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forestidylls's review against another edition
5.0
Did not lose any of my attention on the reread. Between the competition, danger, rising treason, and simmering romance, it has all the feels.
***
Loved this unusual rendition of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, swirling with mystery and romance.
***
Loved this unusual rendition of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, swirling with mystery and romance.
mcfoster's review against another edition
5.0
If I could sum up this book in one word, it would be "refreshing" - in a number of ways.
The tale of the Twelve Dancing Princesses is not one that has attracted much attention compared with other fairy tales, so it was nice to see life breathed into it. All the elements are there from the traditional tale, the worn-out slippers and the hero with the invisibility cloak in a way that doesn't seem forced. We can also see the build-up to the next fairy tale or three in the series...
In this tale, the princesses aren't all sisters (they're several groups of sisters) and we get a reason why they dance in the mysterious realm. In best YA fashion, it's a contest where the stakes are high. However, this book shakes up the trope by having plenty of contests where collaboration is the key, and there's a refreshing lack of bitchiness and rivalry among the contestants.
The relationship of Lily and Sophie is a lovely exploration of supportive sisterhood, and provides plenty of humour and sparkle. The growing relationship between Lily and Jon is also a nice sweet romance.
This book was shelved with the YA section but it can easily be enjoyed by younger readers (with good reading ability) and by adults.
I'm glad I picked this book up and now I want to read the rest in the series.
The tale of the Twelve Dancing Princesses is not one that has attracted much attention compared with other fairy tales, so it was nice to see life breathed into it. All the elements are there from the traditional tale, the worn-out slippers and the hero with the invisibility cloak in a way that doesn't seem forced. We can also see the build-up to the next fairy tale or three in the series...
In this tale, the princesses aren't all sisters (they're several groups of sisters) and we get a reason why they dance in the mysterious realm. In best YA fashion, it's a contest where the stakes are high. However, this book shakes up the trope by having plenty of contests where collaboration is the key, and there's a refreshing lack of bitchiness and rivalry among the contestants.
The relationship of Lily and Sophie is a lovely exploration of supportive sisterhood, and provides plenty of humour and sparkle. The growing relationship between Lily and Jon is also a nice sweet romance.
This book was shelved with the YA section but it can easily be enjoyed by younger readers (with good reading ability) and by adults.
I'm glad I picked this book up and now I want to read the rest in the series.
avidreader5678's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
hebberelle's review against another edition
4.0
Nine twist to the old story! Even if the ending is easy to see coming, it’s still a good story.
kebreads's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this story, the world, and the characters. I look forward to reading the next book in this series and reading the series that precedes it.
content: clean
content: clean
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
5.0
I really don't know what it is with me lately, but I'm totally in the mood for books like this. It always takes me a few chapters to get into the new story, to get used to the new point of view character and the new setting, but once I'm in it, I just can't stop reading anymore. It's a pity that in between reading, I also have work to do.
And this story was absolutely and truly wonderful! Lily is an amazing character. She's brave and strong. She is kind and gentle and compassionate. She is intelligent and inventive. She is both fierce and delicate. She's the kind of person I want to be and hope to be. It was therefore quite pleasant to be in her head, to follow her line of thinking and to be in her company. And it was even more pleasant, because I did like Jon an awful lot too. (Who am I kidding, I loved him!) He was responsible, intelligent, honest, galant, gentle, understanding and he had just the right amount of mischief, bravery and idiocy in him too. I just want a Jon, okay?
But, the love story, as always slowly and well crafted and built on far more than a pretty face and three smiles, was not all that was amazing. I really loved the plot of this story too. The challenges were great to get to know the characters, and especially Lily herself, but the author didn't loose herself in them and skipped those that were simply more of the same. And the political side plot was interestingly interwoven with the love story and the challenges, which made it all come together perfectly in the finale.
These books are really my books. I love the feel, the characters, the romances, the stories and plots. I can't wait to read about Sophie's adventure with prince Dominic!
And this story was absolutely and truly wonderful! Lily is an amazing character. She's brave and strong. She is kind and gentle and compassionate. She is intelligent and inventive. She is both fierce and delicate. She's the kind of person I want to be and hope to be. It was therefore quite pleasant to be in her head, to follow her line of thinking and to be in her company. And it was even more pleasant, because I did like Jon an awful lot too. (Who am I kidding, I loved him!) He was responsible, intelligent, honest, galant, gentle, understanding and he had just the right amount of mischief, bravery and idiocy in him too. I just want a Jon, okay?
But, the love story, as always slowly and well crafted and built on far more than a pretty face and three smiles, was not all that was amazing. I really loved the plot of this story too. The challenges were great to get to know the characters, and especially Lily herself, but the author didn't loose herself in them and skipped those that were simply more of the same. And the political side plot was interestingly interwoven with the love story and the challenges, which made it all come together perfectly in the finale.
These books are really my books. I love the feel, the characters, the romances, the stories and plots. I can't wait to read about Sophie's adventure with prince Dominic!
clockworkbook's review against another edition
4.0
4.25 ⭐️ - 'A Dance of Silver and Shadow' was my 1st Melanie Cellier book and not my last. I enjoyed this '12 Dancing Princesses' retelling. I alternated between the ebook and audiobook, and I greatly recommend both the book and audiobook. 'A Dance of Silver and Shadow' is currently available on Kindle Unlimited and with Audible Plus.
fairytalearista's review against another edition
4.0
Creative and unique twist on 12DP - having it as a contest building towards B&B was a pretty neat premise.
Unfortunately, it did suffer for its attempt to establish plotlines for the rest of the series. I never felt like it was focused on itself, and knowing the next book's premise and description ruined the tension of who would win the contest + two of the other upcoming books were very clearly laid out, and I find myself rather missing the subtlety of the previous series.
Also, I'm beginning to think that the author depends a bit much on "political coup" as a secondary conflict? I'm hoping that the next book doesn't have it, but it's been pretty much every book so far, in some fashion or another.
Unfortunately, it did suffer for its attempt to establish plotlines for the rest of the series. I never felt like it was focused on itself, and knowing the next book's premise and description ruined the tension of who would win the contest + two of the other upcoming books were very clearly laid out, and I find myself rather missing the subtlety of the previous series.
Also, I'm beginning to think that the author depends a bit much on "political coup" as a secondary conflict? I'm hoping that the next book doesn't have it, but it's been pretty much every book so far, in some fashion or another.
mobookishbaker's review against another edition
5.0
I love retelling of fairy tales, I find there’s always a new perspective for me to see, even if I can predict the story. This is only my second time finding the story of the 12 Dancing Princesses, and I’ve never heard of the actual fairy tale outside these books.
While I could still mostly predict how the book would go, it was a fun new world to join, cute romance that leaves you with a happy sigh at the end, and a large amount of character growth in my opinion. Definitely one I recommend to friends, I already have!
While I could still mostly predict how the book would go, it was a fun new world to join, cute romance that leaves you with a happy sigh at the end, and a large amount of character growth in my opinion. Definitely one I recommend to friends, I already have!
caroriko's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0