Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Jocelyn

Fairest, by Gail Carson Levine, author of Ella Enchanted, is one of the greatest books I've read recently, and definitely the best that I've recieved through the HarperCollins FirstLook program. It's a book about Aza, an ugly inkeeper's daughter with a beautiful singing voice, that takes place in the same world as the very popular Ella Enchanted. Aza's sister, in fact, is Areida, a friend of Ella's. If you've read Ella Enchanted, you have to read this.

Things change for Aza when a noblewoman's companion falls ill, and Aza is called to take her place at the royal wedding of their king to his young and beautiful bride, Ivy. The new queen takes a liking to Aza, and asks her to be a lady in waiting, an offer which Aza, for the sake of her family and their inn as well as herself, gladly accepts.

Soon after she agrees, the king is injured in an accident, and Ivy is ruler of the kingdom. She's young, vain, and unwilling to listen to anyone else. And she's now the queen.

Things aren't all what they seem, though. Aza is forced to choose to do something that could ruin her family's business if she doesn't do it, but it could get her in deep trouble for agreeing. The kingdom could be in chaos.

I highly reccomend this book for any fans of fantasy, or anyone, really, but especially for fans of Ella Enchanted. This book is almost that good, and actually rather similar. Aza is a character you can get to know and love, and the story is at times heartbreaking, at times suspenseful, and at times hilarious. Something for everyone!