Twelve Dancing Princesses Retellings

Though The Twelve Dancing Princesses is not as popular as the many fairy tales Disney has adapted, it’s still a better known then most and has quite a few adaptions–both in book and movie format! Today I'm going to share some of my favorite books plus a bonus list of books recommended by my Facebook followers.

My top suggestions for Twelve Dancing Princesses Retellings:

The Princess Curse: By Merrie Haskell: This is undoubtedly the funniest–and in my opinion, the best–retelling of the original fairy tale ever! It’s very light on the romance due to the main character’s age and leaves you still wanting more when it’s done, but it presents a traditional melding of the two different versions of the 12 dancing princesses that are most known today. Seriously, you need to read it!!

Entwined: By Heather Dixon: This is a YA retelling that mostly revolves around the romance aspect but also demonstrates the super strong bond between the sisters (the princesses).

Princess of the Midnight Ball: By Jessica Day George: This book is from the perspective of both the princess and the soldier–which is always a plus–and to make it even better, the soldier is not the typical hero (he knits) which makes him really interesting! Additionally, The villain has a different motive that really stands out from the rest of the pack as well.

The Twelve Dancing Princesses: By K. M. Shea–that’s me, and yes this is a shameless plug: My version has a lot of battles and magical fights in addition to witty banter, elves, sweet romance, and more! My version switches the main characters to the female soldier trying to break the curse and the Elf King (who is enslaved along with the princesses).

Now it's time for the bonus list of Twelve Dancing Princesses fairy tale retellings recommended by my social medial followers. (I asked them for no spice and low language but check reviewers first if that is a concern for you.)

The Firethorn Crown by Lea Douge

A Dance of Silver and Shadows by Melanie Cellier

Pirouette by Kenley Davidson

A Branch of Silver a Branch of Gold by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Moon Dance by Christine Pope

The Twelve Dancing Princesses by Jenni James

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

The Door in the Hedge by Robin McKinley

The Thirteenth Princess by Diane Zahler

My Fairly Dangerous Godmother by Janette Rallison

The Night Dance by Suzanne Weyn

The Girls at the Kingfisher Club by Genevieve Valentine

The Phoenix Dance by Dia Calhoun

The Dancer and the Dragon Speaker by Laurie Lucking

Till Midnight by Arisa May

The Dark King and the Eternal Dance by Alesha Adamson

The Twelve Dancing "Princesses" by S.R. Nulton

Kingdom of Dance by Deborah Grace White

The Silver Prince by Lyndsey Hall

Sole of Secrets by Abigail Manning

Poison's Dance by Tricia Mingerink

I hope you find a book you love and share this post with any friends you think need more dancing princesses in their life. 😉

If you're looking for more book recommendations I have a whole series of these blog posts featuring lists of books vetted by readers! Click here to start reading or use the Book Lists category to filter them.