Reviews with content warning for Bullying - Ella Enchanted

There’s definitely a nostalgia factor here but I love this book a lot :)
It’s been a really long time since I read the book (I’ve seen the movie a lot though) and I didn’t realize how different it was from the movie until just now. I don’t mind the differences and really they could be two different stories, which is fine because I love both of them :)
But this is a fun book and I love Ella and Char, they’re adorable :)
You can definitely see some things in here that wouldn’t fly today (the amount of “fat = bad” in this book is a little iffy, and the way that some of the magical creatures are treated is… interesting?) but other than that it’s a fun read (my elementary school self was obsessed with this one)

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iinasomnia's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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libbyhb's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is one of my favorite books of all time. Like, maybe #2 behind Pride and Prejudice? I love it so much. I first read this when I was 8, and I've read it every 1-2 years in the 19 years since then. This time around, I specifically noticed the efficiency in Gail Carson Levine's writing. She communicates so much in brief sentences just by choosing the most descriptive but simple words (somehow). I love the character development in this - Ella, Char, Mandy, Ella's mother are all so beautifully shaped as the story unfolds. Even Sir Peter is so interestingly fleshed out so as to not make him too one-dimensional. Reading this as an adult, there are a couple things I find annoying and unnecessary, the most important being the fatphobia with regards to Ella's stepmother and stepsisters. But overall, I still love this book so much.

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wondereads13's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I reread this recently, and it made me realize just how much this book impacted my life. Levine’s writing is impeccable, and I’m pretty sure Char set the bar for every love interest ever. Ella is a well-written, well-developed protagonist who you can’t help but root for, and I 100% recommend this book to anyone for its engaging plot, amazing characters, and meaningful message.

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renee8fe8a's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I read this book twice in my life, once as a fourth grader and once 10 years later. It holds up as a fun, light novel that I believe all ages can enjoy. Other than some body shaming (which seems common to many retellings of Cinderella) it holds up surprisingly well in the modern age.

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lilacsophie's review

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adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

4.75

this is a lot different to the movie

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surelyinthefountain's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

MY CHILDHOOD! (but less good when rose-colored glasses are removed, sadly)

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