NOT YOUR AVERAGE FAIRY TALE by Chnatele Sedgewick

Ash Summerland has it all-good looks, popularity, and the best grades at The Academy of Magical Beings. Ready to complete his last assignment in order to graduate, Ash is confident he will get the apprenticeship he wants. but when he opens the letter from the Council, he is shocked to discover he has been assigned to apprentice Lady Shenelle, Keeper of Happy Endings- aka the head fairy godmother. Ash is forced to grant three wishes to a troubled human girl named Kendall, and ultimately give her a "happy ever after." But Kendall turns out to be more than he bargained for. Still grieving over her father's death, she doesn't want anything to do with Ash. And worst of all, she doesn't believe in happy endings.

First line:
"I stared at the gold-flecked envelope in my hand, trying to ignore my pounding heart."

Good, clean read. Any teenager girl would enjoy this story. This is the first book in a possible trilogy.


Ash has magic running through his blood, though he's not sure what kind. Elf? Fairy? One of his parents is human, the other unknown. So Ash goes to a school for magical beings and this is the year he is chosen to apprentice. He really wants to work with Sandman because then he can manipulate dreams and time. But what does he get instead?? Fairy Godmother, er, Boy? Ash is not happy with this but if he can fulfill his assignment, he might still have a shot with Sandman. 
What Ash doesn't count on is Kendall (hello? boys name for a girl?). She intrigues Ash and soon he finds he's falling for her. 
The title is accurate. This is not your average fairytale. It's not a retelling either. It's a different look into a different, magical realm. Ms. Sedgwick did a good job keeping me intrigued and reading. The chapters alternate between Ash and Kendall and are good insights into each character.
Teen girls AND boys will like this book! 

Rated: PG
V: Some fighting
L: No
S: A kiss or two

Liked:
Ash
Kendall
Teen boy Fairygodmother

Disliked:
Ending (Waiting for next book?)

  4 1/2 STARS