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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
This book wasn't my cup of tea.
To be fair, I'm not the intended audience. It's definitely a middle grade level book, but I've never minded books written for younger audiences before. They can be just as interesting, fun, surprising, and good.
And this book is okay, don't get me wrong. I'm pretty tired of Cinderella retellings but this one's more of a mis-telling: Cinderella goes off to marry the prince and live happily ever after, only it turns out her fiancé's a dolt, and women are expected to just sit there and be pretty. It's about a girl trying to figure out what love is (and isn't).
I think my main issues with it were the clichés. She gets to the castle and instantly hates it, but rather than using her abilities or position to change anything, she just sort of complains. And then there was one point where I was like, "Oh look, ANOTHER book where the main character faints from wearing a too tight corset. How historically accurate and original".
I think the story was okay, but I was just not the intended audience, so I'm having more critical thoughts about it (like the writing felt too juvenile, or the characters felt too one-dimensional). Overall 2 stars- it wasn't for me and I have no plans to continue the series, but I could definitely see recommending it to preteens/teens.
To be fair, I'm not the intended audience. It's definitely a middle grade level book, but I've never minded books written for younger audiences before. They can be just as interesting, fun, surprising, and good.
And this book is okay, don't get me wrong. I'm pretty tired of Cinderella retellings but this one's more of a mis-telling: Cinderella goes off to marry the prince and live happily ever after, only it turns out her fiancé's a dolt, and women are expected to just sit there and be pretty. It's about a girl trying to figure out what love is (and isn't).
I think my main issues with it were the clichés. She gets to the castle and instantly hates it, but rather than using her abilities or position to change anything, she just sort of complains. And then there was one point where I was like, "Oh look, ANOTHER book where the main character faints from wearing a too tight corset. How historically accurate and original".
I think the story was okay, but I was just not the intended audience, so I'm having more critical thoughts about it (like the writing felt too juvenile, or the characters felt too one-dimensional). Overall 2 stars- it wasn't for me and I have no plans to continue the series, but I could definitely see recommending it to preteens/teens.
adventurous
dark
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was captivated by this book thought it’s not my usual style. Liked it a lot when I was younger
I originally read this as a kid, but reread when home sick and bored. It's still pretty great!
I remember reading this as a young teen and being very annoyed at Ella for not wanting to be a Princess. As an adult this book took on a whole new meaning.
This book had a message and it did well at spreading the message. The story itself seemed very cool to me and got me excited to read it. However, it left me disappointed I didn't feel anything for the characters I wasn't rooting for any of them.
That being said I finished it very fast and I think for kids it would be an entertaining story and good message.
That being said I finished it very fast and I think for kids it would be an entertaining story and good message.
This is a great take of Cinderella and what happened after the ball. Ella is engaged to the prince and is living in the palace learning what she needs to know to be able to run a kingdom. Everyone is telling what to do and what she can't do. She then realizes that she doesn't really love the prince, but she is not sure how he will react and what will happen afterwards.
I lived this story because it shows us that we don't have to have a fairy godmother to make our lives perfect. We can do it ourselves. This book also shows us that we may not always want what we think we want. This book is great for anything that is struggling in life and doesn't know how to change it. This book will show them that they can change it all by them self.
I lived this story because it shows us that we don't have to have a fairy godmother to make our lives perfect. We can do it ourselves. This book also shows us that we may not always want what we think we want. This book is great for anything that is struggling in life and doesn't know how to change it. This book will show them that they can change it all by them self.
I remember the day my sister first found this book, we were at Barnes and Nobles and when it became pretty clear we'd be there for a while, I sat down with "Nanny McFee" and Anna picked up "Just Ella". She was so taken with the plot that I later found it at the library and gave it a try.
Taking the well-known story of Cinderella, Haddix goes into what happens next! Turns out, the only reason 'Ella' just went to spite her step-family, Prince Charming turns out to be a real bore! A wholesome book particularly good for pre-teen and younger, I'd reccomend it as a great gift! !
Taking the well-known story of Cinderella, Haddix goes into what happens next! Turns out, the only reason 'Ella' just went to spite her step-family, Prince Charming turns out to be a real bore! A wholesome book particularly good for pre-teen and younger, I'd reccomend it as a great gift! !
I was expecting more action, adventure, and a better ending. And references to other fairy tales wouldn't have been so bad either. Oh well. It was a little like Ella Enchanted, but not as good. I just wasn't feeling this book.
This story begins at the end of Cinderella's fairy tale, when Ella is engaged to marry Prince Charming. With the wedding only two months away, Ella is forced to learn restrictive palace protocol, sit through endless embroidery lessons, and learn the boring history of the royal family. Her meetings with the Prince are awkward and silent, and her only friends are the poor serving child, Mary, and the philosophy tutor, Jed. Ella begins to wonder if she really loves the Prince at all, and if she can tolerate the confinement of the palace for the rest of her life.
I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! (I really hate the cover art, and made the mistake of judging the book by its cover.) I read it all in one sitting, because I could not put it down.
Ella is fiery and energetic. She longs to do courageous deeds and have close relationships with people, but the royal protocol is so restrictive that no one can have a meaningful conversation, much less actually connect with anyone or do anything of real consequence. I loved the way she beat her wings against those cage bars and finally escaped to build her own life.
This book goes into some deep themes as Ella discovers what she truly wants out of life. She ponders what love really is and how it should feel when it is true. She contemplates what gives life meaning and what kind of legacy she wants to leave. Jed is a thinker with big ideas, but doesn't have the gumption to take action until Ella inspires him with her intense energy. They both have really excellent character development.
My favorite parts of the book where when Ella sassed back to people in authority over her. Oooh, it was so good! I could perfectly imagine her with her hand on her hip, wagging her head at some fancy madame, and insisting that she was not going to wear a corset. Haha!
There were only a few things that annoyed me. First, idioms and sayings that are decidedly modern which don't belong in an obviously old-timey world where people wear corsets. It bothers me when the world is inconsistent.
Secondly, there are a weirdly high amount of mentions of body functions, poop, and urine, and animal manure. I mean, at one place it was important to the plot, but most of the time, I didn't need to know all that.
There is also a mention of a man who raped several women. He threatens Ella and she finds out later that he was sentenced and executed for rape. It's barely mentioned in the story and there are no details, but still... not something for young readers to be reading about. It also seemed unnecessary to the story. Why include it when it wasn't really important to the story, and adds a bad tone to the book?
I really enjoyed this book, but those few things annoyed me; not enough to ruin the story for me, but enough for me to take my rating down a star. It would have been a 4 star book without those things.
I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! (I really hate the cover art, and made the mistake of judging the book by its cover.) I read it all in one sitting, because I could not put it down.
Ella is fiery and energetic. She longs to do courageous deeds and have close relationships with people, but the royal protocol is so restrictive that no one can have a meaningful conversation, much less actually connect with anyone or do anything of real consequence. I loved the way she beat her wings against those cage bars and finally escaped to build her own life.
This book goes into some deep themes as Ella discovers what she truly wants out of life. She ponders what love really is and how it should feel when it is true. She contemplates what gives life meaning and what kind of legacy she wants to leave. Jed is a thinker with big ideas, but doesn't have the gumption to take action until Ella inspires him with her intense energy. They both have really excellent character development.
My favorite parts of the book where when Ella sassed back to people in authority over her. Oooh, it was so good! I could perfectly imagine her with her hand on her hip, wagging her head at some fancy madame, and insisting that she was not going to wear a corset. Haha!
There were only a few things that annoyed me. First, idioms and sayings that are decidedly modern which don't belong in an obviously old-timey world where people wear corsets. It bothers me when the world is inconsistent.
Secondly, there are a weirdly high amount of mentions of body functions, poop, and urine, and animal manure. I mean, at one place it was important to the plot, but most of the time, I didn't need to know all that.
There is also a mention of a man who raped several women. He threatens Ella and she finds out later that he was sentenced and executed for rape. It's barely mentioned in the story and there are no details, but still... not something for young readers to be reading about. It also seemed unnecessary to the story. Why include it when it wasn't really important to the story, and adds a bad tone to the book?
I really enjoyed this book, but those few things annoyed me; not enough to ruin the story for me, but enough for me to take my rating down a star. It would have been a 4 star book without those things.
Just meh. I mean, I enjoyed reading it, but the writing style was rather juvenile. It felt as though the story was told from the perspective of a 10- year-old rather than a 15-year-old. Rather disappointing considering Margaret Peterson Haddix is a critically acclaimed author.