The 12 Dancing Princesses is one of my favorite fairytales from my childhood mostly because I was in love with Kay Nielsen’s illustrations. When I heard Owlcrate was making this their August book I was excited, then my book club decided that was the book we were reading for September!! Double win!

I won’t lie this book was really good, probably in my current top 5 for the year. It is so descriptive, and keeps you on your toes the whole time. There’s some throwbacks to it’s inspiration but honestly this story stands on its own two feet. It’s definitely a bit gruesome at times, and the atmosphere Erin created was intense. There were times I was cursing her because I couldn’t figure it out, and I was despairing the lack of a happy ending. My main criticism would be that the ending was rushed and not as fleshed out as it should have been. Her descriptions of the immediate family and home were fantastic, but not enough time was given to the rest of the world. Especially since it is that world in which plays a huge part to the plot twist.

All that said, turns out I’m really happy with the ending and I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next. Considering this is her debut novel I’m in awe and impatiently waiting for more of her magic!!