Gr 3--6--Filomena, Jack, Alistair, Beatrice, Byron Bessley, and Gretel have a whole new set of trials before them. Heading for Snow Country to save Never After from the fate of the ogres and King Richard, the group of six knows it's a race against time before the kingdom is lost to evil. Not only is Never After threatened, but so is Filomena's adoptive mother's health in Pasadena. After being sidetracked by the wily Robin Hood, the team arrives at Princess Jeanne's castle where they learn her crown has been stolen and she can't be crowned. To add to that, the evil Queen Olga is at it again, turning Prince Charming into a frog and even crossing into the mortal world. On the search for the League of Seven, who can save the kingdom, Filomena and her friends make an unlikely discovery. VERDICT An engaging third book to the "Never After" series; de la Cruz is sure to delight fans of this fractured fairy tale.

Filomena and her friends' latest quest gets derailed by Robin Hood and his thievery. Filomena Jefferson-Cho and her three best friends, Jack the Giant Stalker, Alistair, and Gretel, are on their way to Snow Country to offer their aid in finding a lost fairy. Their quest gets derailed when Robin Hood steals their belongings. Princess Jeanne of Northphalia enlists their help in retrieving the crown he stole from her as well. After rescuing Lord Sharif of Nottingham from Robin Hood, they discover that King Richard the Lionhearted is trying to steal the throne from the princess--and he needs the crown to make it official. Things get worse: In Eastphalia, Prince Charlie has turned into a frog, and even true love's kiss won't undo the curse. Meanwhile, back in the mortal world, Filomena's adoptive mother has come down with a mysterious illness, and Filomena must return to her. Along the way, new friends join the quartet, and together they attempt to find the League of Seven who can save them all. This third series installment offers more action-filled heroic quests centering realistically drawn tween characters. Alongside the magical fun there is emotional depth as Filomena and Jack struggle with acting courageously and also allowing themselves to share their true feelings of fear, loneliness, and helplessness. The world of Never After is full of ethnically and racially diverse characters. Another absorbing fairy-tale adventure. (Fantasy. 10-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.