Fantasy/Retelling
Completed
13 chapters (including prologue + epilogue)

I have a couple of these overdue, and Ugly is kinda cutting in line. But I just finished it, it's fresh in my mind, and I wanted to express my admiration to the author with more than a few comments.

So here we are.

I knew this was going to be a good book when I read the prologue.

"Nobody wants to hear about the ugly sister who actually married the prince."

Ugly: A Faerie Tale Retold is a novella-length book following Thisbe, the unwanted, unlovely half-sister of Cinderella, or Ella, as she's known. As a fairytale, it explores boldly the themes of love, sacrifice, and inner versus outer beauty; as a story, it clothes the stock characters and the age-old themes in winsome, irresistible life.

It surprised me that Cinderella, obviously the most beautiful character in the tale, was not a nasty character as well, the better to contrast Thisbe's hitherto unguessed virtue. But our author Hannah's people are nothing if not believable. In fact, the way she chooses to portray Ella is perfectly appropriate to her situation. She's beautiful, yes. She's kind-hearted, yes. But she's also naive (hopelessly), tactless, and the slightest bit entitled. And Thisbe herself has her own heart problems to overcome.

Part of this story's enjoyability comes, of course, from the concept of a fairytale turned on its head. Who doesn't like that? I know it's what hooked me. But Ugly is so much more than a re-imagining. No-one is perfect. And as much as the reader might want to believe it, no-one is wholly despicable either. Not even the most punchable character in the book. Ugly's greatest aspect is showing that even the worst of us are not beyond the reach of pity... or even love.

I unreservedly recommend this story to every Wattpad user. It is a highly enjoyable blend of symbolism and reality that prompts reflection and is bound to engender some hearty, worthwhile discussions.

I look forward to reading more from Hannah. ;)