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panda_incognito's review against another edition
3.0
This retelling of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" features lovely illustrations, an uncommonly elegant narrative voice, and black girls as the main characters, but despite the book's unique charms, I can only give it three stars. The plot twist at the end is predictable from its inception, and worse, it is utterly absurd. As soon as I could see what was coming, it jerked me out of the otherwise enchanting story, and I lost all capacity to suspend disbelief. Because this book is so lovely and delightful in every other way, the weak and unbelievable climax is an even greater betrayal.
galexy_brain's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement, Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Abandonment
anakl's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
booklandish's review against another edition
5.0
A tale for all ages. The book itself is a work of art. All in all the perfect bedtime story.
maricat12's review against another edition
5.0
I (somehow) won a copy of Jessie Burton's exquisite children's book from Bloomsbury and finally got round to reading it and it is absolutely stunning.
I loved the femininist spin on the classic story, Jessie's writing is beautiful and fit for princesses. I love Jessie's work so much and just knew I would love this. The illustrations are divine, I want them as prints to frame and hang up in my bedroom!
This is a stunning book, I recommend it to anyone, can't wait to read this to my little cousin and teach her the importance of friendship, sisterhood, education, freedom and strength.
I loved the femininist spin on the classic story, Jessie's writing is beautiful and fit for princesses. I love Jessie's work so much and just knew I would love this. The illustrations are divine, I want them as prints to frame and hang up in my bedroom!
This is a stunning book, I recommend it to anyone, can't wait to read this to my little cousin and teach her the importance of friendship, sisterhood, education, freedom and strength.
ana_carolina's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
jo_the_bookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
ihaz's review against another edition
4.0
What an adorable and beautiful fairy-tale! Finally a story of amazing women who do not need a man to rescue them from their sufferings, but rather use their own wits and their own creativity. I love also the fact that these princesses are black! That’s something rarely to be seen in literature, as most of the gorgeous princesses would be white, awaiting a miracle of some sort.
Can I also comment on the illustrations? They are just perfect for the story and visualize the events happening. Angela Barrett did an excellent job doing those illustrations.
I did find the ending a bit strange, I mean, no one recognized the pilot? What about her voice, her face? In any case, this is only a story so we can look over these details, right? 😊 I still love The Restless Girls, and felt myself to be a child back again reading this tale.
Can I also comment on the illustrations? They are just perfect for the story and visualize the events happening. Angela Barrett did an excellent job doing those illustrations.
I did find the ending a bit strange, I mean, no one recognized the pilot? What about her voice, her face? In any case, this is only a story so we can look over these details, right? 😊 I still love The Restless Girls, and felt myself to be a child back again reading this tale.
starstuff's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.75