Fairest

Title: Fairest
Author: Gail Carson Levine
Ages: 12 and up

Fairest is the author's re-creation of the fairy tale story Snow White.  Some of the similarities between the two stories are very clever.  The re-write of the dwarves and hunter is very funny.  I've read some of her other books, and this one in particular lacked her usual wit and humor.  Overall, I thought this was a good book, though I have criticisms about Aza's relationship with the prince.  Aza (Snow White) is a transparent character and the reader, rarely feels sympathetic toward her or her pleas.  Ijori, (the prince) is one of the better written characters in the book, but still, something is lacking about him.  One of the up-sides of the book is Aza's realization that even though she is ugly, people (Ijori in particular) still love her for who she is on the inside rather then on the outside.  In a culture that is so obsessed with appearances, this book may help girls realize that their true worth doesn't lie in their appearance.

Content Advisory: Nothing