The Assassin's Dancer: A Spicy Dark Romance

Twelve Dancing Princesses #1

by Erin Fae Ryan

When Princess Amaryllis learns that one of her eleven younger sisters is to be married off to an awful prince, she hires an assassin to deal with her problem. Permanently.

But she wasn’t expecting the assassin to be so handsome. Or tall. Or to have piercing green eyes that dance through her nightmares. She also wasn’t expecting to become his new obsession.

Stalked by a vicious killer in dark leather, Amaryllis keeps to her palace and her sisters while courting a mysterious prince who’s determined to win her hand.

But her assassin, Kasimir, has never been one to give up on his prey so easily.

And his little red-haired ballerina might just be the sweetest prey of all…

Lights Out meets A Court of Thorns and Roses in this fast-paced, sizzling fantasy romance. With ballet dancing princesses, extreme spice, and a morally black love interest who will not let his princess go, The Assassin's Dancer is perfect for readers who love dark romance with a fairytale fantasy twist ✨

This is the first standalone dark romance in The Twelve Dancing Princesses series. Each book in the series stars a different princess, and can be read in any order, but it's recommended to start with The Assassin's Dancer.

Be warned, this book contains extreme spice. Please check the triggers before reading 🖤

Genres: Romantasy, Fantasy, Dark Romance

314 pages, Paperback

First published November 20, 2025

Reviews

[Jennifer W · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ This was more entertaining than I thought? Assassin and princess, what can go wrong? I also like the Barbie reference with the 12 dancing princesses 🤭

Was it revolutionary? No, but it had me entertained the whole time and I really did enjoy it. It was fast paced and no extra fluff to make it longer page wise. The characters could have been a bit more developed but they definitely had their moments. Kaz was GOOD 😮‍💨

The one thing that didn’t really make sense to me or had a big impact on the story was the magic sight thing. It would have been just as good without it. Looking forward to read the next one! Dahlia was fun and I liked her sassiness 😋

[Marietjie Kotze · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book and I devoured it. Before reading this I have never heard of this author before but if future books are anything like this one I will definitely read more. To be honest I do think that there could have been more spice but that is a personal opinion. The characters were perfect though we have Princess Ami who would literally do anything to protect her younger sister’s even make a deal with the devil, enter Kaz our amazing mcc. You gotta love a possessive mmc. I have to say I also loved the fact that both Kaz as well a Prince Orion were quite similar if you think about it but it goes to show how consent actually works, and just because one finds something sexy when one person does it doesn’t mean anyone can. My only real criticism will be that I am unsure what category this book will fall into.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ ARC Read ✨

I just flew through The Assassin’s Dancer in one sitting - fast, fun, and full of classic romantasy vibes 😏

Amaryllis discovers one of her sisters is being married off to a terrible prince 😳, so she seeks out Kazamir, “the Scorpion,” to deal with him… not realising “deal with him” = assassin ⚔️💀

Broody MMC assassin ✔️
Sheltered FMC princess ✔️
Spice ✔️
One horse (iykyk) ✔️

“No one touches what’s mine.”

The plot kept things moving, the main couple’s attraction comes through clearly, and there’s just enough tension to keep the story engaging.

“You were mine since the moment I first caught you in Night Alley, and I’ll be yours the second you tell me yes.”

Eleven other sisters to meet in future books 🌹
Fun, spicy, and a fast read perfect for fans of romantasy ✨

[stevieeenyxreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Erin, for the ARC (available November 20, 2025)!

Let me just begin by saying I’m wholeheartedly in my assassin MMC era! Something about a dangerous man who only yields to the one he loves just does something to me.

Princess Amaryllis and her sisters are fighting off unwanted suitors constantly. She goes to enlist the help of a man known as “The Scorpion” to help get rid of the latest suitor who is a slime bag of a person. However, she gets more than she bargained for when she finds herself wrapped up with the mysterious assassin in more ways than one.

I loved the relationship that Amaryllis has with her sisters. They’re so fiercely protective of each other! Amaryllis herself is such a strong character who will do anything to protect the ones she cares about and that kind of dedication is something I admire.

Kasimir had me swoooooning! He’s dangerous and a little unhinged at times, but always goes out of his way to try to do the right thing. He’s also very protective of the ones he cares about, so he and Amaryllis are perfect for each other! I absolutely loved their chemistry!

This was a super fast paced and exciting read! I devoured it, and found myself hoping for books about the other sisters, so I was excited to see that there will be another one following Amaryllis’ sister Dahlia! I can’t wait to read more!

[gena_bookish_reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so fun to read!! It really hit me in the feelings. If you grew up watching the old Barbie movies then nostalgia is gonna hit you too, since this is a barbie and the twelve dancing princesses retelling. But make it spicy. And dark romance.

The Assassin's Dancer has that same magical sisters vibe, the dance halls, the gowns, the secret danger around the princesses... and then adds an assassin who falls MADLY in love with the oldest sister... Amaryllis. And honestly.. I ate that shit up.

Amaryllis is the oldest of the twelve princesses.. you can see she's soft but fierce. She's always trying to protect her sisters, and she ends up falling for Kasimir, an assassin who's supposed to help her get rid off one of the suitors her father wants one of them to marry.

Of course there is the evil prince who's a controlling asshole and creepy af, that antagonizes Kasimir. So we basically spend the whole book watching Amaryllis fight for her freedom and help her sisters, Kasimir risking everything to protect her, and that dumb fuck of a prince losing his damn mind trying to keep her.

Like it had tension, it had fear, it had SPICEEE, it had action, and I loved the sisterhood vibes. All the girls were close and in the end they stepped up to help Amaryllis. I love them all! My favorite tho is Dahlia. That girl is iconic. I'm so happy her book is next.

As I said in the beginning I ate this shit up. It was such a fun read and it hit me hard with all this nostalgia. I loved how the book kept the magical dancey vibe from the original story while making it more mature. 5 stars from me. 🖤


What to expect:

🖤 Barbie and the twelve dancing princesses retelling
🖤 Assassin x ballerina
🖤 Oldest daughter core
🖤 He falls first and hard
🖤 Touch her and die
🖤 Possessive MMC
🖤 Forced proximity
🖤 Spice

[shyandlonelywriter · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW


What would you have done if one of your younger sisters had to marry someone much older?
When Princess Amaryllis learns that one of her younger sisters has to marry an older man, she hires an assassin to deal with it permanently. But she didn't think that the assassin would claim her as his payment.

Pfff, that book was sinful. Amaryllis was so determined to save her sister from this wedding. She's the best big sister. Kasimir, the assassin. He's possessive and overprotective of his Ruby. He earned a place in my list of favorite characters.
The chemistry between them was so obvious from the beginning of the book and when the spice started. Omfg! Every scene between them was fire 🔥

Erin is so talented and had me screaming with Kasimir. I can't wait to read the next book.


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[noémie · Rating 5 out of 5]

barbie but with a dutch melrose ost

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think Barbie's 12 dancing princesses, turned 5⭐ dark romance. 'Next time, you just dance for me'.

The Assassin's Dancer is a beautiful, smutty, easy to read dark romance with an intriguing plot line to pull you in. Erin Fae Ryan's writing had me feeling all sorts of things (iykyk) and any ballet dancers reading this book will be all over one particular scene. I will never look at purple ribbon again without my heart rate rocketing 😈

The chemistry between the FMC and MMC is flawless, with the MMC having a possessively caring streak which I ate up. You know there's going to be the classic 'touch her and die' trope.

Personally, I always analyse every detail in a book, so I have many questions for Erin which will be answered in the rest of the series with the other 11 princesses. However, if you just read for vibes, this is the perfect book for you too. Bring on book 2! I need more. Specifically Dahlia and Ferns stories.

I read this nearly in one sitting, being incapable of putting it down. I 100% recommend downloading the ARC and pre-ordering for release on 20th November!

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I initially saw promotions for the book on a few different social media platforms and I was intrigued because it’s based on a story I originally enjoyed - The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Overall I enjoyed the story, and would happily follow this author’s journey to someday become better because there were a couple times that took me out of the story… I liked the concept for some of the characters and the book started out strong leading straight into the story. It set a nice tone of softer magic, royalty, and sisterly bonds. Things took a complicated turn soon after. Knowing it’s Dahlia’s story next, I’m hopeful for what to see from her.

Characters

Ami is falling flat as a character for me. I’m glad her eyes were opened regarding her father (King Sol) and her kingdom but she seems almost wanting to remain ignorant about other issues. As a princess, you also wouldn’t have time to just sit and mope or stroll out to the stables and tend for the horses. You’d barely be able to breathe through a regimented schedule of tutors, meetings, political duties, charity, dance lessons, etc. You definitely wouldn’t be able to simply sneak off whenever you’d like for days on end.

Kasimir, aka The Scorpion, I’m glad to see some depth beyond whore’s-son-turned-assassin. Throughout the book he’s possessive of ‘Ruby’ aka Ami but shows tender caring moments and a genuine connection with his crew mates. He’s not-so-subtle in his ways of desiring ‘Ruby’ but she doesn’t seem to mind. I can’t tell if I lost respect for him or stopped understanding the author’s style for his character around chapters 23 and 24 but it turned back around towards the end.

The side characters seemed more like fluff to help fill out the retelling of the story. The other sisters as a whole rarely get mentioned and except for 2 or 3 of them, they don’t have personalities of their own which I find odd considering this series will feature other sisters’ stories. As both of the MC’s are big on family this would’ve been a part of the overall story I would have liked to see filled out more. Meera and Orion are the only side characters that have a bit of their background flushed out which makes sense considering their involvement with both the MC’s.

Liked

The world building is fairly easy to follow. The palace doesn’t seem over the top for having to hold so many royals and hosting suitors. The nearby city/village is seen through a narrow scope as the author is focused on the darker parts of it - Night Alley and the whorehouses that are nearby. Setting the scenes were easy enough as both the MC’s came from opposing backgrounds but you’d still find parts of each other in their surroundings.

Didn’t Like

For majority of the book, there’s only minimal signs of Ami’s “gift of true sight”. I’m curious why even put that in the book if for majority of it there’s hardly mention of it again and if her sister’s got any ‘gifts’ that’s also not showing except for Fern. Ami finally realizes what her gift is and the only cues are red eyes and she’s faced with a harsh reality call.

Chapter 23 makes no sense to me. I had to re-read it because I thought I had somehow skipped ahead. Ami goes from being sober enough (while drugged) still having a voice of reason and understanding what she’s looking for, to instantly not knowing what’s going on around her and being completely compliant with orders. The scene in the private room, while it was 🌶️ 🥵, there’s a big part of me that believes Kasimir would not do that given his parentage and childhood.

Chapter 24 is another part that makes absolutely no sense to me. Him promising to be gentle then just thrusts his full length to the hilt and the knife play during her first time… how can I scream any louder NO NO NO! He wants her to be willing and consensually give herself to him but literally ate her out a few hours earlier while in a drug induced state. He also can’t stand the sight of her in danger or near any weapons then proceeds to drag a knife across her body and press it to her throat during her first time.

The last few chapters of the book felt rushed in trying to tie up lots of loose ends. There were some moments that felt forced like Orion telling her to call him ‘Master’ or when almost half her sisters showed up in the dungeon to help Kasimir.

[Quiny · Rating 5 out of 5]

he Assassin’s Dancer is the kind of book I picked up entirely for the atmosphere and it delivered exactly that. From the very beginning, the story leans heavily into dark fairytale energy, combining royal settings, hidden dance halls, and looming danger with an unapologetically spicy romance. It feels like a grown‑up retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, tapping into nostalgia while twisting it into something darker and more intense.

Amaryllis stands out as a strong yet gentle FMC. As the eldest of twelve sisters, her sense of responsibility defines her character, and her devotion to protecting her family drives every major decision she makes. She isn’t loud or reckless, but she is determined, clever, and emotionally grounded. Her willingness to hire an assassin to solve a very real threat immediately establishes her as someone who understands the cost of survival in a restrictive world.

Kasimir is exactly what readers expect from a morally black love interest. He is obsessive, dangerous, and fiercely protective once his attention fixes on Amaryllis. His devotion borders on unsettling at times, but that intensity is clearly intentional and central to the romance. This is a relationship built on danger, desire, and mutual fixation rather than slow emotional unraveling, which works well for the tone of the story.

The romantic buildup is one of the strongest aspects of the book. The tension leading up to the intimate scenes is charged and emotionally heavy, often more impactful than the scenes themselves. While the relationship develops quickly, the chemistry is strong enough to make it believable, especially given the high‑stakes circumstances surrounding the characters.

Another highlight is the bond between the sisters. The shared traditions, secret spaces, and collective resistance against control give the story its fairytale heart. Readers familiar with Barbie and the Twelve Dancing Princesses will likely feel a strong sense of nostalgia, though this version leans far more into darkness and adult themes.

The antagonist serves his role effectively, embodying entitlement and control in a way that makes the stakes feel real. However, the plot remains fairly straightforward, and the world‑building stays on the lighter side. Many elements feel intentionally reserved for future books, which is understandable given the larger series focus on the remaining princesses.

Overall, The Assassin’s Dancer is best approached as a vibe‑driven dark fantasy romance rather than a deeply intricate fantasy. It excels in atmosphere, obsession, and emotional pull, even if it doesn’t fully explore its world or characters in depth. For readers who enjoy dark fairytale retellings with intense romance and strong aesthetic appeal, this is an engaging and satisfying read. I’m especially curious to see how the stories of the other princesses unfold.

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ

ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 - 𝟝 ⭐️ & 𝟛 🌶️

ℚ𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤:
🩰 “I’ll break you, Ruby,” he growls. “You won’t be able to walk once I’m done with you.”

🩰 Princess Amaryllis was mine from the moment I had her moaning against the wall in her bedchamber, and she’d be a fool to think a few diamond necklaces could ever come close to what I want from her now. What I need. You’re mine, Ruby. And now my work here is done, it’s time I collect my payment.

🩰 “The other men here are lucky I was far too preoccupied with watching you to take note of which ones I need to kill for staring too hard.”

🩰 “You don’t understand what it does to me when I hear you say my name. How badly it makes me want you.”

🩰 “Today when I saw you with Orion, it was like my world fucking shattered. I need you, Amaryllis. And I don’t care about what your father or anyone else has to say about it. You were mine since the moment I first caught you in Night Alley, and I’ll be yours the second you tell me yes.”

ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨:
There are so few books that make me wish for amnesia just so I could reread them for the first time, and this one is definitely on that list.

I grew up obsessed with the Barbie movies, so the moment I saw that this was a loose retelling of 12 Dancing Princesses with added spice, I was instantly sold. 🫦

And I genuinely mean this with my hand on my heart, the author absolutely nailed it. At least from my point of view, the execution was flawless. 🤌🏻

Amaryllis is forced to seek out the Scorpion, the MMC, to deal with a prince who wants to marry her fourteen year old sister. She hides her identity, pretending to be a servant to the princesses, but he is no fool. He finds out she is the king’s firstborn daughter, and he is furious, to say the least.

When Kasimir handles the prince for her, he wants nothing to do with the jewelry she offers. What he wants is her. And when another prince shows up to claim Amaryllis, he completely loses it. 🔥

Of course, so much more happens in this story. She helps him with a few things, and in the middle of that, the spice hits exactly like it should. Honestly, if I could take a pill to experience this book again for the first time, I would swallow it without hesitation. That is how much I loved it. ❤️

And I cannot wait for the second book, and the third, and every one that comes after. ✨

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Assassin’s Dancer” by Erin Fae Ryan is the first book in the “Twelve Dancing Princesses” series. Inspired by the “Twelve Dancing Princesses” fairy tale and the Barbie movie of the same name, it is a spicy Dark romance full of dancing, betrayals, and an MMC who would do anything for his princess.

Tropes:
🩰🌶️🌶️🌶️
🩰Morally Gray MMC
🩰Naive (but sweet) Princess FMC
🩰Touch her and 💀
🩰He falls first…fast
🩰A wee bit of primal play

Despite being bound to the palace, Amaryllis ventures beyond the palace to protect her 11 sisters from a cruel and decrepit prince in search of the “Scorpion,” a man known for making problems disappear. Kasimir “The Scorpion” Verekov has found his precious Ruby in the princess Amaryllis, and he will never let her go.

Told through dual-POV, we meet our two MCs, Kasimir and Amaryllis, as they navigate their love story in the shadows. We’re not given deep dives into each MC's backstory, which works because it allows readers to focus on the “now” between our characters rather than the past. That being said, there are things that are mentioned throughout the story that are left as a mystery, so I hope that we will learn their truths as the series continues.

Amaryllis is a 25-year-old princess and the eldest sister to her 11 sisters. Although she is VERY sheltered and naive, she always puts her sisters first as their guardian and maternal figure. Exposed to the reality of her world, she quickly accepts that not everything is as it seemed, allowing her character to develop from the naive ballerina she was to become the protective swan she and her sisters deserved.

Instantly smitten, Amaryllis and Kasimir’s love affair is a 🌶️🌶️🌶️ secret full of temptation, claiming, secrets, and heat. Ryan even treats us to a wee bit of primal play between our MCs. When we reach the end of our story, Ryan gives us a surprisingly shocking and fitting end for them both.

“The Assassin’s Dancer” is a dark (but not too dark) romance tale full of whimsical romance, a dancing heroine, and her protective assassin looming in the shadows!

[Αλεξάνδρα Αλτάνη · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

This book felt like stepping into a fairytale with a dark twist!

*I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

I read it in less than 24 hours, completely swept up in the story, the writing, and the chemistry between the main characters. The banter was great, and I really enjoyed the romantic elements, though I do wish there had been a bit more build-up to their relationship early on since it felt slightly rushed to me. Kasimir was on thin ice with some things he said, but in general, he was a remarkable morally gray character, and I liked him a lot. Even so, the couple had amazing chemistry, and some of their dialogue was just top tier! That is probably why I wished there had been a bit more yearning at the beginning. Maybe that is just me...

I read dark romance, so I was prepared for some heavy themes, but there were a few moments and lines that I would have liked to see handled a little differently or rephrased (in regards to context, not writing). At the same time, there were plenty of lines and quotes I ended up highlighting on my Kindle!

Overall, this was a darkly enchanting read with a romantic core and a dark fairytale edge. The book kept me hooked with its unique blend of fairytale atmosphere, romantic tension, fun, darkness and family matters. If you enjoy stories with morally gray characters, rule-breaking princesses, light kingdom intrigue, and do not mind some trigger warnings... this one is definitely worth checking out!

[Darbi O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I flew through this in two days without even trying. It had all the elements that usually pull me in—dark tension, an obsessive love interest, and a fairytale twist with ballerina princesses. The premise is genuinely strong, and the pacing kept me turning pages.

Kasimir brought the morally-black intensity the synopsis promises, and the chemistry between him and Amaryllis stayed sharp the whole way. Their dynamic had that addictive, stalker-obsession edge that worked for the tone of the story.

But even with all that, it never quite reached “I loved this” for me. Something felt like it didn’t fully settle—emotionally, or in the worldbuilding. The spice was very heavy (not a bad thing), but it sometimes took space from the deeper character development I was wanting. Amaryllis had moments of depth, but I never felt like I got to fully sit inside her inner world or the stakes with her sisters.

Overall, it’s a fast, dark, bingeable read with a strong vibe, and I am curious about the other sisters. It just didn’t land with the emotional weight I was hoping for, even though I couldn’t put it down.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Fay Gaskin · Rating 5 out of 5]

💖 “I bristle. She wouldn’t dare. But then again, the defiance on her pretty face is saying otherwise.”💖

Erin!!! This book is amazing❤️ Like I somehow loved it even more than OAAWF which I didn’t think would be possible. The 12 dancing princess’ was a film I adored as a child, and having it in this format as an adult feels so special. As always, the writing style is perfect. And I love Amaryllis so much! She is such a beautiful character. And I loved getting to see the other sisters. I can’t wait to get Dahlia’s story!! And I’d love to see Fern’s story too at some point. And I hope that the powers are focused on a little more in the next book because it is so intriguing.
TLDR: if you are an adult that loves spicy romances and grew up watching the 12 dancing princesses film then I would absolutely recommend this book. And even if you didn’t watch the film, you will still love this💖

⭐️I read an e-arc of this book, and am leaving an honest review voluntarily⭐️

[Alyssa Kunz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ballerina dancer and an assassin… 👀
I came across the authors video on instagram to get a ARC, so thank you.

This was easy to read, it’s a dark romance but it’s not that dark. I enjoyed the MFC and FMC relationship. I’d definitely say I never read a book like this especially about a princess that is the oldest of 11 other half sisters. She wants to protect her other sister from getting into this marriage, so she seeks out a guy name the “scorpion” to unlive this prince that is about to marry one of her sisters. So with her finding this “ scorpion” turns out to be the MFC that is very morally gray obsessive man, doesn’t blink twice on k!lling the people that has done wrong and same goes to if YOU TOUCH HIS PRINCESS 💀 I mean we love a man with this personality 🙌

I’m excited to read more about the other sisters.
4 ⭐️
3 🌶️

Tropes:
Assassin
He fall first and FAST
touch her and die
Ballerina

[Laura Meysen · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐ 5/5 Stars

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spice Level
✨ Romantasy
“No one touches what’s mine”
Addictive AF

Okay, listen… I absolutely devoured this book. Like, I picked it up for “just one chapter” and suddenly it was midnight and I had finished the whole thing. I was LOCKED. IN. The way this story grabbed me by the throat and refused to let go??? I couldn’t put it down even if I tried.
The chemistry? Off the charts.
The tension? The Spice? GIRL I was kicking my feet, giggling, wheezing. Easily a solid 4 peppers
And the vibes??
We’re talking top-tier romantasy, magical barbie and the 12 dancing princesses vibes and an assassin with major “no one touches what’s mine” energy?! Its one of those reads where you blink and suddenly your whole day is gone.
I loved every second of it and I’m absolutely feral for the next book.

[hopenpuff · Rating 4 out of 5]

❝So the only princes you should be getting excited over are the ones in your fairy tales.❞

The Assassin's Dancer - Erin Fae Ryan
★★★★☆
🌶🌶🌶,5

This book is the epitome of how a fairytale to dark romance retelling should be. I enjoyed it thoroughly like i want to keep reading but at the same time i don't want it to end. I was just hoping the fantasy element especially with the reveal at the beginning could be more explained as we're going though Amaryllis' story knowing Kasimir and his assassin life. Because until the end I could barely tell this book is supposed to be a romance FANTASY. Overall, I love the thrill, I live the romance, I love the risk of them getting caught.

So excited to read another sister's story, hoping for a more excellent installment in the series!

*I received the arc of this book in exchange for an honesy review.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review - Fairytale

This book is an easy read, I finished it withing a day. It is a romance book that evolves around Princess Amaryllis and her half sisters of who she is fiercely protective. Her father the king tried to get an heir, but he only got daughters. The sisters are fighting off suitors that are lined up by their father. To ward of one of the suitors that is particular icky they call in the help of a man, "Scorpion", an assassin.
Scorpion is a bit morally grey, so of course we love him. Amaryllis and Scorpion have an instant attraction and this develops while the book progresses.
The book ends in a Happily ever after.

[Emmy Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

as a dancer myself, I love the twelve dancing princesses story so when I saw this dark retelling I knew I had to read this. And I loved this book so much! It was forbidden love at its peak. I had forgotten how much I love a royal romance, and this book was high on tension, romance and had amazing plot lines. I was glued to the page, and I literally could not put this down! I love the I was supposed to ruin you but you ruined me trope, because this man fell head over heels with no way of return. And his touch her and die mentality is to die for. If you want a royal dark romance with a villain gets the girl trip! This is the sh*t! 5/5

[paige olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book early through a read for review link. I thought it was written very well and I enjoyed the relationship between the two protagonists. I’ve never read a book like this before, I’m unsure what category it would fall into - there was ballet elements, forbidden romance, darker themes etc, however it all flowed together well and made for an interesting read! I would definitely be open to reading the next books in the series and seeing how the other sister’s romance plays out.

My only gripe is I would’ve liked more spice, but that of course is personal preference. :)

[Emily Howes · Rating 3 out of 5]

💫 ARC review💫

3.5 🌟

I really enjoyed the premise of this book and I love that it was inspired by the 12 dancing princesses which was one of ny favourite Barbie movies growing up.

I loved Amaryllis' relationship with all of her sisters and I can't wait to see more of them (especially Dahlia) in the next books in the series.

There were hints of magic throughout the book, however I would have liked to see a lot more of it. Hopefully this is something that Erin Fae Ryan delves deeper into in the rest of the Teelve Dancing Princess Series

[Stephanie Kinch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! I absolutely loved this book, I couldn’t put it down! It has all my favourite aspects of a book as well as tropes. Action, adventure, Princesses, assassins, arranged marriages, who did this to you trope as well as 🌶️🌶️🌶️ spice! The writing is incredible and at some points in the book had my heart racing! I will definitely be getting the second book in the series. I will also be reading some of the other books this author has done! Thank you Erin Fae Ryan for the arc read I can’t wait to read more of your books!

[Anna Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ ARC READ!!!❤️ So thankful for my IG FYP for guiding me to Miss Erin Fae Ryan and her ARC sign up doc!!!🫶🏻

This was SO fun- I loved all the sisters were so different but loved each other all the same, how protective they were (especially from nasty princes 🤢) plus Mr. Scorpion????? yes thank you 🤤 THE devotion he had for Amaryllis was so sweet and spicy at times (like how bad he had to control himself bc she’s a princess😩)

It did feel kind of rushed??? but that could just be me, but I still enjoyed it and look forward for the next princesses!!! :)

[Gracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review-

This was spellbinding!

I'm telling you once I started reading I could not put it down!

barbie and the 12 dancing princesses meets ACOTAR meets lights out, its everything you want in one glorious bundle. it was spicy, it was heart stopping, nail biting, funny, sweet, I could go on forever. I cannot wait for what this series holds for us but as soon as book two is available I'll be straight to it.

[Nicole Swanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing story! It was hard to put it down at times! The build up of intensity was perfect! Strong plot! Strong story! It was elegant and dark all in one! Just perfect! The ballet was probably my favorite, besides the spicy scenes 😌🤌🏻! For anyone who loves retold stories, ballet, a handsome man who craves every inch of you, finds the beauty in you, this book is for you! Highly recommend it! 🥰🖤🌹✨

[Nessa]

DROPPED. TSTL Heroine.

As sexy as the smut is, I couldn't put a face on KASIMIR because there was barely any description on him except possibly TALL, DARK and DANGEROUS.

Also, the HEROINE WAS A NAIVE (sometimes ignorantly selfish) IDIOT who only endangers people around her. I couldn't stand it. At this age, I have to say NO.

KASIMIR was a dream - the touch her and die kind of male, but the heroine didn't do his character justice.

[Brooke Easton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an arc, it did not disappoint

The FMC Amaryllis (beautiful name) discovers her sister has been taken by an absolute debouched person (not a fan of them) so she seeks out the MMC Kasimir to get her back

Sooooooo much happens…. Wowwwwww

The plot was fantastic, it was a perfect mix between dark and fantasy, the chemistry ooooooh ….. I need more book 2 please and thank you

[Sylvia White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hidden gem I tell you. I loved Kaz and Ami loved their fire, the chase Kaz, a cold-blooded assassin gave for the lovely princess. Their story, threw me back to my fairytale era but with a very dark twist... A dark twist that I enjoyed so very much and I can't wait for the rest of the 11 girls to follow. Dahlia is next and oh my God can't wait for that little attitude lady to torture her villain.

Spice: 4/5
Romance: 5/5
Plot: 5/5

[ItzMeli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc Reader
I really enjoyed this book. It was a lot better than I expected it to be. The idea of the 12 dancing princesses was done well. Ruby really wore rose tinted glasses when it came to her father but I’m glad she came to realization that he indeed was a piece of shit eventually. Kasimir was babe, loved him down bad lool, he gave bad boy vibe but also he did and said such cute things when it came to her.