Just Ella

The Palace Chronicles #1

by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Being a princess isn't all that...

You've heard the fairy tale: a glass slipper, Prince Charming, happily ever after...

Welcome to reality: royal genealogy lessons, needlepoint, acting like "a proper lady," and—worst of all—a prince who is not the least bit interesting, and certainly not charming.

As soon-to-be princess Ella deals with her new-found status, she comes to realize she is not "your majesty" material. But breaking off a royal engagement is no easy feat, especially when you're crushing on another boy in the palace... For Ella to escape, it will take intelligence, determination, and spunk—and no ladylike behavior allowed.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fairy Tales, Romance, Fiction, Retellings, Middle Grade

240 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 28, 1999

About the author

Margaret Peterson Haddix grew up on a farm near Washington Court House, Ohio. She graduated from Miami University (of Ohio) with degrees in English/journalism, English/creative writing and history. Before her first book was published, she worked as a newspaper copy editor in Fort Wayne, Indiana; a newspaper reporter in Indianapolis; and a community college instructor and freelance writer in Danville, Illinois.

She has since written more than 25 books for kids and teens, including Running Out of Time; Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey; Leaving Fishers; Just Ella; Turnabout; Takeoffs and Landings; The Girl with 500 Middle Names; Because of Anya; Escape from Memory; Say What?; The House on the Gulf; Double Identity; Dexter the Tough; Uprising; Palace of Mirrors; Claim to Fame; the Shadow Children series; and the Missing series. She also wrote Into the Gauntlet, the tenth book in the 39 Clues series. Her books have been honored with New York Times bestseller status, the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award; American Library Association Best Book and Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers notations; and more than a dozen state reader’s choice awards.


Haddix and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio, with their two children.

Reviews

[Mariah Roze · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all know the classical tale of Cinderella (or in this book Cinders-Ella), so I'm not going to restate it for you. This book takes place as an after-telling of what happens.

There was no "fairy godmother or magic. It was a fifteen-year-old girl in charge of her own future. She went to the ball not to meet her future husband but to get a break from the hard life she had. However rumors spread that she used magic because it is easier to believe than the prince falling in love with a commoner. "Princess, nobody can stop those rumors. People would rather believe in fairy godmothers...than think that you took charge of your own destiny."

Once she starts living in the castle and is planning to marry the prince, she realizes this isn't the reality for her. The royal family tries to mold her into their vision of a princess. Ella's life becomes a meaningless schedule of "princess education," which she fears she will never grasp. She slowly realizes that when she agreed to marry the prince, she really didn't know him. Through their two-one hour sessions per week, she discovers that the prince doesn't have a single personal thought and he doesn't love her. He was encouraged to marry her because she was the most beautiful girl in the land and he needed to be married before 21.

My favorite part of this story was hearing about how Ella got to the ball without a fairy godmother. How she was able to wear a beautiful gown, arrive in a coach, and wear glass slippers.

This was a super interesting after-telling and I am glad I read it. I was able to finish the book within 24 hours, it was such a fast read :)

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I read the synopsis, I thought this book sounded kind of like The Princess Diaries, which I love, so I was pretty excited to read Just Ella. Sadly, it became pretty clear after the first few pages that this book wasn't what I was hoping it would be.

This book had one of the most annoying main characters that I've ever read. She was whiny and dumb. As the reader I picked up on things way quicker than Ella did and I had to wait pages for her to catch up.

The other characters were so poorly written. Most of the side characters were intentionally horrible to Ella and they're mean in the most ridiculous ways. Right away, Ella gets in major trouble just for starting her own fire early in the morning because she was cold. It's so over the top and laughable.

There was cliché after cliché all though out this book. The girl power was weak and not empowering at all. And I was mildly bored though out the whole book.

I think with some work, this book could be turned into something awesome. But overall, Just Ella wasn't for me.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I was amazed on how fast I got through this book, mostly because of the easy flow of the dialogue and story. I read this in one sitting, and not the kind of sitting on a lazy afternoon. I went to bed to read, open this up and did not go to sleep until I was done.

The Cinderella character (Ella) is both strong and witty, with a desire and innocent to change her world as well as comprehend ideas she does not understand. Reading between the lines, I think this book is a good commentary and almost satire on the rituals of court life and courtly love. The Charming's castle and customs almost mirror the strange practices of European royalty such as Henry the VII or Marie Antoinette.

Also the story doesn't have its classical happy endings. I was rather disappointed that Ella did not get the complete desired revenge on her stepfamily. (Her stepsister marries the prince after Ella escapes) However, Ella is fines her real reward in helping others, persevering, and finding true love, instead of the inflated fantasy of a fairy tale princess.

[Sheri · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reads like a twelve year old wrote it. Inconsistent, whiny, and altogether unlikeable main character.

[Weezie · Rating 2 out of 5]

*sighs*

You can't call a book feminist if the MC regularly shames fat women.

Get your shit together.

[Alissa J. Zavalianos · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars! (Is this a thing? Lol)

This book was a pleasant surprise and probably one of the most unique retellings of Cinderella I’ve ever read.

It’s not an overtly happy tale, but it’s a good one, and it does end happily much to my relief.

Eleanor has had a rough upbringing, but she soon realizes that palace life might not be much better. And when she tells the prince she doesn’t want to marry him anymore… well, that’s when the trouble really gets going.

The story was definitely slow at the start, but by the time of Ella’s admission, things really pick up. I couldn’t put the book down! One scene even reminded me of Shawshank Redemption haha.

A little word of caution: the character of Quog is awful. He doesn’t do anything to Ella, but it’s heavily implied that he wants to. And come to find out later, he’s to be executed for many accounts of r*pe. His character alone made me want to jump out of my skin. So for those who are sensitive to this sort of thing, just know it ends well and nothing bad happens.

Overall, I love how this story ended! While I wish I could have seen a classic “happily ever after,” it was still very satisfactory!

I love Jed and Ella <3

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't let the cover mislead you. This book is not set in modern times. What I liked so much about the book was that Ella had a lot more "umph" to her than the other Cinderellas I've encountered in other books.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story begins at the end of Cinderella's fairy tale, when Ella is engaged to marry Prince Charming. With the wedding only two months away, Ella is forced to learn restrictive palace protocol, sit through endless embroidery lessons, and learn the boring history of the royal family. Her meetings with the Prince are awkward and silent, and her only friends are the poor serving child, Mary, and the philosophy tutor, Jed. Ella begins to wonder if she really loves the Prince at all, and if she can tolerate the confinement of the palace for the rest of her life.

I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! (I really hate the cover art, and made the mistake of judging the book by its cover.) I read it all in one sitting, because I could not put it down.

Ella is fiery and energetic. She longs to do courageous deeds and have close relationships with people, but the royal protocol is so restrictive that no one can have a meaningful conversation, much less actually connect with anyone or do anything of real consequence. I loved the way she beat her wings against those cage bars and finally escaped to build her own life.

This book goes into some deep themes as Ella discovers what she truly wants out of life. She ponders what love really is and how it should feel when it is true. She contemplates what gives life meaning and what kind of legacy she wants to leave. Jed is a thinker with big ideas, but doesn't have the gumption to take action until Ella inspires him with her intense energy. They both have really excellent character development.

My favorite parts of the book where when Ella sassed back to people in authority over her. Oooh, it was so good! I could perfectly imagine her with her hand on her hip, wagging her head at some fancy madame, and insisting that she was not going to wear a corset. Haha!

There were only a few things that annoyed me. First, idioms and sayings that are decidedly modern which don't belong in an obviously old-timey world where people wear corsets. It bothers me when the world is inconsistent.

Secondly, there are a weirdly high amount of mentions of body functions, poop, and urine, and animal manure. I mean, at one place it was important to the plot, but most of the time, I didn't need to know all that.

There is also a mention of a man who raped several women. He threatens Ella and she finds out later that he was sentenced and executed for rape. It's barely mentioned in the story and there are no details, but still... not something for young readers to be reading about. It also seemed unnecessary to the story. Why include it when it wasn't really important to the story, and adds a bad tone to the book?

I really enjoyed this book, but those few things annoyed me; not enough to ruin the story for me, but enough for me to take my rating down a star. It would have been a 4 star book without those things.

[Duffy Pratt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book purports to take place after the close of the fairy tale, but it doesn't. At the end of the fairy tale, at least the Grimm version, Cinderella gets married, and at the wedding a pair of birds pluck out the eyes of her stepsisters, leaving them blind. And don't forget that one of the had already chopped off her toes, and the other had chopped off a heel.

Here, the book takes up two weeks after the Prince has retrieved Ella. She's ensconced in the castle and in training for her upcoming wedding. Already, after two weeks, she's bored, restless, and growing skeptical about her future. Having left one type of prison, she's altogether shocked that her future promises to be yet another kind of prison.

One way to look at this is as an attempt to show a realistic portrayal of "happily ever after." But that raises the question of what type of realism we are looking at? The characters here are all either good or evil, just as in any fairy tale. And there isn't anyone who is particularly realistic. Take the Prince as the best example. In the fairy tale, his character is summed up by his name: he's Prince Charming and you really don't need to know anything more about him. Readers can supply their own details of what he's like from their own impressions of what is beautiful and good. Here, he's still beautiful, but he is alternatively, empty, base, and stupid. Of the three, stupidity is probably his main characteristic. But there's no depth or reality to him. Rather, royalty has gone from all that is good, to an archetype of all that is stupid and uncaring.

So we aren't getting a "realistic" version of a fairy tale here. Instead we are getting a fairy tale where some of the archetypes have been switched. And this version works very much like a Disney version of a fairy tale. It puts the moral first. It just has a different take on the moral instruction that is involved. In the original fairy tales, the tale came first, and its a testament to the strength of those tales that they are capable of so many reworkings, with so many slightly different morals, all arising from basically the same material.

The moral in this working is that Ella can find her "happily ever after" only if she takes charge of her own life. In her "real" version of the night of the ball, there is no fairy godmother. Rather, Ella acts on her own and changes her world. Later in the book, she does much the same thing, but with an even greater spirit of independence.

I might have liked this book better if the connections to the Fairy Tale were either more disguised or attenuated. Here, it sometimes felt too clever, and at other times it simply veered toward literary criticism. Overall, I quite liked it. But my favorite reworking of the Cinderella story is definitely Marion Fay, by Anthony Trollope. It's not otherwise relevant to this book, and its definitely not young adult, but if you like Cinderella, and you have any liking for Victorian fiction, you should definitely check that one out.

[Emily Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the only book I've read in a good long while that I've genuinely disliked; I was surprised to realize this is by the same author who wrote the Shadow Children series, which I've never read but have heard good things about. The writing style is clunky and awkward and frustrating. The main character is supposed to be strong-willed and independent but just comes off as bratty and entitled. Most of the other characters were caricatures: the handsome but stupid prince, the beautiful but empty-headed courtiers, the good and earnest tutor, the manipulative and evil governess. The last character, especially, is nasty for no good reason; if she really believes that Ella will someday be queen, why is she so thoroughly horrible to her?

But the truly unbearable aspect of this book is the plot. I understand that it's making a point about happily ever afters, about the fact that love at first sight and the prince carrying the beautiful maiden off on his horse is not a reliable way to find happiness. But the author does this by creating a scenario which is far more implausible: the royal court has a dark, evil side, and, when Ella decides she no longer wants to be princess, they think that imprisonment, murder and threats of rape will change her mind. Say what? That's supposed to keep her docile for the rest of her life? They really can't find anyone else to be queen? And these geniuses are supposed to be running the country? It's so improbable, so thoroughly nonsensical, that I could barely stomach it.

And then she runs away, dedicates her life to social work, and marries the commoner. I get what Haddix is trying to do, but the fact is that as an inversion of the fairy tale--If you care about what you look like, you must be evil and stupid!--it's so heavy-handed and impossible that it loses any effect it wanted to have.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A retelling of Cinderella story, without fairy Godmother and the magic pumpkin. I like the author's imagination in putting this story with a more reality touch.

In this story, Cinders Ella, mistaken by Cinderella, or Ella Brown (her real name) lives in the palace, engages to Prince Charming, and waiting for her wedding day. While she's waiting she is supposed to learn everything she needs to know to be a worthy wive and a mother of their kids. Ella gets bored. And one night, when she was alone in her chamber, miserable and lonely, she finds out that she doesn't love Prince Charming. And the so-called Prince Charming, turns out to be un-charming after all.

I like this story. Especially when Ella told her plan and strategy to go to the ball. How she got her glass slippers, her dress, even the carriage which took her to the castle.

There's no fairy godmother after all, let alone the magic pumpkin and the scene where mice turned into horses.

[libreroaming · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just Ella is another reimagining of the Cinderella story, where all the fairy godmother, magical coaches and talking mice are reassigned to gossip in the court because the truth of the matter is nobody would believe that Cinders-Ella had fixed a dress, ran to the ball and done it all on her own.

It's a promising idea that becomes bogged down with relentless and two-dimensional antifeminist messages from everyone at court. Instead of creating an interesting take on how happily ever after may not be as easy as it seems, it becomes a terrible trap because everyone aside from Ella and her two friends is either so amazingly vapid (Charming, the ladies in waiting), so terribly concerned with tradition (Lord Reston), or just needlessly cruel (the stepmother and Madame). The rhetoric of a woman's place would be completely valid for the time period and a great exploration of independence versus societal expectations but the way Haddix pulls it off makes it sound like an anvil landing in every narrative paragraph.

Things go from bad to worse when Ella realizes she is not in love with the prince and tells him so. He is so intellectually stunted that he freaks out and ties her up, then tells his keepers because nobody has ever told him no before. Their answer is to trap her in a dungeon with a serial rapist for a prison keeper, hoping to wear her down so she'll see a loveless captive life with Charming as a better alternative. The logical inconsistency in their minds to break, torture and terrify a future queen is really unsettling tonally, especially for a book marketed to eleven and up readers.

Lastly, Haddix shoots her own heavily didactic moral in the foot about self-sufficiency when she escapes the kingdom to work in a refugee camp, not because she identified with the plight of the homeless, not because she discovered her own dream and finds contentment as a doctor, but because she believes working for the dream that defined Jed--the tutor turned love interest--was enough for her. The entire agency of her character is crippled right at the end, leaving a half-hearted limping finish that makes it feel as if Haddix wants to prove happily ever after shouldn't be believed by one last kick in the teeth to deny you anything except a unsatisfying "deal with it" ending.

There is enough done fairly well not to merit a one star review, the narration is didactic but not incomprehensible. There are moments of a well crafted scenes when Haddix lets the prose be, especially the backstory between Ella and her father. But for anyone who loves Cindrella stories told in a different way I would recommend sticking with Gail Carson Levine's "Ella Enchanted" or Malinda Lo's "Ash." Just Ella is just not good enough of a contender.

[Debbie is on Storygraph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't help comparing this book to Ella Enchanted. Both are YA retellings of the Cinderella story. While I prefer Gail Levine Carson's version, I have to appreciate Margaret Peterson Haddix's injection of reality into the traditional fairy tale. No magic, no fairy godmothers, no magic pumpkins. Rather, this is the story of Ella who got to the ball under her own perseverance, and then gets herself out of the palace the same way. It was enjoyable and a good read for all ages. However, I would have liked a more fleshing out of the plot and characters, something that most YA seems to suffer from.

[Athena of Velaris · Rating 4 out of 5]

"People would rather believe in fairy godmothers and... divine intervention, if you will- than to think that you took charge of your own destiny. "

Just Ella turns the classic Cinderella fairy-tale on its head. Taking place after the original tale has ended, the book follows Ella as she learns of her distaste for the palace and the life that comes with it. This story is that of girl figuring out who she is and what she wants to become, even when society expects her to be something complete different. The writing was good, as was the plot, but it was Ella herself who shined. Having read the second book in the trilogy before the first, I can say that I prefer this one, mainly because of the main character. The side characters felt flat at times, but overall, Just Ella was an excellent and enjoyable read.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like it, but wasn't blown away. Would recommend to 7th grade and up... dies talk about periods, sex, death. In Just Ella, Margaret Peterson Haddix puts a spin on the traditional tale of the glass slippers. In her version, Ella (sans "Cinder") finds her own way to the ball (there was no fairy godmother, despite the rumors) and wins the heart of the prince. But now she is finding that life at the palace as Prince Charming's betrothed is not as great as she thought it was going to be. In fact, it's downright boring for a self-reliant and active girl to do needlework all day or listen to instructions on court etiquette from the strict and cold Madame Bisset. Worst of all, Ella is beginning to suspect that Charming's beautiful blue eyes and golden hair are attached to a head with nothing in it. Her young tutor Jed, however, talks with her about serious things that really matter. Ella finally gets up the courage to announce to Charming that she doesn't want to go through with the wedding, but when she finds herself locked in the dungeon she realizes it's not that easy to walk away from a politically arranged marriage. In the end, as in all good fairy tales, our heroine and hero do manage to live happily ever after--but with a twist. Fairy tale retellings are an entrancing form of young adult fiction, as they add psychological insight and turn events around for a surprising contemporary angle. Teens who enjoy this delightful revamping of an age-old story may also enjoy Donna Jo Napoli's Spinners and Zel or the Newbery Honor book Ella Enchanted, by Gail Levine. (Ages 12 and older)

[Kira Simion · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 (.5because of the ending!)

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.


This was better than expected. It was quite humorous and a well done modern retelling of a sequel to the classic Cinderella. I liked that Ella stood up for what she believed in.

[Sierra Abrams · Rating 5 out of 5]

5th read update:
GUYS THIS BOOOOK. It resonates so well. As a child and as an adult. Well done, Haddix!!! Now I'm off to find my Jed....



This book is an all-time favorite. I’ve read it four times, and each time it gets better and better. I love retellings of fairytales – especially when the author completely renovates the story, and the characters. Instead of being the usual Happily Ever After, this book comes down to a Happily NEVER After.

The story doesn’t begin at the “beginning”. The story opens and Ella Brown is already a princess in the royal palace, engaged to be married to the most beautiful man she has ever seen, Prince Charming. Ella, now Princess Cynthia Eleanora, is just entering into a world that is extremely different from her previous world. Every day activites include learning proper etiquette and embroidery with Madame Bisset, and special occasions are made of knightly sports such as jousting. But Ella soon discovers that even these things aren’t done as one would expect. On top of that, she isn’t allowed to do anything related to her old life. Even simple things, such as starting a fire in the fireplace, or changing her own clothes, are off limits. Frustrated, Ella resorts to finding joy in being with two people: Prince Charming, of course, and Jed, her lowly tutor. It is only then that everything starts to go terribly wrong…

This book had me from the start. The characters are vibrant, from daring Ella, to evil Madame Bisset, to handsome Charming, to kindly Jed. It is also well-written, with an easy-flowing style and quick wit. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good fairytale, especially one that has never been told before quite like this before.

[Nafiza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ostensibly and really, unless you think about it, Just Ella is a re-telling of the Cinderella. However, as one of my fellow seminar participants pointed out, when a tale has done away with everything that has to do with fairies and all other things that make up a fairy tale (for reference purposes, consult Propp's Fairy Tale morphology) does it still remain a fairy tale? Or has it somehow transcended mediums to become just a tale. Just Ella.

We read this after we read Ella Enchanted so there were comparisons between the two.

This is not really a review but more of a discussion so please bear with me.

We had problems with Ella. One of the students pointed out that she doesn't really give the culture, the world a chance and instead rebels against every single thing. She doesn't have a dream of her own. She has no passion - except for the prince and that soon dies out. She is whiny, judgmental and...well, very much like a teenager. Which is all very good except that she is referred to as a woman instead of a fifteen year old as she truly is.

I realize that the book is written meant for teens and of course it will be scissored to suit the market but what is up with the prince? I understand that the author is probably trying to make a point but I believe, as a reader, that this point would have been more effectively made if he had not been portrayed as this psychopathic person who has no thoughts and no personality of his own. Even if he were portrayed as a villain or more interestingly as someone Ella ended up being friends with but had no passion for - I believe those scenarios had so much more potential than what we got.

Jedd. The Priest-To-Be who less Charming than Prince Charming. The guy encourages Ella to talk to the prince in the hopes of ingratiating himself in the prince's good books (and as his wallet) - he encourages Ella to sweet talk him in bed. I wonder if this is before or after he falls in love - no, this must be after because he does say that he falls in love at first sight. I would have much rather have Ella end up single and wiser than end up with Jed.

The book perpetuates the standards of beauty that, as a society, we should be wary of. Is that the message we want to send to our kids? Being thin is in and being fat makes you ugly? Unhealthy yes, but ugly? And someone else pointed out that Ella's unwillingness to accept her beauty encourages girls who should really take compliments with a confident smile to think that all compliments are lies and not really meant. I thought that was poorly done.

On the whole (because I'm getting tired) Just Ella took Cinderella and tried to tell it from a modern perspective, infusing the narrative with thoughts and ideas prevalent today. However, because it is such a cynical reinterpretation, instead of representing magic in a different way, all it does is rain on the parade. There are attempts - such as the obvious theme of "girl power" but these do fall short when in the end it is Jed who is doing something to end the war while Ella is away in some refugee camp waiting for him to come back to her.

[Jeness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, I'd give it a four and three quarters, if it's possible.

Well, to start, this is the very first M. Haddix novel I've ever read, and already I know she is one of the best writers in the world. Not her writing, which isn't as impressive as some writers; not her characters, who are not diverse; not her plot, which is quite predictable; but the way she expressed her opinions about some world-issue through her stories.

Her novels are gripping from the first page. I finished the novel in less than half a day; I could not read fast enough to reach the end. She portrayed the phrase "happily ever after" was not possible wonderfully, using logic. You can't have happy if you don't have sadness. You can't at peace forever if there isn't some anger or ugliness. You can't be perfect; her Prince Charming was a perfect example. HAHAHAHA! That was very, very funny.

Another thing I loved about this book was that it madkes people feel better about life. Life can't be perfect, so give up trying to perfect it, but still do the best you can about
it.

The ending was a surprise for me. Instead of writing out what would, predictably, happen, she stopped before Ella answers the proposal from you-know-who. Of course, it's frustrating, but it gives you the freedom to imagine whatever kind of
ending you want it to be.

All in all, I recommend to everyone of all ages, genders, colours and beliefs.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*2018 reread*

I have always been a Margaret Peterson Haddix fan. She writes great children’s books, and this one is a particular favourite. As a kid, I read this over and over and over again, to the point that while I was listening to this audiobook to fall asleep, I was literally reciting the words out loud along with it.

*2022 reread*

Better every time. The protagonist's voice is so strong and unique, it breathes life into a much-redone fairytale. It's hard to come up with a more real, more likable heroine than Ella.

[Emily ✞ || [fallon's vrs] · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate this book with every fiber of my being. The characters are cardboard cutouts, Ella was way too independent for my liking, and this was a cliched, poorly executed attempt to rewrite Cinderella. The dialogue and writing was cringy, and none of the leads were desirable in any way. I don't know what what's-his-face sees in Ella. And adding feminism in fairytale retellings is not only painfully unappealing but also atrociously unrealistic.

[Laurel Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remembered loving this book when I first read it as a kid. This book and Ella Enchanted made me fell in love with retellings, even to this day.

To be honest, I was a little disappointed at first. The plot was too straightforward, without the complexity I’m used to reading in YA fiction. For instants, the two relationships Ella had were both "insta-love. However, I was moved by the latter half of the book

What I love the most is the message it gives to young readers. It’s revolutionary in a way that even YA retelling couldn’t achieve. Most of the YA retellings I read (and I’ve read a lot) stick to the “happy ever afters,” but not Just Ella. Although Ella has many fears and turbulent emotions, she still persevered, attempting to be in control of her own future. She used her head and tried fixing things in her own way.

“And if I’d learned nothing else from my life thus far, it was that you don’t always end up where you think you’re going.”

This also resonated with a voice in my heart, a bitter-sweet feeling that I wouldn’t have felt when reading it as a kid. Growing up is going to be complicated. Somehow, reading Ella’s inner struggles and growth felt like reliving my own childhood.

Just Ella is one of those books that suit readers of all ages. Youngsters would find this book both entertaining and inspiring. Adults will have a great time revisiting their simple yet bitter sweet childhood. I highly recommended it.

[Reggie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, I have to be honest. . .the only thing great in this book was the plot. . .it stops there. Don't get me wrong, I hate writing bad reviews. That's why my lowest rating is going to be a 'D'. No author deserves an 'F'.

Haddix's writing was the most boring I've read. It was dull and unexciting. I was snoring by the time I got to page 3. . . literally. I've looked at what others thought about this book and surprisingly, Just Ella elicited almost-perfect reviews. Maybe it's just me then.

Haddix just couldn't accomplish charismatic writing. Instead, the book ended up colorless and passive. To get to the point, I was bored out of my mind. Even though this book was practically lifeless, I persisted in reading it so that I could have this review done (plus, I hate it when I don't finish a book).

Ella was practically the only thing in Just Ella that was great. She was so full of life. I loved her from start to finish (and Jed also). They made the plot more lively and less boring. Is it possible to hate the writing but love the characters and the plot?

The Bottom Line: I didn't get why people liked this book so much. For me, I was extremely disappointed with the book, aside from the characters and the plot. I guess it was just too 'middle-aged' for me. But who knows? You might like it. Me? Not so much. D
:-)

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over the years, I've seen many princess/fairy tale stories with a twist in celluloid form: Ella Enchanted, The Princess Diaries and its sequel, The Princess Bride, and all three of the Cinderella Story films. (Did you even know there was more than one?) This, however, is my first time reading one in quite a while. Though I enjoyed the spin on the classic fairy tale and how they empowered the heroine in a way that would make Anne McCaffrey (who once said, "Cinderella was a wimp!") proud, it was edgier than I expected, and it also bashes religion. (However, one character says something that's in agreement with an oft-quoted verse from the book of James.) Still, for what it was, it was good.

[Jamie Dacyczyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been many years since I've reread this book. I decided to revisit it during my goal to reread any books I physically own but haven't read since joining Goodreads in 2011 (ie, any "read" books without a start/finish date). Unlike the other books I've reread with this goal in mind....this one didn't hold up as well.

When I first read this and added it to my home collection, retold fairy tales weren't as common as they are now. There was "Ella Enchanted", and Donna Jo Napoli's books, and a few others....but that's it. So my standards were a bit lower. I loved retold fairy tales, and I wasn't that picky.

Now though....I think I'm OK removing this from my personal collection. It's "just OK". It has rather a thin plot, no world building, not much character development, and the writing is only so-so. It doesn't help that this was published just a couple years AFTER "Ella Enchanted" which was WAY better. Both have "Ella" in the title, and both mention sliding down the palace banisters. Did this one copy that from "Ella Enchanted" or was that just an unfortunately coincidence that only forces more unfortunately comparisons between the two books?

I'm also not sure who the intended audience for this book it. The simplistic writing and silly plot make it feel like a book for middle readers, but then there are threats/discussion of rape, so....?

This book: not as good as I remember.

[Emma Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just Ella by Margret Haddix is a great book that takes place in the time of kings and queens. It is like the cinderella story but, after the part where the prince asks her to marry him and shes says yes it has a little twist. Ella was just an ordinary girl ,but her life changed when she went to the ball (of course without her step mother or step sisters knowing) danced with the prince all night raced out ay midnight left her shoe and whenthe prince found and asked her to marry him. Ella thinks this is the dream life but when shes gets a taste of what the palace life really is like she changes her mind. When she cancels the wedding with the prince he isn't so happy about that and neither is anyone else. They put Ella in the dungeon and won't take her out till she changes her mind.

Will Ella change her mind? Will she find a way out? Or will she just die in the dungeon? Read the book to find out.

I would recomend this book to anyone how likes the time of kings and queens. I give this book a 3.

[Renn · Rating 2 out of 5]

CWs: abuse, fatphobia (extreme), implied rape/sexual assault, imprisonment, physical assault

2.5 stars

“People would rather believe in fairy godmothers… than to think that you took charge of your own destiny.”

The concept on its own is interesting. It’s basically the sequel to the Disney animated Cinderella asking “What if Cinderella wasn’t really in love with the Prince?” and “What if Cinderella didn’t have a fairy godmother?” But the execution is pretty boring.

And for a book supposedly saying that looks don’t matter, it’s horrendously fatphobic. The most fatphobic book I have ever read.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the story of what happens to Cinderella after Prince Charming whisks her away. Much different than you would imagine. Cool way to retell an timeless story.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars because I liked the message of this story. I didn't really connect to the characters and there are other Cinderella retellings I like better but I liked the storyline.