Fairest
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $17.19
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Soneela Nankani
About this listen
Once upon a time, there was a girl who wanted to be pretty....
Aza's singing is the fairest in all the land - and the most unusual. She can "throw" her voice so it seems to come from anywhere. But singing is only one of the two qualities prized in the Kingdom of Ayortha. Aza doesn't possess the other: beauty. Not even close. She's hidden in the shadows in her parents' inn, but when she becomes lady-in-waiting to the new queen, she has to step into the light - especially when the queen demands a dangerous favor. A magic mirror, a charming prince, a jealous queen, palace intrigue, and an injured king twine into a maze that Aza must penetrate to save herself and her beloved kingdom.
©2006 Gail Carson Levine (P)2015 Recorded BooksListeners also enjoyed...
-
Ogre Enchanted
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: January LaVoy
- Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Evie is happiest when she is healing people, diagnosing symptoms and prescribing medications, with the help of her devoted friend Wormy. So when Wormy unexpectedly proposes to her, she kindly turns him down; she has far too much to do to be marrying anyone. And besides, she simply isn’t in love with him. But a certain meddling fairy named Lucinda has been listening in, and she doesn’t approve of Evie’s rejection. Suddenly, Evie finds herself transformed from a girl into a hideous, hungry ogre! Evie now has only 62 days to accept another proposal - or else be stuck as an ogre forever.
-
-
Vile villains, helpful healers, respected royals
- By Ru4Repeat on 02-07-19
-
Ella Enchanted
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: Eden Riegel
- Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ella of Frell wants nothing more than to be free of Lucinda's gift of obedience and feel that she belongs to herself. For how can she truly belong to herself if she knows that at any time, anyone can order her to hop on one foot, cut off her hand, or betray her kingdom, and she'll have to obey?
-
-
bad choice of narrator
- By tracy on 06-28-08
-
The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: January LaVoy
- Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Peregrine strives to live up to the ideal of her people, the Latki - and to impress her parents: affectionate Lord Tove, who despises only the Bamarre, and stern Lady Klausine. Perry runs the fastest, speaks her mind, and doesn't give much thought to the castle's Bamarre servants, whom she knows to be weak and cowardly. But just as she's about to join her father on the front lines, she is visited by the fairy Halina, who reveals that Perry isn't Latki-born. She is Bamarre.
-
-
Magical!
- By Jen on 08-14-17
-
Sparrows in the Wind
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: Rachel LeBlang, Tara Sands
- Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Cassandra, a princess of Troy and follower of Apollo, is delighted when the god himself appears to her. Apollo asks to love her in exchange for giving her future sight, and she agrees—but recoils when he kisses her. Enraged, the god transforms his gift into a curse: Cassandra’s visions will never be believed.
-
A Tale of Two Castles
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: Sarah Coomes
- Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Elodie journeys to the town of Two Castles to become a mansioner - an actress - but the master of the troupe turns her away. Brilliant dragon Meenore takes her in, then sends her on a dangerous mission within an ogre’s castle. There, disguised as a kitchen maid, she plays the role of a lifetime, pitted against a foe intent on murder. Black-and-white cats, a handsome cat trainer, a greedy king, a giddy princess, a shape-shifting ogre, a brilliant dragon.... Elodie must discover which of them is kind, which is cruel, and, most of all, which is the one who deserves her trust.
-
-
Awful Narrator!
- By Gardner on 09-18-11
-
The Fairy's Mistake
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie
- Length: 1 hr and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In The Fairy's Mistake, two very different sisters have two very different encounters with the fairy Ethelinda. Rosella is kind and helpful. Her reward: Jewels and gems tumble out of her mouth whenever she speaks. Myrtle is rude and spiteful. Her punishment: Bugs and vipers slither out of her mouth. The fairy Ethelinda feels she's meted out justice just right - until she discovers Rosella has been locked up by a greedy prince and Myrtle is having the time of her life!
-
-
Wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!! ❤️
- By Ryvenna Altman on 04-03-23
-
Ogre Enchanted
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: January LaVoy
- Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Evie is happiest when she is healing people, diagnosing symptoms and prescribing medications, with the help of her devoted friend Wormy. So when Wormy unexpectedly proposes to her, she kindly turns him down; she has far too much to do to be marrying anyone. And besides, she simply isn’t in love with him. But a certain meddling fairy named Lucinda has been listening in, and she doesn’t approve of Evie’s rejection. Suddenly, Evie finds herself transformed from a girl into a hideous, hungry ogre! Evie now has only 62 days to accept another proposal - or else be stuck as an ogre forever.
-
-
Vile villains, helpful healers, respected royals
- By Ru4Repeat on 02-07-19
-
Ella Enchanted
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: Eden Riegel
- Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ella of Frell wants nothing more than to be free of Lucinda's gift of obedience and feel that she belongs to herself. For how can she truly belong to herself if she knows that at any time, anyone can order her to hop on one foot, cut off her hand, or betray her kingdom, and she'll have to obey?
-
-
bad choice of narrator
- By tracy on 06-28-08
-
The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: January LaVoy
- Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Peregrine strives to live up to the ideal of her people, the Latki - and to impress her parents: affectionate Lord Tove, who despises only the Bamarre, and stern Lady Klausine. Perry runs the fastest, speaks her mind, and doesn't give much thought to the castle's Bamarre servants, whom she knows to be weak and cowardly. But just as she's about to join her father on the front lines, she is visited by the fairy Halina, who reveals that Perry isn't Latki-born. She is Bamarre.
-
-
Magical!
- By Jen on 08-14-17
-
Sparrows in the Wind
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: Rachel LeBlang, Tara Sands
- Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Cassandra, a princess of Troy and follower of Apollo, is delighted when the god himself appears to her. Apollo asks to love her in exchange for giving her future sight, and she agrees—but recoils when he kisses her. Enraged, the god transforms his gift into a curse: Cassandra’s visions will never be believed.
-
A Tale of Two Castles
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: Sarah Coomes
- Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Elodie journeys to the town of Two Castles to become a mansioner - an actress - but the master of the troupe turns her away. Brilliant dragon Meenore takes her in, then sends her on a dangerous mission within an ogre’s castle. There, disguised as a kitchen maid, she plays the role of a lifetime, pitted against a foe intent on murder. Black-and-white cats, a handsome cat trainer, a greedy king, a giddy princess, a shape-shifting ogre, a brilliant dragon.... Elodie must discover which of them is kind, which is cruel, and, most of all, which is the one who deserves her trust.
-
-
Awful Narrator!
- By Gardner on 09-18-11
-
The Fairy's Mistake
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie
- Length: 1 hr and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In The Fairy's Mistake, two very different sisters have two very different encounters with the fairy Ethelinda. Rosella is kind and helpful. Her reward: Jewels and gems tumble out of her mouth whenever she speaks. Myrtle is rude and spiteful. Her punishment: Bugs and vipers slither out of her mouth. The fairy Ethelinda feels she's meted out justice just right - until she discovers Rosella has been locked up by a greedy prince and Myrtle is having the time of her life!
-
-
Wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!! ❤️
- By Ryvenna Altman on 04-03-23
-
The Goose Girl
- Book One of the Books of Bayern
- By: Shannon Hale
- Narrated by: Cynthia Bishop
- Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Princess Anidori-Kiladra of Kildenree was born with a word on her tongue, and a secret magic. Though she is raised in luxury, she is never quite comfortable with who she is, or what she is to become. Then she is sent on a journey to marry an unknown prince. The trip is difficult, and before it is finished all her expectations are overturned. Alone, friendless, stripped of her crown and her title, Ani must learn to make her own path in the world. Along the way, she just might learn to be a princess.
-
-
Surprisingly Good!
- By Douglas on 01-08-14
By: Shannon Hale
-
Princess Academy
- Princess Academy, Book 1
- By: Shannon Hale
- Narrated by: Laura Credidio
- Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Miri lives on a mountain where, for generations, her ancestors have quarried stone and lived a simple life. Then word comes that the king's priests have divined her small village the home of the future princess. In a year's time, the prince himself will come and choose his bride from among the girls of the village. The king's ministers set up an academy on the mountain, and every teenage girl must attend and learn how to become a princess.
-
-
Father And Daughter Agree!
- By Alfonzo on 07-28-15
By: Shannon Hale
-
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Book 1
- By: J.K. Rowling
- Narrated by: Jim Dale
- Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry's eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin!
-
-
A great reading of the wrong book
- By P on 11-24-15
By: J.K. Rowling
-
The Four Kingdoms Box Set 1
- Three Fairytale Retellings, Books 1, 2 & 2.5
- By: Melanie Cellier
- Narrated by: Esther Wane
- Length: 22 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Princess Companion: This retelling of the classic fairy tale The Princess and the Pea reimagines the risks and rewards that come when one royal family goes searching for a true princess. The Princess Fugitive: In this reimagining of the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, the girl in the red hood has been swallowed up by the wolf and must decide if she's willing to fight for her freedom. Happily Ever Afters: Sarah and Evelyn have already risked everything to help Ava win a crown. But they soon learn that a coronation is a beginning.
-
-
great first audible selection
- By domenique Smith on 12-10-21
By: Melanie Cellier
-
Return to the Four Kingdoms Box Set 1: Three Fairytale Retellings
- By: Melanie Cellier
- Narrated by: Esther Wane
- Length: 27 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The first three fairy tale retellings from the Return to the Four Kingdoms series: The Secret Princess: A Retelling of The Goose Girl, The Mystery Princess: A Retelling of Cinderella, and The Desert Princess: A Retelling of Aladdin. These interconnected fairy tale retellings each feature a different heroine who finds herself friendless in a strange land and who must fight to save her new home and win her happily ever after.
-
-
Loved it
- By Amazon Customer on 05-16-24
By: Melanie Cellier
-
The Dread Penny Society: The Complete Penny Dreadful Collection
- The Dread Penny Society Series, Books 1-5
- By: Sarah M. Eden
- Narrated by: Justine Eyre
- Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This collector’s anthology compiles all the penny dreadful short stories from Sarah M. Eden’s five-book Victorian romance series. Included in this edition are three new never-before-released stories. Each short story is written in the style of the Victorian fiction that became so popular during that time period. From ghost stories to adventures to mysteries, Sarah weaves these gothic tales among her romantic storylines, making it the perfect way to celebrate the Dread Penny Society series.
-
-
delightful collection of stories
- By Melissa Watson on 09-13-23
By: Sarah M. Eden
-
Howl's Moving Castle
- By: Diana Wynne Jones
- Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin
- Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book and ALA Notable and Best of the Year in Young Adult Fiction, Howl's Moving Castle is by acclaimed fantasy writer Diane Wynne Jones and was transformed into an Academy Award nominated animated motion picture by Hayao Miyazaki. On a rare venture out from her step-mother's hat shop, Sophie attracts the attention of a witch, who casts a terrible spell transforming the young girl into an old crone.
-
-
Howl's Moving Castle is Amazing!
- By Elisa on 10-23-09
-
Austenland
- A Novel
- By: Shannon Hale
- Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren
- Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jane is a young New York woman who never seems to find the right man - perhaps because of her secret obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. When a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-obsessed women, however, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become more real than she ever could have imagined. Is this total immersion in a fake Austenland enough to make Jane kick the Austen obsession for good?
-
-
A Book Which Can be Put Down
- By Joseph R on 08-17-09
By: Shannon Hale
-
Camp Cacophony
- The Mystwick School of Musicraft, Book 0.5
- By: Jessica Khoury
- Narrated by: Suzy Jackson
- Length: 1 hr and 9 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It’s two months before Amelia’s big audition for the Mystwick School of Musicraft. If she gets in, she will learn to spin music into powerful magic - but her Gran has one last-ditch plan to persuade her out of it: sports camp. A week of softball, sprinting, and sweaty socks isn't exactly Amelia’s idea of a good time - in fact, she's deeply, appallingly unathletic. By the end of day one, she’s puked her guts out in track, gotten a black eye in no-contact flag football, and firmly established herself as the Least Valuable Player at camp.
-
-
Such a fun and enjoyable story, as always
- By Megan Flack on 06-01-21
By: Jessica Khoury
-
Anne of Green Gables
- By: Lucy Maud Montgomery
- Narrated by: Rachel McAdams
- Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With all of the pluck and charm of its eponymous young hero, Rachel McAdams (The Notebook, Spotlight, Midnight in Paris) delivers a spectacular reading of Montgomery's beloved bildungsroman. In moments both funny and bittersweet, McAdams' voice is imbued with the spark that has made Anne a much-loved symbol of individualism and cheer for over a century.
-
-
Amazing. Listen to this book.
- By Jennifer F. on 12-01-16
-
Spindle's End
- By: Robin McKinley
- Narrated by: Justine Eyre
- Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
All the creatures of the forest and field and riverbank knew the infant was special. She was the princess, spirited away from the evil fairy, Pernicia, on her name-day. But the curse was cast: Rosie was fated to prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and fall into a poisoned sleep - a slumber from which no one would be able to rouse her....
-
-
New title: Detailed lies.
- By Katie-Rose on 03-11-21
By: Robin McKinley
-
Dragon Slippers
- By: Jessica Day George
- Narrated by: Laura Knight Keating
- Length: 9 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Creel can't believe her aunt wants to sacrifice her to the local dragon. It's a ploy to lure a heroic knight so that he will fight the dragon, marry Creel out of chivalrous obligation, and lift the entire family out of poverty. Creel isn't worried. After all, nobody has seen a dragon in centuries. But when the beast actually appears, Creel not only bargains with him for her life, she also ends up with a rare bit of treasure from his hoard: a pair of simple blue slippers, or so she thinks.
-
-
Wonderful!
- By Crystal on 04-19-21
Critic reviews
Related to this topic
-
The Thirteenth Princess
- By: Diane Zahler
- Narrated by: Jenna Lamia
- Length: 5 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Zita is not an ordinary servant girl—she’s the13th daughter of a king who wanted only sons. When she was born, Zita’s father banished her to the servants’ quarters to work in the kitchens, where she can only communicate with her royal sisters in secret. Then, after Zita’s 12th birthday, the princesses all fall mysteriously ill. The only clue is their strangely worn and tattered shoes. With the help of her friends, Zita follows her bewitched sisters into a magical world of endless dancing and dreams.
-
-
Interesting but not complete
- By THoward on 11-18-15
By: Diane Zahler
-
A Tale of Two Castles
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: Sarah Coomes
- Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Elodie journeys to the town of Two Castles to become a mansioner - an actress - but the master of the troupe turns her away. Brilliant dragon Meenore takes her in, then sends her on a dangerous mission within an ogre’s castle. There, disguised as a kitchen maid, she plays the role of a lifetime, pitted against a foe intent on murder. Black-and-white cats, a handsome cat trainer, a greedy king, a giddy princess, a shape-shifting ogre, a brilliant dragon.... Elodie must discover which of them is kind, which is cruel, and, most of all, which is the one who deserves her trust.
-
-
Awful Narrator!
- By Gardner on 09-18-11
-
The Glass Castle
- By: Trisha Priebe, Jerry B. Jenkins
- Narrated by: Jaimee Draper
- Length: 5 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Avery, Kate, Tuck, and Kendrick take charge of an underground network of kidnapped children, inspiring them to believe that their pasts do not dictate their futures and pledging to do the hardest thing of all...reunite the children with the homes they left behind. When they discover that one among them might be the child of a man who wants them dead, will everything they are working for be lost?
-
-
Awesome audible
- By Angela C on 08-06-20
By: Trisha Priebe, and others
-
All the Ever Afters
- The Untold Story of Cinderella’s Stepmother
- By: Danielle Teller
- Narrated by: Jane Copland
- Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the vein of Wicked, The Woodcutter, and Boy, Snow, Bird, a luminous re-imagining of a classic tale, told from the perspective of Agnes, Cinderella’s "evil" stepmother. We all know the story of Cinderella. Or do we? As rumors about the cruel upbringing of beautiful newlywed Princess Cinderella roil the kingdom, her stepmother, Agnes, who knows all too well about hardship, privately records the true story...
-
-
Not what I was expecting...
- By IonyWinter on 07-15-19
By: Danielle Teller
-
The Moon in the Palace
- The Empress of Bright Moon, Book 1
- By: Weina Dai Randel
- Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
- Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There is no easy path for a woman aspiring to power. A concubine at the palace learns quickly that there are many ways to capture the emperor's attention. Many paint their faces white and style their hair attractively, hoping to lure in the One Above All with their beauty. Some present him with fantastic gifts, such as jade pendants and scrolls of calligraphy, while others rely on their knowledge of seduction to draw his interest. But young Mei knows nothing of these womanly arts, yet she will give the emperor a gift he can never forget.
-
-
One of the most annoying narrations
- By Foodiewife on 01-28-17
By: Weina Dai Randel
-
Reign of Madness
- By: Lynn Cullen
- Narrated by: Susan Lyons
- Length: 13 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Juana of Castile, third child of the Spanish monarchs Isabel and Fernando, grows up with no hope of inheriting her parents' crowns, but as a princess knows her duty: to further her family's ambitions through marriage. Yet stories of courtly love, and of her parents' own legendary romance, surround her. When she weds the Duke of Burgundy, a young man so beautiful that he is known as Philippe the Handsome, she dares to hope that she might have both love and crowns.
By: Lynn Cullen
-
The Thirteenth Princess
- By: Diane Zahler
- Narrated by: Jenna Lamia
- Length: 5 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Zita is not an ordinary servant girl—she’s the13th daughter of a king who wanted only sons. When she was born, Zita’s father banished her to the servants’ quarters to work in the kitchens, where she can only communicate with her royal sisters in secret. Then, after Zita’s 12th birthday, the princesses all fall mysteriously ill. The only clue is their strangely worn and tattered shoes. With the help of her friends, Zita follows her bewitched sisters into a magical world of endless dancing and dreams.
-
-
Interesting but not complete
- By THoward on 11-18-15
By: Diane Zahler
-
A Tale of Two Castles
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: Sarah Coomes
- Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Elodie journeys to the town of Two Castles to become a mansioner - an actress - but the master of the troupe turns her away. Brilliant dragon Meenore takes her in, then sends her on a dangerous mission within an ogre’s castle. There, disguised as a kitchen maid, she plays the role of a lifetime, pitted against a foe intent on murder. Black-and-white cats, a handsome cat trainer, a greedy king, a giddy princess, a shape-shifting ogre, a brilliant dragon.... Elodie must discover which of them is kind, which is cruel, and, most of all, which is the one who deserves her trust.
-
-
Awful Narrator!
- By Gardner on 09-18-11
-
The Glass Castle
- By: Trisha Priebe, Jerry B. Jenkins
- Narrated by: Jaimee Draper
- Length: 5 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Avery, Kate, Tuck, and Kendrick take charge of an underground network of kidnapped children, inspiring them to believe that their pasts do not dictate their futures and pledging to do the hardest thing of all...reunite the children with the homes they left behind. When they discover that one among them might be the child of a man who wants them dead, will everything they are working for be lost?
-
-
Awesome audible
- By Angela C on 08-06-20
By: Trisha Priebe, and others
-
All the Ever Afters
- The Untold Story of Cinderella’s Stepmother
- By: Danielle Teller
- Narrated by: Jane Copland
- Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the vein of Wicked, The Woodcutter, and Boy, Snow, Bird, a luminous re-imagining of a classic tale, told from the perspective of Agnes, Cinderella’s "evil" stepmother. We all know the story of Cinderella. Or do we? As rumors about the cruel upbringing of beautiful newlywed Princess Cinderella roil the kingdom, her stepmother, Agnes, who knows all too well about hardship, privately records the true story...
-
-
Not what I was expecting...
- By IonyWinter on 07-15-19
By: Danielle Teller
-
The Moon in the Palace
- The Empress of Bright Moon, Book 1
- By: Weina Dai Randel
- Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
- Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There is no easy path for a woman aspiring to power. A concubine at the palace learns quickly that there are many ways to capture the emperor's attention. Many paint their faces white and style their hair attractively, hoping to lure in the One Above All with their beauty. Some present him with fantastic gifts, such as jade pendants and scrolls of calligraphy, while others rely on their knowledge of seduction to draw his interest. But young Mei knows nothing of these womanly arts, yet she will give the emperor a gift he can never forget.
-
-
One of the most annoying narrations
- By Foodiewife on 01-28-17
By: Weina Dai Randel
-
Reign of Madness
- By: Lynn Cullen
- Narrated by: Susan Lyons
- Length: 13 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Juana of Castile, third child of the Spanish monarchs Isabel and Fernando, grows up with no hope of inheriting her parents' crowns, but as a princess knows her duty: to further her family's ambitions through marriage. Yet stories of courtly love, and of her parents' own legendary romance, surround her. When she weds the Duke of Burgundy, a young man so beautiful that he is known as Philippe the Handsome, she dares to hope that she might have both love and crowns.
By: Lynn Cullen
-
You May Kiss the Bride
- The Penhallow Dynasty, Book 1
- By: Lisa Berne
- Narrated by: Carolyn Morris
- Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Wealthy and arrogant, Gabriel Penhallow knows it's time to fulfill his dynastic duty. All he must do is follow "The Penhallow way" - find a biddable bride, produce an heir and a spare, and then live separate lives. It's worked so well for generations, certainly one kiss with the delectable Livia Stuart isn't going to change things. Society dictates he marry her, and one chit is as good as another as long as she's from a decent family.
-
-
Slow Story. EXCELLENT SUPERB NARRATION!
- By Tracy T on 03-30-17
By: Lisa Berne
-
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow
- By: Jessica Day George
- Narrated by: Jessica Roland
- Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Blessed (or cursed) with an ability to understand animals, the Lass has always been an oddball. And when an isbjorn (polar bear) seeks her out, and promises that her family will become rich if only the Lass will accompany him to his castle, she doesn't hesitate. But the bear is not what he seems, nor is his castle, which is made of ice and inhabited by a silent staff of servants.
-
-
Fairytale
- By Hawaii Tesla Detailing on 05-30-12
-
Mademoiselle Boleyn
- By: Robin Maxwell
- Narrated by: Suzan Crowley
- Length: 13 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When her father is assigned the task of spying on the French Court, the charming and sweetly innocent Anne Boleyn is delighted by the thought of a new adventure. And she is not to be disappointed, for her beautiful sister, Mary, has been handed a mission: to let herself be seduced by the King of France in order to uncover his secrets. Mesmerized by the thrilling passion, intrigue, and betrayal that unfolds, Anne discovers the power of being a woman who catches the eye of a powerful king.
-
-
Intriguing
- By Anonymous User on 11-10-18
By: Robin Maxwell
-
Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book
- By: Jennifer Donnelly
- Narrated by: Jenna Augen
- Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hidden in the Beast's library is a very mysterious book. Belle is about to discover it and visit a glittering new world. But is everything in that world what it seems? And will Belle be able to find her way home? Or will the story take hold of her - and never let her go?
-
-
Naive Belle
- By De-Anna on 08-02-18
-
Tess of the Road
- By: Rachel Hartman
- Narrated by: Katharine Lee McEwan
- Length: 16 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the medieval kingdom of Goredd, women are expected to be ladies, men are their protectors, and dragons can be whomever they choose. Tess is none of these things. Tess is...different. She speaks out of turn, has wild ideas, and can't seem to keep out of trouble. Then Tess goes too far. Tess's family decide the only path for her is a nunnery. But on the day she is to join the nuns, Tess chooses a different path for herself. She cuts her hair, pulls on her boots, and sets out on a journey. She's not running away, she's running towards something.
-
-
Beautiful and Boring, Both.
- By Ryan on 04-05-19
By: Rachel Hartman
-
The Fairy Godmother
- Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, Book 1
- By: Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Gabra Zackman
- Length: 12 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Elena Klovis was supposed to be her kingdom's Cinderella - until an accident of fate left her with a completely inappropriate prince! Determined not to remain with her stepfamily, Elena set out to get a new job - and ended up becoming the Fairy Godmother for the land. But "Breaking with Tradition" was no easy matter. True, she didn't have to sleep in the chimney, but she had to deal with arrogant, stuffed-shirt princes who kept trying to rise above their place in the tale.
-
-
An excellent start to a new series
- By Captain Skurvy on 01-16-13
By: Mercedes Lackey
-
Push Not the River
- By: James Conroyd Martin
- Narrated by: Dawn Harvey
- Length: 19 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Push Not the River is the rich story of Poland in the late 1700's - a time of heartache and turmoil as the country's once peaceful people are torn apart by neighboring countries and divided loyalties. It is then, at the young and vulnerable age of seventeen, that Lady Anna Maria Berezowska loses both of her parents and must leave the only home she has ever known.
-
-
Save your time; buy something else.
- By AMS on 10-22-15
-
Cinderella
- By: Disney Press
- Narrated by: Cassandra Morris
- Length: 3 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ella's childhood is a happy one: she has loving parents, plenty of fields and meadows to explore, and lots of kind animal friends to play with. A sweet child, Ella warms the hearts of all who meet her. And her home is a wonderful place, the perfect little kingdom for a joyful family. But when tragedy strikes, Ella's happy home turns into one filled with sadness and cruelty. Will Ella be able to hold onto her kindness and courage through it all?
-
-
Cinderella
- By Doha on 04-30-15
By: Disney Press
-
Swordspoint
- A Melodrama of Manners
- By: Ellen Kushner
- Narrated by: Ellen Kushner, Dion Graham, Katherine Kellgren, and others
- Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On the treacherous streets of Riverside, a man lives and dies by the sword. Even the nobles on the Hill turn to duels to settle their disputes. Within this elite, dangerous world, Richard St. Vier is the undisputed master, as skilled as he is ruthless--until a death by the sword is met with outrage instead of awe, and the city discovers that the line between hero and villain can be altered in the blink of an eye.
-
-
Ellen Kushner Owes me 30$
- By Daryl on 12-04-11
By: Ellen Kushner
-
The Crown
- By: Nancy Bilyeau
- Narrated by: Nicola Barber
- Length: 14 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this debut historical thriller, an aristocratic young nun must find a legendary crown in order to save her father’s life and preserve all she holds dear. When novitiate nun Joanna Stafford learns her rebel cousin is condemned by King Henry VIII to be burned at the stake, she makes the decision to break the sacred rule of enclosure and flee her Dominican order in Dartford to stand at her cousin’s side. Arrested for interfering with king’s justice, Joanna, along with her father, Sir Richard Stafford, is sent to the Tower of London.
-
-
Torture
- By S. Wells on 03-24-13
By: Nancy Bilyeau
-
The Will of the Empress
- By: Tamora Pierce
- Narrated by: Tamora Pierce
- Length: 15 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For years, the Empress of Namorn has pressed her young cousin, Lady Sandrilene fa Toren, to visit her vast lands within the Empire's borders. Sandry has avoided the invitation for as long as it was possible. Now, Sandry has agreed to pay that overdue visit. Sandry's uncle promises guards to accompany her. But they're hardly a group of warriors! They're her old friends from Winding Circle: Daja, Tris, and Briar. Sandry hardly knows them now. They've grown up and grown apart.
-
-
from a writer's perspective
- By daniel orzechowski on 05-24-08
By: Tamora Pierce
-
The Bells
- A Novel
- By: Richard Harvell
- Narrated by: Richard Powers
- Length: 15 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Moses Froben was born in a belfry high in the Swiss Alps, the bastard son of a deaf-mute woman, banished to the church tower to ring the loudest and most beautiful bells ever each day. His life is simple but content, until the day his father recognizes Moses' singular sense of hearing and its power to expose his sins. Cast into the world with only his ears to protect and guide him, Moses finds refuge in the choir of the historic Abbey of St. Gall and becomes its star singer, only to endure the horrifying act of castration....
-
-
Excellent!!! Highly recommend!
- By Coni R on 07-31-17
By: Richard Harvell
People who viewed this also viewed...
-
Ogre Enchanted
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: January LaVoy
- Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Evie is happiest when she is healing people, diagnosing symptoms and prescribing medications, with the help of her devoted friend Wormy. So when Wormy unexpectedly proposes to her, she kindly turns him down; she has far too much to do to be marrying anyone. And besides, she simply isn’t in love with him. But a certain meddling fairy named Lucinda has been listening in, and she doesn’t approve of Evie’s rejection. Suddenly, Evie finds herself transformed from a girl into a hideous, hungry ogre! Evie now has only 62 days to accept another proposal - or else be stuck as an ogre forever.
-
-
Vile villains, helpful healers, respected royals
- By Ru4Repeat on 02-07-19
-
The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: January LaVoy
- Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Peregrine strives to live up to the ideal of her people, the Latki - and to impress her parents: affectionate Lord Tove, who despises only the Bamarre, and stern Lady Klausine. Perry runs the fastest, speaks her mind, and doesn't give much thought to the castle's Bamarre servants, whom she knows to be weak and cowardly. But just as she's about to join her father on the front lines, she is visited by the fairy Halina, who reveals that Perry isn't Latki-born. She is Bamarre.
-
-
Magical!
- By Jen on 08-14-17
-
Ella Enchanted
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: Eden Riegel
- Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ella of Frell wants nothing more than to be free of Lucinda's gift of obedience and feel that she belongs to herself. For how can she truly belong to herself if she knows that at any time, anyone can order her to hop on one foot, cut off her hand, or betray her kingdom, and she'll have to obey?
-
-
bad choice of narrator
- By tracy on 06-28-08
-
A Tale of Two Castles
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: Sarah Coomes
- Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Elodie journeys to the town of Two Castles to become a mansioner - an actress - but the master of the troupe turns her away. Brilliant dragon Meenore takes her in, then sends her on a dangerous mission within an ogre’s castle. There, disguised as a kitchen maid, she plays the role of a lifetime, pitted against a foe intent on murder. Black-and-white cats, a handsome cat trainer, a greedy king, a giddy princess, a shape-shifting ogre, a brilliant dragon.... Elodie must discover which of them is kind, which is cruel, and, most of all, which is the one who deserves her trust.
-
-
Awful Narrator!
- By Gardner on 09-18-11
-
The Fairy's Mistake
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie
- Length: 1 hr and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In The Fairy's Mistake, two very different sisters have two very different encounters with the fairy Ethelinda. Rosella is kind and helpful. Her reward: Jewels and gems tumble out of her mouth whenever she speaks. Myrtle is rude and spiteful. Her punishment: Bugs and vipers slither out of her mouth. The fairy Ethelinda feels she's meted out justice just right - until she discovers Rosella has been locked up by a greedy prince and Myrtle is having the time of her life!
-
-
Wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!! ❤️
- By Ryvenna Altman on 04-03-23
-
Princess of the Midnight Ball
- Twelve Dancing Princess, Book 1
- By: Jessica Day George
- Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky
- Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Galen is a young soldier returning from war; Rose is one of 12 princesses condemned to dance each night for the King Under Stone. Together Galen and Rose will search for a way to break the curse that forces the princesses to dance at the midnight balls. All they need is one invisibility cloak, a black wool chain knit with enchanted silver needles, and that most critical ingredient of all - true love - to conquer their foes in the dark halls below. But malevolent forces are working against them above ground as well.
-
-
Amazing
- By Erika Medders on 09-19-24
-
Ogre Enchanted
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: January LaVoy
- Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Evie is happiest when she is healing people, diagnosing symptoms and prescribing medications, with the help of her devoted friend Wormy. So when Wormy unexpectedly proposes to her, she kindly turns him down; she has far too much to do to be marrying anyone. And besides, she simply isn’t in love with him. But a certain meddling fairy named Lucinda has been listening in, and she doesn’t approve of Evie’s rejection. Suddenly, Evie finds herself transformed from a girl into a hideous, hungry ogre! Evie now has only 62 days to accept another proposal - or else be stuck as an ogre forever.
-
-
Vile villains, helpful healers, respected royals
- By Ru4Repeat on 02-07-19
-
The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: January LaVoy
- Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Peregrine strives to live up to the ideal of her people, the Latki - and to impress her parents: affectionate Lord Tove, who despises only the Bamarre, and stern Lady Klausine. Perry runs the fastest, speaks her mind, and doesn't give much thought to the castle's Bamarre servants, whom she knows to be weak and cowardly. But just as she's about to join her father on the front lines, she is visited by the fairy Halina, who reveals that Perry isn't Latki-born. She is Bamarre.
-
-
Magical!
- By Jen on 08-14-17
-
Ella Enchanted
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: Eden Riegel
- Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ella of Frell wants nothing more than to be free of Lucinda's gift of obedience and feel that she belongs to herself. For how can she truly belong to herself if she knows that at any time, anyone can order her to hop on one foot, cut off her hand, or betray her kingdom, and she'll have to obey?
-
-
bad choice of narrator
- By tracy on 06-28-08
-
A Tale of Two Castles
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: Sarah Coomes
- Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Elodie journeys to the town of Two Castles to become a mansioner - an actress - but the master of the troupe turns her away. Brilliant dragon Meenore takes her in, then sends her on a dangerous mission within an ogre’s castle. There, disguised as a kitchen maid, she plays the role of a lifetime, pitted against a foe intent on murder. Black-and-white cats, a handsome cat trainer, a greedy king, a giddy princess, a shape-shifting ogre, a brilliant dragon.... Elodie must discover which of them is kind, which is cruel, and, most of all, which is the one who deserves her trust.
-
-
Awful Narrator!
- By Gardner on 09-18-11
-
The Fairy's Mistake
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie
- Length: 1 hr and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In The Fairy's Mistake, two very different sisters have two very different encounters with the fairy Ethelinda. Rosella is kind and helpful. Her reward: Jewels and gems tumble out of her mouth whenever she speaks. Myrtle is rude and spiteful. Her punishment: Bugs and vipers slither out of her mouth. The fairy Ethelinda feels she's meted out justice just right - until she discovers Rosella has been locked up by a greedy prince and Myrtle is having the time of her life!
-
-
Wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!! ❤️
- By Ryvenna Altman on 04-03-23
-
Princess of the Midnight Ball
- Twelve Dancing Princess, Book 1
- By: Jessica Day George
- Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky
- Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Galen is a young soldier returning from war; Rose is one of 12 princesses condemned to dance each night for the King Under Stone. Together Galen and Rose will search for a way to break the curse that forces the princesses to dance at the midnight balls. All they need is one invisibility cloak, a black wool chain knit with enchanted silver needles, and that most critical ingredient of all - true love - to conquer their foes in the dark halls below. But malevolent forces are working against them above ground as well.
-
-
Amazing
- By Erika Medders on 09-19-24
-
Dragon Slippers
- By: Jessica Day George
- Narrated by: Laura Knight Keating
- Length: 9 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Creel can't believe her aunt wants to sacrifice her to the local dragon. It's a ploy to lure a heroic knight so that he will fight the dragon, marry Creel out of chivalrous obligation, and lift the entire family out of poverty. Creel isn't worried. After all, nobody has seen a dragon in centuries. But when the beast actually appears, Creel not only bargains with him for her life, she also ends up with a rare bit of treasure from his hoard: a pair of simple blue slippers, or so she thinks.
-
-
Wonderful!
- By Crystal on 04-19-21
-
Book of a Thousand Days
- By: Shannon Hale
- Narrated by: Chelsea Mixon
- Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Lady Saren defies her father’s command to marry the vicious Lord Khasar, she is sealed in a tower with only her serving maid, Dashti, for company. In their cramped, dark space Dashti pours her thoughts into a daily journal while pitiless solitude engulfs them. At first the girl is optimistic: they have food aplenty, candles for light, and even a visit from Lady Saren’s true love, Khan Tegus - though he can only call to them from outside their walls. But their circumstances soon grow desperate.
-
-
I charming little book.
- By Steve on 07-20-15
By: Shannon Hale
-
The Frog Princess
- By: E. D. Baker
- Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren
- Length: 5 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Princess Emma will do just about anything to get out of marrying the self-centered Prince Jorge. So when she meets a frog named Eadric who claims, of course, to be a prince, she decides to give him a kiss and see what happens. Bad idea. The frog stays a frog, and worse still, Emma turns into a frog herself. It turns out only the person who cast the spell can break it, so Emma and Eadric are soon hopping along trying to find the witch who can make them human again.
-
-
Enjoyable for the whole family
- By Queenoid on 11-08-06
By: E. D. Baker
-
Writing Magic
- Creating Stories that Fly
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: Gail Carson Levine
- Length: 3 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Do you want to write stories that catch your readers and never let go? Have you ever wondered how to create a book as magical as Ella Enchanted, as touching as Dave at Night, as captivating as Fairest? Well, now you can find out! In Writing Magic, Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine shares her secrets of great writing. She shows how you, too, can get terrific ideas for stories, invent great beginnings and endings, write sparkling dialogue, develop memorable characters - and much, much more.
-
-
Good work
- By A. L. DeWitt on 01-09-15
-
Sparrows in the Wind
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: Rachel LeBlang, Tara Sands
- Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Cassandra, a princess of Troy and follower of Apollo, is delighted when the god himself appears to her. Apollo asks to love her in exchange for giving her future sight, and she agrees—but recoils when he kisses her. Enraged, the god transforms his gift into a curse: Cassandra’s visions will never be believed.
-
Silver in the Blood
- By: Jessica Day George
- Narrated by: Sandy Rustin
- Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Spoiled society sisters Dacia and Lou return to their native Romania to do the bidding of the royal Dracula family. But when its devilish heir takes a fancy to Dacia, the sisters must team with a monster-fighting duo to break free from this horrific family legacy.
-
-
Wonderful!
- By Christina Christensen on 01-17-19
-
Princess Academy
- Princess Academy, Book 1
- By: Shannon Hale
- Narrated by: Laura Credidio
- Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Miri lives on a mountain where, for generations, her ancestors have quarried stone and lived a simple life. Then word comes that the king's priests have divined her small village the home of the future princess. In a year's time, the prince himself will come and choose his bride from among the girls of the village. The king's ministers set up an academy on the mountain, and every teenage girl must attend and learn how to become a princess.
-
-
Father And Daughter Agree!
- By Alfonzo on 07-28-15
By: Shannon Hale
-
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!
- By: Laura Amy Schiltz
- Narrated by: Christina Moore
- Length: 1 hr and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Laura Amy Schlitz wrote the Newbery Medal winner Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! for the students at the school where she is a librarian. The 22 monologues introduce readers to everyone in a medieval village, from the town half-wit, to Nelly the Sniggler, to the Lord's daughter.
-
-
Smartly done and charming.
- By Patrick Zircher on 04-16-24
-
The Goose Girl
- Book One of the Books of Bayern
- By: Shannon Hale
- Narrated by: Cynthia Bishop
- Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Princess Anidori-Kiladra of Kildenree was born with a word on her tongue, and a secret magic. Though she is raised in luxury, she is never quite comfortable with who she is, or what she is to become. Then she is sent on a journey to marry an unknown prince. The trip is difficult, and before it is finished all her expectations are overturned. Alone, friendless, stripped of her crown and her title, Ani must learn to make her own path in the world. Along the way, she just might learn to be a princess.
-
-
Surprisingly Good!
- By Douglas on 01-08-14
By: Shannon Hale
-
Cinder
- Book One of the Lunar Chronicles
- By: Marissa Meyer
- Narrated by: Rebecca Soler
- Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.... Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle.
-
-
Surpised by how much I enjoyed it
- By The Mankers on 01-17-12
By: Marissa Meyer
-
Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg
- By: Gail Carson Levine
- Narrated by: Hannah Gordon
- Length: 3 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Prilla, the newest fairy to arrive in Never Land, is so odd that Never Land itself isn't certain whether to let her into Fairy Haven. Prilla shakes hands when she meets other fairies, and she says "Pleased to meet you", instead of "Fly with you". What's more, she calls Tinker Bell Miss Bell. Altogether, she acts more like a Clumsy than a self-respecting Never fairy should.
-
-
Far too violent
- By Catherine on 10-24-16
-
Spindle's End
- By: Robin McKinley
- Narrated by: Justine Eyre
- Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
All the creatures of the forest and field and riverbank knew the infant was special. She was the princess, spirited away from the evil fairy, Pernicia, on her name-day. But the curse was cast: Rosie was fated to prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and fall into a poisoned sleep - a slumber from which no one would be able to rouse her....
-
-
New title: Detailed lies.
- By Katie-Rose on 03-11-21
By: Robin McKinley
What listeners say about Fairest
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- DeNae Miller
- 12-17-22
Beautiful Story
beautiful story and I just imagined the whole time how fantastic a musical it would make. crossing my fingers someone picks it up for Broadway or Hollywood soon
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Marilyn Denny
- 05-14-24
Enchanting and poignant
I’ve read this book before, and now I’ve listened to it. I fell in love all over again! Gail Carson Levine crafts her characters with love, with flaws, with spirit and personality. This book reminds me of the saying, “Beauty is only skin deep.” Aza is a wonderful character who grows in mind, and learns to accept her own form of beauty.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Santita
- 03-06-19
Finally!
I read this book when I was in junior high which was about 8 years ago, I could never remember the title but had thought about it often when looking for a book to read. I finally found it and read it again through audible. Just as good if not better than I remember!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 09-11-24
Being stuck on you Beauty can get you in A LOT of trouble.
This book was good I liked how she learned beauty is what you think of it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Elisabeth Tonks
- 03-02-19
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS STORY!
I love the message behind this story and all the love that is encapsulated within it's pages!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- E.F.B.
- 08-02-18
Very cute and uplifting
Having only ever listened to this on audio, please forgive me if I make any egregious misspellings of character or place names. I'm actually going to skim some reviews to see if I can find how to spell these names...
"Fairest", a Snow White retelling, was the first book by Gail Carson Levine I've ever read. I'm familiar with her work because of the Ella Enchanted movie, but only now got around to picking up her books. (Seeing the movie did at least allow me to notice and appreciate the references this book made to Ella Enchanted.) Now that I have read one of her books, I see what all the fuss is about. The world she has created is charming with its many fantastical creatures and Ayortha's music-based culture, and I know Ayortha is only one small part of the world.
I enjoyed many of the characters too, Prince Ijori probably being my favorite. He loved Aza for who she was despite her "ugly" appearance, and even when she turned herself beautiful, he liked her better the way she was before because that was the real her. (A much better message to children than having her only love her, or love her more, once she was beautiful.)
Aza herself was a good character too, though I probably would have related to her more when I was much younger and still struggling with self-image issues. I admit that I didn't initially find her all that interesting, and for some reason, at the beginning of the story especially, I had trouble believing she truly was as horribly ugly as she and certain others seemed to think she was. But much like the story, she grew on me as things went along, and I was happy to see her overcome her problems in the end. I'll give some points to Aza's adopted family too. While not perfect, they did seem to love her and treat her well.
The "evil" queen (Ivi) was interesting (though not necessarily likable) because she wasn't actually that evil -- more like misguided and infuriatingly self-centered--but I did think it was an interesting and refreshing twist on the character.
That Lucinda, though. *shakes head* Need I say more?
As for some of those fantastical creatures, I adored the gnomes the most. Their whole culture and living situation fascinated me, and I'd say I finally really started enjoying the story around the time they became more prominent in the story.
The reason I've taken off a star is because the pacing in the beginning of the story could have used some improvement. It was enjoyable and all, but the story didn't truly suck me in until around the time they were headed for the gnome cavern, and that was a good 3/4ths of the way through the book. Truthfully, I probably would have enjoyed it more when I was the target age for the book, rather than in my twenties like I am now. I was also a little disappointed that we don't find out who Aza's birth parents were. She gets dropped off at the inn as a baby and is all wrapped up in these fine velvet fabrics with fancy gold embroidery, hinting that she was the daughter of someone important, and then we get to the end and are told that they just never found out who her parents were. Um...okay. Not the worst way to be disappointed, I guess, but after all those hints I really thought it would be revealed. *shrug*
Otherwise, this was a fun, charming little book and the ending left me with a smile and warm fuzzies. The narrator was very good, too, though I sort of wish she had sung the songs instead of reciting them like poetry. (I am still very disappointed that the full-cast, musical audiobook I’ve heard friends rave about does not seem to be available anywhere that I can find.)
Content Advisory for those who want to know: There are a few non-descriptive kisses. Various characters are in peril from time to time, but none of it was intense or upsetting. There is some fantasy magic. Overall, it was a very clean book, great for children and adults, but definitely aimed at pre-teens who suffer from self-esteem issues and need a good example of self-acceptance.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kristin Baker
- 03-11-18
Lovely story!
I loved the story, everything about it. It captures your attention at the first page. I love that it all revolves around singing.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- kate mcweeney
- 10-27-20
sweet, deep fairytale-like children's book
I remeber listening to this as a child on a CD player, and now, with the memory of the charming narrator, and the memorable, relatable and charismatic storytelling of beautiful character growth, an enviable love interest and an entertaining and new tale for children and teens, this is a story I would recommend again and again and even listen to as an adult myself.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dusti Banazzio
- 04-24-23
LOTS of negative self-talk
It is a really good story but..
she talk a lot about how she's overwait, ugly and too "big" I don't recommend this for small children, just fr self convenience. there a lot of comparing to be done and self hate. just know that YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amy
- 05-06-24
love this so much
There are not enough feel good books !!! This is a great one!! I'm 60 and I liked the Ella Enchanted movie then went for the books Gail is a light in the dark literature put out by publishing today.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!