This was such a beautiful and enchanting story and I absolutely loved it. The setting was magical and I fell in love with the world and it’s uniqueness. I also loved the main character and thought she was very well written, this was the perfect book to read in the winter and had the perfect level of magic!

This was such a slow read. I think it was hard to keep track of the characters (I often confused Theodore and Frederick for example). Reading about the creepy villain and sweet magical world were not even enough to excite me. I'm sorry I couldn't like this book more. Maybe it will be better for those who like ballet or The Nutcracker.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review

A lush, atmospherically pleasing read that transported me to a place of fairy tale fantasy. This had a magical vibe to it from the very beginning, it's a little slow to begin with but once we get into the thick of the plot it definitely picks up. Marietta was a strong and courageous main character who knew exactly what she wanted out of life but was limited due to her gender and place in society. I loved her connection to her dancing and how far she was willing to go to chase her dreams. I did find her a little naïve and innocent at times but we'll put that down to her age.

The descriptions of Everwood were probably my favourite part of the story if we're being honest. I just loved the whimsical feel of it; everything is just perfectly described as sweet and sugary as the confectionary it's based on. I really did feel like I was right there walking through this magical land with Marietta.

The romance is well paced and adorable. The friendship that is built between Marietta, Dellara and Pirlipata is wonderfully built and a great depiction of women sticking together.

I will say that my rating was brought down by the fact that it got a bit too decadent at times. Too much time is often spent describing absolutely everything in the scene where sometimes it's not needed. It got a little tedious and meant that along with a few plot holes that aren't addressed, my enjoyment lacked in places.

Pure magical, fantasy for creative, lighthearted escapism. Marietta lives in an era where it is not acceptable for high society to dance professionally. She is expected to marry and live a respectable life. She has other plans, until a mysterious neighbour moves in across the street. And despite her misgivings, he seems determined to marry her. Yet he is not what he seems, and in a confrontation with him, she finds herself transported to another magical dimension, filled with characters that have taken inspiration from the nutcracker ballet. She becomes trapped in this world, where she must dance every night for her life. Despite these harrowing circumstances, she develops true bonds and feelings for the people she meets, bonds that had eluded her in her normal world. She will need to choose and she will need help if she wants to find her way home.

Its an enchanting tale, filled with beautiful, graceful descriptions and sends you to a world of pure fantasy and creation (the world is literally made of food). Amongst the fantasy, there are some soulful messages, but overall this was pure escapism.

This was such a cute retelling! I loved the cover, and then I fell for the wonderfully unique plot and emotionally vulnerable characters!!

I have loved the Nutcraker since I was a little girl. So the thought of a retelling, excited me.

This book is so much more than a retelling, its whimsical and has me drawn in from chapter one. I could see the little pieces of inspiration The Nutcracker had lent to the author .

I cant wait to read more from this author.

For me, fantasy is a genre that I tentatively dip a toe in. I'm not confident with it and so my experience with books of this ilk is limited. However, I have to say that Midnight in Everwood my M. A. Kuznair is absolutely magical.

Marietta is a young woman on the cusp of adulthood. Expected to marry and give up her dreams of being a dancer, Marietta is desperately clinging on to her dream of dancing with a theatre company but when the insidious Dr Drosselmeier comes into her life Marietta must fight so much harder.

Transferred to a magical land, Marietta realises just how sheltered her life has been. She relies on her determination and tenacity to help her make it through.

Midnight in Everwood is like a snow globe in book form. The snowflake of a story left me feeling warm and glowy and it definitely made me more intrigued and confident to try more fantasy.

Midnight in Everwood by M. A. Kuznair is available now.

For more information regarding HQ Stories (@HQstories) please visit www.hqstories.co.uk.

A dark twist to The Nutcracker.
When the ballet comes to life with magic and transports you to a world that only existed through dance and screens.
the secrets are silent, Marietta must wake them up in order to get home.
filled with magic and enchantment this book lures you in with dancing words in your eyes making you want to read more and save Marietta.

Gorgeous and whimsical retelling of the Nutcracker (which if you’ve read the original – Der Gnussenknacker und das Maus Konig – is a very weird and disturbing story). There was a lot I liked about this book. The setting was great and I loved visiting Edwardian style England and pairing it with the ballet at that time (very difficult for girls of a certain class to enter the ballet). I even liked the fact that the love story didn’t get centre stage. I think there’s enough retellings to support one that isn’t focused on HEA. But I did feel that the plot grew thin in places and the characters weren’t quite as rounded as I would have liked. Still enjoyable though and a perfect winter read.

This was a beautiful winter read; heartbreaking one minute, then hopeful the next. Whimsical and magical in every way, with a main character that you couldn't help but root for.

Having only recently seen Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker it was quite entertaining to read a totally different reworking of this story.

Did it work, well yes after a bit of a slow start it picked up and was a well written tale.

You wouldn't need to know the story of the Nutcracker to enjoy this but I thought it helped.

Full review to be posted soonish. I'll update review with links to socials.
I would like to thank the publisher and netgalley for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Snuggling up under a cosy blanket, in front of a roaring log fire in the countryside, with a creamy hot chocolate and this perfect winter read, was a Christmas 2021 highlight!

Reading this was like reliving my childhood through the eyes of my adult self. A dark yet magical retelling of “The Nutcracker”.

5 Stars – Magical Read!

Publication Date: 28th October 2021

Thank you to #NetGalley, #HQ and #MAKuzniar for an ARC of #MidnightInEverwood in exchange for an honest review.

Charming and sweet; a perfect winter read. A little slow in parts, but the gorgeous and lyrical writing is enough to carry you through.

I did find the start a bit slow and the pacing was slightly off at times but wow the writing the WRITING amazing I loved it so very different to Mias middle grade series it’s clear they can do it all. Marietta’s struggle and character building was brilliant! Generally a must read for a cozy wintery book

Thank you to netgalley for allowing me access to these books, thank you to the publisher and the author for giving me access to this eARC.

Apologies for the late review life has been crazy.

I was so excited to get given this book to read and review as I had heard so many good reviews on this book I was super excited and the book didn't disappoint. The writing style was beautiful and lyrical and the storyline was well-curated. This was perfect and I would like to in future read more from M.A. Kuzniar.

I have not read a retelling which has made me imagine characters in a completely fresh way! The descriptions and world building was incredible. I could almost imagine being there myself (and I wanted to be!)

The best part for me? I was oddly pleased by the way the relationship turns out between Marietta and Captain Legat! No spoilers here but...pick the book up and find out!

Thank you @cosyreads for creating a book I didn't even know I needed!

Marietta hopes to become a ballerina, but in the early part of the twentieth century, this is not an option for long. But then she encounters the mysterious Dr Drosselmeier who transports her to a magical land. But can Marietta work out how to return?

Midnight in Everwood is badged as a retelling of the Nutcracker story. As I don’t know the Nutcracker story well, I couldn’t comment on the similarities, however it’s an entertaining enough story. At times the dialogue feels a little clunky and not really in keeping with the Edwardian setting. Drosselmeier is a creepy, sinister character and not somebody Marietta should get herself involved with at all. There seemed to be many descriptions using sweet food - the snow was crisp…a path of granulated sugar; heavy with the scent of forest, snow and marzipan - which I felt detracted from the story.

An enj,oyable read if you’re a fan of ballet and fantasy.

The hype for this was well deserved. I didn’t think I’d enjoy a book about a ballerina but it was beautiful. I loved the writing and this was the perfect book to read around Christmas time. Would definitely recommend.

I loved Midnight in Everwood and thought it was a fabulous story in its own right. As a movie it would be awesome …

Marietta, bucking against parental/societal expectations of what her life should look like for as long as she can, knows it’s almost time to do what she should. She’s been able to manipulate her father Theodore, but his patience has almost gone. He has declared that her last ballet dance will be her performance at the Christmas Ball they hold at their home every year.

Newcomer Dr Drosselmeier is invited to dinner and blinds her parents with his inventions. In his interactions with Marietta, we can only feel darkness and greed. He’s created the stage for the last dance and after trapping her on the stage, gives her no option but to try and escape …

Marietta gradually learns how this darkly magical world works (echoes of Chronicles of Narnia and the Snow Queen). It might be all saccharine and sweetness on the surface but there’s a deep and dark undertow.

She makes allies and within the protection of those relationships, she grows and matures.

Dance is Marietta’s escape, her ‘voice’ and I thought it was clever – and unexpected – how this was used in a couple of scenes.

I was totally captivated throughout and really quite sad when it was over. I don’t always need the ends of stories to be tied up but in this case, would love a sequel!

This really was a hauntingly beautiful tale.