Review Detail

RETURN TO THE ISLE OF THE LOST picks up right where The Descendants movie left off, though there is a handy recap before the first chapter for readers who haven’t seen the movie. Those who want the full effect of the character growth should start with the first Descendants book, ISLE OF THE LOST, but basic plot details aren’t lost for those jumping in later.

This new story in the beloved fairy tale characters’ lives focuses on the friendships between the group and their respective relationships with their parents, absent as the parents are. Mal, Carlos, Jay, and Evie have made a lot of personal progress, but the one thing they all still struggle with is trust, whether that’s with a specific person or with themselves. Though they are all reformed children of villains, they still spent a long time on the Isle of the Lost, and navigating healthy relationships doesn’t come easy. The relationship between Mal and Evie is especially fragile at times but ultimately proves strong in a beautiful display of friendship.

The mystery behind the threatening messages and a strange group called the Anti-Heroes drives the plot, and the humor along the way keeps the tone fairly light as good and evil prepare to battle once again. The plot and character resolutions wrap up a bit quickly, but they pave the way for a larger story to be continued in the next book.

Fans of this series will love the continuation of Mal and her friends’ stories. RETURN TO THE ISLE OF THE LOST has everything Disney fairy tale fanatics have come to expect: banter, good versus evil, a splash of romance, and moving friendships.