Midnight in Everwood is the perfect book to read in winter. It's incredibly atmospheric and paints a vivid picture of the seemingly picturesque and magical kingdom of Everwood.

Our protagonist Marietta finds herself stuck in Everwood which, at first seems like a dream as she is finally away from her controlling parents and able to dance freely, but even in Everwood do wicked and controlling people live. It wasn't entirely what I expected from my vague knowledge of The Nutcracker, but it was still an interesting book to read. I enjoyed the plot and the characters, though I could do without the romance - truly, without it then the pacing would have improved and the book could have been much shorter.

Overall, this was a lovely winter read, full of magic and intrigue.

I was immediately drawn to this story as it is a retelling of The Nutcracker, and the cover is absolutely gorgeous! However, in the end, I was left a little disappointed.

The pacing was very slow. It’s not until around the 30% mark, when Marietta, the main character, arrives in Everwood, that it begins to pick up speed. My biggest gripe with this story is the lack of a magical atmosphere. I never truly felt like I had entered into a magical world.

The writing was beautiful but, at times, did feel too whimsical and descriptive. It made for a very lengthy read.

As for the characters, I could not connect with Marietta as much as I had hoped. My favorite characters were Mariettea’s brother, Frederick, and Captain Legat. I really enjoyed their dialogue within the story.

Overall this was a decent Nutcracker retelling, and I’m glad I read this during Christmas time.

Midnight in Everwood was a book I partially enjoyed, but mostly felt unsure about. I think the concept felt fresh, as I greatly enjoy retellings and hadn't come across one of the Nutcracker before. However, I felt that the story lacked direction and stakes. All the ingredients were there, but in the wrong amounts. There was far too much telling instead of showing, Also, I felt like the book talked down to me quite a bit. I was sure I had read that it was an adult story, but I felt as though I was reading a YA book that didn't trust me to understand subtext when the main character was being oppressed because of her gender. Quite often I would be taken out of the story by the author explaining in great detail exactly how Marietta was being mistreated directly after reading an entire scene about it. There were a lot of elements that would have made this story more interesting; like more information on the mineral sickness, Marietta helping the revolution, and getting to know more of the town and its people. But the story was really just Marietta being imprisoned in a nice room for most of the book. The only truly interesting portion of that bit, which was the romance, had a very unsatisfying ending. I read the whole thing just waiting for the moment when it would finally take off, but that never really happened for me. Even the two villains ended up being sort of lackluster by the finale. On a positive note, I enjoyed the author's talent for atmospheric prose and the idea alone. It was a good one, I just felt like maybe the overall focus of the story would have been stronger and more interesting if the time spent in certain locations was restructured. I will not share this review on Goodreads, because I don't want anyone to think this is a bad story per se. It just wasn't the right story for me. Overall, Midnight in Everwood has left me feeling a bit sad over its unreached potential.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Midnight in Everwood is a magical retelling of the Nutcracker. I know nothing about ballet but have nice memories of seeing it as a child and thought that this would be a fun and festive read to get me in the mood for the holidays. It absolutely was that!

I really enjoyed this book! I read it in December which really was the perfect and most festive time to read it. This book is filled to the brim with the most magical descriptions of clothes, food, and scenery. I love atmospheric books and delicious descriptions and had a lovely time imagining the setting. I liked the descriptions of dancing a lot, even though I didn't know what most of the French terms meant. I loved picturing Marietta dancing in the fantastical setting and wish I could have attended in person to see it! However, the descriptions are so amazing that I already felt like I was there!

Despite this being a fantasy retelling, Midnight in Everwood tackled some complex social topics like monarchy, class differences, race, gender, and sexuality. I appreciated that what could be a completely fun book considered these topics and showed growth throughout the novel. I liked how Marietta learned and changed though her time in Everwood and because of the people she met.

Overall, I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a seasonal read with a delicious atmospheric setting that includes some complex topics. 4.45 stars rounded down to 4. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Limited for the electronic advanced reader's copy of this book!

I’m a very casual fan (in that I’ve gone to the ballet maybe twice in my life?) of the nutcracker but was immediately excited to hear buzz around an adult nutcracker retelling that had incredible imagery. I think this is a fabulous book to read with a warm cup of tea, sugar cookies, and watching snow fall outside. It felt like bottled Christmas Eve night. Kuzniar really nailed the vibes of Everwood and the magical sugar world.

However, starting off, I debated DNF during the first 30%. I was so bored with all the set up and character building that, while I understood it was leading up to more, felt like it was still too surface-level to justify THIRTY PERCENT of the book. The promise of a magical, mysterious world helped motivate me to push through.

Once I got to Act 1 Scene 2 and Everwood, it definitely picked up and I leisurely enjoyed the detailed, rolling descriptiveness of Kuzniar’s writing that just didn’t quite shine in the “real world” as it does in this enchanting sugar world. Seeing it all through Marietta’s wonder but also knowing that darkness lurked behind this magic. From there the story was engaging and beautifully written. I enjoyed taking it all in and encountering new characters and learning about this new world (and the existence of other worlds which gave me SEANAN MCGUIRE’s WAYWARD CHILDREN series and the doors to new worlds)

Finally, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the romance. It was cute but didn’t feel wholly necessary or… believable (I hear the eye rolling at me pulling the “realistic” card on a character who exists in a sugar-based world) but it wasn’t enough to truly pull me out of the story.

I’m surprised this is a January release for the US but think it’ll be a great holiday or snow day read. Great for fans of magical realism, literary writing, Wayward Children’s series and some holiday magic.

Midnight in Everwood is beautifully written, with an intriguing plot, that makes it a perfect Winter read. I loved how Kuzniar has crafted this lush and fascinating world that pays homage to the original Nutcracker. That being said, I didn't love the romance, and there were parts of it that I just didn't enjoy — I'm sure it's simply the mood I was in, and not the book itself. I think others will probably love this one; it just wasn't for me.

Christmas Day is the perfect day for reviewing this novel. So many of us think about The Nutcracker around this time of year. Now, author M.A. Kuzniar has put a new twist on the tale.

Things I enjoyed about this book included the settings, both in Nottingham and the sumptuousness in the life of Marietta’s family. There were wonderful descriptions of clothing, food, homes and more. True, this abundance does not mean that the characters are happy. Both Marietta and her brother Frederick are ahead of their time and want lives that their parents cannot understand. For Marietta, that is the freedom to put off marriage and to dream about being a star ballerina. For Frederick, it would be to become an artist and to be able to be with the man for whom he cares. (These are not major spoilers as these are things that become known to readers early in the novel.)

When Dr. Drosselmeier moves next door, he is a man that many want to invite to their homes. He comes, however to Marietta’s family. What will happen because of this? What strange adventures will befall Marietta? Will these characters find happiness? Read this very Christmas time title to find out. I am glad that I did!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I couldn’t finish this. I found the beginning very slow and didn’t care where it was going. I was hoping for more magic but it starts out as a slow historical fiction and I couldn’t get into it.

“Marietta Stelle longs to be a ballerina but, as Christmas draws nearer, her dancing days are numbered – she must marry and take up her place in society in the New Year. But, when a mysterious toymaker, Dr Drosselmeier, purchases a neighbouring townhouse, it heralds the arrival of magic and wonder in Marietta’s life.

After Drosselmeier constructs an elaborate theatrical set for her final ballet performance on Christmas Eve, Marietta discovers it carries a magic all of its own – a magic darker than anyone could imagine. As the clock chimes midnight, Marietta finds herself transported from her family’s ballroom to a frozen sugar palace, silent with secrets, in a forest of snow-topped fir trees. She must find a way to return home before she’s trapped in Everwood’s enchanting grip forever.”

I started off this book and was like “uhhhh, I don’t know if I am going to like this because it feels like the writing is dry.” Anyway, once I got to see Marietta in Everwood, I fell in love with this book. I loved Marietta’s bravery and how she plots to get out of Everwood once she notices the evil that seeps into this beautiful place. The growth of Marietta’s character was nicely done since she goes from super naive and wants to follow everyone’s thoughts, but towards the end she becomes badass and think for herself. The magic was gorgeous as well as the world. This was a beautiful and enchanting story that I needed during this Christmas season.

"There is a celebrated storyteller in Everwood... His tales always incorporate a variation of the moral that if you do not cherish your dreams, you have forgotten how to live."

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Midnight in Everwood is an exquisitely written retelling of The Nutcracker. Marietta is a daughter in the aristocracy, she is well educated and polished with charm so that she may marry well. One of her skills is ballet and she loves it more than life. When her parents bring an unusual suitor home, she is immediately turned off and fearful. Not only will she lose her dreams of a life in the ballet but she fears this man is not who he seems. Yet, he is bound and determined to capture her heart and if he can't take it willingly, he will take it by force.

The first quarter of this one is a little slow, it takes place in the real world and we're simply learning about who Marietta is and who this suitor, Drosselmeier is. We feel Marietta's fear and determination grow. While necessary for her decision to initially stay in Everwood when she finds herself there, I think this section could have been trimmed considerably. That said, once Drosselmeier entraps Marietta in the wintery, sugary fantasy kingdom of Everwood I think you couldn't have enough pages. The descriptions of the world and the magic were breathtaking, I would read a thousand stories in this world. And yet, quickly we see there is a dark side to this fabulous world. Kuzniar captures the essence of a fairy tale perfectly... be careful what you wish for. All beauty and joy is balanced with darkness and suffering.

I really enjoyed this story, if it wasn't for the speed of the first quarter and an inappropriate and unnecessary sex scene wedged in at a weird time, I would have rated this five stars for sure. 

Thanks to Netgalley for access to an early copy of this novel. All opinions above are my own.

I really enjoyed this retelling of the nutcracker! The main character, Marietta, was a bit on the nose, but it felt right for the setting. It's a great book to curl up with on a wintery night, especially around the holiday season. I can see myself selling it to someone looking for a Christmas read, particularly for older teens. I also enjoyed the diverse inclusion of characters, even if it felt slightly unrealistic. 3/5 stars.

Midnight in Everwood immediately drew me in with the promise of a magical Nutcracker retelling and gorgeous cover. Especially it being December I thought it would be the perfect time to read this. I really really wanted to love this book...sadly it was just okay, teetering between 2 or 3 stars. I'll firstly admit I have never actually read the original nutcracker and all my knowledge comes from childhood watching's of the Barbie movie...so limited recollection at best. Felt like the beginning was very slow and it took a while to actually get the the magical part of the story. The time line of everything felt choppy and it was hard to tell actually how much time was passing. That being said I constantly felt like I was missing something with the characters relationships. Like oh were in love with him now but didn't we just meet him 2 chapters ago when did this happen. The way all the characters acted and what they said all just seemed a little off and hard to connect to. The middle of the book got tedious after what felt like many chapters of nothing of consequence happening I really had to push to finish this. The ending did get better not enough to make me forget how much I didn't like the rest.
I will say the world of Everwood was well described and the magic concepts seem to have potential. The plot holes and flow of the plot itself with the odd feeling character actions just made this book fall flat for me. As with all books you may read this and find a completely different book, just wasn't for me.

5/5 stars
Recommended for people who like: magic, fantasy, multiple worlds, the Nutcracker, dark courts

This review has been posted to Goodreads and Instagram as of 11/27, and has been posted to my book review blog as of 12/22.

I was super excited to see that there was a book that was a reimagining of the Nutcracker. I've danced for most of my life and wish that there were more books that used ballets as bases for their stories. Admittedly, I was also somewhat wary considering the last YA book I read based on a ballet wasn't one I was a fan of...however, this one seemed like a good match and it was.

Kuzniar did a good job weaving the scenery and making it feel rich, regardless of whether it was Edwardian England or the 'land of sweets.' I liked the details she gave to each place, so I didn't mind that almost the entire first third of the book was spent in England. I got a good sense of the imagery that was present in Nottingham as well as the kinds of people Marietta was surrounded with and the life she was expected to lead. The so-called 'land of sweets,' or Everwood, was also, naturally, rich in imagery. I liked that Kuzniar really utilized each sense in order to create a full picture of the world. The different scents that floated about on the air were an intriguing aspect of the story that I liked, as was the idea of a town and palace made completely of confectionary items.

Not everything is as it seems, of course, and the pretty land has a rotting core. We get to see right from the get-go that things aren't right when Marietta is advised by a shop owner in the Everwood town she arrives in that she has to swiftly leave lest she attracts the attention of the king. Naturally, things don't quite go as planned for Marietta and we do, in fact, get to see this darker side of the otherwise sweet world. Things do get dark, but I think Kuzniar manages to strike a good balance between the whimsy of the world and the darkness of its ruler. The desperation of Marietta and her fellow prisoners, Pirlipata and Dellara, are obvious and we are given plenty of evidence to back up their worries and desire for escape.

Marietta was a fun character to read. She's already determined and ambitious at the start of the book, desiring to dance ballet more than anything but unsure if she'll be able to do so after Christmas, but the rest of her story just makes her even more headstrong than she already was. The Marietta in Nottingham seems to have a decent head on her shoulders, making at least some contingencies, but the Marietta in Everwood almost immediately lands herself in foolish trouble (foolish because she was warned about it) and can blame no one but her own pride, so I thought that was a bit odd despite her falling into a trap regarding dancing. To be fair to her, Marietta learns from her mistakes and is able to recognize where her fallacy lay and correct it in the future. I liked seeing her character growth in the book and how she came into herself.

Pirlipata is one of the other women imprisoned with Marietta. She is a princess of another land of the realm Everwood is in and was kidnapped by the king after she rejected his marriage proposal. Pirlipata is sweet and compassionate from the get-go, not faulting Marietta for her mistakes and often acting as a gentler force to Dellara's intensity. That isn't to say that she's all sweetness, she was a warrior-princess in her country, and Pirlipata shows her grit and strength more than once in defense of the Marietta and Dellara. I think she served as a good balance between the other two personalities, but I do wish she had a stronger voice in the book, since I feel like the spotlight was mainly on Marietta (for obvious reasons) and Dellara, when Pirlipata was probably in the book just as much as Dellara.

Dellara is thorns and lightning to Pirlipata's compassionate words. She acts as a good foil, I think, to Marietta. They're both in similar situations, but Dellara doesn't hesitate to point out where Marietta is lacking, though her barbs mask a caring heart. I think Dellara is a stand-in for the traditional Sugarplum Fairy, and I wholeheartedly approve. I like the take where the fairy is a bloodthirsty, angry creature who wants to directly take down the 'mouse king.' Dellara was certainly a major presence in the story and I liked the camaraderie she had with Pirlipata and Marietta. I also think Kuzniar did a good job showing that Dellara and Pirlipata had a different relationship than Dellara and Marietta, though all three of them grew close. It felt realistic that the shape of it was slightly different.

Legat is the captain of the king's guard (i.e., the 'Nutcracker') and it's hard to tell whose side he's on at first. He didn't seem overly friendly, but he also shows compassion for the three women and helps them multiple times in the book. Additionally, he doesn't seem to be too overbearing on his soldiers, despite probably having reason to be. He's the love interest for Marietta and while I wasn't sure of him at first, I did come around after some of his secrets are revealed. He's a much better (and more interesting) person than I'd initially thought and I think the two make a good match.

King Gelum takes the role of the 'mouse king' from the original. He's cruel and capricious, and what's more, he doesn't seem to wholly understand, or care, about human limits. We don't see a lot him face-to-face, but he's the person that nearly everyone fears and is the reason there's a current of fear and rebellion in Everwood. In this same vein, Dr. Drosselmeier is quite the antagonist in this book. I did figure some things out about him well before Marietta did, but considering how obvious some of the hints were, I think this was intentional. Drosselmeier is a toymaker with the talent of making elaborate and magical inventions. He charms everyone with them, but he definitely begins giving off slimy vibes as the book goes on, until a chance encounter brings Marietta away from Nottingham, and him.

Marietta's parents kind of suck and they really just exist to add tension and erect barriers in Marietta's life. It seems that only her marriage will please them, despite the fact that Marietta is a gifted dancer and getting a spot with the nearby ballet company could be prestigious for her. It isn't too surprising when you take into account that the father seems to disdain art, either Marietta's dancing or her brother's painting. The tension that runs through the family provides some good, believable material, and I liked the final showdown that occurs with them all.

Marietta's brother, Frederick, actually seems to be a decent one. His passion is for painting, though only Marietta and his secret beau, Geoffrey, seem to be aware of that and instead he is pursuing law. In Nottingham, he stands as Marietta's strongest supporter most of the time and I liked reading about their relationship. It was nice to see a sibling pair that took one another into their confidences and remained close rather than one that was fighting.

The ending to this book aligns well with the ending to the ballet version, though it is still slightly different. I was, admittedly, hoping for an ending a biiiit more like Barbie's The Nutcracker, but I'll take what I can get. It's definitely hard to see how else the story could've ended with the way things were wrapped up, and I think the events and decisions at the end are true to the characters.

Overall, I enjoyed this book quite a bit and loved reading about both Nottingham and Everwood. The pleasures and dangers of that otherworld definitely came through and I liked that there was a decent mix of plot and character scenes.

A few years ago, I saw a play in our local theater about the Nutcracker, so I was intrigued when the opportunity to read this book came along. The author did an amazing job of writing this story.

The small enchanting details of the scenes truly brought them all to life, and the characterization was top notch. The main character, Marietta, showed a tremendous amount of growth throughout the story. She went from seeming rather one dimensional because there was really only one thing she cared about in life, to becoming a many-faceted person.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and feel it is worthy of 5 stars.

A beautiful and haunting Nutcracker retelling!

Marietta is a privilege led dancer that has captured the attentions of the brilliant inventor Drosselmeier but when she discovers his magical abilities and his knack for dominance, she refuses his marriage proposal. He then sends her to Everwood, a magical place with sweets and sugary nightmares. She becomes the dancer for the evil King Gelum and all the while she must find a way back to her own world. The dashing young captain Legat confuses her and their attraction is undeniable, but is he an ally or a plaything for the wicked king?

I enjoyed this one even though I’m not a big Nutcracker fan. It had me interested from the very first chapter. Beautifully written

Beautiful retelling of The Nutcracker with a dreamy YA Fantasy twist. I appreciated Kuzniar's great attention to detail in terms to the world of ballet and music and how she seamlessly incorporated those details in this story to give it some lyrical prose. The imagery in this story was just fantastic and was probably the entire strength of this book.

I did however feel that the story started a bit too slow. By the time the female protagonist actually entered the magical realm of Everwood, the reader is already over a dozen chapters in, and all the build up that happened beforehand was in some ways unnecessary and could've been shortened. The protagonist herself becomes confusing at certain parts. Before Everwood, she is sensible and determined, but then as soon as she enters the magic land she is naive, clumsy, and all of a sudden screaming for attention. I love a head-strong, courageous heroine, but Marietta was very hard for me to root for during certain parts of the book.

Once again, what carried this book was the delightful prose and the spectacular imagery that transports the reader to an ever-so-magical winter realm. Fans of the Nutcracker or Christmas/Holiday stories should appreciate this retelling and find it more than enjoyable! Thank you Harper 360 for the ARC!

I was so surprised how much I adored this! the writing is so beautiful and lyrical and put me in the Christmas spirit!

This was a magical story. Already being familiar with the original story it was nice to see the changes and nods of it in this story. The beginning and the ending were strong but we drifted a bit in the middle. I would have liked to seen the spooky\ creepiness of the beginning with the Dr become woven more throughout the story. It makes for nice juxtaposed to the winter candy land setting.
The characters were interesting and we're given just a little of their background which only makes you want to know more.

This book was a delightful and sugary re-imagining of the classic, The Nutcracker. I enjoyed the author's version and appreciated that she kept it to the classical time period with many similar elements/symbols found in the original story, but with her own unique spin that provided a more fantastical fantasy land. The descriptions of the world, clothing, and other various elements were sweet as the candy described in them and painted a vivid picture in my head. As a past ballet dancer, I was also very happy with the descriptions and terms of classical ballet and the role the dance played within the story line. There was some slow-pacing throughout the story, and I wasn't sure about the the necessity of some of the other main characters (namely the two other court women), but a very enjoyable story, especially during the holiday season!

The ideal atmospheric winter read. "Midnight in Everwood" is a fresh take on E.T.A. Hoffman's traditional nutcracker story. What impressed me the most was the revision of the Marie (now Marietta) as our main heroine - instead of being a delicate, love-struck girl, Marietta is now an up-and-coming ballet dancer determined never to marry and lose her independence. This is a must-read for anyone who has ever desired a feminist take on this traditional Christmas story.