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Enchantment Retold #1
Smoke, Steel, & Ivy: A Fairy Tale Retelling
Princess Ivy knows her war-ravaged kingdom of Amadanri is in trouble. The only hope she has of keeping her people, including her eleven sisters, safe is by implementing a decisive new strategy—and soon. Invasion is imminent as soon as the winter snows melt. Ivy knows the war could be won with technological innovation in the form of a machine so powerful it would end the conflict once and for all, but she can’t build a war engine alone.
Enter Major Collin, a disgraced officer imprisoned for desertion and charged with treason. Yet beneath his jaded exterior lies a mind as sharp as any blade. He may be the only person who can help Ivy bring a peaceful end to the war, but what sort of woman would ever trust a traitor? A desperate woman. Collin joins Ivy’s task force, and their uneasy alliance sparks with tension and unexpected romance. But trust, like peace, is a fragile thing, and as secrets unravel, Ivy must decide: can she gamble her heart and her kingdom’s fate on a traitor who could destroy everything?
Smoke, Steel, & Ivy is a reimagining of the fairy tale “The Twelve Dancing Princesses.” It’s perfect for readers who crave adventure, happily-ever-afters, and a smoldering romance without explicit content.
Enter Major Collin, a disgraced officer imprisoned for desertion and charged with treason. Yet beneath his jaded exterior lies a mind as sharp as any blade. He may be the only person who can help Ivy bring a peaceful end to the war, but what sort of woman would ever trust a traitor? A desperate woman. Collin joins Ivy’s task force, and their uneasy alliance sparks with tension and unexpected romance. But trust, like peace, is a fragile thing, and as secrets unravel, Ivy must decide: can she gamble her heart and her kingdom’s fate on a traitor who could destroy everything?
Smoke, Steel, & Ivy is a reimagining of the fairy tale “The Twelve Dancing Princesses.” It’s perfect for readers who crave adventure, happily-ever-afters, and a smoldering romance without explicit content.
417 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 26, 2022
24 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Amy Trent
7 books24 followersI'm Amy Trent, and I write cozy fantasy, sweet romance, fairy tale retellings, and various concoctions of the aforementioned. Banter is my favorite thing to read and write. But characters who are so well written they become friends are also my favorite. And cookies. Cookies are always my favorite too.
If you are a fan of any of the above, let's talk! Let's talk books! Let's talk fairy tales! Let's talk about what makes for the best, swooniest banter!
Embrace your cozy and subscribe to my monthly newsletter. Subscribers receive my novella, Curses, Diamonds, & Toads, for FREE. https://amytrent.com/newsletter/
If you are a fan of any of the above, let's talk! Let's talk books! Let's talk fairy tales! Let's talk about what makes for the best, swooniest banter!
Embrace your cozy and subscribe to my monthly newsletter. Subscribers receive my novella, Curses, Diamonds, & Toads, for FREE. https://amytrent.com/newsletter/
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 13, 2022
4.5 --
I loved Ivy, her story, her struggle and her triumph. So many characters but each had a voice and I thought I would get lost in them but I didn't. I could’ve have read more about Ivy and the Steampunks.
Amy has a way with words that kept me turning page after page!
I loved Ivy, her story, her struggle and her triumph. So many characters but each had a voice and I thought I would get lost in them but I didn't. I could’ve have read more about Ivy and the Steampunks.
Amy has a way with words that kept me turning page after page!
June 4, 2022
4.6 --
I loved Ivy, her story, her struggle and her triumph. So many characters but each had a voice and I thought I would get lost in them but I didn't. I could’ve have read more about Ivy and the Steampunks.
Amy has a way with words that kept me turning page after page!
I loved Ivy, her story, her struggle and her triumph. So many characters but each had a voice and I thought I would get lost in them but I didn't. I could’ve have read more about Ivy and the Steampunks.
Amy has a way with words that kept me turning page after page!
April 15, 2022
Ok - it’s taken me a hot second to actually sit down and write this review (there are potentially a few mini spoilers) but here we are. I was lucky enough to receive an eARC copy for this book (cannot believe I got picked - especially as I think it’s my first ever ARC so thank you Amy).
Smoke, Steel & Ivy is a retelling of The 12 dancing princess (I will preface that I haven’t actually read the original).
The book is very much a tale of two halves with the initial focus on Ivy trying to win a war for her Kingdom by bringing together her sisters (there are 12 so try and keep up) who all have talents in different areas including STEM & the ARTs (which we love to see) along with Major Collin and his slightly suspicious male friends. The second half is about Collin trying to win Ivy’s heart via a series of mind boggling tasks.
The sisterly love and teasing made for some light hearted moments. I really enjoyed how they all had their own strengths and talents to bring to the table. While at the same time going after who they loved even if they were in the middle of a war.
Whilst magic is not at the forefront of this book it is woven into the story subtly and grows the further along you get. Who doesn’t want fairy godmothers who appear out of nowhere invite you to a party?
The romance between Ivy and Collin is slow to burn but is beautiful written. I found myself rooting for them from the moment they met - I will admit that I like a little bit more spice but that’s my personal preference and in all honestly more spice in this content wouldn’t have worked with how Amy has set up the story.
If you’re after a retelling that is fresh, whimsical, has strong characters, moments that will make you laugh out loud, sprinkled with magic and light romance then this is the book for you.
Smoke, Steel & Ivy is a retelling of The 12 dancing princess (I will preface that I haven’t actually read the original).
The book is very much a tale of two halves with the initial focus on Ivy trying to win a war for her Kingdom by bringing together her sisters (there are 12 so try and keep up) who all have talents in different areas including STEM & the ARTs (which we love to see) along with Major Collin and his slightly suspicious male friends. The second half is about Collin trying to win Ivy’s heart via a series of mind boggling tasks.
The sisterly love and teasing made for some light hearted moments. I really enjoyed how they all had their own strengths and talents to bring to the table. While at the same time going after who they loved even if they were in the middle of a war.
Whilst magic is not at the forefront of this book it is woven into the story subtly and grows the further along you get. Who doesn’t want fairy godmothers who appear out of nowhere invite you to a party?
The romance between Ivy and Collin is slow to burn but is beautiful written. I found myself rooting for them from the moment they met - I will admit that I like a little bit more spice but that’s my personal preference and in all honestly more spice in this content wouldn’t have worked with how Amy has set up the story.
If you’re after a retelling that is fresh, whimsical, has strong characters, moments that will make you laugh out loud, sprinkled with magic and light romance then this is the book for you.
September 8, 2022
I don’t think this book needed to be a fairy tale retelling. All of the elements of the original story (the dancing, the shoes, the 12 princesses) felt shoehorned into an unrelated steampunk romance. The author certainly wasn’t able to keep track of all 12 princesses. That isn’t to say I didn’t like it, because I did, but in some places it felt like two disparate ideas that didn’t entirely meld.
April 13, 2022
When I finish a book I plan on reviewing, I like to skim other reviews to help organize my thoughts and figure out what needs to be said most. I can’t do that with this book, because there are no other reviews to skim. That’s going to make this review all the more raw as I can never seem to censor the things that could go unsaid.
With that out of the way: oh. my. god.
While having no memory of applying for an ARC of this book, I have never been happier to receive one.
I devoured this book over the past two days. Every free moment was spent pouring over it. I had to know what happened next. It had me in its clutches.
If you asked me to describe this book in one word I would say refreshing. Refreshing because after so many young adult books (especially shoved full of fantasy world-building) cluttered with information and romance sweeter than taffy (gumming up your teeth, too) it was refreshing to have a book with a perfectly paced plot that didn’t get hung up over impossible details but instead lent itself to a wider, more mature scope and had the kind of romance that made sense in the setting and didn’t overshadow everything else. Speaking of romance—it was wonderful to see a book with the right priorities. I mean, it’s romantic to think about falling in love in dangerous circumstances, but in a real situation—like trying to end a pointless war—romance will be pushed to the side. So during the first half we see clear sparks between Ivy and Collin that have to be shoved aside until there is time to focus on it. Which we get.
There are so many books out there boasting of retelling a classic fairy tale. Just to be clear—I love them. I have a shelf full of fairy tale retellings. But they can be done terribly, and I’ve read some pretty terrible ones. This one does a wonderful job of not shoving the fact that it’s a retelling down your throat. The midnight balls don’t even start until later on. Also, I don’t have much experience with this specific fairy tale—my only one being Barbie and the Twelve Dancing Princesses (which I love)—but from what I do know, it’s good. Two thumbs up from me.
The princesses! I’ll start off with a complaint: with so many of them, it was hard to keep track. I forgot Angelica and Rachel even existed until after the second half began. But I guess that comes with the territory of having twelve sisters at the forefront of the book, say nothing of the side characters. I did love the relationships the sisters had and the banter between them, however. It was done very well and made me very happy.
I forgot to mention this until now. Amy Trent, I am obsessed with your writing style. It’s like magic in its own right! I would literally read a paragraph of you writing about your morning routine. I love it. The way you craft dialogue and seamlessly weave in setting creation (something I struggle with) left me breathless at times.
The characters were interesting! I genuinely wanted to know more about them. I wanted to know the most boring things I could just so I could know all about them. I especially loved following Ivy’s arc from start to finish. It was complicated and messy and real. We saw her struggle to save her kingdom, put everyone’s needs before her own (even to the point they were upset with her) and get no recognition of everything she’d done. We see her grow bitter, lashing out at her sisters, falling apart and desperate to save them from their father, only to stand up to him at the end and demand what she and the country deserved. Oh, and her obsession for chocolate? Here for it. It was also nice to see a headstrong, well-rounded female main character that didn’t get what she wanted by relying on a man or tearing into other women. I don’t always get along with female main characters, but Ivy made me want to dance around to room. I would die for her. In addition, I love Collin more than life itself. Yes, he lied to Ivy and he shouldn’t have. But he had to earn her forgiveness and trust again, and she didn’t get over his transgressions, which was a wonderful relief from the normal in this genre (looking at you, Feyre). He also understood what Ivy needed in a husband and was willing to provide it for her while not trying to take over the kingdom because he knew she was what the country needed. Oh, and Collin simping over Ivy at every turn gave me LIFE.
I also love how this book has magic that isn’t at the forefront. It’s something that exists and affects the plot but the story doesn’t revolve around magic. It’s also whimsical and beautiful. And a book with fae that doesn’t involve a 700-year-old man and an 18-year-old girl? Thank you so much.
Things I noticed on my own and felt very clever because of it: Jade being pregnant (me liking a pregnancy trope? Well, it made since and didn’t put a woman in an impossible position so I have no complaints), Collin stole Ivy’s watch, the cloak making the wearer invisible and therefore Collin had snuck into Olivia’s shop and left the tie for Ivy. Also, them inventing the bike, typewriter, and freezer? Love it. Florence mentioning the fact that someone “Finally invented the bike?” DECEASED.
I’m almost done I swear. I loved the representation. It was done perfectly because no extra attention is drawn to it and the girls tease Rachel just as they’d teased Ivy about Collin, but support her no matter what. And the same with Morty and his lover! Everyone is happy to see them reunited.
I will confess I want more of this world and these characters, even in a novella, but I’m not too starry-eyed to see that their story is over and there probably won’t be any more books about them (I will be absorbing that extra content soon though).
Finally, my favorite scene was by far the honeymoon jam scene in the lake house, followed very closely by the scene in the closet at the palace.
In conclusion, I enjoyed this book more than I ever could have imagined, and have very little complaints. It was well written, well plotted-out, and well-rounded. I will be eagerly awaiting the next book by the Goddess Amy Trent and will recommend this book until the end of time. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go cry with the knowledge that because this book isn’t even out yet there is no fanart of Ivy and Collin for me to fawn over.
With that out of the way: oh. my. god.
While having no memory of applying for an ARC of this book, I have never been happier to receive one.
I devoured this book over the past two days. Every free moment was spent pouring over it. I had to know what happened next. It had me in its clutches.
If you asked me to describe this book in one word I would say refreshing. Refreshing because after so many young adult books (especially shoved full of fantasy world-building) cluttered with information and romance sweeter than taffy (gumming up your teeth, too) it was refreshing to have a book with a perfectly paced plot that didn’t get hung up over impossible details but instead lent itself to a wider, more mature scope and had the kind of romance that made sense in the setting and didn’t overshadow everything else. Speaking of romance—it was wonderful to see a book with the right priorities. I mean, it’s romantic to think about falling in love in dangerous circumstances, but in a real situation—like trying to end a pointless war—romance will be pushed to the side. So during the first half we see clear sparks between Ivy and Collin that have to be shoved aside until there is time to focus on it. Which we get.
There are so many books out there boasting of retelling a classic fairy tale. Just to be clear—I love them. I have a shelf full of fairy tale retellings. But they can be done terribly, and I’ve read some pretty terrible ones. This one does a wonderful job of not shoving the fact that it’s a retelling down your throat. The midnight balls don’t even start until later on. Also, I don’t have much experience with this specific fairy tale—my only one being Barbie and the Twelve Dancing Princesses (which I love)—but from what I do know, it’s good. Two thumbs up from me.
The princesses! I’ll start off with a complaint: with so many of them, it was hard to keep track. I forgot Angelica and Rachel even existed until after the second half began. But I guess that comes with the territory of having twelve sisters at the forefront of the book, say nothing of the side characters. I did love the relationships the sisters had and the banter between them, however. It was done very well and made me very happy.
I forgot to mention this until now. Amy Trent, I am obsessed with your writing style. It’s like magic in its own right! I would literally read a paragraph of you writing about your morning routine. I love it. The way you craft dialogue and seamlessly weave in setting creation (something I struggle with) left me breathless at times.
The characters were interesting! I genuinely wanted to know more about them. I wanted to know the most boring things I could just so I could know all about them. I especially loved following Ivy’s arc from start to finish. It was complicated and messy and real. We saw her struggle to save her kingdom, put everyone’s needs before her own (even to the point they were upset with her) and get no recognition of everything she’d done. We see her grow bitter, lashing out at her sisters, falling apart and desperate to save them from their father, only to stand up to him at the end and demand what she and the country deserved. Oh, and her obsession for chocolate? Here for it. It was also nice to see a headstrong, well-rounded female main character that didn’t get what she wanted by relying on a man or tearing into other women. I don’t always get along with female main characters, but Ivy made me want to dance around to room. I would die for her. In addition, I love Collin more than life itself. Yes, he lied to Ivy and he shouldn’t have. But he had to earn her forgiveness and trust again, and she didn’t get over his transgressions, which was a wonderful relief from the normal in this genre (looking at you, Feyre). He also understood what Ivy needed in a husband and was willing to provide it for her while not trying to take over the kingdom because he knew she was what the country needed. Oh, and Collin simping over Ivy at every turn gave me LIFE.
I also love how this book has magic that isn’t at the forefront. It’s something that exists and affects the plot but the story doesn’t revolve around magic. It’s also whimsical and beautiful. And a book with fae that doesn’t involve a 700-year-old man and an 18-year-old girl? Thank you so much.
Things I noticed on my own and felt very clever because of it: Jade being pregnant (me liking a pregnancy trope? Well, it made since and didn’t put a woman in an impossible position so I have no complaints), Collin stole Ivy’s watch, the cloak making the wearer invisible and therefore Collin had snuck into Olivia’s shop and left the tie for Ivy. Also, them inventing the bike, typewriter, and freezer? Love it. Florence mentioning the fact that someone “Finally invented the bike?” DECEASED.
I’m almost done I swear. I loved the representation. It was done perfectly because no extra attention is drawn to it and the girls tease Rachel just as they’d teased Ivy about Collin, but support her no matter what. And the same with Morty and his lover! Everyone is happy to see them reunited.
I will confess I want more of this world and these characters, even in a novella, but I’m not too starry-eyed to see that their story is over and there probably won’t be any more books about them (I will be absorbing that extra content soon though).
Finally, my favorite scene was by far the honeymoon jam scene in the lake house, followed very closely by the scene in the closet at the palace.
In conclusion, I enjoyed this book more than I ever could have imagined, and have very little complaints. It was well written, well plotted-out, and well-rounded. I will be eagerly awaiting the next book by the Goddess Amy Trent and will recommend this book until the end of time. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go cry with the knowledge that because this book isn’t even out yet there is no fanart of Ivy and Collin for me to fawn over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2022
I received an eARC of this book and went in (mostly) blind. I knew it was a 12 Dancing Princesses reimagining, but that was about it. The story is in two parts, set around Ivy, our eldest princess who is trying to hold the country together while being a maternal figure for her younger sisters, and Collin, a soldier she enlists to help her find a solution to the war.
If you enjoy romance, with a fantasy spin, I recommend you check out this book!
Overall, I enjoyed this fun read. It almost felt like reading two books in a series to me, with the first part wrapping up a major plot point and the second introducing a new one. I loved reading about the dynamic between the 12 sisters and enjoyed learning about the different skills each one had. I enjoyed the technological spin and STEM incorporation into this book, which was evident in many of the character's insights. The games were so entertaining to read, especially since we were able to see both points of view.
Note: There are some slight spoilers from here out
Thank you to the author for sending me an eARC of this book!
If you enjoy romance, with a fantasy spin, I recommend you check out this book!
Overall, I enjoyed this fun read. It almost felt like reading two books in a series to me, with the first part wrapping up a major plot point and the second introducing a new one. I loved reading about the dynamic between the 12 sisters and enjoyed learning about the different skills each one had. I enjoyed the technological spin and STEM incorporation into this book, which was evident in many of the character's insights. The games were so entertaining to read, especially since we were able to see both points of view.
Note: There are some slight spoilers from here out
Thank you to the author for sending me an eARC of this book!
June 23, 2022
First of all, I would like to congratulate Amy for the successful release of her second novel. As an aspiring author myself, it's inspiring to witness others achieving their dreams.
Secondly, I would like to apologise for being late in reading the ARC. My exams intervened and I wanted only to start when my mind would be relaxed.
I would give this book 3 stars out of 5.
⭐- The storyline is extremely intelligent. The scenes brim with brilliance. I loved the way modern pieces were sewn into the retelling.
⭐- Though, Ivy and Collin failed to be my favorite, Pen and Tim got my heart. Their playful banter, being best friends and Tim's shyness, constituted the perfect combination.
⭐- The sibling bond was portrayed realistically. Yeah, we fight, we get angry, we taunt each other. But, at last, we are the ones we love each other the most.
⭐🚫- The prose could have been made more engaging. Somewhere, the application of too many hard words ruined the impact. It felt as if they were just pulled out of the dictionary. We don't always need tougher words to set up the ambience. Sometimes, normal words acquire which difficult ones can't.
⭐🚫- The emotional jabs didn't hit at the right places. The twists felt good to chew on but didn't shock me.
🐱- When I read the excerpt of the author's next novel 'The Forgotten Storyteller ' I found it to be much, much, much more compelling than Smoke, Steel and Ivy. It is evident that she is improving her style.
🐱- Thank you so much Amy, for giving me a chance to read this ARC.
🐱- The cover is really no enchanting. Looking forward to your next work!
Secondly, I would like to apologise for being late in reading the ARC. My exams intervened and I wanted only to start when my mind would be relaxed.
I would give this book 3 stars out of 5.
⭐- The storyline is extremely intelligent. The scenes brim with brilliance. I loved the way modern pieces were sewn into the retelling.
⭐- Though, Ivy and Collin failed to be my favorite, Pen and Tim got my heart. Their playful banter, being best friends and Tim's shyness, constituted the perfect combination.
⭐- The sibling bond was portrayed realistically. Yeah, we fight, we get angry, we taunt each other. But, at last, we are the ones we love each other the most.
⭐🚫- The prose could have been made more engaging. Somewhere, the application of too many hard words ruined the impact. It felt as if they were just pulled out of the dictionary. We don't always need tougher words to set up the ambience. Sometimes, normal words acquire which difficult ones can't.
⭐🚫- The emotional jabs didn't hit at the right places. The twists felt good to chew on but didn't shock me.
🐱- When I read the excerpt of the author's next novel 'The Forgotten Storyteller ' I found it to be much, much, much more compelling than Smoke, Steel and Ivy. It is evident that she is improving her style.
🐱- Thank you so much Amy, for giving me a chance to read this ARC.
🐱- The cover is really no enchanting. Looking forward to your next work!
August 8, 2022
I read @authoramytrent’s first novel, My Cosplay Escape, at the beginning of this year - and LOVED it - so I was thrilled to receive an eARC of her second novel that is releasing tomorrow, April 26!
Smoke, Steel & Ivy is a fairytale reimagining of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, but with so many fun and unique surprises. Things I loved about this book:
✨Ivy. She is the oldest daughter of the king, and takes it upon herself to basically run the kingdom, win a war, and care for her younger sisters, never receiving the credit she deserves. She is practical and quirky and cunning and resourceful, and I loved everything about her. Also, her obsession with hot chocolate!
✨The banter. Amy really knows how to write fast, witty, funny dialogue that also feels natural and real. I found myself either laughing out loud or just reading with a smile on my face at how comedic the scenes were.
✨Steampunk setting. I have not read many novels that include steampunk elements, so this was a great surprise. I loved how the characters’ “inventions” fit so well into the story and gave it just a really fun and unique feel.
✨Slow-burn romance. Major Collin is a really great character, and I loved the bit of mystery surrounding his motivations and background. Also, I love how he and the other side characters fit with Ivy and her sisters - lots of flirting and funny moments!
If you like fairytale retellings, with dual POVs, well developed characters, witty banter, with plenty of romance, mystery and hint of magic, definitely check out Smoke, Steel & Ivy!
5/5 ⭐️
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: New Adult
Content: Kisses
Smoke, Steel & Ivy is a fairytale reimagining of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, but with so many fun and unique surprises. Things I loved about this book:
✨Ivy. She is the oldest daughter of the king, and takes it upon herself to basically run the kingdom, win a war, and care for her younger sisters, never receiving the credit she deserves. She is practical and quirky and cunning and resourceful, and I loved everything about her. Also, her obsession with hot chocolate!
✨The banter. Amy really knows how to write fast, witty, funny dialogue that also feels natural and real. I found myself either laughing out loud or just reading with a smile on my face at how comedic the scenes were.
✨Steampunk setting. I have not read many novels that include steampunk elements, so this was a great surprise. I loved how the characters’ “inventions” fit so well into the story and gave it just a really fun and unique feel.
✨Slow-burn romance. Major Collin is a really great character, and I loved the bit of mystery surrounding his motivations and background. Also, I love how he and the other side characters fit with Ivy and her sisters - lots of flirting and funny moments!
If you like fairytale retellings, with dual POVs, well developed characters, witty banter, with plenty of romance, mystery and hint of magic, definitely check out Smoke, Steel & Ivy!
5/5 ⭐️
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: New Adult
Content: Kisses
May 2, 2022
BLURB: Running the kingdom, winning the war, and making sure that her eleven younger sisters are cared for—and not chasing after the gentlemen—is all up to Ivy, now that her father, King Rupert, has remarried.
Ivy has another problem: she's in love with Major Collin. Collin is a man who has no business flirting with a princess in peacetime. Once a treaty has been signed, Ivy must never see him again.
Meanwhile, a still sonless King Rupert announces a contest to choose his heir. Not only will the winner be the future king, but he will marry the princess of his choosing.
Ivy must invent the game that will not only keep her sisters safe from hapless suitors, but will also ensure she didn’t fight a war and lose her heart for nothing...
...
Okay so, it's safe to say I've never read a book like this! It's clever, fast paced; full of lively, funny, warm and charming characters; and set in a familiar but historical world with a touch of magic.
I loved Ivy and the stength and care she shows for all her sisters and her people. Add to that some snappy banter, surprise twists and sweet romance, and you've got a great read ❤️
At a glance: Fantasy/fairy tale retelling. Romance. Mutual pining. I love you, but I shouldn't. STEAMPUNK Women kicking butt in STEM.
PG - No steam/closed door but ALL the feels 😜
Ivy has another problem: she's in love with Major Collin. Collin is a man who has no business flirting with a princess in peacetime. Once a treaty has been signed, Ivy must never see him again.
Meanwhile, a still sonless King Rupert announces a contest to choose his heir. Not only will the winner be the future king, but he will marry the princess of his choosing.
Ivy must invent the game that will not only keep her sisters safe from hapless suitors, but will also ensure she didn’t fight a war and lose her heart for nothing...
...
Okay so, it's safe to say I've never read a book like this! It's clever, fast paced; full of lively, funny, warm and charming characters; and set in a familiar but historical world with a touch of magic.
I loved Ivy and the stength and care she shows for all her sisters and her people. Add to that some snappy banter, surprise twists and sweet romance, and you've got a great read ❤️
At a glance: Fantasy/fairy tale retelling. Romance. Mutual pining. I love you, but I shouldn't. STEAMPUNK Women kicking butt in STEM.
PG - No steam/closed door but ALL the feels 😜
May 2, 2022
BLURB: Running the kingdom, winning the war, and making sure that her eleven younger sisters are cared for—and not chasing after the gentlemen—is all up to Ivy, now that her father, King Rupert, has remarried.
Ivy has another problem: she's in love with Major Collin. Collin is a man who has no business flirting with a princess in peacetime. Once a treaty has been signed, Ivy must never see him again.
Meanwhile, a still sonless King Rupert announces a contest to choose his heir. Not only will the winner be the future king, but he will marry the princess of his choosing.
Ivy must invent the game that will not only keep her sisters safe from hapless suitors, but will also ensure she didn’t fight a war and lose her heart for nothing...
...
Okay so, it's safe to say I've never read a book like this! It's clever, fast paced; full of lively, funny, warm and charming characters; and set in a familiar but historical world with a touch of magic.
I loved Ivy and the stength and care she shows for all her sisters and her people. Add to that some snappy banter, surprise twists and sweet romance, and you've got a great read ❤️
At a glance: Fantasy/fairy tale retelling. Romance. Mutual pining. I love you, but I shouldn't. STEAMPUNK Women kicking butt in STEM.
PG - No steam/closed door but ALL the feels 😜
Ivy has another problem: she's in love with Major Collin. Collin is a man who has no business flirting with a princess in peacetime. Once a treaty has been signed, Ivy must never see him again.
Meanwhile, a still sonless King Rupert announces a contest to choose his heir. Not only will the winner be the future king, but he will marry the princess of his choosing.
Ivy must invent the game that will not only keep her sisters safe from hapless suitors, but will also ensure she didn’t fight a war and lose her heart for nothing...
...
Okay so, it's safe to say I've never read a book like this! It's clever, fast paced; full of lively, funny, warm and charming characters; and set in a familiar but historical world with a touch of magic.
I loved Ivy and the stength and care she shows for all her sisters and her people. Add to that some snappy banter, surprise twists and sweet romance, and you've got a great read ❤️
At a glance: Fantasy/fairy tale retelling. Romance. Mutual pining. I love you, but I shouldn't. STEAMPUNK Women kicking butt in STEM.
PG - No steam/closed door but ALL the feels 😜
June 12, 2022
I loved it ! The four stars are because I felt the ending was « too easy »
October 23, 2022
I struggled with the second half of the book and everyone’s treatment of Ivy.
April 11, 2025
Ivy is a princess. The oldest of 12 daughters, from a variety of mothers and one very amorous king. While he may not have done right by all the mothers, he did bring in every one of his children and give them all the honor and privileges of growing up royal.
Collin is a prisoner, doomed to rot in a dark jail until an overworked government, locked in an unwinnable war, has time to hear his appeal - he was a soldier that refused to kill two young enemy soldiers.
Together, Collin and Ivy might be able to finally stop the war...and maybe find love along the way. But there will be a LOT of bumps in that road. Like...so many. And many, many, many bits of commentary from her 11 younger sisters, each brilliant and each their own person.
Ivy is overworked, shouldering the load of everything her frivolous father deems boring or tedious. Some people still believe in magic, but she's seen precious little in this world to convince her that there's anything beyond lies, truth, and thankless hard work that she gladly shoulders if it means her younger sisters can hold onto their youth a little longer.
This book was long, first off. There's a part one, where a rag tag group has to learn to work together and end a senseless (and unwinnable) war. The second part is an original take on an old fairy tale (12 Dancing Princesses). Ivy was, frankly, hilarious. She's droll and dry and just so over it all. Her sisters adore her, and run the gamut of helpful to moody. Watching her learn to trust that someone, anyone, could possibly have her back was lovely. There was a twist that took me a long time to figure out, but I did manage to work it out just before Ivy did, so that made me feel good.
I wish the ending was just a little more...magical. It felt a little abrupt, after such a long, epic tale where we saw the minutiae of daily life and cheered for Ivy when she got the happily ever after that she needed and wanted.
Notes: Minor and infrequent swearing, LGBTQ characters, characters are assumed to be having sex rather casually, and the king is really a rather poor father with a very high opinion of himself.
Collin is a prisoner, doomed to rot in a dark jail until an overworked government, locked in an unwinnable war, has time to hear his appeal - he was a soldier that refused to kill two young enemy soldiers.
Together, Collin and Ivy might be able to finally stop the war...and maybe find love along the way. But there will be a LOT of bumps in that road. Like...so many. And many, many, many bits of commentary from her 11 younger sisters, each brilliant and each their own person.
Ivy is overworked, shouldering the load of everything her frivolous father deems boring or tedious. Some people still believe in magic, but she's seen precious little in this world to convince her that there's anything beyond lies, truth, and thankless hard work that she gladly shoulders if it means her younger sisters can hold onto their youth a little longer.
This book was long, first off. There's a part one, where a rag tag group has to learn to work together and end a senseless (and unwinnable) war. The second part is an original take on an old fairy tale (12 Dancing Princesses). Ivy was, frankly, hilarious. She's droll and dry and just so over it all. Her sisters adore her, and run the gamut of helpful to moody. Watching her learn to trust that someone, anyone, could possibly have her back was lovely. There was a twist that took me a long time to figure out, but I did manage to work it out just before Ivy did, so that made me feel good.
I wish the ending was just a little more...magical. It felt a little abrupt, after such a long, epic tale where we saw the minutiae of daily life and cheered for Ivy when she got the happily ever after that she needed and wanted.
Notes: Minor and infrequent swearing, LGBTQ characters, characters are assumed to be having sex rather casually, and the king is really a rather poor father with a very high opinion of himself.
July 7, 2025
Excellent steam-punk retelling of 12 Dancing Princesses! I had no idea what to expect, so I was happily surprised by the emotional depth, sharp dialogue, and clever ways the original tale was incorporated into this new version. I felt like only the second half really applied to the original fairy tale, but that was fine, since part 1 was definitely needed to establish context and character arcs.
About the characters, I loved seeing both the virtues and vices of Ivy, Collin, Pen, Trina, and the rest of the gang. It was refreshing to see a practical heroine be both praised and critiqued for her pragmatism, and I enjoyed having a somewhat non-traditional hero in Collin.
The plot was riveting and inventive (quite literally), and I thoroughly enjoyed all the interesting ways that modern inventions were woven into the story. I was definitely confused by the whole "there was magic but now there's not but oh what, maybe there is again?" but it didn't detract from the story at large.
On the romance side, this was closed-door, fade-to-black, but it didn't take away from the sweetness. There are some stolen kisses and mutual pining (not that Ivy really dwells on that fact), and it's definitely a case of "he fell first" AND "he fell harder". Collin is adorably in love with Ivy, and Ivy denying her affection for him is both endearing and frustrating in turns because it's clear WHY she doesn't give in, but we still want her to. I wish a bit more focus was on the other love stories, but that was okay. I will add for the more conservative readers that there are two gay couples in this book, but they aren't given a lot of page-time and are not the focus.
Overall, I think this is going to be one of my new favorites even though steampunk is not normally my genre. Definitely a hidden gem!
About the characters, I loved seeing both the virtues and vices of Ivy, Collin, Pen, Trina, and the rest of the gang. It was refreshing to see a practical heroine be both praised and critiqued for her pragmatism, and I enjoyed having a somewhat non-traditional hero in Collin.
The plot was riveting and inventive (quite literally), and I thoroughly enjoyed all the interesting ways that modern inventions were woven into the story. I was definitely confused by the whole "there was magic but now there's not but oh what, maybe there is again?" but it didn't detract from the story at large.
On the romance side, this was closed-door, fade-to-black, but it didn't take away from the sweetness. There are some stolen kisses and mutual pining (not that Ivy really dwells on that fact), and it's definitely a case of "he fell first" AND "he fell harder". Collin is adorably in love with Ivy, and Ivy denying her affection for him is both endearing and frustrating in turns because it's clear WHY she doesn't give in, but we still want her to. I wish a bit more focus was on the other love stories, but that was okay. I will add for the more conservative readers that there are two gay couples in this book, but they aren't given a lot of page-time and are not the focus.
Overall, I think this is going to be one of my new favorites even though steampunk is not normally my genre. Definitely a hidden gem!
March 19, 2025
Smoke, Steel, & Ivy is the first book in Amy Trent’s Enchantment Retold Collection, and it will transport you to the space of Once Upon a Time. The novel opens with Ivy, the eldest daughter of a newly-remarried King Rupert, telling her little sister a fairy tale. Ivy is one of twelve sisters, known in traditional fairy tales as The Twelve Dancing Princesses, and she has a lot of responsibility on her shoulders. When King Rupert arranges a contest to choose an heir to marry one of his daughters, Ivy is put under even more pressure because she has fallen in love with a common soldier named Major Collin. In order to protect her sisters from bad marriages and find her happily-ever-after with the man she loves, Ivy must depend on the magic she encounters in the world and the magic she stores in her heart.
Trent’s Enchantment Retold Collection is much more than a series of fairy tale retellings. Trent examines lesser known tales in her work, following her Twelve Dancing Princesses inspired novel with retellings of Kate Crackernuts in Clever, Cursed, and Storied and tales of kind and unkind girls in Curses, Diamonds, and Toads. Trent’s characters are engaging and her narratives will keep readers turning the page, but she excels at her examination of the power of storytelling itself. In Smoke, Steel, & Ivy, Trent has created a contemporary heroine struggling with traditional restrictions, and she manages to sweep readers away with a sweet romance that will leave them wanting to know more about the enchanted landscape she has created. Smoke, Steel & Ivy will steal your heart, and when you finish it, the second and third installments in Amy Trent’s series will be waiting for you. I loved this book!
Trent’s Enchantment Retold Collection is much more than a series of fairy tale retellings. Trent examines lesser known tales in her work, following her Twelve Dancing Princesses inspired novel with retellings of Kate Crackernuts in Clever, Cursed, and Storied and tales of kind and unkind girls in Curses, Diamonds, and Toads. Trent’s characters are engaging and her narratives will keep readers turning the page, but she excels at her examination of the power of storytelling itself. In Smoke, Steel, & Ivy, Trent has created a contemporary heroine struggling with traditional restrictions, and she manages to sweep readers away with a sweet romance that will leave them wanting to know more about the enchanted landscape she has created. Smoke, Steel & Ivy will steal your heart, and when you finish it, the second and third installments in Amy Trent’s series will be waiting for you. I loved this book!
April 19, 2025
DNF. what am I reading? I picked up this book because of the cover , thinking It was some sort of fantasy/romantasy, but it feels like a World War II historical novel. I got 10% of the way in and just decided this was not for me. The cover and title was all wrong. Very misleading. Of course I didn’t read the blurb, so it’s probably my fault.
April 25, 2025
An ingenious story
Amy Trent makes the fairy tale of the twelve dancing prncesses into a wonderful saga of technology and invention, friendship and collaboration, love and devotion.
Amy Trent makes the fairy tale of the twelve dancing prncesses into a wonderful saga of technology and invention, friendship and collaboration, love and devotion.
July 9, 2025
Interesting twist
Of the usual retelling. It was very refreshing to have princesses who were intelligent and creative and who were allowed to be their best selves. Weaving Gaslight/Steampunk elements in was intriguing against the usual backdrop of a VictorianishRegencyish court
Of the usual retelling. It was very refreshing to have princesses who were intelligent and creative and who were allowed to be their best selves. Weaving Gaslight/Steampunk elements in was intriguing against the usual backdrop of a VictorianishRegencyish court
March 25, 2024
4.5
I LOVED the slow burn!!!
I LOVED the slow burn!!!
July 15, 2025
Loved the premise but found the writing style tedious.
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