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Whatever After — by Sarah Mlynowski
Whatever After Series in Order: 17 books
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Fairest of All
Book - 1
A fresh, modern spin on a classic fairy tale--from bestselling author Sarah Mlynowski! Mirror, mirror, on the basement wall . . . Once upon a time my brother and I were normal kids. The next minute? The mirror in our basement slurped us up and ...
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If the Shoe Fits
Book - 2
Once upon a time my brother and I found a magic mirror. Tonight the mirror swept us into Cinderella's fairy tale. Now, we are NOT messing this story up. No way. Cinderella is going to marry her prince just like she's supposed to. Uh-oh. Cin...
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Sink or Swim
Book - 3
Once again my brother and I are in hot water . . . We weren't planning to mess up the fairy tales. The first two times we did it by accident. But when our magic mirror pulls us into the story of the Little Mermaid, we have no choice but to try and...
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Bad Hair Day
Book - 5
In this magical fifth installment of the hit series, siblings Abby and Jonah fall into the fairy tale of Rapunzel . . . and hilarity ensues! Fractured fairy tales are all the rage, and this series has been a huge hit! This time, the magic mirror s...
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Cold as Ice
Book - 6
Even though my brother and I had decided to stay away from the magic mirror, our puppy had other plans -- he bounded right in. What choice did we have but to go in after him? When we land in a winter wonderland, we realize we must be in the stor...
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Beauty Queen
Book - 7
Ever since the magic mirror erased his memory, my brother, Jonah, doesn't believe that we really visit different fairy tales. So it's a relief when the mirror sucks us into a story -- and this time, it's Beauty and the Beast! Hoorah! Or, maybe no...
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Once Upon a Frog
Book - 8
My brother, Jonah, and I just want to TALK to the magic mirror -- we're not planning on traveling into any fairytales today. Promise. Except we do wind up going through the mirror, this time into the story of The Frog Prince. The princess, who's s...
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Genie in a Bottle
Book - 9
Be careful what you wish for... When my brother, Jonah, and I travel through our mirror into the story of Aladdin, we're excited. There will be magic lamps and genies granting wishes. Right? Wrong. The genie we meet isn't QUITE as helpful...
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Sugar and Spice
Book - 10
That's the way the cookie crumbles! Yum! Our magic mirror has dropped me and my brother, Jonah, into the story of Hansel and Gretel. If we're lucky, we may even get to taste the cake-house... But we didn't count on accidentally getting trapped....
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Two Peas in a Pod
Book - 11
I've landed -- along with my brother, Jonah, and our dog, Prince -- in the fairy tale of The Princess and the Pea! When I can't fall asleep on top of a hundred mattresses, the kingdom decides I must be the princess they're looking for. Talk about roy...
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Seeing Red
Book - 12
I really want the magic mirror in my basement to take me to my friend's sleepover party. But of course, I end up falling into a fairy tale -- Little Red Riding Hood! When my brother, Jonah, and I bump into Little Red in the forest, we try to warn ...
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Spill the Beans
Book - 13
My brother Jonah's dream has come true. We have FINALLY landed in his favorite fairy tale: Jack and the Beanstalk! It's a lot of fun meeting Jack. But then we accidentally mess up his story, which means Jack can't climb up the magic be...
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Good as Gold
Book - 14
The fourteenth book in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling series featuring fractured fairy tales for fearless kids!Guess where we are this time? The magic mirror has sent me and my brother, Jonah (plus our puppy, Prince), into the story of ...
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Just Dance
Book - 15
Here is the fifteenth magical installment of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling series of fractured fairy tales for fearless kids, now in paperback!Put on your dancing shoes!Believe it or not, there's a fairy named Maryrose LIVING in my hou...
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Liar, Liar
Book - 16
Here is the sixteenth magical installment of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling series of fractured fairy tales for fearless kids!And keep an eye out for Book 17: Mirror Mirror, the thrilling finale to the classic series!My little brother J...
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Mirror Mirror
Book - 17
In this thrilling conclusion to the bestselling, beloved Whatever After series, Abby and Jonah return to where it all began--the story of Snow White--and also wind up reuniting with ALL of their favorite fairy tale characters...Abby and Jonah might b...
Series Premise
The story centers on Abby and her younger brother Jonah, ordinary kids whose lives take a magical turn when they discover a hidden mirror in their basement. This mirror acts as a portal into the world of fairy tales, transporting them into well-known stories at critical moments.
The core premise revolves around what happens when Abby and Jonah accidentally disrupt these tales—altering key events and throwing the narratives off course. Once inside, they must navigate unfamiliar settings, interact with iconic characters, and attempt to restore the original storyline… though their efforts often lead to unexpected and humorous outcomes.
Rather than simply retelling fairy tales, the series plays with them. It explores the idea that stories are flexible and that even small changes can have ripple effects. Abby’s modern perspective frequently clashes with traditional fairy tale logic, creating both comedic situations and opportunities for deeper reflection.
Whatever After Series Reading Order
🔄 Best Read in Order · Start with Book 1: Fairest of All
Standalone stories, but characters and relationships develop across the series.
The series is best read in order, as it follows the ongoing adventures of Abby and Jonah and develops their understanding of the magical mirror and the fairy tale world. While each installment features a different fairy tale scenario and can stand alone in terms of plot, the sibling relationship and recurring elements evolve over time.
Reading sequentially allows readers to see how Abby’s attitude shifts, how the siblings grow more confident in navigating magical situations, and how their dynamic deepens. The continuity adds an extra layer of enjoyment, especially as patterns and callbacks emerge.
Explanation of reading order types
Whatever After Series Characters
Abby
Abby is the primary narrator and driving force of the series. Practical, opinionated, and often skeptical of fairy tale logic, she brings a contemporary voice to the story. She frequently questions why things happen the way they do and tries to “fix†situations based on her own understanding. Her character arc involves learning that not every problem has a straightforward solution and that her perspective, while valuable, is not the only one. Over time, she becomes more adaptable and open-minded.
Jonah
Jonah, Abby’s younger brother, is enthusiastic, curious, and more willing to embrace the magic of their adventures. He often approaches situations with a sense of wonder and creativity, balancing Abby’s more cautious and analytical nature. Their dynamic is central to the series—while they sometimes argue or disagree, they ultimately rely on each other and grow stronger as a team.
Supporting & Recurring Characters
* Fairy tale figures – Well-known characters from classic stories appear throughout the series, often with personalities or circumstances that differ from their traditional portrayals.
* Parents and real-world connections – Abby and Jonah’s family provides a grounding presence, contrasting with the unpredictability of their magical experiences.
* Recurring magical elements – The mirror and the rules (or lack thereof) governing its behavior create continuity and mystery across the series.
Setting of the Whatever After Series
The series alternates between the real world—primarily the siblings’ home and everyday environment—and a variety of fairy tale settings accessed through the mirror. These magical worlds include castles, forests, villages, and other classic storybook locations, each shaped by the tale they belong to.
What makes the setting particularly engaging is the contrast between Abby’s modern sensibilities and the traditional environments she enters. Everyday logic often doesn’t apply, leading to humorous misunderstandings and inventive solutions.
The mirror itself serves as a central and consistent element, acting as both a gateway and a symbol of the connection between reality and imagination.
Tone & Themes of the Whatever After Series
The tone is light, humorous, and energetic, with a strong emphasis on fun and accessibility. Abby’s narration is witty and self-aware, often poking fun at fairy tale conventions while still embracing their charm.
Key themes include:
* Reimagining tradition – Classic fairy tales are explored through a modern perspective, questioning their assumptions and outcomes.
* Responsibility and consequences – Abby and Jonah must deal with the effects of their actions, even when those actions are well-intentioned.
* Sibling relationships – The bond between Abby and Jonah is central, highlighting both conflict and affection.
* Courage and problem-solving – The protagonists learn to think creatively and act bravely in unfamiliar situations.
* Empowerment and choice – Characters often challenge predetermined roles, emphasizing the importance of agency.
The Whatever After series is a delightful celebration of imagination, creativity, and the enduring appeal of storytelling. Sarah Mlynowski crafts a world where familiar tales are turned upside down, inviting readers to reconsider what they think they know about happily-ever-afters.
What makes the series especially memorable is its blend of humor and heart. Beneath the playful premise lies a thoughtful exploration of choices, consequences, and the idea that stories—like people—can change and grow.
In the end, the series leaves readers with a sense of possibility. It suggests that even the most well-known narratives can be reshaped, and that sometimes, the best endings are the ones we create ourselves.
Books in this series fall into the following genres
Age Level
Genres
Sub-Genres
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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