The magical full moon is a sight to behold. As it rises in the night sky, it casts an enchanting glow across the land. The moon, at its fullest, appears large and radiant, illuminating everything in its path. People have long been captivated by the beauty and mystery of the full moon. It has been depicted in countless works of art, literature, and folklore throughout history. Many cultures have associated the full moon with various beliefs and superstitions.
—Description of Magic Philosophy from Witchpedia [23]
It s the same giddy feeling I have when I m gardening, imposing my will on nature to get what I want, coaxing the first green shoots to emerge sweetly from the earth so I can sink my teeth into them. The Church of England didn t have much nice to say about us Quakers either, when our odd little pacifist sect first got its start here in England a few centuries ago.
Many cultures have associated the full moon with various beliefs and superstitions. In some legends, the full moon is believed to have magical powers. It is said to enhance psychic abilities and unlock hidden potential within individuals.
[Ella Enchanted]: A Review
I am really excited about my review today. Lately, I’ve been on a children’s literature kick. When we go to the library, I seem to always find a children’s novel that I haven’t read before. Today I get to review one of my recent favorites: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine.
I’m not sure if this was my first or second time reading this novel. I feel like I might have read it before but most details and plot twists felt new to me this time. Regardless, this book is a classic for me. It’s a Newbery Honor book after all. I just bought it last weekend at Half Price Books because it’s definitely worth adding to my library.
- This novel is a quick read–great for new readers. But it also offers a lot of fun characters and action in those few pages.
- I have to separate the movie from the book. I enjoy the movie and I enjoy the book. They are pretty different and I can appreciate them both for different reasons. Just know that if you are reading this after seeing the movie, they are not the same.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine is the story of Ella of Frell–a young girl who receives the “gift” of obedience as a baby from a rather ridiculous fairy named Lucinda. As Ella grows up, she learns ways to resist the “gift” and the importance of keeping it a secret. After her mother dies, Ella decides she must break the curse if she ever wants to live a normal life. She must find Lucinda. But life takes several unexpected turns as Ella is sent to boarding school with her future obnoxious and dimwitted stepsisters, Hattie and Olive; she attends a giant’s wedding; and she finds her friendship with Prince Char turning into something more. Can she ever get rid of the curse? And what will she have to give up to along the way?
Ella is such a darling protagonist. She is brave, silly, smart, and determined. She is happy to be herself and embraces who she is–even if it’s not what the society around her expects. I love the way she sees the best in the world and wants to learn from others in her world–the elves, giants, and more. She loves languages which I think is so fun too. Best of all, she is still a child, so she has an unwavering hope in the future. Yes, finding and convincing Lucinda to take back the obedience gift is hard, nearly impossible, but Ella tries anyways. Yes, finding a way to save Char from her step-family and still love him is terribly hard, but she manages to find a way. I love reading about Ella’s adventures and how much she learns along the way.
Levine gives us a colorful cast of characters to entertain us along Ella’s quest for freedom. I love her friendship that blossoms into love with Prince Char. He is a sincere and kind person. I love Mandy’s stubbornness and cleverness as a fairy and as a friend. I even love the ridiculous antics of Ella’s stepsisters, Hattie and Olive, who are almost too ridiculous to be believable but are also just fun to read about. Hattie’s hair had my laughing out loud. We also get to meet some of Ella’s new friends (and enemies)of the elves, ogres, and giants. I enjoyed Levine’s clever ability to create all sorts of likable characters throughout the story.
The simplicity and cleverness of the fantasy world creates a perfect backdrop for the story. We are thrown right into the setting which feels like our world with some fun twists. There is just enough magic to make life unexpected, but not enough to make it too complicated. There are different creatures that Ella and others interact with as casually as we do with other people. But their customs and languages surprise readers on every page. This was a setting I want to live in–to explore and to appreciate and to experience for myself.
The story is equally simple and enjoyable. I didn’t realize that this novel is a twist on the classic Cinderella story. I really enjoyed the ways Levine uses the classic story as she weaves her own tale. There are glass slippers, a fairy godmother, even a ball including dances with the Prince. But none of these comes in the ways lovers of the classic fairy tale expect. And that makes the story all the more endearing for me. I was cheering for Ella from page one, but the unexpected journey she makes to find her happily ever after is as fulfilling as the actual ending.
A few favorite quotes that I find rather profound, especially for a children’s fantasy story:
“It is helpful to know the proper way to behave, so one can decide whether or not to be proper.”
“Are you still too young to marry?”
“I wished she’d never stop squeezing me. I wished I could spend the rest of my life as a child, being slightly crushed by someone who loved me.”
“He loved me. He’d loved me as long as he he’d known me! I hadn’t loved him as long perhaps, but now I loved him equally well, or better. I loved his laugh, his handwriting, his steady gaze, his honorableness, his freckles, his appreciation of my jokes, his hands, his determination that I should know the worst of him. And, most of all, shameful though it might be, I loved his love for me.”
Ella Enchanted, taken from Goodreads
I was surprised by how quickly the novel ended. If I had one qualm about the novel as a whole, it would be that the ending is almost too fast. I wanted more details about how it all comes together. Or perhaps I expected it to be a bit more complicated. But in hindsight, I see how that would not fit in with the rest of the story. The story is simple. The setting is simple. Really, the characters are pretty simple as well. Good characters are always good. And the mean/rude characters don’t change either. So the ending fits. Because like all the elements of the story, it’s simple.
As delightful as it is clever, Ella Enchanted is a book for everyone and all ages. I can’t recommend it highly enough!
What are some of your favorite children’s novels?
This subject is obligatory for first years.
Some people use the energy of the full moon for rituals and ceremonies, believing that it can bring about positive change and spiritual growth. The full moon also plays a significant role in nature. It has been observed that certain animals, such as wolves, are more active and howl more frequently during a full moon. This phenomenon has sparked numerous myths and legends about werewolves and their connection to the lunar cycle. Furthermore, the full moon has a significant impact on tides. Its gravitational pull influences the ocean's waters, causing high and low tides. This connection between the moon and the Earth's water has further added to the allure and intrigue surrounding the full moon. Beyond its lore and scientific significance, the full moon holds a special place in our hearts. Many find comfort and solace in its gentle radiance. It can inspire feelings of calmness and serenity, providing a sense of harmony and balance. Whether it be through storytelling, observing wildlife, or simply admiring its beauty, the magical full moon continues to capture our imagination. It serves as a reminder of the vastness and mystery of the universe, and the endless possibilities that lie within it..
Reviews for "The Full Moon's Connection to Feminine Energy"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - The book "Magical Full Moon" was a huge disappointment for me. I had such high expectations after reading the summary and hearing so many positive reviews. However, the story fell flat for me. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. The plot felt rushed and predictable, with no surprises along the way. Overall, I found the book to be uninteresting and lacking the magic it promised.
2. John - 3 stars - I was eager to dive into the world of "Magical Full Moon," but unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype. While the concept of magic and a full moon sounded intriguing, the execution fell short. The writing style was bland, and the dialogue felt forced. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on and others feeling rushed. Additionally, the romance in the story felt contrived, lacking genuine chemistry between the characters. Overall, it was an average read that didn't captivate me.
3. Emily - 2.5 stars - "Magical Full Moon" had the potential to be a captivating read, but it failed to deliver. The world-building was weak, leaving me with a million unanswered questions. The characters lacked development and felt superficial. The romance was cliché and lacked any real depth. The plot had so much potential, but it felt disjointed and lacked coherence. I wanted to love this book, but I couldn't connect with it on any level. Unfortunately, it was a forgettable read for me.