Monday, January 30, 2012

Book Review: Entwined by Heather Dixon

Entwined by Heather Dixon
Published: March 29th, 2011
Publisher: Greenwillow Books (HarperCollins Imprint)
472 pages (hardcover)
Genre: Young adult fantasy/fairy tale retellings/historic romance
Acquired this book: From the library
Warning: may include spoilers
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Synopsis: Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her…beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing…it's taken away. All of it. The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And 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.


Entwined was beautiful, magical, romantic, heartbreaking, suspenseful, charming, and funny.

Apparently this story is a fairy tale retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, but I’m not familiar with the original story, so I can’t compare the two - which is sometimes a good thing, I find.

The characters in Entwined were fantastic. I loved Azalea, and I was completely enchanted with her eleven sisters, and the close relationship they had. I loved that each sister had her own very distinct personality, but that they were all fiercely loyal to each other. I loved the King, the household staff, Minister Fairweller, Lord Teddie, Lord Bradford, and I thought Keeper was an excellent villain - dark, mysterious, dangerous, sexy, and more evil than I could have imagined.

The romances in the story were so sweet, and had me alternately giggle-squeeing and swooning. They built slowly, and were completely believable for the old-fashioned setting, and the fact that the princesses were in mourning over their mother, and were still quite young. I liked that it wasn’t always clear-cut who Azalea would end up with, and that there were a few surprises along the way, especially where Bramble and Clover were concerned. My favorite of all the men was Lord Bradford - adorable, disheveled, sweet, kind of shy and formal, but heroic.

Part of the charm of this book was how surprisingly funny it was. I didn't expect that at all, but I laughed out loud quite a few times at things the sisters did or said, and I thought Lord Teddie was hilarious. The humour was a nice off-set for the darker and more serious parts of the story.

My one and only complaint about this book was the length. It took me a week to read because it was so long. I realize that fantasy takes a fair bit of world building, but it was too much. If I hadn’t been enjoying it so much, I would have given up because there were times when I thought it would never end. Most people are faster readers than I am though, and that might not bother them.

I would definitely recommend this book, especially to people who enjoy fantasy, magic, fairy tales, and sweet, old-fashioned romances.



Have you read Entwined? What did you think?

6 comments:

  1. I keep meaning to get this one but haven't gotten around to it yet. I keep seeing good reviews for it though.

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  2. I'm not familiar with the original tale either but I want this!

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  3. Old fashion is a good way to describe this book. I wasn't familiar with eh original tale either and I still liked it.

    You are right about the length I didn't realize how long it was till I finished.

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  4. f you have any love of the original tale published by the brothers Grimm, you will love this enchanting tale filled with mystery, romance and comic relief. It stays true to the plot and embellishes as necessary or so I believe.

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  5. That cover is soooo pretty! *wants*

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  6. That's so awkward when you keep thinking "this book is going to end now,"...then it doesn't. I don't mind long books but as long as they aren't totally drug out - that gets annoying. That said, I adore your review, and I'm so glad to see it has some humor! I can't wait to get to this one.

    Molli | Once Upon a Prologue

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~Marie

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