I have enjoyed reading fairy tales since I was a child and have loved since reading or seeing an expansion of these stories.

"Princess of the Midnight Ball" by Jessica Day George is a delightful expansion of "The 12 Dancing Princesses" story. You get a good background of a kingdom beginning to recover from war, a curse, and twelve young ladies who are sworn to secrecy while they are forced to keep their mother's promise after her death.

Galen, a young soldier, finds his way into this kingdom by seeking out his aunt and uncle who live there. His Uncle Reiner gets him a job as a gardener in the palace where he works. It is among the roses that Galen learns of the princesses and their dancing slippers that are wore out every night with no explanation. Galen wants to help the princesses and begins to uncover the mysteries of this dangerous quest.

Princess Rose, the eldest of the sisters, must try to keep her sisters spirits up while maintaining their duties around the palace. What fate will befall them if they fail their end of their mother's bargain?

Jessica Day George tells a wonderful fast-moving story about love, family, duty, mystery, and adventure. I will definetly read some more of her books in the future.