A Whole New World in Once Upon a Time...

May 29, 2015 Kimber Wheaton rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

3.5 Stars

As a huge Disney and fairy tale fan, I was so excited to get an ARC for A Whole New World. I just love retellings, especially if they have a darker edge to them. It started out like the movie, including lines directly from the script. There was a bit more background on Aladdin, along with a brief section about his childhood. About 20% through, Jafar obtained the lamp instead of Aladdin and everything changed. This w I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

3.5 Stars

As a huge Disney and fairy tale fan, I was so excited to get an ARC for A Whole New World. I just love retellings, especially if they have a darker edge to them. It started out like the movie, including lines directly from the script. There was a bit more background on Aladdin, along with a brief section about his childhood. About 20% through, Jafar obtained the lamp instead of Aladdin and everything changed. This was definitely a darker version of the Disney tale.

The plot was fast-paced, great for a YA audience-- I also love that it will appeal to those who might not ordinarily pick up a book since it's based on a movie. Anything to get the younger generation reading. The story was quite interesting-- I enjoyed the rebellion and the band of thieves organized by Aladdin to fight Jafar. The ending was predictable, but that didn't keep me from enjoying it.

I thought Ms. Braswell did a nice job bringing the city of Agrabah to life. The imagery was quite vivid. On the other hand, the characterization was a tad flat. Sometimes the characters came off two dimensional. It was disappointing because I never really felt attached to any of the characters. The story was more plot-oriented than character-oriented.

Though I have to say that I really liked what the author did with Jasmine's character. She was a much stronger character in this retelling than in the movie. I also liked Aladdin-- but he wasn't as carefree as his character in the movie. He was a bit more serious and more thoughtful. If you are expecting the characters to be like they were in the movie-- well, they aren't. But, I wouldn't really expect them to be. Circumstances can change people. Jafar-- well he was every bit as insanely nefarious as he was in the movie, but we got to see more of it. Iago wasn't present as much nor was Genie. Genie was also more serious. sometimes downtrodden. The comedy was still there at times, but I always heard Robin Williams's voice in my head whenever Genie spoke-- some of the lines in this novel just didn't fit with that crazy voice.

Overall, I enjoyed this retelling. If you liked Aladdin, then I think you'll like this retelling. Nothing extraordinary, but a nice diversion while stuck in an empty house waiting for the carpet to be installed.
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Sep 30, 2018 Shelly Hammond rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed this book. It was a blast!
If you are into the Disney version of Aladdin, you will either really like (like me) or not like this book. Seems like it'll fall one way or the other with little room for in the middle. This book takes straight from the movie for a lot of the beginning scenes then when it gets to the, "Give me the lamp and I'll give you you're reward" type part the whole thing gets turned on it's head. Jafar is a really nasty piece of work in this book and he makes you ...more

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Aug 18, 2023 sabriname rated it liked it

This was entertaining to listen to. I liked some of the twists but, out of more of a preference, wish Aladdin and the Genie had had their usual bromance. Also the magic carpet did not deserve its fate haha. It was dark and gritty and it did feel a little surface level as far as characterizations go, and it wasn’t my favorite. But still entertaining.

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Jul 01, 2017 K rated it liked it · review of another edition

The book kind of dragged for me, which was disappointing considering how much I love the movie. But I did love Jasmine's active participation against Jafar's tyranny, as well as her involvement with the Street Rats. That was an interesting twist to the story I'd never thought of before. In the movie, we don't really see much in terms of the streets of Agrabah. ...more

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Apr 01, 2015 ❄Elsa Frost❄ rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, fairy-tale, fantasy, retellings

3.5 STARS

I really did enjoy this book, but I felt that the writing could've been done a little better. But, then again, it's hard to write something based off of a movie (I know. Been there, done that). So I think this author deserves more credit for this book than she's currently getting. It's harder to write movies (even partially writing a movie) into an actual book than people think.

So, 3.5 stars for this one! ...more

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Sep 28, 2016 Sue rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: gave-up-on

I made it to chapter 9 but I can't continue to read any more of it. Not for me. ...more

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Sep 27, 2018 Maki ⌒☆ rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: hpl-fic, read-2010-to-2019, fairy-tale-retellings, disney, nopl

There were so many baffling choices made here, but I think strangest was the reference to the Kitab al-Azif and Abdul Alhazred. I was not expecting the Lovecraft reference in my Disney's Aladdin retelling. ...more

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