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__sam__'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Very cute!
Ella Enchanted has always been one of my favorite books, so I've been meaning to read this one for years now and I'm glad I finally did. I don't think this one is as good but it's still fun and well written. I like the whole flipping Snow White on its head thing, by making the MC, Aza, not conventionally attractive--her features and coloring are too harsh and she's too big to fit that mold. Lovely messaging throughout, I wish I had read this when I was in like middle school or something
Ella Enchanted has always been one of my favorite books, so I've been meaning to read this one for years now and I'm glad I finally did. I don't think this one is as good but it's still fun and well written. I like the whole flipping Snow White on its head thing, by making the MC, Aza, not conventionally attractive--her features and coloring are too harsh and she's too big to fit that mold. Lovely messaging throughout, I wish I had read this when I was in like middle school or something
jadethereader's review against another edition
5.0
a Totally new look on beauty. I loved it, and i hope you do too.
cconant265's review against another edition
4.0
On its own, this is a pretty average book. In its full cast audiobook form, it is marvelous! I love the singing and the way the story is told through song. It feels like this book was written to be performed.
Following the journey of a traditionally ugly girl, we get to experience her growth and acceptance thought her life in the castle and navigating relationships of all kinds.
Following the journey of a traditionally ugly girl, we get to experience her growth and acceptance thought her life in the castle and navigating relationships of all kinds.
kivt's review against another edition
3.0
i think i would have adored this if i’d read it earlier in life. as things stand, i enjoyed it. it’s a fun and competent snow white retelling and the protagonist is pretty relatable.
mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
5.0
Fairest is a comfort read. It’s actually difficult to look at it critically, I hold it so dear to my heart. I have the original copy I got way back in elementary school. I used to take it everywhere - it has the water damage to prove it. I could quote full passages when I was younger.
If you couldn't guess, Fairest is a retelling of Snow White. Gail Carson Levine has written three retellings all taking place in the same extended universe. The most well known would be Ella Enchanted which I feel is objectively better though Fairest is still of similar quality. Ogre Enchanted, the more recent addition, is not even close to being in the same league as the other two.
The fun part of retellings is seeing the spin put on the original tale. In this instance the biggest part of the spin is that Aza holds all of the qualities of Snow White yet she is considered ugly. It’s hard to get a handle on whether or not Aza is truly as ugly as she believes or if her perspective is skewed as a result of years being derided as a freak for her appearance. While the basic description she gives does sound like it could be unbecoming, she's too much of an unreliable narrator in that regard to take her at face value. Other people obviously do not view her as beautiful, but it’s never made totally clear how much of that is due to an overvaluation of their own narrow definition of beauty.
The murkiness makes it more relatable to me. Most people, especially teenagers, are not as hideous as they think. But, for a variety of reasons ranging from being outside the norm for conventional attractiveness to low self esteem they are unable to see that they really are beautiful and/or that beauty is not the end all be all for existing as a person.
Does it help to be beautiful in this world? Of course. Pretty privilege is a thing, after all. It’s just that it only has as much weight as you give to it. It’s reality that your looks will affect all aspects of your life. The thing to remember is that it doesn’t have to feel like the end of the world if you don’t want it to.
That’s the message in Fairest and that’s what I like about it. It doesn’t try to say that looks don’t matter because that’s patently untrue. Instead Levine makes it clear that above all else what matters is how you feel about yourself. Depending on your circumstances it can be really hard work to combat all the negativity surrounding you and it can be a daily fight over your self esteem, but if you can manage it you’ll be happier for it. It’s a bit corny, I know. Still, I think it’s a particularly good sentiment to send to teenage girls given their propensity for dysphoria.
The characters are a bit simple though they serve their purpose well. My chief complaint is more with Ijori the love interest more than anything because I expect more depth to sell the romance. I do appreciate how Ijori’s interest in her touches on the folly of adhering to beauty standards. Aza is great. I think she captures the mindset of a person struggling to love themself very well. The villain is the best part. I think what truly makes this book stand out is the refreshing twist Levine puts on the whole evil stepmother trope. It makes the mystery all the more compelling.
I’m super, super biased when it comes to this book. I don’t really care. Read it and be satisfied.
If you couldn't guess, Fairest is a retelling of Snow White. Gail Carson Levine has written three retellings all taking place in the same extended universe. The most well known would be Ella Enchanted which I feel is objectively better though Fairest is still of similar quality. Ogre Enchanted, the more recent addition, is not even close to being in the same league as the other two.
The fun part of retellings is seeing the spin put on the original tale. In this instance the biggest part of the spin is that Aza holds all of the qualities of Snow White yet she is considered ugly. It’s hard to get a handle on whether or not Aza is truly as ugly as she believes or if her perspective is skewed as a result of years being derided as a freak for her appearance. While the basic description she gives does sound like it could be unbecoming, she's too much of an unreliable narrator in that regard to take her at face value. Other people obviously do not view her as beautiful, but it’s never made totally clear how much of that is due to an overvaluation of their own narrow definition of beauty.
The murkiness makes it more relatable to me. Most people, especially teenagers, are not as hideous as they think. But, for a variety of reasons ranging from being outside the norm for conventional attractiveness to low self esteem they are unable to see that they really are beautiful and/or that beauty is not the end all be all for existing as a person.
Does it help to be beautiful in this world? Of course. Pretty privilege is a thing, after all. It’s just that it only has as much weight as you give to it. It’s reality that your looks will affect all aspects of your life. The thing to remember is that it doesn’t have to feel like the end of the world if you don’t want it to.
That’s the message in Fairest and that’s what I like about it. It doesn’t try to say that looks don’t matter because that’s patently untrue. Instead Levine makes it clear that above all else what matters is how you feel about yourself. Depending on your circumstances it can be really hard work to combat all the negativity surrounding you and it can be a daily fight over your self esteem, but if you can manage it you’ll be happier for it. It’s a bit corny, I know. Still, I think it’s a particularly good sentiment to send to teenage girls given their propensity for dysphoria.
The characters are a bit simple though they serve their purpose well. My chief complaint is more with Ijori the love interest more than anything because I expect more depth to sell the romance. I do appreciate how Ijori’s interest in her touches on the folly of adhering to beauty standards. Aza is great. I think she captures the mindset of a person struggling to love themself very well. The villain is the best part. I think what truly makes this book stand out is the refreshing twist Levine puts on the whole evil stepmother trope. It makes the mystery all the more compelling.
I’m super, super biased when it comes to this book. I don’t really care. Read it and be satisfied.
annashiv's review against another edition
4.0
pretty good story. I only had a couple problems with it. I feel like the author could have made the characters...have more...character. They all had personalities sure, but they didn't seem very present somehow. The only other problems I had with it are all the strange names and the fact that they seem to sing everything. it was a cool idea and all, but hard to take seriously when I can't come up with actual melodies for them to be singing. So either it sounds like a three year old trying to make up her own songs, or just lots of talking really strangely. Other than that though I really enjoyed it.
curlsandcrime's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
erinricks's review against another edition
5.0
I was kind of reluctant to read this at first because of the cover, but WOW, was this book good! I'm going to try and read Ever now, even though I hate the cover even more...[b:Ever|2204464|Ever|Gail Carson Levine|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1349046851s/2204464.jpg|2210227]