The Thirteenth Princess

Name: The Thirteenth Princess
Brand: Harper Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Diane Zahler
ISBN: 9780061938221

Author: Diane Zahler

Narrator: Jenna Lamia

Unabridged: 5 hr 54 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperCollins

Published: 02/02/2010

Categories: Children's Fiction, Fairy Tales, Children's Love & Romance

Synopsis

Zita is not an ordinary servant girl—she's the thirteenth daughter of a king who wanted only sons. When she was born, Zita's father banished her to the servants' quarters to work in the kitchens, where she can only communicate with her royal sisters in secret.Then, after Zita's twelfth birthday, the princesses all fall mysteriously ill. The only clue is their strangely worn and tattered shoes. With the help of her friends—Breckin the stable boy, Babette the witch, and Milek the soldier—Zita follows her bewitched sisters into a magical world of endless dancing and dreams. But something more sinister is afoot—and unless Zita and her friends can break the curse, the twelve princesses will surely dance to their deaths. A classic fairy tale with a bold twist, The Thirteenth Princess tells the unforgettable story of a magical castle, true love, spellbound princesses—and the young girl determined to save them all.

About Diane Zahler

Diane Zahler is the author of The Thirteenth Princess, A True Princess, and Princess of the Wild Swans. Her books have been praised for their "delicious descriptions" (Kirkus Reviews) and their "gratifying depth" (Publishers Weekly). Diane lives with her husband in New York's Harlem Valley, in an old farmhouse held together by magic spells and duct tape.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Miranda on December 09, 2020

2.5 starsI could hardly take this in, it was so strange and wondrous. I was a princess!Zita spent most of her life believing she was a serving girl, only to discover that she isthe thirteenth princess. Her mother died in labor and her father, enraged by the lack of sons and sidelined by the grief......more

Goodreads review by Valerie on January 12, 2016

The story of the twelve dancing princesses isn't one of the most popular fairy-tales to be retold (i.e. Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty) but definitely isn’t one of the most neglected either. This take on it adds a thirteenth princess which was appealing to me. Zita is also a serva......more

Goodreads review by Emma on March 07, 2010

So, I went to the local Barnes and Noble to use a gift card that I got for Christmas (this was actually quite characteristically unlike me to be using a gift card so soon after receival. I'm lazy. And forgetful.) mainly for the purpose to purchase House of Many Ways by Diana Wynn Jones. But of course......more

Goodreads review by Reagan on July 16, 2019

This book was pretty good. It's upper elementary fiction, and I read it because remember likingA True Princess and her other works. This book was the retelling of the 12 dancing princesses. And while I prefer Jessica Day George's retelling, this one is well written. It is written for a younger audie......more

Goodreads review by Eva on March 15, 2010

Most people who have enjoyed fairy tale-based fantasies by Gail Carson Levine, Donna Jo Napoli, and others will find this a pleasant and well-written diversion. Although not as funny as Levine's tales or as psychologically insightful as Napoli's, there is plenty of substance here. Zita is as plucky......more