Ella Enchanted

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine is a wonderful tale about an obedient girl. Or, more so, a tale about a fiercely independent girl forced to be obedient due to a curse placed upon her by the fairy, Lucinda. When Ella is but a babe Lucinda bestows her with the "gift" of obedience that enforces even the simplest of commands. As Ella grows older she resents her curse and is constantly finding ways to bend orders to her will. When Ella is about 14 years old her mother dies leaving her heartbroken, if not for Prince Char. Even through her sadness he entrances her, and vs. versa.

Enter evil step family.

Well, not quite. They aren't family yet but they will be. The evil mother convinces Ella's father that she must be sent to finishing school to improve her oafishness. Her Father willingly agrees. When Ella arrives at the school she becomes finished (through direct orders) and miserable. So she runs away in an attempt to find Lucinda and beg her to remove the curse. On her way she runs into Char (almost literally) who with his guard escorts her to a Giant Wedding where she believes she will find Lucinda. This she does, but with mysterious consequences. Now what happens next, only Ella can determine.

Ella Enchanted is my favorite retelling of Cinderella. Many have read it, many have loved it, and I highly recommend it to fans of fairy tales, and kick butt heroines.