Review: Entwined by Heather Dixon

ENTWINED Author: Heather Dixon Publication Date: 03/29/2011 Audience: Young Adult Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Fairy Tales, Retellings   Come and mend your broken hearts here. In this retelling of the classic tale "The Twelve Dancing Princesses," the eldest princess must fight to save her family—and her heart—from an ancient dark magic within the palace walls.   "Full of mystery, lush settings, and fully orbed characters, Dixon's debut is both suspenseful and rewarding."—ALA Booklist

Just when Azalea should feel that everything is before her—beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing—it's taken away. All of it. And Azalea is trapped. The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. So he extends an invitation.   Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest, but there is a cost. The Keeper likes to keep things. Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.   Summary from Goodreads       REVIEW  

I'm going to be up front with you.  The only versions of fairy tales that I truly know are the ones that Disney has adapted into movies.  I know, I know, the shame!  But at the same time I feel not knowing the original story allows me to enjoy retellings more than someone who has to compare it to the original tale.

I absolutely adored Entwined, which surprised me since in the beginning I thought it would end up a DNF. Before I knew it though I had read 150 pages and just kept going.  It didn't have the suspense or action that keeps you glued to the end of your seat, it was more the flow of the story line and longing to know what would happen in the end that kept me going.

The setting of the story was perfect.  Historical period, magic castles, hidden passageways.  It all came together to make for the perfect backdrop.

I did really enjoy the characters. Even though we don't get to fully know all of them I still felt a connection and could understand Azalea's need to protect them.

The last few chapters things really sped up and a lot was going on but it all winded down to a marvelous ending that left me smiling.  I highly recommend giving Entwined a chance!