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amandasbookreview 's review for:
A Dance of Silver and Shadow
by Melanie Cellier
I have been spending too much money on audiobooks recently, so I decided to give the app, Libby a try. I love it. It connects to your library card and there are many electronic ebooks and audiobooks available. I found A Dance of Silver and Shadow by Melanie Cellier, narrated by Esther Wane on Libby and I was immediately drawn to the cover. It is gorgeous. AND it is a fairytale retelling. Not just any fairytale, it is a 12 Dancing Princesses retelling. That is one of my favorite fairytales and I rarely see it as a retelling. This story is the first book in the Beyond the Four Realms series. Apparently, there is also a Four Realms series, which I already purchased the first book. Anyway, this book begins with twin princesses, Liliana and Sophie arriving on a diplomatic trip to the country of Marin. Upon arriving, they are forced to participate in an ancient tourney called by the cursed prince of Palinar. No one knew this tourney would be called, but they have to abide by the ancient laws or lose their life. No one but the princesses know what the tourney involves and they are sworn to secrecy. However, no one knows that Liliana and Sophie have the gift of telepathic communication. The princess who wins the tourney will be engaged to the cursed Prince of Palinar. Each event will test their strength, wit, courage, and compassion. Liliana is determined to win to spare her sister and the other girls from an unwanted marriage, even though it will break her heart to also lose the man she soon falls in love with…
I LOVE fairytale retellings. Are they unique? Definitely. Are they predictable? Of course. But I still love them. This version is not that different but I love it. It really highlights how there are more to these girls than pretty dresses and ballroom knowledge. These girls are fierce, smart, clever, and they care deeply for one another. I also love how the men respect them and know they are more than just a pretty face.
My favorite part is the connection between Lily and Sophie. They are sisters, twins, and already have that connection but their gift takes it a step further. They have always been together and connected. This tourney will test them and show them that they are individuals as well. They have to learn independence if they are going to thrive. As I said, I already purchased the first book in the first series so I can go through and read them all. They are quick reads or in this case, listens. Oh! That brings me to the narrator, Esther Wane. She is a wonderful narrator. She expressed the perfect amount of emotion and grasped each individual character. Bravo!
Overall, this is an entertaining read! I rate this audiobook 4 out of 5 stars.
I LOVE fairytale retellings. Are they unique? Definitely. Are they predictable? Of course. But I still love them. This version is not that different but I love it. It really highlights how there are more to these girls than pretty dresses and ballroom knowledge. These girls are fierce, smart, clever, and they care deeply for one another. I also love how the men respect them and know they are more than just a pretty face.
My favorite part is the connection between Lily and Sophie. They are sisters, twins, and already have that connection but their gift takes it a step further. They have always been together and connected. This tourney will test them and show them that they are individuals as well. They have to learn independence if they are going to thrive. As I said, I already purchased the first book in the first series so I can go through and read them all. They are quick reads or in this case, listens. Oh! That brings me to the narrator, Esther Wane. She is a wonderful narrator. She expressed the perfect amount of emotion and grasped each individual character. Bravo!
Overall, this is an entertaining read! I rate this audiobook 4 out of 5 stars.