I doomed myself with this ARC by not realizing it was the last book of a trilogy. I think I managed to follow the story well enough, though it did seem all over the place at many different points. I started losing track of the number of fairy tale references that were appearing, especially since different characters are filling different or multiple roles from what you're used to in other media. If you were a fan of the first books, I'm sure this one would be just as enjoyable - it does seem to tie up previous events well enough, and I did find it generally entertaining. Seems like it would be suitable for both YA and middle grades.

The third book in the storyteller trilogy, Banished follows the story of Dot and Rexi while Dorthea is in hospital regaining her memories.

I absolutely love books that are based off of fairy tales. I was hoping that this book would be a “standalone” but I was able to read it with only a few minor ‘what’s going on’ moments. I will definitely be going back and reading the first two.

I love the world, I love the settings, I absolutely adore the authors writing. I give this book 4.5 stars. Now I’m off to buy and binge read the first two!

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Banished by Betsy Schow is the fantastic conclusion to The Storymakers. Told from both Dorthea’s and Rexi’s point of view, I found myself reminded of what I loved about this series in the first place: it’s subtle combining of pop culture with fairy tales.

At the end of Wanted, we are left wondering if Dorthea survived and well it’s answered immediately. Dorthea is in a hospital in Kansas when she awakes and when the story begins she’s been there a month. The scar on her chest isn’t from a Excalibur but from surgery to remove cancer. Dorthea is being told that all she knows about Libraria (the land she hails from) is false, that it is all in her head, a psychotic invention brought on by the stress of her cancer. And she’s starting to believe them. Dorthea is heartbroken and lost, yet in Kansas her parents are alive and well. She is a far cry from the spoiled princess in the first book. She’s broken and must find herself in order to help her friends.

Meanwhile Rexi is still in Camelot being named the true king after Excalibur found her. Mordred is at her side and together they plan on saving Dot and the kingdom from Morte and Blanc. This is not the same girl we saw in the last two books. Instead Rexi is changed for the better. She’s finally what’s important to her and that’s her friends who she is determined to save. She’s on a mission and that’s to give all of story a happily ever after.

The plot moves quickly and I found that I liked the dual POV more than I would. I loved seeing Rexi and Dot’s perspectives. But what I loved more was the setting. The author returned to the Oz storyline since really the story has been centered on Dot. I liked the little things like the name of her psychologist Dr. Baum (as in L. Frank Baum the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz) and the club Dot goes to. Dot’s time in Kansas is very reminiscent of the original story this is based on. And Rexi’s trials to find the wishing well brings in some Camelot elements which I also enjoyed. I loved how well the author was able to mesh the stories together, creating Libraria.

Overall Banished was a great read. I enjoyed the climax and the heartbreaking conclusion. I was sad and happy to turn the final page and the end? Well all I can say is I hope that means the author will write more from this land. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that has read the series previously and to those that enjoy urban fantasy and fairy tales.

My very first DNF! Such a disappointment. I was so excited when I first received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The blurb sounded amazing and the cover is gorgeous! At first, I was unaware this was the conclusion to a trilogy but honestly that wasn't my issue with it. It was such a confusing jumble of fairy tale and literary references, I couldn't make heads or tales of it.

What was probably an attempt at a creative Wizard of Oz retelling, was actually just a hodge podge of way too many things wrapped in a pretty package.

This is a very odd, quirky story. Its main appeal seems to be the humorous and light tone it uses. I would recommend this third book in the series to readers who already like the books, but not to many other teen readers over age 13.

The trouble with writing a story with alternating plots is that there’s a risk that one narrative is going to be stronger than the other and that’s exactly the problem I had with ‘Banished’.

Following along with the final arc of both Rexi’s and Dot’s story was difficult in the sense that I found myself more invested in the details in Kansas than I did in Camelot. Memory loss storylines can be tricky because as a reader the blank slate remaking of a character can weigh down the story and take away time that could be better used pushing the plot along, especially in a final installment so I was happy to see that this wasn’t going to be that kind of story but rather a sort of question of madness worthy of Alice herself.

Rexi’s half however was one I couldn’t care less about. As a character she’s always been fine, but in this case every time the focus of the story shifted back to her I couldn’t stay invested. Right up until the end I was bored and the overall climax was wrapped up a bit too quickly and somewhat easily all things considered.

If anyone is looking for a positive I will say I liked the Anastasia shoutout!

**thank you to netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

I enjoyed this book more than the first but again feel like the forced use of puns and cliches was too much and got in the way of the story, this series could have stopped at book two, book three feels kind of unnecessary or that if book two had shifted a bit to include some of the plot of book three that would have been enough.

I had no idea that this was the third in the series before I started reading it. I managed a few chapters but was so confused that I gave up.

This is book #3? Maybe that should be made clear on the cover....

Oh boy! I'm excited to review this next installment in the Storymakers trilogy. As to ms. Schow's form, this book has a great mix of urban fantasy and fairy tale elements that makes her books unique.

"It's not to the death, it's to the pain." Favorite part. It brings back memories of the Princess Bride. Also one of my favorites.

At times, I felt a little lost with all the character changes, but that might just be me and the way that I read. I really enjoyed this story and I'm grateful to have received a preview copy.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Original and fun story. 3rd in series
Romance and lots of fractured fairy tale characters. Similar to Once upon a,time show.