I did like seeing some familiar characters again. The story was successfully building several issues/reveals, and I was ultimately irked by how quickly everything promptly came out, and was promptly resolved. To be fair, there were a few unexpected turns and I liked how everything was culminating. I also thought it was pretty obvious how the book had to end, so the story is 300 pages of speedbump after speedbump until we get there. She has a mere two months to find and accept a proposal, and in that time she makes ridiculously desperate, 'that'll do' moves. I get that's the catalyst, but it made me feel iffy about those two from the start -particularly Evie's denial to his second proposal after she'd been turned into an ogre. He's displayed as very intelligent and aware through the rest of the book. I also didn't like that the book started with a proposal -it didn't feel right if Evie had Wormy thoroughly friend-zoned. I get that she's infused with the temperament of an ogre, but I had trouble really rooting for her. Perhaps my expectations were too great, and that hurt my impression.įor starters, I didn't find Evie particularly likable. Ella Enchanted was my absolute favorite book as a child (it is by far the most worn book I own) and I was very excited for any connection to that story.

And it was very interesting to see Ella’s parents make an appearance here! ( ) I was honestly hoping for a less predictable ending for this one, but it is still an enjoyable fantasy just like all Levine’s books I’ve read so far. How is she supposed to find someone to love her when everyone she meets either runs away screaming or tries to kill her? And how is she supposed to help people with her healing skills when everyone is afraid she’s going to eat them? When disease breaks out in the capital city of Frell, she might just have a chance to prove her worth and trustworthiness, and maybe even convince someone to break her curse. Now Evie has only 62 days to accept another marriage proposal or else she’ll be stuck as an ogre forever! But the meddling fairy Lucinda decides that Evie needs to be taught a lesson, and transforms her into an ogre.

She doesn’t love him in that way, and besides, fifteen is too young to get married anyway.

When Evie’s best friend proposes to her, she politely turns him down. A loose twist on Beauty and the Beast that takes place in the same world as, and before the events of, Ella Enchanted.

Ogre Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine