Like George's previous book I read, Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, Princess of the Midnight Ball is an adaptation of one of my favorite fairy tales, "The Twelve Dancing Princesses". Its not very very often that I find books, longer then a picture book, using this fairy tale. There is, depending on the version and translation, several different ways to interpret the tale, but they're all sort of...complicated.

The story follows, for the most part, a young soldier named Galen as he returns to his mother's homeland from the long War. The novel also follows Rose, the eldest Princess, but a lot more time is spent on Galen who is a stranger to the city and to his mother's family. I liked Galen; good-natured, a hard worker and charming, he wanted to do right by everyone he met. And that sort of karma paid off for him in ways he could never have imagined.

Rose was also very endearing. Though sweet and good-natured herself, she grew more spirited as the book wore on and she became hopeful that something could be done to break the curse. I wouldn't say her 11 sisters were exactly interchangeable--but really only 4 stood out from the rest in any significant way. Poppy--mischievous and adventurous where her quieter twin Daisy was not; Lily, the second oldest who understood Rose's pain quite well; Violet, who adored music and Hyacinth who was devoutly religious and suffered more than the others perhaps by the curse. Actually its something of a joke for the 12 sisters--the three oldest are called 'the older set', the three youngest are called 'the younger set' and then the six in between were called 'the in betweeners'.

On an emotional level I felt bad for the girls, but I knew that good would triumph so it was a little shallow feeling. I grew more worried with how the curse would end then anything else (several times I thought George was going to pull a martyr routine with one of the girls). Galen's scheme, was very very clever and relied on both cunning and luck. The end was also nicely tied up, with a bunch of loose ends fixed and happy thoughts all around.

Parts of the book felt very drawn out, such as how long it took Galen to get around to figuring things out vs. how long it took him to 'fix' the problem so to speak. And the visiting Bishop was annoying and creepy; he hammered home how little I cared for the clergy.

Poppy, incidentally, is getting her own book called Princess of Glass which is a re-imaging of "Cinderella". I can't wait; I simply adore George's fairy tale re-tellings and hope for a few more. ( )

2023 re-read review:
I still really enjoyed this book, though sad to say I didn't enjoy it as much as I remember. Don't get me wrong—I still had a bunch of fun. But it feels like a very young YA, and some of the simplicity of the book (which makes sense if it's meant for a tween audience) left places where I wanted more. I've read the book many times, and it lives on my Keeper Shelf of comfort reads. I'm sure I'll read it again, many times. I just don't think my expectations of it will be as high next time I pick it up. ( )

A very neat retelling of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" which give the classic fairy tale a sinister twist. Very inventive and utterly charming. ( )

A sweet little book retelling the story if the 12 dancing princesses. There's mystery, romance, curses, and more in this book. And, as always, a happy ending. ( )

As someone who has taken upon themselves to read all the 12 Dancing Princesses retellings I can get my hands on this one is just ok. ( )