In Melanie Cellier’s A Dance of Silver and Shadow, the first installment in the Beyond the Four Kingdoms YA Fairytale Retelling series, this enchanted story is based on the Twelve Dancing Princesses story. For Lilianna and Sophia, twin princesses from the Arcadia Kingdom, they were both invited to a Princess Tourney on the island of Marin. For Lily, she was always protecting her twin sister Sophie, while both had shared a special gift of projecting thoughts to each other. While they meet other princesses for this tournament of dances and danger, she falls in love with Prince Jonathan from Marin, and helps save his kingdom from treasonous betrayals and coups. But it;s winner takes all to become betrothed to Prince Dominic of Palinar, a Beastly Prince, who's the most dangerous person to meet. And in the end, Lily’s twin sacrifices herself to give her sister true love and to become her own person.
This beautiful YA fairy tale retelling will move your heart and make it pound. This love story has danger, romance, and plenty of drama, all wrapped up in one. I cared for both Lily and Sophie, since this novel deals with sisterhood and family themes. The enchanted island of Marin makes the location ideal and idyllic. The dual themes are love conquers all, while family always bonds us together.
I rated this heartfelt YA retelling five stars. If you love enchanted fairy tale retellings with a twist, A Dance of Silver and Shadow is the one to read to cool you this summer. This book is recommended for fans who love fairy tales for all ages