The Kingdom of Sweets

by Erika Johansen

'Captures the whimsical nature of Tchaikovsky’s ballet, whilst at the same time exploring a more sinister thread . . . dark in spirit and gothic in its atmosphere, this is The Nutcracker as you’ve never known it.' CULTUREFLY

Light and dark - this is the destiny placed upon Natasha and Clara, the birthright bestowed on them by their godfather, the mysterious sorcerer Drosselmeyer. Clara, the favourite, 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 returned and brought with him the Nutcracker, an enchanted present which offers entry to 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 a giver of gifts . . . and a maker of dread-filled 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.

• ISBN10: 1787632369
• ISBN13: 9781787632363
• Publish Date: 30 November 2023 (first published 28 November 2023)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 16 July 2024
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd
• Imprint: Bantam (Transworld)
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 368
• Language: English

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

Book Summary:

Natasha and Clara have lived charmed lives, thanks largely to their godfather, Drosselmeyer. With his love comes a destiny. Like many children born with a destiny, some learn to embrace it while others struggle. Clara is the former, while Natasha is the latter.

So, when Natasha is given a chance at power and revenge in one bundle, she knows what she needs to do. As it turns out, some children are willing to make dark bargains to get what they want.

My Review:

As a huge fan of The Nutcracker, I was curious to see this retelling. In truth, I feel like there are fewer Nutcracker retellings out there (at least in comparison to the countless other types of retellings). So I was excited about The Kingdom of Sweets.

Overall, I would say that The Kingdom of Sweets is a solid read. Maybe not the best, but certainly compelling and interesting. I enjoyed the dark and revenge-oriented focus, as it really leaned into the unexplored potential of the Nutcracker.

You know that sick feeling you get when you've eaten too much sugar? That's the vibe The Kingdom of Sweets is going for. And for the most part, Erika Johansen nailed it. That said, I wouldn't recommend reading this one if you don't want to see a beloved tale change and wither, as that is certainly the result of this gothic take.

Highlights:
YA Fantasy
Christmas
Nutcracker Retelling

Thanks to Dutton and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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