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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
I never understood how princesses in folktales fell in love with frogs. I always thought it was just a plot device used to demonstrate true love. After reading this book, NOW I understand.
I wouldn't consider this a romance book, as it keeps themes of romance light and (almost) nonexistent, but I might have developed a little crush on her charming frog best friend.
Wildwood Dancing is a combination of two European fairytales, The Frog Prince and The Twelve Dancing Princesses, but Marillier makes it entirely her own. It focuses on family, the consequences of making deals with magical beings you don't fully understand, and sibling rivalry. Overall, this makes it on my list of favorite books of all time.
You've got siblings discovering portals to enchanted realms in their bedroom, fantasy forests and Transylvanian castles, and childhood nostalgia -- yeah, this book is just my cup of tea. Juliet Marillier never disappoints. Highly recommend this!
I wouldn't consider this a romance book, as it keeps themes of romance light and (almost) nonexistent, but I might have developed a little crush on her charming frog best friend.
Wildwood Dancing is a combination of two European fairytales, The Frog Prince and The Twelve Dancing Princesses, but Marillier makes it entirely her own. It focuses on family, the consequences of making deals with magical beings you don't fully understand, and sibling rivalry. Overall, this makes it on my list of favorite books of all time.
You've got siblings discovering portals to enchanted realms in their bedroom, fantasy forests and Transylvanian castles, and childhood nostalgia -- yeah, this book is just my cup of tea. Juliet Marillier never disappoints. Highly recommend this!
This was so much better than I had expected.
In fact, I almost didn't finish it.
Almost.
Much of it was hard to read, what with her cousin Cezar taking control and letting his hate control him. That's what made me almost stop.
But I could relate to Jena so well. And I loved her growth throughout the book-at the beginning, she was strong, just unable to be able to voice it correctly. As the book went on, she earned her independence and became so strong.
I also loved how many fairy tales she blended into it. I feel like mentioning them all would spoil it though. : )
I really loved this book, and highly recommend it!
In fact, I almost didn't finish it.
Almost.
Much of it was hard to read, what with her cousin Cezar taking control and letting his hate control him. That's what made me almost stop.
But I could relate to Jena so well. And I loved her growth throughout the book-at the beginning, she was strong, just unable to be able to voice it correctly. As the book went on, she earned her independence and became so strong.
I also loved how many fairy tales she blended into it. I feel like mentioning them all would spoil it though. : )
I really loved this book, and highly recommend it!
Loved it. Great romance. Especially loved the portal to the Other Kingdom.
Wildwood Dancing was easily one of my favourite books. Juliet Marillier, as an author, is also an amazing person.
Jena is one of five sisters. Her father is the owner of Piscul Draculi in Transylvania. Her father's cousins own the nearby landholding. Jena and her sisters are close, and every full moon, they travel to another world to partake in the dancing there. Everything is perfect.
Then Jena's father falls ill, and he must go away to recover. Her sister falls in love with one of the feared Night People visiting the Other Kingdom. Jena's kinsman, Cezar, starts trying to wrest control of her home. Jena and her trusty frog companion, Gogu, must find a way to protect her valley and the people she loves.
This is just such an enchanting read. It's one part fairies and one part fairytale and it's just so lovely to read. I always find myself completely overwhelmed with feelings whenever I read something that Juliet Marillier writes. The relationship between is no exception. The two of them are just so perfect. While I do understand that Jena does not always make the best decisions.
I LOVE this book.
Jena is one of five sisters. Her father is the owner of Piscul Draculi in Transylvania. Her father's cousins own the nearby landholding. Jena and her sisters are close, and every full moon, they travel to another world to partake in the dancing there. Everything is perfect.
Then Jena's father falls ill, and he must go away to recover. Her sister falls in love with one of the feared Night People visiting the Other Kingdom. Jena's kinsman, Cezar, starts trying to wrest control of her home. Jena and her trusty frog companion, Gogu, must find a way to protect her valley and the people she loves.
This is just such an enchanting read. It's one part fairies and one part fairytale and it's just so lovely to read. I always find myself completely overwhelmed with feelings whenever I read something that Juliet Marillier writes. The relationship between
Spoiler
Jena and GoguSpoiler
REALLY? I mean could you please not trust the shifty dark of the moon mirror.I LOVE this book.
1/2018: Still such a great read. I recommend this to everyone.
Sniff. I begin the review by admitting that I'm such a sap sometimes. I don't just tear at utterly depressing scenes; I tend to tear when I read such a good story that I both want to finish it and not finish it at the same time. That was Wildwood Dancing to me.
The book was, in every shape and form, heavily magical; a magical tale in and of itself, placed in a historical setting rich in legends and folklore. Marillier added everything; from fairy tales, to vivid settings of the worlds she described, to the addition of the mythical Transylvanian vampire. There were characters that made me laugh, others that frustrated me for various reasons, and still even those that intrigued and fascinated me enough to wonder the ins and outs about them. I loved the sisters and their quirks; Stela with her youth, Iulia with her vibrance, Paula with her worldly views (my personal favorite of the bunch), Jena with her strong ideas and determination (though I admit even she made me cringe from time to time), and the beautiful, loving Tati even in all her weakness. The reader sees the characters grow, and finds that even the villains are not as clear-cut as they tend to be.
I love fairy tales, so it's no surprise that Wildwood Dancing even landed in my to-read list. What I found to be rather surprising was how late in the game I was to having read it in the first place. I should have known about this book ages ago. But nevermind, the point is I've found a new author to watch out for and read more of her books, because if Wildwood Dancing was any indication of her writing, then I'd be sure to adore her other works!
In short, the book was littered with so many elements that my head is still swimming past the sward and into the Other Kingdom. Seriously. I would have easily conceded that Marillier's story was a fairy tale of all fairy tales, but thankfully it's exceeded that.
Wildwood Dancing was a fantastic start to my reading this year!
Sniff. I begin the review by admitting that I'm such a sap sometimes. I don't just tear at utterly depressing scenes; I tend to tear when I read such a good story that I both want to finish it and not finish it at the same time. That was Wildwood Dancing to me.
The book was, in every shape and form, heavily magical; a magical tale in and of itself, placed in a historical setting rich in legends and folklore. Marillier added everything; from fairy tales, to vivid settings of the worlds she described, to the addition of the mythical Transylvanian vampire. There were characters that made me laugh, others that frustrated me for various reasons, and still even those that intrigued and fascinated me enough to wonder the ins and outs about them. I loved the sisters and their quirks; Stela with her youth, Iulia with her vibrance, Paula with her worldly views (my personal favorite of the bunch), Jena with her strong ideas and determination (though I admit even she made me cringe from time to time), and the beautiful, loving Tati even in all her weakness. The reader sees the characters grow, and finds that even the villains are not as clear-cut as they tend to be.
I love fairy tales, so it's no surprise that Wildwood Dancing even landed in my to-read list. What I found to be rather surprising was how late in the game I was to having read it in the first place. I should have known about this book ages ago. But nevermind, the point is I've found a new author to watch out for and read more of her books, because if Wildwood Dancing was any indication of her writing, then I'd be sure to adore her other works!
In short, the book was littered with so many elements that my head is still swimming past the sward and into the Other Kingdom. Seriously. I would have easily conceded that Marillier's story was a fairy tale of all fairy tales, but thankfully it's exceeded that.
Wildwood Dancing was a fantastic start to my reading this year!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Book made me cry. Good book.
Book handled transformation well. Good book.
Book handled transformation well. Good book.
