Dances and Danger: A Twelve Dancing Princesses Retelling (Fairy Tales of Ambrose Book 1)

4,5 stars rounded to 5

This was an adorable retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses with an interesting take of the curse.

I loved that Gardenia was caring and kind and how she deals with her insecurities. Of course they affect her, but she doesn’t get bitter or leashes out at others. She remains a very sweet and responsible princess. Instead of getting jealous over her prettier sisters, she loves them deeply and does everything to protect and take care of them.

Due to the “magical bond” Gardenia and Dario share this is even more than an insta-love story, because they already are sort of in love before even having met. This worked surprisingly well because the author still managed to portray an emotional connection that formed show more over time. I’m still not the biggest fan of these fated love stories. The relationship is bound to happen so this always takes away a bit of my enthusiasm for a romance even if it’s done well like in this case.
I loved both of them as characters. Gardenia was sweet and thoughtful and it was easy to empathize with her, her worries for her sisters and the feeling of being powerless. Dario is a born protector and as Gardenia someone who doesn’t let his own insecurities distract from his responsibilities.

My favorite part was probably seeing Rowan again. I already loved her in the Caring and the Cursed, but she became even more entertaining in this book and I really hope she will get her own story soon. I loved that the banter wasn’t between the love interests but between a side character and a sort of brother figure (Rowan and Dario).

Definitely looking forward to the next book in the Fairy Tales of Ambrose series!

* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own. show less

This was a really good Twelve Dancing Princesses Retelling and I enjoyed getting to know to some extent all 12 of the cursed princesses. This book has connections with both Amphibians and Admiration: A Frog Prince Retelling & The Caring and the Cursed but can be read without having read them although it is a bit more fun if you have. I loved both Princess Gardenia & Prince Dario of Cortes and enjoyed seeing how their story came together as well as getting to know some of the other princes that came for the competition as well as getting to know Rowan (Dario's sister-in-law) better. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series Promises and Poison: A Gender Swapped Snow White Retelling and seeing which characters are in show more it.

A Frigid Hope: Princess Bianca & Percival
Amphibians and Admiration: Princess Hazel & Roderick
The Caring and the Cursed: Prince Alexander of Cortes & Eirwen
Dances and Danger: Princess Gardenia & Prince Dario of Cortes

I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. show less