Ella Enchanted

How can a fairy's blessing be such a curse?

At her birth, Ella of Frell was the unfortunate recipient of a foolish fairy's gift--the "gift' of obedience. Ella must obey any order given to her, whether it's hopping on one foot for a day and a half, or chopping off her own head! But strong-willed Ella does not tamely accept her fate. Against a bold backdrop of princes, ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, and fairy godmothers, Ella goes on a quest to break the curse--once and for all.

In this incredible debut novel comes the richly entertaining story of Ella of Frell, who at birth was given the gift of obedience by a fairy. Ella soon realizes that this gift is little better than a curse, for how can she truly be herself if at anytime anyone can order her to hop on one foot, or cut off her hand, or betray her kingdom'and she'll have to obey? Against a bold tapestry of princes, ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, and fairy godmothers, Ella's quest to break the curse once and for all and discover who she really is is as sharply funny as Catherine, Called Birdy and as richly poignant as Beauty, and has all the marks of a classic in the making.

Another great book enjoyed by both me and my daughter. Sophie watched the movie version recently and when she got the book she devoured. And for a change she finsihed reading the book before I did.

I found it to be a quick read (it would have been quicker if Sophie wasn't reading at the same time), I enjoyed the setting and the characters. I loved Ella and her "gift", more like a curse and her need to break the curse and live a normal life; I felt for her and thought that she was exploited by the people that should have protected her, but that aspect was needed of course. It was a great twist to the traditional Cinderella story.

Sophie has already asked for more books written by Gail Carson Levine. And I'm sure Santa will oblige, just don't tell her...

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (4/5) Young Reader; Fairy Tale; Published: HarperCollins (4/1997); Winner of the Newbery Honor; 101 Fantasy Reading Challenge (6); 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (146);