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Just Ella

Just Ella

YA FantasyFairy Tales
Published
1999
Language
English

Synopsis

Everyone knows how Cinderella's story ends: she marries the prince and lives happily ever after. Just Ella picks up after that ending. Fifteen-year-old Ella Brown has escaped her stepmother and stepsisters, won the prince at the ball, and is installed in the palace as his betrothed — and finds royal life almost unbearably dull.

Her days are filled with etiquette lessons under a stern instructor, her every movement is chaperoned, and the prince himself turns out to have little charm and less conversation. Worse, Ella comes to understand that she was chosen for how she looked at the ball, not for who she is, and that a noblewoman in this court has no power at all. When she asks to break the engagement, she discovers exactly how little say she has in her own life.

Margaret Peterson Haddix's novel turns the fairy tale inside out, giving Ella the will — and the practical nerve — to refuse a happily-ever-after that does not fit her. First in the Palace Chronicles.

Prose complexity
4/10

Vibe

Thought-ProvokingReflective
Coming of Age

Genres

YA Fantasy Fairy Tales Young Adult Romance

About the author

M
Margaret Peterson Haddix

Margaret Peterson Haddix (born April 9, 1964, in Washington Court House, Ohio) is an American author of children's and young adult fiction, best known for the Shadow Children series (beginning with Among the Hidden) and The Missing series (beginning with Found). She graduated from Miami University and worked as a newspaper reporter before becoming a full-time novelist. Several of her more than fifty books have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list, and her work often explores themes of...

Characters

Ella Brown (Cinderella)Protagonist
EllaProtagonist

Former Cinderella figure now engaged to the prince, questioning whether palace life is right for her.

Jed RestonSupporting
Prince CharmontSupporting

Ella's fiance, who fell for the version of her he met at the ball.

All characters in Just Ella

Frequently asked questions

  • Do I need to read the other Palace Chronicles books in order?

    Just Ella is book one and stands alone. Palace of Mirrors and Palace of Lies follow but focus on different characters in the same kingdom, so reading order isn't essential.

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