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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
I think I would have enjoyed this book more at a younger age. Describing attraction as tingling was just really awkward.
I've seen a few reviews stating they expected this book to be like Shrek. Anyone who has read Ella Enchanted would not expect that. It would not fit in with how ogres are set up in this world (and most fantasy worlds).
I've seen a few reviews stating they expected this book to be like Shrek. Anyone who has read Ella Enchanted would not expect that. It would not fit in with how ogres are set up in this world (and most fantasy worlds).
Overstuffed with tie-ins, and the plotting is pretty wacky
For some reason I had to keep reminding myself that the story was set in Kyrria because it felt more like Bamarre.
It was okay but I won’t return to it in the same way I do Ella.
It was okay but I won’t return to it in the same way I do Ella.
It was a cute story overall, though I would have preferred a better resolution with the whole marriage aspect. It was wonderful to see characters from ELLA ENCHANTED and understand their backstories a bit more.
3.5 stars
Definitely not as good as Ella Enchanted, but still enjoyed reading more about the same world.
Definitely not as good as Ella Enchanted, but still enjoyed reading more about the same world.
A perfect prequel to Ella Enchanted, and an amazing story about not judging by appearances (or smells!) and instead looking at actions. Loved seeing the back story for who Ella’s parents were and how they came together, and it’s always great to return to Kyrria.
A fun, quick read. I wasn’t familiar with the fairy tale this was based upon, but I love a good fairy tale retelling, regardless. Set in the same world as Ella Enchanted (taking place before that story). I’m not super familiar with the characters from Ella Enchanted, but I think we meet her parents in this one? Someone who knows that book better would be able to make all the connections, I’m sure.
Honestly, this book was a disappointment. I grew up loving Ella Enchanted and have still loved it rereading it as an adult. I have generally enjoyed most of Levine’s books and was looking forward to reading a newer book by her. The plot of this book is questionable (a fifteen year old girl is turned into an ogre because she turns down a proposal? And then runs across multiple love interests she wants to marry still as a fifteen year old and now an ogre?) the language is gross and repetitive, like the overuse of “meat sticks” and mostly talk of how Evie now wants to eat everyone. Evie has basically no character development and the ending is just as disappointing. The fact that she ends up with Wormy (also what kind of name is Wormy?) is a sad reinforcement of the friend zone dilemma- “she just didn’t see how good she really had it until she lost him” and until she was jealous over his potential new girlfriend and needed rescued by him. Levine attempts to write Evie as a strong, independent heroine and somehow ends up with a mess of a repulsive (in ogre and human form) girl who needs magical fairy help and falls quickly in love with any male under the age of thirty. The biggest disappointment is the fact that Levine has successfully written strong female heroines in the past, and has now fallen so short in this novel.