Fairest

By: Gail Carson Levine

Narrated by: Soneela Nankani

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 Books

Critic reviews

"A song-filled, fast-paced fairy tale." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"Readers will instantly fall in love with the heroine, whose heart proves to be as warm as her voice." ( Publishers Weekly)

"[Readers will] sink into the fairy-tale romance, the remarkable characters, and the wild, magical adventures." ( ALA Booklist)

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!!!

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.

Wishful thinking

The story was sweet, and the voice was suitable, but I had had wishful thinking that the songs would be sung.

Beautiful retelling of Snow White fairy tale

The narrator isn’t as expressive as I was hoping after my experience with Ella enchanted. But I adore the book.