Book Review - Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Synopsis:  At birth, Ella is inadvertently cursed by an imprudent young fairy named Lucinda, who bestows on her the "gift" of obedience. Anything anyone tells her to do, Ella must obey. Another girl might have been cowed by this affliction, but not feisty Ella: "Instead of making me docile, Lucinda's curse made a rebel of me. Or perhaps I was that way naturally." When her beloved mother dies, leaving her in the care of a mostly absent and avaricious father, and later, a loathsome stepmother and two treacherous stepsisters, Ella's life and well-being seem to be in grave peril. But her intelligence and saucy nature keep her in good stead as she sets out on a quest for freedom and self-discovery as she tries to track down Lucinda to undo the curse, fending off ogres, befriending elves, and falling in love with a prince along the way.

First Line:  "That fool of a fairy Lucinda did not mean to lay a curse on me."

Random Quote:  "I climbed in to the coach, stowing a small carpetbag in a corner, and we started to move.  For comfort I touched my chest where Mother's necklace was concealed.  If she were alive, I wouldn't be rolling away from home in the company of these creatures."

Review:  This is a retelling of Cinderella with a fairly modern twist - a heroine who is plucky, admirable, and in charge of her own destiny - a refreshing change from the usual.  I enjoy books that spin new tellings of old tales and this was definitely a fun read - highly recommended for anyone looking for a girl to admire.

Cinderella loses her slipper - Image via Wikipedia

Levine's writing and characterizations are fresh, clear, utterly charming.  My only quibble is with the depiction of the evil stepsisters who are both ignorant and fat.  Despite the current epidemic of childhood obesity, I'm uncomfortable with giving girls the idea that their weight determines their worth.

Still and all a fun and charming read.

Reading Challenges: Once Upon a Time IV Reading Challenge, Take Another Chance Reading Challenge (Best Book), 2010 A to Z Reading Challenge, 2010 100+ Reading Challenge, 2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge