Fairytale Fridays ~ The Twelve Dancing Princesses

*trumpet fanfare*

It's that time again, where we gather around our massive tomes of fairytales and talk about retellings. 

Are you feeling the magic?  I'm feeling the magic.

Today, we take a look at what has been in my top three fairytales for as long as I can remember: The Twelve Dancing Princesses

 

This one has been beloved by me, as I said, for as long as I can recall.  I've figured out it's for these reasons: I have a younger sister and I've always wondered what it would be like having 10 more, I've been taking dance lessons since I was 2, and what little girl doesn't at some point dream of being a princess?  (The Barbie movie may have had something to do with it as well... *cough*)

 

But today we're looking at the book that I partially give credit for inspiring me to start writing retellings in the first place, "Princess of the Midnight Ball".

 

 

Author: Jessica Day George

 

Overview of the Story: Galen is a young soldier coming home from the war.  While working for his uncle, the head of the Royal Gardens, he decides to find the answer to the king's question - where do his twelve daughters go every night?

 

What I Thought: I love this book so much.  Every time I read it is like getting a warm hug.  It's so nostalgic and magical.  The princesses have a great relationship (even if I had to write down their names in age order so I could remember which was which xD).  Also, Rose and Galen. <3 <3 <3

 

Characters:

Rose - The eldest princess, she's kind of taken on the mother role to her sisters.  She has bravery in spades, and is ready to protect her sisters no matter what happens to her.

 

Galen - He knits.  He's a dork.  He stands up to the King Under-Stone.  Is there anything this guy can't do?

 

Favorite Quote: "My father was a career army man, sir.  I was there at the first engagement with Analousia, and took up my father's rifle when I was barely fifteen." "Saints preserve us," Doctor Kelling said, and squeezed Galen's shoulder. "What have we done to our youth?" 

 

How Does it Compare to the Original? Honestly, this is one of the closest retellings I've read. Not many others have the soldier who discovers the secret, so I love that.  It's probably the closest one that I've reviewed so far, so there's that.

 

Overall Rating: 5 knit chains out of 5

 

So have you read this book?  What did you think?  Do you have a favorite Twelve Dancing Princesses retelling? 

 

(and... *cough* have you seen the Barbie movie?)

 

~ Mia