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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
A beautiful retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses and The Frog Prince, this story centers around five sisters and their dances every Full Moon with the fey people of the Wildwood in Transylvania. When one sister falls for one of the "Other Kingdom" and their cousin threatens to destroy the Wildwood, it is up to practical Jena and her magical pet frog to stop both.
Very well written with superb characters, this is a good book for anyone who enjoys a good fairy tale retelling, a strong heroine, an unbreakable bond of sisters and a lovely, innocent romance.
Very well written with superb characters, this is a good book for anyone who enjoys a good fairy tale retelling, a strong heroine, an unbreakable bond of sisters and a lovely, innocent romance.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
A delightful, magical read!
What really stands out in this fairy tale inspired fantasy are the setting - Transylvania, sometime in the past - and the weaving in of various stories. Marillier uses not only the obvious Twelve Dancing Princesses story, but also regional folk tales and the odd bit of extra fairy tales (to tell which ones would be giving away a plot point). I've always been a sucker for those dancing princesses, and here there is plenty of backstory offered on where they go and why. How did they come to be able to pass through to this other realm? What are the true consequences of going? All of these fantasy elements are tightly linked to the setting, which becomes almost another character.
I was less enthusiastic about the characters - smart and determined Jena narrates the story, but she never quite jumped off the page. The frog, Gogu, was probably my favorite character. Several long, expositional conversations/arguments slow things down a bit, but otherwise this is a great pick for fairy tale enthusiasts. I'd recommend it for strong middle school readers and up.
I was less enthusiastic about the characters - smart and determined Jena narrates the story, but she never quite jumped off the page. The frog, Gogu, was probably my favorite character. Several long, expositional conversations/arguments slow things down a bit, but otherwise this is a great pick for fairy tale enthusiasts. I'd recommend it for strong middle school readers and up.
This book pulled me into the story and made me feel like I was in the book!! Loved it!!
I enjoyed this a lot but I had to deduct a star because I found Tati to be incredibly selfish and irritating. Like, honestly, i almost put the book down when she fainted from self-induced malnourishment. It does literally no one any good, especially the man you love, to starve yourself in some weird depressed stupor.
I will likely pick up book 2, because I always have a soft spot for scholarly heroines and Paula definitely fits that description.
I will likely pick up book 2, because I always have a soft spot for scholarly heroines and Paula definitely fits that description.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
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:
Complicated
This was lovely, which is probably why I was able to read it in one day.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No