This is basically a psychological thriller version of The Nutcracker, which is an interesting idea but somehow didn't really pan out for me. It was kind of boring, actually, to be stuck with Natasha's POV, so full of angst and envy—her "darkness", I guess. The story took some surprising turns, but it also felt dragged out and eventually aimless. The prose is very good, though.

I love the Nutcracker and this story is such a unique twist on the familiar tale that I have loved since I can remember was absolutely incredible! The dark, twisted, highly character driven story was something I read in one sitting. I believe that many who read this will be, like myself, people who love the Nutcracker in its' familiarity and nostalgia. However, this brought some new thoughts as I read an extremely unique version of all that I hold dear and traditional. This is sure to be such a huge Holiday hit!

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton, Dutton for an eARC of The Kingdom of Sweets!

Dark and twisted, this Nutcracker retelling is one you won’t want to miss. The story is very character driven, which I really enjoy. I also love a good plot twist and this book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I really love a good, dark gothic retelling and this one is perfect for a November/December read!!

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for the advance reader copy of The Kingdom of Sweets.

I was so excited when I saw that Erika Johansen had another book coming out as I loved the Tearling series. The Kingdom of Sweets is a very loose retelling of the Nutcracker. It centers on two sisters, Clara and Natasha, who are born on Christmas day and on their christening, Droselmeyer appoints himself as their godfather and declares that Clara is Light and Natasha is dark. Despite this attempt to pit them against each other, the girls grow up as close friends until the night of their 17th birthday when Droselmeyer gives them terrifying gifts and it is announced that Clara will marry Conrad, who Natasha has been sleeping with. Natasha's jealous rage fuels her following Clara on her journey into the Kingdom of Sweets on the arm of the nutcracker. Once there, Natasha's actions change their lives forever.

This was a very character driven novel. At times I found it difficult to understand what was occurring, especially in the Kingdom of Sweets. In an attempt to be gothic I think the author neglected to provide details to move the story forward. I read The Nutcracker before reading this so as to have a better idea what was going on in the retelling and it seems to be very loosely based. The Nutcracker is really more of a jumping off point. It is an imagining of what lies underneath the sugar and glitter. All in all, I'm glad I read this but I wouldn't say I particularly enjoyed it.

I liked the idea of this book, a darker version of The Nutcracker, but it fell short for me. Every time I thought I had a handle on the storyline, another storyline would pop up, and not all of them added value. Overall, it was a decent read, but could do with some refinement. 3.5/5 stars

This stand alone story was a wonderful twisted edition of The Nutcracker. I loved how it twisted the original story but didn't take away the elements. I really enjoyed the characters and story and would love to see what this author can do with other stories. This fast paced story takes you out of your world and thrusts you into a world full of beautiful horror.

I want to be as honest as possible right out of the gate. This is a character-driven book and I do not tend to enjoy those. While I did not like this book, it is not terrible and people who do like books written in the character-driven style might devour this book.

Erika Johansen has a great strength in writing beautiful pictures. Everything is painted so clearly and the visuals that are created from those words are utterly gorgeous. Every last detail is written so that an entire scene can be easily seen.

A feature of this work is the plot does not have just one arc. It is hilly. Multiple times there were spots where the book could end, but it found a way to keep going. The only true issue with this is it was a bit hard for me to continue when an endpoint was reached. Once the story picked back up again, it was easy to read for hours on end. It is refreshing to have a book not be so linear.

One thing about this book is it feels like everything happened outside of the protagonist. If the protagonist was removed from the first half of the book it truly felt like the same story could still happen. Of course that is not the case, but the actions were mostly done by others. This does seem like the growth of the character as they take more action later on, but even at the end so much happens that they are not there for.

There is no pure character in the book and that is a great feature of it. Every single person has some evil in them, but most of the characters are flat with just a few traits that cause them to be unlikeable. It was difficult to get attached to anyone.

The biggest problem I had was the protagonist complaining about her sister. It came up so often that it got annoying. So much time could have been spent on other spots if half of those parts were removed.

This book is not terrible, but so much more could be done to make it a great book. It is not a book that I will pick up multiple times in the future, but reading it once was not awful. There is enjoyment found within these pages.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A retelling of the Nutcracker, I loved the concept of this story. It was dark and creepy and I definitely don’t think I will ever be able to see the Nutcracker ballet the same way again.

Although I mostly enjoyed the book, I did find parts of it confusing, almost like ideas were started and then not fleshed out enough. I also hated all of the characters, including Natasha.

I’d still recommend this book to anyone looking for a creepy Christmastime read!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a WILD read.

The writing is often beautiful. The most attention is given to long descriptive passages about the scenery, with much of the action and plot condensed into shorter summaries. While the prose and descriptions were lovely overall, there was a lot of repetition in this book, and also a lot of telling over showing (particularly with regards to the characters and their relationships with each other). None of these characters are exactly morally sound, and I don’t know that I would even categorize any as likable; that said, it seemed like this was on purpose, and Natasha is sympathetic enough, enough of the time to keep you reading.

I don’t think this needed to be pitched as a “story of the Nutcracker”; I can see how the initial inspiration for it probably came from the Nutcracker, but the final product is so far removed that it could have just been written to be its own thing entirely.

The twists in this were BONKERS, and definitely kept me intrigued as to what was going to happen next. That said, sometimes the reveals felt a bit out of left field. It also felt like sometimes a plot element would be introduced and then forgotten about for a few chapters until it was convenient to reintroduce them. The introduction of real history at the end had me scratching my head a bit, too.

Overall, I’d recommend this to enjoyers of dark fairytale retellings. A direct comp that comes to mind is The Shadow In The Glass by J.J.A. Harwood. It also gave me strong Labyrinth energy at times, which is fun! Save it for winter for a nice Gothic Christmas-y read.

This story is a retelling based on the classic story by E.T.A. Hoffman, The Nutcracker; however, despite the fact that The Nutcracker (the book and the ballet) is one of my favorite works, I cannot say the same about this book. Actually, I was hoping that I would love this story, but I find it too grotesque and dark.
Reading this book seemed like a real nightmare to me at times.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

The Kingdom of Sweets is an imagined retelling of the nutcracker. The suspense and dark twists of the story were delicious to read in Johansen’s descriptive style of writing. But I didn’t care for either Clara or Nat, and although I enjoyed the realm of the Kingdom of Sweets once they were there I stopped liking the book as well as the ending.

This story is a mix of gothic nightmare, travel book and puzzle. It is based on the classic story by E. T. A. Hoffman The Nutcracker and focuses the action in Germany, where Drosselmeyer attends the baptism of Clara and Natasha, protagonists of this story and blesses one, calling her Light and curses the other with Darkness. Then the twins move to the Kingdom of Sweets, where the dream turns into a nightmare.
The story begins to become dark, dense and a bit difficult to follow with the appearance and disappearance of characters and circumstances, until it reaches the point where the protagonists, who started with German nationality, suddenly end up being Russian!
For this reason, I give this book only 3 stars despite having enjoyed the first part very much. The plot is really interesting, but it needs a major overhaul to make this lump of coal the gem it deserves to be.
I thank the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

The Kingdom of Sweets is a dark and twisted retelling of Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker (or perhaps the earlier short story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by E.T.A. Hoffmann, although this book reminds me much more of the ballet). I'm not quite sure how to classify it – it reads a lot like a YA novel, yet the subject matter seems too mature for it to have been written for teenagers.

My grandmother took me to see The Nutcracker for Christmas every year as a child, and the first 50 percent or so of this novel reminded me so much of the magic of watching the live performance – there's Clara and Fritz and Drosselmeyer and the Christmas Eve gift of a Nutcracker. Sadly, there's a distinct lack of a Mouse King, although it's implied at one point that the battle between the Nutcracker and Mouse King does take place, but outside of the events of this book. The remainder of the story veers off quite a bit from the original tale, however, and focuses more on the consequences of Natasha's journey to the Kingdom of Sweets on that fateful Christmas Eve.

Overall, I found this book to be imaginative and suspenseful, and the prose is beautiful. The plot is original despite it being a retelling, and it's clear that the author has a great fondness for the original tale. I also enjoyed the complexity of the characters and the Sugar Plum Fairy's much darker role in this version of events.

Despite its charms, however, there were a couple of aspects of the story that I didn't enjoy as much. First and foremost, there was a lot of repetition as far as the sisters' background was concerned. Yes, we get it, Clara was always treated better because she was beautiful. It's an important piece of the story, of course, but it was mentioned over and over and over again. Because of this repetition, I felt as if the story dragged a bit in certain parts. Also, absolutely none of the characters are particularly likable – moral ambiguity and greed and jealousy abound. While I don't need the books I read to have likable characters, it would have been nice to have at least one decent character to counter the darkness of the story.

And finally, the ending. I don't know how to feel about it. On one hand, I liked knowing the fate of characters and how their lives worked out after the events of the book. On the other hand, bringing real world happenings into the ending really pulled me out of the story. I mean, yes, this novel was technically always set in the “real” world, but until specific events and places were mentioned at the end, it really felt as if the story was set in a magical far away kingdom in a time long ago.

Final rating: 3.45 stars, rounded down (I really wish that Goodreads allowed half-star ratings because a 3.5 would be perfect, but alas). The Kingdom of Sweets was a mostly fast-paced and exciting read, but certain aspects of the story keep me from rating it higher. Howerver, it's still definitely worth a read if you enjoy dark and atmospheric retellings.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

I did not have high expectations going into this as I don't especially love the nutcracker, but I do love fairy tale retellings usually and in this case I think it was great, this version is much better than the original IMO!

I loved the cool, chilling suspense and the dark twisty aspects, it was perfectly written and had surprisingly beautiful and suitable prose. I was not super familiar with the story of the nutcracker other than having seen it in theater or two, but I found that one does not need to have some sort of background in ballet or the story to enjoy it. it was a loose retelling and even if you know nothing about the original, the story was still spooky and fun. I knew just about the play to make this a little more meaningful and i recognized a lot of new elements they used to tie into this tale.

This brings to mind Naomi Novik and her fairytale-esque stories. I thought this was impeccably done and wish I would have read this closer to christmas, it will be the perfect Christmas read as it is atmospheric, spooky, but still manages to be somewhat festive.

"The Kingdom of Sweets" by Erika Johansen is a spellbinding reimagining of "The Nutcracker" that weaves a tale of enchantment, rivalry, and self-discovery against a backdrop of holiday magic. Johansen masterfully crafts a world where light and dark forces clash, personified by twin sisters Clara and Natasha. The contrasting paths of these sisters, shaped by their godfather's curse and their own choices, drive a narrative that is both captivating and thought-provoking. As the story unfolds, readers are transported to the mesmerizing Kingdom of Sweets, a realm of wonder and danger that offers a chance at revenge and redemption. Johansen's prose is both elegant and evocative, enveloping readers in the festive atmosphere while delving into the complexities of envy, power, and the duality of human nature. Natasha's journey is a compelling exploration of identity and agency as she navigates the tempting offers of the Sugar Plum Fairy and confronts the truths of her past. "The Kingdom of Sweets" is a triumph of imagination and storytelling, weaving a rich tapestry of emotions, magic, and choices that will resonate long after the final page.

Erika Johansen’s The Kingdom of Sweets is a dark and unforgettable retelling of “The Nutcracker” which follows Natasha Stahlbaum as she navigates life in the shadow of her twin sister Clara. After their godfather, Drosselmeyer, a strange and mystifying wizard grants the gift of light upon Clara and the curse of darkness upon Natasha, Clara lives a life of beauty and ease, while Natasha is cast aside and often forgotten. One momentous Christmas Eve, however, Natasha is finally given the opportunity for the revenge she feels she’s owed. After receiving a magical nutcracker from Drosselmeyer, the twins are transported to the astonishing Kingdom of Sweets. It is in this magical land that the Sugar Plum Fairy offers Natasha a bargain that could alter the course of her life.

Johansen has created a rich and intricate world that swept me away immediately. Natasha and Clara incredibly complex characters who each alternate between totally relatable and absolutely maddening. Johansen weaves a tale that is enthralling and unexpected and her vivid imagery made the experience very engaging and completely immersive. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a dark and twisted fairy tale.

Kingdom of Sweets is a retelling of the story of The Nutcracker. However, the main character is not Clara, but her twin, Natasha. They are cursed to be light (Clara) and dark (Natasha) on their christening day by their godfather, Drosselmeyer. Clara is taken to the Land of Sweets, and Natasha follows her. She makes a deal with the Sugar Plum Fairy to get all that she thinks she deserves, at Clara's expense. This book is an excellent dark retelling of the classic story, exploring the twins' relationship and what it means to truly get your wishes granted. If you like Johansen's other work, you will enjoy this book.

"The Kingdom of Sweets" is a mesmerizing reimagining of "The Nutcracker," weaving a tale of envy, magic, and the bonds of twins. Erika Johansen's storytelling transports readers to a world of light and dark, where Clara and Natasha's destinies are intertwined by a cursed birthright. Natasha's thirst for revenge propels her into the Kingdom of Sweets, an enchanting alternate world, where she discovers the power of the Sugar Plum Fairy and uncovers chilling truths about her destiny.

This novel skillfully blends earthly and magical elements, human and diabolical forces, offering a gripping narrative that explores choices, destiny, and the boundaries between two worlds. "The Kingdom of Sweets" is a captivating exploration of sibling rivalry, power, and identity, delivering a fresh perspective on a beloved tale of fantasy and enchantment.

While darker takes on fairy tales aren't uncommon, 'The Kingdom of Sweets' impresses with an imaginative transformation from the fanciful story of 'The Nutcracker' into a true horror story, boasting writing that can make a surreal nightmare out of a Christmas party where the shallow upper-class tries to fill their emptiness with booze, drugs, and sex- and that's before the wizard with the dangerous magic shows up! One of the most unsettling parts is the protagonist and narrator: a bitter girl, with troubles that would evoke anyone's sympathies, who becomes as dark in deed and thought as the demonic fae whose deals poison the lives of the cast. The true horror of this story is where the faults in society and what it demands from women intersect with the demonic arts.

✨Book Review!✨
“The Kingdom Of Sweets”
Written By: Erika Johansen
Published by: Dutton
Netgalley ARC
Release date: November 28th, 2023
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
•••
Natasha and Clara were born on Christmas Eve, twins, who at their Christening were separated by magic in to light and dark by a terrifying magician named Drosselmeyer. Natasha cursed forever as the dark sister and Clara blessed as the light sister. Throughout their childhood, Natasha envied Clara for what she was; beautiful, lovable, naive; while Natasha was unwanted, saw darkness in every person and space she came across, and unattractive but also smart and cunning.
•••
When Drosselmeyer brings gifts to their annual Christmas Eve party; a nutcracker, a ballerina and a clown; it’s clear to Natasha that these toys are not ordinary, but are full of magic. When the boy Natasha loves agrees to marry Clara, a dark, vengeful journey begins that will change both of their lives forever…all with the magic given from a simple nutcracker. This nutcracker offers them entry in to the dreadful Kingdom Of Sweets, where nothing is as it seems.
•••
Netgalley describes this book as a “gloriously transportive reimagining of The Nutcracker”. It is dark, a bit horrifying, full of magic and old fairy tales while also well written and interestingly different.
•••
This book was sent to me by Netgalley as an advanced readers copy and will be release in late November. Just in time for a wonderfully spooky winter read!

1- Characters: 10
2- Atmosphere/Setting: 10
3- Writing Style: 9
4- Plot: 9
5- Intrigue: 9
6- Logic/Relationships: 8
7- Enjoyment: 9

Total Score: 64
64/7 = 9.14
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️