alizam 's review for:

Ogre Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

3.0

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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.