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Beyond the Four Kingdoms #1-3
Beyond the Four Kingdoms Box Set One
The first three interconnected stand-alone fairy tale retellings from the Beyond the Four Kingdoms series
Book 1 - A Dance of Silver and Shadow: A Retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses
When Princess Liliana and her twin sister set sail for new lands, she hopes to find adventure and romance. But the people of Marin live under the shadow of a curse--one powerful enough to destroy entire kingdoms. To protect them all, Lily and eleven other princesses are forced to participate in a mysterious and secret tournament.
Lily spends her nights competing in a magical underground realm and her days unraveling the dangers of this new court. Although she needs the help of the Marinese prince, Lily knows she can't let herself grow too close to him. There's no time for romance when the duchy is about to fall to the encroaching darkness and the winner of the tournament faces a terrible fate.
But Lily and her twin have a secret advantage. And Lily grows increasingly determined to use their magical bond to defeat the tournament, save the princesses, and free Marin. Except she might have to sacrifice true love to do it.
In this reimagining of the classic fairy tale, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, there's a lot more at stake than worn out dancing slippers.
Book 2 - A Tale of Beauty and Beast: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast
Princess Sophia has helped Lily save the duchy of Marin. But now Sophie faces an even greater threat when she sets out to free the cursed kingdom of Palinar from its beastly prince. Alone, and with danger on every side, Sophie must navigate a magical castle and its even more mysterious master to discover the secret to breaking the curse.
Except the more time she spends with Prince Dominic, the more she starts to question who exactly she's supposed to be saving. With time running out for the trapped inhabitants, and the reappearance of an old enemy, Sophie may have to choose between saving the kingdom and following her heart.
In this reimagining of the classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast, Beauty will have to use all of her strength and intelligence if she is to outwit her enemies, break a curse and find true love.
Book 3 - A Crown of Snow and Ice: A Retelling of The Snow Queen
An unexpected gift from her godmother will give Celine enough fire to take on an entire kingdom of snow and ice. But first she needs to melt one frozen prince.
Rumors have long swirled about the strange kingdom of Eldon. The only thing more frozen than its mountains are the inhabitants themselves. But Princess Celine has never backed away from a challenge, so she eagerly accepts an invitation to visit.
Yet the situation in Eldon is even worse than Celine feared. And if the kingdom is to have any hope of freedom or a future, she's going to have to call on new skills and new allies--including the crown prince, Oliver. But against an enemy stronger and colder than ice, all her fire may not be enough.
In this reimagining of the classic fairy tale, The Snow Queen, one princess is ready to burn down everything in her path to save those she loves and their kingdom with them.
Book 1 - A Dance of Silver and Shadow: A Retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses
When Princess Liliana and her twin sister set sail for new lands, she hopes to find adventure and romance. But the people of Marin live under the shadow of a curse--one powerful enough to destroy entire kingdoms. To protect them all, Lily and eleven other princesses are forced to participate in a mysterious and secret tournament.
Lily spends her nights competing in a magical underground realm and her days unraveling the dangers of this new court. Although she needs the help of the Marinese prince, Lily knows she can't let herself grow too close to him. There's no time for romance when the duchy is about to fall to the encroaching darkness and the winner of the tournament faces a terrible fate.
But Lily and her twin have a secret advantage. And Lily grows increasingly determined to use their magical bond to defeat the tournament, save the princesses, and free Marin. Except she might have to sacrifice true love to do it.
In this reimagining of the classic fairy tale, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, there's a lot more at stake than worn out dancing slippers.
Book 2 - A Tale of Beauty and Beast: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast
Princess Sophia has helped Lily save the duchy of Marin. But now Sophie faces an even greater threat when she sets out to free the cursed kingdom of Palinar from its beastly prince. Alone, and with danger on every side, Sophie must navigate a magical castle and its even more mysterious master to discover the secret to breaking the curse.
Except the more time she spends with Prince Dominic, the more she starts to question who exactly she's supposed to be saving. With time running out for the trapped inhabitants, and the reappearance of an old enemy, Sophie may have to choose between saving the kingdom and following her heart.
In this reimagining of the classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast, Beauty will have to use all of her strength and intelligence if she is to outwit her enemies, break a curse and find true love.
Book 3 - A Crown of Snow and Ice: A Retelling of The Snow Queen
An unexpected gift from her godmother will give Celine enough fire to take on an entire kingdom of snow and ice. But first she needs to melt one frozen prince.
Rumors have long swirled about the strange kingdom of Eldon. The only thing more frozen than its mountains are the inhabitants themselves. But Princess Celine has never backed away from a challenge, so she eagerly accepts an invitation to visit.
Yet the situation in Eldon is even worse than Celine feared. And if the kingdom is to have any hope of freedom or a future, she's going to have to call on new skills and new allies--including the crown prince, Oliver. But against an enemy stronger and colder than ice, all her fire may not be enough.
In this reimagining of the classic fairy tale, The Snow Queen, one princess is ready to burn down everything in her path to save those she loves and their kingdom with them.
29 pages, Audible Audio
Published March 2, 2021
262 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Cellier
125 books2,725 followersMelanie Cellier grew up on a staple diet of books, books and more books. And although she got older, she never stopped loving children’s and young adult novels.
She always wanted to write one herself, but it took three careers and three different continents before she actually managed it.
She now feels incredibly fortunate to spend her time writing from her home in Adelaide, Australia where she keeps an eye out for koalas in her backyard. Her staple diet hasn’t changed much, although she’s added choc mint Rooibos tea and Chicken Crimpies to the list.
She writes young adult fantasy including her Spoken Mage series, and her Four Kingdoms and Beyond the Four Kingdoms series which are made up of linked stand-alone stories that retell classic fairy tales.
She now feels incredibly fortunate to spend her time writing from her home in Adelaide, Australia where she keeps an eye out for koalas in her backyard. Her staple diet hasn’t changed much, although she’s added choc mint Rooibos tea and Chicken Crimpies to the list.
She writes young adult fantasy including her Spoken Mage series, and her Four Kingdoms and Beyond the Four Kingdoms series which are made up of linked stand-alone stories that retell classic fairy tales.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 29, 2019
Beyond the Kingdom Boxset 1
Beyond the Four Kingdoms Boxset:
A Dance of Silver and Shadow
A daring story full of dangerous trails, forbidden love and ancient traditions. I really enjoyed the story and the suspense I couldn’t put it down!
A Tale if Beauty and Beast
Fantastic! I really enjoyed this retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I loved the characters and how the story played out. I really enjoyed the interactions and watching the love develop between them.
A Crown of Snow and Ice
Enjoyable. A great retelling of Snow White filled with chilling twists and turns that kept me reading. The characters were fun to read and I loved their fierce fearlessness.
Beyond the Four Kingdoms Boxset:
A Dance of Silver and Shadow
A daring story full of dangerous trails, forbidden love and ancient traditions. I really enjoyed the story and the suspense I couldn’t put it down!
A Tale if Beauty and Beast
Fantastic! I really enjoyed this retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I loved the characters and how the story played out. I really enjoyed the interactions and watching the love develop between them.
A Crown of Snow and Ice
Enjoyable. A great retelling of Snow White filled with chilling twists and turns that kept me reading. The characters were fun to read and I loved their fierce fearlessness.
March 26, 2024
It seems I am woefully ignorant of fairy tales. I wasn’t familiar with any of the original stories included in this series, so didn’t have expectations on how they should play out. I’m not sure how far off the original Cellier led me, but I love how she connected and wove together the different tales.
1 - The Twelve Dancing Princesses
5 stars. I loved this book! I quickly became caught up in the thrill and danger of the tournament, and I love the overall focus on honor, courage, and sacrifice. There was political intrigue, action, and (of course) a super sweet romance. The ending was great and flowed seamlessly into the next book.
2 - Beauty and The Beast
4 stars. While I enjoyed it, this one is slower and the ending a bit cornier. It’s more focused on relationship building, which cuts down on the action overall… but it’s still good and I like how it tied into book 1.
3 - The Snow Queen
5 stars. This is another excellent book! It has a great balance between love story, adventure, and mystery. I liked how book 1 opened for it, introducing the strange characters that receive the focus here. I actually thought I might have had some knowledge of the Snow Queen story after having read KM Shea’s telling of it last month, but the two were nothing alike and I have no idea which (if either) is aligned with the original.
Content:
There’s no foul language or sex. The romance is clean and there was no real violence to speak of. There is mention of a High King (lands that have turned from Him are cursed) and the godmothers appear to act as gift-bestowing guardian angels… but I wouldn’t call it Christian.
Note, I didn’t realize there is an earlier Four Kingdoms series until I was already well into this one. I don’t feel like I missed too much context having started here, but if considering the series yourself, you may try starting at the beginning ☺️
1 - The Twelve Dancing Princesses
5 stars. I loved this book! I quickly became caught up in the thrill and danger of the tournament, and I love the overall focus on honor, courage, and sacrifice. There was political intrigue, action, and (of course) a super sweet romance. The ending was great and flowed seamlessly into the next book.
2 - Beauty and The Beast
4 stars. While I enjoyed it, this one is slower and the ending a bit cornier. It’s more focused on relationship building, which cuts down on the action overall… but it’s still good and I like how it tied into book 1.
3 - The Snow Queen
5 stars. This is another excellent book! It has a great balance between love story, adventure, and mystery. I liked how book 1 opened for it, introducing the strange characters that receive the focus here. I actually thought I might have had some knowledge of the Snow Queen story after having read KM Shea’s telling of it last month, but the two were nothing alike and I have no idea which (if either) is aligned with the original.
Content:
There’s no foul language or sex. The romance is clean and there was no real violence to speak of. There is mention of a High King (lands that have turned from Him are cursed) and the godmothers appear to act as gift-bestowing guardian angels… but I wouldn’t call it Christian.
Note, I didn’t realize there is an earlier Four Kingdoms series until I was already well into this one. I don’t feel like I missed too much context having started here, but if considering the series yourself, you may try starting at the beginning ☺️
February 23, 2024
It's hard to write a review on a box set, tbh.
A Dance of Silver and Shadow was kind of mind-blowing, if only because it raised so many questions and made me anticipate the rest of the series.
A Tale of Beauty and Beast was so frustrating. I just wanted to stick them in a room together and tell them they could come out after they'd had a long talk, lol. But this is honestly a tough story to tell, if only because it's already set in stone. (I do have a favorite version, but you'll have to check my shelf to find it, lol.)
A Crown of Snow and Ice was pretty exhilarating. I was dying for her to finally have her very, very own story. The romantic aspect didn't work out quite as expected, but they seem happy enough.
A Dance of Silver and Shadow was kind of mind-blowing, if only because it raised so many questions and made me anticipate the rest of the series.
A Tale of Beauty and Beast was so frustrating. I just wanted to stick them in a room together and tell them they could come out after they'd had a long talk, lol. But this is honestly a tough story to tell, if only because it's already set in stone. (I do have a favorite version, but you'll have to check my shelf to find it, lol.)
A Crown of Snow and Ice was pretty exhilarating. I was dying for her to finally have her very, very own story. The romantic aspect didn't work out quite as expected, but they seem happy enough.
July 22, 2024
Love these stories
I love the world created by this author, the four king6y0⁰0doms and now beyond into new lands. Though these are the first books in a spin off series, they were the first I read by Melanie Cellier, and they definitely can be read as stand-alones. However don't be surprised if you find you MUST read the earlier series, not to mention the remaining ones in this series. After that I highly recommend all her other books like the Voice of Power.
I love the world created by this author, the four king6y0⁰0doms and now beyond into new lands. Though these are the first books in a spin off series, they were the first I read by Melanie Cellier, and they definitely can be read as stand-alones. However don't be surprised if you find you MUST read the earlier series, not to mention the remaining ones in this series. After that I highly recommend all her other books like the Voice of Power.
November 21, 2023
Superb series, very enjoyable and entertaining!!!!!
Congratulations to Melanie Cellier for another amazing series. It’s hard to find such an interesting and exciting author who not only writes intelligently but also provides top rated plots, characters and excitement in the stories.
Congratulations to Melanie Cellier for another amazing series. It’s hard to find such an interesting and exciting author who not only writes intelligently but also provides top rated plots, characters and excitement in the stories.
March 10, 2024
Always an enjoyable escape from reality!
A wonderful fairytale from our youth remade for current times. The author keeps it always interesting and very difficult to stop reading! A book to return to whenever a free moment presents itself. Leaves you always eager to start the next story.
A wonderful fairytale from our youth remade for current times. The author keeps it always interesting and very difficult to stop reading! A book to return to whenever a free moment presents itself. Leaves you always eager to start the next story.
August 22, 2024
Nice fairy tale retellings
I enjoyed the second book the most, the first was also nice but Celine's story was a bit tedious at times. What I wasn't such a big fan of was how much the main male characters were made more like side characters rather than sharing the spotlight with the main females ones.
I enjoyed the second book the most, the first was also nice but Celine's story was a bit tedious at times. What I wasn't such a big fan of was how much the main male characters were made more like side characters rather than sharing the spotlight with the main females ones.
February 17, 2025
Absolutely Beautiful Writing
My daughter loves these books - she adores this authors writing. If she listening to the audio I’ll hear her start giggling or she’ll run to where I am and read a small piece and then tell me why she loves that bit so much.
Highly recommend this author and all of her books.
My daughter loves these books - she adores this authors writing. If she listening to the audio I’ll hear her start giggling or she’ll run to where I am and read a small piece and then tell me why she loves that bit so much.
Highly recommend this author and all of her books.
April 29, 2019
Incredibly clever
Very clever reimaginings of some classic tales. I particularly love Beauty and the Beast and this tale makes so much more sense than the classic and/or Disney one does.
Very clever reimaginings of some classic tales. I particularly love Beauty and the Beast and this tale makes so much more sense than the classic and/or Disney one does.
August 15, 2020
All the books by Melanie are lovely retellings. Enjoyable and easy to follow but not so predictable that it is boring. Romance but believable/not sickening romance. Good lessons too about making your own way in life. A very nice light read.
April 3, 2021
Fun
Imagine a world where God mother's bestow magical gifts at christenings. A revisiting of fairy tales where princesses are pitched at great evil, which they must overcome before they can find love . Wonderful stories, loved these stories
Imagine a world where God mother's bestow magical gifts at christenings. A revisiting of fairy tales where princesses are pitched at great evil, which they must overcome before they can find love . Wonderful stories, loved these stories
January 12, 2024
I have submitted reviews for each of the titles contained within this series set box. If you wish to read those reviews refer to the individual titles.
I have listened to this set box via audiobooks under Audible Membership.
I have listened to this set box via audiobooks under Audible Membership.
August 2, 2020
Delightful
These are lovely as stand alone books but more wonderful when you read them together. Happy they are mine to reread over and over again.
These are lovely as stand alone books but more wonderful when you read them together. Happy they are mine to reread over and over again.
February 9, 2021
LOVE this series! Clean! My favorite!
April 18, 2021
Nice, fluffy but not too saccharine.
A perfect blend of sweet and bitter as she retells these classic tales.
A perfect blend of sweet and bitter as she retells these classic tales.
June 26, 2021
I recommend it if you love retelling of Disney stories.
February 13, 2022
Very well written
The story was very efficient and well written. All of the details were there and the only loose ends that she left she left for the next couple books.
The story was very efficient and well written. All of the details were there and the only loose ends that she left she left for the next couple books.
December 30, 2023
Loved these stories. Totally fine for my teens to read.
February 29, 2024
I love this series! The heroins are all amazing and have growth and the heroes are swoon worthy!
October 6, 2024
THAT is how you rewrite fairytales!
April 28, 2025
The first book was nice.
Book 2 - what happened to Sophie's personality? I could barely stomach her.
Book 3 - way too boring for a book about spirited Celine.
Book 2 - what happened to Sophie's personality? I could barely stomach her.
Book 3 - way too boring for a book about spirited Celine.
May 13, 2025
3.5 stars. I loved the second story, "A Tale of Beauty and Beast" but the first and third stories were just OK.
June 6, 2025
The little mermaid retelling was my favorite by far! It was hard to get through the swan princess retelling though..
June 23, 2025
These really are my favorites out of all of Melanie Cellier’s books, and I was glad to get the chance to listen to the audio.
November 1, 2022
If you like a well written book that is a sweet romance with lot of adventure and clever characters read this set of storys.
June 26, 2024
Book 1 - A Dance of Silver and Shadow - A reimagining of The Twelve Dancing Princesses.
Book 2 - A Tale of Beauty and the Beast.
Book 3 - A Crown of Snow and Ice - A reimagining of The Snow Queen.
This series is about three of the younger princesses from the Four Kingdoms who cross the seas to visit a series of kingdoms that have been long forgotten. Their adventures start by being entered into a tourney, the winner will become betrothed to ‘The Beast’. The kingdoms in these realms are blighted by curses which the princesses strive to break. The question is will the High King help once true love is found in these kingdoms?
Again, Cellier has done an amazing job creating these new kingdoms and retelling classic tales. A Dance of Silver and Shadow was without doubt my favourite book in this box set.
Book 2 - A Tale of Beauty and the Beast.
Book 3 - A Crown of Snow and Ice - A reimagining of The Snow Queen.
This series is about three of the younger princesses from the Four Kingdoms who cross the seas to visit a series of kingdoms that have been long forgotten. Their adventures start by being entered into a tourney, the winner will become betrothed to ‘The Beast’. The kingdoms in these realms are blighted by curses which the princesses strive to break. The question is will the High King help once true love is found in these kingdoms?
Again, Cellier has done an amazing job creating these new kingdoms and retelling classic tales. A Dance of Silver and Shadow was without doubt my favourite book in this box set.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews