Review of My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison
Romantic Comedy Fantasy Novel Full of Enchantment
Feb 23, 2009
When her boyfriend dumps her for her older sister (right after she bought her prom dress, no less) sixteen-year-old Savannah decides life can’t get any worse. But that’s before she meets Chrissy Everstar, a gum-chewing, pink haired, teenage fair godmother who’s decided to grant Savannah three wishes in an attempt to boost her Fairy Godmother School grades.
NOT a Cinderella Fairy Godmother…
At first Savannah thinks she’s lucked out. After all, with three wishes she can turn her life into a fairy tale, win a Prince Charming, and wear her dress to prom night. Unfortunately, Savannah soon learns Chrissy is called a “fair” godmother for a reason when the ditzy fairy sends Savannah back in time to the Middle Ages to live the lives of both Cinderella and Snow White.
Right away Savannah (whose knowledge of fairy tales has been limited to Cinderella and Snow White movies) learns that actually being a romantic heroine isn’t nearly as glamorous as she thought. After all, who knew that nobody in Cinderella’s household ever bathed or that the seven dwarfs all thought Snow White was a dim-wit?
But Savannah’s problems soon multiply when her third wish strands Tristan, a boy from her school, in the Middle Ages until he can become a prince and take Savannah to prom night. To get Tristan back home, Savannah must help him brave a Cyclops, kill a fire breathing dragon, outwit a magic apprentice, and defeat the invincible Black Knight.
And here Savannah thought surviving high school was tough…
The Magic Power of the Romantic Comedy
My Fair Godmother was written with an unusual motive. After writing nine romantic comedy novels about high school, Janette Rallison got tired of using the word “locker” all the time and created a fantasy world with a Cyclops, fire breathing dragon – and no lockers. Fans will be glad to know, however, that the book still has all of Rallison’s trademark elements, including a self-deprecating heroine, embarrassing moments, and detailed descriptions of handsome guys.
Even so, Rallison clearly enjoys the possibilities offered by the fantasy genre as she explores the pitfalls of Chrissy’s magic power and lets Savannah work with a wizard’s magic supplies. Rallison also researched Middle Ages daily life and medieval battles to add a sense of authenticity to this otherwise fanciful setting.
Charming Characters
Character-wise, Rallison does a good job of showing Savannah’s growth from a slightly spoiled teen into a clever survivor who outwits her opponents – although her thoughtless actions do make her a bit unsympathetic at times. Still, it’s hard not to empathize with Savannah as she tries to pass herself off as Cinderella and Snow White (the scene where she tries to use her Disney knowledge to name the seven dwarfs is particularly funny).
Ironically, the one character who doesn’t get a chance to develop is Chrissy. Despite being the title character, the fair godmother is mostly used as comic relief – popping in and out of the story to complicate Savannah’s life while complaining she’s late for a shopping trip with some mall pixies. Although Rallison hints that Chrissy is smarter than she looks, the fairy doesn’t get enough face time to show much growth – which is a shame since she’s so fun to read about.
Still, fans of the fair godmother can take heart. With an ending that hints at a possible sequel, there’s a good chance readers will be seeing more of Chrissy Everstar in the future.
Rallison, Janette. My Fair Godmother. New York: Walker Books for Young Readers, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-8027-9780-3
Read interviews with Janette Rallison at Young Adult Author Shares Her Writing Strategies and Author Visits Encourage Student Literacy.
And read a book review of another fractured fairy tale at Review of Once Upon a Curse by E.D. Baker.
According to Janette Rallison’s blog, My Fair Godmother has been optioned by Hollywood for a possible movie. Readers should also check out The Official Website of Janette Rallison for more information.
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