“That fool of a fairy Lucinda did not intend to lay a curse on me. She meant to bestow a gift,” (Levine 1).
When Ella of Frell is born a foolish fairy bestows her with the gift of obedience. From being told to stop crying or to hop on one foot for an entire day and a half, to chopping off her head Ella is in danger everyday for what someone may obey her to do. But Ella doesn’t let that stop her, she is determined to stop this curse, and goes on a quest to find Lucinda and get the curse removed.
Finishing Ella Enchanted made me angry. Angry because how did I wait so long to read this fantastic book?! I really have no excuse because Ella Enchanted has everything that I love about a story: a fantastical world, a strong protagonist, a lot of cleverness in the writing. It is such a magnificent and complete story, I hate that I wasn’t a bigger reader as a kid because I think had I read this I would have become an avid reader sooner.
Ella is such a great protagonist. Smart, funny, and determined to break her curse in any way possible. I loved seeing the clever ways she would give in to obedience and how she would try to find loopholes throughout. Even in a loot of middle grade nowadays there aren’t many protagonists like Ella which is a shame, we need more like her!
The book made me so emotional when I was reading. I felt so strongly for Ella and became so angry at Lucinda and Ella’s father, I don’t know if I’ve hated so characters so much in literature in a long time. They were awful! But a good story needs a good antagonist, and that was definitely found in Lucinda, Ella’s father, her stepmother and stepsisters, and through her curse as well. There were a lot of obstacles in Ella’s way but nothing she couldn’t handle. And even when things seemed hopeless there were people in Ella’s life eager to help her.
Ella Enchanted is such a perfect middle grade book but honestly wonderful for all ages. I hate that it took me so long to read this book but am so happy I finally did, what a joy of a book to read!
Publication: April 25 1997
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Pages: 270 pages (Paperback)
Source: Library
Genre: Fiction, Middle Grade, Fantasy
My Rating: ⛤⛤⛤⛤⛤
Summary:
At her birth, Ella of Frell receives a foolish fairy’s gift—the “gift” of obedience. Ella must obey any order, whether it’s to hop on one foot for a day and a half, or to chop off her own head! But strong-willed Ella does not 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 forever.
Sarah O'Connor 