Books › Princess of the Midnight Ball
Princess of the Midnight Ball
First published 2009 · 342 pages
A cozy, enchanting fairy tale retelling where quiet bravery and practical magic unravel a dark, shadowy curse.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like wrapping yourself in a warm, hand-knitted blanket while a dark, enchanting fairy tale unfolds outside your window. It balances the shadowy dread of a generational curse with the cozy, grounding presence of a soft-hearted hero who uses practical skills to fight back against the dark. The steady pace allows the reader to savor the rich, atmospheric details of magical silver forests and worn-out dancing slippers, while the earnest, romantic tone keeps the emotional stakes high. It is a story deeply concerned with sisterly bonds, healing from trauma, and the quiet heroism of ordinary people. Fans of classic, gentle fantasy will be utterly charmed by its timeless, hopeful magic and sweet, hard-won romance.
- Mood
- enchanting
- shadowy
- cozy
- hopeful
- Tone
- earnest
- romantic
- gentle
- charming
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- sisterly devotion · quiet heroism · breaking generational curses · healing from war · the magic of practical crafts
- The writing
- Accessible and charming, with a classic fairy-tale cadence that feels both timeless and warmly inviting.
- The arc
- Begins with a sense of trapped, shadowy dread and builds toward a triumphant, hard-won freedom grounded in sweet romance.
- Who it's for
- Readers who adore gentle, romantic fairy tale retellings featuring soft-hearted heroes and strong sibling bonds.
Content notes
- mind control/loss of autonomy
- death of a parent
- mild fantasy violence
- war trauma
About the book
A retelling of the tale of twelve princesses who wear out their shoes dancing every night, and of Galen, a former soldier now working in the king's gardens, who follows them in hopes of breaking the curse.
Description from Open Library.
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