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I originally passed up a free review copy of this book, but then wished I hadn't when I learned it's a loose retelling of Snow White.
Enough of the Snow White story has been changed for this to feel more like a fantasy with themes reminiscent of Snow White than a straightforward retelling. Still, the most important elements are all there -- a jealous queen, a poison apple, and a magic mirror (also gnomes, which are close enough to dwarfs). The aspects that are different don't take away from the f ...more
Enough of the Snow White story has been changed for this to feel more like a fantasy with themes reminiscent of Snow White than a straightforward retelling. Still, the most important elements are all there -- a jealous queen, a poison apple, and a magic mirror (also gnomes, which are close enough to dwarfs). The aspects that are different don't take away from the f ...more
All the way through this novel, I kept wanting to read Shinn's Summers at Castle Auburn. I'm not sure exactly what in this novel reminded me of that one -- maybe it's the poorer child being brought into a castle and becoming friends with a prince? Whatever it is, Fairest didn't fare well in comparison to that book.
Overall, it's a very shallow book, with thin character motivations and some serious plot holes and loose ends. Granted, the intended audience is middle school kids, so some shallowness ...more
Overall, it's a very shallow book, with thin character motivations and some serious plot holes and loose ends. Granted, the intended audience is middle school kids, so some shallowness ...more
When I reviewed Ms. Levine’s previous novel, Ella Enchanted I said that it was a nice story but that the writer hadn’t quite found her voice yet. Well, she definitely did in Fairest. It seems to be better developed- the characters and the story are more complex, and while the Kingdom of Khyrria in Ella is a rather generic fairy-tale realm, the reader gets to explore the neighboring land of Ayortha in this book. Ayortha is a fascinating culture, where singing plays a role in all aspects of life-
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Like Ella Enchanted, this isn't great literature, but it's a fun story and an interesting take on an old fairytale. I love that Levine has placed the two tales in the same world and that there are a few connections, even though the stories aren't directly related.
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I enjoyed this fairy tale based loosely on Snow White. There are some great messages for young girls about values being more important than beauty. I enjoyed this much and am going to read Levine's more popular book Ella Enchanted!
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I really enjoy Ms. Levine's take on fairy tales.
Ella Enchanted is still my favorite.
This one tells us to be true to ourselves. ...more
Ella Enchanted is still my favorite.
This one tells us to be true to ourselves. ...more
May 07, 2009
Reem
marked it as to-read
May 14, 2010
Shellie (Layers of Thought)
marked it as to-read
Apr 24, 2011
Michaela
marked it as to-read
Jan 10, 2012
Pamela Lloyd
marked it as to-read
Feb 16, 2013
Amber
marked it as to-read
Aug 07, 2013
Elizabeth
marked it as to-read
Oct 26, 2014
Lisa
marked it as to-read
Mar 21, 2015
Michele
marked it as to-read
