Book Reviews

review; princess of the silver woods

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Princess Of The Silver Woods
by Jessica Day George

When Petunia, the youngest of King Gregor’s twelve dancing daughters, is invited to visit an elderly friend in the neighboring country of Westfalin, she welcomes the change of scenery. But in order to reach Westfalin, Petunia must pass through a forest where strange two-legged wolves are rumored to exist. Wolves intent on redistributing the wealth of the noble citizens who have entered their territory. But the bandit-wolves prove more rakishly handsome than truly dangerous, and it’s not until Petunia reaches her destination that she realizes the kindly grandmother she has been summoned to visit is really an enemy bent on restoring an age-old curse. The stories of Red Riding Hood and Robin Hood get a twist as Petunia and her many sisters take on bandits, grannies, and the new King Under Stone to end their family curse once and for all.

Review:
The perfect ending to such an intriguing series of twisted fairytales, in my opinion.

One thing I particularly enjoyed about the author’s writing is that each princess, no matter how big or small her presence in the story, has a very individual character – and that is maintained throughout the novels. But the sisters are not one-tone characters either. Even the sisters with bare minimum lines are shown to be three-dimensional and with their own strengths and flaws.

The wrap-up of the story of the twelve dancing princesses reimagines the story of Red Riding Hood, while bringing the tale of Under Stone full-circle, and bringing the sisters back to the midnight ball. By focusing on the youngest, Petunia, the writer shows just how much the years of forced dancing has affected the sisters – Petunia was seven when the curse was broken, and is sixteen during the course of the novel, and has grown into a strong and capable young woman.

And the fact that each male lead in the novels are so different from one another – Galen was a cautious and respectful former soldier-turned-gardener, Christian was a spirited and fun crown prince and Oliver is a somewhat hot-headed and impulsive, yet still shy earl-turned-bandit. Oliver is smart and resourceful, as all the characters seem to be, but also easily embarrassed by the women of the story. And not once does he doubt the princesses’ capabilities.

Under Stone and his brothers, and his Kingdom, are sufficiently creepy. But it was interesting to see their characters fleshed out more when compared to the first book, and to have their stories and pasts unfolded as well.

The twist on the tale of Red Riding Hood, with the grandmother and the wolf, and the abducted princess, and the connections with Under Stone, are wonderfully executed and my only gripe with the story is that I did not get to see the rest of the sisters’ fall in love as well.

I’m Ara, a Southeast Asian writer who someday hopes to have published a novel, and who is currently losing herself in the worlds created by others. I love books and food and television and blogging and I get distracted and sidetracked easily.

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