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andreatorres's review
3.0
3 ⭐️ Nutcracker Retelling
This book was engaging and interesting enough, but it was riddled with spelling and grammatical errors and was entirely too long – unnecessarily so. The story's cute, and by the end I surely was invested in seeing where the characters ended up, but it was extremely frustrating to read.
As I said, this is a re-imagining of the story in the Nutcracker, so there are many similarities, with some new additions to keep it interesting and not too predictable. It was a little spicy, and very much romance filled which I can always appreciate.
Overall, though, it felt like I was reading a very long fanfic – and I usually don’t necessarily mean that in a bad way, but… it's not good, really.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
This book was engaging and interesting enough, but it was riddled with spelling and grammatical errors and was entirely too long – unnecessarily so. The story's cute, and by the end I surely was invested in seeing where the characters ended up, but it was extremely frustrating to read.
As I said, this is a re-imagining of the story in the Nutcracker, so there are many similarities, with some new additions to keep it interesting and not too predictable. It was a little spicy, and very much romance filled which I can always appreciate.
Overall, though, it felt like I was reading a very long fanfic – and I usually don’t necessarily mean that in a bad way, but… it's not good, really.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
airxsouls's review
3.0
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Our aesthetic and worldbuilding in this one can be a great read around the holidays and fill that void of something to set the mood. But sadly think a lot of this fell short for me after I hit the halfway mark. There was a lot of promise in the description and the idea of a Nutcracker retelling but I don't think this necessarily lived up to that.
Maybe if it was reworked and some things changed I would probably be able to give it 4 stars instead of 3. I wasn't a big fan of the main character as she came off as really unlikeable and somewhat spoiled but with no purpose to it or redemption relating to that. So I think it wasn't intended but it honestly made it worse. Maybe I'll come back to this eventually.
Our aesthetic and worldbuilding in this one can be a great read around the holidays and fill that void of something to set the mood. But sadly think a lot of this fell short for me after I hit the halfway mark. There was a lot of promise in the description and the idea of a Nutcracker retelling but I don't think this necessarily lived up to that.
Maybe if it was reworked and some things changed I would probably be able to give it 4 stars instead of 3. I wasn't a big fan of the main character as she came off as really unlikeable and somewhat spoiled but with no purpose to it or redemption relating to that. So I think it wasn't intended but it honestly made it worse. Maybe I'll come back to this eventually.
dinoqueenreads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
the cover?: i mean it speaks for itself doesn't it?! it's absolutely beautiful and you know you're getting a fantasy with love and loss
the FMC: Klara- transported from her NYC apartment on Christmas Eve to a magical realm... or did she just have too much to drink and have an extremely vivid dream? Either way- she encounters a fantastical land filled with magick, royalty, and a guy who makes time stand still when she looks at him 😍
the MMC: Jaemis- hottie Prince who is cursed by the Mouse King that will lead to an untimely death. Enter Klara in the middle of the chaos to bring his world crashing down- he wants her more than he should and doesn't want to experience what he can't have when the curse takes him over. Will he be able to resist her? or will his need overcome his fear of his curse?
POV: 3rd person dual perspective
HEA: yes!
spice: spicy/steamy- there are several open door spicy scenes, so many sweet (and passionate) kisses throughout, and so so so much pining
TWs: house fire, kidnapping, overall pretty clean with no gore
standalone?: yes!
this spicy retelling of The Nutcracker was everything I could want!
read this book if you love
📖 fairytale retellings
🌎 fantastical world building
🔮 supernatural characters
🧹 magic
🧑🤝👩 interesting and lovable side characters
the FMC: Klara- transported from her NYC apartment on Christmas Eve to a magical realm... or did she just have too much to drink and have an extremely vivid dream? Either way- she encounters a fantastical land filled with magick, royalty, and a guy who makes time stand still when she looks at him 😍
the MMC: Jaemis- hottie Prince who is cursed by the Mouse King that will lead to an untimely death. Enter Klara in the middle of the chaos to bring his world crashing down- he wants her more than he should and doesn't want to experience what he can't have when the curse takes him over. Will he be able to resist her? or will his need overcome his fear of his curse?
POV: 3rd person dual perspective
HEA: yes!
spice: spicy/steamy- there are several open door spicy scenes, so many sweet (and passionate) kisses throughout, and so so so much pining
TWs: house fire, kidnapping, overall pretty clean with no gore
standalone?: yes!
this spicy retelling of The Nutcracker was everything I could want!
read this book if you love
📖 fairytale retellings
🌎 fantastical world building
🔮 supernatural characters
🧹 magic
🧑🤝👩 interesting and lovable side characters
lauren_readsbooks2302's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This...did not tickle my pickle.
A Nutcracker retelling with a Christmassy aspect and some spice had me sold on this story, but truthfully, it fell short for me. Or long, I guess. It was really, really long. Or it just felt that way, but at one point, I wondered if it would ever end.
The world building and the atmospheric feel of the book gave it a touch of magic. I didn't detest the main characters but I didn't love them either. The dual POV did admittedly help a little.
The spice wasn't bad, for what little we got. Certainly a take on the Nutcracker I've not come across until this book.
Also - the title irked me a little. There's nothing inherently wrong with it, but the style of title has been done to death at this point. A Court of Thorns and Roses. A Curse of Frost and Fate. The Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Children of Blood and Bone. They all just blend together in my head whenever I think about them. Sure, they're all different but they certainly aren't unique. Nothing stands out about it for me.
It was the writing that brought this book down to 3 stars for me. It was peppered with grammatical errors, spelling mistakes and the misuse of certain words and phrases that had me scratching my head and wondering if I was the one in the wrong. The book needs heavily edited. A quarter of it could be cut out and the rest needs a good spell check and a thorough reread to correct the little mistakes. They just cheapen a book.
All that being said - if you want a twist on the Nutcracker that you've maybe not seen before, give this book a read.
A Nutcracker retelling with a Christmassy aspect and some spice had me sold on this story, but truthfully, it fell short for me. Or long, I guess. It was really, really long. Or it just felt that way, but at one point, I wondered if it would ever end.
The world building and the atmospheric feel of the book gave it a touch of magic. I didn't detest the main characters but I didn't love them either. The dual POV did admittedly help a little.
The spice wasn't bad, for what little we got. Certainly a take on the Nutcracker I've not come across until this book.
Also - the title irked me a little. There's nothing inherently wrong with it, but the style of title has been done to death at this point. A Court of Thorns and Roses. A Curse of Frost and Fate. The Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Children of Blood and Bone. They all just blend together in my head whenever I think about them. Sure, they're all different but they certainly aren't unique. Nothing stands out about it for me.
It was the writing that brought this book down to 3 stars for me. It was peppered with grammatical errors, spelling mistakes and the misuse of certain words and phrases that had me scratching my head and wondering if I was the one in the wrong. The book needs heavily edited. A quarter of it could be cut out and the rest needs a good spell check and a thorough reread to correct the little mistakes. They just cheapen a book.
All that being said - if you want a twist on the Nutcracker that you've maybe not seen before, give this book a read.
bookinbritt's review
4.0
To fairytales & family
First this is definitely on the high fantasy side of fantasy re-tellings so if you're expecting a quick read through I'd set aside extra time and keep that in mind.
I enjoyed this spin on such a classic tale and one of my personal favorites at that. Jaemis and Klara are a beautiful take on a well-known pairing. The lore was beautifully interwoven into modern times and the world building and array of characters was stunning in detail.
My only wish is that it was split into a duet possibly as it did feel fairly lengthy as time went on. I didn't mind the lighter moments and introduction to backstory for side characters, it just would've helped to split it up some I think.
Thank you to Netgalley and Verika for the chance to Arc this.
First this is definitely on the high fantasy side of fantasy re-tellings so if you're expecting a quick read through I'd set aside extra time and keep that in mind.
I enjoyed this spin on such a classic tale and one of my personal favorites at that. Jaemis and Klara are a beautiful take on a well-known pairing. The lore was beautifully interwoven into modern times and the world building and array of characters was stunning in detail.
My only wish is that it was split into a duet possibly as it did feel fairly lengthy as time went on. I didn't mind the lighter moments and introduction to backstory for side characters, it just would've helped to split it up some I think.
Thank you to Netgalley and Verika for the chance to Arc this.
what_karla_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
3.5/5 stars
3/5 spice
3/5 spice
harpbrat's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
baia's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
lepnut's review
4.0
This is an adult retelling of the Nutcracker.
The mouse king has imprisoned the true king and queen and their son Jaemis is planning a rescue. Then he overhears a plot to capture a girl named Klara from another realm and knows he has to stop it...
Meanwhile, Klara and her family are celebrating Christmas. Her godfather gets her a nutcracker doll. After plenty of drinks, Klara has the oddest dream...
This is a charming story. If you like the Nutcracker, you will like this as well.
The mouse king has imprisoned the true king and queen and their son Jaemis is planning a rescue. Then he overhears a plot to capture a girl named Klara from another realm and knows he has to stop it...
Meanwhile, Klara and her family are celebrating Christmas. Her godfather gets her a nutcracker doll. After plenty of drinks, Klara has the oddest dream...
This is a charming story. If you like the Nutcracker, you will like this as well.
bellebookcorner's review
3.0
“From all my travels in the Terrene realm, a few things were universal in ever land. A smile is a smile. A friend is a friend. And family is simply everything.”
I’ve never read a Nutcracker retelling before, so this one really intrigue me the first time I read the synopsis, not to mention the cover is beautiful as well!
This book has some similar elements to the original story but also has some twists and spicy moments which makes it feels different all the same.
The world building where Klara enter the Nutcracker realm is magical and fascinating to know, I really like the time she went there and explore the unknown land as well as her hidden identity.
While I like most of the things here, there are some things that I wish was more developed.
The pacing of the plot is good, but the pacing of the romantic relationship between the two main characters progresses too fast. I wish they have more time to get to know each other first and create a chemistry.
The story also focuses more on the romance part. While I don’t really hate it...I kinda wish there’s more battle actions and strategy-making to defeat the villain.
Overall, this is a unique and light reading with fun characters and good storyline. I would have given this a higher rating if the romance doesn’t have the insta-love trope.
I’m willing to read other books in the future from this author!
I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!
I’ve never read a Nutcracker retelling before, so this one really intrigue me the first time I read the synopsis, not to mention the cover is beautiful as well!
This book has some similar elements to the original story but also has some twists and spicy moments which makes it feels different all the same.
The world building where Klara enter the Nutcracker realm is magical and fascinating to know, I really like the time she went there and explore the unknown land as well as her hidden identity.
While I like most of the things here, there are some things that I wish was more developed.
The pacing of the plot is good, but the pacing of the romantic relationship between the two main characters progresses too fast. I wish they have more time to get to know each other first and create a chemistry.
The story also focuses more on the romance part. While I don’t really hate it...I kinda wish there’s more battle actions and strategy-making to defeat the villain.
Overall, this is a unique and light reading with fun characters and good storyline. I would have given this a higher rating if the romance doesn’t have the insta-love trope.
I’m willing to read other books in the future from this author!
I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!