“Once upon a time, there were two girls.

One was beautiful and beloved and the other was a lonely hag.”

 

“I like our story,” Sophie said.

“It hasn’t gotten to the part where your prince punches you,” said Agatha.

:D

First we have Sophie, the fairest of fair maidens.

To sustain her beauty (waist-length hair of spun gold, jade green eyes, and creamy peach skin), she follows an extensive beauty routine consisting of "goose feathers, pickled potatoes, horse hooves, cream of cashews, and a vial of cow’s blood".

Looks like a princess, acts like a princess, but a witch.

Then we have Agatha, the most hideous of hags.

Her hideous dome of black hair looked like it was coated in oil. Her hulking black dress, shapeless as a potato sack, couldn’t hide freakishly pale skin and jutting bones. Ladybug eyes bulged from her sunken face.

But Agatha is the one who holds the moral compass, who has the heart of gold, who saves people and make them better.

Together, they caused mayhem, started a revolution, and fell in love (not with each other), and had their friendship tested.

“F is for ‘Faith,’” Sophie said. “Which I thought you had in me.”

And in the manner of all fairytales, they fought an epic battle of Good vs Evil... with an ending that makes any sequels unnecessary. I'll recommend reading this book, but not the next.