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Bestselling author of the Queen of the Tearling series, Erika Johansen, journeys to a new kingdom in this brilliant stand-alone novel—a darkly magical take on The Nutcracker where two sisters, cursed from birth, are forever changed one memorable Christmas. . . . Light and dark—this is the destiny placed upon Natasha and Clara, the birthright bestowed by their godfather, the mysterious sorcerer Drosselmeyer. Clara, the favorite, grows into beauty and ease, while Natasha is cursed to live in her sister’s shadow. But one fateful Christmas Eve, Natasha gets her chance at revenge. For Drosselmeyer has brought the Nutcracker, an enchanted present that offers entry into a deceptively beautiful world: the Kingdom of Sweets. In this land of snow and sugar, Natasha is presented with a power far greater than Drosselmeyer: the Sugar Plum Fairy, who is also full of gifts . . . and dreadful bargains. As Natasha uncovers the dark destiny laid before her birth, she must reckon with powers both earthly and magical, and decide to which world she truly belongs.
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0 0This book was very compelling, and I really enjoyed the plot, but Natasha grated on me at times. I feel like she was supposed to have learned some big lesson by the end, but I really don't think she quite grasped it. I enjoyed the horror Christmas vibe, especially this time of year. It's been a while since I've read a retelling, and although I liked this take on the Nutcracker, it would have been nice to see more Russian influence throughout. If I didn't already know the setting, I wouldn't have had a clue it took place in Russia until the epilogue.
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