I was hoping I’d learn something that I could use to shift my own body image issues. In other words, she was someone I could relate to.

She’s big in all the wrong places and her features just don’t sit well on her body. Aza is by no means conventionally attractive. This book was meant to explore a young woman’s path to self-acceptance. While I have very vague memories of Ella Enchanted, I’m fairly certain it wasn’t as rushed as Fairest was. I adored Ella Enchanted when I was younger than I am now and I had no idea Gail Carson Levine had written a whole SERIES set in the same universe. Aza has three children who look like Ijori with her htun hair and illusing abilities (ugh, perfect combination) and zhamM finds that Aza is indeed part-gnome. The king decides to abdicate the throne so Ijori can be crowned because he doesn’t want Ivi to have access to power. Aza marries Ijori, King Oscaro recovers and Ivi becomes a good person. Ijori is there and apologises for not believing her. Aza destroys the mirror inside out and tells Ivi about Skulni’s plan. Skulni wanted a vacation which he would only get if Ivi died.

Aza’s spirit is trapped in the mirror with Skulni. Ivi, disguised as a gnome, gives Aza an apple. zhamM thinks Aza is part-gnome, rather than -ogre.

She goes to the Gnome Caverns and meets zhamM. She’s imprisoned but escapes with Ivi’s guard. Aza becomes beautiful and is named an ogress. She drinks a beauty potion created by Skulni, a creature living in a magic mirror which was given to Ivi by Lucinda. Ivi shakes things up in the kingdom, getting rid of the council and birds and stuff. Ivi discovers Aza’s ability and hires her as her lady-in-waiting, threatening to close down her parents’ inn if she doesn’t illuse for her. A duchess takes a liking to her and takes her to the palace for the king’s wedding to Ivi. A gnome named zhamM tells her they’ll meet and that she’s got beautiful hair. Aza is a talented singer and can “illuse” which is like ventriloquism.

She hates her appearance (blood-red lips, black hair, white skin, big size) and gets lots of rude comments from guests. When she gets the opportunity to travel to the palace, Aza’s talent attracts the attention of the new queen and the crown prince.Īza is the adopted daughter of innkeepers in Ayortha. In the kingdom of Ayortha, Aza is fully convinced she’s ugly.

Fairest gail carson levine summary