In less than 600 pages, a magical world is transformed. It is a world that involves witches, princes, Evil versus Good, a murderous School Master, magical quests, descendants of those in famous fairy tales, and a witch who thinks she is Good but turns out to be bald, warty, and definitely evil. It is a world that is so wonderfully created that readers often forget that they are not in the novel, but simply reading it. It is a world brought forth in the School for Good and Evil series by author Soman Chainani.

The first book of the series, The School for Good and Evil, captivated readers alike when it was released in 2013. Even now, with the its fourth book recently released, Quests for Glory, the book’s hold over its fans still remains strong.

The series centers around two best friends–Agatha and Sophie–who are kidnapped from their small town of Gavaldon to the Endless Woods where they are to attend the School for Good and Evil. From there, they are transported into the realm of fairy tales in order to live out their Evil or Good destinies–only there seems to have been a mix-up. Agatha, the supposed ‘town witch’ who lives in a graveyard, dresses only in black, and has a vicious pet cat, is taken to the School for Good. However, Sophie, who has dreamed of being taken since she was young and seems to be the epitome of Good with her pink dresses and list of good deeds, ends up in the School for Evil. Together, the two try to come up with plans–many of which fail–to get back home, which brings them to the mysterious School Master and a riddle they figure out too late.

After the first book, the series centers around new nemeses for Sophie and Agatha to defeat, and even chronicles a war between Good and Evil in The Last Ever After where the characters are on opposing sides.

Author Soman Chainani even plans to make the series into a live movie production, which will be released soon through Universal Studios.

Overall, the School for Good and Evil series is enjoyable for all ages alike. The book deserves a read not just because of its common themes of magic, mystery, adventure, and friendship, but also for its characters who make it easy to fall deep into the book; without them, the book would not be the amazing roller coaster it is known for.