i think the book acknowledging the stepmom thing one (1) time with (a very weak attempt with Apple to deny it while admitting it happened in their parents story) makes it more awkward than never bringing it up at all like the cartoons, but i realize the writers did put themselves in an hard position with the conflict needing Raven to be the Evil Queen meant to act against Apple while also being the same age despite that element of the tale...
however they probably also ignored it because it would undoubtedly be Raven's greatest weapon. It's too weird for Apple to say she approves but to say she doesn't would be a crack in her argument. Briefly poisoning Apple is one thing but that would be too much.













