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2021 reread:
I once told my friend Hannah that the greatest gift I could imagine receiving was an annotated copy of a favorite book. Last year she gave me a copy of Ella Enchanted, beautifully marked up with her notes in gold. Twas such a special rereading experience--reading right alongside a dear friend!!

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2018 reread (my 9th time?)
Listened to the audiobook version for the first time! What an excellent feminist classic this is. This reread was inspired by Still 5 stars. Still a favorite. (Though no longer the favorite--2013 me would be surprised, perhaps.)

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2013 review:
Starting to believe this will never cease to be my favorite book. No matter how many I times I read this, I still love it. I either refuse to see any flaws in this novel or there aren't any. Maybe it's extreme nostalgia (I just finished it for roughly the 8th time), maybe it's my personal attachment to the story of Cinderella, maybe it's because this book is one of the ones I look to as an inspiration to write my own fairytales, or maybe it really is flawless.

The older I get and the more "adult" books I read with deep themes, complex characters, and powerful metaphors, I start to wonder how this, this juvenile, middle grade fiction book could possibly rank as #1 for me. And then I read it again, and it makes me so giddy with happiness that I cannot believe I ever questioned my love for it.

I love the world building, I love the languages, I love the cultural differences explored, I love the settings, I love the fantasy creatures, I love the depiction of fairies.

I love the way the stepsisters and stepmother and father were written, I love the character of Ella, however unlike me she may be. I love the prince, he's dapper, gentlemanly, and sensitive without being naive. I love the letters written that show the development of love between Ella and her prince. I love the way the romance was brought about, I love the culmination of the book.

I admire Char's value in honesty in words as well as his own emotions. I am challenged by the look at forced obedience and the affect it has on children, even if the "forced" nature of it isn't as severe as Ella's. When you are made to do something, you will go out of your way to displease the one you are obeying, to show them they are imperfect and shouldn't order you around. But suggest nicely, and you will receive better results. I love the motherly yet stern nature of Mandy, the transformation of Lucinda's attitude, and Ella's undying selflessness to protect the ones she loves.

I love this book.

And I don't even want to know what other people dislike about it or found it lacking in, because for me, it's perfect. It is the perfect fairy tale retelling. It is the best. A perfect example of a middle grade book with depth and complexity.

Favorite book now, and probably forever. I'm not going to pretend to be ashamed. I think it's flawless.