I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A World Without Princes by Soman Chainani Narrator: Polly Lee
Length: 13 Hours 3 Minutes
Series: The School For Good And Evil #2
Published by HarperCollins Publishers Limited on 2014-04-01
Genres: Humorous Stories, Young Adult
Pages: 272
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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In the epic sequel to the New York Times bestselling novel, The School for Good and Evil, Sophie and Agatha are home, living out their Ever After. But life isn’t quite the fairy tale they expected.
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.”
Why Did I Listen To This Book?
I was so impressed with The School For Good And Evil by Soman Chainani, that I was kind of over the moon when I heard there would be a sequel. I seriously could not wait to listen to World Without Princes. I had such a pleasant experience listening to the first book that I figured it would carry over into the second book in the series. When I was offered a chance at a audiobook review copy, I immediately took it. Unfortunately, I did not love World Without Princes in the way that I wanted to. I feel like the magic I once experienced reading about Agatha and Sophie is gone.
What’s The Story Here?
World Without Princes picks up where The School For Good And Evil leaves off. Agatha and Sophie are back home and dealing with fame from returning from the school and essentially being the heroes of their own story. However, Agatha is feeling melancholy. She wonders if she made the right choice in choosing Sophie over Prince Tedros. And so, she makes this wish that she had picked Tedros and both Agatha and Sophie end up back at the School For Good And Evil. There, everything is so different from how they left it. Instead of being divided into lines along good and evil, it is divided by gender. It’s this divison that makes the story feel less original. It makes it feel like one of those stories that is played out. I don’t know, I guess I am so tired of books that pit male against female that I just couldn’t get into this.So now, with the new division, the choice is on Agatha again between choosing Tedros or Sophie and setting the school back to rights.
How Did I Ultimately Feel About This Book?
It has been a few months since I’ve read A World Without Princes by Soman Chainani which does make writing this audiobook review a bit harder. What I remember is liking the pacing of the book. I liked being able to see what Agatha and Sophie were up to. I liked returning to the school’s world. However, I did not love the new division of the school. I don’t like when books take on gender battles, girls vs. boys which one is better because it feels like it just reinforces sexism. I didn’t like the implication that Agatha’s life would be way better if she had a boy in it. I didn’t like how there were moments where she seemed willing to throw Sophie over for Tedros. Like, I get that this is fiction and that maybe I am taking it too seriously, but I can’t help it. I can’t help but take my disappointment in this book personally. I mean, okay don’t get me twisted, I did not hate the book.I just, I wanted that feeling of OMG THIS IS AMAZING recreated from the first book. That didn’t happen and I guess at this point, while I am not thinking this is the worst book ever, I kind of want to pretend the series ends with the first book and that it’s all wrapped up and good.
How Is The Narration?
As always, Polly Lee is a flawless narrator and I have zero complaints about her. She’s got the perfect voice for this sort of story and you can’t help but fall into her fairytale rhythms. If anything, read this book via audio. That’s the best way to get the immersive experience, I think.
Sum It Up With A GIF:
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Oh man, I don’t know if I can read another book where Agatha and Sophie are obsessing over Tedros. I find that really obnoxious. That was the one thing that I didn’t love about the first book (although I did like the first one) so I think I’m going to pass on this. Sorry this was a bit of a let down after loving the first book so much.
Agreed! I liked the first book well enough, but I seriously struggled with this one. There were redeeming moments, but on the whole I felt really let down by Sophie and Agatha.