Review: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

April 28th, 2010 | 4.5-5 Treasure Chests, Book Review, Fantasy, J-L, Romance

by First Mate Keira

Title: Ella Enchanted
Author: Gail Carson Levine
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 240
Grade Reading Level: 6-8 Grade

Summary: Not long after Ella of Frell’s birth did her life take a sudden and most serious turn for the worse. She was enchanted by Lucinda, a fairy who flouts all the rules and thinks little of the consequences. Forced obedience, is a perfectly lovely gift after all! (Cue massive shudder!) Ella hates her gift and rightly calls it a curse. The only thing she wants in the whole world it to break it.

Why I started this book:

I first read this book back in 8^th grade. It’s been on my favorites shelf ever since. It was so good that I ran out to get the rest of Levine’s works. (Side note: Ella Enchanted is her best novel, the rest are not all that good.)

Likes:

Lucinda is not evil; she’s just a bit deluded and puffed up on her own awesomeness.
Prince Charmont or Char as he goes by is a wonderful sweet guy. When I first read the name I thought it was so cool to see an updated and fun way of saying Prince Charming.
Arieda’s and Ella’s friendship. It was so strong that even after months and months of separation and zero communication that it made me envious. Best friends like that are hard to find!
I loved how Ella’s curse was finally lifted. It was very moving and empowering!
Mandy, the Cook, and her magical fairy book that she gave to Ella. I think a Kindle is a good equivalent, don’t you? Haha.
Hattie is the perfect teenage snooty girl villain. I loved her even as I detested her.