For readers who long for enchantment and brave heroines, this tale explores sisterly bonds, hidden magic, and finding strength to protect everything you love.
A parent might reach for this book for a teen who loves immersive fairy tales and is ready for a story with more complexity and emotional depth. Wildwood Dancing is a beautiful retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses set in historical Transylvania. It follows fifteen-year-old Jena, one of five sisters who secretly visit an enchanted kingdom every full moon. When their father falls ill and their menacing cousin Cezar takes control of their castle, Jena must find the strength to protect her family, her home, and the magical world she loves. The story explores powerful themes of sisterhood, responsibility, first love, and the courage it takes to stand up to manipulation and evil. It's a perfect fantasy for older middle-grade readers and teens who appreciate detailed world-building and a clever, brave heroine.
Includes some fantasy combat and dangerous situations, but nothing is graphically described.
Romantic ContentMild
Features a central, sweet romance with some kissing and emotional longing.
Sad ThemesMild
A primary storyline involves a parent's serious illness. The past death of a parent is mentioned.
Sensitive Topics
The illness of a parent is a central plot point, handled directly but with a focus on the children's emotional response rather than medical details. The resolution is hopeful. The past death of the girls' mother is a background element handled with gentle sadness. The primary conflict involves psychological manipulation and menace from a villainous family member, which escalates to physical peril. The resolution sees good triumph decisively.
Ideal Reader
A 12-15 year old who has outgrown simpler middle-grade fantasy and is seeking a more atmospheric and complex story. They appreciate fairy tale retellings (like those by Robin McKinley or Shannon Hale), strong sisterly bonds, a touch of sweet romance, and a heroine who leads with intelligence and courage.
Parent Prep
No specific prep is needed to read the book cold. Parents should be aware that the villain, Cezar, is psychologically manipulative and genuinely menacing, which might be unsettling for more sensitive readers. There are scenes of peril and fantasy-based danger, but they are not overly graphic. The romance is sweet and age-appropriate. A parent hears, "I love fantasy, but I want a story about sisters, not just a big war." or, "I want a book with a strong girl who solves problems herself and a little bit of romance that isn't the whole story."
Age Experience
A younger teen (12-13) will likely focus on the magical world, the adventure, the sisterly relationships, and the sweet romance. An older teen (14-16) will better appreciate the nuances of Cezar's gaslighting, the weight of Jena's responsibilities, and the story's themes of trust, sacrifice, and the transition from childhood to adulthood.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many fairy tale retellings, this novel is deeply rooted in a specific, richly researched cultural setting (Transylvanian folklore), which gives it a unique and vivid atmosphere. The focus on the distinct personalities and complex relationships among all five sisters, not just the protagonist, sets it apart. The addition of Jena's frog companion adds a layer of charm and mystery.
Read plot summary
Second-eldest of five sisters, Jena lives an idyllic life at her family's castle in Transylvania, complete with a secret portal to the magical Other Kingdom where she and her sisters dance with the fey. When their father falls gravely ill and must leave for a warmer climate, their manipulative and cruel cousin, Cezar, arrives to oversee the household. As Cezar's control tightens and his sinister intentions become clear, Jena must find a way to protect her sisters, one of whom has fallen in love with a dangerous fae prince, and save both her home and the Other Kingdom from being destroyed.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Jena is the second-eldest sister, but she takes on the primary responsibility of protecting her family. Why do you think she was the one to step up instead of her older sister, Tati?
2
Jena spends much of the book trying to decide who to trust. What clues did she use to figure out that Cezar was dangerous and Gogu was a friend? Have you ever had to make a tough choice about trusting someone?
3
Tati falls in love with Sorrow, which is forbidden by the laws of both their worlds. Do you think it is ever right to break rules for love? What are the potential consequences of their choice?
4
The sisters consider both the castle and the Other Kingdom to be their homes. What does 'home' mean to them in each place? What makes a place feel like home to you?
