A review by thereadingraccoon
The Kingdom of Sweets by Erika Johansen

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Book Review: The Kingdom of Sweets by Erika Johansen 

The Kingdom of Sweets is a fantasy retelling of The Nutcracker about a pair of twins divided by jealousy and dark magic. 

Natasha and Clara were declared to be “light” and “dark” at birth by their self-appointed godfather and local magician, Drosselmeyer. As they grow older Clara the “light” and beautiful twin is paraded around town by their parents while Natasha the “dark” and unattractive sister hides in their home with her books. When Natasha’s parents, her twin Clara, her lover Conrad and godfather Drosselmeyer betray her on her seventeenth birthday she finds herself pulled into a magical land of sweets created from her sister’s imagination. There she will learn more about the dark magic that propelled Drosselmeyer and divided the sisters. Natasha will seek her revenge on Clara for her betrayal in that enchanted land but not without consequences in their own world. 

The Kingdom of Sweets is a twisted and dark fairy tale of magic and sisterly competition set against the backdrop of a changing country on the verge of revolution. Johansen’s world building and characters are top notch and she isn’t afraid to show the dark side of humanity (or the land of fairy). Although this isn’t the feel good read of the holiday season I highly recommend it to fantasy readers who enjoy magic, complicated heroines and beautiful writing. 

4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️