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Books like Ella Enchanted

A clever, spirited reimagining of a classic tale where the heroine's greatest battle is for her own free will. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Ella Enchanted.

whimsical
triumphant
cozy
adventurous

01
Two Princesses Of Bamarre
Gail Carson Levine · 2001
A tender, classic fairytale quest about a timid girl finding her courage to save the sister she loves.
Shares:
- adventurous
- earnest
02
Fairest
Gail Carson Levine · 2006
A melodic, heartfelt fairy tale that strips away the illusion of physical beauty to celebrate the power of finding your own voice.
Shares:
- cozy
- earnest
- finding one's voice
03
Hilary Knight's Cinderella
Hilary Knight
A classic tale of magical transformation and triumph over cruelty, set against a backdrop of royal French splendor.
Shares:
- whimsical
- triumphant
- earnest
04
Once Upon a Curse
E. D. Baker · 2004
A delightfully quirky romp through time that proves the best way to break a curse is with a little pluck and a lot of heart.
Shares:
- whimsical
- cozy
- adventurous
- earnest
05
Enchanted
Alethea Kontis
A whimsical, cozy fairy tale mashup that feels like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket of magic, witty banter, and unexpected romance.
Shares:
- whimsical
- cozy
- earnest
06
Cinderella
Barbara McClintock · 2005
A beautifully traditional, visually opulent fairy tale that feels like stepping into a nineteenth-century Parisian theater.
Shares:
- earnest
07
Spindle's End
Robin McKinley
A lush, winding journey through a fairy tale where the magic of talking animals and village life is just as important as breaking the curse.
Shares:
- whimsical
- cozy
- wry
- earnest
08
Cinderella Stays Late
Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
A sparkling, school-based twist on a classic fairy tale where friendship is the real magic.
Shares:
- spirited
- earnest
09
Ever After
Wendy Loggia
A sweeping, nostalgic fairy tale retelling that champions kindness, wit, and the radical act of saving yourself.
Shares:
- triumphant
- earnest
- finding one's voice
10
Cinderella (Young Reading Gift Books)
Susanna Davidson
A bright, accessible retelling of a classic tale where hardship gives way to a flurry of magical sparkles.
Shares:
- earnest
11
The Winner's Curse
Marie Rutkoski
A high-stakes game of political chess where the most dangerous move is falling in love.
Feels:
- gilded
- simmering
- claustrophobic
12
The School for Good and Evil
Soman Chainani
A wickedly clever subversion of fairy-tale tropes wrapped in a glittering, gothic-tinged exploration of friendship.
Shares:
- whimsical
- subverting expectations

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