Ogre Enchanted
Ogre Enchanted is a companion novel to Gail Carson Levine’s award-winning novel, Ella Enchanted, which was published twenty years ago. This book was well worth the wait. Levine once again showcased her skills in the Young Adult Fantasy genre with this lively, wholly original story that plays with fairy tales like its predecessor.
In this prequel, the reader learns more about the fairy Lucinda, Ella’s mother Eleanor, Ella’s father Peter, Mandy the fairy, and Prince Char’s parents. Levine answered the questions readers were left to ponder for the last twenty years through the eyes of a new character: the healer Evie, known for her practical nature and caring heart. She is a focused young woman who knows she is too young to marry, and if she were to marry, it certainly wouldn’t be to her friend Wormy, who she believes only proposed to her because she constantly heals him of his many ailments.
When Lucinda turns Evie into an ogre for refusing Wormy’s proposal, Levine takes the opportunity to play with the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. This is my favourite fairy tale and I enjoyed reading Levine’s take on the story. Through Evie’s eyes, the reader sees how difficult it is to adjust to her new physique. Evie’s strength of character shines through as she handles murderous townsfolk, distrustful ogres, farmers, princes, and much more. Being an ogre doesn’t stop Evie’s desire to heal and help those in need, even when it puts her at great risk.
Reading the story in Evie’s perspective is much more factual and straightforward than other main characters I’ve read. She makes lists, she is frank with her views, and she logically deduces most situations. However, she does have her moments where her fears overcome her and she is unsure of how she’ll ever return to her normal form. Considering how young she is and what she’s going through, it’s completely natural and it makes her more likeable.
Evie doesn’t just physically change in the book; her views on healing, Wormy, her friends, and other aspects change and show her character growth in a believable way. To see her come to understand love and its many forms is important for younger readers who pick up this book.
Overall, Ogre Enchanted was a good book and it was the perfect companion to its predecessor. I hope to read more of Levine’s books and add more of her stories to my collection.
Ogre Enchanted Rating: ★★★
In this prequel, the reader learns more about the fairy Lucinda, Ella’s mother Eleanor, Ella’s father Peter, Mandy the fairy, and Prince Char’s parents. Levine answered the questions readers were left to ponder for the last twenty years through the eyes of a new character: the healer Evie, known for her practical nature and caring heart. She is a focused young woman who knows she is too young to marry, and if she were to marry, it certainly wouldn’t be to her friend Wormy, who she believes only proposed to her because she constantly heals him of his many ailments.
When Lucinda turns Evie into an ogre for refusing Wormy’s proposal, Levine takes the opportunity to play with the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. This is my favourite fairy tale and I enjoyed reading Levine’s take on the story. Through Evie’s eyes, the reader sees how difficult it is to adjust to her new physique. Evie’s strength of character shines through as she handles murderous townsfolk, distrustful ogres, farmers, princes, and much more. Being an ogre doesn’t stop Evie’s desire to heal and help those in need, even when it puts her at great risk.
Reading the story in Evie’s perspective is much more factual and straightforward than other main characters I’ve read. She makes lists, she is frank with her views, and she logically deduces most situations. However, she does have her moments where her fears overcome her and she is unsure of how she’ll ever return to her normal form. Considering how young she is and what she’s going through, it’s completely natural and it makes her more likeable.
Evie doesn’t just physically change in the book; her views on healing, Wormy, her friends, and other aspects change and show her character growth in a believable way. To see her come to understand love and its many forms is important for younger readers who pick up this book.
Overall, Ogre Enchanted was a good book and it was the perfect companion to its predecessor. I hope to read more of Levine’s books and add more of her stories to my collection.
Ogre Enchanted Rating: ★★★