Entwined

by Heather Dixon

Entwined is one of those books that grow on you. In the beginning, it didn't seem like it was going to be anything special, but the more I read, the more I started caring about the characters and became engrossed with the story.

Entwined is a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses and has a traditional fairytale atmosphere which becomes darker as the story progresses. The plot is well-written, but it's standard and unpredictable.

Azalea, the oldest princess and main character of Entwined, is a bland character and the secondary characters are one-dimensional. The characters have unique personality traits, but their characterisation is flat. I also found it difficult to tell the younger siblings apart.

I love that Entwined focuses on family bonds. The twelve sisters are always looking out for and supporting each other. I also disliked the King in the beginning, but as he interacted with his family more, he became my favourite character in Entwined. His character development is extensive.

The love interests and their relationships with the princesses are cute. However, my least favourite pairing is Azalea and Mr Bradford. Azalea and Mr Bradford are bland characters and their relationship is dull.

The Keeper is a good villain. From the moment he's introduced, he gives off a creepy vibe. It's also not difficult to guess The Keeper's identity. I found it odd that the princesses just accepted The Keeper's generosity and didn't try to find out more about him.

Entwined has a gorgeous cover and an interesting premise. The story is well-written and predictable and while the family relationships shine, the characters are unmemorable.