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The Nutcracker Spell
On the brink of a war that will tear the world upside down, Clara Stahlbaum still finds her life of sweetly-spun dreams undisturbed.
But all that begins to change the night her uncle gifts her a Nutcracker, and his nephew Hans arrives from Chicago.
As a world war breaks out and their family is torn apart, Clara struggles to pierce through the darkness about her as she uncovers the secrets of a German spy who threatens all she holds dear.
But all that begins to change the night her uncle gifts her a Nutcracker, and his nephew Hans arrives from Chicago.
As a world war breaks out and their family is torn apart, Clara struggles to pierce through the darkness about her as she uncovers the secrets of a German spy who threatens all she holds dear.
300 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2023
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 7, 2024
What a wonderfully splendid and special book! Naomi, if you read this review I want to apologize for not reading your debut novel sooner. You are exceptionally talented and deserve all the praise! I honestly felt very attached to this family and hate to see them go, you also captured the early 20th century perfectly. The Nutcracker had always been a magical tale and special to me as well. I really wish I had read this sooner but I get so so distracted! You really brought this tale to life with a creative twist! I hope you explore this time period again soon! I will not forget Hans and Clara so quickly. You’ve definitely gained a fan from me! I wish you great luck in future projects and hope to read more of your works soon! :)
November 19, 2023
When I saw this the cover on Instagram through another author and put on my TBR list. After I finally got the copy, I started reading it. A few weeks later I finished it. I really enjoyed the story, especially in a historical time period. I love how the author kept some of the original element of the Nutcracker and the whimsical childlike moments but then she added more serious stuff like a war and how it caused conflicts between German and Americans in 1914-1918 and the rest of the world. Nick stole my heart and I love his genuine characteristic. Hans is a charm and sweet to Clara and their love story. If you like a classic Christmas Nutcracker in a historical fiction, then you will like this book.
September 6, 2023
If you’re interested in a story with wholesome family ties, and a gentle love interest, then this is for you. A retelling of the timeless tale “The Nutcracker” that gives depth to it without taking away from the charm. Clara is the second daughter of four siblings and a second generation immigrant from Germany during World War l. It takes us through, how a young teen girl experiences family life and the struggles of the war, while finding herself.
June 5, 2024
Such a good read.
If you’re looking for a clean, sweet romance without all the garbage look no further.
Naomi takes you back in time to the day to day and seasons traditions of the 1940s. Be sure to check it out.
If you’re looking for a clean, sweet romance without all the garbage look no further.
Naomi takes you back in time to the day to day and seasons traditions of the 1940s. Be sure to check it out.
December 12, 2024
A Nutcracker retelling set during World War One, two themes that have been beautifully melded together in this book!
"The Nutcracker Spell" begins with a gentle pace, portraying the heroine, Clara Stahlbaum, and her German-immigrant family and friends celebrating Christmas through the years.
In the second half of the story, war breaks out and the pace picks up, as it begins to follow spies and espionage!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it made for a perfect Christmas read. Naomi McCullough is a gifted writer, her descriptions are beautiful and I'm looking forward to reading more of her works in the future!
"The Nutcracker Spell" begins with a gentle pace, portraying the heroine, Clara Stahlbaum, and her German-immigrant family and friends celebrating Christmas through the years.
In the second half of the story, war breaks out and the pace picks up, as it begins to follow spies and espionage!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it made for a perfect Christmas read. Naomi McCullough is a gifted writer, her descriptions are beautiful and I'm looking forward to reading more of her works in the future!
November 18, 2023
This book is a delightful read! If your looking for an intriguing, clean fiction book, this one is perfect. It has intrigue, romance, and a wonderful cast of characters to tie it all in!
January 14, 2025
First, I must confess I’ve never read The Nutcracker or seen the play/movie so the similarities and re-telling of this story didn’t register with me, although I have a broad idea of the plot. Overall, it’s an interesting idea and story, however there were some issues that made it more difficult to read for me. First, I felt like I was thrown into a world I didn’t understand and I was supposed to know a lot of background information about the characters and their lives that I didn’t know. I also struggled with the timeline of the story which jumped ahead years at a time yet felt like only days, adding to the confusion. The main character Clara felt much younger than 15 when I first learned of her age. There were also some formatting and grammatical issues which did hinder the readability. Again, it was a wonderful idea for a story but I think could’ve been developed a little more and made easier to read by providing more dates, context, etc and more depth.
*I received this book as part of a fundraiser giveaway.
*I received this book as part of a fundraiser giveaway.
April 3, 2024
“A gust from the water’s edge whipped across them, catching her breath away with its fierceness. Above, the first tiny flakes began to fall; they stood at the threshold of a perfect winter storm.”
- Naomi McCullough, The Nutcracker Spell
A memorable story filled with beautiful descriptions, “The Nutcracker Spell” is a fantastic, historical read.
The story follows Clara Stahlbaum and her family through the turmoil and aftermath of World War 1. We observe many of the family’s holiday celebrations throughout the years, and the changes brought by the war contrast sharply against the warmth of prior Christmases.
Spies, stealth, and secrets begin to creep into Clara’s life, and culminate in a page-turner of an ending!
Although there are many changes within the Stahlbaum family, and within Clara herself, their deep family-bond and the sweet love story makes this a delightfully satisfying read.
- Naomi McCullough, The Nutcracker Spell
A memorable story filled with beautiful descriptions, “The Nutcracker Spell” is a fantastic, historical read.
The story follows Clara Stahlbaum and her family through the turmoil and aftermath of World War 1. We observe many of the family’s holiday celebrations throughout the years, and the changes brought by the war contrast sharply against the warmth of prior Christmases.
Spies, stealth, and secrets begin to creep into Clara’s life, and culminate in a page-turner of an ending!
Although there are many changes within the Stahlbaum family, and within Clara herself, their deep family-bond and the sweet love story makes this a delightfully satisfying read.
December 13, 2024
A beautiful little story about a German girl growing up during WW1, touching on the struggles of the first generations of Germans in America and their prejudices against them.
--As a German girl in America, I doubly appreciate it.
But mostly, it's about a girl growing up with her family in a warm home and finding love.
The family members are all memorable, loveable, and feel like real people that you could meet next door. I love Clara's dynamic with her family, especially Nick and Hans.
Cozy and inviting with a dash of drama and excitement sprinkled in the mix... A perfect book to enjoy with a cup of tea (or coffee) beside a window viewing a winter scene.
--As a German girl in America, I doubly appreciate it.
But mostly, it's about a girl growing up with her family in a warm home and finding love.
The family members are all memorable, loveable, and feel like real people that you could meet next door. I love Clara's dynamic with her family, especially Nick and Hans.
Cozy and inviting with a dash of drama and excitement sprinkled in the mix... A perfect book to enjoy with a cup of tea (or coffee) beside a window viewing a winter scene.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews