The Crown: A Dark Fairy Tale Retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses

by Genevieve Raas

The king demands to know why his daughters’ shoes are in tatters every morning. Whoever succeeds in solving the mystery will win his throne. Fail him, and face execution.

Twenty-seven contenders have already met their death, but a wounded soldier takes the risk.

Ross Daltry hates the lavish lifestyle of the nobility, not to mention the vanity of the princesses. Determination pushes him to win the crown and end their incompetent rule.

He pledges to unearth the princesses' secret, even though the eldest, Octavia, threatens to unravel his heart.

However, he soon learns the truth they hide is more chilling than he ever imagined. The princesses are not the spoiled brats he believed, but cunning women who will protect what’s theirs.

In a race against time, Ross must navigate intrigue and tricks to save his life. But will it be enough?

"The Crown" is a dark and twisted retelling of the "Twelve Dancing Princesses."

Genres: Dark Fantasy, Retellings

94 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2018

About the author

Genevieve Raas is an international bestselling author living in the US with her husband and rather haughty Chihuahua, Mr. Darcy. When she isn't writing dark fairytales or fantasy, you can find her plotting out her next travel destination.

A graduate from Indiana University, Genevieve holds a Master’s Degree in English and a Master’s Certificate in Professional Editing. She has taught university writing courses, and has worked as Lead Transcriber on several published anthologies, including: The Collected Stories of Ray Bradbury, Volume 2 and the New Ray Bradbury Review.

Now, she is venturing out on her own, into the wilds of untamed lands and untold stories.

Genevieve writes fantasy, dark fantasy, horror, and romance.

Reviews

[Nikki Landis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I read from this author is pure gold! Spin & Twist kept me captivated but The Crown is exquisitely dark and masterfully crafted. Riveted from start to finish, I read from beginning to end and couldn't put it down. Loved Ross and his character and the underlying mystical tone of the story that became heavier with each chapter was expertly done. Best dark novella I've read in a long while. I can't praise this story or author enough.

GRAB your copy today!!! Highly recommended!

Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Word Building: 5/5
Story Flow: 5/5

Picky Bitches OVERALL SCORE: 5/5

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Crown is a dark retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses fairy tale. The opening scene -- the main character Ross Daltry observing a public execution -- lets the reader know right away that this story definitely is dark, the stakes are high, and our hero is unlike most we tend to see in any type of fairy tales.

Daltry is older, a former soldier, but a man who feels fated to solve the king's riddle: where do his daughters go at night after they've been locked in, and why are their shoes nothing but tatters in the morning? As the most recent challenger, he's invited into the palace. In the palace, Genevieve Raas truly brings us back to the 18th century, the lavish lifestyles of the noble elite, contrasted to soldier and the kingdom's poor.

Raas has a wonderful way with words. She uses the perfect amount of description to bring the reader into the princess's world, while moving the plot along at a clipped pace. It's a novella, and the story goes quickly, and the twist at the end makes me re-think everything I read up until that point. I absolutely loved the last chapter as a throwback to when Daltry first arrived at the palace. It was creepy and poignant and I look forward to reading more of Raas's retellings!

[Julie Whitley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting and mysterious dark fantasy

I couldn’t put this story down, written like a fairytale of a quest and honour, it took me down unexpected paths right from it’s intense opening. Ross Daltry is a former soldier, injured and permanently lame in the service of his king. He is brave with a heart that wants to improve the lot of the people. Despite the very real danger of failure, he is determined to solve the mystery his king has set, and win the prize of a princess’s hand and the throne. His life is never to be the same. Due to the dark themes and some subtly sensual scenes, this is an adult fairytale and I highly recommend it! I was pleased to find only one error! The writing is crisp and evocative.

[SA · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author does a fantastic job in rewriting fairy tales in such a way that I am enthralled as I’d been in childhood. This is the story of twelve dancing princesses with all Genevieve Raas twists we came to love and enjoy. It is unique in its telling, with fresh touches and twists from the beginning till the end. For example, Ross Daltry is not your classic hero who has come forward to save the puzzle of the dancing princesses. He is old, grumpy and lame and yet one can't help but like him and turn the pages speedily as he goes through this adventure. The author has a writing style that is beautiful and poetic. You will love this story!

[M.T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was enthralled by the previous book by Raas that I read, so I was really excited to read this, and it didn’t let me down. The prose is fantastically worded, and the characters come alive as flawed but real human beings. Raas’s books can show cruelty and raw emotion, but always (I felt) with several layers of meaning, and with something real to show about human nature.
I must say I protested a little at the end solution—but that did undeniably gloriously complete the dark and gritty, gripping, thrilling tale. Highly recommended. I hope there's more in store, because I will be anxiously waiting for Raas's next book!

[Maya Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark fairytale about 12 daughters of a king that have a secret. Feeling the weight of their titles and the expectations that come with it, they find an escape so they can never be parted from each other. While princes volunteer to discover the mystery behind many broken shoes and lose their lives for their failure, no one can solve this puzzle for the king. I never expected the ending and was pleasantly surprised with the twist. Short but sweet.

[Cindy Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ross Daltry accepts a challenge for which many others have failed--and been beheaded.
He vows not to suffer the same fate but as his three-day time limit rushes to a close, Ross is in a dilemma. In this well done first person narrative, we can sympathize with his problem. This author uses great details and action verbs to set the reader into the time period...not to miss!

[Fiona Tarr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the ending I expected and I had both a sadness and joy at the outcome, but an enjoyable read. Genevieve paints a very compelling picture with her writing style & I continue to look forward to more of her books.

[Jessica the **Sexy Book Diva** · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unexpected twist.

While the majority of the story follows the classic tale, the ending twists and perverts the perfect fairy tale ending so that the winner is truly deserving.

[Greta Riordan]

Ok but not great.

I found the story a bit vague, there was no real purpose to the characters. There was very little deatil about the world in which it takes place.