It’s not very often that I like a sequel better than the original. But that was the case with a pair of Janette Rallison’s YA books. I liked the 2012 My Unfair Godmother (my review) better than My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison, (2009, 311 pages). I just found My Unfair Godmother to be funnier and more entertaining. Maybe they’re equally good, and it’s me that has changed, in the time between reading them.

Summary from Goodreads:

After her boyfriend dumps her for her older sister, sophomore Savannah Delano wishes she could find a true prince to take her to the prom. Enter Chrissy (Chrysanthemum) Everstar: Savannah’s gum-chewing, cell phone–carrying, high heel-wearing Fair Godmother. Showing why she’s only Fair—because she’s not a very good fairy student—Chrissy mistakenly sends Savannah back in time to the Middle Ages, first as Cinderella, then as Snow White. Finally she sends Tristan, a boy in Savannah’s class, back instead to turn him into her prom-worthy prince. When Savannah returns to the Middle Ages to save Tristan, they must team up to defeat a troll, a dragon, and the mysterious and undeniably sexy Black Knight. Laughs abound in this clever fairy tale twist from a master of romantic comedy.

Both My Fair Godmother, and My Unfair Godmother are examples of “fractured fairytales” This was a term I discovered in writing this review. I was never a huge fan of fairytales. But fractured fairytales, which are parodies of fairy tales, or familiar fairy tales with a twist, are really fun. My favorite part of My Fair Godmother is when Savannah is sent back in time to become Snow White. The poor dwarfs have to cope with this pretty young woman who means well but has very little upstairs. The dwarfs basically have to protect her from herself. It was also great when Savannah became Cinderella. I loved how the author re-imagined the evil stepsisters. The author has made me want to read other fractured fairytale novels that are popular now.

Often in folktales when someone is allowed three wishes, the wisher makes a mistake. However  in this book, it is a fairy godmother who is not very good at her job who messes things up, a fresh take on the wishing scenario. As usual when reading a time travel story, I enjoyed finding out how the main character figured things out when plunged into a different era.

I didn’t go searching for meaning in a book that is meant to be a light, fun read. Nonetheless, although I was amused by the story at the beginning, this book wasn’t fun or entertaining enough to make me want to keep reading the whole thing. I found myself wishing I was finished with it already.

For a bunch of great middle grade book reviews, check out the Marvelous Middle Grade Monday feature on Shannon Messenger’s Blog.