The Storybook of Legends (book)

The Storybook of Legends is the first book of the Ever After High book series, written by Shannon Hale. It was named after the actual object, (the) Storybook of Legends. It was released on October 08, 2013.

Plot

A Very Short Prologue

It's Legacy Day at Ever After High, the day when second-year students sign the Storybook of Legends and become magically bound to their parents' fairy tales. Among the pledging class are the future Tom Thumb, future fairy godmother to Cinderella, and a future witch. Two first year students watch carefully. One is eager for her time to sign, but the other dreads her moment.

Chapter 1: Never Touch the Mirror: Main article: Raven Queen's Story

Chapter 2: Simply, Unquestionably Perfect: Main article: Apple White's Story

Chapter 3: Always Doing Is How It's UnDone

On the first day of school at Ever After High, second-year student Raven Queen arrives by Travel Mirror. She asks the three little pigs for assistance with her trunk, but they run away in terror. Her reputation as the daughter of the Evil Queen precedes her, which frustrates her. She levitates her trunk to her dormitory, where to her delight, she will be living with her best friend, Madeline Hatter. As Raven is unpacking, Apple White visits to welcome her back to school on behalf of the Royal Student Council. Raven feels somewhat self-conscious and awkward due to their shared fairy tale, but they have a pleasant chat until Briar Beauty whisks Apple away. Suddenly, Madeline appears in the room by tumbling through a wall. Raven helps her with her things and the two have a tea party while playing a game of "If I Didn't".

Chapter 4: Maddie's Chat with the ~~Voice~~ Narrator

Maddie converses with “The Voice” for the first time, asking who it is. The narrator introduces itself simply as the narrator. Maddie says that she enjoys the helpful information the narrator gives and that she will continue to listen to its observations.

Chapter 5: That Dangerous Word

Raven, Maddie, and Cedar Wood are eating stone soup in the Castleteria when fairy-godmothers-in-training poof into the room and hand out class schedules. Raven does not receive hers because the fairy-godmother who had it disappeared in fright. Raven asks Cedar if people are becoming more afraid of her, knowing that she will get an honest answer from her. Cedar admits that it appears that way, and that people are starting to see each other as who they will become. Raven heads out to visit her advisor, Baba Yaga, to get her schedule. It takes her awhile to find and then chase her office down, but eventually Raven climbs into the cottage on chicken legs. When she explains to Baba Yaga why she didn’t get her schedule, and that she didn’t mean to scare the fairy-godmother, Baba Yaga sprays her with water as a correction. Raven is disappointed with her schedule and asks if she could at least take Muse-ic, but Baba Yaga is shocked silent when Raven discusses “choice.” She sprays her with water again, warning Raven that she will not get away with that with Headmaster Grimm, but adds Muse-ic to her schedule anyway. On her way to her dorm, Milton Grimm calls Raven into his office. He asks her about her yearly chat with her mother. No one knows that the Evil Queen is still alive except for the Headmaster, the Good King, Gepetto, and Baba Yaga. He wants to make sure it is still a secret, and that Raven hadn’t tried to free her. He asks to see her schedule and admonishes her for taking Muse-ic, a class only for Happily-Ever-After princesses, and then removes it. Raven asks him about her destiny, and whether she is supposed to be Snow White’s Evil Queen, as her grandmother and all previous ancestors were, or if she is to be the dangerously off-script super villain her mother was. Milton is angry, interpreting her questions as a dismissal of his authority. When he calms down, he only answers that she must play her part. Raven nods and quietly leaves his office, when she hears music and follows it to the Muse-ic room. She finds Sparrow Hood and the Merry Men using the empty room for band practice. Sparrow instantly tries to charm her and kiss her hand, but Raven sees through his attempt to steal her jewelry. She asks if she could possibly audition to sing backup, but he shoots her down because she is “evil.” The Merry Men laugh, and she calls them a bunch of toads. Hopper Croakington II, who was passing by, takes offense to this. After Raven’s long and disappointing day, all she wants to do is run to her room and tell Maddie all that happened. Instead, she finds Apple White moving her things in, and her side of the room redecorated to be evil-looking. Apple begins to explain that she’d asked Headmaster Grimm for the roommate switch, but Raven runs away.

Chapter 6: Never After Again!

Apple is surprised when Raven doesn’t seem grateful. Despite her new roommate’s sullen attitude, Apple stays positive and upbeat. A few days later, Apple and some other students attend Briar’s Book-to-School party in the Royal common room. Melody Piper deejays while Ashlynn Ella coaxes the live songbirds to chirp along. Apple gathers all of the princesses – Ashlynn, Holly O'Hair, Duchess Swan, Darling Charming, and Lizzie Hearts – and Blondie Lockes to form the welcoming committee to Briar’s party. More students from all walks of fairytale arrive. Among them is Madeline Hatter, who has brought a pig to the celebration. Briar misunderstood, thinking she was bringing roast pig. Instead, Madeline pulls a live swine from her hat. He wanders around unnoticed, but flees from Cerise Hood. Last to arrive is Raven Queen, whose accidental windblown entrance is met with nervous silence. Apple and Briar try to snap everyone out of it, telling them to return to the party. Raven turns to leave, but Apple, trying to set an example, latches on to her and takes her around the room, which puts the others more at ease. She presents Raven to Duchess to help Raven mingle. Unfortunately, Duchess is only interested in stirring the pot and the conversation takes a turn for the worse when they take shots at each other’s depressing destinies. When Duchess brings up Raven’s father, Raven gets so angry that she loses control and shoots a wave of magic through the party. The live songbirds are transformed into snakes and fall onto people, causing a riot. Raven leaves immediately and Apple tries to calm everyone down to no avail. After comforting Briar and helping her clean up, she returns to the dorm to find Raven under the covers. She tries to console her too, but Raven just wants to be left alone.

Chapter 7: The ~~Looming Threat~~ Goodness of Legacy Day

At the end of Orientation Week, the second-year students have their Legacy Day rehearsal. Milton Grimm explains the procedure to them. Raven Queen arrives late and watches as Madeline Hatter, Hunter Huntsman, Daring Charming, and Dexter Charming practice declaring their destinies. Dexter is unsure of what to say because he doesn’t know his exact story. Milton informs him that the Storybook of Legends will show him his story when he turns his key on Legacy Day. When it is Raven’s turn to pledge, she hesitates, overwhelmed with dread. She falters during her declaration, but notices no one is really paying attention. She is surprised to see Dexter smiling at her, and she gathers the courage to ask a question, like he did. She asks what happens if she doesn’t want to be the Evil Queen, and suddenly everyone is listening. Headmaster Grimm walks up to her to answer privately that pledging is for her own protection. She nods, but fails to finish her pledge, leaving the terrace. Dexter compliments her for speaking up and expresses his own discomfort with having an unknown future. Raven comes up with the idea of sneaking into Headmaster Grimm’s office to see what their stories hold. He declines to go with her because he doesn’t want to break any rules or disappoint King Charming, but he agrees to distract the headmaster for her. Raven thanks him and is pleasantly surprised at his personality, having never spoken to him before now. She heads toward Headmaster Grimm’s office, but is cut off by Helga and Gus Crumb. She scares them away but decides to try sneaking in another time. Getting that close to the Storybook of Legends makes Raven reminisce about her childhood: living in a divided home, playing with her pet dog Prince, and watching the Evil Queen brew poisons. She hopes that whatever future awaits her isn't exactly like her mother's story.

Chapter 8: Beware the Glare of That Fair Hair

Apple attends the first Damsel-in-Distressing class of the year. The lesson for the day is about how to wait patiently in a tower to be rescued, so Madam Maid Marian holds class in the back meadow. The princesses are each teleported to the top of a glass tower, which are doorless and only have one window. Because there are so many new princesses, they must share towers. Luckily, Apple gets paired with Briar Beauty. She wants to talk to her best friend about troubles with Raven Queen, but Madam Maid Marian forbids chitchat, hoping to develop their imaginations. Briar and Apple talk quietly, barely moving their lips. Apple tells her that Headmaster Grimm spoke with her about Raven’s behavior at Legacy Day practice and expressed worry about what she might do next. Apple is afraid that Raven might not pledge at all, and under Headmaster Grimm’s encouragement, she must keep an eye on Raven and find out what she’s planning. In the meadow, Madam Maid Marian receives a message from Dr. King Charming that his Heroics 101 students will be unable to practice rescuing the damsels. She tells her students to escape on their own in as creative a way as possible. Ashlynn Ella calls an eagle to aid her, then commands it to go back and rescue Darling Charming. Duchess Swan changes forms and flies from her tower. Lizzie Hearts climbs down from her tower using Holly’s hair. Apple asks Briar for ideas besides calling for birds, but Briar falls asleep. While asleep however, Briar hears Madam Maid Marian mention to the other students a secret exit in the towers. Apple looks around carefully and triggers the secret exit, and both princesses slide out of their tower. Before heading to their next class, Princessology, Apple gets an idea about how to figure Raven out and stops by the MirrorLab. She asks Humphrey Dumpty if he can help her by hacking into the Mirror Network to allow her to track Raven Queen using her Compact Mirror. He hesitates at first, but she turns on the charm, and he agrees.

Chapter 9: ~~A Hot Mess of Wolves, Screams, and Pastries~~ A Basketball Game

After planning for days, Raven is finally ready to sneak into Headmaster Grimm’s office to see her destiny. After lunch, she heads to Grimmnastics with Madeline and Cedar. Coach Gingerbreadman prepares a game of basketball for them. They divide into teams of royals and commoners out of habit, but Raven plays with the commoners with no objection. The goal of the game is to score as many points as possible by shooting the ball through the hoop while holding a basket full of pastries and keeping the wolves at bay. Players are disqualified when a wolf eats their pastries. Only the Charming brothers, Hunter Huntsman, and Cerise Hood play competently. Needless to say, the game dissolves into a mess that not even Coach Gingerbreadman can follow, though Raven is able to confirm with Dexter that he will invite the Headmaster to fling cabbages with him so Raven can sneak into his office. After class, Raven leaves a trail of caramels for the Crumbs leading away from Headmaster Grimm’s hallway. She tricks Blondie Lockes into unlocking the office door for her and is finally able to access the Storybook of Legends. Once she is alone, she searches the book only to find that her page and Dexter’s are both blank. She flips through the book idly and sees previous pledges, until one entry in particular catches her attention. Bella Sister, a girl destined to be a villain, had the only page that was devoid of a signature. Raven thinks it’s ominous that she’s never heard of Bella’s story, but is excited and determined to find out more about her.

Chapter 10: The Unsigned Page

Using her newly refurbished Compact Mirror for surveillance, Apple is shocked to see Raven trick Blondie into breaking into Milton Grimm’s office. When Raven lingers on an old page of the Storybook of Legends without a signature, she assumes the worst and hurries to tell the headmaster. She checks the faculty lunchroom, but only Baba Yaga is there. Baba Yaga invites her to wait for him, and instigates an uncomfortable conversation with Apple about her story-deviating blondeness. When Headmaster Grimm arrives, Apple asks if they can speak in private, if only to escape Baba Yaga’s glares. They go to his office and Apple shares her worry that Raven is considering not signing the Book on Legacy Day. Milton confirms that he already suspected as much, which puts him in a difficult position. Apple is sympathetic and reassures him that she will do everything she can to keep Raven on the right path. She is encouraged by the headmaster’s faith in her and believes that he, at least, sees her potential beyond her beauty. Apple has renewed energy to convince Raven to complete their shared story, and she reminisces about the night she fell into a well. She was a child and she’d almost drowned, yet she’d decided then that any foreseeable fate was better than the scary unknowns of the real world.

Chapter 11: A ~~Hero~~ Villain in Every Story

Raven wanders around with mixed emotions about Bella Sister and her fate. As she formulates a plan, she gets interrupted by scratchy singing coming from Dexter on the lower balcony. To make him feel better, Raven reveals that she's a Quickian - a Tailor Quick fan. Later, Raven explains that she found the Storybook of Legends in Milton's office and reveals their fates are still inconclusive, along with the unsigned page by Bella. Dexter soon hatches an idea. He grabs a mirror station in the library and finds a resident called Old Man Winters. Soon after, Raven is about to cross a troll bridge and Apple catches up with her. Apple confronts her of her Storybook of Legends stunt, which enrages Raven. They walk off the argument, and the two soon reach Cobblers Alley, a thin line of buildings with mailboxes. Between the buildings, they find a green park, and Old Man Winters in a gazebo. They soon ask him of Bella, and he advises them to look around the school premises for evidence. Wanting more than advice, Raven visits the Mad Hatter's tea shoppe where she finds Madeline and asks her for help. Madeline suggests looking in obvious places, however the narrator gives Madeline an accidental hint to look in the Lost and Crowned office.

Chapter 12: Maddie ~~Bothers~~ Chats with the Narrator Again

Madeline annoys the narrator, who proposes they keep their distance from her. She eagerly offers if she were to listen to the next chapter. They decline the offer quickly and move on.

Chapter 13: Darkness Scampering

Apple and Raven reach underground the school premises, and the two eventually find the Lost and Crowned office. There, they meet a kind ghost who only submits to "found" things. After a few delays, the ghost aids them in their search for Bella's box. The ghost finds the box and the girls easily open it, however the items inside appear they've been swimming in dust. On top of the pile of items was a leather notebook with yellowed pages. They find a labeled trollskin tree drawing in one of the pages, which Raven believes is a message.

Chapter 14: Her Very Name Could Cause an Earthquake

Days later, the students are being escorted to the Enchanted Forest by the headmaster and Professor Poppa Bear. Today, the students are to summon their personal animal companion. As the Wonderlandians have done so already, Madeline demonstrates and Apple follows. The headmaster informs Apple that the non-Wonderlandian call is rather different and more simple, which embarrasses Apple. Daring and Apple choose first. Apple receives a snow fox named Gala and Daring receives a peacock. As the other students receive their pets, Raven finds the labeled trollskin tree from Bella's notebook. Out of curiosity, Raven summons her pet, which appears to be a dragon. Raven names her dragon Nevermore. Later, Apple proposes to look around the tree.

Chapter 15: ~~Almost~~ Through the Wall of Briars

Although the Enchanted Forest is the most popular hang out, Raven tries everything to reach the tree, however Nevermore loudly trails behind her. Raven suggests for Nevermore to assist Apple and Gala pick apples instead. As Raven reaches into the stump, she gets jumped by Hunter and Ashlynn, exclaiming strange things. Raven believes that the best option is to do it at night. Raven is about to sneak out until Apple catches her in the act. As the two devise a plan, they find Ashlynn. In order to get across the hundred-foot-tall briars, Ashlynn gently hums and they make way. Due to the addicting sound of the tune, Raven hums along, which angers the thorns. Only Ashlynn manages to get out in time. Ashlynn quickly calls Hunter for help. With their frequent close bond, Raven gets a thought that the two are dating. As Apple and Raven successfully escape the briars' grasp, they find a parchment in the trollskin tree from Bella. Bella has written that she will be waiting for Brutta in a cave. Apple tries to conclude the matter by saying Bella disappeared.

Chapter 16: A Massive ~~Snooze Fest~~ Slumber Party

Briar and Apple try out shoes in the Glass Slipper. Briar is conscious of Apple's peculiar behavior. As the girls chat, Ashlynn enters the shop with a new shipment for the Beauty Sleep Festival, a festival in honor of Sleeping Beauty where everyone residing in the school is to rest for two whole days. However, with such a festival, Apple plots this is a perfect time to sneak out with Raven. Apple gets caught up in her work that she doesn't realize that the festival is to be tomorrow. As she returns to the dorm, she announces her plan to escape the school grounds. Apple has a feeling Raven will reconsider her rebellious ideas once the journey is over.

Chapter 17: ~~Cute~~ Biting and ~~Cuddly~~ Slithering Things

As everyone is preparing for the festival to commence, Apple and Raven jump the hedge of the growing Night Briars. As they escape the school, they come across Nevermore. She shrinks down to a smaller size in order for them not to be seen. The girls soon venture to the grasslands outside the Village, as thoughts continue to swirl in Raven's mind about Bella. Nevermore and Gala stop dead in their tracks as Apple and Raven reach a marsh. The girls and their pets part. As the girls go deeper and deeper into the marsh, they see scummy marsh water. Apple urges Raven to avoid the water and take the right path, and reluctantly enough, the marsh reaches its end. Instead, the girls enter the woods up ahead, as the lighting gets darker and darker.

Chapter 18: Plump Red Apple ~~White~~

Apple continues to reassure herself of Raven's beneficial choice. Due to her near-sightedness, Apple is frightened by the scenery around her. To make matters worse, it starts raining. An hour later, Raven and Apple find themselves tethering on the edge of a tall cliff. Apple spots a light nearby, but little does she know, the holders of the lights are none other than goblins, who worship Raven's heritage. The goblins make up a bargain with Raven, as they want to cook Apple into stew. As soon as the two climb down the ladder, Raven hands them a large red apple. The goblins admire Raven's slyness, however they still desire Apple stew. Apple kindly protests and the goblins soon get along with her.

Chapter 19: Maddie ~~Pesters~~ Chats with the Narrator Yet Again

Unlike the other students, the Sleep Spell doesn't work on Madeline. She notices Raven's disappearance. After asking the narrator, they accidentally reveal Raven's quest. Madeline thanks them kindly, leaving them annoyed.

Chapter 20: ~~Red Paint~~ Warning on the Wall

Apple finds a sand trail that leads to a cave on a mountain. As the two enter the place, they witness decomposed furniture and the supposed skeletonial remains of Bella Sister. Apple shines her lantern over to the wall and finds writing. Looking closely, Raven finds a gnat stuck in the paint, indicating that it was painted recently. Angered by Apple's protests, Raven accidentally summons a swarm of bugs. The girls flee from the cave and get saved by songbirds. As the two catch their breath, Raven reconsiders her rebellious choice and temporarily proposes to create a Happily Ever After for Daring and Apple, however, she is still insecure of her decision.

Chapter 21: A Noticing Game

The girls paddle to an eastern shore and walk to the Village of Book End. It turns to evening as soon as they reach Ever After High, which the wall of Night Briars protect the school. Unable to enter, they visit the Mad Hatter's Tea Shoppe. With his high level of hospitality, the Mad Hatter offers them a place to stay. The following morning, the wall of Night Briars disappear. As everyone awakens from the Sleeping Spell, Apple offers Raven to sit with her. Raven hesitantly declines that offer and sits with the Rebels. Madeline decides to play a game: The Noticing Game. After they finish, Madeline and Raven rush to Raven's dorm, the two happily reunite. There, Raven confesses to Madeline of her sudden disappearance, and Madeline finds a book about Bella Sister to aid in her search.

Chapter 22: The ~~Undiscovered~~ Vault of Lost Tales

Madeline rummages around her hat to find items that will help Raven in her search for Bella's book, however they notice the door is locked. She finds an Embiggen Potion in her hat, and after a small puzzle, they unlock the door to the Vault. As the two read the book, their hope for the sisters' attempted escape reincarnates. Giles soon appears from out of the shadows, informing them that Raven does have a choice like Bella and that Bella and Brutta did in fact live out a Happily Ever After on their own.

Chapter 23: The ~~Horrible~~ Beautiful Power of Evil

Legacy Day arrives, and Milton announces to keep the Night Briars out. A goblin disturbs Raven and Apple's time together, as Raven gets directed to an underground closet by the goblins to view her mother's dress. Terrified by its evil properties, Raven only wears the cape, but still amazes everyone by her look of superiority. She herself gets caught in the moment, but Dexter snaps her out of it and reminds her of good luck, as Raven is still unsure of what she might do.

Chapter 24: Born to Wear It

Apple summons woodland creatures to fetch her her Legacy Day clothes, pleased with the result. Apple pays a visit to the O'Hairs' dorm, where she finds Briar and Blondie. After having spare time, the girls and the rest of the princesses are the last to enter the Legacy Day terrace. Apple finds out that the Snow White characters are to be presenting one after the other. As the students pledge each of their individual destinies, it is finally Apple's turn. She eagerly does so and signs the book. Apple replenishes her doubt for Raven signing at the same time, however the admiration of her peers soften that worry.

Chapter 25: Going Off Script

Raven plods up the steps. She is concerned if she would be brave enough to risk her friendship with Apple, or to risk her life and many others'. She hesitantly pledges. As she flips through her story, she foresees herself overreaching like her mother which angers her. Raven makes a final decision to this and she declares to write her own destiny, briskly tearing out her page in the book.

Chapter 26: Treading Water in a Well

Raven receives terrible reactions from the audience, as the Night Briars burst and sunlight pours in. Raven also expects for her story's disappearance coming up in any moment, however, she doesn't disappear. She hastily confronts Milton. Due to the loud booing of the audience, Milton cancels Legacy Day, however the sounds worsen. Extremely irked, Raven freezes everyone. She unfreezes Apple to apologize and her offer still stands for them to remain friends. Apple rejects her offer and distressingly flees from Raven. Apple's friends find her distraught and they comfort her. The Royals panic by the tragic event, however Briar is determined to continue the dance.

Chapter 27: Not Your Momma's Fairytale

Raven unfreezes Madeline, who congratulates her. Raven hides out on the school tower, and soon realizes that nature or animals don't cower before her anymore, implying that the change has begun. Later on, Raven rests in the Commoners' Common Room when her friends visit her. They support her decision and admire her bravery. Dexter surprisingly enters the room, as he too is on Raven's side. Cedar gives Raven a T-shirt she made in arts and crafts. As the Rebels make it down to the boats, Daring calls Dexter over.

Chapter 28: Maddie ~~Annoys~~ Chats with the Narrator One Last Time

Madeline asks the narrator for help on how to cross the waters, and the narrator blindly gives her a hint one last time.

Chapter 29: Rewrite, Ignite, Restart!

Madeline affirms to the Rebels of her idea of summoning fish. Cedar jumps into the water, waving at someone. As the figure makes its way up onto shore, it reveals itself to be a young girl named Coral Witch. She summons sea creatures to help the Rebels get across. The trip goes somewhat smooth. Raven leads the Rebels into the ballroom, however, the Royals glare at them. Despite everything that happened in one day, Raven lets loose and sings a song on stage. Raven still has mixed feelings on Apple's judgement, who is refusing to give up on her story.

Epilogue

Milton and the rest of the faculty discuss on Raven's terrible actions caused. Exiting the conversation, Milton hears something down the end of the hallway: a jubilant, evil cackle.

Characters

Notes

Other

The Storybook of Legends mentions many supporting characters who may appear only once, or may not technically appear at all. Among them are: Fairy godmother - The fairy godmother of future Cinderella; Ooglot and Yop - servants of the Queen family; Cook - servant of the Queen family (Evil Queen's family, Raven's last name Queen); Butternut and Pie - Cook's twin sons; Snoozy, Snappy, Frank, and Phil - dwarf servants of the White family; Shoemaker's Elves - Castleteria sandwich makers.

The Storybook of Legends (book)

Contents

Plot

Characters

Notes

Other

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