Review Of Sorcery and Snow (The Ever Afters #3) by Shelby Bach

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published June 24th 2014 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

From Goodreads:  "Rory might be starring in her own fairy tale, but there’s more danger than happily-ever-after in this third book in a series that Kirkus Reviews calls a “fast-paced combination of middle school realism and fairy-tale fantasy.”

Life at Ever After School has become familiar for Rory. She’s been on two quests, she’s a great sword fighter, and she has terrific friends. But familiar is no fairy tale, and she’s still anxiously awaiting the chance to star in her own.

But as her connection to the Snow Queen continues to grow, Rory realizes her starring role might well be underway. When the Snow Queen sends the Pied Piper to kidnap several children, including the sibling of a fellow EAS-er, the teachers think this mission is too dangerous and won’t send any kids. But Rory, Chase, and Lena are determined to help, and it’s not long before they find themselves in more trouble than they can handle. Because it wouldn’t be Ever After School if things worked out according to plan..."

Ever since reading Of Giants and Ice, The Ever Afters series has been one of my favorites.  Why you ask? Well, it speaks to the middle grade reader in me. Bach has a unique ability to tap into those middle grade emotions and feelings that I had way back in sixth through eighth grade. I've said it before, but Bach really knows her middle grade reader.  I also love how she takes all the fairy tales and characters that I loved reading about as a kid then changes things up and creates new heartfelt tales for them.  And the characters, man I love the characters.  Especially  Rory, Chase and Lena, such steadfast friends who have grown so much over the last couple of books.  I've really become vested in these characters who experience both pain and wonderful moments together during Of Sorcery and Snow.  Plus there are crushes and relationships developing that are so adorable to watch.  I've found my favorite of the series thus far.    

Okay, the next part will contain some spoilers, so if you haven't read Of Sorcery and Snow....don't read this.  Go back and read the series first.  

Rory has been keeping her secret from her parents for so long, I was glad to see that she finally came clean, although circumstances kinda dictated it. How her revelation will affect the story wont be addressed until the next in the series.  I was excited that Rory's father's new wife is going to have a baby and the parallels to The Snow Queen were interesting and can go in so many different directions.  

As I was reading, I wondered why Chase was pushing Rory so hard about her fighting style.  Then when she killed a wolf to protect Lena, my heart ached for her.  It then became clear that Chase wanted to make sure that nothing would happen to Rory and that she could protect herself, even if she was cornered and had no other choice but to kill.  I loved how Chase came to realize his feelings for Rory first.  How he tried to hint at it with Rory, and her lack of awareness about the whole thing while still having her own budding feelings starting to develop.  It was so sweet and I hope we will see more of it during the next book.   I think Chase is by far my favorite character, I adore his humor and when he declared that Rory was the most brave, he won me over.  Then when he wanted to know how his brother died, well he showed his sensitive side too.  Of Sorcery and Snow seemed to age with the characters, there was more perils and death but not in a scary sort of way.  

One of my favorite things about this book were how the tales of The Pied Piper, the Snow Queen and The White Snake intermingled, Bach is very good at keeping track of her tales and ensuring that they all have some form of resolution.  Yet, it is also Rory's Unwritten Tale that fascinated me the most because it is the one that is yet to be told.    

Favorite line "Once upon a time, there was a girl named Rory Landon.  Though she did not know it, the fate of magic would fall into her hands during the month she turned fourteen.  With it, she would meet winter, death, and despair."  Man, I really need book four now!   

My review copy was purchased.