katie_elizabeth17's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
alyssavandergriff's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
wolfski26's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
annieheinsen's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
madlysoph's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
emilyusuallyreading's review against another edition
3.0
What I Liked
I enjoyed the fact that Galen can knit. Not only can he knit, but he's talented at knitting and weaving together clothes. No matter how corny it might be, I also enjoyed his gallantry and chivalry. When he's half-starved, he gives his only food to an elderly woman. When he's shivering cold, he gives away his cloak to someone colder. Galen may be a little two-dimensional, but he's attractive regardless.
What I Didn't Like
This is a children's story, and not one that adults can read and necessarily enjoy too much. While I understand that Princess of the Midnight Ball is the retelling of a simple folktale. However, I expect a re-telling to add new depth, and instead the attempt fell flat for me.
The characters were either evil or gallant, cruel or perfect. Rose, her sisters, Galen, and even Rose's father the king were all simply wonderful characters who never had any flaws. None of them were judgmental, none were embittered or even prone to making mistakes. They were perfect, beautiful people living in a perfect, unfortunately enchanted life.
Even the end to this novel is so simple that it removes whatever ominous terror that King Under Stone represents. Defeat is so easy and you can see this from the first pages of the story.
I gave this three stars because it wasn't terrible, but it was dull for me to get through and I wasn't overly impressed.
I enjoyed the fact that Galen can knit. Not only can he knit, but he's talented at knitting and weaving together clothes. No matter how corny it might be, I also enjoyed his gallantry and chivalry. When he's half-starved, he gives his only food to an elderly woman. When he's shivering cold, he gives away his cloak to someone colder. Galen may be a little two-dimensional, but he's attractive regardless.
What I Didn't Like
This is a children's story, and not one that adults can read and necessarily enjoy too much. While I understand that Princess of the Midnight Ball is the retelling of a simple folktale. However, I expect a re-telling to add new depth, and instead the attempt fell flat for me.
The characters were either evil or gallant, cruel or perfect. Rose, her sisters, Galen, and even Rose's father the king were all simply wonderful characters who never had any flaws. None of them were judgmental, none were embittered or even prone to making mistakes. They were perfect, beautiful people living in a perfect, unfortunately enchanted life.
Even the end to this novel is so simple that it removes whatever ominous terror that King Under Stone represents. Defeat is so easy and you can see this from the first pages of the story.
I gave this three stars because it wasn't terrible, but it was dull for me to get through and I wasn't overly impressed.
sabregirl's review against another edition
4.0
This was a nice quick read when your stuck on the couch sick. It's simple and easily resolved. There are some action, intrigue, lies and everything else. Which makes the book interesting.
[b:Princess of the Midnight Ball Princess 1|3697927|Princess of the Midnight Ball (Princess #1)|Jessica Day George|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312063284s/3697927.jpg|3741438] is based off of the fairy tale of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Now I had really no knowledge of this tale other than you know that these princesses danced because they were under a magic spell. This story takes it further with the consequences of this all stemming from worn out dancing shoes. Now that wouldn't seem like a trifle to princesses but when their lands are torn apart from a twelve years war it isn't that easy.
I liked the simple plot. It was all laid out for you in the beginning with the prologue and the setting up with it through the first couple of chapters. Which did lead to the middle of novel being a little dull just because the details were being flushed out. The details of the underground world seemed to be lacking and weren't all the descriptive which I was sad about. But it was easy enough to dream up more pictures.
The ending was fairly predictable, except for that one surprise at the very end. It'll be interesting to see this story continued.
[b:Princess of the Midnight Ball Princess 1|3697927|Princess of the Midnight Ball (Princess #1)|Jessica Day George|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312063284s/3697927.jpg|3741438] is based off of the fairy tale of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Now I had really no knowledge of this tale other than you know that these princesses danced because they were under a magic spell. This story takes it further with the consequences of this all stemming from worn out dancing shoes. Now that wouldn't seem like a trifle to princesses but when their lands are torn apart from a twelve years war it isn't that easy.
I liked the simple plot. It was all laid out for you in the beginning with the prologue and the setting up with it through the first couple of chapters. Which did lead to the middle of novel being a little dull just because the details were being flushed out. The details of the underground world seemed to be lacking and weren't all the descriptive which I was sad about. But it was easy enough to dream up more pictures.
The ending was fairly predictable, except for that one surprise at the very end. It'll be interesting to see this story continued.
mrose21's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting take on this fairy tale.
I have read the original many many years ago but I had forgotten it had existed until I read this. Really enjoyed it.
I have read the original many many years ago but I had forgotten it had existed until I read this. Really enjoyed it.
kjersten's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite books of all time! Filled with fantasy and wonderfulness<3
bak8382's review against another edition
3.0
This is a quick read (I read it in a day), and it is an interesting take on the Twelve Dancing Princesses fairy tale. The story focuses on both the eldest dancing princess, Rose, and a soldier, Galen, turned gardener who she meets while he is working in her late mother's garden. Rose is so startled by Galen's appearance that she ends up getting a dunking in a pond and spends the next few months continuing to dance while battling pneumonia. Galen becomes determined to help them even as princes begin to die after trying to learn the girls secret and the girls are accused of witchcraft by the church.
From the flap copy I was expecting Rose to be much more proactive and feisty, but instead she languishes for months with pneumonia even though several of her younger sisters recover quickly. Galen on the other hand was a strong character, pushed the action forward, and could knit extremely well! I liked that the author brought in the accusations of witchcraft as it gave the story a bit more action and felt like something that could have actually happened. Overall the book was able to hit all the elements of the original story ( at least as much as I can remember of it) while fleshing it out with original additional characters. If you liked this one I would recommend reading her other fairy tale retelling, Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow.
From the flap copy I was expecting Rose to be much more proactive and feisty, but instead she languishes for months with pneumonia even though several of her younger sisters recover quickly. Galen on the other hand was a strong character, pushed the action forward, and could knit extremely well! I liked that the author brought in the accusations of witchcraft as it gave the story a bit more action and felt like something that could have actually happened. Overall the book was able to hit all the elements of the original story ( at least as much as I can remember of it) while fleshing it out with original additional characters. If you liked this one I would recommend reading her other fairy tale retelling, Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow.