Princesses Dancing In a Row

Expected Publication:  December 11th, 2012

Princess of the Silver Woods (Princess # 3)

By: Jessica Day George

Bloomsbury USA Children's Books

ISBN-13:  9781599906461

When Petunia, the youngest of King Gregor's twelve dancing daughters, is invited to visit an elderly friend in the neighboring country of Westfalin, she welcomes the change of scenery. But in order to reach Westfalin, Petunia must pass through a forest where strange two-legged wolves are rumored to exist. Wolves intent on redistributing the wealth of the noble citizens who have entered their territory. But the bandit-wolves prove more rakishly handsome than truly dangerous, and it's not until Petunia reaches her destination that she realizes the kindly grandmother she has been summoned to visit is really an enemy bent on restoring an age-old curse. 

The stories of Red Riding Hood and Robin Hood get a twist as Petunia and her many sisters take on bandits, grannies, and the new King Under Stone to end their family curse once and for all.

Review

     Petunia is the youngest of the twelve daughters of King Gregor of Westfalin.  As such she is being smothered by her family, who insist upon overprotecting her after the nightmare with the King Under-Stone and the dancing shoes.  But that has been over for years and Petunia is ready for her chance at adventure, romance and excitement.  She gets her wish, when on her way to visit an elderly Duchess she met in the Russakan court, Petunia is waylaid by notorious highwaymen.  They are known as the Wolves of Westfalin and refuse to leave without jewels, money and anything of value.  The wolves are led by Oliver, the much beleaguered son of an Earl, whose fortunes were lost when the Andalusian War ended and his family's lands were divided/given away to foreign nobility.  Now to keep his family and his people alive, Oliver leads a band of thieves.  Sparks fly and Oliver finds himself unable to let Petunia go when the opportunity arises - especially when it appears that the new King Under-Stone and his Prince brothers have found a way to haunt the dreams of their prospective brides.  Looking for a way to come into the real world once and for all, it's up to Petunia, her sisters, their husbands and Oliver to prevent this from happening.  Can they work together to keep themselves free from the darkness of the Kingdom Under-Stone?

     I have read the other two books in the series (each one centered around an older sister - Rose and Poppy) Princess of the Midnight Ball and Princess of Glass.  They were pretty good and I didn't mind the fact that there was a sequel.  This one was unnecessary to the series.  Yes, it resolved things with an actual sense of finality, but at the same time a lot of parts left me extremely bored.  I felt like Jessica tried to cram in too many scenes, where-are-they-nows, and asides with previous characters.  That didn't leave much room for character building Petunia or Oliver, who are supposed to be the main characters.  Just as much time was spent split between Rose & Galen's and Poppy & Christians' relationships.  I was annoyed at how well Petunia took being robbed at gunpoint while on the road in her carriage.  She's tough, but I think she would have been at least a little freaked out.  Also, Petunia and everyone else's emphasis on the Nine Daughters of Russaka thing made me want to bang my head against the wall after the first couple of times.  It was unnecessary and quite frankly somewhat insulting to shove it in my face like I was too stupid to figure out the connection.  That sort of things makes me murderous as a reader.  The whole thing with the King Under-Stone and the Princes just felt like the same old stuff rehashed for a new book.  Not very thrilling and the ending was very predictable and cliched.  Overall, a very mediocre and disappointing end to what started out   as a decent series.  

VERDICT:  2.5/5  Stars

*I received an Advanced Reading E-book Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book 's expected publication date is December 11th, 2012.*