Levine's version of Cinderella creates a castle and a chimney for Ella to sweep. But Levine broadens the setting by taking Ella outside her castle to a faraway boarding school, to the elves' Forest, and to a giant's wedding in Uaaxee. While Ella runs into insidious ogres out in this bigger world, more traditional danger lurks in her own home. Her stepmother, Dame Olga, is a clone of Cinderella's wicked stepmother.

Stepsister Hattie likewise follows Perrault's pattern in tormenting Ella. Befuddled Olive is more clumsy in her cruelty. The papa in the original Cinderella survives as a minor character, but is cowed by his second wife.

Ella's father, too, is a shadowy presence. He is callous and cold-hearted to Ella's plight and absents himself from his family with long business trips. Sir Peter, unlike his prototype, marries for money; just as Dame Olga does.

Evil is...