that way too.
This was an overall entertaining, heart-warming sort-of-retelling of the stories so many of us grew up cherishing; I definitely enjoyed this read!
But hidden in the mysterious Forbidden Fortress is a dragon's eye: the key to true darkness and the villains' only hope of escape. Only the cleverest, evilest, nastiest little villain can find it...who will it be?
Maleficent, Mistress of the Dark: As the self-proclaimed ruler of the isle, Maleficent has no tolerance for anything less than pure evil. She has little time for her subjects, who have still not mastered life without magic. Her only concern is getting off the Isle of the Lost.
Mal: At sixteen, Maleficent's daughter is the most talented student at Dragon Hall, best known for her evil schemes. And when she hears about the dragon's eye, Mal thinks this could be her chance to prove herself as the cruelest of them all.
Evie: Having been castle-schooled for years, Evil Queen's daughter, Evie, doesn't know the ins and outs of Dragon Hall. But she's a quick study, especially after she falls for one too many of Mal's little tricks.
Jay: As the son of Jafar, Jay is a boy of many talents: stealing and lying to name a few. Jay and Mal have been frenemies forever and he's not about to miss out on the hunt for the dragon's eye.
Carlos: Cruella de Vil's son may not be bravest, but he's certainly clever. Carlos's inventions may be the missing piece in locating the dragon's eye and ending the banishment for good.
Mal soon learns from her mother that the dragon's eye is cursed and whoever retrieves it will be knocked into a deep sleep for a thousand years. But Mal has a plan to capture it. She'll just need a little help from her "friends." In their quest for the dragon's eye, these kids begin to realize that just because you come from an evil family tree, being good ain't so bad.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Quick Reasons: the villains of Disney!; chuckle-inducing moments; interesting plot twists; a new, inspiring look into the lives the most loved (or hated?) Disney characters
Oh my goodness, where do I even start with this book?
Okay. So, confession time: I LOVE Disney movies. I grew up watching (and owning!) pretty much all the animated films on VHS...and have since collected, and expanded, them in my DVDs. This book is a brilliant glimpse into what happens AFTER "happily-ever-after"......specifically, to the most loved (hated?) villains of the Disney universe--and their descendants.
I went into this book unsure WHAT to expect, save some mischief, shenanigans, and evil-doings. And from page one, it appeared that's pretty much what we were going to get--the book starting off with the villains pissing off (rather unwisely) Maleficent, the island's queen.
But as the story progressed, a lot of other things started happening in rapid succession. Friendships and alliances began being formed with the descendants; rules started being dismissed (even more than they already were); in general, the children and grandchildren of the villains....began thinking for themselves.
I think what makes this book most fun was the fact that Melissa de la Cruz KNOWS her Disney movies. She introduces characters, plot lines, and story concepts from the original movies; keeps the big baddies to their already-decided personalities....and still gives them a sense of quirky individuality. Evil Queen, for instance, is still ALL ABOUT being the fairest of the land...but because magic is forbidden and her mirror no longer talks to her, she makes HERSELF the mirror (personality disorder, anyone?) Jafar is still all about treasure and gold and being king....but on an island of throw-aways and leftovers, his big schemes tend to fall on deaf ears. Besides, who would listen to a man in lamp pajamas anyway?
There are so many fun, light-hearted twists to the stories we all know so well, I found myself cackling (very loudly, at times, to the chagrin of my husband). The writing, while a little bit sloppy in places (there are some typos and repeated words that are pretty noticeable, and distracting), is entertaining. The characters--both the big baddies, their descendants, AND the citizens of Auradon on the other side of the lake (they make several appearances, as well, with their own unique and individual stories!)--are endearing, though still pretty villainous. They don't, after all, quite know how to do anything but live for themselves and loathe everything else. They aren't, to be honest, really sure how to even love their children.
But the thing I think I MOST enjoyed was the growth of our four main descendant characters--Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos. Starting out practically hating each other, the adventures and misdemeanors they find themselves committing to--the journey that, as usual, turns out to be just another disappointment to their parents--bands them all together and shows them that just because the rest of the family doesn't understand what it means to be happy, doesn't mean they have to live that way too.
This was an overall entertaining, heart-warming sort-of-retelling of the stories so many of us grew up cherishing; I definitely enjoyed this read!
well, I enjoyed this, after a hesitant start. Perhaps the most annoying aspect is the fact that it is a prequel to a TV show . . . that I will never watch. I like the characters in my head a lot better than those tweens (probably actually in their 20s, gods, I am old) playing them. Don't match at all.
So now . . . I am left with a story I want to follow that doesn't exist. Boooo
So now . . . I am left with a story I want to follow that doesn't exist. Boooo
While it was an okay book, I think I only liked it because I LOVED the movie that precedes it. This is one time where I favour the movie to the book. I get that this prequel follows the four kids that are followed in the movie and you get to see where they come from and how their parents are towards them before everything that happens in the movie, but something about this book felt lacking almost. I can't explain why I feel this way, it just didn't really sit as well as the movie did with me.
But I totally loved the movie and the move get 5/5 stars ;)
But I totally loved the movie and the move get 5/5 stars ;)
I am bias because I am a Disney fanatic. I love how this book tied together so many of the different characters and movies. In my opinion, the idea of bringing in their children is great. I'd love to see this turn into a series after the movie comes out.
I really enjoyed the twist on the Villain's children. It was very well written even if it is considered kids fiction. I even watched the Disney channel's movie The Descendants. This book was basically a prequel to it. If you enjoy fairy tale characters and people putting different spins on them then I suggest you give this book a chance.
4.2 Stars
I really enjoyed seeing the origin story of the villain kids. I felt like this helps the readers get to know each of them more. I enjoyed the writing style of the author and how each chapter was from one of the characters pov and not just Mal the whole way through. Great plot and would recommend if fantasy is your thing. No romance in this book, purely fantasy fiction.
I really enjoyed seeing the origin story of the villain kids. I felt like this helps the readers get to know each of them more. I enjoyed the writing style of the author and how each chapter was from one of the characters pov and not just Mal the whole way through. Great plot and would recommend if fantasy is your thing. No romance in this book, purely fantasy fiction.