Ella Enchanted ****-

I loved this book!  It was great.  I didn't know anything about it (if that is the way you prefer to read your books, don't read the rest of the review just know that I loved it), I just picked it up at the library because I thought I'd heard from a friend that it was  a good one.  I didn't know it was a Cinderella story, I didn't know she was "cursed" with obedience, anything.  

I have to say the reason I loved it so much was because Ella herself was so lovable.  It didn't feel contrived or beat into my head repeatedly that she was clumsy.  She was so much fun, I would definitely want to be her friend.

I love, love, loved her mom.  She is exactly the kind of mother I wish I was!  I wish we had been able to enjoy her more in the story, but her effect on Ella was consistently evident in the story.

I loved the relationship with Mandy!  She was so down to earth.  Just had a real solid head on her shoulders, I guess living a full, long life will do that to some people.  What a blessing she was to Ella.

And, of course, I loved the relationship with the prince.  How could you not?! It was fun, real, clean, everything that I remember about my courtship with my honey.  Pure delight!  I knew it had to end happy, but I seriously had no idea how it would get there.

The story was a Cinderella story, but it had such original twists to it that it seemed fresh and new.  It took me only 4 hours to read and I wished it had been longer.  I wanted to keep on enjoying all of the characters for days and days.  If you have a daughter any age over 7 probably, I would guess she'd love it too.  

I give it 4 1/2 stars because I loved it, I could probably read it again today and still enjoy it.  I have not seen the movie, I've heard mixed reviews, but we'll probably check it out from the library on watch it one of these days.  I don't expect to enjoy it nearly as much as I did the book, but it is so rare that I do that it comes as no surprise.  I'll try to let you know how we like it...