Gail Carson Levine’s sentence structure is plain, but the vernacular of the characters reflect a simplified version of renaissance era speech. Outside of these issues, Fairest was easy to read. There were also many unpronounceable Ayorthaian and Gnomic words laced within the tale. However, these statements were placed randomly throughout the story, making no sense in context. I’m guessing it meant that the character mentioned could judge the integrity and quality of a person just as well as any Ayorthaian could judge the quality of the popularized drink. Statements like “Ijori/Oochoo/a dragon could judge otsumo” confused me as well. I didn’t understand what was happening in these moments until Aza recapped the scenarios to other characters. The sentences in these scenes are choppy, rushed, and confusing. Something I noticed when I was thirteen, and even now, is that Gail Carson Levine does not write action and travel scenes well. But now that I’m older, I can see the flaws in her writing that I glossed over in middle school. I hadn’t read a Gail Carson Levine novel in five years, so my fond memories of Ella Enchanted gave me high expectations for Fairest, expectations that for the most part were met. In this masterful novel filled with humour, adventure, romance, and song, Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine invites you to join Aza as she discovers how exquisite she truly is. Her vocal talents captivate all who hear them, and in Ontio Castle they attract the attention of a handsome prince – and a dangerous new queen. What she may lack in looks, though, she makes up for with a kind heart, and with something no one else has-a magical voice. She is thoroughly convinced that she is ugly.

In the kingdom of Ayortha, who is the fairest of them all? Certainly not Aza. December 21st, 2017 – December 30th, 2017 Rating: Format:

Fairest book gail carson levine