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Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier, a retelling
of “The Twelve Dancing Princesses”
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High in the Transylvanian woods,
at the castle Piscul Draculi, live five daughters
and their doting father.
It’s an idyllic life for Jena, the second eldest, who
spends her time exploring the mysterious forest
with her constant companion, a most unusual frog.
But best by far is the castle’s hidden portal, known
only to the sisters. Every Full Moon, they alone
can pass through it into the enchanted world
of the Other Kingdom. There they dance through
the night with the fey creatures of this magical realm.

But their peace is shattered when Father falls ill
and must go to the southern parts to recover,
for that is when cousin Cezar arrives.
Though he’s there to help the girls survive the
brutal winter, Jena suspects
he has darker motives in store.
Meanwhile, Jena’s sister has fallen in
love with a dangerous creature of the Other Kingdom
—an impossible union it’s up to Jena to stop.
When Cezar’s grip of power begins to tighten,
at stake is everything Jena loves: her home,
her family, and the Other Kingdom she has
come to cherish. To save her world,
Jena will be tested in ways she can’t imagine
—tests of trust, strength, and true love.
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