Princess of the Midnight Ball (2009)

Princess of the Midnight Ball is a 2009 young adult fantasy novel written by Jessica Day George. It is based on the fairy tale "The Twelve Dancing Princesses".

Plot summary

Princess Rose and her sisters Lily, Jonquil, Hyacinth, Violet, Daisy, Poppy, Iris, Lilac, Orchid, Pansy, and Petunia are trapped in a curse. Every third night, they have to dance at the Midnight Ball with the twelve sons of the King Under Stone, who lives in a realm below the earth. The curse prevents them from speaking of it, and every prince who attempts to learn their secret in hopes of marrying one of them and inheriting the crown ends up dead by the next full moon.

Galen Werner is a soldier who is returning from the Westfalin-Analousia war. On his way to the city of Bruch to live with his mother's sister Liesel Orm, Galen meets an old woman. After he shares his food with her, the woman gives him white and black yarn and an invisibility cloak, saying that he would have to use them when "He" tries to get to the surface.

When Galen meets Rose, she knows that he can try to break the curse, but will he succeed despite the complications they come across?

Characters

Galen Werner: The protagonist of the story, the only son of a soldier and an army laundress. Galen had been a soldier since he was fifteen when his father died in battle. With the Westfalin-Analousia war over, Galen Werner goes to live with his mother's sister and her family.

Princess Rose: Another protagonist, the eldest daughter of King Gregor and the late Queen Maude. She is protective of her sisters and wants desperately to break the curse they inherited from their mother. Rose is clever and courageous but is deeply burdened with the curse of dancing at the Midnight Ball. She is 18 at the time.

Princess Lily: The second daughter of King Gregor, who has worked with Rose for years to attempt to break the spell upon them. She is described as a gracious and artful young woman, as well as endlessly brave. She is an excellent shot with a pistol, having been taught by her sweetheart, Heinrich Orm, Galen's cousin, before he left to become a soldier. She is 17.

The King Under Stone: The prime antagonist, who manipulated circumstances that forced Queen Maude to dance to provide him with energy and then have her bear twelve daughters to become brides for his twelve sons. His true name is Wolfram von Aue and was trapped long ago underground by the power of twelve magicians.

King Gregor: The King of Westfalin and the father of Rose and her sisters. Out of love for his wife, Queen Maude, he ordered a Breton garden to be made, containing each of her favorite flowers. He loves his daughters deeply and despairs that they are mysteriously exhausting themselves each night, dancing until their shoes are worn out.

Walter Vogel: An elderly gardener who has worked in the Queen's Garden since Rose was born. He becomes Galen's mentor when Galen becomes one of the palace gardeners, and indirectly aids Galen to discover the secret of the princesses and help defeat the King Under Stone. It is stated on the author's website that Walter was named after the German poet Walter von der Vogelweide.

The Orm Family: Galen's only surviving family. His aunt, Liesel, is the sister of Galen's mother Renata, and she welcomes him into her home. Liesel's husband, Reiner, is a proud man who does not trust others easily and is proud of his position as the king's Chief Gardener. Liesel and Reiner's daughter is Ulrike, a gentle sentimental girl who enjoys reading, while their son Heinrich and Princess Lily were in love. Because Heinrich chose to become a soldier rather than remaining a gardener during the Westfalin-Analousian war, Reiner disowned him and convinced his wife and daughter that Heinrich died. Heinrich and Lily eventually marry.

The Other Princesses: Rose and Lily's younger sisters, the daughters of King Gregor and late Queen Maude, in order of age. The three eldest princesses are known as the "Older Set" and the three youngest form the "Youngest Set", with the six remaining sisters known as the "In-Betweens."

Jonquil, the third eldest princess, well-known for her good looks and her tendency to dress ostentatiously. She shares a room with Lily and Rose; the three eldest princesses are known as the "Older Set." She is 16. By the events of Princess of the Silver Woods, she remains unmarried as recurring nightmares of her experience at the Midnight Balls have marred her beauty and discouraged her suitors.

Hyacinth, the fourth eldest princess, known to be extremely pious and prays often, but is also said to be graceful and an exquisite dancer. She shares a room with Violet and the twins. She is 15. In the years after the Midnight Balls, Hyacinth becomes considerably more forceful towards the King Under Stone's successors. In Princess of the Silver Woods, she has married Jacques, an Analousian aristocrat.

Violet, the fifth eldest, is musically inclined. She loves to play the pianoforte and is a fine singer, but is also good at cards. She is 14. In Princess of the Silver Woods, it is revealed that she has married the son of the Archduke von Schwabian, Prince Frederick, who shares Violet's musical inclinations.

Poppy and Daisy, twin sisters, the sixth (Poppy) and seventh (Daisy) eldest in their family. Poppy is tough and outspoken and an excellent cardsharp, while Daisy is easily frightened and well-behaved. The twins are 13 during the novel. Poppy is the heroine of the sequel, Princess of Glass, where she develops a relationship with Prince Christian of the Danelaw during their stay in Breton, whom she marries at the conclusion of Princess of the Silver Woods. Daisy eventually marries Prince Ricard of Venenzia.

Iris, the eighth princess, known to be kindhearted. She is 12.

Lilac, the ninth princess, who enjoys watching plays. She is 11.