Book Review by Aarene Storms: Entwined

By Aarene Storms, youth services librarian

Richmond Beach Library, KCLS

Entwined, by Heather Dixon,

Audiobook read by Mandy Williams

Princess Azalea is the eldest of many sisters, and heir to throne of Eathe. When her mother dies giving birth to the twelfth princess, her father the king declares that the entire household will observe mourning for an entire year: no playing in the garden, no colorful dresses, and worst of all: no dancing. The princesses are determined to dance...and when they discover a secret, magical ballroom beneath the fireplace presided over by the handsome and magical Mr. Keeper, it seems like the perfect solution. But Mr. Keeper has darker plans for the princesses...and for the kingdom.

This delightful retelling of Grimm's classic tale about twelve dancing princesses has a few charming twists. The characters of Azalea and her sisters as well as the king and a few remarkable princes and ministers make for an enchanting read. Although the original tale was also inspiration for Jessica Day George's Princess of the Midnight Ball (2009), readers will find that this story is darker and more satisfying.

The audiobook is deftly read by Mandy Williams, who manages to gracefully convey the differences between twelve dance-obsessed daughters without tripping either herself or the listener.

No cussing or nekkidness. Some charmingly clandestine kisses and lots and lots of dancing. Recommended for readers ages 10 to adult.

The events may not have happened; still, the story is true. --R. Silvern