Review of Entwined by Heather Dixon

Info

Release date: March 29, 2011

Hardcover, 480 pages

Interest: princesses, debut author challenge

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it's taken away. All of it.

The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation.

Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.

But there is a cost.

The Keeper likes to keep things.

Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

Review

When Azalea’s mother dies, she and her sisters are thrown into mourning.  It’s hard enough missing her, but they are governed by their father’s rules for mourning.  No colors, no music, no social engagements, no dancing, and no clocks either.  The princesses use dancing to express their emotions and cope, after getting caught several times, they are absolutely forbidden to dance.

The grief, and desperation for a distraction felt so real.  I have read other tellings of the Twelve Dancing Princesses and usually have a hard time keeping track of their names.  In this case they were alphabetical, which helped immensely.

The romance was sweet, and one which younger teens could read.

The descriptions of the dancing were detailed.  The magical world was well created and intricate. 

Despite the length of the book, it was a quicker read.  I highly recommend it for other fairytale fans.

Rating

Cover 10/10  Love the gorgeous dress

Plot 10/10

Characters 10/10

Ending 9/10

Overall Enjoyment 10/10

PG-appropriate for young readers :)

Book Recommendations

For more of the same (12 Dancing Princesses) try Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier and Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George