Clearly drawn characters, an engaging plot, and an overall fun book to read. Fairest puts a different spin on Sleeping Beauty, and also communicates the fact that beauty is only skin deep. ( )

Reviewed by The Story Siren for TeensReadToo.com

In a land where beauty means everything, Aza finds herself lacking in every way possible. Her only redeeming quality is the beauty in her voice. If only her singing reflected what others saw when they looked upon her face. She spends most of her time trying to hide her face from the staring eyes of guests at her parent's inn. Singing is the only beauty Aza finds in herself, and she sings often while she is working.

She discovers that she can "throw" her voice and make it appear as though it came from another place in the room! She tries to teach her family her new trick but no one else is successful.

A Duchess passing through the inn on her way to the King's wedding invites Aza to come along as her maid. While at the castle, the new Queen discovers Aza's talent in "throwing" her voice and insists that Aza stay and become a lady in waiting, so that the Queen can use Aza's voice as her own.

When the King is injured, the young Queen is hungry for power and the kingdom is soon threatened to fall apart, as well as Aza along with it.

I have heard great things about Levine as a writer, so when I had a chance to read FAIREST I jumped at it! And I have to say that I wasn't disappointed! I loved the fairy tale setting and the storytelling quality of Levine's writing.

The plot was fast-paced and Aza's growth within the novel is believable. Aza isn't your typical heroine and that made the story so much more enjoyable. I loved that the book tackled the issue of beauty, which is something that I know I struggle with, as well. I know that I'm looking forward to reading more of Ms. Levine's works in the future! ( )

Substance: A reworking (almost parody) of the Snow White story (Grimms via Disney). Standard junior-fem-lib outlook, although at least Aza sings instead of jousting. Levine handles junior-angst and nascent love affairs well.
Style: Straightforward prose, subdued fantasy. ( )

Aza, an extra-ordinary girl is a girl like no other. She can illuse from her belly, and transferring her voice to different places. Her skin is pale white, and her lips are blood red. Though she is not as pretty, she has a very warm heart.

When she immeadietly becomes the queen's lady-in-waiting, she meets up with people either suspects her, or dislikes her.

Will Aza find out a way to gain beauty, and gain other's respect, or will she fail? Find out in the book!! ( )

Aza, a humble innkeeper's daughter, has the most beautiful voice in all the land, and the most unusual. She can "throw" her voice to make it seem as if it's coming from a different area of the room. However, Aza does not possess the other prized characteristic in the kingdom of Ayortha: beauty. Only knowing her parent's inn, Aza steps out to attend the royal wedding, and later becomes the new queen's lady-in-waiting. She will learn that there is more happening at the kingdom than feasts and weddings. This story includes a jealous queen, a dangerous demand, a mirror, a charming prince, an injured king, and the adventure of a lifetime. ( )