Ella Enchanted

Summary:

From the moment of her birth, Ella of Frell is given the gift of obedience from the fairy Lucinda, a fairy known for her flare and often over-the-top magical gifts. However, while Lucinda believes that she had given Ella a gift meant to shape an obedient, well-mannered and thoughtful child, the spell itself turned out to be more curse than blessing. Ella’s mother, Lady Eleanor, and her fairy godmother and family cook, Mandy, do everything in their power to keep Ella’s curse a secret from both the public and her selfish father, Sir Peter.

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However, one day, both Lady Eleanor and Ella fall ill. While Ella recovers, Lady Eleanor succumbs to the sickness and passes away shortly before Ella’s fifteenth birthday.  Though Elle is forced to endure not only her mother’s funeral but her selfish father’s façade of mourning, Ella eventually meets and eventually befriends the young Prince Charmont, who had been fond of Ella’s mother before her unfortunate passing. It is during the funeral, however, that Ella and her father soon meet Dame Olga and her two daughters, Hattie and Olive – all three of whom display rather repugnant personalities. 

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Not wanting to stay and raise his daughter on his own, Sir Peter eventually ships Ella off to finishing school. Though not before her fairy god mother gifts Ella with necklace that belonged to her mother, alongside a magical fairy book. Forced into finishing school, Ella is pushed into a situation where she is tormented by Hattie and Olive. Though she manages to meet and befriend a fellow classmate by the name of Areida, Hattie attempts to ruin this newfound friendship by ordering Ella to stop being her friend. Unable to bear the thought, Ella runs away in an attempt to find Lucinda in order to get her to break her curse. The journey to Lucinda is one marked with dangers, a chance meeting with Prince Charmont, and a giant wedding. Unfortunately, Ella is unable to get Lucinda to break her curse when her father, Sir Peter, stumbles upon her.

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From thereon, Ella is forced to deal with the possibility of an arranged marriage before her father ultimately marries Dame Olga when he finds himself financially struggling. Now, under the roof of a terrible step-mother, two awful step-sisters, and a once again absent father, Ella is faced with living a life of servit. It is only through her own stubbornness, Prince Char’s letters, and the presence of her god mother which help keep Ella focused on breaking her curse.

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However, when Char confesses romantic feelings for Ella, she is unable to reciprocate due to a fear that her curse could one day be used against him and his kingdom. Deceiving him into believing Ella married herself to a wealthy noble for his fortune, Ella breaks communication with Char. Upon his return after spending the year in a visiting kingdom, however, Ella learns that the King will be hosting three balls to welcome his son back – and find him a wife.

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With the help of Mandy and Lucinda, Ella is whisked away to the ball, her identity hidden from her step-family and Char alike behind the safety of a mask. Her identity is later compromised, however, when a jealous Hattie, spiteful of the prince’s attentions lingering on Ella, unmasks her in front of everyone. Fleeing, Ella leaves behind a glass slipper which, some months prior, she had found with Prince Char before his diplomatic trip.

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It is here, at the culmination of the novel, in which Ella finds the will to break her curse after Char tracks her down with the glass slipper in hand. Her love for Char, the rebellious will to break the curse, and her desire to be free of her step-family’s control ultimately allow Ella to find her happily ever after.