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emma's Reviews > Ella Enchanted
Ella Enchanted (Ella Enchanted, #1)
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emma's review
bookshelves: owned, recommend, children-s, i-love-these-characters, reread, 4-and-a-half-stars, fairytale, retelling, reviewed
Jul 07, 2014
bookshelves: owned, recommend, children-s, i-love-these-characters, reread, 4-and-a-half-stars, fairytale, retelling, reviewed
Read 3 times. Last read June 20, 2019 to June 21, 2019.
Have I mentioned I love middle grade? Because hey, guess what, I absolutely goddamn love middle grade. (I feel like I shouldn’t say “goddamn” in a review of a children’s book, but also I am still me. I still have my brand to look out for, regardless of target audiences.)
A n y w a y. This book rules.
https://emmareadstoomuch.wordpress.co...
I have a kind of complicated relationship with the movie. It has a reputation for being among the worst book-to-film adaptations, and that is, guess what, totally warranted. They’re two totally different stories, essentially. But uh…(whispers) I guess that’s kind of why/how I like them both?
I GREW UP ON BOTH OF THEM OKAY. THEY’RE BOTH GOOD IF YOU LOOK AT THEM SEPARATELY.
Ahem.
Anyway. I say for the second time.
This book, in case you live under a rock that prevents you from hearing about great middle-grade adventure retellings of fairytales with feisty female protagonists, is a Cinderella retelling wherein Cinderella (just Ella tho) has been cursed with obedience. She has to obey every command given to her.
IT SUCKS.
But it double-sucks because Ella is a lil badass and totally feisty and stubborn and would neverrrrr listen to anyone if she could help it. Unfortunately she cannot. But she gets into some fun hijinks and verbal battles and whatnot because of it.
There is also Prince Char, who is an absolute BAAAAABE. One thing that no one can argue with in the movie is that the movie-Char is fine as hell. Pro tip: picture this for the rest of the review.
The HAIIIIIIIR. Oh my god.
Anyway. (Three times now. Stop counting.)
Char’s full name is Charmont, which is just one letter off from Charmant, which is the French word for charming. And he is EXTREMELY SO. A book boyfriend for the ages and the only man who could ever deserve Queen of Feist Ella.
This should be enough to convince you that this book rocks and it is ten years past time for you to read it. Amazing badass female protagonist + dreamy love interest + great well-developed romance that starts as a friendship (which I didn’t mention until this point but now you know) + adventurey exciting plot + curse + fairies + ogres + giants + fairytale lands + mythical creatures + elvin artists + Cinderella retelling = perfection.
Okay, to be fair, I didn’t include a lot of that information before now. But again: now you know.
Bottom line: This book is like throwing a bunch of ingredients for perfection in a pot and hoping they stick. And guess what? THEY DO.
----------------
reread updates
just as good on the 800th read
----
i will reread this book infinity times.
A n y w a y. This book rules.
https://emmareadstoomuch.wordpress.co...
I have a kind of complicated relationship with the movie. It has a reputation for being among the worst book-to-film adaptations, and that is, guess what, totally warranted. They’re two totally different stories, essentially. But uh…(whispers) I guess that’s kind of why/how I like them both?
I GREW UP ON BOTH OF THEM OKAY. THEY’RE BOTH GOOD IF YOU LOOK AT THEM SEPARATELY.
Ahem.
Anyway. I say for the second time.
This book, in case you live under a rock that prevents you from hearing about great middle-grade adventure retellings of fairytales with feisty female protagonists, is a Cinderella retelling wherein Cinderella (just Ella tho) has been cursed with obedience. She has to obey every command given to her.
IT SUCKS.
But it double-sucks because Ella is a lil badass and totally feisty and stubborn and would neverrrrr listen to anyone if she could help it. Unfortunately she cannot. But she gets into some fun hijinks and verbal battles and whatnot because of it.
There is also Prince Char, who is an absolute BAAAAABE. One thing that no one can argue with in the movie is that the movie-Char is fine as hell. Pro tip: picture this for the rest of the review.
The HAIIIIIIIR. Oh my god.
Anyway. (Three times now. Stop counting.)
Char’s full name is Charmont, which is just one letter off from Charmant, which is the French word for charming. And he is EXTREMELY SO. A book boyfriend for the ages and the only man who could ever deserve Queen of Feist Ella.
This should be enough to convince you that this book rocks and it is ten years past time for you to read it. Amazing badass female protagonist + dreamy love interest + great well-developed romance that starts as a friendship (which I didn’t mention until this point but now you know) + adventurey exciting plot + curse + fairies + ogres + giants + fairytale lands + mythical creatures + elvin artists + Cinderella retelling = perfection.
Okay, to be fair, I didn’t include a lot of that information before now. But again: now you know.
Bottom line: This book is like throwing a bunch of ingredients for perfection in a pot and hoping they stick. And guess what? THEY DO.
----------------
reread updates
just as good on the 800th read
----
i will reread this book infinity times.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
March 4, 2006
–
Finished Reading
July 7, 2014
– Shelved
August 8, 2017
–
Started Reading
August 8, 2017
–
Finished Reading
June 20, 2019
–
Started Reading
June 21, 2019
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 80 (80 new)
message 1:
by
La Coccinelle
(new)
-
rated it 4 stars
Aug 12, 2017 03:26PM
Have you read any of the author's other books? Ella Enchanted is good, but my favourite is probably The Two Princesses of Bamarre.
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La Coccinelle wrote: "Have you read any of the author's other books? Ella Enchanted is good, but my favourite is probably The Two Princesses of Bamarre."i read every book she ever published! granted i was like 9 and don't remember any of it but i liked em all. this was my fav of the bunch though
Cait • A Page with a View wrote: "THIS IS MY FAVORITE BOOK"IT'S RIDICULOUSLY GOOD
This is the most WTF film I ever watched! I had no idea it was based on a book. I will have to give it go now
Vanessa wrote: "This is the most WTF film I ever watched! I had no idea it was based on a book. I will have to give it go now"the book is so different!!!! i'd be curious to hear what your thoughts are comparatively!
the "I still have my brand to look out for" part of the review - omg, I'm laughing more than I should be
I actually liked both book and movie as separate entities as well! But also the romance in this book is SO well done ♡.
Bri wrote: "the "I still have my brand to look out for" part of the review - omg, I'm laughing more than I should be"my brand matters to me more than anything
Dida wrote: "I actually liked both book and movie as separate entities as well! But also the romance in this book is SO well done ♡."omg yes!!! i usually get mad when there's romance in middle grade (b/c i read middle grade to escape the romance in ya) but this was so perfect that i couldn't get upset
I LOVED this book as a child. I checked it out of the library so many times. I need to give it another read. Lovely review! The cursing just adds to it, honestly.
I remember loving the movie the first time I saw it in theatres, and then buying the book the next day and just lying in bed reading it until I was finished. Love it (and it's time for a re-read!). While I agree with the masses that the movie is a terrible adaptation, I still can't help but love it. My sister and I watched it every day for 14 days straight when it was first released on DVD, and the two of us still love to go back to it whenever we're together.
THANK YOU. I love both the book and movie and can appreciate that they are two completely different things as well.
I remember reading this when I was about 11 and seeing film. I recall I enjoyed both!
Omfg I love you right now, and I LOVE this book. How the heck can a middle grade book have one of the best romances/love stories I've EVER READ? Also I too LOVE middle grade! Some MG are way better than you'd think they should be. Love this review. Gonna pick this up again soon I think.
Sarah wrote: "I LOVED this book as a child. I checked it out of the library so many times. I need to give it another read. Lovely review! The cursing just adds to it, honestly."i could read it a bajillion times and never get tired of it!!!
Meghan wrote: "I remember loving the movie the first time I saw it in theatres, and then buying the book the next day and just lying in bed reading it until I was finished. Love it (and it's time for a re-read!)...."i also love rewatching it with my sisters!!! great content
Lady wrote: "THANK YOU. I love both the book and movie and can appreciate that they are two completely different things as well."RIGHT?! they are both CHARMING and i will NOT APOLOGIZE
Yarslov wrote: "I remember reading this when I was about 11 and seeing film. I recall I enjoyed both!"both are excellent
Dida wrote: "Omfg I love you right now, and I LOVE this book. How the heck can a middle grade book have one of the best romances/love stories I've EVER READ? Also I too LOVE middle grade! Some MG are way better..."me to any romance in any book that i expect to have romance: ughhhhh delete this plz
me to the romance in this book: love is real and it's right in front of me
Not gonna lie, I liked the movie in its own way. Definitely weird how they made it modern and old timey (that wooden escalator???) But I like that you can enjoy how ridiculous it is
Sarah wrote: "Not gonna lie, I liked the movie in its own way. Definitely weird how they made it modern and old timey (that wooden escalator???) But I like that you can enjoy how ridiculous it is"true!!! it's fun
have you guys watched the movie ?
You can still like the movie and want another more accurate one! I made a petition for Netflix to make a series or movie based on the book! https://www.change.org/p/netflix-netf...
Sign and share with fellow “Ella Enchanted” fans! 💕
I thought I was crazy for reading this book repeatedly it’s sooo well written
The chapters where Char and Ella write letters to each other have literally been the most significant force in shaping my standards for a relationship
You are totally right! Two different stories and I love them both as companions!
This is my all time favourite book! I still love it after so many rereads! I do love the film too but I have to treat them as very separate entities 😂. Did you all know there's a prequel - Ogre Enchanted! It's apparently been out a few years but I've only recently found out about it! Gives me a perfect excuse to re read Ella Enchanted again first! 😁
OMG this was literally my favorite book as a child... it’s such a great reread!
Nia wrote: "I thought I was crazy for reading this book repeatedly it’s sooo well written"not crazy
Emma wrote: "The chapters where Char and Ella write letters to each other have literally been the most significant force in shaping my standards for a relationship"better yearning than any adult romantic drama
Kamari wrote: "You are totally right! Two different stories and I love them both as companions!"YES
Chelsea wrote: "This is my all time favourite book! I still love it after so many rereads! I do love the film too but I have to treat them as very separate entities 😂. Did you all know there's a prequel - Ogre Enc..."wow i had no clue!
Natalie wrote: "OMG this was literally my favorite book as a child... it’s such a great reread!"it holds up!!
My Kingdom to write a story with a romance as well done. To this day a freak MIDDLE GRADE book, holds my standard for romance.
Dida wrote: "My Kingdom to write a story with a romance as well done. To this day a freak MIDDLE GRADE book, holds my standard for romance."it is sooo romantic
I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH LITERALLY EVERYTHING YOU SAID
I totally agree they’re both good but separately and I grew up loving both as well!
You should read Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend! It’s such a whimsical, magical childrens book - I feel like it would be right up your alley🤍
Lydia wrote: "I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH LITERALLY EVERYTHING YOU SAID"AH!!!!
Bailey wrote: "prince char >>>>>>"correct
Nevi wrote: "I totally agree they’re both good but separately and I grew up loving both as well!"best take there is
Kristin wrote: "You should read Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend! It’s such a whimsical, magical childrens book - I feel like it would be right up your alley🤍"omg! i'll check it out
Yes!!!! So on point as usual 💕
Your review is perfection! And I couldn't agree more with the movie and book both being wonderful if you look at them separately :)
Loved the book, HATED the movie. I was so disappointed.
I think the movie is absolutely a product of when the book was adapted. Shrek-like jokes and not like other girls sentiments were at their peak (I think there’s actually a line where Char calls Ella “not like other girls”!!!). It’s a fun movie on its own, but in some ways I wish it were being adapted now. We’ve gotten a few really good MG adaptations in the last couple of years.
Emma!! I have a genuine question! If it's such a god-tier book, why is it only 4 stars? I still plan to read it anyway, thanks to you, but I am curious!!
I still have my copy of this from middle school ❤️
This has been my favorite book since I was in 4th grade. I still read it almost every year!
