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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
A cute, interesting twist on a cinderella story. the writing is a little young, but i still got wrapped up in the story.
A more realistic look at what becomes
of Cinderella than the traditional
"happily ever after". But I like the
happily ever after!
of Cinderella than the traditional
"happily ever after". But I like the
happily ever after!
The messages of taking charge of your own destiny instead of waiting for someone else to make you happy, finding purpose in life apart from finding Prince Charming, and that "happily ever after" takes work are all great ones. However, I'm still annoyed with Haddix's portrayal of the young. I found the dialogue to be too modern for a medieval time period and her characters continued to be flat stereotypes. And her message got in the way of her storytelling. Gail Carson Levine did it much better as did Robin McKinley and Shannon Hale.
adventurous
hopeful
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
3.5
Re-reading this book a few years after I initially got and read it, is quite a different experience. I don't entirely remember how I felt while first reading this, but I knew I at least liked it a little.
But now, I see how good the messages in it are. I wish I could've seen how good the messages were when I was younger. Because there's so many feminist elements to it all. And I like that. I love how Ella realizes her self worth and what she really wants in life and that, well, having what everyone else around her wants is not always the ideal. I think upon the first time reading this, I didn't get Ella's motives, it was spun a bit strangely for me then. But now, I've come full circle. Hate the prince. Hate a lot of characters and their motives, their methods of persuasion, etc. I'm glad I see all these things now, at least.
But I sort of hope this book could/can reach younger girls and teach them to see that not all love stories have happy endings, and that it's okay to take on your own path. Also working hard for what you really want in life pays off more often than not. And that it's not okay for people around you to treat you like a piece of shit. Yea.
There are definitely parts to it that weren't too good, in my opinion, (like the ending) but I like this book overall. It's somewhat nice. Quick read.
Re-reading this book a few years after I initially got and read it, is quite a different experience. I don't entirely remember how I felt while first reading this, but I knew I at least liked it a little.
But now, I see how good the messages in it are. I wish I could've seen how good the messages were when I was younger. Because there's so many feminist elements to it all. And I like that. I love how Ella realizes her self worth and what she really wants in life and that, well, having what everyone else around her wants is not always the ideal. I think upon the first time reading this, I didn't get Ella's motives, it was spun a bit strangely for me then. But now, I've come full circle. Hate the prince. Hate a lot of characters and their motives, their methods of persuasion, etc. I'm glad I see all these things now, at least.
But I sort of hope this book could/can reach younger girls and teach them to see that not all love stories have happy endings, and that it's okay to take on your own path. Also working hard for what you really want in life pays off more often than not. And that it's not okay for people around you to treat you like a piece of shit. Yea.
There are definitely parts to it that weren't too good, in my opinion, (like the ending) but I like this book overall. It's somewhat nice. Quick read.
Very quick read without a ton of depth but with a fun premise and dynamic writing.
I picked this book off my shelf on a nostalgic whim. A nice compliment to Ella Enchanted, my all-time favorite book as a young girl. I appreciate the straightforward, no-nonsense message about hard work and the importance of knowing yourself, what you want, and having the courage to say "no" when you want to say "no." Simple, charming little story. A quick read for me, even as a younger reader.
