Book Review: Enchanted

Enchanted

By: Alethea Kontis

Narrated By: Katherine Kellgren

Published By: Brilliance Audio

Publication Date: May 2012

Audio Length: 7 hours, 51 minutes

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: Library

Audience: Young Adult - Fantasy

On the Writing & Story:

I tend to enjoy fairy tale retellings so this one didn't stay on my TBR list for too long. As soon as I was able to snag a copy of the audiobook from the library, I dove in to Kontis' magical world. I loved that she took inspiration from a variety of fairy tales in order to craft this story. One of my favorite things about listening to this one was trying to identify the various story components. So many of my childhood favorites make appearances: The Princess and the Pea, Jack and the Beanstalk, The Frog Prince, Sleeping Beauty, and so many more. If you have a fondness for fairy tales and nursery rhymes - this is a must read.

One of my favorite aspects of this novel was the Woodcutter family. I found the various sisters and their abilities to be intriguing. The plot mainly focuses on Sunday, but at some point each of her sisters plays a crucial role. I loved how the family bridged the gap between magic and reality. Their family history fascinated me.

Another element I enjoyed was Sunday's romance. I was rooting for her throughout the entire novel and kept hoping for that happy ending. It is a fairy tale, after all.

My biggest complaint is that there were some moments of tedium that resulted in boredom. I cannot say whether this was because of the narrator or the story, but it did make finishing this one seem daunting at times. I am glad I persevered and finished it. There were so many merits and I ended up enjoying it immensely. It was just one of those books that doesn't yield its treasures without a little effort on the reader's part.

This novel is a magical journey that would be appropriate for young and old alike. Enchanted is the perfect read if you're in the mood for a sweet romance and some fairy tale girl power.

On the Audio:

This narrator was okay, but I didn't enjoy the way she did the male voices. I also found some of the female voices to be more annoying than entertaining at times. There isn't anything special about the audio so I would encourage readers to pick this one up in print.

One Last Gripe: I was frustrated by some of the characters' choices - even the ones that were made under the duress of magic

My Favorite Thing About The Book: I loved the sinister nature of the King's plot

First Sentence: My name is Sunday Woodcutter, and I am doomed to a happy life.

Favorite Character: Sunday

Least Favorite Character: The King

Summary:

It isn’t easy being the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday’s only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true.

When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical. One night Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland—and a man Sunday’s family despises.

The prince returns to his castle, intent on making Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is, not the frog he was. But Sunday is not so easy to woo. How can she feel such a strange, strong attraction for this prince she barely knows? And what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past—and hers?