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Book Review of Ella Enchanted

Ella Enchanted
Ella Enchanted
Author: Gail Carson Levine
Genre: Children's Books
Book Type: Paperback
reviewed on + 350 more book reviews


I watched the film first. I got this book for free (on paperbackswap) for My sister-in-law since she enjoyed the book when she was younger. I told her I saw the film and she handed me the book and said I must read it. She said, "The film took bits from the book then pooped on it and then made something completely different and stupid and horrible."

This book takes much from the tale of Cinderella but made its own unique and having more descriptive build-up. It certainly is a great book for girls. I think I would have enjoyed this book much more if I liked to read back in middle school (I was in 8th grade when it was published).

Ella was "gifted" by a fairy as a baby to obey commands given to her. This story is about her struggle to obey and hopefully overcome what she thinks is more of a curse than a gift (though the fairy would argue over which it is: a curse or gift). Whenever something is commanded of Ella, she does do it, though she doesn't enjoy having to do it. She meets the prince and forms a bond of friendship with him. He never tells her what to do and considers her opinion unlike the majority of those she meets. She hopes to be able to break the curse she was given for various reasons throughout this story.

My sister-in-law was right, this book was much different and much better than the movie (I didn't really even like the movie, honestly - so I didn't really even want to read the book). This is pretty much a romantic comedy and I thought it to be quite fun.