Once Upon a Time in a Kingdom Far, Far Away

There seems to be a trend in Young Adult literature to bring back the familiar fairy tales, myths, and folk tales in new versions or variations. The series, Once Upon a Time, of re-told fairy tales has become very popular here at Lakeview.

One of our newest books is Fairest, by Gail Carson Levine, best know for her book, Ella Enchanted. In Fairest we meet Aza who was given by the fairy Lucinda the gift of a mysterious magical mirror. Aza never looks in the mirror because she knows she is not the fairest in the land. However, even in a land of singers, Aza's voice is extraordinary and she has learned how to do several magical things with her voice. Aza is drawn to the castle and Prince Ijori who is captivated by her. But the vain Queen Ivi would do anything to remain the fairest in the land, including blackmailing Aza into using her magical voice powers. This all leads to a power struggle within in the castle where Queen Ivi seems to be winning and becoming all powerful. I am sure that some of this sounds familiar from the classic fairy tales. How order, and goodness, is restored in the kingdom is the tale of Fairest.