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Description edit
Aza's singing is the fairest in 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... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Summary edit
In the kingdom of Ayortha, who is the fairest of them all? Certainly not Aza. She is thoroughly convinced that she is ugly. What she may lack in looks, though, she makes up for with a kind heart, and with something no one else has–a magical voice. Her vocal talents captivate all who hear them,... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)
Characters edit
- Aza: Main Character of this book. She has a beautiful singing voice, but has little beauty. Aza has pale skin, red lips and black hair which is actually a rare color called htun which is only seen by gnomes. She is the adopted daughter of an innkeeper and his wife. Aza becomes the lady in waiting for the queen and embarks on an adventure. She falls in love with the prince who sees her different than even she sees herself.
- Ivi: The king's new 19 year old wife. She is stunningly beautiful yet has a bad singing voice. She is from Kyrria.
- Ijori: The prince who loves Aza for who she is. Handsome except his rather large ears (which Aza loves).
- Oochoo: The prince's howling dog. Ijori's loyal partner- they are inseparable.
- King Oscaro: The loving king of Ayortha. Married to Ivi.
- Sir Uellu: The royal choirmaster, who is very much respected.
- Lady Arona: She was whom the people wanted the king to marry but he chose Ivi instead. Then she was supposed to be Ivi's lady in waiting, but Ivi chose Aza instead because of her jealousy over the king.
- Frying Pan: The palace's cook. Very hot temper!
- Areida: Aza's non blood-related younger sister who is also in the book "Ella Enchanted"
- Ollo: One of Aza's two older brothers.
- Yarry: One of Aza's two older brothers.
- Ettime: The cook at the Featherbed Inn.
- Father: Aza's adoptive father who runs the Featherbed Inn
- Mother: Aza's adoptive mother.
- zhamM: An gnome with curly brown hair, small ears, and skin almost as pale as Aza's. Aza thinks of him as the Green Gentleman because of his polite manner and his emerald green buttons on all of his tunics. He befriends Aza and offen visits the Featherbed Inn.
- Imilli: kitten
Quotes edit
-
“Can a dragon judge ostumo?”
Areida -
“I was born singing. Most babies cry. I sang Aria”
Aza -
“Daughter, we didn't need your note--or a prince's visit--to tell us you'd done nothing wrong. We know the daughter we raised. We fear for your future, but never for your character. You take our love and our trust wherever you wander.”
Father -
“In the future you and I will meet again. To be exact we will meet in Gnome Caverns. You will be in danger and you will be smaller.”
zahmM
Setting & Locations edit
- Ayortha: A kingdom.
- Gnome Caverns: This is where Aza takes refuge during part of the story.
- Amonta
- The Featherbed Inn: The inn which Aza's adoptive parents run.
- Sparrow Room: The room which Aza was found.
First Sentence edit
I was born singing.
Table of Contents edit
38 chapters with no names plus an epilogue.
Themes & Symbolism edit
- Singing: In the kingdom, everyone sings.
- Inner and Outer Beauty: The main theme of the book is beauty and the way other people react to it. Queen Ivi is viewed as very beautiful, but she is selfish and childish. Aza, though not attractive by common standards, has many positive qualities as well as an extraordinary singing voice. It displays quite pointedly the effect physical beauty can make, as well as how unattractiveness can influence people into inexcusable behavior.
Series & Lists edit
This book is in Fairy Tale Retellings. (community list)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Canada
Country: Canada
Publication Date: 2006
ISBN: 0060734086
Page Count: 336
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Canada
Country: Canada
Publication Date: 2006
ISBN: 0060734086
Page Count: 336
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: PZ8.L4793
- Dewey: 813.54
Notes for Parents edit
Reading Level: Young AdultsI think this book would be appropriate for young adults since it does include a little bit of romance. Also it is hard to comprehend if your child's vocabulary is not large. This is a deep and challenging book where Gail Carson Levine changes a classic story tale (in this case, Snow White) and makes the main girl a heroine. She makes it clear that girls don't have to wait around for their prince to come. They can do it by themselves! A few difficult words. The main character is a girl.
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