But, if you’re one for fractured fairy tales or retellings, Ogre Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine is definitely one to read (especially if you’re an Ella fan).

Evie, though only fifteen, is a gifted healer. Simple and unique, this twist on a loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast will delight (and possibly disgust) young readers. Overall, I think Ella Enchanted is still my favorite, but likely because I have such a history with the story. Ogre Enchanted is a modern-day fairytale, with a strong and independent lead character, and threads of friendship and romance. I liked the back-and-forth feelings, emotions, decisions and choices Evie makes as she grows and learns in her altered state. I think what I enjoyed the most in this story is how Evie must battle between her ogre and true self all the while searching for a proposal when she really isn’t sure she believes in marriage in the first place. Gail is able to expand Kyrria as Evie travels as an ogre to find true love and a proposal to save her. I love companion novels even more than series because you get to often explore other characters within the same world. Suddenly, Evie finds herself transformed from a girl into a hideous, hungry ogre Stuck in this new and confusing form, Evie now has only sixty-two days to accept another proposalor else be stuck as an ogre forever. Lucinda turns her into an ogre to find true love otherwise she’ll spend the rest of her life liek this. Enter our not-so-favorite fairy, Lucinda, who curses Evie. But, when her good friend proposes, Evie has more than marriage on her mind and turns him down. She loves being a healer, always looking for a new cure that will help her community. I love Evie’s drive and focus on her career. So when the publisher reached out to inform me Gail Carson Levine had written a companion novel, I was excited to travel back to Frell. Summary: Set in the world of the Newbery Honor - winning Ella Enchanted, this tale by beloved author Gail Carson Levine. It became one of my favorite re-reads over the years, although it’s been a hot minute since I’ve read it. In 1997, I was 12 years old, already an avid reader and I fell head over heels in love with Ella’s story.

Ogre enchanted