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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
This is a unique and rather loose retelling of the fairy tale Twelve Dancing Princesses.
I absolutely adored this novel. I couldn't stop reading it. But some tiny distant part of me still feels like there are loose ends and remains unsatisfied. Maybe all I wanted was more of this gorgeous story...but something is still insisting that this story feels unfinished. Review to come.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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:
Yes
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
- the folklore is fascinating
- great fairytale vibes but with a twist
- some plot twists are predictable, but others are more surprising
- happy ending!
- favorite parts: the frog, the sibling dynamics, overall setting, the COVER
- great fairytale vibes but with a twist
- some plot twists are predictable, but others are more surprising
- happy ending!
- favorite parts: the frog, the sibling dynamics, overall setting, the COVER
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-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:
Complicated
I really like fairytale retellings, and this is an excellent one. I discovered Juliet Marillier through Daughter of the Forest, another fairytale reinterpretation, and when I learned she had written a book based on the story of the twelve dancing princesses, I was very excited.
Wildwood Dancing takes place in Transylvania, a perfect setting for a fairytale since it's a place with a rich legendary background. It's the story of five sisters, the daughters of a merchant, who live in a castle. For many years, on the night of the full moon, they've traveled to another world in the nearby forest, where they dance the night away with fairies and other mythical creatures. It's a happy life for the sisters, until their father grows ill and has to leave them to recover in a more hospitable climate. Second daughter Jena tries to run the family business and keep the household in order. Unfortunately, her father's health worsens, and her jerky chauvinist cousin Cezar moves in to take over the business and run his cousins' lives. Cezar has his reasons for hating the other world, and he wants to destroy it. Jena and her sisters must keep the secret of their monthly midnight excursions to protect their friends in the other world.
Beyond the dancing princesses story, there are numerous other fairytale and mythical elements to the novel. Jena has a pet frog, whose thoughts she can hear. There are vampire-type creatures, fairies of all different sorts, and a witch who plays a key role. These elements all blend well into an intriguing and easy to read tale. Jena is an engaging narrator, and the other characters are well realized. Even the villains have some depth.
At the heart of the story are two very different, but engrossing romances. Eldest sister Tati's forbidden love follows a fairly predictable pattern, but it's still a good story. Jena's romance is a more unusual one and very satisfying.
Although the novel is classified as young adult, it feels appropriate for all ages. It's not "dumbed down" as compared with Marillier's adult books, so it felt appropriate for an adult audience. On the other hand, there's no sex and violence is alluded to rather than shown, so it's fine for younger readers as well.
Wildwood Dancing takes place in Transylvania, a perfect setting for a fairytale since it's a place with a rich legendary background. It's the story of five sisters, the daughters of a merchant, who live in a castle. For many years, on the night of the full moon, they've traveled to another world in the nearby forest, where they dance the night away with fairies and other mythical creatures. It's a happy life for the sisters, until their father grows ill and has to leave them to recover in a more hospitable climate. Second daughter Jena tries to run the family business and keep the household in order. Unfortunately, her father's health worsens, and her jerky chauvinist cousin Cezar moves in to take over the business and run his cousins' lives. Cezar has his reasons for hating the other world, and he wants to destroy it. Jena and her sisters must keep the secret of their monthly midnight excursions to protect their friends in the other world.
Beyond the dancing princesses story, there are numerous other fairytale and mythical elements to the novel. Jena has a pet frog, whose thoughts she can hear. There are vampire-type creatures, fairies of all different sorts, and a witch who plays a key role. These elements all blend well into an intriguing and easy to read tale. Jena is an engaging narrator, and the other characters are well realized. Even the villains have some depth.
At the heart of the story are two very different, but engrossing romances. Eldest sister Tati's forbidden love follows a fairly predictable pattern, but it's still a good story. Jena's romance is a more unusual one and very satisfying.
Although the novel is classified as young adult, it feels appropriate for all ages. It's not "dumbed down" as compared with Marillier's adult books, so it felt appropriate for an adult audience. On the other hand, there's no sex and violence is alluded to rather than shown, so it's fine for younger readers as well.
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ok. So, ultimately I liked it. BUT, I wanted to shake the main character so often. She talked a hell of a lot but didn't take much action! So much talking and then half the time she would get sidetracked and end up patting the person who was in many ways her enemy on the shoulder comforting them and trying to make them feel better. Seriously? Less talking and comforting, more action! Sheesh!
Anyway, other than my issues with a flaw in the main character, I did enjoy the story overall.
Anyway, other than my issues with a flaw in the main character, I did enjoy the story overall.