This is one of those rare middle-grade books that absolutely deserves its reputation. Levine took a fairy tale everyone knows and made it smarter, funnier, and more meaningful without losing any of the magic.

The obedience curse is brilliant—it creates constant tension and forces Ella (and readers) to think creatively about loopholes, language, and agency. It's also a perfect metaphor for the pressures kids face to be 'good' and compliant, making it especially powerful for readers learning to set boundaries.

What makes this work so well is that Ella isn't passive or perfect. She's stubborn, makes mistakes, gets angry, and actively fights for herself. The romance with Prince Char is sweet without being saccharine. The world-building is rich enough to feel immersive but not so dense that it bogs down the story.

Twenty-five years later, this holds up beautifully. It's not dated, it's not preachy, and it's genuinely fun to read. If you're looking for a book that will hook a reluctant reader or satisfy a voracious one, this is it.