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Romance a Medieval Fairytale #4
Revel: Twelve Dancing Princesses Retold
Twelve princesses. One wounded soldier. A mystery that must be solved.
Once upon a time...
Princess Bianca is sent with her sisters to the summer palace, a place no maiden has ever returned from. While her sisters seem perfectly happy, she has only one desire: escape.
Vasco, a wounded soldier on his way home from war, stumbles across the summer palace and sets out to solve the mystery no man has managed to yet. If only they let him live long enough...
Can the fair maiden and the wounded soldier uncover the sinister secret before it's too late?
Romance a Medieval Fairytale series:
Each book is a standalone, so they can be read in any order:
(#1) Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold
(#2) Dance: Cinderella Retold
(#3) Fly: Goose Girl Retold
(#4) Revel: Twelve Dancing Princesses Retold
(#5) Silence: Little Mermaid Retold
(#6) Awaken: Sleeping Beauty Retold
(#7) Embellish: Brave Little Tailor Retold
(#8) Appease: Princess and the Pea Retold
(#9) Blow: Three Little Pigs Retold
(#10) Return: Hansel and Gretel Retold
(#11) Wish: Aladdin Retold
(#12) Melt: Snow Queen Retold
(#13) Spin: Rumpelstiltskin Retold
(#14) Kiss: Frog Prince Retold
(#15) Hunt: Red Riding Hood Retold
(#16) Reflect: Snow White Retold
(#17) Roar: Goldilocks Retold
Once upon a time...
Princess Bianca is sent with her sisters to the summer palace, a place no maiden has ever returned from. While her sisters seem perfectly happy, she has only one desire: escape.
Vasco, a wounded soldier on his way home from war, stumbles across the summer palace and sets out to solve the mystery no man has managed to yet. If only they let him live long enough...
Can the fair maiden and the wounded soldier uncover the sinister secret before it's too late?
Romance a Medieval Fairytale series:
Each book is a standalone, so they can be read in any order:
(#1) Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold
(#2) Dance: Cinderella Retold
(#3) Fly: Goose Girl Retold
(#4) Revel: Twelve Dancing Princesses Retold
(#5) Silence: Little Mermaid Retold
(#6) Awaken: Sleeping Beauty Retold
(#7) Embellish: Brave Little Tailor Retold
(#8) Appease: Princess and the Pea Retold
(#9) Blow: Three Little Pigs Retold
(#10) Return: Hansel and Gretel Retold
(#11) Wish: Aladdin Retold
(#12) Melt: Snow Queen Retold
(#13) Spin: Rumpelstiltskin Retold
(#14) Kiss: Frog Prince Retold
(#15) Hunt: Red Riding Hood Retold
(#16) Reflect: Snow White Retold
(#17) Roar: Goldilocks Retold
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2017
368 people are currently reading
1103 people want to read
About the author
Demelza Carlton
935 books3,881 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Demelza Carlton has always loved the ocean, but on her first snorkelling trip she found she was afraid of fish.
She has since swum with sea lions, sharks and sea cucumbers and stood on spray-drenched cliffs over a seething sea as a seven-metre cyclonic swell surged in, shattering a shipwreck below.
Sensationalist spin? No - Demelza tends to take a camera with her so she can capture and share the moment later; shipwrecks, sharks and all.
Demelza now lives in Perth, Western Australia, the shark attack capital of the world.
The Ocean's Gift series was her first foray into fiction, followed by the Nightmares trilogy. She swears the Mel Goes to Hell series ambushed her on a crowded train and wouldn't leave her alone.
She has since swum with sea lions, sharks and sea cucumbers and stood on spray-drenched cliffs over a seething sea as a seven-metre cyclonic swell surged in, shattering a shipwreck below.
Sensationalist spin? No - Demelza tends to take a camera with her so she can capture and share the moment later; shipwrecks, sharks and all.
Demelza now lives in Perth, Western Australia, the shark attack capital of the world.
The Ocean's Gift series was her first foray into fiction, followed by the Nightmares trilogy. She swears the Mel Goes to Hell series ambushed her on a crowded train and wouldn't leave her alone.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
July 30, 2018
A Valiant Effort
2.5 Stars
This is one of my favorite fairytales and I thought Carlton did a nice job of beefing up the original story to make it a full-length book. The length was perfect, and the magical elements were well done. However, the writing is overly simplistic, the characters are boring, and the romance is almost nonexistent until the unnecessary sex. Don’t get me wrong, I love a steamy adult romance, in fact I prefer them, but that is not what this is. This is a preteen/YA novel with a poorly written sex scene at the end. The couple doesn’t even kiss until 95% of the way through after they are married. There is nothing wrong with that except that it won’t appeal to the adult romance crowd. Of course, it won’t appeal to the clean romance crowd because she ends the book with a lame attempt at naughty. I just have no idea who her target audience is. The writing is preteen level, but there is too much gore to be for kids, there is hardly any romance until 95% of the way through, but then there is too much of it haphazardly thrown in there. Clearly a lot of people liked this book, so my review may mean nothing to you. I will leave you with a quote from the last chapter…
“She'd tried it (sex/masturbating) on one of the statues in the palace once, but all she'd experienced was pain as she left a smear of blood on the statue's nethers.”
WHAT!?!
2.5 Stars
This is one of my favorite fairytales and I thought Carlton did a nice job of beefing up the original story to make it a full-length book. The length was perfect, and the magical elements were well done. However, the writing is overly simplistic, the characters are boring, and the romance is almost nonexistent until the unnecessary sex. Don’t get me wrong, I love a steamy adult romance, in fact I prefer them, but that is not what this is. This is a preteen/YA novel with a poorly written sex scene at the end. The couple doesn’t even kiss until 95% of the way through after they are married. There is nothing wrong with that except that it won’t appeal to the adult romance crowd. Of course, it won’t appeal to the clean romance crowd because she ends the book with a lame attempt at naughty. I just have no idea who her target audience is. The writing is preteen level, but there is too much gore to be for kids, there is hardly any romance until 95% of the way through, but then there is too much of it haphazardly thrown in there. Clearly a lot of people liked this book, so my review may mean nothing to you. I will leave you with a quote from the last chapter…
“She'd tried it (sex/masturbating) on one of the statues in the palace once, but all she'd experienced was pain as she left a smear of blood on the statue's nethers.”
WHAT!?!
April 6, 2021
I was bored at work, this book was free, and I like the Twelve Dancing Princesses. Those are my reasons for reading this book.
To be honest, the fairy tale part was pretty cool. We had some nice magic, I enjoyed her take on the original story, and thought the medieval setting was cool.
However, there was a lot of inappropriate content that turned me off on this book. The two main characters spend most of the book ogling each other and calling it love. Then we have a sex scene on the end that was completely unnecessary. I also didn't really enjoy the writing style.
So yeah, two stars, probably wouldn't recommend.
To be honest, the fairy tale part was pretty cool. We had some nice magic, I enjoyed her take on the original story, and thought the medieval setting was cool.
However, there was a lot of inappropriate content that turned me off on this book. The two main characters spend most of the book ogling each other and calling it love. Then we have a sex scene on the end that was completely unnecessary. I also didn't really enjoy the writing style.
So yeah, two stars, probably wouldn't recommend.
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October 18, 2017
I really enjoyed this retelling than the previous one: Fly: Goose Girl Retold
This book had more action, suspense and romance all into one. Even though in all of her novels there are romance, this one, very much like Dance: Cinderella Retold and Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold couples, the pairing was beautifully written and the love they had and grew on each other was sweet and beautiful and just so perfect.
We were introduced to Princess Bianca in Fly: Goose Girl Retold as the only friend and loving sister of Ava, who they both left the palace on a different journey. And in Bianca's journey, she has been moved to go to the Summer Palace where her other half sisters have been banished by the Queen as unwanted and cursed to become old maids and spencers. Or that was what the stories and rumours say.
But when Bianca arrives at the palace and quickly befriends an elderly witch, Kan, she discovers that the palace is not a prison nor a sanctuary. It holds a mystery that not even the king himself knows how to solve.
Every night the princesses go off to a place no one knows of, and no one sees them leave their bedchambers. The only thing the people see are the piles of dancing shoes that are left in the morning at the door, all worn out after only one day of wearing.
Which is why all the men come to the palace to try to solve this mysterious secret, because as a reward, the man that does will become master of the household and can choose any of the princesses to become his wife.
Bianca knows that in order to escape her fate at the palace she must wed a man and be free at least. But all those who attempt to solve the mystery have failed and never return and no one, not even the princesses knows what happen to these men.
But this is where a wounded soldier, Vasco, is introduced and attempts to solve the mystery. But what both Bianca and Vasco uncover is worse than any of them could of imagine.
This was such a wonderful plot! It had me hooked from the start and this fairytale being a childhood favourite of mine, I loved how it was told differently to the original but still kept it within it.
Would definitely read this book again!
This book had more action, suspense and romance all into one. Even though in all of her novels there are romance, this one, very much like Dance: Cinderella Retold and Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold couples, the pairing was beautifully written and the love they had and grew on each other was sweet and beautiful and just so perfect.
We were introduced to Princess Bianca in Fly: Goose Girl Retold as the only friend and loving sister of Ava, who they both left the palace on a different journey. And in Bianca's journey, she has been moved to go to the Summer Palace where her other half sisters have been banished by the Queen as unwanted and cursed to become old maids and spencers. Or that was what the stories and rumours say.
But when Bianca arrives at the palace and quickly befriends an elderly witch, Kan, she discovers that the palace is not a prison nor a sanctuary. It holds a mystery that not even the king himself knows how to solve.
Every night the princesses go off to a place no one knows of, and no one sees them leave their bedchambers. The only thing the people see are the piles of dancing shoes that are left in the morning at the door, all worn out after only one day of wearing.
Which is why all the men come to the palace to try to solve this mysterious secret, because as a reward, the man that does will become master of the household and can choose any of the princesses to become his wife.
Bianca knows that in order to escape her fate at the palace she must wed a man and be free at least. But all those who attempt to solve the mystery have failed and never return and no one, not even the princesses knows what happen to these men.
But this is where a wounded soldier, Vasco, is introduced and attempts to solve the mystery. But what both Bianca and Vasco uncover is worse than any of them could of imagine.
This was such a wonderful plot! It had me hooked from the start and this fairytale being a childhood favourite of mine, I loved how it was told differently to the original but still kept it within it.
Would definitely read this book again!
April 9, 2017
5/5 Stars
Now that was one heck of a retelling. The Twelve Dancing Princesses was always one of my favorite stories when I was growing up. Although short, it held mystery and romance, two things that always attracted me.
In this version, the princesses are sent to a palace in exile by the queen for various reasons. The main princess we follow, Bianca, is the last princess sent. And yet, she is not terribly upset. She sees it as her chance at freedom. However, she soon spots a man she falls for, and in turn joins her sisters in the mystery of their won out shoes.
This book is filled with magic and intrigue. It almost has a Grimm's Fairytale feel to it. The princes that the girls dance with aren't random, innocent princes. They are horrid, cursed murderers. It almost makes you wonder if the princesses will be saved.
Now that was one heck of a retelling. The Twelve Dancing Princesses was always one of my favorite stories when I was growing up. Although short, it held mystery and romance, two things that always attracted me.
In this version, the princesses are sent to a palace in exile by the queen for various reasons. The main princess we follow, Bianca, is the last princess sent. And yet, she is not terribly upset. She sees it as her chance at freedom. However, she soon spots a man she falls for, and in turn joins her sisters in the mystery of their won out shoes.
This book is filled with magic and intrigue. It almost has a Grimm's Fairytale feel to it. The princes that the girls dance with aren't random, innocent princes. They are horrid, cursed murderers. It almost makes you wonder if the princesses will be saved.
July 9, 2017
Found this book for free on Amazon; this is my honest review.
- This is not one of the popular tales that we heard when we were young so I had to search the story in my Brothers Grimm's repertoire to remind me of the original story.
- The author gives us a short chapter or two of how the farmer became a lonely soldier.
- There's mystery, happiness, sadness, and everything in between.
- I loved the way the story is retold even when it's a bit gruesome at places - but it's no worse than any of the brothers Grimm stories. The author keeps bits of the original mixed with her own ideas.
- I thought the sex scene at the end was out of place. The story is clean throughout and there's no apparent naughty things happening either so the book could have done without that.
- This is not one of the popular tales that we heard when we were young so I had to search the story in my Brothers Grimm's repertoire to remind me of the original story.
- The author gives us a short chapter or two of how the farmer became a lonely soldier.
- There's mystery, happiness, sadness, and everything in between.
- I loved the way the story is retold even when it's a bit gruesome at places - but it's no worse than any of the brothers Grimm stories. The author keeps bits of the original mixed with her own ideas.
- I thought the sex scene at the end was out of place. The story is clean throughout and there's no apparent naughty things happening either so the book could have done without that.
September 5, 2020
Revel: Twelve Dancing Princesses was, as the title states, a remake of the original, and yet another fantastic retelling in the series. It certainly fleshed out the rather 'weak tea' original version. It's book 4 in the series, but as with the others, you absolutely do not have to read the others to enjoy this. Now, there are some characters you might learn more about that would be fun, but that's a choice you'll not suffer from either way.
Bianca is a princess from a rather large harem of the King's and has spent her life there, dreading the queen's notice (Bianca is not her daughter) and court intrigue in general. A pretty girl who hates being pretty for the attention in brings, she is sadly the victim of that very curse, and yet blessed with the magic of invisibility (gotta love that irony). The queen sends her away to a summer 'palace' where it is widely known to be where unwanted princesses are sent. This is where the mystery of the shoes wearing out nightly happens. Turns out, the girls are dancing their nights away with some mysterious men. Bianca having at least half a brain, sees the danger in this.
Vasco, our hero in this story, is a simple soldier who has spent his life fighting after a tragic youth. After an injury that leaves him unable to perform satisfactorily, he is discharged and wanders about until he meets up with a witch who happens to be helping teach Bianca about her magic. He does odd jobs for her for a while, and eventually she sends him off to the palace to try and solve the mystery.
The chemistry between the two is quick and easy, and quite enjoyable. Bianca doesn't begrudge him his lack of title and he simply wants to help her he's so enamored. Together they manage to save the day (of course), and get their happy ever after. I enjoyed very much that the hero of this story was a simple soldier. Both characters were likable and the story was engaging.
If you enjoy your fantasy with some mystery, a little action, some steam, a tad bit of magic, and more than a few stuck-up princesses, this is a good read for you.
Bianca is a princess from a rather large harem of the King's and has spent her life there, dreading the queen's notice (Bianca is not her daughter) and court intrigue in general. A pretty girl who hates being pretty for the attention in brings, she is sadly the victim of that very curse, and yet blessed with the magic of invisibility (gotta love that irony). The queen sends her away to a summer 'palace' where it is widely known to be where unwanted princesses are sent. This is where the mystery of the shoes wearing out nightly happens. Turns out, the girls are dancing their nights away with some mysterious men. Bianca having at least half a brain, sees the danger in this.
Vasco, our hero in this story, is a simple soldier who has spent his life fighting after a tragic youth. After an injury that leaves him unable to perform satisfactorily, he is discharged and wanders about until he meets up with a witch who happens to be helping teach Bianca about her magic. He does odd jobs for her for a while, and eventually she sends him off to the palace to try and solve the mystery.
The chemistry between the two is quick and easy, and quite enjoyable. Bianca doesn't begrudge him his lack of title and he simply wants to help her he's so enamored. Together they manage to save the day (of course), and get their happy ever after. I enjoyed very much that the hero of this story was a simple soldier. Both characters were likable and the story was engaging.
If you enjoy your fantasy with some mystery, a little action, some steam, a tad bit of magic, and more than a few stuck-up princesses, this is a good read for you.
December 14, 2020
New fairy tale to me in every sense. I am not sure how it was supposed to go. I was lured in by what I didn't know. The story here was in the way things happened. I will assume this was a unique telling of this particular timeless story.
Narrator Mary Sarah has a very beautiful voice that transcends the fairytale realm. She has the ethereal quality of fantasy. I do warn those that choose to listen that my views of this audio my be skewed by the fact that I do not listen under normal speed, too slow. I do speed up my audio and find that the speed can match that of the story being told and lend a different light to the immersion in to the story.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Demelza Carlton. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
Narrator Mary Sarah has a very beautiful voice that transcends the fairytale realm. She has the ethereal quality of fantasy. I do warn those that choose to listen that my views of this audio my be skewed by the fact that I do not listen under normal speed, too slow. I do speed up my audio and find that the speed can match that of the story being told and lend a different light to the immersion in to the story.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Demelza Carlton. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
September 17, 2020
So, this is book 4 and is a retelling of the fairytale Twelve Dancing Princesses. First let me say that this is the first in this series that I've read / listened and I'm not familiar with the original fairytale. With that said, I found this to be a great fairytale romance read / listen. Great narration - she has a smooth and soothing voice which is perfect for this type of book. The storyline read smoothly and had interesting characters. A mystery is afoot and with help from the inside the mystery is solved and the main characters share a HEA. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series with fairytales I am more familiar with to see the differences.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read.
October 12, 2020
I love fairy tale retellings, and you don't see many for The 12 Dancing Princesses. Revel is enough of a twist on the old tale to keep those familiar with the story interested and a solid enough story in its own right to stand alone.
November 18, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Very nice retelling, really stuck close to the original tale (i like when that happens😉), it got me thinking in how much time i haven´t watched a barbie movie😂😂😂 i loved those when i was young now i´m just afraid i´ll see them and won´t like them so much...
anywayy, it had romance -yes i liked that too and thank god it wasn´t insta-love exactly-, it was fast-paced and the chaps were pretty short -oohh thank you soo- and i enjoyed it veery much.🥰
i´m definitely continuing the series🧡
Very nice retelling, really stuck close to the original tale (i like when that happens😉), it got me thinking in how much time i haven´t watched a barbie movie😂😂😂 i loved those when i was young now i´m just afraid i´ll see them and won´t like them so much...
anywayy, it had romance -yes i liked that too and thank god it wasn´t insta-love exactly-, it was fast-paced and the chaps were pretty short -oohh thank you soo- and i enjoyed it veery much.🥰
i´m definitely continuing the series🧡
September 11, 2020
Bianca and Vasco must solve a deadly mystery before either of them succumb to it. This story contained a few scenes which I found to be a bit gruesome, but that did not detract much from overall. Bianca is delightfully strong and intelligent. Vasco overcomes both his demons within and those in the world.
Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Great world building. Happily Ever After. Haunting.Romantic. Scary. Steamy. Tragic. Twisted. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.
I received a copy of this book as a gift from the author. This is my honest review.
Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Great world building. Happily Ever After. Haunting.Romantic. Scary. Steamy. Tragic. Twisted. Unpredictable. Wonderful characters.
I received a copy of this book as a gift from the author. This is my honest review.
September 27, 2020
This was a surprisingly sweet rendition of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses". I particularly liked Bianca - a princess who itched to be more than merely beautiful, who found a crippled soldier to be more honourable than the princes she was afflicted with, who choose to step up to solve a mystery that threatened more than her father's treasury. I found Bianca much more sympathetic than her less-than-observant sisters.
September 24, 2020
This was the first audio book I ever heard and I loved it. The story was captivating, the reader was great with the voices and inflections and I couldn't stop listening until it was finished. I'd never read the original fairy tale so this was all new and exceptionally exciting for me. Demelza always hits the spot, now I get to hear it all in my ear and fall in love with Bianca and Vasco. Kun has been a fave crossover character for me already and she delivered, as usual! Great book!
September 19, 2020
I don’t think I have ever read the original tale of the 12 princesses, but I like this tale. It has a mystery that has to be solved or bad things happen. The young princess only wants her freedom and hopes to fine it with the soldier who will hopefully solve the mystery. You will have to read it to find out, no clues here. The author did a good job telling the updated tale with mystery and romance intertwined. The narrator at times made the princess sound like a petulant child, but that might be how she came across at times. I really enjoyed it!
I received a free copy of this audio book from story origin for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this audio book from story origin for an honest review.
September 9, 2020
A poor soldier and a princess combine forces to end an ancient curse and free 12 princesses from a life of seclusion in this fairy-tale reworking which is a part of Demelza Carleton's popular series of medieval reworkings of the classics.
A little magic, a little romance, a little danger and suspense - in all a great escape for a beach getaway or a weekend retreat.
A little magic, a little romance, a little danger and suspense - in all a great escape for a beach getaway or a weekend retreat.
July 23, 2017
Revel is a creative and slightly dark retelling of the twelve dancing princesses fairytale. I don't know this fairytale as well as others, so my understanding in comparing this to the original is limited. I appreciated that Carlton focused on two main characters, Bianca and Vasco, and left the rest of the princesses to be supporting characters. Both Bianca and Vasco were well characterized, though they annoyed me at times because they fought their attraction for one another, but that was part of their personalities and experiences, and I think that happens in real life quite often. The writing was engaging and descriptive as all of Carlton's fairy tale retellings have been. I hope there are many more novels to come in this series! As a caution, there are a couple of intimate scenes at the beginning and end of the novel.
August 5, 2017
This is a retelling of not well knows fairy tale: 12 dancing princesses. I have never read original one, nor heard much about it. So I googled it to have basic information about this one story.
Bianca is a princess that arrives as the last one in Summer Palace. She's the twelve princesses there. Se has her own way and she is trying to do everything to leave the palace.
Vasco is an injured soldier. That was looking for a work, that would be paid by food and place to sleep. Via events, he came to the Summer Palace. But he was different from other men coming there. Not arrogant, nor greedy.
Will he be able to solve the mystery of worn dancing shoes that pile up each morning? Add to it magic, course and stubborn princesses altogether charming princess.
A really good retelling of the not well-known story.
Bianca is a princess that arrives as the last one in Summer Palace. She's the twelve princesses there. Se has her own way and she is trying to do everything to leave the palace.
Vasco is an injured soldier. That was looking for a work, that would be paid by food and place to sleep. Via events, he came to the Summer Palace. But he was different from other men coming there. Not arrogant, nor greedy.
Will he be able to solve the mystery of worn dancing shoes that pile up each morning? Add to it magic, course and stubborn princesses altogether charming princess.
A really good retelling of the not well-known story.
April 8, 2017
Princess Bianca is sent to join her sisters to live in the Summer Palace but it is a place that no female has ever returned from and even though her sisters a seem quite happy she is dreaming of escaping from there to live her own life. Vasco is a wounded soldier travelling back from war who finds himself at the Summer Palace and becomes determined to solve the puzzle that no man up to now has solved before time runs out and he ends up dead. Can Bianca and Vasco find the sinister secret?
This was a lovely story that drew you in as you got further into the book and the mystery at the centre of it. It was well written and you could feel the thoughts and emotions involved in the story.
This was a lovely story that drew you in as you got further into the book and the mystery at the centre of it. It was well written and you could feel the thoughts and emotions involved in the story.
January 7, 2018
This retelling was an excellent read, and actually fairly close to the original in most ways. I liked seeing the overlap in characters from other books (such as Kun and the "Princes" from the Little Mermaid retelling), though some elements are very much more bloodythirsty, in keeping with the original Grimm-style stories - like the suitors' fates - and some more adult. Overall, though, it all balances out to make an excellent read which is perfect for all adult fairytale lovers, or those who like their stories with a twist of romance, magic and a "happy ever after"
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
January 27, 2024
Great read
Another great book within this series!! I have read so many retellings that I feel this one went along with another book I read... either way your books keep me so engaged that I can't seem to put them down.
Bee is a great main character in this book, along with Vasco. A soldier just wanting to find a purpose, and he does with Mistress Kun and Princess Bianca. If he solves the mystery within 3 days the prize is fit for a king... the only worrisome thing is what could come once the mystery is unraveling.
Another great book within this series!! I have read so many retellings that I feel this one went along with another book I read... either way your books keep me so engaged that I can't seem to put them down.
Bee is a great main character in this book, along with Vasco. A soldier just wanting to find a purpose, and he does with Mistress Kun and Princess Bianca. If he solves the mystery within 3 days the prize is fit for a king... the only worrisome thing is what could come once the mystery is unraveling.
May 1, 2017
A unrivaled retelling of a fabulous Medieval Fairytale with a twist. A fantastic fairytale filled with magic & intrigue. A darker story where mystery & romance are key to the story. With enchanting characters & suspenseful plot a intriguing read. Looking forward to reading the next novel in this Medieval Fairytale Series.
May 20, 2018
Interesting
Wow! I have only heard the kids version of the 12 Dancing Princesses, so I don't know how dark the original story got. But I really enjoyed this one. Vasco and Bianca were very likable from beginning to end and are so cute together. I love how they both of their Forte's and still humble about themselves.
I look forward to Carlton's next book xoxo
Wow! I have only heard the kids version of the 12 Dancing Princesses, so I don't know how dark the original story got. But I really enjoyed this one. Vasco and Bianca were very likable from beginning to end and are so cute together. I love how they both of their Forte's and still humble about themselves.
I look forward to Carlton's next book xoxo
December 20, 2020
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Demelza Carlton. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
MY RATING: 4 STARS
A complete and utter 360 from the other darker retellings. I absolutely enjoyed this fairy tale. I think a big reason I enjoyed it so much is because I am not actually familiar with the original. In my brain I have a faint idea of the original, but I am not sure if that is just from my google searches or if I might have once upon a time been told this by my god mother.
I really enjoyed our two main characters. Individually.
Bianca was a really well mannered young lady, well princess, who doesn’t come across as a bitch, cruel or unnecessarily cow like as so many princess can be. I think a big reason for this might be that she was raised as ‘minor’ princess in a harem full of other princesses just like her. She is a very strong character who is willing to stand on her own two feet and makes an effort to learn more about the powers she has.
Vasco is exactly the kind of guy I want in my own fairy tale one day. The kind of man who stands up and fights for what is right and never gives up. Endlessly walking from town to town. Trying to keep himself going even when in pain.
I would have enjoyed a little more byplay between the two character’s but it really was a well written and interesting fairy tale.
The narration was on par. I don’t think the narrator gets given enough credit for her accents from book to book. Her voice, and story telling really lends itself to the story and makes for a great listen.
MY RATING: 4 STARS
A complete and utter 360 from the other darker retellings. I absolutely enjoyed this fairy tale. I think a big reason I enjoyed it so much is because I am not actually familiar with the original. In my brain I have a faint idea of the original, but I am not sure if that is just from my google searches or if I might have once upon a time been told this by my god mother.
I really enjoyed our two main characters. Individually.
Bianca was a really well mannered young lady, well princess, who doesn’t come across as a bitch, cruel or unnecessarily cow like as so many princess can be. I think a big reason for this might be that she was raised as ‘minor’ princess in a harem full of other princesses just like her. She is a very strong character who is willing to stand on her own two feet and makes an effort to learn more about the powers she has.
Vasco is exactly the kind of guy I want in my own fairy tale one day. The kind of man who stands up and fights for what is right and never gives up. Endlessly walking from town to town. Trying to keep himself going even when in pain.
I would have enjoyed a little more byplay between the two character’s but it really was a well written and interesting fairy tale.
The narration was on par. I don’t think the narrator gets given enough credit for her accents from book to book. Her voice, and story telling really lends itself to the story and makes for a great listen.
Read
December 20, 2020This is one of the most unique fairytales and it always leads to dark and interesting retellings. Before this past year or so I hardly ever saw anything relating to the Twelve Dancing Princesses, but all of a sudden it seemed to be one of the more popular stories to retell. And I'm honestly not complaining, I'd much rather read a retelling of this one than (*gasp, I know*) Beauty and the Beast.
I really enjoyed this version of the story, however I'd say it falls in the middle of my favorites for this series of retellings. I really enjoyed it, but there have been a couple others I loved a little bit more. You know? Bt that doesn't mean that this story doesn't deserve all of the praise! I mean, just the fact that it's a retelling of a lesser known fairytale means it should be shouted about.
I really love these books as audiobooks and honestly don't know if I would like them nearly as much if I had simply just read them. There's something just so relaxing about being read a dark and twisted fairytale retelling. So, if you're going to give these a go I definitely recommend the audiobook route!
You can view my full review on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
I really enjoyed this version of the story, however I'd say it falls in the middle of my favorites for this series of retellings. I really enjoyed it, but there have been a couple others I loved a little bit more. You know? Bt that doesn't mean that this story doesn't deserve all of the praise! I mean, just the fact that it's a retelling of a lesser known fairytale means it should be shouted about.
I really love these books as audiobooks and honestly don't know if I would like them nearly as much if I had simply just read them. There's something just so relaxing about being read a dark and twisted fairytale retelling. So, if you're going to give these a go I definitely recommend the audiobook route!
You can view my full review on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
April 9, 2021
Great Story in the Series
This is part of a series of stories. Each one is complete, so you don't;t have to be concerned about cliffhangers. However, there are connections to other books in the series and there is a timeline that connects them.
Bianca is our protagonist, a young princess who doesn't like to live by the rules of others, and a witch with a secret power. The story starts as she is banished to the Summer Palace to join 11 of her half-sisters.
The story actually starts with Vasca. He becomes a soldier, gets injured, and is an integral part of the story. He arrives at the Summer Palace which brings him together with Bianca. The character development of both are well done. The world view is nicely exposed as the story progresses.
Even when I was tired, I wanted to keep reading. You know it has to have a happy ending, but the story leaves you guessing how it can actually happen.
I've enjoyed many other books in this series. This one did not disappoint me.
This is part of a series of stories. Each one is complete, so you don't;t have to be concerned about cliffhangers. However, there are connections to other books in the series and there is a timeline that connects them.
Bianca is our protagonist, a young princess who doesn't like to live by the rules of others, and a witch with a secret power. The story starts as she is banished to the Summer Palace to join 11 of her half-sisters.
The story actually starts with Vasca. He becomes a soldier, gets injured, and is an integral part of the story. He arrives at the Summer Palace which brings him together with Bianca. The character development of both are well done. The world view is nicely exposed as the story progresses.
Even when I was tired, I wanted to keep reading. You know it has to have a happy ending, but the story leaves you guessing how it can actually happen.
I've enjoyed many other books in this series. This one did not disappoint me.
April 16, 2022
If you’re looking for a fairytale retelling with a twist and no disney involved, then this series is for you.
I love the authors writing style and the way she chooses to bring the characters to their purpose. These are not sweet and coddled princesses anymore. They’re introduced to a world of men who covet, take and destroy. They rise up to their current challenges and try to make their little corner of the world better.
The author doesn’t shy away from the atrocities that happen at the hands of powerful men. If you are triggered by r@pe or abu$e, read the series with caution because it’s either witnessed or happens to the MC. It’s not fully detailed, just used to tell the story and show the depravity the MC fight against.
If you have a favorite character, you might get to see them again, because the author intertwines all the stories together making it worth reading them in order, but not necessary.
I recommend grabbing the box sets if you want to binge read a few at a time.
I love the authors writing style and the way she chooses to bring the characters to their purpose. These are not sweet and coddled princesses anymore. They’re introduced to a world of men who covet, take and destroy. They rise up to their current challenges and try to make their little corner of the world better.
The author doesn’t shy away from the atrocities that happen at the hands of powerful men. If you are triggered by r@pe or abu$e, read the series with caution because it’s either witnessed or happens to the MC. It’s not fully detailed, just used to tell the story and show the depravity the MC fight against.
If you have a favorite character, you might get to see them again, because the author intertwines all the stories together making it worth reading them in order, but not necessary.
I recommend grabbing the box sets if you want to binge read a few at a time.
October 17, 2020
I found it interesting how Demelza Carlton tied this retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses with her retelling of the Little Mermaid. However, the books can be read in any order. Neither spoils the other. I also like how her characters have magic and aren't merely damsels in distress. Bianca was a talented witch in addition to being a princess. She was also a bit of an amateur sleuth. It was fun.
My complaint with this book is similar to the last one. The felt like YA, except it began and ended with sex. It just felt out of place, as did certain motivations of the main characters. I think this series would make more sense if it was clean, sweet YA romance, but in this case, you could skip the prologue, skip the last chapter, still get the full story, and avoid the sex. In case that is useful to anyone.
I received a free audiobook from StoryOrigin and have reviewed it willingly.
My complaint with this book is similar to the last one. The felt like YA, except it began and ended with sex. It just felt out of place, as did certain motivations of the main characters. I think this series would make more sense if it was clean, sweet YA romance, but in this case, you could skip the prologue, skip the last chapter, still get the full story, and avoid the sex. In case that is useful to anyone.
I received a free audiobook from StoryOrigin and have reviewed it willingly.
December 4, 2020
This is a new one to me, I had not heard of Twelve Dancing Princesses but that did not stop me from enjoying this retelling.
Twelve princesses including Bianca are sent to the summer palace, which is a place full of mystery that is full of mystery as no woman has ever returned. Although Bianca’s sisters are quite happy to be there, she just wants to escape.
When she happens upon a wounded soldier, Vasco they befriend each other and they’re determined to solve the mystery and break the curse.
This was a great tale that captured me from the beginning and had me listening to the whole book in one sitting.
The narrator told the tale well, her voice was easy to listen to, and it was like she was actually the characters.
Overall, it was really good and I enjoyed it immensely.
Twelve princesses including Bianca are sent to the summer palace, which is a place full of mystery that is full of mystery as no woman has ever returned. Although Bianca’s sisters are quite happy to be there, she just wants to escape.
When she happens upon a wounded soldier, Vasco they befriend each other and they’re determined to solve the mystery and break the curse.
This was a great tale that captured me from the beginning and had me listening to the whole book in one sitting.
The narrator told the tale well, her voice was easy to listen to, and it was like she was actually the characters.
Overall, it was really good and I enjoyed it immensely.
May 3, 2022
An enjoyable retelling of 12 dancing princesses
I love Carlton’s fairytale retellings as she manages to keep the elements of the story but twist it a bit to make you keep reading even though you know what’s coming. Bianca is sent into exhile to a Summer Palace where 11 other princesses live. She doesn’t wonder about the mountains of shoes or strange, non-aristocratic visitors until Vasco, a travelling soldier arrives. A fast-paced enjoyable retelling with bits of gore where the cursed princes are concerned. The story, for most part is YA, but 15+ on account of a sex scene.
Recommended for lovers of fairytale retellings.
Trigger warning: mental anguish for survivors of wars.
I love Carlton’s fairytale retellings as she manages to keep the elements of the story but twist it a bit to make you keep reading even though you know what’s coming. Bianca is sent into exhile to a Summer Palace where 11 other princesses live. She doesn’t wonder about the mountains of shoes or strange, non-aristocratic visitors until Vasco, a travelling soldier arrives. A fast-paced enjoyable retelling with bits of gore where the cursed princes are concerned. The story, for most part is YA, but 15+ on account of a sex scene.
Recommended for lovers of fairytale retellings.
Trigger warning: mental anguish for survivors of wars.
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