3.5 stars

I felt as though this book was kinda repetitive when it came to the sister's backgrounds. In my personal opinion, it didn't need to be brought up in almost every chapter and yet it was. This book felt very YA to me, but it was somehow way too dark to be a YA novel. I will say the first 60% of this book was not my cup of tea and I was not interested in it, but I am glad that I stuck it out because the last 40% of the book had me on the edge of my seat. I am also extremely grateful that we were able to find out the fate of all the characters by the end of the book, which made the end that much more impactful. Although it wasn't my favorite book of the year, it wasn't a terrible book by any means and I'm glad that I had the opportunity to read it.

I went in to this without reading the blurb so it was a bit darker than I expected but it was good! Less about the Christmas and more about the relationship between Clara and Natasha. Dark and magical, the Sugar Plum Fairy in this version, seeing her in my mind I was getting Coralines other mother vibes. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others for a spooky Christmas book.

I love when we are offered a beautiful retelling around the holiday season. The Kingdom of Sweets felt more than just a Nutcracker regurgitation but rather, Johansen created a story which was enjoyable to read and far more of an adventure than the original. With that being said, I think that would also be my only critique as well. I love when someone takes something familiar and makes it their own, giving it new life and new imaginings which I believe the author has done in this novel. Though we lose some of the lighthearted whimsy I feel is part of the original story which makes it so perfect for the holiday season, we are presented with a hauntingly good story and wintery setting. I noted another comment someone made about this being possibly too mature for YA but I don’t believe that’s true at all with the climate of the world today and the things they are exposed to. It feels very much dark and macabre like Tim Burton or someone similar who can draw in all levels of audiences.

This was so dark and exactly what I wanted it to be! I have always found the story of the Nutcracker to be a little unsettling. I have always viewed Drosselmeyer as a villain, even though that is not how he is presented in the ballet. He is just supposed to be mysterious, but I have always found him sinister. I love a book with twins, and I loved that this book was not about the unbreakable bond of twins. Quite the opposite! There is a scene near the beginning where we are first seeing the Kingdom of Sweets, and Natasha is realizing it might not be what it seems. As she has a serious conversation with the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Nutcracker Ballet is being performed in the background, and I absolutely loved how this scene was written! The writing throughout was very evocative and sensory. I did not know what to expect with this retelling, but I was not disappointed. Although, I will probably never be able to view The Nutcracker in the same way again!

3/5✨

I have to start my review stating that I received an advanced reader copy through NetGalley.

I really loved the theme of this book as a dark retelling of the nutcracker. Once I started reading this book there were some glaring things that offended me. It really hurt my heart to see a light and dark depiction of a basically pretty and ugly woman representation. It hurt my heart to see the “bad” girl put her heart on hold to fix her “good” sisters wrongs.

As a nutcracker retelling I understand it is part of the story, but for me this just kind of dragged on and became repetitive.

Such a fan of this author and I don't read a lot of fantasy... but I loved the Queen of the Tearling and was so glad to read The Kingdom Of Sweets. Thank you to Dutton for the ebook, PRH audio for the audiobook, which I listened to as I neared the end of the ebook.

Not a light holiday read at all but a welcome darkly magical fantasy story, I loved the sister themes and the idea of revenge and who were are based on how we are seen, how we act, and how we choose to act. I love Johansen's writing style and world building, the story is rich in detail and setting with strongly developed, and once again very complex, characters who nuanced and layered.
A deceptively mesmerizing read and highly recommended for fans of dark fantasy, readers looking for an off the beaten path winter/holiday read, and fans of this author.

I was never the kid who loved the Nutcracker. As a family, we didn't go to the ballet every year and the few times we did see it, I was honestly paying more attention to the dancers than the storyline. That being said, I was intrigued to read a retelling of the story and hoped that it would hold my attention more than the original and I was completely blown away!

In the vein of Christina Henry, The Kingdom of Sweets is a dark, gothic horror retelling of the Nutcracker. I absolutely loved the twin plotline, the body switching, and the Sugar Plum Fairy not being as sweet as one would think. Set in pre-Revolution Russia, the story follows two sisters who are cursed at birth on Christmas for one to be "dark" and the other "light". These declarations have lifelong consequences as Natasha is relegated to the corners of society while her sister Clara shines brightly in search of a proper husband.

For me, this book was simply unputdownable once I got past the first few chapters. The prose is both gorgeous and enigmatic and the storyline was perfectly woven. All of the characters were extremely well written and the world-building was breathtaking. My only issue was the ending could have been stretched out a bit longer. I simply did not want to leave the world that the author had thrust me into. Moving forward, this is the only Nutcracker story that I will ever need, as any others, including the original, will pale in comparison.

Thank you to NetGalley, Erika Johansen, and Penguin Group Dutton for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

I adored Erika Johansen‘s Queen of the Tearling series, so when I saw this book was being released I immediately added it to my wishlist. It was an unexpected wild ride that I couldn’t put down. Her writing is just so lovely and engaging. This story is a dark and twisted fairytale, not my normal genre. But I found myself wanting more, even when I didn’t fully understand everything that was happening. I ended up really enjoying this unique take on the Nutcracker, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for something unique and different to read around the holidays. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!

First I would like to thank NetGalley for allowing me an ARC of this book. I had very high hopes for this book and really wanted to love it. Sadly, I just could not get into it. I did not like the authors writing style, I found the sentences were unnecessarily long and found myself getting bored while reading them. I didn’t enjoy how the whole story was based on jealousy over a man. Overall the only thing positive I really have to say was that as a dark retelling of The Nutcracker the “dark” element definitely held up.

I received an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This novel was very inventive and had an engaging pair of protagonists right from the beginning. However, I feel like we lost momentum in the middle of the story, and it was difficult to push through to the end. This is a story of Faustian deals affecting two sisters in different ways, which draws on the Nutcracker plot line and characters. The author fills in many gaps in the storyline and uses this fairy tale to provide a retelling that is fragmented, twisted and full of morally gray areas. Definitely a good read for those who are fans of Naomi Novick or Gregory McGuire.

ETA Hoffmann’s Nutcracker is one of my all time favorite books, so I’m forever looking for good retellings of the story. Sadly it isn’t one that seems to lend itself well to this, and most retellings are disappointing.

Though it’s not the best I’ve found, this one was a pleasant surprise and a fun and interesting interpretation of the story.

I love how dark this was, staying closer in setting and spirit to the original Hofmann novel than to the brighter and cheerier version popularized by Dumas and that we see at the ballet today.

The premise for this is a good one, and while I would have preferred it spend more time in the creepy and magical Nutcracker dreamland than it did, the time it does spend there is incredibly well crafted, atmospheric, and delightfully macabre.

[3.75/4] THE KINGDOM OF SWEETS is a dark, fantasy horror retelling of the Christmas-time classic The Nutcracker. Cursed by Drosselmeyer after their birth, Clara and Natasha are each other's foil. Everyone loves beautiful, perfect Clara whereas discerning, cynical Natasha rarely receives a second glance. On Christmas Eve, right before they turn 18, Drosselmeyer arrives with an enchanted Nutcracker, which gives them entry to the Kingdom of Sweets. When Natasha follows Clara and the Nutcracker into this magical world, her curse of darkness shows her a new truth. One dark bargain later with the Sugar Plum Fairy and Natasha slowly begins to unravel Drosselmeyer's true intentions.

Right away the atmospheric and intentional writing style grabbed my attention. Johansen carefully crafts each sentence with care, precisely communicating Natasha's thoughts. However, precision does not mean dry and Natasha's sole point of view is lightly poetic with a slightly detached observational air. I found this really lent to her portrayal of the more mature twin, with the caveat that there is no Clara POV, so true comparison is not possible. There were a few times I found myself tiring of Natasha's POV, but I reminded myself that she is not the product of a loving environment, so she has her own demons.

Though not clear from the start, which does not detract from the story, THE KINGDOM OF SWEETS occurs in Russia right before the Russian Revolution. The context clues come forward as Natasha's narration continues through time. This subtle use of history helps to ground the tale amidst the dark fantasy and horror elements as well as show Natasha's compassion for those of lesser means. It also lends an air of mystery that clarifies while Natasha unravels the enigma of her curse.

While I loved the writing style, I had a more difficult time grasping the magical reasoning behind the curse. It seems a bit hazy, whether done intentionally or not. This may perhaps be to my ignorance of the history of magical motifs or the folklore of fairies. Regardless, I still felt somewhat in the shadows about the meaning of everything by the end. However, other themes are more universally understood and easier to grasp. Perhaps the most evident message is one cannot know what someone is going through without an open dialogue. Contextual perceptions only serve one so far and everyone has their own personal struggles.

Overall, THE KINGDOM OF SWEETS is a darkly fresh take on a seasonal classic. This a unique selection for those who prefer a larger helping of horror with their fantasy. Elements of the original The Nutcracker story are present, but Johansen makes it her own in this atmospheric, psychological spin.

I have never read a retelling of The Nutcracker before, and the summary sounded so Gothic and creepy I just had to request it.

And the concept is really fascinating. I loved the idea of cursed twins being the center of Drosselmeyer's magic, and a Faustian bargain was so dramatic and enticing.

But this book really ended up disappointing me. The first half felt incredibly slow, and then the ending had so many time skips that just ended feeling anticlimactic and unresolved. The addition of real world historical context, to me, really didn't add anything to it. And I didn't particularly enjoy Natasha as a protagonist. The entire time, I didn't feel like rooting for her in any capacity, and I also was equally uninterested in seeing her get the justice she deserved or a redemption.

I wish I had enjoyed this more, and this will certainly be precisely the thing that someone else is looking for, it just wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this arc.

Such an interesting story. Filled with twists and turns this will suck you in from start to finish. This is one story you will not want to miss

I have never seen the nutcracker, don't judge me! I was in the mood for something different this holiday season. Every holiday we read romance and second chances, but this was A MOOD!

The Kingdom of Sweets is beautifully written and captivating. Born on Christmas Eve, twin girls are both cursed and blessed on their christening by their godfather. 16 years later, Clara lives a life of charm and Natasha is outcasted. INSERT a magical nutcracker doll that takes both girls back in time to the Kingdom of Sweets!
The time between the 2 girls is so magical and heartwarming for the Christmas season. The plot was intriguing, but the characters were the prize of this story.

The whole story is atmospheric, lyrical, unique and fun. Themes of family, sisterhood, second changes, grief/loss, forgiveness and Christmas. The only thing I didn't like is that there is not a happy ending. OR at wish I was hoping for some kind of better resolution at the end.

Overall, wonderful would read another book by this author anytime of the year!

Personally, I prefer seasonal books have a sinister side and this new Nutcracker retelling fits the bill!

Twin sisters, Clara and Natasha, have been cursed by their godfather, Drosselmeyer. Clara is the be the light, charming and beautiful, while Natasha is the dark, unloved and ignored. One Christmas Eve, Natasha sees an opportunity for revenge when her godfather brings gifts for her family. A nutcracker for Clara and a demented clown for Natasha are among those gifts. Natasha soon discovers the nutcracker can open a hidden world known as the Kingdom of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy reigns and bears many gifts, but they all come at a price. Will Natasha embrace her dark destiny or will she choose the light?

The book loosely follows the story of the Nutcracker, but makes the Sugar Plum Fairy and Drosselmeyer villains. I loved that Johansen set the book in Russia during a time of much unrest and revolution, which we only discover the specific location later on. We see Natasha’s inner turmoil somewhat reflected in the real world around her. The world building and prose was excellent, and despite some parts of the story dragging a little, I really enjoyed the experience. I recommend this one if you are looking for a new take on a traditional classic.

Thank you @netgalley and @duttonbooks for the digital ARC!

A Dark Fantasy Based on the Nutcracker

Twins, Clara and Natasha, are born on Christmas Day. Droselmeyer, a magician, appoints himself their godfather. He declares that Clara is light, and Natasha is dark. In spit of Droselmeyer’s ploys to turn the girls against each other, they grow up close. Things come to a head on their seventeenth birthday. Natasha has had a passion of Conrad for years, but on this birthday it is announced that Clara will marry him.

One of Droselman’s gifts is a nutcracker that he gives to Clara which will allow her to enter the magical kingdom of sweets. Furious, Natasha follows her sister into the kingdom and meets the Sugar Plum fairy who is also full of secrets.

This is a dark retelling of the Nutcracker fantasy. The story is filled with greed and selfishness. I can’t say that I liked any of the characters. I felt sorry for Natasha always living in Clara’s shadow, but she didn’t rise to the height of a sympathetic character.

The plot is somewhat slowed by the author’s repetition of the girls’ background. For me it detracted from the story. The setting in the Kingdom of Sweets was marvelous. I thought the descriptions of the delights were the best part of the book.

Thanks for the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

Full disclosure: I did not finish this book. I tried. I really did, but after three week of dipping into it, suffering through a handful of pages before setting it down, and then dreading picking it back up, I have to conclude the book is just not for me.

I love the premise, but the book just drags. All of the characters are despicable and while I don’t think a book has to have lovable characters, there needs to be someone to root for. There’s also a tone to the writing style that I can’t quite identify, but that rubs me the wrong way. I think if you are a fan of this author and her style, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy this. As someone coming to this as a new reader, it misses the fantasy reimagining mark.

THE KINGDOM OF SWEETS caught my eye for being both a reimagining of the Nutcracker story and a new novel by Erika Johansen, author of The QUEEN OF THE TEARLING series. I loved that series, and the Nutcracker story is so timeless. I wanted to see what she does with it.

I finished the book last week, and I still don't know what I think. When I look at THE KINGDOM OF SWEETS as a sum of its parts, I enjoyed it. The pacing is quick, and the story is familiar enough to enjoy but unfamiliar enough to keep me on my toes. There's a good message about family and revenge.

Yet, when I try to think of the individual elements of THE KINGDOM OF SWEETS, I struggle to find something I like. Neither Clara nor Natasha are great characters. Drosselmeyer could be interesting, but we only see him through Natasha's eyes. The Sugar Plum Fairy could also be interesting, but she is too one-noted.

The story, while intriguing, is a bit of a mess. Honestly, I can't even begin to put into words what happened and why. It all just sort of happens, and you go with the flow while reading. The only part I remember is the end, when we finally get a sense of the historical time period in which the novel is set. There are bargains that are essentially bargains with the devil. We have terrible parents and even worse extended family. Every character is terrible. The whole story is grim. It is all very Russian.

I'm really glad that Ms. Johansen published another novel. It's the first thing she's put out into the world since 2021. Unfortunately, I cannot say I liked THE KINGDOM OF SWEETS. The best part was seeing how Ms. Johansen incorporated the Nutcracker ballet into the actual story. Unfortunately, even that only lasts the first quarter of the book. Engaging but forgettable is how I would describe it, with not a single redeeming character in the entire book, the main character included.

The Kingdom of Sweets is a beautifully written and immensely compelling novel. While the main characters may not be overly sympathetic, they are fascinating amidst all their flaws.

Born on Christmas, twins Natasha and Clara Stahlbaum are cursed and blessed on the day of their christening by their godfather, the sorcerer Drosselmeyer. Sixteen years later, Clara has grown beautiful and lives a life of ease and indulgence, while Natasha is viewed as plain and often ignored by those around her.

When the yearly celebration on Christmas Eve culminates in heartbreak and danger for Natasha, she is forced to confront her unspoken despair and resentment. A Christmas present from Drosselmeyer, a magical Nutcracker doll, unexpectedly transports Natasha and Clara into the wondrous Kingdom of Sweets.

The time spent by Natasha and Clara within The Kingdom of Sweets is probably my favorite part of the story. Initially and deceptively beautiful, the horrors of the realm and its ruler, “The Sugar Plum Fairy,” are described so richly that I was both captivated and disturbed.

While the plot was interesting, I found the characters to be my favorite part of The Kingdom of Sweets. While other reviewers have mentioned finding Natasha unsympathetic, her isolation, her pain at being seen as something less by others and the way that she compensated by burying herself in her books and claiming that her curse was the reason that she could see the dark “truths” of the world around her-as opposed to it being due to the effects of pessimism and years of emotional neglect-made her immensely relatable.

Natasha is raised by a mother who is wrapped up in a laudium addiction and the attention of mediums and by a greedy father whose focus is upon social climbing, whores and wasting money.

Starving for crumbs of affection and willing to accept them from the boy who refuses to publically claim her and believing that her relationship with her sister is better than it actually is, when everything comes to a head, the choice Natasha ends up making is understandable, though not justifiable.

While we aren’t given as deep a glimpse into Clara’s life as we are Natasha’s, we are able to witness the superficial and ultimately unfulfilling nature of her existence. Being beautiful and overindulged does little to prepare her for the grim realities that she inevitably encounters.

Of the two antagonists, Drosselmeyer is the least developed and also the least interesting. Setting the events of the novel in motion due to his own selfishness and contributing to Natasha’s dismal life made his eventual fate all the more fitting.

The mercurial Sugar Plum Fairy helps to manipulate a distraught Natasha into committing a terrible act and then continues to remain within the periphery of her life in order to fulfill her own goals. Her reason for desiring revenge against Drosselmeyer is one again understandable, though the methods she utilizes are reprehensible.

When the novel reaches its climax, the setting becomes less fantastic and more rooted in actual history. There was foreshadowing prior to the change, though one can also interpret it as while the characters grow and inhabit their lives, the potential for encountering the more fanciful aspects of the world inevitably fades.

Part of me did hope for a happier ending, but that would not have been true to the spirit of the story. Some wounds-and relationships-cannot be healed despite genuine regret or a desire for absolution.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Dutton and Erika Johansen for providing me this eArc in exchange for my honest opinion.