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The World Above (Once Upon a Time (Simon Pulse)) by Cameron Dokey (8-Jun-2010) Mass Market Paperback
Gen and her twin brother, Jack, were raised with their mother's tales of life in the World Above. Gen is skeptical, but adventurous Jack believes the stories--and trades the family cow for magical beans. Their mother rejoices, knowing they can finally return to their royal home.When Jack plants the beans and climbs the enchanted stalk, he is captured by the tyrant who now rules the land. Gen sets off to rescue her brother, but danger awaits her in the World Above. For finding Jack may mean losing her heart....
Mass Market Paperback
First published June 4, 2010
23 people are currently reading
6323 people want to read
About the author
Cameron Dokey
62 books944 followersCameron Dokey is an American author living in Seattle, Washington. She has a collection of over 50 old sci-fi and horror films. Cameron was born in the Central Valley of California. Cameron grew up reading classical literature and mythology, perhaps due to her father, Richard, being a teacher of Philosophy, Creative Writing, and Western Literature.
Cameron has one husband and three cats, and is the author of over a dozen young adult novels. Her favorite read is J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy, "The Lord of the Rings." Her favorite TV show is "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
When she's not writing, Cameron likes to work in the garden and is learning to quilt.
Cameron has one husband and three cats, and is the author of over a dozen young adult novels. Her favorite read is J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy, "The Lord of the Rings." Her favorite TV show is "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
When she's not writing, Cameron likes to work in the garden and is learning to quilt.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 347 reviews
August 19, 2015
Jack and the Beanstalk with a girl, huh? Is what I thought when I first heard about this retelling. However, it worked nicely into this book. Jack has a twin sister and her name is Gen and she helps quite a bit in the success of her brother.
I like it that Gen isn't one of those who seek out adventure. A reluctant heroine if you will. While Gen is practical and dependable Jack is spontaneous and erratic. So when it is Jack who brings home the magic beans he is more than ready to climb up to the world above. But things go wrong and Gen must eventually go rescue him.
What I like about the series is that the books are short and sweet. Although sometimes I wish the plots and characters were more developed, it's refreshing to not have to read so much about all the world building that other fantasy books usually do. Dokey makes it very uncomplicated and easy. There is a World Above past the clouds. Never mind that it's supposed to be cold up there and the air is supposed to be thin, there are people living up there (period). But don't get the wrong idea, I love fantasy and the world building is usually very fun. It's just a nice change.
Loved the whole bit on Robin Hood in the story.
I like it that Gen isn't one of those who seek out adventure. A reluctant heroine if you will. While Gen is practical and dependable Jack is spontaneous and erratic. So when it is Jack who brings home the magic beans he is more than ready to climb up to the world above. But things go wrong and Gen must eventually go rescue him.
What I like about the series is that the books are short and sweet. Although sometimes I wish the plots and characters were more developed, it's refreshing to not have to read so much about all the world building that other fantasy books usually do. Dokey makes it very uncomplicated and easy. There is a World Above past the clouds. Never mind that it's supposed to be cold up there and the air is supposed to be thin, there are people living up there (period). But don't get the wrong idea, I love fantasy and the world building is usually very fun. It's just a nice change.
Loved the whole bit on Robin Hood in the story.
September 20, 2010
Were you aware that Jack, from Jack and the Beanstalk, had a twin sister named Gen? Or that the tears their mother cried when Jack traded their cow for magic beans were actually tears of joy? Or that she was an exiled Duchess from the World Above. And that Gen--the practical twin--is actually the heir to that magical realm?
I liked the practical twin sister spin on this story. And that, for once, I didn't totally despise Jack.
I liked the practical twin sister spin on this story. And that, for once, I didn't totally despise Jack.
October 7, 2010
Long sigh... What can I say? Well that this is one of my new favorites in the series. I was wondering how they were gonna pull this one off because the protagonist are always females and Jack and the Beanstalk is known to have a male lead. As always the series put their twist on it so we could see the "real" story.
Gen and Jack are twins and live on a farm with their mother trying to scrape by. Gen is the pratical twin and Jack is the adventuresome one. The other big difference between the two is that Jack has always believed in the World Above. The World Above is a magical place and since Gen was a little girl she can remember being told of how her mother had escaped down a beanstalk and began her life in the World Below. Gen's mother has always wanted to go back, and the opportunity arises when Jack trades their cow for a few magical beans. As you can guess these are the beans that will give them the chance to go back to their real home, The World Above. Now Gen can only come to the realization that the bedtime stories were all true.
Jack being the adventuresome one is the first to go, but soon enough sensible Gen has to go help her brother got out of a huge mess. Along the way she meets some great characters and together they figure out how to make things right.
I really enjoyed the little tidbits that let us see the link to the original tale and we also see references to another well known story. The series is a little predictable, but I simply love all the stories. Sometimes the short length doesn't bother me, but this one I did get a little bothered because I could see the potential for this to be a great full-fleged novel. I wold have simply eaten it up. Still recommended and will be awating eagerly for the next one they come up with. Hopefully there is enough fairy tales to keep them busy.
Gen and Jack are twins and live on a farm with their mother trying to scrape by. Gen is the pratical twin and Jack is the adventuresome one. The other big difference between the two is that Jack has always believed in the World Above. The World Above is a magical place and since Gen was a little girl she can remember being told of how her mother had escaped down a beanstalk and began her life in the World Below. Gen's mother has always wanted to go back, and the opportunity arises when Jack trades their cow for a few magical beans. As you can guess these are the beans that will give them the chance to go back to their real home, The World Above. Now Gen can only come to the realization that the bedtime stories were all true.
Jack being the adventuresome one is the first to go, but soon enough sensible Gen has to go help her brother got out of a huge mess. Along the way she meets some great characters and together they figure out how to make things right.
I really enjoyed the little tidbits that let us see the link to the original tale and we also see references to another well known story. The series is a little predictable, but I simply love all the stories. Sometimes the short length doesn't bother me, but this one I did get a little bothered because I could see the potential for this to be a great full-fleged novel. I wold have simply eaten it up. Still recommended and will be awating eagerly for the next one they come up with. Hopefully there is enough fairy tales to keep them busy.
July 16, 2017
This was a cute quick retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk.
This book differs from the fairytale in that Jack is not the main character and not the one who saves the day. His twin sister Gen, is the main character. She is practical, quick thinking and a planner; a total opposite of her brother Jack who is impulsive and often finds himself in trouble.
Gen and Jack grew up on their mother's tales of her life in the world above where she was basically royalty. Gen doesn't really believe her mom's stories but Jack does wholeheartedly. So of course when he meets someone who will give him magic beans to the world above, he trades the family cow for them. And he is the first one to climb the beanstalk to the world above while his mother and sister stay in the world below. And there are giants and the 3 things Jack steals in the original fairytale play a part but thats where the similarities end.
The reason why Jack and Gen were born in the real world has to do with..yup you guessed it....love, betrayal and murder. Obviously if Gen's mother was royalty so was their father and by blood they are too. So going up the beanstalk is a matter of getting back what rightfully belongs to Gen's family. So Jack goes up the beanstalk a few times and the last time he goes up he goes to try to take back what's his. So of course he gets captured by the tyrant who rules there and it falls on Gen's shoulders to save him.
I like Gen. Like I said she is very practical, level headed, quick thinking and a planner. She is deeply rooted to the world below and has no desire to rule over anything or to even live in the world above. Its only because of her brother that she goes up the beanstalk. Doing this also shows how brave and loyal Gen is to the people she cares about. She's willing to risk her life to save her brother.
Jack was a bit annoying. He wasn't in the book for the most part but when he was he was impulsive, a dreamer, a risk taker and kind of a stereotypical dumb blond. He's more like "Oh your so pretty" when he does things. I also didn't care for how he was obviously their mothers favorite child.
There were also a few other characters that I liked. I liked Shannon who is the giant Sean's normal sized sister. She was exactly like Gen; practical, level headed and more cautious that her brother who was a lot like Jack. I also liked Robin (Robert) who was the tyrant's son. Circumstances led him to be an outlaw in his father's land. He had the love of the people and would rob his father's rich men to give it to the poor. He was in essence, a Robin Hood. He and Shannon help Gen save Sean and Jack.
Of course there was romance between Gen and Robin. It was insta-love, which I hate but will accept in this book because it is a fairytale (fairytales can get away with that). I mean there was attraction between them but nothing more and the next thing you know they are madly in love. Whatever, I saw it coming so it didn't shock me. Robin and Gen were cute together.
I wish the book was a little longer and had more romance involved. I would of liked to see Robin and Gen get to know each other more. Also the ending was a bit anti-climatic. The villain gave up way to easily. I was kinda disappointed. Oh well.
This review is also posted on The Book Owl Extraordinaire
This book differs from the fairytale in that Jack is not the main character and not the one who saves the day. His twin sister Gen, is the main character. She is practical, quick thinking and a planner; a total opposite of her brother Jack who is impulsive and often finds himself in trouble.
Gen and Jack grew up on their mother's tales of her life in the world above where she was basically royalty. Gen doesn't really believe her mom's stories but Jack does wholeheartedly. So of course when he meets someone who will give him magic beans to the world above, he trades the family cow for them. And he is the first one to climb the beanstalk to the world above while his mother and sister stay in the world below. And there are giants and the 3 things Jack steals in the original fairytale play a part but thats where the similarities end.
The reason why Jack and Gen were born in the real world has to do with..yup you guessed it....love, betrayal and murder. Obviously if Gen's mother was royalty so was their father and by blood they are too. So going up the beanstalk is a matter of getting back what rightfully belongs to Gen's family. So Jack goes up the beanstalk a few times and the last time he goes up he goes to try to take back what's his. So of course he gets captured by the tyrant who rules there and it falls on Gen's shoulders to save him.
I like Gen. Like I said she is very practical, level headed, quick thinking and a planner. She is deeply rooted to the world below and has no desire to rule over anything or to even live in the world above. Its only because of her brother that she goes up the beanstalk. Doing this also shows how brave and loyal Gen is to the people she cares about. She's willing to risk her life to save her brother.
Jack was a bit annoying. He wasn't in the book for the most part but when he was he was impulsive, a dreamer, a risk taker and kind of a stereotypical dumb blond. He's more like "Oh your so pretty" when he does things. I also didn't care for how he was obviously their mothers favorite child.
There were also a few other characters that I liked. I liked Shannon who is the giant Sean's normal sized sister. She was exactly like Gen; practical, level headed and more cautious that her brother who was a lot like Jack. I also liked Robin (Robert) who was the tyrant's son. Circumstances led him to be an outlaw in his father's land. He had the love of the people and would rob his father's rich men to give it to the poor. He was in essence, a Robin Hood. He and Shannon help Gen save Sean and Jack.
Of course there was romance between Gen and Robin. It was insta-love, which I hate but will accept in this book because it is a fairytale (fairytales can get away with that). I mean there was attraction between them but nothing more and the next thing you know they are madly in love. Whatever, I saw it coming so it didn't shock me. Robin and Gen were cute together.
I wish the book was a little longer and had more romance involved. I would of liked to see Robin and Gen get to know each other more. Also the ending was a bit anti-climatic. The villain gave up way to easily. I was kinda disappointed. Oh well.
This review is also posted on The Book Owl Extraordinaire
April 22, 2018
I meant to read this book years ago when I was really into this series, but got sidetracked with other things. Back then I may have really liked this book, but it's hard to tell if age & time make that much difference when reading these books. Some of them I've loved dearly, but the later written one's just don't seem as good.
The initial beginning of this book I liked very well, with the more in fresh ideas of Jack and the Bean Stalk. It lent the classic take so much more depth, and characters who weren't just a flat name on paper. So just for the first half of the book I'd rate it 3 stars, but the latter half of the book just kind of lost me.
In addition to this being a retelling of just Jack and the Bean Stalk, it also introduces a tie-in of Robin Hood, which in all honesty could have worked. Sadly though once his story was introduced it felt like the story started to drag, plus we got the insta-love poo going on. I mean I know the fairytales, as told by Disney anyway, always had this, but just because these books are retellings of those stories I think we can dispense with that nonsense at least a little. There's also the issue that Robin's character never really felt fully fledged to me. Steel I found more intriguing of the two, but it's really like once we reached this point in the book the author got tired of fleshing out her characters =/
Plus there were some really cheesy points that I just couldn't take lol. So overall, good first half, but kind of a poor, unrealistic finish. . All that considered, I'm feeling generous and think I'll give this book 2.5 stars.
The initial beginning of this book I liked very well, with the more in fresh ideas of Jack and the Bean Stalk. It lent the classic take so much more depth, and characters who weren't just a flat name on paper. So just for the first half of the book I'd rate it 3 stars, but the latter half of the book just kind of lost me.
In addition to this being a retelling of just Jack and the Bean Stalk, it also introduces a tie-in of Robin Hood, which in all honesty could have worked. Sadly though once his story was introduced it felt like the story started to drag, plus we got the insta-love poo going on. I mean I know the fairytales, as told by Disney anyway, always had this, but just because these books are retellings of those stories I think we can dispense with that nonsense at least a little. There's also the issue that Robin's character never really felt fully fledged to me. Steel I found more intriguing of the two, but it's really like once we reached this point in the book the author got tired of fleshing out her characters =/
Plus there were some really cheesy points that I just couldn't take lol. So overall, good first half, but kind of a poor, unrealistic finish. . All that considered, I'm feeling generous and think I'll give this book 2.5 stars.
April 17, 2015
This was a fun to read great retelling! Who knew Jack had such a cool sister! One of my favorites in the Once Upon A Time set. Read to my girls and they loved it. I love the added Robin Hood element. such a fun story to read aloud.
January 20, 2015
After being disappointed with the last Cameron Dokey book I read, I was glad that this book was much better! The story was neat in that it retold the stories of Jack and the Beanstalk AND Robin Hood together. I really liked that! Overall, the story was interesting and a good read.
May 25, 2016
2016 Reading Challenge: A book by an author that I previously didn't like (still don't).
*sigh* What a load of rubbish. If I was in middle school, perhaps, and inexperienced in fairy tale retellings, this one might have kept me entertained....but nowadays I see right through the thin. thin plot, the cringe-worthy writing, and the awful ending. *another sigh*
First, the good: this was a mashup between Jack and the Beanstalk and Robin Hood. Hm, interesting idea. So, the idea was good, even if the execution was poor. The other good thing about this book was that it was only 175 pages, so you can read it in a day and then move onto better things.
The bad: it was only 175 pages....so plot and character developments definitely suffer. The author seemed to have planned out the story pretty badly, writing as if she expected the book to be 400 pages, and then got to around page 150 and was like, "Oh shit, I have to wrap this up!" and then cobbled together a terrible ending.
I won't spoil the ending, because it's ridiculously predictable....but I'll just say it has the Cameron Dokey stamp all over it: LOVE. Everything gets solved by getting characters to admit that they love each other. Previously atrocities are immediately forgiven, political alliances are swiftly sealed, the bad guy admits to being wrong and meekly agrees to leave town, and everything lives happily, sappily every after. I've seen this in several of her other Once Upon a Time series, and was frankly the reason I delayed reading this one for so long. Why bother building up realistic characters with realistic reactions to realistic situations if we can just wrap up a shoddy plotline in less than five pages by just gathering everyone around so that our hero can just say, "Hey y'all, listen to this: LOVE!" Ka-pow! Minds blown! The end!
It's just awkwardly bad.
And then there's the writing.....It's that frustrating balance of not quite obviously bad enough to quit immediately, but bad enough that you pause in your reading to say, "WTF?" There's the sentences that should have been joined with a comma instead of fragmented with a period, and then there's the really really unrealistic dialogue....For example, at one point a medievalish character in Robin Hood's merry band says that the bad guy's soldiers are "full of themselves", What? Really? Is that a phrase that really fits the time period? All of the dialogue was just stilted and awkward, switching between trying to sound eloquent and old fashioned to sounding like contemporary soap opera characters. It was just painful. I found myself saying some of the sentences aloud just to feel how contrived they sounded.
Does this author have a background in mass produced romance novels? Because that's what it feels like.
Ugh. I've been debating for some time whether or not to keep my complete Once Upon a Time collection intact....or weed out the ones that I know I'll never re-read. This one might have been the last straw.
*sigh* What a load of rubbish. If I was in middle school, perhaps, and inexperienced in fairy tale retellings, this one might have kept me entertained....but nowadays I see right through the thin. thin plot, the cringe-worthy writing, and the awful ending. *another sigh*
First, the good: this was a mashup between Jack and the Beanstalk and Robin Hood. Hm, interesting idea. So, the idea was good, even if the execution was poor. The other good thing about this book was that it was only 175 pages, so you can read it in a day and then move onto better things.
The bad: it was only 175 pages....so plot and character developments definitely suffer. The author seemed to have planned out the story pretty badly, writing as if she expected the book to be 400 pages, and then got to around page 150 and was like, "Oh shit, I have to wrap this up!" and then cobbled together a terrible ending.
I won't spoil the ending, because it's ridiculously predictable....but I'll just say it has the Cameron Dokey stamp all over it: LOVE. Everything gets solved by getting characters to admit that they love each other. Previously atrocities are immediately forgiven, political alliances are swiftly sealed, the bad guy admits to being wrong and meekly agrees to leave town, and everything lives happily, sappily every after. I've seen this in several of her other Once Upon a Time series, and was frankly the reason I delayed reading this one for so long. Why bother building up realistic characters with realistic reactions to realistic situations if we can just wrap up a shoddy plotline in less than five pages by just gathering everyone around so that our hero can just say, "Hey y'all, listen to this: LOVE!" Ka-pow! Minds blown! The end!
It's just awkwardly bad.
And then there's the writing.....It's that frustrating balance of not quite obviously bad enough to quit immediately, but bad enough that you pause in your reading to say, "WTF?" There's the sentences that should have been joined with a comma instead of fragmented with a period, and then there's the really really unrealistic dialogue....For example, at one point a medievalish character in Robin Hood's merry band says that the bad guy's soldiers are "full of themselves", What? Really? Is that a phrase that really fits the time period? All of the dialogue was just stilted and awkward, switching between trying to sound eloquent and old fashioned to sounding like contemporary soap opera characters. It was just painful. I found myself saying some of the sentences aloud just to feel how contrived they sounded.
Does this author have a background in mass produced romance novels? Because that's what it feels like.
Ugh. I've been debating for some time whether or not to keep my complete Once Upon a Time collection intact....or weed out the ones that I know I'll never re-read. This one might have been the last straw.
November 27, 2013
My daughter LOVED this book, and gave it to me with such excitement... I hate to give it two stars, quite honestly. But... I have to be honest. Cameron Dokey is not my favorite author, and I didn't think this was a stellar book.
It's the re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk, except that it's Jack and his twin sister (Gen) and the handful of beanstalks. Yes, it has the goose that lays golden eggs, but Dokey did *NOTHING* with it. Yes, it has the bag of money, but Dokey does *NOTHING* with that, either. Yes, it has a giant, but she does very little with him, either. Instead, disliking the elements of the faerie tale that it was, she changes it out for Robin Hood. Which works, but not well.
Jack and Gen's mother lived in the castle in the world above, until a neighboring ruler attacked, killed her husband the king, and took over. She escaped to the world below with the help of an old woman named Rowan with nothing, and became a farmer, a pregnant one all alone... like it's believable that a woman in her dire straits would give birth to TWINS alone, have the wherewithal to take care of them AND run a farm by herself. Impossible.
Years later, Jack gets the beans from who-knows-who, and it's TIME to go back up. Is the woman who gave him the beans Rowan? Dokey never tells us what happened to Rowan, either. Jack befriends Sean (the giant), decides to try to steal the harp from the usurper king to prove he's rightful heir to his father's kingdom (and HOW would that prove it, honestly?)... and instead Jack gets captured. Yet the giant gets away. ????
So Gen has to go up and rescue her brother. On her way to the usurper's castle, she has to travel thru a woods, and Robin Hood swoops out of the trees, waylaying her. Turns out, he's the usurper's noble and honorable son, robbing from the rich to feed the poor. And the King has an archery tournament to lure his son out - the winner deciding the fate of Jack.
It. Was. Lame. Everything was reasoned out, there was too much talking, no chemistry between Robin and Gen, and who the HECK knows what happens at the end to Jack, as Gen and Robin take over the usurper kingdom, and Mama gets back her kingdom. And nobody chops down the last beanstalk, so there's an open portal left there, in the end.
I was not impressed. At all. Someone needs to write a less-Robin-Hood-y version, and have the giant fall for Jac(queline). Now THAT would be a good story. This...? Was a hodge-podge, loose-ended *MEH* of a read.
It's the re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk, except that it's Jack and his twin sister (Gen) and the handful of beanstalks. Yes, it has the goose that lays golden eggs, but Dokey did *NOTHING* with it. Yes, it has the bag of money, but Dokey does *NOTHING* with that, either. Yes, it has a giant, but she does very little with him, either. Instead, disliking the elements of the faerie tale that it was, she changes it out for Robin Hood. Which works, but not well.
Jack and Gen's mother lived in the castle in the world above, until a neighboring ruler attacked, killed her husband the king, and took over. She escaped to the world below with the help of an old woman named Rowan with nothing, and became a farmer, a pregnant one all alone... like it's believable that a woman in her dire straits would give birth to TWINS alone, have the wherewithal to take care of them AND run a farm by herself. Impossible.
Years later, Jack gets the beans from who-knows-who, and it's TIME to go back up. Is the woman who gave him the beans Rowan? Dokey never tells us what happened to Rowan, either. Jack befriends Sean (the giant), decides to try to steal the harp from the usurper king to prove he's rightful heir to his father's kingdom (and HOW would that prove it, honestly?)... and instead Jack gets captured. Yet the giant gets away. ????
So Gen has to go up and rescue her brother. On her way to the usurper's castle, she has to travel thru a woods, and Robin Hood swoops out of the trees, waylaying her. Turns out, he's the usurper's noble and honorable son, robbing from the rich to feed the poor. And the King has an archery tournament to lure his son out - the winner deciding the fate of Jack.
It. Was. Lame. Everything was reasoned out, there was too much talking, no chemistry between Robin and Gen, and who the HECK knows what happens at the end to Jack, as Gen and Robin take over the usurper kingdom, and Mama gets back her kingdom. And nobody chops down the last beanstalk, so there's an open portal left there, in the end.
I was not impressed. At all. Someone needs to write a less-Robin-Hood-y version, and have the giant fall for Jac(queline). Now THAT would be a good story. This...? Was a hodge-podge, loose-ended *MEH* of a read.
May 3, 2013
A fun read. "The world Above" is an imaginative and fresh retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk. Dokey proves herself a clever writer with the rearrangement of the old tale to accommodate a spunky, if not reluctant, heroine and two different worlds--one 'Above', and one 'Below'. Like with many fairy tales, the true love happens with a snap of the finger, unexpected heroes and heroines nobly rise to the occasion, and the villain is quick to admit his mistakes and accept defeat when cornered. Nonetheless, all of the favorite elements of the story are present, and with a smart ending and a lesson on nobility and love and faith, The World Above is a great story for readers in want of a story more involved and complicated than the simple fairy tale.
Also, Gen meets Robin, a prince who lives in the forest, steals from the rich and gives to the poor. That's right, Robin Hood meets Jack in the Beanstalk.
I must say at first I was a little irritated, but soon I was delighted. The stories mesh seamlessly, and no mention of "Robin Hood," "Merry Men," or "Little John," is anywhere in the book. For some reason, that satisfied me. Dokey's writing is, as always, smooth and flowing. She masterfully creates a vision with only a few sentences. Gen is a serious young woman who points out her own flaws and does not apologize for them. The characters are interesting, the story is short and sweet. Nicely done.
Also, Gen meets Robin, a prince who lives in the forest, steals from the rich and gives to the poor. That's right, Robin Hood meets Jack in the Beanstalk.
I must say at first I was a little irritated, but soon I was delighted. The stories mesh seamlessly, and no mention of "Robin Hood," "Merry Men," or "Little John," is anywhere in the book. For some reason, that satisfied me. Dokey's writing is, as always, smooth and flowing. She masterfully creates a vision with only a few sentences. Gen is a serious young woman who points out her own flaws and does not apologize for them. The characters are interesting, the story is short and sweet. Nicely done.
January 28, 2012
Gen is a wonderfully upbeat heroine who doesn't allow her skepticism get in the way of accomplishing what needs to be done. She's practical and blessedly admits when she is wrong, rather than hanging on to denial for the entire duration of the story. The contrast between her and her twin brother add much to the believability of their relationship, and gives them both a very distinct personality.
Adding onto this is the combination of a retelling of "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Robin Hood," which are two stories that interact beautifully in "The World Above." For once, I actually liked Robin! The Author plays cleverly upon all elements of both stories - giants, Sherwood Forest, the archery contest - and even integrates different versions of "Jack and the Beanstalk" into the storyline with incredible smoothness.
The story opens with Gen saying how her story is far more interesting than any Jack and the Beanstalk the Reader has read; she's right. "The World Above" is, from beginning to end, far more interesting and exciting - and makes far more sense - than any version of the classic fairy-tale, and Robin Hood, combined.
Adding onto this is the combination of a retelling of "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Robin Hood," which are two stories that interact beautifully in "The World Above." For once, I actually liked Robin! The Author plays cleverly upon all elements of both stories - giants, Sherwood Forest, the archery contest - and even integrates different versions of "Jack and the Beanstalk" into the storyline with incredible smoothness.
The story opens with Gen saying how her story is far more interesting than any Jack and the Beanstalk the Reader has read; she's right. "The World Above" is, from beginning to end, far more interesting and exciting - and makes far more sense - than any version of the classic fairy-tale, and Robin Hood, combined.
October 26, 2017
RESEÑA EN EL BLOG :D
Un lindo libro, sencillo y entretenido.
Me gustó porque, si bien es corto, las cosas pasan rápido y no hay lugar para que se profundice en nada, está bien construido, así que todo es creíble -tan creíble como puede ser un cuento de hadas- y tiene de todo, magia, aventura, un montón de acción, personajes queribles, sangre y amor. Todo en su medida justa.
También me gustó que a pesar de su sencillez, lograra emocionarme, hacerme reír, asustar y ponerme nerviosa montones de veces.
Por último, los retellings de cuentos de hadas tienen sus puntos predecibles si conoces el cuento en qué está basado, pero no es el caso. El autor toma Jack y las habichuelas mágicas, lo mezcla con un poco de Robin Hood y crea su propio mundo, así que hay sorpresas. Muchas.
En fin, le quito una estrella porque esperaba un poco de lucha al final, cosa que no pasó.
Quiero leer todos los libros de esta serie :3
Un lindo libro, sencillo y entretenido.
Me gustó porque, si bien es corto, las cosas pasan rápido y no hay lugar para que se profundice en nada, está bien construido, así que todo es creíble -tan creíble como puede ser un cuento de hadas- y tiene de todo, magia, aventura, un montón de acción, personajes queribles, sangre y amor. Todo en su medida justa.
También me gustó que a pesar de su sencillez, lograra emocionarme, hacerme reír, asustar y ponerme nerviosa montones de veces.
Por último, los retellings de cuentos de hadas tienen sus puntos predecibles si conoces el cuento en qué está basado, pero no es el caso. El autor toma Jack y las habichuelas mágicas, lo mezcla con un poco de Robin Hood y crea su propio mundo, así que hay sorpresas. Muchas.
En fin, le quito una estrella porque esperaba un poco de lucha al final, cosa que no pasó.
Quiero leer todos los libros de esta serie :3
May 19, 2013
As with many of Dokey's other retellings, The World Above is enjoyable but too short. I'm familiar with very few fairy tales, this being one of them. All I ever knew was Jack had a bean, he planted it, and *poof*, a beanstalk. What happens after that, I don't have a clue. That said, there wasn't anything I could expected out of the story.
I found the first few pages to be somewhat confusing. I had to re-read it several times to understand who was who.I'm slow on catching on. I felt that some parts were unnecessary to include, and others needed elaborating. For instance, the relationship between Gen and Robin. It was underdeveloped, but eh, it was alright.
Gen and Jack were great characters. I liked that they were opposites; reasonable Gen and adventurous Jack. The fact that Jack even had a sister was cool. A character I really liked was Steel. He's a minor character but a great addition to the story. (:
The epilogue was sweet. Yay for happy endings! (:
I found the first few pages to be somewhat confusing. I had to re-read it several times to understand who was who.
Gen and Jack were great characters. I liked that they were opposites; reasonable Gen and adventurous Jack. The fact that Jack even had a sister was cool. A character I really liked was Steel. He's a minor character but a great addition to the story. (:
The epilogue was sweet. Yay for happy endings! (:
January 4, 2011
I really liked this book, first because it's actually two retellings under the guise of being one. Jack and the Beanstalk and Robin Hood.
But the problem with this--all of the series, really--is that they're too short. The characters aren't fully developed (well, Gen is, but Robin isn't, for example.) The relationships, also, are underdeveloped.
Still, I like the series. They're nice light reading. :)
But the problem with this--all of the series, really--is that they're too short. The characters aren't fully developed (well, Gen is, but Robin isn't, for example.) The relationships, also, are underdeveloped.
Still, I like the series. They're nice light reading. :)
August 6, 2016
An imaginative re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk. Jack is not an only child, he has a twin sister Gen. Jack and his family come from the world above. His father, the Duke Roland, was murdered and his kingdom taken over. His wife escaped to the world below where Gen and Jack were born. Now that Jack has traded the cow for some magic beans, he and Gen are going home to reclaim their inheritance. Another stellar installment in the Once Upon a Time series.
March 21, 2013
I loved this book! This was one of my favorite books in the ""Once Upon a Time" is Timeless" series. You should defiantly read this book if you like adventure, romance, and a good ending!
October 2, 2022
I like the development of the original story and the addition of more details.
May 13, 2025
3.5/5
So this is a story that is a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk, with a bit of Robin Hood mixed in. It wasn't a bad idea at all, and was executed well... up until the last chapter with a very anticlimactic ending.
This story is told by Jack's *practical* twin sister, Gen. While I believe this was supposed to be an adventurous book, I feel like the most exciting, adventurous parts happened off page, to the more impulsive dreamers, Jack. Because, of course, Gen is a practical planner who doesn't want adventure.
The background love interests were incredibly predictable, love at first sight, but because it wasn't exactly the main focus, it wasn't too annoying. The villain I feel like was clearly a very bad guy, but I found it hard to really *feel* that. He just felt like a side character.
Truly, this book needed another chapter or two to really give us the climax I felt was being promised with the mystery of *practical* Gen's plan (we aren't told it, we have to see it unfold). What the plan ended up being was... honestly, confusing. It felt like the lyre was just a random plot device with a random power that literally made no sense, and how it ended up being used just.... I'm sorry, it didn't make sense to me!! Especially for someone so *practical* (are you sensing a theme here?)
In case it wasn't clear from the rest of my review, Gen had one attribute and one alone that you as the reader are not to forget! She's *practical*. It's literally her whole personality. If her internal and external dialogue isn't reminding you of that, another character is.
Honestly, this was another book that had such great potential, but fell flat at the end. Still, not a bad read overall. I kinda liked the majority of it, which is why the rating I gave isn't terrible. I don't recommend it, but I also don't not recommend it lol just... read at your own risk I suppose, and good luck
So this is a story that is a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk, with a bit of Robin Hood mixed in. It wasn't a bad idea at all, and was executed well... up until the last chapter with a very anticlimactic ending.
This story is told by Jack's *practical* twin sister, Gen. While I believe this was supposed to be an adventurous book, I feel like the most exciting, adventurous parts happened off page, to the more impulsive dreamers, Jack. Because, of course, Gen is a practical planner who doesn't want adventure.
The background love interests were incredibly predictable, love at first sight, but because it wasn't exactly the main focus, it wasn't too annoying. The villain I feel like was clearly a very bad guy, but I found it hard to really *feel* that. He just felt like a side character.
Truly, this book needed another chapter or two to really give us the climax I felt was being promised with the mystery of *practical* Gen's plan (we aren't told it, we have to see it unfold). What the plan ended up being was... honestly, confusing. It felt like the lyre was just a random plot device with a random power that literally made no sense, and how it ended up being used just.... I'm sorry, it didn't make sense to me!! Especially for someone so *practical* (are you sensing a theme here?)
In case it wasn't clear from the rest of my review, Gen had one attribute and one alone that you as the reader are not to forget! She's *practical*. It's literally her whole personality. If her internal and external dialogue isn't reminding you of that, another character is.
Honestly, this was another book that had such great potential, but fell flat at the end. Still, not a bad read overall. I kinda liked the majority of it, which is why the rating I gave isn't terrible. I don't recommend it, but I also don't not recommend it lol just... read at your own risk I suppose, and good luck
April 1, 2025
Okay I have to write a review for this one. first of all like all of the other books in the series (that I have read) ITS SO GOOD...
Plot:
Gen and her twin brother Jack, raised on their mother's tales of a "World Above," embark on an adventure when Jack trades their family cow for magical beans, believing they can return to their royal home. However, Jack's journey up the enchanted stalk leads to his capture by a tyrant, prompting Gen to set out on a dangerous rescue mission.
Characters:
Gen:
She was the main character and the twin of Jack, And She was like so much like me that I couldn't not like her ! And Omgosh her and Jack are EXACTLY like me and my brothers so that make the book A LOT More enjoyable!
Jack: He was funny, Wanted to explore and have fun with life and a lot more care free! He just wanted and ached for adventure with his personality, Making it perfect on how him and Gen were siblings although they were so different. But I loved Him!
Robin: (YAH ROBIN HOOD)
Sighhh THIS GUY (wants to add Robin to my long list of fictional boy friends) I loved him, yes he was perfect in my eyes. He was funny, GREAT but thats all I'ma say cause y'all need to read about him on your own. Sadly I can't have him though considering the fact that he's already taken by Gen but thats fine "don't worry I forgive you because I lovee Gen.!"
Shannon: Yes Shannon, she was a great add and how her and Jack loved each another was SO cute! I liked how she to was looking for her brother (who was with Jack wherever he was at the time) And how her and Gen became friends! Aww I loved that.
Thoughts:
So, I loved how in the re-telling the World above was actually the world of fairy tales like all of the stories lived there. HOW GEN AND JACK WERE the heirs to the kingdom thus why Jack got captured in the first place trying to get it back.. Okay you guys I just love this book thats the only thoughts I'ma give though because y'all need to READ IT !
Songs listened to!
Versions of Forever-by Matt Hanson
Fall into me-Forest Blakk
Too precious-Em beihold
Heaven-Kane brown
Sweater weather-Myles Smith !!
Castle in the sky-Joseph David-Jones
Plot:
Gen and her twin brother Jack, raised on their mother's tales of a "World Above," embark on an adventure when Jack trades their family cow for magical beans, believing they can return to their royal home. However, Jack's journey up the enchanted stalk leads to his capture by a tyrant, prompting Gen to set out on a dangerous rescue mission.
Characters:
Gen:
She was the main character and the twin of Jack, And She was like so much like me that I couldn't not like her ! And Omgosh her and Jack are EXACTLY like me and my brothers so that make the book A LOT More enjoyable!
Jack: He was funny, Wanted to explore and have fun with life and a lot more care free! He just wanted and ached for adventure with his personality, Making it perfect on how him and Gen were siblings although they were so different. But I loved Him!
Robin: (YAH ROBIN HOOD)
Sighhh THIS GUY (wants to add Robin to my long list of fictional boy friends) I loved him, yes he was perfect in my eyes. He was funny, GREAT but thats all I'ma say cause y'all need to read about him on your own. Sadly I can't have him though considering the fact that he's already taken by Gen but thats fine "don't worry I forgive you because I lovee Gen.!"
Shannon: Yes Shannon, she was a great add and how her and Jack loved each another was SO cute! I liked how she to was looking for her brother (who was with Jack wherever he was at the time) And how her and Gen became friends! Aww I loved that.
Thoughts:
So, I loved how in the re-telling the World above was actually the world of fairy tales like all of the stories lived there. HOW GEN AND JACK WERE the heirs to the kingdom thus why Jack got captured in the first place trying to get it back.. Okay you guys I just love this book thats the only thoughts I'ma give though because y'all need to READ IT !
Songs listened to!
Versions of Forever-by Matt Hanson
Fall into me-Forest Blakk
Too precious-Em beihold
Heaven-Kane brown
Sweater weather-Myles Smith !!
Castle in the sky-Joseph David-Jones
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2017
I thought this book was very good. I really enjoyed reading it. I first started reading the Once Upon a Time Timeless series where each book is a retelling of a different fairy tale classic, but with a twist on it. I thought it was interesting how Cameron Dokey decided to combine both Jack and the Beanstalk and Robin Hood. I also like how the main character was a girl whose twin brother was Jack and she was the one who was older. Gen was smart, independent and practical. I would like to think that after the story ended she remained that way and things did not change her.
March 21, 2022
Gen said I didn't know the story and she was right!
I have found that retellings often aren't interesting because they change a few minor details and the rest stays the same. Not so with this story. I particularly liked the blending of the two stories, the beanstalk, and Robin Hood. Nowhere on my version does it say "A Retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk and Robin Hood" so I thought I was super smart when I thought "A Robert who lives in the woods and steals from the rich to give to the poor? Hmm... I bet it's Robin Hood!" Needless to say, it was and I now feel kind of dumb. Anyways, I thought that Cameron Dokey blended the two stories together nicely. Without spoiling anything, using the contest as a means for them to solve their problem was very smart.
Gotta love the romance, it hits all my buttons: softness, a gentleman, sharp banter, a little concern for safety...
Also, the redemption arc, though it wasn't much of one it was really nice to see <
I have found that retellings often aren't interesting because they change a few minor details and the rest stays the same. Not so with this story. I particularly liked the blending of the two stories, the beanstalk, and Robin Hood. Nowhere on my version does it say "A Retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk and Robin Hood" so I thought I was super smart when I thought "A Robert who lives in the woods and steals from the rich to give to the poor? Hmm... I bet it's Robin Hood!" Needless to say, it was and I now feel kind of dumb. Anyways, I thought that Cameron Dokey blended the two stories together nicely. Without spoiling anything, using the contest as a means for them to solve their problem was very smart.
Gotta love the romance, it hits all my buttons: softness, a gentleman, sharp banter, a little concern for safety...
Also, the redemption arc, though it wasn't much of one it was really nice to see <
May 11, 2019
3.5 stars
June 25, 2012
Yes, I think I have probably read every book in this series. I just really like retold fairy tales (that might explain my gazillion-year obsession with writing a retold Beauty and the Beast) (which, by the way, is going reasonably well!).
This one was middling for me.
This is what I liked: The deeper version of the story. Here's what I remember about the original: Jack makes a stupid bargain for beans that probably aren't magical. By tremendous luck, they are. Then he goes up a beanstalk, steals from a giant (admittedly, the giant wanted to eat him, but that doesn't necessitate thievery, just really fast running), and gets away. Then he goes back, steals some more, and kills the giant. Jack does not seem like a winner. But Dokey's version creates a plausible backstory in which Jack is actually likeable, though perhaps a bit foolhardy.
This is what I wasn't thrilled about: I have read all of Dokey's fairy tales. I loved Storyteller's Daughter and Beauty Sleep the best. After those two (the first I read), they all felt a little repetitive to me. Do I agree that it's important to know your heart? Yes. Do I think you must risk your heart wholly in love? Definitely. But do I also think there's more to relationships than that? Also yes. It just feels like I want her to say something new about life and love and all that jazz. But she keeps saying the same thing. Good and important, yes. But not enough.
Also, as a very minor quibble: I think the plausibility of the one single giant in this story would have been aided by the presence of other magic or nonhuman creatures or something. As it was, the giant really stuck out without much believability.
So I'd say, unless you're a fanatic like me, read Storyteller's Daughter instead. And then, if you're still happy with Dokey, read Beauty Sleep. After that... I don't remember which to read next.
This one was middling for me.
This is what I liked: The deeper version of the story. Here's what I remember about the original: Jack makes a stupid bargain for beans that probably aren't magical. By tremendous luck, they are. Then he goes up a beanstalk, steals from a giant (admittedly, the giant wanted to eat him, but that doesn't necessitate thievery, just really fast running), and gets away. Then he goes back, steals some more, and kills the giant. Jack does not seem like a winner. But Dokey's version creates a plausible backstory in which Jack is actually likeable, though perhaps a bit foolhardy.
This is what I wasn't thrilled about: I have read all of Dokey's fairy tales. I loved Storyteller's Daughter and Beauty Sleep the best. After those two (the first I read), they all felt a little repetitive to me. Do I agree that it's important to know your heart? Yes. Do I think you must risk your heart wholly in love? Definitely. But do I also think there's more to relationships than that? Also yes. It just feels like I want her to say something new about life and love and all that jazz. But she keeps saying the same thing. Good and important, yes. But not enough.
Also, as a very minor quibble: I think the plausibility of the one single giant in this story would have been aided by the presence of other magic or nonhuman creatures or something. As it was, the giant really stuck out without much believability.
So I'd say, unless you're a fanatic like me, read Storyteller's Daughter instead. And then, if you're still happy with Dokey, read Beauty Sleep. After that... I don't remember which to read next.
June 14, 2015
This is the last book in the Once Upon a Time series, a series of fairytale retellings written by several different authors. Every book in the series, including this one, is a quick read that stands on its own. While not the most original novel or even my favorite in the series, those are reserved for Snow by Tracy Lynn and Scarlet Moon by Debbie Viguie, The World Above is an enjoyable read with a few unique twists of its own.
After reading so many of the Once Upon a Time novels, I admit to getting a bit tired of the romance, especially the love-at-first-sight romances that dominates the majority of the books. Though The World Above does have the love-at-first-sight romance in it, it thankfully did not dominate the plot. In fact, I made it through about half the book before the main character falls in love and even then, the romance takes a back seat to her finding and saving her brother. Also, though the romance is quick, it did not feel overly gushy.
I also enjoyed the different take on the Jack and the Beanstalk story and the previously nonexistent sister’s perspective. The World Above had a Jack and the Beanstalk meets Robin Hood twist that was fun and the story had a good pacing, not too slow. Though it takes a while for the main character to actually climb the beanstalk to the world above and search for her brother, Jack trades for the beans, climbs the beanstalk and steals two items very early in the story.
Overall I think The World Above is a quick and enjoyable read. Like all other Once Upon a Time novels, it is short, sweet and has a happy ending for all.
Lubbock Public Library Call#: YA FIC DOKE
Amber S.
Librarian
Mahon Branch
Review originally published in Abilene Public Library blog June 21, 2013.
After reading so many of the Once Upon a Time novels, I admit to getting a bit tired of the romance, especially the love-at-first-sight romances that dominates the majority of the books. Though The World Above does have the love-at-first-sight romance in it, it thankfully did not dominate the plot. In fact, I made it through about half the book before the main character falls in love and even then, the romance takes a back seat to her finding and saving her brother. Also, though the romance is quick, it did not feel overly gushy.
I also enjoyed the different take on the Jack and the Beanstalk story and the previously nonexistent sister’s perspective. The World Above had a Jack and the Beanstalk meets Robin Hood twist that was fun and the story had a good pacing, not too slow. Though it takes a while for the main character to actually climb the beanstalk to the world above and search for her brother, Jack trades for the beans, climbs the beanstalk and steals two items very early in the story.
Overall I think The World Above is a quick and enjoyable read. Like all other Once Upon a Time novels, it is short, sweet and has a happy ending for all.
Lubbock Public Library Call#: YA FIC DOKE
Amber S.
Librarian
Mahon Branch
Review originally published in Abilene Public Library blog June 21, 2013.
July 14, 2014
http://kiribeth.blogspot.com/2014/03/...
I enjoyed reading this. The way the author interwove Jack and the Beanstalk with Robin Hood was clever. The characters were believable, and each new page kept you wanting to read more. Gen was a wonderful narrator, and I enjoyed seeing things from her point of view. Of course, Jack and the Beanstalk has long been one of my favorite fairy tales, yet it has faded greatly in the popularity of other fairy tales such as Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, so there really aren't that many JatB retellings out there. This one was a gem as far as retellings go for. And I'm looking forward to reading more of the books in the Once Upon a Time series.
My only real disappointment would be in the length of the book. It's really short, and that made the plot feel really rushed. I didn't get to know the characters as much as I would have liked, and I felt a little gypped. The ending, too, was a letdown, as far as the final villain conflict was concerned. But for those who prefer a light and enjoyable fairy tale, then this is the book for you; my curse is that I care too much for lengthy novels. *winks* So... all in all, a good, fast read.
Advisory: There was some light romance between two characters leading to a kiss. A bit of fantasy fighting as well, but nothing descriptive.
I enjoyed reading this. The way the author interwove Jack and the Beanstalk with Robin Hood was clever. The characters were believable, and each new page kept you wanting to read more. Gen was a wonderful narrator, and I enjoyed seeing things from her point of view. Of course, Jack and the Beanstalk has long been one of my favorite fairy tales, yet it has faded greatly in the popularity of other fairy tales such as Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, so there really aren't that many JatB retellings out there. This one was a gem as far as retellings go for. And I'm looking forward to reading more of the books in the Once Upon a Time series.
My only real disappointment would be in the length of the book. It's really short, and that made the plot feel really rushed. I didn't get to know the characters as much as I would have liked, and I felt a little gypped. The ending, too, was a letdown, as far as the final villain conflict was concerned. But for those who prefer a light and enjoyable fairy tale, then this is the book for you; my curse is that I care too much for lengthy novels. *winks* So... all in all, a good, fast read.
Advisory: There was some light romance between two characters leading to a kiss. A bit of fantasy fighting as well, but nothing descriptive.
March 5, 2015
The World Above was a cute and creative blend of Robin Hood and Jack and the Beanstalk, starring Jack's practical and no-nonsense twin sister, Gen, who is in desperate need of an adventure. Being a fairy-tale retelling, there was magic (pertaining to the beanstalk itself) and everything is very unrealistic, and - being only 175 pages long- extremely short and to the point; not much detail (the plot was really well thought out, despite that!). I did enjoy it while it lasted and appreciated that it was super clean with only one brief and nondescript kiss at the end. But, shh! you can't know that yet! ;)
September 20, 2017
This book made me really sad. Not because the story was actually a downer. Because it had potential to be a decent fantasy story. Cutsie, but decent. Unfortunately, it wasn't decent. The characters were very bland. Every obstacle that they came across fell away easily. Everything was tied up in a bow. I liked that they incorporated several fairy tales, but the grammar and storyline errors were too much of a turn off. At least it was short and easy and not super dark, I guess.
March 16, 2016
A retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk with a female protagonist and elements of Robin Hood thrown in. I'm clearly not the target audience for the book. I guess it's supposed to be easy and quick to read and it is. But it's also boring, simplistic, predictable and doesn't really add much of interest to the original tales. I wasn't emotionally invested enough to hate it but I would have preferred to spend my time reading something else.
July 17, 2010
I love this book. It was cute and magical, and had a nice, little romance. I loved all the characters. I really liked Robin, he was so confident and kind, and had a sense of humor. The World Above is one of my new favorite Once Upon A Time books.
August 2, 2012
Not the most brilliant in the series, but not the worst. Combines an original retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk with Robin Hood. Simple, short, sweet. Not strong enough personalities or enough time with the main couple to find their love believable. Still, ok.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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