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Porcelain Creatures
The Sugar Plum line has fallen. Princess Teniel and her young niece, Clara, barely manage to escape the deadly tragedy that has struck their home in Periphera, a bright land known for their love of all things sweet. Now, the remaining Sugar Plum Princesses hold a deadly secret. Fleeing the palace, they start a new life. Then, ten-year-old Clara is kidnapped. Returning to their homeland, she’s brought to the shadowy kingdom of Umbra to live with the dreaded Rat King and his son, Theoden. During their time together, Clara and Theoden create a bond under shared strange circumstances. But Theoden disappears, leaving Clara with only a nutcracker soldier to remember him by.
Ten years later, shocking news forces a grown Clara to run for her life. Ending up in the mysterious Liminal, one of its peculiar inhabitants demonstrates its powers by bringing her treasured nutcracker to life. After startling revelations turn her world upside down, Clara is forced to face the darkness that has shrouded her existence for the last decade. With the help of her nutcracker, Clara must reclaim what once was lost, or perish, knowing her home will never be the same. Welcome to Etherealm, where few things matter. But all things shatter.
Ten years later, shocking news forces a grown Clara to run for her life. Ending up in the mysterious Liminal, one of its peculiar inhabitants demonstrates its powers by bringing her treasured nutcracker to life. After startling revelations turn her world upside down, Clara is forced to face the darkness that has shrouded her existence for the last decade. With the help of her nutcracker, Clara must reclaim what once was lost, or perish, knowing her home will never be the same. Welcome to Etherealm, where few things matter. But all things shatter.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 29, 2024
6 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
December 18, 2024
This dark Nutcracker retelling is the perfect slightly gothic, slightly spooky, slightly romantic read for holiday readers looking for something a bit less sugary-sweet and trope-y than other typical holiday-themed reads. Clara and Theo’s adventure in Etherealm definitely has several very dark turns that kept the story interesting and not-your-grandma’s-Nutcracker. The book is teen/YA appropriate though with no spice but a sweet romance nonetheless. I appreciated the creative take on this story, and did feel there was quite a bit of exposition for those not super familiar with the Nutcracker itself. A solid 4⭐️ read!
November 25, 2024
This was a really well written, carefully thought out, dark retelling of the Nutcracker fairy tale that already hooked me in from the beginning and kept me engrossed throughout. The novel is divided into two acts and both were consistently written and well done! I am not too familiar with the Nutcracker story so this felt really fresh and original.
I was initially confused by the prologue and wondered how it would link into the main story, but everything came full circle in the end and it was filled with a surprising amount of depth, worldbuilding and carefully placed plot twists.
This is a dual POV featuring a ballerina, Clara, who is trapped in a realm that isn’t her own and a nutcracker, Theo, who befriends her and keeps her safe from harm. Already it was so easy to root for Clara and Theo because of Theo’s dad, the Rat King. He is a great example of a villain who is evil just for the sake of being evil. There are no redeemable qualities. He kills, tortures and he is an abomination. You feel the danger and threat with each scene he appears in and feel the urgency to thwart his plans.
The friends to lovers trope was really well done throughout the novel. It was a slow burn, but it felt very natural with the way Clara and Theo’s friendship blossomed, having only each other to rely on in such a dreary place. The whole first act is spent with a younger Clara and Theo and I appreciated that instead of rushing things out. It set up many themes, threats, political intrigue between different realms and angst that pay off in the second act. And I love how the side characters all have their own personality and feel fleshed out. They all care for Clara and Theo in their own way and I really loved that. The novel does a good job building a strong network of friends and maternal/mentor figures, so the characters were never really alone even if it felt like it. The found family trope was so sweet to read about. Particularly, I loved the book’s ability to make me change my perception of certain characters as it progressed. Except for the Rat King, not everyone is good or bad and I loved how it was explored.
Of course I have to talk about my fav character Kyan!! Kyan absolutely stole each scene they were in. The way they are so sarcastic, funny, slightly morally gray and mysterious and added a whole new layer of complexity to the world that I am BEGGING gets expanded more in a potential spin off. I savored each scene Kyan was in and would love to know more about Kyan and their world. The worldbuilding really took off in the second act. It all felt so magical and interesting and I would love to see more of the fantastic world the author has created.
Apart from that, there are great plot twists interwoven throughout – ones that I wasn’t able to connect even if all the hints were there, but it just made so much sense. The ending was so sweet and I loved how everything came full circle. Even the small moments between Theo and Clara when they were younger are referenced as they grow up and I thought it was a great touch to the story. I really enjoyed those small call backs. They are such a sweet couple and I highly recommend this book to readers that love friends to lovers and a good retelling!!
I was initially confused by the prologue and wondered how it would link into the main story, but everything came full circle in the end and it was filled with a surprising amount of depth, worldbuilding and carefully placed plot twists.
This is a dual POV featuring a ballerina, Clara, who is trapped in a realm that isn’t her own and a nutcracker, Theo, who befriends her and keeps her safe from harm. Already it was so easy to root for Clara and Theo because of Theo’s dad, the Rat King. He is a great example of a villain who is evil just for the sake of being evil. There are no redeemable qualities. He kills, tortures and he is an abomination. You feel the danger and threat with each scene he appears in and feel the urgency to thwart his plans.
The friends to lovers trope was really well done throughout the novel. It was a slow burn, but it felt very natural with the way Clara and Theo’s friendship blossomed, having only each other to rely on in such a dreary place. The whole first act is spent with a younger Clara and Theo and I appreciated that instead of rushing things out. It set up many themes, threats, political intrigue between different realms and angst that pay off in the second act. And I love how the side characters all have their own personality and feel fleshed out. They all care for Clara and Theo in their own way and I really loved that. The novel does a good job building a strong network of friends and maternal/mentor figures, so the characters were never really alone even if it felt like it. The found family trope was so sweet to read about. Particularly, I loved the book’s ability to make me change my perception of certain characters as it progressed. Except for the Rat King, not everyone is good or bad and I loved how it was explored.
Of course I have to talk about my fav character Kyan!! Kyan absolutely stole each scene they were in. The way they are so sarcastic, funny, slightly morally gray and mysterious and added a whole new layer of complexity to the world that I am BEGGING gets expanded more in a potential spin off. I savored each scene Kyan was in and would love to know more about Kyan and their world. The worldbuilding really took off in the second act. It all felt so magical and interesting and I would love to see more of the fantastic world the author has created.
Apart from that, there are great plot twists interwoven throughout – ones that I wasn’t able to connect even if all the hints were there, but it just made so much sense. The ending was so sweet and I loved how everything came full circle. Even the small moments between Theo and Clara when they were younger are referenced as they grow up and I thought it was a great touch to the story. I really enjoyed those small call backs. They are such a sweet couple and I highly recommend this book to readers that love friends to lovers and a good retelling!!
December 6, 2024
I’m a sucker for anything nutcracker related, and I think I found my new favorite retelling! This is a dark fairytale retelling of the nutcracker story that is completely spice free. Be aware of some really gruesome and gory content (hence why this is a dark retelling).
I loved how we got to see Clara and Theoden’s relationship blossom from the first time we meet them as children. I felt like I really got to know and understand them more since they basically grew up during the book.
The plot twists were CRAZYYYY!! SO much hate for the rat king…iykyk. I thought the ending all wrapped up very nicely and the epilogue was sweet!
Highly recommend if you’re a nutcracker fan!
I loved how we got to see Clara and Theoden’s relationship blossom from the first time we meet them as children. I felt like I really got to know and understand them more since they basically grew up during the book.
The plot twists were CRAZYYYY!! SO much hate for the rat king…iykyk. I thought the ending all wrapped up very nicely and the epilogue was sweet!
Highly recommend if you’re a nutcracker fan!
February 23, 2025
4 out of 5 stars! 💂🩰🐀👑
This was such a unique and delightful retelling of one of my favourite tales, The Nutcracker. I was super fortunate to be granted an ARC as well — it just took me a little bit longer to read as the holiday season is always so busy!
You can listen to my full review and thoughts here: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdJN7wqP/
This was such a unique and delightful retelling of one of my favourite tales, The Nutcracker. I was super fortunate to be granted an ARC as well — it just took me a little bit longer to read as the holiday season is always so busy!
You can listen to my full review and thoughts here: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdJN7wqP/
November 20, 2024
This gorgeous dark romantasy Nutcracker retelling absolutely captivated me from beginning to end. With its dark, juicy plot set against a glittering backdrop and vibrant descriptions, this book had me hooked right from the prologue.
I will admit, there was a hot second where I found it a little hard to connect with Clara and Theo - our FMC and MMC - perhaps due to their young age at the start of the story. Even when I couldn’t quite sync up with them, I still wanted them to succeed and begin unravelling the mysteries surrounding them. You’ll notice I didn’t knock off even half a star from my rating, though, because this moment passed so quickly and I was soon able to easily picture them and feel very deeply for them.
There are some parts of this book that are a bit gruesome - it’s called a dark romantasy for a reason, after all - but I’m usually a big wimp and was still able to easily handle these scenes. I will say that my reading notes include a bullet point that simply says “wtf, horrifying, f*cked up” so…do with that what you will. I loved this book so as long as you’re ready for the ride, I think you’ll love it, too!
Overall, this book is the perfect weaving of a classic tale into this new, masterfully done dark fantasy. I am a BIG fan of the Nutcracker and this did not disappoint even a little! There were so many clever details and nods to the original, while still making it completely fresh and addicting.
The characterization and character development, especially through the relationships with the supporting cast, were so beautiful and well-executed. The gruesome details and descriptions of fantasy horrors are so believable, you’d almost think the author had first-hand experience (though I deeply hope that’s not the case!). The villain is absolutely unhinged yet still somehow manages to remain completely believable and just grounded enough in reality for this fantastic tale. And to top it all off, there is expertly placed foreshadowing throughout the story that all builds to an incredibly shocking-yet-satisfying conclusion. Chefs kiss, all around!
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Kidnapping
Found family
Magical curse
Hidden identities
It’s always been you
Slow burn
Pining
Us against the world
Golden retriever MMC
Touch her and die
Dual POV
No spice (kissing only)
I will admit, there was a hot second where I found it a little hard to connect with Clara and Theo - our FMC and MMC - perhaps due to their young age at the start of the story. Even when I couldn’t quite sync up with them, I still wanted them to succeed and begin unravelling the mysteries surrounding them. You’ll notice I didn’t knock off even half a star from my rating, though, because this moment passed so quickly and I was soon able to easily picture them and feel very deeply for them.
There are some parts of this book that are a bit gruesome - it’s called a dark romantasy for a reason, after all - but I’m usually a big wimp and was still able to easily handle these scenes. I will say that my reading notes include a bullet point that simply says “wtf, horrifying, f*cked up” so…do with that what you will. I loved this book so as long as you’re ready for the ride, I think you’ll love it, too!
Overall, this book is the perfect weaving of a classic tale into this new, masterfully done dark fantasy. I am a BIG fan of the Nutcracker and this did not disappoint even a little! There were so many clever details and nods to the original, while still making it completely fresh and addicting.
The characterization and character development, especially through the relationships with the supporting cast, were so beautiful and well-executed. The gruesome details and descriptions of fantasy horrors are so believable, you’d almost think the author had first-hand experience (though I deeply hope that’s not the case!). The villain is absolutely unhinged yet still somehow manages to remain completely believable and just grounded enough in reality for this fantastic tale. And to top it all off, there is expertly placed foreshadowing throughout the story that all builds to an incredibly shocking-yet-satisfying conclusion. Chefs kiss, all around!
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Kidnapping
Found family
Magical curse
Hidden identities
It’s always been you
Slow burn
Pining
Us against the world
Golden retriever MMC
Touch her and die
Dual POV
No spice (kissing only)
December 5, 2024
4.5
‘Porcelain Creatures’ is a dark retelling of ‘The Nutcracker.’ I was super impressed with the writing of this book and I was completely immersed in the story from the beginning. Even if you do not know the story of ‘The Nutcracker,’ this so well written and comes full circle, you’ll find this story new and exciting.
This story is told in dual POV so you’ll get to hear both Clara’s and Theo’s thoughts. It starts with them as children and it’s so great getting to follow along on their journey as they get older. And the plot twists along the way!! Be ready!! The romance is slow burn (no spice) but there are so many additional themes as well that makes this story enjoyable for a wide variety of readers.
If you know ‘The Nutcracker’ and think you already hate the rat king just you wait, you don’t hate him nearly enough yet until you read this.
It is a gruesome story hence the reason for it being a dark retelling.
For those who love friends to lovers, slow burn, dual pov, it’s always been you, magical curses and so much more.
Thank you Madison Mouser and Tales & Teacups for the ARC of this!
‘Porcelain Creatures’ is a dark retelling of ‘The Nutcracker.’ I was super impressed with the writing of this book and I was completely immersed in the story from the beginning. Even if you do not know the story of ‘The Nutcracker,’ this so well written and comes full circle, you’ll find this story new and exciting.
This story is told in dual POV so you’ll get to hear both Clara’s and Theo’s thoughts. It starts with them as children and it’s so great getting to follow along on their journey as they get older. And the plot twists along the way!! Be ready!! The romance is slow burn (no spice) but there are so many additional themes as well that makes this story enjoyable for a wide variety of readers.
If you know ‘The Nutcracker’ and think you already hate the rat king just you wait, you don’t hate him nearly enough yet until you read this.
It is a gruesome story hence the reason for it being a dark retelling.
For those who love friends to lovers, slow burn, dual pov, it’s always been you, magical curses and so much more.
Thank you Madison Mouser and Tales & Teacups for the ARC of this!
December 12, 2024
Was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book, the following review is my own honest opinion:
I really enjoyed this story. It was a dark nutcracker retelling and it was wonderfully written. I am not unfamiliar with the nutcracker story and I found Madison's take to be very original. The writing was descriptive without being flowery and the story paced fast enough that I never got bored. The novel is divided into 2 acts with a time lapse between them but it flowed well. There is no spice, steam only, but there is gory/gruesome content (hence the dark in dark retelling). In the beginning the main characters are very young, Clara I believe was 10 and I found her dialogue to be very adult for a 10 year old and it through me off a little bit. Otherwise it was a very original, dark, yet fun retelling of a pretty well known fairy tale that I enjoyed immensely.
Check the content warnings before reading.
I really enjoyed this story. It was a dark nutcracker retelling and it was wonderfully written. I am not unfamiliar with the nutcracker story and I found Madison's take to be very original. The writing was descriptive without being flowery and the story paced fast enough that I never got bored. The novel is divided into 2 acts with a time lapse between them but it flowed well. There is no spice, steam only, but there is gory/gruesome content (hence the dark in dark retelling). In the beginning the main characters are very young, Clara I believe was 10 and I found her dialogue to be very adult for a 10 year old and it through me off a little bit. Otherwise it was a very original, dark, yet fun retelling of a pretty well known fairy tale that I enjoyed immensely.
Check the content warnings before reading.
January 3, 2025
I don't think I've read a book that's as long as this one as fast as I did in a very long time.
This is a Nutcracker retelling that dips it's toe into the darker side of the story of the Nutcracker, which caught me by surprise, but not in a bad way. I think it contrasted well with the sweetness of the romance that blossomed between Clara and Theo.
The was these two characters evolved throughout the story felt organic and sweet, and I wished the banter had been kicked up just a notch as it did sporadically through the book.
Overall, it was a great reimagining of the tale, however I was craving more banter and wit in the dialog.
This is a Nutcracker retelling that dips it's toe into the darker side of the story of the Nutcracker, which caught me by surprise, but not in a bad way. I think it contrasted well with the sweetness of the romance that blossomed between Clara and Theo.
The was these two characters evolved throughout the story felt organic and sweet, and I wished the banter had been kicked up just a notch as it did sporadically through the book.
Overall, it was a great reimagining of the tale, however I was craving more banter and wit in the dialog.
December 29, 2024
This book was such a great read! It was balanced so well between plot and characters. I really enjoyed reading during the holidays for that Christmas atmosphere but also dark retelling of the Nutcracker story. Even though, some elements were dark and there are some hard topics, Mouser did a fantastic job handling that tension.
This is such a unique story that I highly recommend! This book is going to be the next must read for the reading community!!
This is such a unique story that I highly recommend! This book is going to be the next must read for the reading community!!
November 26, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
This book was amazing. I loved that it was a retelling of the Nutcracker, which while it isn’t a story I’m very familiar with, I did know some of the story and found the author’s take on it very creative and well written. I absolutely loved Theo and Clara! Their story broke me and put me back together again ❤️🩹 Overall, I definitely recommend this book!!
This book was amazing. I loved that it was a retelling of the Nutcracker, which while it isn’t a story I’m very familiar with, I did know some of the story and found the author’s take on it very creative and well written. I absolutely loved Theo and Clara! Their story broke me and put me back together again ❤️🩹 Overall, I definitely recommend this book!!
January 3, 2025
I grew up going to the ballet with my mom every other Christmas to see The Nutcracker. It's a classic that has been around forever, so when I saw that someone wrote a retelling, I HAD to read it. It was the perfect holiday read, and I loved it.
December 30, 2024
This eerie, dark, lush, yet hopeful retelling of one of my favorite ballets left me completely enraptured and captivated! I seriously haven’t been able to stop thinking about Clara and Theo and how deliciously wonderful this dark fantasy is.
A young Clara finds herself imprisoned in the darkest, most eerie castle she has ever seen, held captive by the sinister Umbrian king. The young, handsome, yet mysterious Theo, who she soon discovers is the son of the king, befriends her in order to protect her from his father’s evil wrath. Together they begin to uncover secrets regarding the king’s plans for Clara, and in a flurry of events, Theo suddenly disappears, leaving nothing but a porcelain nutcracker in his wake. Clara doesn’t know who to trust, and sets out to simply survive and eventually escape to make it back home to her aunt. When the kings already malevolent plans take an even darker turn, Clara escapes to the neighboring kingdom, Periphera, to seek help and discovers that she is the long lost Sugar Plum Princess.
This story was lush, dark, compelling and hopeful! I still think about these characters every day, and every time I hear the Nutcracker music, I can see every moment of this story come to life.
I highly recommend this dark fantasy! And I will be getting myself a copy as a birthday present to myself.
Romantic Content: Kissed Only, Mild Attraction Described
TW: Kidnapping, Dark Magic, Torture, Ritualistic Sacrifice (Only Mildly Described Once), Humans Turned into Living Nutcrackers, Abuse
A young Clara finds herself imprisoned in the darkest, most eerie castle she has ever seen, held captive by the sinister Umbrian king. The young, handsome, yet mysterious Theo, who she soon discovers is the son of the king, befriends her in order to protect her from his father’s evil wrath. Together they begin to uncover secrets regarding the king’s plans for Clara, and in a flurry of events, Theo suddenly disappears, leaving nothing but a porcelain nutcracker in his wake. Clara doesn’t know who to trust, and sets out to simply survive and eventually escape to make it back home to her aunt. When the kings already malevolent plans take an even darker turn, Clara escapes to the neighboring kingdom, Periphera, to seek help and discovers that she is the long lost Sugar Plum Princess.
This story was lush, dark, compelling and hopeful! I still think about these characters every day, and every time I hear the Nutcracker music, I can see every moment of this story come to life.
I highly recommend this dark fantasy! And I will be getting myself a copy as a birthday present to myself.
Romantic Content: Kissed Only, Mild Attraction Described
TW: Kidnapping, Dark Magic, Torture, Ritualistic Sacrifice (Only Mildly Described Once), Humans Turned into Living Nutcrackers, Abuse
November 27, 2024
ARC I loved this book!!!! (And I’m not being biased) I think this dark retelling of the Nutcracker gives wonderful imagery and backstory to a classic tale. Clara’s capture and then awakening in a mysterious world that she believes is a result of bedtimes stories really sets the stage for this book. Clara is enslaved and forced to perform as a Ballerina, and through a series of events her only companion is a Nutcracker toy. This is a wonderful and creative retelling and I encourage everyone to pre order this book
December 2, 2024
{4.75/5}
CW: some violence, some gore, parental abuse of a child, some others.
Thank you to Tales and Teacups and the author for the ARC! “Porcelain Creatures” is available now!
How have I gone this long without reading a Nutcracker retelling? This was so good; I immediately need more.
When 10 year old Clara is kidnapped and brought to Umbra, a land she never knew existed outside of her aunt’s stories, the last thing she expected was to become friends with her captor’s son. Prince Theoden knows all too well how cruel his father can be, and as he and Clara grow closer, all he wants is to protect her from the king.
Do you want to read some of the absolute sweetest, most endearing childhood friendship dynamic? Because this book has it. The story follows Clara across 10+ years of captivity, but watching her and Theo become close friends was so sweet, even with all the horrible things happening in the rest of the story. I absolutely love the two of them as individual characters, and watching them together was just the right amount of warm and fuzzy feelings needed to balance out the horrors of the rest of their lives.
The world building was incredible. We spend most of our time in Umbra, the dark and shadowy counterpart to the Sugar Plum kingdom of Periphera, which means that we don’t get to see a lot of that bubblegum-sweet backdrop. What we do see, in bulk, is a nuanced depiction of how beautiful those shadows can be. Theo sees the good in his kingdom, which means we get to see it, too; his father’s rule is characterized by fear and horror, which means we also get to see that aspect of Umbra. Even the ‘good’ kingdom, Periphera, isn’t one dimensional— it’s beautiful, but it has its own problems. The whole book was richly detailed, and the ‘otherness’ that both kingdoms embody was well-executed.
The plot itself was incredibly engaging; this is definitely one of those books you aren’t going to want to put down. If you have any experience with the original ballet, you know the basics, but the actual story and the new takes on how everything comes to pass breathes life into this 130+ year old story. Seriously, it was absolutely amazing. Anything I try to write to explain how good it was is going to fall extremely short; you're just going to have to read it for yourself.
With amazing characters and vivid detail, this book far surpassed anything I could have imagined. Watching those characters grow from children just trying to survive to young adults trying to make things right, seeing their dynamic develop and grow, and seeing this ballet that I’ve loved for my entire life being reworked into an incredible new story without losing any of the original magic was a total delight. This is definitely one you’re going to want to check out.
CW: some violence, some gore, parental abuse of a child, some others.
Thank you to Tales and Teacups and the author for the ARC! “Porcelain Creatures” is available now!
How have I gone this long without reading a Nutcracker retelling? This was so good; I immediately need more.
When 10 year old Clara is kidnapped and brought to Umbra, a land she never knew existed outside of her aunt’s stories, the last thing she expected was to become friends with her captor’s son. Prince Theoden knows all too well how cruel his father can be, and as he and Clara grow closer, all he wants is to protect her from the king.
Do you want to read some of the absolute sweetest, most endearing childhood friendship dynamic? Because this book has it. The story follows Clara across 10+ years of captivity, but watching her and Theo become close friends was so sweet, even with all the horrible things happening in the rest of the story. I absolutely love the two of them as individual characters, and watching them together was just the right amount of warm and fuzzy feelings needed to balance out the horrors of the rest of their lives.
The world building was incredible. We spend most of our time in Umbra, the dark and shadowy counterpart to the Sugar Plum kingdom of Periphera, which means that we don’t get to see a lot of that bubblegum-sweet backdrop. What we do see, in bulk, is a nuanced depiction of how beautiful those shadows can be. Theo sees the good in his kingdom, which means we get to see it, too; his father’s rule is characterized by fear and horror, which means we also get to see that aspect of Umbra. Even the ‘good’ kingdom, Periphera, isn’t one dimensional— it’s beautiful, but it has its own problems. The whole book was richly detailed, and the ‘otherness’ that both kingdoms embody was well-executed.
The plot itself was incredibly engaging; this is definitely one of those books you aren’t going to want to put down. If you have any experience with the original ballet, you know the basics, but the actual story and the new takes on how everything comes to pass breathes life into this 130+ year old story. Seriously, it was absolutely amazing. Anything I try to write to explain how good it was is going to fall extremely short; you're just going to have to read it for yourself.
With amazing characters and vivid detail, this book far surpassed anything I could have imagined. Watching those characters grow from children just trying to survive to young adults trying to make things right, seeing their dynamic develop and grow, and seeing this ballet that I’ve loved for my entire life being reworked into an incredible new story without losing any of the original magic was a total delight. This is definitely one you’re going to want to check out.
November 21, 2024
spoilers below**
This was fantastic! Dark Nutcracker retelling, but even if you don’t really know the nutcracker story, I think you’ll love it.
Clara is kidnapped at age 10 and taken to Umbra by the cruel king. Unknowing where she came from or why she was taken, she befriends Prince Theoden and they become fast friends. The backstory and early history with Prince Theo and Clara was so beautiful. Seeing their friendship blossoming and protecting each other was a perfect set up for their love story. They take care of each other and are the escape each needs.
Then suddenly Theo is gone. The king tells Clara that he has run away and gifts her a nutcracker that Theo left behind for her. Clara is heartbroken and betrayed and clings to her only remaining link to him. 10 more years pass with her prisoner at the castle performing ballet for him and his parties, her nutcracker always by her side.
Her loss and feeling betrayed was so real but as the reader you know the truth so it’s just so heartbreaking.
When the king expresses his desire to wed Clara at 21 (ew), she runs away! Of course bringing her beloved Nutcracker with her. In the Liminal space between kingdoms, she meets creatures known as Wanderers that make devious deals. It is there she learns the truth! This part was heartbreaking again, but also satisfying as a reader! Finally!!
Clara doesn’t know how to feel, and I get it, thinking someone betrayed you only to find out you were manipulated and lied to. And you’ve been that close to it the entire time!!
There’s this prophecy about uniting the lands. The king things it’s for him but it’s actually for Theo! It was like layers of twists. Clara discovers who she really is- you get hints throughout and you definitely know but you’re waiting for the characters to find out! It’s frustrating but good!
Basically Theo needs to kill the king to take over and reunite the lands. I think the ending was a bit too quick and wrapped up nicely, all that build up, could have used a little more suspense. But all in all I really enjoyed this story.
This was fantastic! Dark Nutcracker retelling, but even if you don’t really know the nutcracker story, I think you’ll love it.
Clara is kidnapped at age 10 and taken to Umbra by the cruel king. Unknowing where she came from or why she was taken, she befriends Prince Theoden and they become fast friends. The backstory and early history with Prince Theo and Clara was so beautiful. Seeing their friendship blossoming and protecting each other was a perfect set up for their love story. They take care of each other and are the escape each needs.
Then suddenly Theo is gone. The king tells Clara that he has run away and gifts her a nutcracker that Theo left behind for her. Clara is heartbroken and betrayed and clings to her only remaining link to him. 10 more years pass with her prisoner at the castle performing ballet for him and his parties, her nutcracker always by her side.
Her loss and feeling betrayed was so real but as the reader you know the truth so it’s just so heartbreaking.
When the king expresses his desire to wed Clara at 21 (ew), she runs away! Of course bringing her beloved Nutcracker with her. In the Liminal space between kingdoms, she meets creatures known as Wanderers that make devious deals. It is there she learns the truth! This part was heartbreaking again, but also satisfying as a reader! Finally!!
Clara doesn’t know how to feel, and I get it, thinking someone betrayed you only to find out you were manipulated and lied to. And you’ve been that close to it the entire time!!
There’s this prophecy about uniting the lands. The king things it’s for him but it’s actually for Theo! It was like layers of twists. Clara discovers who she really is- you get hints throughout and you definitely know but you’re waiting for the characters to find out! It’s frustrating but good!
Basically Theo needs to kill the king to take over and reunite the lands. I think the ending was a bit too quick and wrapped up nicely, all that build up, could have used a little more suspense. But all in all I really enjoyed this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2024
age rating: 14+ (torture, abuse, gore)
spice: none
language: none
this dark, gothic retelling of the nutcracker captivated me from beginning to end. (and i mean DARK. people were literally being sacrificed and then devoured by rats 😃)
i immediately fell in love with the two main characters; clara and theoden. their slow burn, friends to lovers romance was just the sweetest thing to watch play out, and SO heartwarming. 🥹😭 they're just so pure!!
in the first act, when we met clara, the enslaved ballerina was only ten years old, but her pov and dialogue felt so extremely mature and adult-like, it honestly threw me off. her demeanor didn't even really change much after the ten year time jump.
BUT, moving past that, i absolutely loved her character and personality; her fierceness and sweetness.
theo, the golden retriever coded prince of the realm that clara had been snatched away to, is the son of the malicious rat king. the rat king is truly the wickedest villain that i've read about in a while- i low key wanted to take him down myself. 🔪😇 back to theoden, i absolutely loved seeing his protective and sweet nature towards clara, and his desire to be different than his father.
the writing was just gorgeous, and the plot was executed and crafted so so well. Whether you're familiar with the original nutcracker story or not, or you'd love to dip your toe into more of a dark romantasy (this was a first for me!) i would highly recommend this book.
🎵 : safe and sound - taylor swift
it’s nice to have a friend - taylor swift
peter - taylor swift
thank you tales and teacups for the e-arc 🤍
spice: none
language: none
this dark, gothic retelling of the nutcracker captivated me from beginning to end. (and i mean DARK. people were literally being sacrificed and then devoured by rats 😃)
i immediately fell in love with the two main characters; clara and theoden. their slow burn, friends to lovers romance was just the sweetest thing to watch play out, and SO heartwarming. 🥹😭 they're just so pure!!
in the first act, when we met clara, the enslaved ballerina was only ten years old, but her pov and dialogue felt so extremely mature and adult-like, it honestly threw me off. her demeanor didn't even really change much after the ten year time jump.
BUT, moving past that, i absolutely loved her character and personality; her fierceness and sweetness.
theo, the golden retriever coded prince of the realm that clara had been snatched away to, is the son of the malicious rat king. the rat king is truly the wickedest villain that i've read about in a while- i low key wanted to take him down myself. 🔪😇 back to theoden, i absolutely loved seeing his protective and sweet nature towards clara, and his desire to be different than his father.
the writing was just gorgeous, and the plot was executed and crafted so so well. Whether you're familiar with the original nutcracker story or not, or you'd love to dip your toe into more of a dark romantasy (this was a first for me!) i would highly recommend this book.
🎵 : safe and sound - taylor swift
it’s nice to have a friend - taylor swift
peter - taylor swift
thank you tales and teacups for the e-arc 🤍
January 5, 2025
📚 Porcelain Creatures
✍️ Madison Mouser
📱 Kindle (arc)
🌶 Kissing only
⭐️ 4/5
Please check for trigger warnings, especially for readers 14-18. There is no spice. But a bit of torture, gore, and talks of violence.
🩰 Childhood best friends to lovers
🖤 Toucher and d¡e
🩰 Kissing only
🖤 It's always been you (from him)
🩰 Gothic courts and castles
🖤 Duel POV
🩰 Found family
🖤 Long kept secrets
🩰 Curses that must be broken
🖤 United Kingdoms
I've always loved a good fairytale retelling. I couldn't tell you how many times we watched the Barbies nutcracker movie when we were growing up 😂
Madison has done her retelling beautifully.
The story starts with Clara being kidnapped and taken to the rhelm of the Rat King and his son, the Prince, Theo.
They form a strong connection, and Theo does everything he can to protect Clara from the King.
Until they're separated for far too long, and after 10 years, Clara has to flee the castle.
The story is captivating and sweet. Watching their relationship develop quickly and then grow in to a deeper connection really was magical.
The world building was easy to follow. Especially going from the dark, gothic walls of the Rat Kings castle. To the bright, sugar filled Sugar Plum line estate. Madison paints an incredible picture.
While the Nutcracker is typically a seasonal story, this most definitely could be read at any time.
You're going to want a hot chocolate with marshmallows and peppermints on the side when you sit down to read this, though.
*I received this as an ARC. All opinions are my own*
✍️ Madison Mouser
📱 Kindle (arc)
🌶 Kissing only
⭐️ 4/5
Please check for trigger warnings, especially for readers 14-18. There is no spice. But a bit of torture, gore, and talks of violence.
🩰 Childhood best friends to lovers
🖤 Toucher and d¡e
🩰 Kissing only
🖤 It's always been you (from him)
🩰 Gothic courts and castles
🖤 Duel POV
🩰 Found family
🖤 Long kept secrets
🩰 Curses that must be broken
🖤 United Kingdoms
I've always loved a good fairytale retelling. I couldn't tell you how many times we watched the Barbies nutcracker movie when we were growing up 😂
Madison has done her retelling beautifully.
The story starts with Clara being kidnapped and taken to the rhelm of the Rat King and his son, the Prince, Theo.
They form a strong connection, and Theo does everything he can to protect Clara from the King.
Until they're separated for far too long, and after 10 years, Clara has to flee the castle.
The story is captivating and sweet. Watching their relationship develop quickly and then grow in to a deeper connection really was magical.
The world building was easy to follow. Especially going from the dark, gothic walls of the Rat Kings castle. To the bright, sugar filled Sugar Plum line estate. Madison paints an incredible picture.
While the Nutcracker is typically a seasonal story, this most definitely could be read at any time.
You're going to want a hot chocolate with marshmallows and peppermints on the side when you sit down to read this, though.
*I received this as an ARC. All opinions are my own*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2024
Porcelain Creatures by Madison Mouser
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This story is one of a beautiful dark romantasy retelling of The Nutcracker. As soon as I saw it I knew I needed to read this. This story was so easy to get lost into with our two main characters, Clara and Theo. I found myself so invested in Clara and Theo's tale and how they would fare against the Rat King, I often couldn't put the book down. There are definitely dark themes or parts within this story that had me holding my breath and having moments of feeling like, what the hell just happened but I think they made the main characters portrayal so much stronger and loved while seeing how they handled going through these dark moments. I feel like Mouser did a wonderful job of taking the classical Nutcracker story and giving it a whole new life with her own words and take on it. She put in so many details throughout the story that built a whole world around them, that as the reader, I enjoyed picturing each Kingdom and world the characters were in. I loved that we got to follow Clara and Theos relationship from the beginning and transform into so much more as they grew and through their own trials within the tale.
Content Warnings:
Torture
Violence
Violence towards a minor
Verbal abuse
Displays/Mentions of grief
Mention of suicide
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This story is one of a beautiful dark romantasy retelling of The Nutcracker. As soon as I saw it I knew I needed to read this. This story was so easy to get lost into with our two main characters, Clara and Theo. I found myself so invested in Clara and Theo's tale and how they would fare against the Rat King, I often couldn't put the book down. There are definitely dark themes or parts within this story that had me holding my breath and having moments of feeling like, what the hell just happened but I think they made the main characters portrayal so much stronger and loved while seeing how they handled going through these dark moments. I feel like Mouser did a wonderful job of taking the classical Nutcracker story and giving it a whole new life with her own words and take on it. She put in so many details throughout the story that built a whole world around them, that as the reader, I enjoyed picturing each Kingdom and world the characters were in. I loved that we got to follow Clara and Theos relationship from the beginning and transform into so much more as they grew and through their own trials within the tale.
Content Warnings:
Torture
Violence
Violence towards a minor
Verbal abuse
Displays/Mentions of grief
Mention of suicide
November 26, 2024
This is a dark romantasy retelling of the Nutcracker story! Although that sounds really whimsical, I would make sure to check the trigger warnings before reading, as with all dark romantasy's, it's gonna cover things that may be triggering. However, if you're willing to read it, this is a very captivating read on a unique take on this well-known story.
In this story, we meet Prince Theo, who's father is the notorious Rat King, who terrorizes the lands. There's no sunshine in his life until he meets Clara, who was kidnapped and brought for unknown reasons to Theo's kingdom. They become fast friends at a young age, but get separated when Theo mysteriously disappears one day.
As the story unfolds, we learn more about how the Sugar Plum line has fallen, and how everyone has deadly secrets. There are a lot of clever details that tie into the Nutcracker story, which contributed to the dark romantasy aspect really well.
The FMC and MMC are friends to lovers, but there is no spice (unless you count kissing). The sweetness between them does help offset the darker tones of the rest of the book, as well as having fun side characters who I grew to appreciate so much as well. There is a dual POV in this book that helps you to see both sides, as well as have great character development through both the FMC and MMC.
This would be a great holiday read and I'd highly recommend it!
In this story, we meet Prince Theo, who's father is the notorious Rat King, who terrorizes the lands. There's no sunshine in his life until he meets Clara, who was kidnapped and brought for unknown reasons to Theo's kingdom. They become fast friends at a young age, but get separated when Theo mysteriously disappears one day.
As the story unfolds, we learn more about how the Sugar Plum line has fallen, and how everyone has deadly secrets. There are a lot of clever details that tie into the Nutcracker story, which contributed to the dark romantasy aspect really well.
The FMC and MMC are friends to lovers, but there is no spice (unless you count kissing). The sweetness between them does help offset the darker tones of the rest of the book, as well as having fun side characters who I grew to appreciate so much as well. There is a dual POV in this book that helps you to see both sides, as well as have great character development through both the FMC and MMC.
This would be a great holiday read and I'd highly recommend it!
November 20, 2024
This was a dark nutcracker retelling, and harrowing journey of Clara's captivity by the Umbra King. Stolen away from her sheltered life, Clara wakes in a mysterious world she believed to be made up from her aunts bedtime stories.
The King is ruthless, he has the power to turn people into porcelain objects, and has brutal sacrifice ceremonies as the Rat King.
Forced to entertain as a ballerina, Clara is enslaved in the castle with only her friendship with Theo to brighten her day, until he suddenly disappears, and she is left only with a nutcracker toy for company.
Years later Clara flees to try and find her way home, making dangerous bargains and discovering family secrets along the way. Alongside her nutcracker companion and allies they must fight the rat king to save their kingdoms.
I enjoyed Theo and Clara's friendship, they had a sweet connection, and Theo was very protective. The plot had creative nods to the fairytale with dark twists and schemes, making it an entertaining journey.
The King is ruthless, he has the power to turn people into porcelain objects, and has brutal sacrifice ceremonies as the Rat King.
Forced to entertain as a ballerina, Clara is enslaved in the castle with only her friendship with Theo to brighten her day, until he suddenly disappears, and she is left only with a nutcracker toy for company.
Years later Clara flees to try and find her way home, making dangerous bargains and discovering family secrets along the way. Alongside her nutcracker companion and allies they must fight the rat king to save their kingdoms.
I enjoyed Theo and Clara's friendship, they had a sweet connection, and Theo was very protective. The plot had creative nods to the fairytale with dark twists and schemes, making it an entertaining journey.
November 23, 2024
WOW!! I did not know I needed Nutcracker retelling in my life until I read this!!
Clara’s story begins when she is very young and forced to flee her home with her aunt. After living in hiding, she is kidnapped at 10 years old. She is taken to live with the Rat King and his son Theoden (Theo). Theo and Clara become friends when he starts visiting her. Suddenly Theo disappears, and Clara is left with a nutcracker as her only friend. Ten years later, Clara is forced to run away after hearing some shocking news. Many secrets and lies are quickly uncovered, friendships are tested, and memories are clarified.
I love that this book starts with Clara and Theo first meet as children to deepen the understanding of the relationship between them. This gently changes from friendship to much more. The bond between Clara and Theo is heartwarming and perfect for the Christmas season. The plot moves at a steady pace with not long sections of explanations or descriptions.
This is a must have for your holiday (or not holiday) TBR!!
Clara’s story begins when she is very young and forced to flee her home with her aunt. After living in hiding, she is kidnapped at 10 years old. She is taken to live with the Rat King and his son Theoden (Theo). Theo and Clara become friends when he starts visiting her. Suddenly Theo disappears, and Clara is left with a nutcracker as her only friend. Ten years later, Clara is forced to run away after hearing some shocking news. Many secrets and lies are quickly uncovered, friendships are tested, and memories are clarified.
I love that this book starts with Clara and Theo first meet as children to deepen the understanding of the relationship between them. This gently changes from friendship to much more. The bond between Clara and Theo is heartwarming and perfect for the Christmas season. The plot moves at a steady pace with not long sections of explanations or descriptions.
This is a must have for your holiday (or not holiday) TBR!!
November 27, 2024
i have had the wonderful privilege of ARC reading this book to review it before the publication! as a kid, i was fascinated by the nutcracker story and this is the first book i read as a retelling in general!
i have to be honest though, i did struggle a tad little bit to get into the story and the little long chapters didnt really help much, but beside that i really enjoyed this! it really grew on me the more i got into the story and i ended up liking it quite a lot! i did find a hard time to properly root for Theo and Clara until halfway in the book, i didnt feel the chemistry right away but it ended up feeling right towards the end!
absolutely love the dark themes in this, the rat king, the horrible things that happened as that tends to make a story more interesting to me. the tropes were a great fit for the story and the plot twists in act 2 really topped it off! would definitely recommend this book :)
i have to be honest though, i did struggle a tad little bit to get into the story and the little long chapters didnt really help much, but beside that i really enjoyed this! it really grew on me the more i got into the story and i ended up liking it quite a lot! i did find a hard time to properly root for Theo and Clara until halfway in the book, i didnt feel the chemistry right away but it ended up feeling right towards the end!
absolutely love the dark themes in this, the rat king, the horrible things that happened as that tends to make a story more interesting to me. the tropes were a great fit for the story and the plot twists in act 2 really topped it off! would definitely recommend this book :)
December 17, 2024
4.5⭐️
The introduction effectively established the book's overall tone for me, fostering a sense of connection with the protagonists and their compelling narrative.
The progression of the plot was skillfully crafted, and I particularly appreciated the intricate details provided for each setting and character, no matter how grotesque, how cruel, how disturbing.
The character development, particularly through the interactions with Clara and Theo, was exceptionally well-crafted and executed. Their camaraderie in the first act was simply delightful and heartwarming
Clara, begins her journey at the age of ten, displaying a maturity and wisdom beyond her years.
Theoden was my favorite due to his affable nature and genuine efforts to differentiate himself from his father.
King Jasiel is a monster , a literal monster. The author has demonstrated exceptional skill in conveying this aspect.
The Castle to me was beautiful.
The introduction effectively established the book's overall tone for me, fostering a sense of connection with the protagonists and their compelling narrative.
The progression of the plot was skillfully crafted, and I particularly appreciated the intricate details provided for each setting and character, no matter how grotesque, how cruel, how disturbing.
The character development, particularly through the interactions with Clara and Theo, was exceptionally well-crafted and executed. Their camaraderie in the first act was simply delightful and heartwarming
Clara, begins her journey at the age of ten, displaying a maturity and wisdom beyond her years.
Theoden was my favorite due to his affable nature and genuine efforts to differentiate himself from his father.
King Jasiel is a monster , a literal monster. The author has demonstrated exceptional skill in conveying this aspect.
The Castle to me was beautiful.
November 27, 2024
Rating: 4.5⭐️
Format: E-book 📱
Favorite Quote: “So, are we just going to ignore the giant ceramic nutcracker?”
I'm going to start this off by saying I've never read/seen the Nutcracker and I have no clue what it's about.
That being said wow what a story! What a book! This book takes to you the doom and gloom land of Umbria where the Rat King resides and boy do I hate the Rat King. He's cruel and A MONSTER!
Following along the adventure of Clara and Prince Theo from childhood to adulthood, from best friends to lovers as they try to defeat the Rat King and bring peace to Etherealm. This book sets you on a wild and interesting journey that will both shook and amuse you!
I highly recommend checking this out! I could not stop at all. I felt like I was there with Clara & Theo every step of the way through the ups, the downs and the betrayals.
Format: E-book 📱
Favorite Quote: “So, are we just going to ignore the giant ceramic nutcracker?”
I'm going to start this off by saying I've never read/seen the Nutcracker and I have no clue what it's about.
That being said wow what a story! What a book! This book takes to you the doom and gloom land of Umbria where the Rat King resides and boy do I hate the Rat King. He's cruel and A MONSTER!
Following along the adventure of Clara and Prince Theo from childhood to adulthood, from best friends to lovers as they try to defeat the Rat King and bring peace to Etherealm. This book sets you on a wild and interesting journey that will both shook and amuse you!
I highly recommend checking this out! I could not stop at all. I felt like I was there with Clara & Theo every step of the way through the ups, the downs and the betrayals.
December 5, 2024
Porcelain Creatures is a fun, darkly enchanting spin on The Nutcracker! I enjoyed the classic elements intertwined with gothic, unique perspectives.
We follow Clara, a kidnapped 10-year-old thrown into a shadowy kingdom to perform ballet for the Rat King's entertainment and unrevealed plan, and Theoden, the young prince who is opposite in every way of his villainous father, who goes missing shortly after befriending Clara. After Theo's disappearance, Clara is only left with a porcelain nutcracker to remember him by.
Jump forward ten years, Clara finds herself in a dangerous position and flees the castle where mysteries unfold, betrayals are brought to light and identities are unveiled.
Madison does a wonderful job bringing the characters to life and creating a world of wonder. This is a perfect read for the season!
We follow Clara, a kidnapped 10-year-old thrown into a shadowy kingdom to perform ballet for the Rat King's entertainment and unrevealed plan, and Theoden, the young prince who is opposite in every way of his villainous father, who goes missing shortly after befriending Clara. After Theo's disappearance, Clara is only left with a porcelain nutcracker to remember him by.
Jump forward ten years, Clara finds herself in a dangerous position and flees the castle where mysteries unfold, betrayals are brought to light and identities are unveiled.
Madison does a wonderful job bringing the characters to life and creating a world of wonder. This is a perfect read for the season!
December 24, 2024
3.5 ⭐
Porcelain Creatures introduces readers to a dark reimagining of the classic Nutcracker tale complete with new creatures, an extra evil and sadistic Rat King, porcelain nutcrackers and political intrigue.
It's been a very long time since I've seen the Nutcracker on Ice (as a kid) so I have a very vague understanding of the original storyline. I think the author did an incredible job of reimagining the world, the characters, and their motivations. I would have loved to see this story broken into two parts and built out further. More world, more lore, and more character development.
That's the only reason for a 3.5 and not a 4. I'd just love to see this exciting premise explored and built out more fully. Amazing job bringing moments of "gross" and "what the heck" that are trademarks of a darker story.
Porcelain Creatures introduces readers to a dark reimagining of the classic Nutcracker tale complete with new creatures, an extra evil and sadistic Rat King, porcelain nutcrackers and political intrigue.
It's been a very long time since I've seen the Nutcracker on Ice (as a kid) so I have a very vague understanding of the original storyline. I think the author did an incredible job of reimagining the world, the characters, and their motivations. I would have loved to see this story broken into two parts and built out further. More world, more lore, and more character development.
That's the only reason for a 3.5 and not a 4. I'd just love to see this exciting premise explored and built out more fully. Amazing job bringing moments of "gross" and "what the heck" that are trademarks of a darker story.
March 10, 2025
This is such a great fantasy retelling of the Nutcracker Christmas tale. I totally enjoyed it. Theoden de Luksa is the Prince of Umbra and the son of King Jasiel of Umbra. But things change in the Umbra Kingdom of Etherealm when a small girl, Clara Drosselmeyer from the Sugar Plum Line of Periphera is brought captive to their kingdom. But this captivity brings these two people close. Withstanding the dread of the Rat King, one fine day Clara finds her friend Theo missing and things take a dark turn in the kingdom of Umbra. Will the two star crossed lovers meet ever again? Or was it a dead end that Clara could not see through? The tale ends with some unexpected twists. I wish the war scene was a little more built in climax, it ended too soon with nothing to give but one final twist helped this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
November 19, 2024
This book is a dark, gothic re-telling of The Nutcracker. I love how the author took all the elements of the nutcracker and turned them into her own. It was interesting how the nutcrackers were made of porcelain in this book. I enjoy the story. However, it didn’t captivate me like I was hoping it would.
The time hops within the story got a little confusing. One minute she is 10 and the next she is 21. I didn’t catch it at first and got a little confused. I think this book is a great re-telling and is a truly unique experience.
Read this book if you enjoy:
🖤The Nutcracker
🖤Childhood best friends to lovers
🖤 Touch her and die
🖤Hidden identities
🖤It’s always been you
🖤Magical curse
Thank you for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The time hops within the story got a little confusing. One minute she is 10 and the next she is 21. I didn’t catch it at first and got a little confused. I think this book is a great re-telling and is a truly unique experience.
Read this book if you enjoy:
🖤The Nutcracker
🖤Childhood best friends to lovers
🖤 Touch her and die
🖤Hidden identities
🖤It’s always been you
🖤Magical curse
Thank you for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2024
I adored this book. A nutcracker retelling was not on my bingo card for this year, but after having read it, I'm not sure how I could have finished the year off without it!
I loved the angle that Mouser took with Clara and Theo. From their childhood friendship to their "it's always been you" romance.
The plot moves forward quickly, but it was thorough. There were times I was curious how the book would wrap up given how far along in the book that I was. But it was done beautifully without the story feeling rushed.
If you've always wanted a nutcracker retelling (or even if you haven't) this is worth the read!
I loved the angle that Mouser took with Clara and Theo. From their childhood friendship to their "it's always been you" romance.
The plot moves forward quickly, but it was thorough. There were times I was curious how the book would wrap up given how far along in the book that I was. But it was done beautifully without the story feeling rushed.
If you've always wanted a nutcracker retelling (or even if you haven't) this is worth the read!
November 21, 2024
This nutcracker retelling is a dark fantasy! Be prepared this book is not a dip of your toe into dark fantasy, it is a full plunge! I really enjoyed this retailing, it was very well plotted, and the characters were really compelling!
Dark, gothic, and very mystical this retelling will plunge you into the nutcracker like you’ve never read it before. The way the book was written was wonderful and the time jumps didn’t feel bad or like they were used too often. Wonderfully descriptive and complex characters that you will either loath or love!
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dark, gothic, and very mystical this retelling will plunge you into the nutcracker like you’ve never read it before. The way the book was written was wonderful and the time jumps didn’t feel bad or like they were used too often. Wonderfully descriptive and complex characters that you will either loath or love!
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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