Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by drunknnninja
Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix
2.0
This book wasn't my cup of tea.
To be fair, I'm not the intended audience. It's definitely a middle grade level book, but I've never minded books written for younger audiences before. They can be just as interesting, fun, surprising, and good.
And this book is okay, don't get me wrong. I'm pretty tired of Cinderella retellings but this one's more of a mis-telling: Cinderella goes off to marry the prince and live happily ever after, only it turns out her fiancé's a dolt, and women are expected to just sit there and be pretty. It's about a girl trying to figure out what love is (and isn't).
I think my main issues with it were the clichés. She gets to the castle and instantly hates it, but rather than using her abilities or position to change anything, she just sort of complains. And then there was one point where I was like, "Oh look, ANOTHER book where the main character faints from wearing a too tight corset. How historically accurate and original".
I think the story was okay, but I was just not the intended audience, so I'm having more critical thoughts about it (like the writing felt too juvenile, or the characters felt too one-dimensional). Overall 2 stars- it wasn't for me and I have no plans to continue the series, but I could definitely see recommending it to preteens/teens.
To be fair, I'm not the intended audience. It's definitely a middle grade level book, but I've never minded books written for younger audiences before. They can be just as interesting, fun, surprising, and good.
And this book is okay, don't get me wrong. I'm pretty tired of Cinderella retellings but this one's more of a mis-telling: Cinderella goes off to marry the prince and live happily ever after, only it turns out her fiancé's a dolt, and women are expected to just sit there and be pretty. It's about a girl trying to figure out what love is (and isn't).
I think my main issues with it were the clichés. She gets to the castle and instantly hates it, but rather than using her abilities or position to change anything, she just sort of complains. And then there was one point where I was like, "Oh look, ANOTHER book where the main character faints from wearing a too tight corset. How historically accurate and original".
I think the story was okay, but I was just not the intended audience, so I'm having more critical thoughts about it (like the writing felt too juvenile, or the characters felt too one-dimensional). Overall 2 stars- it wasn't for me and I have no plans to continue the series, but I could definitely see recommending it to preteens/teens.