The Night Dance: A Retelling of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" (Once Upon a Time)

While I know not to judge a book by its cover, I am ver disappointed in the book that I've recieved. This has nothing to do with the actual book, but with what print of the book that I received. I'm obsessive complusive, I cannot abide it when things dont match (if i have a series it must all be paper back or hard back, etc.) I have been collect the new-printed verison of the 'once upon a time' however, for The Night Dance, though the new print picture is shown on the order I received the old print cover, a cover that does not match the other of the 'once upon a time' books that I own and is ugly compared to the new print. If you'll be sending out old copies, please have that picture in the display box rather than the new print. I'm probably going to have to give this to my aunt and wait for The Night Dance to be available at my local book store.  The Night Dance (Once Upon a Time)  That is the cover I received. The cover I thought I was getting was this one  The Night Dance: A Retelling of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" (Once Upon a Time) It was very misleading to sale the old print with the new print cover being shown. I am vastly disappointed.

I'm a longtime fan of historical fiction, having grown up reading Frank G. Slaughter, and Elizabeth George Speare. I'll read about nearly any era, but several grab my attention faster than others, one of those being the medieval era.Growing up, like many young girls, I devoured fairy tales alongside my beloved historical fictions. Most girls were talking about Cinderella, and Snow White. I was telling my younger sisters the tales of The Nightingale, East o' the Sun West o' the Moon, and The Twelve Dancing Princesses.My sister shares my love of fairy tales, and one day she told me about this one. When she told me that it was a YA fairytale (score!), about the Twelve Dancing Princesses (yes, yes!), mixed with the Legend of Arthur (Woooooooooooot!) I bought it that same week.I enjoyed even more thoroughly than I had anticipated, and The Once Upon a Time Series has become one of my quickest YA fairytale recommendations!

I've enjoyed each book I've read so far in the "Once Upon A Time" series of reworked fairy tales. I enjoyed "The Night Dance" as well but it wasn't at all what I had hoped for. I have appreciated the new ideas and plot twists in each story and delighted in seeing how each story changed, and (in some cases) improved the fairy tales I knew. The story of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" doesn't completely work when mixed with characters from Arthurian tales of the Knights of the Round Table. "The Night Dance" feels like two disjointed and separate tales being mashed together. The actual book still read quickly and when I wasn't puzzled by what was happening, I enjoyed the sisters and I loved the part where the suitors had to figure out how the sisters were ruining their slippers every night. I love magical stories but I feel like the "Arthur" magic is different in feel from fairy tale magic. Overall the book was enjoyable for what it was but it would have made more sense for the author to have written two different "Once Upon A Time" books....one based on Arthur and the other on Twelve Dancing Princesses.

THE NIGHT DANCE by Suzanne Weyn is perhaps the most interesting re-telling of the TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES fairy tale. Ms Weyn blends part of the Arthurian legend of the Lady of the Lake with the story in surprising and interesting ways. What a concept!What a disappointment! The ending seemed rushed and the quality of the writing was far below the beginning of the novel, mainly because it sounded jarringly modern. I quote:At the end of the wedding party, Sir Ethan announced that he would be leaving with Vivienne, though they most certainly would be in touch. Any of the girls who wanted to come with them and study mystical ways were welcome...Gwendolyn, Helewise, Chloe, Isolde and Mathilde thought life on Avalon sounded exciting, though."Could Ione, Brianna, Bronwyn, Cecily and I stay here at the manor?" asked Ashlynn...we'd like to turn the place into an inn."There was a murmur of approval as this seemed like it would be a fun enterprise.If only Ms. Weyn had taken the time to polish the prose. Three stars.

This is my favorite of the Once Upon a Time series. It was a combination of stories that I was only vaguely aware of. There were a lot of references to Arthur and the Lady of the Lake as well as the main story of the 12 Dancing Princesses. I thought that the characters were well developed and I thought each of the internal stories were finalized in a satisfactory way, which I didn't get in other stories of the series.

This is one of the best book series I have read this month! It has a great story line but it can be confusing at times. And not such a big fan of how she mixed in the king Arthur with the 12 princesses. And having the Lady the Lake as their mother was odd other then that the book was awesome!

I enjoyed the book.It had mystery, adventure and love.I recommend this book to those who enjoy those types of books.

Interesting sort of fairy tale story. It was OK for a diversion but certainly not one of my favs.

After reading many more of the books in the Once Upon a Time series, I found this one a little disappointing. The story isn't told as well, being rushed in places, and the narrative can get rather static. It's entertaining, and an essential part of the collection. However, it is far below Suzanne Weyn's usual standard. The other two books of hers in the series I have read are historical stories - both excellent - whereas this is straight fantasy, which I think is not her forte.This works as a sequel to the Camlet legends. I liked this aspect, although I think Morgan is one of the many aspects the author could have done more with. It's an enjoyable tale, and a nice take on both the legend and 'The Twelve Dancing Princesses', which for me work well together.

This was a delightful little book.Based on fairytales - the 'Once Upon A Time' series' are a set of books written by Suzanne Weyn.Not too long and 'simply' written; these stories are imaginative, different, yet familiar in their story-telling. They may be aimed at 'young adults' or even children, but these can be enjoyed by anyone and at any age.I will certainly be purchasing and reading more from the series.