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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A couple small details don't align with a couple small details in Ella Enchanted, but otherwise this was a wonderful prequel! Thoroughly enjoyed the story and the narration!
I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Evie is a well-respected doctor (or what it would constitute to be a doctor in this world). She tries all of her treatments and cures on her hypochondriac best friend, Wormy. While he does think that he has all of the things wrong with him, he also uses Evie’s medical care to get closer to her. When Wormy proposes to Evie and she rejects him, meddlesome fairy Lucinda overhears and turns Evie into an ogre. She has a short amount of time to get and accept a marriage proposal, otherwise she will stay an ogre forever. It is super difficult to get close to any humans, because ogres are the most terrifying creatures…well that and they smell delicious to Evie. Evie is trying her hardest to get a proposal, while also helping those in medical need. Will she stay an ogre forever?
This was a cute novel, that seems almost like a more mature sister to Ella Enchanted. I loved seeing old characters in new lights. While this wasn’t as completely awesome as Ella, I still enjoyed my time in this world.
Evie is a well-respected doctor (or what it would constitute to be a doctor in this world). She tries all of her treatments and cures on her hypochondriac best friend, Wormy. While he does think that he has all of the things wrong with him, he also uses Evie’s medical care to get closer to her. When Wormy proposes to Evie and she rejects him, meddlesome fairy Lucinda overhears and turns Evie into an ogre. She has a short amount of time to get and accept a marriage proposal, otherwise she will stay an ogre forever. It is super difficult to get close to any humans, because ogres are the most terrifying creatures…well that and they smell delicious to Evie. Evie is trying her hardest to get a proposal, while also helping those in medical need. Will she stay an ogre forever?
This was a cute novel, that seems almost like a more mature sister to Ella Enchanted. I loved seeing old characters in new lights. While this wasn’t as completely awesome as Ella, I still enjoyed my time in this world.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ella Enchanted is in my top five favorite books of all time. I liked this book a lot, but it's not quite love territory. The main character isn't quite as likable (she is an ogre for most of the book, so that may be why). She starts with never wanting to get married, and switches to being convinced she can find someone to love her and love in return within 60 days really fast which felt pretty unbelievable. Other than that, I liked a competent heroine who while she tries to break her curse, isn't whiny about it and is very competent.
I knew this was part of the Ella Enchanted world but thought it was a sequel, not a prequel. When I started reading it and found it was a prequel, I thought it would be more contemporary with Ella Enchanted, and I didn't realize it was truly a prequel until near the end, which didn't affect my enjoyment of the book. I would say read Ella Enchanted first as it makes some of the relationships more fun to see evolve, but either would be fine.
I knew this was part of the Ella Enchanted world but thought it was a sequel, not a prequel. When I started reading it and found it was a prequel, I thought it would be more contemporary with Ella Enchanted, and I didn't realize it was truly a prequel until near the end, which didn't affect my enjoyment of the book. I would say read Ella Enchanted first as it makes some of the relationships more fun to see evolve, but either would be fine.
[Note: Since I'm an adult, my rating isn't as important as ones that come from those within the target audience.]
fast-paced
As a prequel companion book for Ella Enchanted, there were some some plot decisions and inconsistencies with the original which made this book feel shallower than I expected. I would have loved to see it explore more the possible depth and character growth the premise offered. However, as a standalone story on a forst readthrough I overall enjoyed it as it a fun, light "candy" read.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm loving this series! The writing is easy to read, and everything feels fast paced! Gail also taught me that I love fractured fairytales, so I will be diving into that. I suggest this to anyone who enjoys a ya fantasy, romance, story!
It was okay. I had a hard time with it though. Not my favorite, especially after having adored Ella Enchanted.