A World Without Princes by Soman Chainani

We're back at the School for Good and Evil. Except now it's the School for Girls and Boys? Well, the disappointment I felt at the end of the first novel managed to become the glaring theme for the entire second novel. Bah. I skimmed rapidly through most chapters seeking a redeeming moment because my interest was quickly waning for this series. Fortunately, I found it in the last couple chapters. 

Sophie and Agatha have been living their best happily ever after back in their hometown of Gavaldon after outwitting a horrifying School Master. They are idols with statues made in their honor. There are lines for autographs and storytelling. Or so they both think. But really the true wishes of the heart can't be outwitted. 

Both girl makes a wish deep down inside, and they are instantly sucked back into the world of fairy tales. Except this go around it has been remade based on their choice for friendship over true love. Now the school is divided between boys and girls with a Dean that will do anything to prove that true love is for failures. She teaches Evergirls don't need to rely on princes, and Nevergirls don't have to be judged. The school is a place where girls can finally be their true selves. Everyone should be over the moon.

While Sophie is certainly in love with the renewed idol status and special treatment from the Dean, Agatha doesn't want fame. She just wants a prince. Trust is broken repeatedly by everyone at every turn of the page. Then, we have a rehash of Sophie's internal struggle to stay good in the face of everyone's mistrust. I really dislike love triangles.

And then we have Tedros. Man, has he been shortchanged on character development. I mean, seriously. I will actually include all the boys in this statement. The treatment of the boys and their school is just cringe. 

Here's the great potential of this novel: the kids are growing up, maturing from friendships to romances. A fact that every person encounters in their development. Friendships are starting to feel the strain of hormonal urges. Awkward. Always awkward. What was a complete bust for this novel, however, was the way in which the maturing process was treated. Big fat F on that grading.

But somehow I got suckered into reading the third book with that ending. The ending actually made sense. And I really want to know what happens next. Kudos on the turnaround there.