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A Twist of Adventure #5
The Dancing Princess
Plagued by nightmares for the last few years, Katrine only wanted answers. Instead, she finds herself trapped in a tangled web of melody as she tries to free a cursed king and his brothers. No one deserves existence such as theirs, but dare she risk her very life?
44 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 24, 2020
2 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Kendra E. Ardnek
73 books279 followersKendra E. Ardnek is the self-proclaimed Arista of Fairy Tales. She makes her home in the hills of central Texas with her fellow author husband, who she found at a writer’s conference. When not writing, you can usually find her crocheting her own cloaks, valiantly attempting to read every retelling ever written, and pretending that owning toy dragons makes her a dragon trainer.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 18, 2022
This is a short and sweet retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, and while it's not my favorite version of the story or my favorite of Kendra's works, it's still a fun read. Katrine and Alexi are a good couple, and I enjoyed the fact that there are pretty strong vibes of other fairy tales blended in with 12DP (specifically, Beauty and the Beast and the Seven Swans/Six Ravens). The music-based magic system is also pretty interesting. Again, it's not my absolute favorite, but I still expect to read it again.
June 5, 2023
Content:
Language: None.
Violence: None.
Sexual: Mild, some kissing/hugging.
3.5 star
Now this one was interesting! By far the best of this series so far, it throws the reader straight into...wait what? But in a good way. There is a magic system set up, based what I suspected then confirmed was a Russian sort of kingdom/country. Aside from the names of the princes, as soon as Baba Yaga showed up I was smiling.
The plot is much more engaging, trying to figure out the magic system used and what the curse actually was on the 12 princes (nice gender swap btw). The vagueness of the songweaving was a bit annoying, but only after the fact when I sat down to digest the story. I wanted more in depth descriptions of this interesting magic and how it affected the country we were placed in.
The romance was better, but still hugely rushed. The insta-connection was explained at least, but even just a few more paragraphs describing the connection would've helped.
Much, much better as a whole for such a short story. Nice.
Language: None.
Violence: None.
Sexual: Mild, some kissing/hugging.
3.5 star
Now this one was interesting! By far the best of this series so far, it throws the reader straight into...wait what? But in a good way. There is a magic system set up, based what I suspected then confirmed was a Russian sort of kingdom/country. Aside from the names of the princes, as soon as Baba Yaga showed up I was smiling.
The plot is much more engaging, trying to figure out the magic system used and what the curse actually was on the 12 princes (nice gender swap btw). The vagueness of the songweaving was a bit annoying, but only after the fact when I sat down to digest the story. I wanted more in depth descriptions of this interesting magic and how it affected the country we were placed in.
The romance was better, but still hugely rushed. The insta-connection was explained at least, but even just a few more paragraphs describing the connection would've helped.
Much, much better as a whole for such a short story. Nice.
August 17, 2020
Lovely story as always. I loved to tidbits of Russian culture sprinkled in!
December 1, 2024
Trapped in song
Katrine had been having nightmares of dancing for 2 years and now hated to dance. Little does she know she is a song weaver and the only one who can free King Alexei and his 11 brothers caught in a cursed song and hidden from memory for 20 years.
Katrine had been having nightmares of dancing for 2 years and now hated to dance. Little does she know she is a song weaver and the only one who can free King Alexei and his 11 brothers caught in a cursed song and hidden from memory for 20 years.
December 12, 2023
A quite enjoyable, quick read! 🤍🤍 And very sweet too. 😉
August 26, 2020
The Dancing Princess
A Twist of Adventure #5
By Kendra E. Ardnek
Katrine wants nothing to do with dancing - it is her nightmares come to life. But when the Young King of Chalik-Alexi asks her to dance she refuses. But refusing to dance cannot save her from the nightmare as the music draws her in. But refusing the music's call is something she is simply unable to do.
But Katine is offered a chance to free herself from the curse she now lives under. A curse that Alexi and the forgotten princes have been trapped in for twenty years. Can this one offer truly free her if she freely accepts it?
Trapped by his folly Alexi has spent years trying to undo the damage he did. But always his attempts have been stymied by the person whom he refused years ago. Can an ageless king and princess whose nights are a prison of a song not her own hope to defeat a powerful being with the power to erase them forever from time and memory. This is a fight that cannot be won without risk and the risk is their very lives.
The Dancing Princess is a twist on a well-known fairy-tale that readers of this genre will enjoy. The story at 45 pages is not overly long and moves at a nice pace. One might actually feel that is longer than it is just because one can get drawn in so quickly. It is nice if you have an hour or two of spare time and want to get the satisfaction of sitting down and finishing a book in one sitting this is perfect for doing so. There is an unexpected character of Russian origin who makes an appearance and is a vital character to the story - want to know the identity well you will just have to read the book.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations ~ All thoughts expressed are my own.
A Twist of Adventure #5
By Kendra E. Ardnek
Katrine wants nothing to do with dancing - it is her nightmares come to life. But when the Young King of Chalik-Alexi asks her to dance she refuses. But refusing to dance cannot save her from the nightmare as the music draws her in. But refusing the music's call is something she is simply unable to do.
But Katine is offered a chance to free herself from the curse she now lives under. A curse that Alexi and the forgotten princes have been trapped in for twenty years. Can this one offer truly free her if she freely accepts it?
Trapped by his folly Alexi has spent years trying to undo the damage he did. But always his attempts have been stymied by the person whom he refused years ago. Can an ageless king and princess whose nights are a prison of a song not her own hope to defeat a powerful being with the power to erase them forever from time and memory. This is a fight that cannot be won without risk and the risk is their very lives.
The Dancing Princess is a twist on a well-known fairy-tale that readers of this genre will enjoy. The story at 45 pages is not overly long and moves at a nice pace. One might actually feel that is longer than it is just because one can get drawn in so quickly. It is nice if you have an hour or two of spare time and want to get the satisfaction of sitting down and finishing a book in one sitting this is perfect for doing so. There is an unexpected character of Russian origin who makes an appearance and is a vital character to the story - want to know the identity well you will just have to read the book.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations ~ All thoughts expressed are my own.
August 22, 2020
I really enjoyed this short re-imagining of the twelve dancing princesses. This time around it's one princess trying to save 12 princes. But like the rest of her "Twist of" series, this is not a straight gender swap. This story draws in Russian folk tale Baba Yaga, and includes a Beauty and the Beast vibe as well.
This short story also features an original magic system that I found interesting and compelling. I would be interested to see what this song master and her song warriors can do if given a full length novel.
Katrine was a great protagonist. She took everything in stride and even at the end she was prepared to make the hard choice. Oddly enough it only seemed to be hard for her, I would have done it with no reservations.
*I was given an ARC of this story as part of the Tattered slippers tour so that I may provide an honest review. The above review is my own honest opinion and is honestly and willingly given.*
This short story also features an original magic system that I found interesting and compelling. I would be interested to see what this song master and her song warriors can do if given a full length novel.
Katrine was a great protagonist. She took everything in stride and even at the end she was prepared to make the hard choice. Oddly enough it only seemed to be hard for her, I would have done it with no reservations.
*I was given an ARC of this story as part of the Tattered slippers tour so that I may provide an honest review. The above review is my own honest opinion and is honestly and willingly given.*
August 24, 2020
This book was so much fun to read! It was fast-paced, the characters were intriguing, and the plot was intense. I’ve read a few of the other Twist of Adventure books (which you don’t have to do to read this one!), and I always enjoy the spin Kendra puts on the original fairytales. I especially enjoyed the magic system in this one.
I’d say my one complaint was that it was too short! I wish it had been longer so there could be more time to flesh out the characters and their storylines and to expand the plot. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this little book, and I highly recommend it to any fantasy fans out there!
I’d say my one complaint was that it was too short! I wish it had been longer so there could be more time to flesh out the characters and their storylines and to expand the plot. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this little book, and I highly recommend it to any fantasy fans out there!
August 24, 2020
The Dancing Princess is a unique retelling of the well-known fairy tale. I enjoyed Ardnek’s clever twist, and I adored Katrine and her selfless spirit. My only complaint is the length of the book. I would have liked to see the development in Katrine and Alexi’s relationship drawn out, but, nonetheless, it was well-done for the book’s length. A definite read for anyone who enjoys fairy-tale retellings.
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
For the entire review, go to: https://madismusingsblog.wordpress.co...
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
For the entire review, go to: https://madismusingsblog.wordpress.co...
August 24, 2020
Katrine once was a beautiful dancer, and now she can no longer bring herself to enjoy the dance — for dancing has become a nightmare. The music chokes her in its hold and forces her to dance until her slippers are completely torn apart. She doesn’t know to whom she can turn to find answers about these dreadful happenings, but her eyes begin to open once the young king of Calik seeks her out and asks for her hand in marriage.
Not that she’s eager to marry anyone, but this marriage will bring answers — as well as risks she may not be willing to take to free her betrothed and his eleven brothers from a musical curse.
There’s so much fairytale-ness about this story. And as a synesthete myself, it was pure joy to read all the passages about the music and melodies and song. Ah! My synesthesia shows up as colors in my thoughts (not music) but it was still really cool. The colors were so beautiful.
Full review on A Synesthete Writer!
Not that she’s eager to marry anyone, but this marriage will bring answers — as well as risks she may not be willing to take to free her betrothed and his eleven brothers from a musical curse.
There’s so much fairytale-ness about this story. And as a synesthete myself, it was pure joy to read all the passages about the music and melodies and song. Ah! My synesthesia shows up as colors in my thoughts (not music) but it was still really cool. The colors were so beautiful.
Full review on A Synesthete Writer!
August 26, 2020
Twelve brothers are trapped in a curse. They need a songweaver to free them. Only songweavers have tried, and no one remembers any of them.
Enter Katrine, a girl plagued with strange nightmares, who just might be able to break their curse.
This story was fairly short, but it does well telling the story within the limited space. The worldbuilding is interesting, and I do wish there had been more time to delve into it, but for what space there was, it was good. It's quite different from the fairy tale, from what I can tell, but that didn't make it any less entertaining.
The Dancing Princess is a fun, quick read and a neat twist on a lesser known fairy tale.
Enter Katrine, a girl plagued with strange nightmares, who just might be able to break their curse.
This story was fairly short, but it does well telling the story within the limited space. The worldbuilding is interesting, and I do wish there had been more time to delve into it, but for what space there was, it was good. It's quite different from the fairy tale, from what I can tell, but that didn't make it any less entertaining.
The Dancing Princess is a fun, quick read and a neat twist on a lesser known fairy tale.
August 26, 2020
Great short read for an evening. Kendra's twist on the dancing princesses was unique and the plot keep me reading.
December 13, 2022
quick dance of a story
Adorable short twist on the 12 dancing princesses, with an interesting song based magic system. Five more words needed no more.
Adorable short twist on the 12 dancing princesses, with an interesting song based magic system. Five more words needed no more.
August 31, 2024
My favorite of the whole series! I don't know if it's just my love for music, but I completely loved this little retelling.
August 10, 2022
Love it!
I really liked how Vasilisa's story was blended with the 12 dancing princesses. Also the magic system being closely linked to music was interesting!
I really liked how Vasilisa's story was blended with the 12 dancing princesses. Also the magic system being closely linked to music was interesting!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews