Gail Carson Levine - Ella Enchanted

Pros: charming story, well-developed characters, appealing prince, original take on Cinderella

Cons: still somewhat predictable

The Bottom Line: Original yet familiar, Cinderella but with spunk, this is a fairy tale worth reading.

Review: I admit it. I have a strange fascination with fantasy stories and fairy tales that revolve around princesses with flaws. So many of the traditional fairy tales revolve around perfect girls, the type of girls I always hated in school because they looked...

Pros: endless

Cons: um... it ended?

The Bottom Line: Treat yourself to this Cinderella story - it is fast reading, easy enough for young readers, and a fun story as well!

Review: My bookclub’s selection for the month of June was so good (and so fast and easy to read) that I am finished reading two weeks before the discussion date. In fact, I found Ella Enchanted to be so enjoyable from the very first page that I actually...

Pros: Engaging, strong character development, suspense, heroic, Values: loyalty, honesty, commitment, self-control, inner strength.

Cons: Those starting with the movie or television might be startled by differences.

The Bottom Line: If you have a girl under the age of 13; buy this book! If your children are a little younger, consider the audio version!

Review: Summary: Ella is cursed by a silly fairy who doesn't realize she is ruining the lives of those she blesses. Ella must obey anyone and everyone who gives her a direct order. Which is not bad when that someone loves you; as the head cook does; but is ...

Pros: appropriate for young and old alike, well written, insightful

Cons: The movie is a horrible depiction of such a wonderful story.

The Bottom Line: This book is made to be read by mothers and daughters, many times over again. It is marvelous and well written.

Review: Ella is born with a curse. The curse becomes her, even when she fights it. She is magically compelled to be completely obedient, and not just to her parents. She must obey all orders given to her, by anyone. When her mother dies, and Ella is left to the ...

Pros: Great Fantasy, A way to add something original to Cinderella

Cons: You know how it is going to end from the start!

The Bottom Line: This book is a wonderful enchanting story and it is a must-read!

Review: This book is great! Although the main plot is like Cinderella this book adds a great twist because of the magical spell set on Ella. When she was a baby she was given the horrible gift of always having to listen to everyone's orders. This gives her...

Pros: It was so interesting and funny. It was like Cinderella, but unlike Cinderella

Cons: There are cons?!?!? NO WAY!!!! (well a sequal would be nice....)

The Bottom Line: EXCELLENT!!!!!!! IT IS THE BEST RETOLD TWISTED FAIRY TALE!!!!! EVER!!!!!!! GO!!!!! READ IT!!!!!

Review: Ok this book is FABULOUS!!!! It is like a fairy tale except very realistic and down-to-earth. Ella Enchanted is similar to Cinderella, but Ella is a rebel instead of a goody-goody, how-can-I-do-wrong? princess. Ella is a noble's daughter and was given...

Pros: Hear the voice of the heroine in the prose, Very imaginative, Cinderella with a twist

Cons: short read

The Bottom Line: Even if you did not like the story of Cinderella, you should try this. The plot of Cinderella is there, but the heroine makes it her own story.

Review: Gail Carson Levine gives the traditional female roles in fairy tales a twist. This is a story about a girl named Ella who is cursed by a fairy named Lucinda, who bestows on her the "gift" of obedience. Anything anyone tells her to do, she must obey. ...

Pros: Ingenious, Interesting, and Original.

Cons: None that I could find.

The Bottom Line: My final recommendation is buy it! You will be so happy you did, especially if it's a gift for a girl of any age.

Review: This is a wonderful, highly imaginative book. Gail Carson Levine has written a fairytale every bit as fascinating as any of the Harry Potters, and about half as long. My mother bought me this book when I was in sixth grade and I was delighted with the ...

Pros: A very enchanted tale that gives you hope that there is a prince charming out there for you too

Cons: So, what else is new?

Review: It had happened. That foolish fairy had done it again. Ella never really took note of her curse until she was five years old, and it had tormented her ever since.
I compliment Ms. Levine on her extraordinary piece of work. She had taken the...

Pros: A fun, intelligent twist on the Cinderella story.

Cons: You might have to read it out loud for younger kids.

The Bottom Line: You can't help but fall in love with the "real" Cinderella in this book.

Review: When I tell people about this book, I usually start by saying, "If Cinderella had happened in real life, this would be the story about it." Except, of course, that there aren't really any ogres or centaurs or fairy godmothers.... But this story ...