The Enchanted Collection

by Gail Carson Levine

Ella Enchanted
How can a fairy's
blessing be such a curse?

At her birth, Ella of Frell was the unfortunate recipient of a foolish fairy's gift—the "gift' of obedience. Ella must obey any order given to her, whether it's hopping on one foot for a day and a half, or chopping off her own head! But strong-willed Ella does not tamely accept her fate. Against a bold backdrop of princes, ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, and fairy godmothers, Ella goes on a quest to break the curse—once and for all.

The Two Princesses of Bamarre
When a plague strikes Bamarre, Princess Addie must save her sister.

Brave and adventureous, Princess Meryl dreams of fighting dragons and protecting the kingdom of Bamarre. Shy and fearful, Princess Addie is content to stay within the safety of the castle walls. The one thing that the sisters share is their unwavering love for each other.

The tables are turned, however, when the Gray Death leaves Meryl fatally ill. To save her sister, meek Princess Addie must find the courage to set out on a dangerous quest filled with dragons, unknown magic, and death itself. Time is running out, and the sisters' lives—and the future of the kingdom of Bamarre—hang in the balance.

Fairest
Once upon a time, there was a girl who wanted to be pretty . . .

Aza's singing is the fairest in all the land, and the most unusual. She can "throw"t her voice so it seems to come from anywhere. But singing is only one of the two qualities prized in the Kingdom of Ayortha. Aza doesn't possess the other: beauty. Not even close. She's hidden in the shadows in her parents' inn, but when she becomes lady-in-waiting to the new queen, she has to step into the light—especially when the queen demands a dangerous favor. A magic mirror, a charming prince, a jealous queen, palace intrigue, and an injured king twine into a maze that Aza must penetrate to save herself and her beloved kingdom.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Princesses, Fairy Tales, Adventure, Fairy Tale Retellings, Childrens

828 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2008

About the author

Just letting you all know: I'm only going to review books I love. There's enough negative criticism without me piling on. A book is too hard to write.

Gail Carson Levine grew up in New York City and began writing seriously in 1987. Her first book for children, Ella Enchanted, was a 1998 Newbery Honor Book. Levine's other books include Fairest; Dave at Night, an ALA Notable Book and Best Book for Young Adults; The Wish; The Two Princesses of Bamarre; and the six Princess Tales books. She is also the author of the nonfiction book Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly and the picture book Betsy Who Cried Wolf, illustrated by Scott Nash. Gail, her husband, David, and their Airedale, Baxter, live in a 1790 farmhouse in the Hudson River Valley of New York State.

Reviews

[Isabella Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella Enchanted has always been a favorite of mine. The sister tale was beautiful. My favorite out of these? Fairest! I found myself reading it over and over and over again!

[Katzilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are all so good! I especially love the two princesses of bamarre. I must hare read it a million times! My copy should be living in assistence care with it's condition.

[ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

ella enchanted, yes. check my review on that.
two princesses of bamarre was okay. it wasn't my favorite, but it was still pretty good. i can't remember it that well even though i read it like 2 1/2 months ago.
fairest, i can remember this one a little better. i actually really like this one, it was quite interesting. the plot and overall idea was executed really well. i'd recommend this one.

[Jennifer M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought as a gift.

[Mackenzie]

I own this :)

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella Enchanted-

Very enjoying :) I loved it and read it in a couple of days :) x

The two Princesses of Bammarre-

I started this at around 4.30 ish on holiday and finished it at around 9 oclock in the evening. I read it on a sunbed in Barbados. Went back to the room at 5.30 and read read read. Walked to the resturant reading it and finished just before I went to eat my dinner :) A WONDERFUL read which needs tissues at the end :) x

Fairest-

This one took me a while to read and wasn't as good as the others... Don't get me wrong it was an amazing book but it wasn't my favourite at all...

Overall these books are all fantastic buys and I REALLY want to read Ever and Writing Magic!! :O x

[Smezzygirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books. I haven't read Ella Enchanted all the way yet though, that was like 5 years ago, lol. Besides the warrior cat books, The Two Princess of Bamarre is my favorite book. I have read it mulitiply times. I'm even thinking about reading it again soon. I have not actually read The book Ever or Fairest. I listened to them on tApe. In fact I'm listening to Ever as I write. Out of the two though, Fairest is the best. But that's just my opinion. I think these books are amazing and would recommend them to anyone who likes fairytales and/or fantasy books with happy endings. Hope you enjoy, I know I did.

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

A constant comfort read for me throughout my life.

Ella Enchanted brings perspective to people about having unrealistic expectations for children which is helpful in our perfection focused based society.

The Two Princesses of Bamarre teaches children that doing all you can for one another and providing kindness and service goes a long way. Courage can be gained through various circumstances.

Fairest teaches each of us have an internal beauty which is valuable no matter what and those who matter will recognize us for our efforts.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very happy that my favorite three Gail Carson Levine books come in a boxed set. All three of them were AMAZING!!!! :D 6 stars. Perfect touch of cute romance, strong and dynamic characters, just enough fantasy and action to keep it moving, something interesting on every page. Three of the only books I have NEVER skimmed on.

Everyone should read this!!!! EVERYONE.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are all wonderful. Ella Enchanted is by far my favorite, followed by the Two Princesses of Bamarre. I loved Fairest as well, but since I read it when I was older I don't think I fell in love with it as easily. Throughout Fairest, I was full of sympathy for Ava. I could not stand Ivy. at. all.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Enchanted" was really good. "The Two Princesses of Bamarre" was okay. "Fairest" was so so. They all reminded me of fairy tales like "Cinderella" and "Snow White". They were entertaining and an easy read.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I personally think that Levine's best written book is The Two Princesses of Bamarre. I didn't like Ella Enchanted or Fairest that much though because I felt that it was just utter boredom and I didn't care for the characters or plot as much.

[Desiree *Primrose* · Rating 5 out of 5]

~A new twist to classic fairytales~

I first read Ella Enchanted when I was 9.

Read Fairest when I was 10.

I just finished The Two Princesses of Bamarre.

I have not one bad thing to say about these books!

[Chelsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

These were my favorite books as a kid! Levine creates wonderful, inspiring characters and a beautiful story. These books sit on my bookshelf here at home and I've been careful to keep them so my kids can read them someday.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked these Enchanting books. Each is a great read for older girls.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just really liked it do I need a specific reason?

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are a really fun read, I like Levine's spin on our old tried and true fairy tales. Admit it as a girl who doesn't like ending up with Prince charming at the end

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these books. I highly recommend them!

[Darleine]

I loved each and every1 of this books, my 1# fave would be ella enchanted, then fairest and then the two princess of bamarre. I love this author!

[Dominique · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very "enchanting". But I prefer less traditional fairy tales, that the authors improvised or imagined their own fairy tale imaginations. Not considering that, it was pretty good.

[Isabel]

Favorite books right here people....if you haven't read them, i'm sorry they are amazing. I grew up on this books. i've read them at least a dozen times each.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made for a younger audience than I. Fluff books with no real character development. Still enjoyed them

[Electric Demigod]

I read all of the BOOKS in the collection- just didnt buy the pack. They weer great.. though I wish that Gail Carson Levine had continued..

[Hannah Halverson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good fantasy for girls! Easy to get lost in these books.