Review to come.

Actual rating 3.5.

 So, my deep dark secret is that a few years ago, I was writing a Twelve Dancing Princesses retelling, and then I frogged* it for several reasons. But during that time, I didn’t read any of the multitude of TDP retellings that were being published. The Princess Curse is the first I’ve picked up since then, and I really liked it. It weaves in the Persephone myth at the end as well, and I was JUST THINKING how much I want more Persephone retellings. Anyway, I liked it, although I was sort of wilfully ignoring Reveka’s age because of reasons. I also think the cover skews the book a bit too young–I would love a beautiful Kinuko Crafty cover that reflects the mythological richness of the book a little more.

 

* This is a knitting term, and I’m sure there’s an equivalent writing version, but I don’t know it.

While reading it I remembered hearing of the story in my childhood. strangely enough though it wasn't a favourite of mine back then many of the things that disturbed me now I couldn't care less about as a child. Twelve princess sneaking out each and eery night to dance with their beautiful handsome princes. well, they didn't care for all the princes that tried to discover their secrets and just ket them be executed!moreover, why just not tell daddy what you're doing? and what's the point? that some tired solider became a king? that he married the princess he chose? well how did she feel about that?I don't know, I mean, sure it's a fairytale that was written in a different time but so many things just get on my nerves. but as a child I did like it though. now as for the illustrations- I do not rmeber them from when I was young, and now I just read the text. but as I know myself quite well (what? don't give me that look! it's not like I know everything about myself! why, do you?) I'm pretty sure one of the reasons I had no problem with the story was because the illustrations were good, if they were ugly Judgemental little me probably would have remembered.

A very gentle and pleasant version of the fairy tale, with all all elements of threat, suspense, and danger removed. There is no punishment for failing to discover the princesses' secret; they aren't suffering in any way or even enchanted. The king just wants to know what's going on with his daughters, and they won't tell him because... uh... Okay, this story is pretty implausible in its original form, but the watered-down form is even more so.

Even the illustrations are subdued and, well, nice. If you're someone who often feels that fairy tales are too stimulating for your precious tot, this is the version for you.

Zzzzz. Mmmm. Wha? Sorry? Oh right, I was reading, not sleeping. It's just that this book? Bored me to death. Too simple, too easy, too predictable, too vague for any real tension, nor for any real sense of character to develop for the entire cast. An interesting idea - what happened to the Twelve Dancing Princesses after their curse is ended - but turned out to be a rather blah, and uniformly boring read.