Reviews

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

fantasynovel's review against another edition

5.0

I don't even know how many times I've read this book. SJM, take notes: THIS is how you write a good romance. And there aren't even a million unnecessary R-rated pages that do nothing to further the plot and come out of nowhere to surprise innocent 11 year olds reading your books! Ahem. Ella Enchanted is just as amazing as it was the first time I read it, except this time I can criticize the world building (why is there a tale about King Midas??? Does Greece exist in this world?????). But I let those things go bc there are other things like the most entertaining evil stepsisters in Western fairytale canon and masked balls. There are ogres with mind-control abilities and little baby gnomes that get lost and a giant couple that gets cursed to never part. The main character is a linguist who can talk to all these animals and even mind-control ogres right back. It's maybe the most entertaining book I've ever read. Pages are literally falling out of my copy, that's how much I love it. Also, NBD, there's a really sweet prince who respects Ella's boundaries and also writes really sweet letters. Like, really sweet letters. brb gotta go cry about those letters.

taylorbre's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

4.0

cejensen's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted

4.75

Really liked this story. Knew it was famous for a reason! Ella's humor is absolutely wonderful and the spell that she be obedient so cruel! Appreciative that we got to see Char more than we get to see the Prince in the classic tale, as we actually get to know him somewhat. Loved the feminist ending. Only wish we got to see more beyond the happily ever after, or at least his reaction to learning about her curse and how that impacted everything (though, of course, I wasn't surprised that we didn't get these details--that probably would have been out of keeping with the genre/telling). Would totally read another book if this were a series. Reminds me a lot of Catherine, Called Birdy! And actually liked the story more as I continued to read. Super charming, cute, lighthearted tale that put a smile on my face. Wish I'd read it ages ago!

wonder_jenn's review

1.0

You might as well read Cinderella since this story doesn't bring anything new to the table.

rowbooksit's review against another edition

funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

nreadsbooks's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

miagengr's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

a very cute middle grade book! very different from the movie, being honest! but still splendid. 

i wish i could have had more areida and ella time. and more ella and char in person banter. but still! cute !

katdfleming's review against another edition

3.0

I wasn't immediately taken with the book, but I was glad I stuck with it. I didn't even make the Cinderella connection until I was about 2/3 of the way through. It was fun reading the final part and seeing how this version stacked up to the original tale. Loved the book's message!

totallywickedruth333's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is one of my favorite books ever! I first read it a couple years ago, and I’ve read it many times since! I don’t really like the original Cinderella story, but this is a great retelling. All of the characters are really well written. Ella is an amazing main character, Areida is really sweet, Char is way more realistic than the og Prince, Mandy is great, and Hattie and Olive are hilarious. I highly recommend this book! 
JUST DONT WATCH THE MOVIE 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse

wherewolf37's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A

5.0