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Prince of Chandeliers
Wisteria never forgets.
When Princess Linetta finds herself in the silver woods with no memory of the past four years, she comes upon an enchanted castle that appears to be composed entirely of chandeliers. Soon a captive within its walls, she is quickly swept into a world of riddles and magical fountains. As she begins to unravel the secrets of its mysterious owner and befriends the eccentric shapeshifting court jester, the truth behind her own history yet seems far from reach. When a malevolent force shifts the landscape that she has grown to know, will she find the courage to defend all she holds dear and preserve the forgotten riddle nearly lost to Time itself?
Set in a world reminiscent of “The Twelve Dancing Princesses,” Prince of Chandeliers is a story loosely inspired by Beauty and the Beast and “East of the Sun and West of the Moon,” yet sprinkled with a dash of “Snow White” in a medley of other familiar stories, all the while spinning a new fairy tale of its very own.
When Princess Linetta finds herself in the silver woods with no memory of the past four years, she comes upon an enchanted castle that appears to be composed entirely of chandeliers. Soon a captive within its walls, she is quickly swept into a world of riddles and magical fountains. As she begins to unravel the secrets of its mysterious owner and befriends the eccentric shapeshifting court jester, the truth behind her own history yet seems far from reach. When a malevolent force shifts the landscape that she has grown to know, will she find the courage to defend all she holds dear and preserve the forgotten riddle nearly lost to Time itself?
Set in a world reminiscent of “The Twelve Dancing Princesses,” Prince of Chandeliers is a story loosely inspired by Beauty and the Beast and “East of the Sun and West of the Moon,” yet sprinkled with a dash of “Snow White” in a medley of other familiar stories, all the while spinning a new fairy tale of its very own.
483 pages, Paperback
Published November 5, 2025
About the author
Gina Marinello-Sweeney
4 books88 followersGina Marinello-Sweeney is the author of Prince of Chandeliers, a fairy-tale novel, and The Veritas Chronicles, a contemporary YA trilogy. Both story worlds are filled with eccentric and wonderstruck characters, and her writing has been compared to that of L.M. Montgomery. I Thirst, the first book in The Veritas Chronicles, received the 2013 YATR Literary Award for Best Prologue from Young Adult Teen Readers.
Gina delights in the poetic riddles of the sea, whimsical butterflies that seem as if they are from another realm, and enchanting rose arches that resemble portals to faerieland. She has been writing ever since she was a little girl and turned her bedroom into a “library,” complete with due date slips and a check-out stamp. Gina lives in Southern California with her husband, where she is at work on a companion novel to Prince of Chandeliers, as well as a short story collection.
Gina delights in the poetic riddles of the sea, whimsical butterflies that seem as if they are from another realm, and enchanting rose arches that resemble portals to faerieland. She has been writing ever since she was a little girl and turned her bedroom into a “library,” complete with due date slips and a check-out stamp. Gina lives in Southern California with her husband, where she is at work on a companion novel to Prince of Chandeliers, as well as a short story collection.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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February 26, 2026Hodgepodge Fairy Tale soup.
[To be included in a Quarterly roundup of mini-reviews next month.]
[To be included in a Quarterly roundup of mini-reviews next month.]
January 25, 2026
The magical, dreamlike worldbuilding and the blend of fairytale elements pulled me into the story.
November 12, 2025
The book is a dreamlike magical experience with Marinello-Sweeney's characteristic depth of feeling. Add a few colorful, adorable characters into the mix and a classic confrontation of good versus evil. I’ve spent my whole life daydreaming of different fantasy worlds, yet somehow the world of Prince of Chandeliers gave me dreams I’ve never dreamed before.
July 16, 2026
Have I not read true Fantasy genre books before? Quite possibly. I'm most certainly an Historical Fiction lover, but once in a good while, I'll branch out into another genre. This review is of my first true Fairy-Tale Fantasy genre read, and I'm so happy to say I love it.
Having read Gina Marinello Sweeney's first three published novels, I was excited to read her latest and first in the Fantasy genre, but not having read said genre before, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. From the very beginning, I was transported, whisked away (quite like the heroine), and delighted by the beauty of this tale. It is so interesting with its kingdoms and characters. There's a depth to them that is endearing and intriguing. Gina is a master of ethereal beauty and transcendent imagination in her writing. I enjoyed her unique L. M. Montgomery-reminiscent writing style in her YA trilogy, and Prince of Chandeliers is an absolutely perfect fit for her style. It is filled with laughs, tears, thrills, and adventure as well. One thing it is certainly not - boring.
As for the characters, I would like you to meet them yourself by reading the book, but I just have to say the three main ones, Princess Linetta, the Prince of Chandeliers, and the shapeshifting court jester, easily become dear friends. The author's writing style goes beyond classic character descriptions, and she pulls back the curtains of their souls, allowing you to experience the story right alongside them in a touching way. I know she already has a companion novel planned, but my secret wish is that she would also write a sequel. I don't want to leave these beloved characters behind!
The scenery is stunning. Whimsical imagination is mixed with royal grandeur to envelop you in a fantastical world that yet feels real. I was so inspired by her written descriptions that I made a Pinterest Board inspired by the novel. If you are like me, however, I would suggest waiting to view it until you read the book so you can form the images in your imagination yourself and then see how they compare to mine. The magic fountains have to be one of my favorite parts, that and the music of the castle. They wrap you in a cloak of mystery and comfort all at the same time.
There really isn't a thing I didn't like about this book, only that it had to end! I greatly look forward to the companion novel as well as the rest of Gina's work! Maybe there are many Fairytale/Fantasy novels out there that hold a candle to Prince of Chandeliers (see what I did with the candle bit?), but I haven't read them. Even if there are, Gina's style and vision are truly unique, delightful, and enchanting. I can highly recommend her books, especially Prince of Chandeliers.
Having read Gina Marinello Sweeney's first three published novels, I was excited to read her latest and first in the Fantasy genre, but not having read said genre before, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. From the very beginning, I was transported, whisked away (quite like the heroine), and delighted by the beauty of this tale. It is so interesting with its kingdoms and characters. There's a depth to them that is endearing and intriguing. Gina is a master of ethereal beauty and transcendent imagination in her writing. I enjoyed her unique L. M. Montgomery-reminiscent writing style in her YA trilogy, and Prince of Chandeliers is an absolutely perfect fit for her style. It is filled with laughs, tears, thrills, and adventure as well. One thing it is certainly not - boring.
As for the characters, I would like you to meet them yourself by reading the book, but I just have to say the three main ones, Princess Linetta, the Prince of Chandeliers, and the shapeshifting court jester, easily become dear friends. The author's writing style goes beyond classic character descriptions, and she pulls back the curtains of their souls, allowing you to experience the story right alongside them in a touching way. I know she already has a companion novel planned, but my secret wish is that she would also write a sequel. I don't want to leave these beloved characters behind!
The scenery is stunning. Whimsical imagination is mixed with royal grandeur to envelop you in a fantastical world that yet feels real. I was so inspired by her written descriptions that I made a Pinterest Board inspired by the novel. If you are like me, however, I would suggest waiting to view it until you read the book so you can form the images in your imagination yourself and then see how they compare to mine. The magic fountains have to be one of my favorite parts, that and the music of the castle. They wrap you in a cloak of mystery and comfort all at the same time.
There really isn't a thing I didn't like about this book, only that it had to end! I greatly look forward to the companion novel as well as the rest of Gina's work! Maybe there are many Fairytale/Fantasy novels out there that hold a candle to Prince of Chandeliers (see what I did with the candle bit?), but I haven't read them. Even if there are, Gina's style and vision are truly unique, delightful, and enchanting. I can highly recommend her books, especially Prince of Chandeliers.
November 18, 2025
I highly recommend this new book to all. The author is a brilliant, exceptional talent who will delight you with her creative storytelling. Prince of Chandeliers is a brilliantly imaginative tome. Even if you're not a fan of faerie-tales, you'll still love this expressive, splendid work of art. If you love reading faerie-tales, this is the book you've always been waiting for. "Prince of Chandeliers" is most definitely a five-star novel!
December 6, 2025
A Love Letter to Fairy Tales
Prince of Chandeliers is a book that pays a beautiful homage to the fairy tale genre. With whimsical prose reminiscent of L. M. Montgomery's style, the author weaves a new story in a fantastical world where familiar fairy tales are part of its lore, and fragments of these stories still echo through time.
Although Prince of Chandeliers is not a specific retelling, there are two tales that have great influence on its narrative: Beauty and the Beast and East of the Sun, West of the Moon. Princess Linetta finds herself imprisoned in an enchanted castle that it is inhabited by a cursed prince; this sounds similar to the story of Beauty and the Beast, and the reader might assume that Prince of Chandeliers is a love story, which would be a big mistake. Prince of Chandeliers is more than that; it's a story about the Beauty, Light, and Truth that can be found in fairy tales.
The story is told from the point of view of Linetta, a gentle princess rarely found in books these days, who must not only find a way out of the castle of chandeliers, but also discover what happened to her in the last four years, as she inexplicably lost her memory of that period. Linetta is a lovely, kind, and considerate person, strong yet delicate and sweet. However, she is not a Mary Sue; she has flaws: she overthinks a lot, gets lost in her imagination, and is insecure about others and herself, but it is precisely these characteristics that make her relatable. During her stay at the castle, Linetta interacts with two other characters: the Prince of Chandeliers and the court jester, Cornelius.
Prince Daethys is a gifted mathematician and musician, tormented not only by his curse but also by scars from the past. Daethys is an enigmatic character, and I was excited to learn more about him along with Linetta, but I confess that at first I was a little disappointed, as Daethys sometimes seemed to be on the sidelines of his own story. Fortunately, he gradually gained more prominence in the narrative, and his love for Linetta developed appropriately; Daethys is a prince in every sense of the word, and he and Linetta were truly made for each other.
Cornelius, the court jester, is actually the heart of the story. At first, he seemed to be simply a comical sidekick who befuddled Linetta, but helped her along the way, as well as being a trusted advisor and friend of the prince. But throughout the story, the role he plays changes, transforming him from a comic figure into a tragic one. Cornelius is such a complex and well-developed character that he almost overshadows the prince of chandeliers; his ending completely surprised and shocked me, as I wasn't expecting that revelation, but now that I've reread some passages, it seems so obvious that I don't know how that notion didn't occur to me before.
Prince of Chandeliers is, in fact, as the author herself stated, a love letter to fairy tales, and upon finishing the book, I was left with a bittersweet feeling and a desire to revisit soon this magical world.
Prince of Chandeliers is a book that pays a beautiful homage to the fairy tale genre. With whimsical prose reminiscent of L. M. Montgomery's style, the author weaves a new story in a fantastical world where familiar fairy tales are part of its lore, and fragments of these stories still echo through time.
Although Prince of Chandeliers is not a specific retelling, there are two tales that have great influence on its narrative: Beauty and the Beast and East of the Sun, West of the Moon. Princess Linetta finds herself imprisoned in an enchanted castle that it is inhabited by a cursed prince; this sounds similar to the story of Beauty and the Beast, and the reader might assume that Prince of Chandeliers is a love story, which would be a big mistake. Prince of Chandeliers is more than that; it's a story about the Beauty, Light, and Truth that can be found in fairy tales.
The story is told from the point of view of Linetta, a gentle princess rarely found in books these days, who must not only find a way out of the castle of chandeliers, but also discover what happened to her in the last four years, as she inexplicably lost her memory of that period. Linetta is a lovely, kind, and considerate person, strong yet delicate and sweet. However, she is not a Mary Sue; she has flaws: she overthinks a lot, gets lost in her imagination, and is insecure about others and herself, but it is precisely these characteristics that make her relatable. During her stay at the castle, Linetta interacts with two other characters: the Prince of Chandeliers and the court jester, Cornelius.
Prince Daethys is a gifted mathematician and musician, tormented not only by his curse but also by scars from the past. Daethys is an enigmatic character, and I was excited to learn more about him along with Linetta, but I confess that at first I was a little disappointed, as Daethys sometimes seemed to be on the sidelines of his own story. Fortunately, he gradually gained more prominence in the narrative, and his love for Linetta developed appropriately; Daethys is a prince in every sense of the word, and he and Linetta were truly made for each other.
Cornelius, the court jester, is actually the heart of the story. At first, he seemed to be simply a comical sidekick who befuddled Linetta, but helped her along the way, as well as being a trusted advisor and friend of the prince. But throughout the story, the role he plays changes, transforming him from a comic figure into a tragic one. Cornelius is such a complex and well-developed character that he almost overshadows the prince of chandeliers; his ending completely surprised and shocked me, as I wasn't expecting that revelation, but now that I've reread some passages, it seems so obvious that I don't know how that notion didn't occur to me before.
Prince of Chandeliers is, in fact, as the author herself stated, a love letter to fairy tales, and upon finishing the book, I was left with a bittersweet feeling and a desire to revisit soon this magical world.
March 9, 2026
This delightfully unique tale kept me spellbound with its wonderfully woven plot,
its cast of believable characters, its tenderly budding romance (and therein lies yet
another tale within this!) and its perfectly paced action. Surprises galore - enough to
match the many exceptional details throughout - added thrills, charm and sometimes
(when least expected) piercingly poignant moments.
I highly recommend this brilliantly penned and fabulously entertaining story!
its cast of believable characters, its tenderly budding romance (and therein lies yet
another tale within this!) and its perfectly paced action. Surprises galore - enough to
match the many exceptional details throughout - added thrills, charm and sometimes
(when least expected) piercingly poignant moments.
I highly recommend this brilliantly penned and fabulously entertaining story!
March 27, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this new story by Gina Marinello-Sweeney. The beautiful cover was instantly compelling, and the story drew me in, immersing me in the beautiful, fairy-tale world the author created through her unique poetic style. This love story with a strong female protagonist was the perfect escape I longed for. And the homage to different fairy tales was a nice little touch.
October 19, 2026
A whimsical, magical, & enchanting original mashup of fairy tales <3 Gina is a kind fellow fairy tale author with a wonderful imagination!
September 13, 2026
4.25 stars: This is a gorgeous fantasy with some unique and some familiar elements. Princess Linetta, not remembering the last four years of her life, finds herself in an enchanted chandelier castle with Prince Daethys, who is under a cool mathematical curse and threatened by his twin's dark magic (of course, the most tropey use of twins possible). There were many interesting aspects to the world, but there was also a lot of convenience; some elements felt randomly dropped in, and the sequence of events did not, to me, always have a clear arc or purpose, especially in the beginning. The latter sections of the story felt more concrete and exciting to me. There was a lot of intertextuality with poems, fairy tales, and songs, which added to both the hauntingly beautiful atmosphere and the listlessly drifting nature of the story. The imagery is such a strength here!
November 9, 2025
This amazing book felt like walking in a dream world as I read! The whole story was clean and uplifting , had an amazing growth arc for the characters, and there were even some quests that came about in several ways that helped integrate some of the multitude of fairytales that were included in this retelling (mostly of Beauty and the Beast, but also including East of the Sun, West of the Moon, The Snow Queen, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White among others)! My favorite part was the use of language to paint the beautiful world within and the feelings that were drawn from the words! Such artistry!
October 28, 2026
This was a lovely story! It was poetic and whimsical, with nods to several different fairytales. The world is unique, and there are several very sweet moments between the main characters. For me the pacing was a little slow, there were a few times that a story was being told within the story and it just seemed to take away from the actual plot. For a good portion of the book there are only three characters present and they are all three confined to one castle, so it became a bit redundant. I did really like watching the MMC and FMC slowly fall for each other, I loved how much they both cared about protecting their people, I also enjoyed the unique magic and whimsy of this story.
September 11, 2026
A fairytale symphony that blends together many memorable fairytales into one unique tale of its own kind. Gina brings a beautiful, distinct voice to her story of a princess missing memories and trapped in a magical palace. I loved the gentle budding friendship that grew between the princess, a math loving prince and a jester who is a riddle aficionado and how the story unfolded. The ending truly came together so perfectly with so many unexpected moments and connections that I didn’t see coming!
November 19, 2025
By reading Prince of Chandeliers, one enters into the charming realm of elves, wood nymphs, and garden faeries, all within an exotic ambience of romance and intrigue. I highly recommend this book to all.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews