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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
Okay Evie and Eleanor should have gotten married, I don't make the rules.
Aside from the fact that my sapphic ship didn't sail though, this book was a lot of fun! It wasn't as amazing as Ella Enchanted, but I enjoyed myself, and it made me sooo nostalgic.
***Pre-review, April 25, 2018***
A prequel to Ella Enchanted? That book practically WAS my childhood. I don't even know how many times I read it! So obviously I need this in my life.
Aside from the fact that my sapphic ship didn't sail though, this book was a lot of fun! It wasn't as amazing as Ella Enchanted, but I enjoyed myself, and it made me sooo nostalgic.
***Pre-review, April 25, 2018***
A prequel to Ella Enchanted? That book practically WAS my childhood. I don't even know how many times I read it! So obviously I need this in my life.
This isn't a bad book. GCL is an excellent writer, and I enjoyed being back in her world. the characters are likable, there's nothing I can complain about as far as the plot or structure or prose. I especially enjoyed how this is sort of a subversion of Beauty-and-the-Beast (there are way too few retellings in which the GIRL is the Beast!)
But... the ending really spoiled it for me.This plot felt perfectly set-up for a "you don't always have to end up with someone" ending. I think it was Mandy who said something like "there are some who think you could do more good as an ogre, you know". So when she ended up with Wormy... I mean... I don't hate it... but it's disappointing.
One thing I DID like was Lady Eleanor. And she got the worst freaking ending.Screw Peter and SCREW LUCINDA FOR MAKING A WRECKAGE OF PEOPLE'S LIVES. Does anyone else think the other fairies are really freaking selfish? "Oh no that'd be big magic" NO ONE HAS TIME FOR YOUR MORALIZING MANDY ELEANOR IS STUCK MARRYING A HEARTLESS CAD WHO DOESN'T LOVE HER AND LUCINDA IS WREAKING HAVOC. I'm sure there's a "reason" the other fairies are so spineless, and this isn't actually a critique of the book or a reason my rating is so low, but I'm just... I'm mad, okay??? Eleanor deserved so much better. Let her and Evie run away together, GCL, I BEG OF YOU.
It can't hold a candle to Ella Enchanted, but your middle-grader or bored teenager will probably like this just fine.
But... the ending really spoiled it for me.
One thing I DID like was Lady Eleanor. And she got the worst freaking ending.
It can't hold a candle to Ella Enchanted, but your middle-grader or bored teenager will probably like this just fine.
I never thought thought I'd be back in the world of Frell, but here it is, and it's every bit as magic as it was in Ella. Evie is just as fascinating a character, Lucinda still as annoying, and I loved slowly figuring out the connections between this story and Ella - although this one stands completely alone, so you can read it without knowing anything about Ella. A fantastic read, and I hope to return to Frell again another time.
Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.
I wouldn't endanger anyone else in this quest. I'd go alone. If I succeeded, I'd be welcome anywhere, at least for a while, even as an ogre. I could live at home again and wouldn't have to eternally miss Mother and Wormy.
When I rejoined humanity, I might save someone whose gratitude would progress to love. Then, if I could set aside the memory of Master Peter, I might return the feeling, because saving someone's life was almost as good as drinking a love potion.
Yes! I would go to the dragons' Spires. If I died trying to get purpline, my end would sadden only two people, neither of them myself.
Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.
I wouldn't endanger anyone else in this quest. I'd go alone. If I succeeded, I'd be welcome anywhere, at least for a while, even as an ogre. I could live at home again and wouldn't have to eternally miss Mother and Wormy.
When I rejoined humanity, I might save someone whose gratitude would progress to love. Then, if I could set aside the memory of Master Peter, I might return the feeling, because saving someone's life was almost as good as drinking a love potion.
Yes! I would go to the dragons' Spires. If I died trying to get purpline, my end would sadden only two people, neither of them myself.