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starrysea98's review against another edition
5.0
ahhhhh this was one of my favourite books way back in high school and I’m glad to see that I still love it very much! I love Azalea and how fiercely protective she is over her sisters. The whole Mr Bradford thing is a little bit forced but I can live with that. Above all, I love how the girls and their father gradually become closer. Definitely a great retelling!
vannievonn's review against another edition
3.0
I just personally liked [a:Jessica Day George|359109|Jessica Day George|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1299045947p2/359109.jpg]'s [b:Princess of the Midnight Ball|3697927|Princess of the Midnight Ball (Princess #1)|Jessica Day George|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1312063284s/3697927.jpg|3741438] better. This one is still good, and a little creepier (although it might just be because I was reading it til 4 in the morning..)
sowings13's review against another edition
5.0
This book caught my attention early on and I didn't want to put it down. I love creative retelling of fairytales and this one was really sweet.
wabeen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
It's was overall good even though keeper was the bad guy
atrailofpages's review against another edition
4.0
I’m a sucker for fairytale retellings, and this book was no exception. I’ve always had a soft spot for The Twelve Dancing Princesses. And so, I knew I had to read this book!
This book I thought was adorable and so magical. There were so many neat little moments of magic that I loved throughout the book to keep the magic continuous. Because sometimes I’ve read books that have magic, but you forget about it half way through until it suddenly pops up again later. So, I appreciate that it was consistent in this book.
I also love that this book seem to focus more on family and handling grief. There was some romance(which was adorable), but I think the book really focused on family and to not take for granted your family, especially when you’re grieving. The girls had to deal with it, the king had to deal with it, and they all learned slowly through the book, that no matter what, family is so important and are who get you through the day and through your grief the best. They are always there for you.
This books was just so sweet and magical. I think everyone should read it
This book I thought was adorable and so magical. There were so many neat little moments of magic that I loved throughout the book to keep the magic continuous. Because sometimes I’ve read books that have magic, but you forget about it half way through until it suddenly pops up again later. So, I appreciate that it was consistent in this book.
I also love that this book seem to focus more on family and handling grief. There was some romance(which was adorable), but I think the book really focused on family and to not take for granted your family, especially when you’re grieving. The girls had to deal with it, the king had to deal with it, and they all learned slowly through the book, that no matter what, family is so important and are who get you through the day and through your grief the best. They are always there for you.
This books was just so sweet and magical. I think everyone should read it
steph01924's review against another edition
4.0
I read Jessica Day George's [b:Princess of the Midnight Ball|3697927|Princess of the Midnight Ball (Princess #1)|Jessica Day George|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312063284s/3697927.jpg|3741438] about a year ago, and it was my first introduction to the 12 Dancing Princesses fairytale. It was a banally pleasant book and I came away thinking the tale itself was cool, but the book's execution dull.
I enjoyed this re-telling far more. The kingdoms, the girls, and the circumstances are very different from George's book, and I liked these better.
The book started off a bit slow and serious (the Queen passes away during labor and the castle is thrown into mourning) but what I liked was the subtle tongue-in-cheek moments shown through the dialogue. The princesses had some humor to them that I wasn't expecting in the 'olden fairy tale' setting.
I really enjoyed the layered relationship the girls had with their father, The King. Dixon did a lot of showing, not telling, giving us a nice glimpse into what their life with The King was like before the Queen's death, and how it was changed after. My own dad is a very stoic person, so I could relate to this plot-line especially.
I liked the interactions between Azalea and Mr. Branford, who was a steady, up-standing kinda guy. Lord Teddy really reminded me of another character out there in a book somewhere (very specific, I know) but for the life of me I can't pinpoint it. Either way, he was amusing.
I put off reading this book for awhile because it looked like just another crap fairytale re-telling that offered ditzy protagonists and strapping love interests, but I was pleasantly proved wrong.
I enjoyed this re-telling far more. The kingdoms, the girls, and the circumstances are very different from George's book, and I liked these better.
The book started off a bit slow and serious (the Queen passes away during labor and the castle is thrown into mourning) but what I liked was the subtle tongue-in-cheek moments shown through the dialogue. The princesses had some humor to them that I wasn't expecting in the 'olden fairy tale' setting.
I really enjoyed the layered relationship the girls had with their father, The King. Dixon did a lot of showing, not telling, giving us a nice glimpse into what their life with The King was like before the Queen's death, and how it was changed after. My own dad is a very stoic person, so I could relate to this plot-line especially.
I liked the interactions between Azalea and Mr. Branford, who was a steady, up-standing kinda guy. Lord Teddy really reminded me of another character out there in a book somewhere (very specific, I know) but for the life of me I can't pinpoint it. Either way, he was amusing.
I put off reading this book for awhile because it looked like just another crap fairytale re-telling that offered ditzy protagonists and strapping love interests, but I was pleasantly proved wrong.
lauramcc7's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
joannegraph's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
debbiebarr's review against another edition
5.0
Good heavens, I loved this! The book had me giggling all the way through, the characters were fantastic (and flawed, but still charming), even the minor ones. It was a great example of a fleshed-out fairytale, with just enough magic. Loved it so much! I can't wait to see what else comes from Heather, as this debut was wonderful.