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Tales of the Latter Kingdoms #8
Moon Dance
What will you discover when you wander into the woods alone…? After scandal and shame force Iselda Kelsden to leave the world she once knew, she knows her future will be uncertain. Although Iselda has lived the life of a proper young lady, finding a suitable match may prove nearly impossible due to the shadow that hangs over her family. Life in her aunt’s castle isn’t quite what Iselda imagined. When strange disappearances begin to occur, she takes it upon herself to solve the mystery behind them. What she uncovers opens a whole new world of enchantment…and possibly a forbidden love. Will falling for the wrong man lead Iselda into a trap she can't escape?
292 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2016
24 people are currently reading
279 people want to read
About the author
Christine Pope
218 books1,096 followersA native of Southern California, Christine Pope has been writing stories ever since she commandeered her family’s Smith-Corona typewriter back in the sixth grade. Many reams of dead trees later, she’s happy to announce that her debut novel, Fringe Benefits,was published by Pink Petal Books on April 8, 2010. Her short fiction has appeared in Astonishing Adventures, Luna Station Quarterly, and the new journal of dark fiction, Dark Valentine. Her paranormal novella, Playing With Fire, was released on August 5, 2010.
While Fringe Benefits is a straight contemporary romance, she writes in a variety of genres, including paranormal romance, fantasy, horror, science fiction, and historical romance. She blames this on being easily distracted by bright, shiny objects, which could also account for the size of her shoe collection.
After spending many years in the magazine publishing industry, she now works as a freelance editor in addition to writing fiction. She lives with her husband and an explosively fluffy Pomeranian mix. Her house is pink, but don’t hold that against her.
While Fringe Benefits is a straight contemporary romance, she writes in a variety of genres, including paranormal romance, fantasy, horror, science fiction, and historical romance. She blames this on being easily distracted by bright, shiny objects, which could also account for the size of her shoe collection.
After spending many years in the magazine publishing industry, she now works as a freelance editor in addition to writing fiction. She lives with her husband and an explosively fluffy Pomeranian mix. Her house is pink, but don’t hold that against her.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 2, 2018
Hmm. I don't know what it is, but the later books don't quite draw me in the same way the first few did. Anyway, Moon Dance is based on "The Twelve Dancing Princesses," so I was looking forward to how Pope interpreted the tale. While she does have an interesting spin on it, both the mystery and romance were a bit lackluster for me.
The big reveal of the villain, as well as the big showdown, were also left off so late into the story and ended so abruptly that it was difficult to get excited about it. Likewise, the happily-ever-after moment also came up so quickly without any real buildup that it too was so-so. We already know it's coming, but it's still nice to build some anticipation.
The epilogue, while cute, would probably have been more satisfying if we got to spend more time with Iselda and Reynar as a couple.
Overall, it's a cute story but not nearly as satisfying as some other stories in the series.
The big reveal of the villain, as well as the big showdown, were also left off so late into the story and ended so abruptly that it was difficult to get excited about it. Likewise, the happily-ever-after moment also came up so quickly without any real buildup that it too was so-so. We already know it's coming, but it's still nice to build some anticipation.
The epilogue, while cute, would probably have been more satisfying if we got to spend more time with Iselda and Reynar as a couple.
Overall, it's a cute story but not nearly as satisfying as some other stories in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2018
Excellent
Love how Christine uses fairy tales as the baseline for her stories and twists them to make a completely new and compelling - at least to me - new story. I have read 8 of The Latter Kingdoms tales in 2 days and will definitely return to them time and time again. I love how they stand alone but there are constant references to the other tales so you can relate to them being about kingdoms of different cultures but linked. I also like the style of writing - somewhat 'olde worlde' but easy to read.
Love how Christine uses fairy tales as the baseline for her stories and twists them to make a completely new and compelling - at least to me - new story. I have read 8 of The Latter Kingdoms tales in 2 days and will definitely return to them time and time again. I love how they stand alone but there are constant references to the other tales so you can relate to them being about kingdoms of different cultures but linked. I also like the style of writing - somewhat 'olde worlde' but easy to read.
June 3, 2019
Loved it!
I like this loose retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. I've noticed one thing about this author- she likes to wrap everything up in the last 10% of the book. Seems to take a long while to get there and then the ending is always abrupt. Also, expect insta-love since it is a fairytale. But I did enjoy the story. There were quite a few times I thought I could predict what happens next, but I was wrong. Kept me guessing.
I like this loose retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. I've noticed one thing about this author- she likes to wrap everything up in the last 10% of the book. Seems to take a long while to get there and then the ending is always abrupt. Also, expect insta-love since it is a fairytale. But I did enjoy the story. There were quite a few times I thought I could predict what happens next, but I was wrong. Kept me guessing.
June 21, 2017
Great Read
I read the entire 8 book series and I couldn't put them down. So this a review for the whole series. The stories were exciting and fun, my heart raced and kept me on the edge of my seat. These are the first and only books I have read by Christine Pope, but they certainly won't be my last. If you enjoy reading books that excite you, pick up this series.
I read the entire 8 book series and I couldn't put them down. So this a review for the whole series. The stories were exciting and fun, my heart raced and kept me on the edge of my seat. These are the first and only books I have read by Christine Pope, but they certainly won't be my last. If you enjoy reading books that excite you, pick up this series.
January 21, 2018
Very entertaining
Kept my attention well. I could not put it down. The whole series is great. A must read if you enjoy fairytales
Kept my attention well. I could not put it down. The whole series is great. A must read if you enjoy fairytales
June 17, 2018
enchanting
A wonderful story. Lots of unexpected things happening and great ending. Christine popes work is always good but these stories are special
A wonderful story. Lots of unexpected things happening and great ending. Christine popes work is always good but these stories are special
October 8, 2025
This series is consistently good.
Fantastic plot - lots of fancy footwork. Iselda is not my favorite character but I understood her. This book is a little violent.
Fantastic plot - lots of fancy footwork. Iselda is not my favorite character but I understood her. This book is a little violent.
August 22, 2016
Unlike the other tales in this collection I wasn't aware of the tale on which this is based. But I soon got the hang of it! Iselda is fully aware of the magic in the world, after all her sister is married to a powerful mage. But magic is still outlawed and looked on with suspicion so they are in hiding in a far off land.
Iselda now stays with her aunt, uncle and cousins. She fears she will be forever in their care, after all who wants the scandal that comes with her. But when a young man comes calling and seems to find friendship with her she resolves that romance is all she will settle for, friendship is not enough. But things take a dark turn and she is manipulated into an engagement which is only a ploy to entangle her further in the evil machinations of a secret user of magic!
There were red herrings galore in this story. Just when I had it sussed, bam the bad guy was not who I thought it was. Iselda is a wonderful character and her cousins and friend are all very different. The story was great and a new one to me.
Moon Dance is inspired by the Twelve Dancing Princesses fairy tale.
Iselda now stays with her aunt, uncle and cousins. She fears she will be forever in their care, after all who wants the scandal that comes with her. But when a young man comes calling and seems to find friendship with her she resolves that romance is all she will settle for, friendship is not enough. But things take a dark turn and she is manipulated into an engagement which is only a ploy to entangle her further in the evil machinations of a secret user of magic!
There were red herrings galore in this story. Just when I had it sussed, bam the bad guy was not who I thought it was. Iselda is a wonderful character and her cousins and friend are all very different. The story was great and a new one to me.
Moon Dance is inspired by the Twelve Dancing Princesses fairy tale.
September 5, 2016
I really enjoyed this take on the 12 dancing princesses, even though technically they aren't princesses and their are only four of them ;) I loved the fact that in this tale the heroine knew of the magic and Though she hid it from her guardians Didn't find it wrong. i also like that this takes a character from Threads of gold and Continues her story. Like some of the others have said i wish the hero was a bit more developed that we had gotten to know him better and that the book was just a bit longer other wise i loved it and all eight of the latter Kingdom tales.
January 20, 2017
ok. this was the 3rd book I'd read by this author, so I guess I should've known better by now but I was still? disappointed?
I love fairytale retellings, but I feel like these are just so lazy. the setup & potential are great but then there's no development, no explanations - yet All Is Okay in the end and it's wrapped up nicely. eh.
I love fairytale retellings, but I feel like these are just so lazy. the setup & potential are great but then there's no development, no explanations - yet All Is Okay in the end and it's wrapped up nicely. eh.
August 31, 2016
Enjoyable, but i wish there had been more development of the hero
3.5
3.5
September 21, 2016
A retelling of the twelve dancing princesses.
November 18, 2016
Awesome story
I loved the whole series. I would gladly recommend this series to the world. I can't wait to discover more of her books.
I loved the whole series. I would gladly recommend this series to the world. I can't wait to discover more of her books.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews