Princess of the Silver Woods
Author: Jessica Day George
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication Date: Dec. 11, 2012
Pages: 336
Series: Twelve Dancing Princesses of Westfalin, book three
Source: Requested e-galley on Netgalley
About the Book: 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.
My Thoughts: I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I was when I heard about this book. I randomly picked up Princess of the Midnight Ball from a pile of books I ordered for my library. It was love at first sight. I devoured Princess of Glass as soon as I got my hands on it and it deepened my love for this series. Then I found out about Princess of the Silver Woods. Red Riding Hood and Robin Hood?!? That cover?!?! So much perfection! But, but, but… it’s the last Princesses of Westfalin book? So bittersweet! I almost wish it would have been mediocre so I wouldn’t miss the series so much! Alas, Jessica Day George has worked her literary magic again. Princess of the Silver Woods was a total win!
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the series… we meet the twelve princesses of Westfalin in book one, a retelling of “The Twelve Dancing Princesses.” Much of the story centers around Rose, the oldest princess, and her quest to break the curse she and her sisters suffer under. After the adventures of book one, the Cinderella story is added in and we get more of Princess Poppy (as well as the other sisters!) Now here in the final book Petunia, the youngest princess, takes center stage. I just adore the way that Jessica Day George has taken various fairy tales and woven them together with a story all her own. Westfalin and the realm mof the King Under the Stone are such an interesting worlds to visit. I loved learning about the settings and their history as much as the characters!
Petunia is a particularly interesting character because she grew up with the curse and the dancing. She didn’t know any different. It was just life to her. I liked seeing how Jessica Day George took this and built Petunia’s character off of it. She is strong and brave yet vulnerable. The effects of the curse are different for her and this sets her apart from her sisters. Or maybe I just think she’s so awesome because she’s the youngest like me 😉
Books like Princess of the Silver Woods are why I’m a total sucker for fairy tale retellings. A magically rich world, captivating characters, and stories that draw the reader in make this a series you don’t want to miss.
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