When Ella Enchanted came out, I don’t think I even knew it existed, despite its popular acclaim and the fact that someone in my immediate family was reading it. Had I known about it, would I have appreciated a book that was For Girls? It’s hard to say. But as an adult, I had no qualms about circling back to Gail Carson Levine’s much-loved middle grade classic, and hitting a tricky Bingo square gave me a perfect excuse.
Ella Enchanted is a fairy tale retelling with enough of its own plot to hook even readers who don’t much care for retellings. It takes some suspension of disbelief about fairies and unambiguous heroes and villains, but those are part and parcel with middle grade fiction and shouldn’t be too big an obstacle for anyone comfortable reading for that audience. It starts with a fascinating premise, seeing the lead cursed by a foolish fairy to obey any order she’s given—from anyone. For a time, her mother can shield her from the worst of the consequences, but inevitably, her curse is discovered by enemies who use it to manipulate her into serving them. And she eternally lives in fear that it could be discovered by even worse enemies bent on even darker manipulations, dooming her to a life of slavery if she cannot find the fairy who cursed her and talk her into a reversal.
Given the audience, it should be no surprise that Ella Enchanted is an easy read for an adult, but ease does not guarantee delight, and Ella Enchanted absolutely delivers on that score. It’s easy to sympathize with Ella in her plight, and she has enough of her own goals and interests that her personality isn’t reduced to Cursed Girl. She loves languages, is fascinated by the fanciful races dwelling near her land, and carries a deep-seated commitment to doing right by those around her.
There are times at which her adventures can appear episodic, but they’re plenty enjoyable during the episodes, and nothing is forgotten as the story progresses. Every small subplot builds toward the ultimate conflict and resolution. And while that resolution may be familiar to genre-savvy readers, the deep ties to all that came before it make it an emotionally satisfying finish that never feels cheap or unearned.
Honestly, there’s not much more to say. This is a whole lot of fun, with a creative premise and an endearing central character who is so much more than her curse. I loved it as an adult reader and can’t wait for my daughter to get to it and give me her thoughts—I’d be surprised if it isn’t a big hit [Ed.: she read it, it was a big hit].
Recommended if you like: middle grade, fairy tale retellings, clever premises handled well.
Can I use it for Bingo? It features High Fashion, Elves or Dwarves, and Epistolary segments.
Overall rating: 18 of Tar Vol’s 20. Five stars on Goodreads.