Ella Enchanted: A Newbery Honor Award Winner – A Classic Children's Fantasy of Folklore and Adventure (Trophy Newbery)

So much better and very different than the movie! I was pleasantly surprised!

I had the pleasure of re-reading this today - not only is it one of the most favored and beloved books in my childhood collection (and in my memory) - it also reminded me of some of the aspects of reading I cherish most - a cosy story to curl up with and get lost in, a strong sense of adventure, fantastical creatures, settings and languages and a heroine that is determined, strong-willed, just, and full of life - and a happy ending never hurts does it? This book delighted me as a child and brought much joy to me again now in adulthood - I hope I never tire of it!

Let me preface this by saying I should have read Ella Enchanted when I was, you know, enchanted by things. But alas, I missed it during my childhood, and reading it now as an adult, I couldn’t help but feel like a grumpy ogre trying to enjoy cotton candy. It’s sweet, whimsical, and full of charm—just not quite enough to overshadow the realization that kids’ books hit differently when you’re no longer a kid.




So, here we have Ella, who gets cursed at birth with the "gift" of obedience. (Cue every millennial muttering, “Same, girl.”) Basically, she has to do whatever anyone commands, which is both terrifying and deeply frustrating. This curse forces her to endure all sorts of nonsense, from standing on one foot for hours to fending off villains while trying not to be too obvious about her secret. She’s smart, snarky, and resourceful—qualities I appreciated even while I occasionally wanted to yell, “Ella, why are you trusting anyone right now?!”

The world itself is a mixed bag. There are ogres with questionable table manners, giants who need better PR, and fairy godmothers who clearly skipped Fairy Logic 101. And then there’s Prince Char. He’s sweet and all, but I’ll admit I rolled my eyes when Ella started crushing on him despite her life being, you know, A NIGHTMARE. Priorities, Ella! To be fair, it’s a fairy tale, so insta-love is par for the course.

The biggest disappointment, though, is how much hype I’ve heard about this book being a “timeless classic.” Maybe for younger readers, it is. But for me, the stakes didn’t feel as high, and the plot twists were as obvious as a pumpkin turning into a coach. It’s not bad—it’s just not magical enough to transport me back to the days when I wanted to live in a fairy tale.

Would I recommend it? Sure—if you’re a kid or feeling particularly nostalgic. But if you’re reading it for the first time as an adult? Manage your expectations and prepare for some eye rolls alongside the charm.

This is so much better than the movie.