Wow, this took a long time to finish. The fantasy elements were well done, but all of the issues with body size overwhelmed the story at times. We are constantly reminded that Elisa is fat and hates her sister because she is thin and beautiful. But then Elisa becomes thin (not by her choice but because of circumstances foisted upon her) and then she becomes a strong heroine ready to lead a kingdom and attractive to all kinds of men. I don't get the "thin=strong heroine" connection. It would have been more powerful if Elisa had come to accept herself and learned to love herself how she was and then became this super smart, confident strategist leading the resistance. One chapter even ends with Elisa forgetting to eat dinner (and says it like that's a good thing).