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The Palace of Illusions
The Palace of Illusions brings readers to a Paris breathless with excitement at the dawn of the twentieth century, where for a select few there is a second, secret Paris where the magic of the City of Light is very real in this enchanting and atmospheric fantasy from the author of The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill.
In the run up to the 1900s World’s Fair Paris is abuzz with creative energy and innovation. Audiences are spellbound by the Lumiere brothers’ moving pictures and Loie Fuller’s serpentine dance fusing art and technology. But for Clara Ironwood, a talented and pragmatic clockworker, nothing compares to the magic of her godfather’s mechanical creations, and she’d rather spend her days working on the Palace of Illusions, an intricate hall of mirrors that is one of the centerpieces of the world’s fair.
When her godfather sends Clara a hideous nutcracker for Christmas, she is puzzled until she finds a hidden compartment that unlocks a mirror-world Paris where the Seine is musical, fountains spout lemonade, and mechanical ballerinas move with human grace. The magic of her godfather’s toys was real.
As Clara explores this other Paris and begins to imbue her own creations with its magic, she soon discovers a darker side to innovation. Suspicious men begin to approach her outside of work, and she could swear a shadow is following her. There’s no ignoring the danger she’s in, but Clara doesn't know who to trust. The magic of the two Parises are colliding and Clara must find the strength within herself to save them both.
In the run up to the 1900s World’s Fair Paris is abuzz with creative energy and innovation. Audiences are spellbound by the Lumiere brothers’ moving pictures and Loie Fuller’s serpentine dance fusing art and technology. But for Clara Ironwood, a talented and pragmatic clockworker, nothing compares to the magic of her godfather’s mechanical creations, and she’d rather spend her days working on the Palace of Illusions, an intricate hall of mirrors that is one of the centerpieces of the world’s fair.
When her godfather sends Clara a hideous nutcracker for Christmas, she is puzzled until she finds a hidden compartment that unlocks a mirror-world Paris where the Seine is musical, fountains spout lemonade, and mechanical ballerinas move with human grace. The magic of her godfather’s toys was real.
As Clara explores this other Paris and begins to imbue her own creations with its magic, she soon discovers a darker side to innovation. Suspicious men begin to approach her outside of work, and she could swear a shadow is following her. There’s no ignoring the danger she’s in, but Clara doesn't know who to trust. The magic of the two Parises are colliding and Clara must find the strength within herself to save them both.
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First published June 10, 2025
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June 10, 2025
2.5⭐ | 0🌶️
Set in early 1900s Paris, this novel follows Clara, a young clockmaker invited to design the Palace of Illusions for a prestigious exhibition. It’s a story that blends invention with wonder, rooted in a world that slowly reveals its magical underside. When Clara’s mentor disapproves of her decision to go, they part on bad terms—though not before he leaves her with a mysterious object, a key to the Otherworld.
This book had everything to draw me in: a compelling premise, historical flair, and a heroine chasing her ambition. But the execution fell flat for me.
While the prose occasionally captured the magic of discovery, I struggled with the pacing and character logic. Clara is presented as logical and grounded, yet her choices often felt impulsive and confusing. Her reactions, especially toward someone who clearly holds answers she seeks, lacked coherence and left me frustrated. The story reminded me at times of Alice in Wonderland but Clara’s internal voice didn’t carry the same charm or consistency.
The inclusion of French and German throughout the text, while perhaps meant to add texture, disrupted the flow and added unnecessary friction. As someone fluent in French, even I stumbled at times, which made me wonder how others might fare.
Much of the conflict hinges on miscommunication or an unwillingness to communicate at all, and key moments felt artificially delayed to serve the plot. I also found the final act cluttered with events that didn’t add much, and I wish the Otherworld had been explored more deeply instead.
Despite a few endearing side characters, I never connected with Clara—and that made it hard to stay emotionally invested. I genuinely wanted to love this book, but in the end, it was a heavy read I had to push myself to finish.
___
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Set in early 1900s Paris, this novel follows Clara, a young clockmaker invited to design the Palace of Illusions for a prestigious exhibition. It’s a story that blends invention with wonder, rooted in a world that slowly reveals its magical underside. When Clara’s mentor disapproves of her decision to go, they part on bad terms—though not before he leaves her with a mysterious object, a key to the Otherworld.
This book had everything to draw me in: a compelling premise, historical flair, and a heroine chasing her ambition. But the execution fell flat for me.
While the prose occasionally captured the magic of discovery, I struggled with the pacing and character logic. Clara is presented as logical and grounded, yet her choices often felt impulsive and confusing. Her reactions, especially toward someone who clearly holds answers she seeks, lacked coherence and left me frustrated. The story reminded me at times of Alice in Wonderland but Clara’s internal voice didn’t carry the same charm or consistency.
The inclusion of French and German throughout the text, while perhaps meant to add texture, disrupted the flow and added unnecessary friction. As someone fluent in French, even I stumbled at times, which made me wonder how others might fare.
Much of the conflict hinges on miscommunication or an unwillingness to communicate at all, and key moments felt artificially delayed to serve the plot. I also found the final act cluttered with events that didn’t add much, and I wish the Otherworld had been explored more deeply instead.
Despite a few endearing side characters, I never connected with Clara—and that made it hard to stay emotionally invested. I genuinely wanted to love this book, but in the end, it was a heavy read I had to push myself to finish.
___
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 7, 2025
The nitty-gritty: The Palace of Illusions is a unique Nutcracker retelling with magic, charm and sparkling characters.
The Palace of Illusions was a breath of fresh air in a crowded pool of “retellings,” and I was in love from the first page. In this case, Rowenna Miller takes on the story of the beloved Christmas ballet the Nutcracker. In a creative twist, she sets her story in 1900 Paris at the Exposition Universelle, a historical event that celebrated the amazing technological advances of the time. She also adds a wonderful magical element by adding a hidden, alternate Paris that can only be reached through use of a special key. Finally, we have Clara, a plucky young woman who isn’t concerned with the social norms of the era, but sets out to achieve her dreams instead.
Clara Ironwood has just left her home in Wisconsin and moved to Paris to work on the Palace of Illusions, one of the many displays of technical wonder that will be part of the upcoming Exposition. Her apprenticeship with her Godfather Christian Elias Thrushman, a brilliant clockmaker, has prepared her for the technical and design work necessary for the display, and she’s thrilled to be on her own. Clara begins to make new friends, including her neighbor Annabelle, a dancer, and her boss Fritz Krieger. But she does have moments of homesickness, especially since the Christmas season is almost here.
One day she receives an early Christmas gift from her Godfather, and she’s surprised when she unwraps it to discover her Godfather’s ugly old nutcracker. She can’t imagine why he’d send her such a gift, until she examines it more closely and discovers a hidden compartment. Inside is a beautiful magnifying glass, and when Clara puts it up to her eye, she’s shocked when the world around her dissolves and changes into a different version of the Paris she’s become familiar with.
Clara has just discovered the anderwelt, a secret, magical place where artisans and craftsmen and women can go to stretch their creativity. Everything created there takes on a different form in the real world, and each “handwerker” has a unique key that allows them to travel back and forth at will. But as Clara also finds out, someone is trying to sabotage the anderwelt by creating blights, sections of darkness and shadow that also affect the real Paris. With the help of her Godfather’s nephew Nathanael Nussbaum, who has an interesting history with Godfather and the anderwelt, she sets out to stop the person responsible for the blight and save the anderwelt—and the grand opening of the Exposition.
Miller uses just enough of the familiar Nutcracker elements to entice the reader while making the story her own. First, the story is set around Christmastime, which immediately calls to mind the joy and wonder of the famous ballet. We also see little touches throughout the story like an army of magical mice who act as the eyes and ears of Nathanael, tin soldiers, the appearance of dancers like Annabelle and a clockwork ballerina named Olympia, and of course, the iconic characters of Clara and the nutcracker. Miller’s story is a celebration of artistic creativity, as her main characters are all artisans who have the unique opportunity to let their imaginations fly—when they are in the anderwelt—and their creations appear in different forms in the real world, but they are just as wondrous. I loved the joyful, upbeat feel of the story, and you can tell that Rowenna Miller herself loves the process of crafting art in all its various forms.
Miller adds lots of little historical details of the time period as well. The story includes the Lumière Brothers, the French inventors who created an early version of the motion picture camera. Electricity is also a big deal at the Exposition, as it’s a fairly new invention for that time, and Clara incorporates electric lights in the Palace of Illusions display.
Interspersed among the chapters are stories written by Elias to Clara and her sister Louise when they were children, and I absolutely loved the inclusion of these tales. Each is written in such a way as to appear to be fiction, but in fact Elias is actually trying to tell them that the stories might in fact be true.
The setting and world-building are certainly the star attractions of The Palace of Illusions, but the characters are just as good. Readers will love Clara, who is much more focused on her work and learning about the anderwelt than romance, and I loved seeing a turn-of-the-century female character with a modern sensibility (although there is a romance, but it doesn't take center stage). She also cares deeply for the people in her life, including her sister Louise, who shows up at her Paris apartment unexpectedly with the excuse that Clara needs watching over (she doesn’t). Things are very tense between the sisters for a while, but gradually Louise fits herself into Clara’s new life and even discovers her own artistic abilities. All of the side characters add flavor to the story, even the bad guys who are trying to destroy the anderwelt.
While the middle section drags in some parts, Miller raises the stakes near the end with some thrilling action and danger. The feel good ending made me smile and wish I could go along with Clara and her friends on their next adventure.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
The Palace of Illusions was a breath of fresh air in a crowded pool of “retellings,” and I was in love from the first page. In this case, Rowenna Miller takes on the story of the beloved Christmas ballet the Nutcracker. In a creative twist, she sets her story in 1900 Paris at the Exposition Universelle, a historical event that celebrated the amazing technological advances of the time. She also adds a wonderful magical element by adding a hidden, alternate Paris that can only be reached through use of a special key. Finally, we have Clara, a plucky young woman who isn’t concerned with the social norms of the era, but sets out to achieve her dreams instead.
Clara Ironwood has just left her home in Wisconsin and moved to Paris to work on the Palace of Illusions, one of the many displays of technical wonder that will be part of the upcoming Exposition. Her apprenticeship with her Godfather Christian Elias Thrushman, a brilliant clockmaker, has prepared her for the technical and design work necessary for the display, and she’s thrilled to be on her own. Clara begins to make new friends, including her neighbor Annabelle, a dancer, and her boss Fritz Krieger. But she does have moments of homesickness, especially since the Christmas season is almost here.
One day she receives an early Christmas gift from her Godfather, and she’s surprised when she unwraps it to discover her Godfather’s ugly old nutcracker. She can’t imagine why he’d send her such a gift, until she examines it more closely and discovers a hidden compartment. Inside is a beautiful magnifying glass, and when Clara puts it up to her eye, she’s shocked when the world around her dissolves and changes into a different version of the Paris she’s become familiar with.
Clara has just discovered the anderwelt, a secret, magical place where artisans and craftsmen and women can go to stretch their creativity. Everything created there takes on a different form in the real world, and each “handwerker” has a unique key that allows them to travel back and forth at will. But as Clara also finds out, someone is trying to sabotage the anderwelt by creating blights, sections of darkness and shadow that also affect the real Paris. With the help of her Godfather’s nephew Nathanael Nussbaum, who has an interesting history with Godfather and the anderwelt, she sets out to stop the person responsible for the blight and save the anderwelt—and the grand opening of the Exposition.
Miller uses just enough of the familiar Nutcracker elements to entice the reader while making the story her own. First, the story is set around Christmastime, which immediately calls to mind the joy and wonder of the famous ballet. We also see little touches throughout the story like an army of magical mice who act as the eyes and ears of Nathanael, tin soldiers, the appearance of dancers like Annabelle and a clockwork ballerina named Olympia, and of course, the iconic characters of Clara and the nutcracker. Miller’s story is a celebration of artistic creativity, as her main characters are all artisans who have the unique opportunity to let their imaginations fly—when they are in the anderwelt—and their creations appear in different forms in the real world, but they are just as wondrous. I loved the joyful, upbeat feel of the story, and you can tell that Rowenna Miller herself loves the process of crafting art in all its various forms.
Miller adds lots of little historical details of the time period as well. The story includes the Lumière Brothers, the French inventors who created an early version of the motion picture camera. Electricity is also a big deal at the Exposition, as it’s a fairly new invention for that time, and Clara incorporates electric lights in the Palace of Illusions display.
Interspersed among the chapters are stories written by Elias to Clara and her sister Louise when they were children, and I absolutely loved the inclusion of these tales. Each is written in such a way as to appear to be fiction, but in fact Elias is actually trying to tell them that the stories might in fact be true.
The setting and world-building are certainly the star attractions of The Palace of Illusions, but the characters are just as good. Readers will love Clara, who is much more focused on her work and learning about the anderwelt than romance, and I loved seeing a turn-of-the-century female character with a modern sensibility (although there is a romance, but it doesn't take center stage). She also cares deeply for the people in her life, including her sister Louise, who shows up at her Paris apartment unexpectedly with the excuse that Clara needs watching over (she doesn’t). Things are very tense between the sisters for a while, but gradually Louise fits herself into Clara’s new life and even discovers her own artistic abilities. All of the side characters add flavor to the story, even the bad guys who are trying to destroy the anderwelt.
While the middle section drags in some parts, Miller raises the stakes near the end with some thrilling action and danger. The feel good ending made me smile and wish I could go along with Clara and her friends on their next adventure.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
May 11, 2025
The Palace of Illusions by Rowena Miller is a whimsical, atmospheric retelling of The Nutcracker set in a dazzling, magical version of 1900s Paris. It beautifully blends innovation, art, and enchantment into a story that’s both creative and captivating.
Clara Ironwood, a talented clockworker, discovers a hidden mirror-world Paris where fountains spout lemonade, the Seine sings, and mechanical ballerinas dance with lifelike grace. Rowena Miller’s vivid imagery makes this world feel dreamlike and immersive—it’s pure magic on the page.
As Clara’s journey unfolds, danger creeps in. The boundaries between the real and magical Parises begin to blur, and the tension builds. While the pacing dragged in a few spots, the overall experience was enchanting and imaginative.
This is a unique, richly detailed read perfect for fans of historical fantasy, fairy tale retellings, and stories with a touch of whimsy. I received this from NetGalley as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Clara Ironwood, a talented clockworker, discovers a hidden mirror-world Paris where fountains spout lemonade, the Seine sings, and mechanical ballerinas dance with lifelike grace. Rowena Miller’s vivid imagery makes this world feel dreamlike and immersive—it’s pure magic on the page.
As Clara’s journey unfolds, danger creeps in. The boundaries between the real and magical Parises begin to blur, and the tension builds. While the pacing dragged in a few spots, the overall experience was enchanting and imaginative.
This is a unique, richly detailed read perfect for fans of historical fantasy, fairy tale retellings, and stories with a touch of whimsy. I received this from NetGalley as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 17, 2025
I’ve been looking for a retelling of the nutcracker. This one used all the elements but placed them in such a way that it formed a completely new story out of it.
I loved the stories within the story, the fairytales Clara’s Godfather told her growing up and the truths they concealed. I loved all the details, like castles made out of marzipan, sugarplums, and the descriptions of Paris.
But the story itself didn’t draw me in. Clara is an interesting enough character, but the plot dragged and the end felt hollow to me. I’ll give it credit for its creativity, but the execution was lacking.
(Thanks to Netgalley for the arc)
I loved the stories within the story, the fairytales Clara’s Godfather told her growing up and the truths they concealed. I loved all the details, like castles made out of marzipan, sugarplums, and the descriptions of Paris.
But the story itself didn’t draw me in. Clara is an interesting enough character, but the plot dragged and the end felt hollow to me. I’ll give it credit for its creativity, but the execution was lacking.
(Thanks to Netgalley for the arc)
June 23, 2025
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2025/06/18/...
Heading into The Palace of Illusions, I actually didn’t realize it was inspired by The Nutcracker, which made discovering those connections along the way even more of a delightful surprise. A loose reimagining it may be, but it did draw upon the spirit and imagery of the classic ballet while forging its own way, and I really enjoyed the direction Rowenna Miller took with the plot.
The story follows Clara Ironwood, a gifted clockworker who has traveled to Paris from her native Wisconsin to assist in constructing the Palace of Illusions for the 1900 World’s Fair. Fresh from her apprenticeship under her beloved godfather, a legendary clockworker himself, Clara is determined to forge her own path, especially as her decision to leave home caused a rift between them. Rather than dwell on regrets, however, she immerses herself in her work on the Palace of Illusion’s complex house of mirrors which are designed to showcase the marvels of electricity.
Then one day, everything changes when she receives a mysterious gift from her godfather: a nutcracker which holds the key to a whole new world beneath the city. All of a sudden, Clara finds herself plunged into this hidden realm, called the “anderwelt,” an alternate version of Paris brimming with wonder and creation. Here, anything you imagine can come to life—statues that move, houses made of candy, clockwork ballerinas that twirl and leap. But the more Clara explores this fantastical reality, adding her own mark to it in some instances, the more she gets the sense that not everything is as perfect as it seems. Along the way, she meets a host of strange and morally ambiguous characters—some who are allies, others who are hiding dangerous motives. Clara isn’t sure who she can trust, but she must figure out the mystery of the two Parises before the magic binding them can unravel.
I loved how Miller spends a great deal of time going into the ins-and-outs of the anderwelt, and in some places, it is magical realism at its finest. But although this deep exploration can be fascinating, admittedly it can also slow the story down. As our protagonist becomes increasingly obsessed with the enchanted version of the city, her efforts to uncover its origins can sometimes come at the expense of momentum. That said, what keeps the plot engaging and the reader turning the pages is the character’s personal growth as well as her meaningful relationships as the novel unfolds.
From the start, Clara’s sharp mind and analytical nature are front and center. Approaching every challenge with logic and determination, convinced that with enough time and testing that any problem can be solved, she can come across a little distant and cold, having little interest in anything outside of her work. Granted, part of that also stems from her feeling that she has something to prove, as one of the few women in her field. Despite this chip on her shoulder though, she remains generally congenial, even if she harbors some lingering resentment toward her godfather for turning his back on her. But once Clara enters the anderwelt, the transformation begins. There, she is able to set aside her rational mindset for at least a moment, allowing herself to marvel at the wondrous sights and sounds around her. She becomes more open, more emotionally vulnerable, and far more approachable—finally letting others in, and learning to accept help along the way.
Then there is the incredible duality of the worlds that the author has created. The anderwelt is practically bursting with vibrant imagery and all manner of impossible creatures, so much so that the people in the real world almost feel muted by comparison. But speaking of the characters, one of the most compelling figures is one who doesn’t even feature much in the book at all: Clara’s godfather. Yet his presence is strongly felt throughout, especially in the whimsical tales he spins, which are recalled and scattered across the narrative like little fairy tale breadcrumbs. The historical setting adds another layer of richness, with Miller’s gorgeously imagined turn-of-the-century Paris offering a charming backdrop. The Nutcracker inspiration is on full display, and I think there’s plenty that fans will enjoy.
All told, I really liked the direction Rowenna Miller took with the concept, blending magic, engineering, and history into something that felt fresh. Highly recommended for classic fairy tale lovers or readers who can appreciate a retelling that is both down-to-earth and dares to be different.
Heading into The Palace of Illusions, I actually didn’t realize it was inspired by The Nutcracker, which made discovering those connections along the way even more of a delightful surprise. A loose reimagining it may be, but it did draw upon the spirit and imagery of the classic ballet while forging its own way, and I really enjoyed the direction Rowenna Miller took with the plot.
The story follows Clara Ironwood, a gifted clockworker who has traveled to Paris from her native Wisconsin to assist in constructing the Palace of Illusions for the 1900 World’s Fair. Fresh from her apprenticeship under her beloved godfather, a legendary clockworker himself, Clara is determined to forge her own path, especially as her decision to leave home caused a rift between them. Rather than dwell on regrets, however, she immerses herself in her work on the Palace of Illusion’s complex house of mirrors which are designed to showcase the marvels of electricity.
Then one day, everything changes when she receives a mysterious gift from her godfather: a nutcracker which holds the key to a whole new world beneath the city. All of a sudden, Clara finds herself plunged into this hidden realm, called the “anderwelt,” an alternate version of Paris brimming with wonder and creation. Here, anything you imagine can come to life—statues that move, houses made of candy, clockwork ballerinas that twirl and leap. But the more Clara explores this fantastical reality, adding her own mark to it in some instances, the more she gets the sense that not everything is as perfect as it seems. Along the way, she meets a host of strange and morally ambiguous characters—some who are allies, others who are hiding dangerous motives. Clara isn’t sure who she can trust, but she must figure out the mystery of the two Parises before the magic binding them can unravel.
I loved how Miller spends a great deal of time going into the ins-and-outs of the anderwelt, and in some places, it is magical realism at its finest. But although this deep exploration can be fascinating, admittedly it can also slow the story down. As our protagonist becomes increasingly obsessed with the enchanted version of the city, her efforts to uncover its origins can sometimes come at the expense of momentum. That said, what keeps the plot engaging and the reader turning the pages is the character’s personal growth as well as her meaningful relationships as the novel unfolds.
From the start, Clara’s sharp mind and analytical nature are front and center. Approaching every challenge with logic and determination, convinced that with enough time and testing that any problem can be solved, she can come across a little distant and cold, having little interest in anything outside of her work. Granted, part of that also stems from her feeling that she has something to prove, as one of the few women in her field. Despite this chip on her shoulder though, she remains generally congenial, even if she harbors some lingering resentment toward her godfather for turning his back on her. But once Clara enters the anderwelt, the transformation begins. There, she is able to set aside her rational mindset for at least a moment, allowing herself to marvel at the wondrous sights and sounds around her. She becomes more open, more emotionally vulnerable, and far more approachable—finally letting others in, and learning to accept help along the way.
Then there is the incredible duality of the worlds that the author has created. The anderwelt is practically bursting with vibrant imagery and all manner of impossible creatures, so much so that the people in the real world almost feel muted by comparison. But speaking of the characters, one of the most compelling figures is one who doesn’t even feature much in the book at all: Clara’s godfather. Yet his presence is strongly felt throughout, especially in the whimsical tales he spins, which are recalled and scattered across the narrative like little fairy tale breadcrumbs. The historical setting adds another layer of richness, with Miller’s gorgeously imagined turn-of-the-century Paris offering a charming backdrop. The Nutcracker inspiration is on full display, and I think there’s plenty that fans will enjoy.
All told, I really liked the direction Rowenna Miller took with the concept, blending magic, engineering, and history into something that felt fresh. Highly recommended for classic fairy tale lovers or readers who can appreciate a retelling that is both down-to-earth and dares to be different.
May 25, 2025
The Palace of Illusions is a loosely based on The Nutcracker. You can certainly see the key themes and points, but this is not a step-by-step retelling but rather an original story inspired by the classic tale. The story caught my interest from the very beginning and I liked Clara as a narrator. There were one or two moments when I would have liked to have known more, but for the most part the world building was nicely handled, the reader learning new information along with Clara. A couple of the secondary characters were not so well fleshed out, but most of them came across well and added to the story and events. The blend of turn-of-the-century Paris and the magical parallel world created a fun atmosphere and great visual interest for the setting, all of which the author described well without being too wordy. Overall, I would recommend this book to fans of fantasy retellings in historical settings. I am giving it 4.5 stars.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2025
Ahh, This was fun! I enjoyed the first book from this writer so I was very hopeful about this one, too. I was lucky enough to get a copy from Netgalley for review early so win! :-)
I loved the setting and the characters were lovable as well. Nice setup for a new world to explore, with a solid adventure to boot. I had a good time reading this one. The MC does make a few stupid decisions for being supposedly such a brilliant character but she has been dropped into something completely unfamiliar to her that keeps getting bigger as the novel continues. I liked how her relationship with her sister progresses as well as getting to know her new friends and opening up to the world she's found herself.
I loved the setting and the characters were lovable as well. Nice setup for a new world to explore, with a solid adventure to boot. I had a good time reading this one. The MC does make a few stupid decisions for being supposedly such a brilliant character but she has been dropped into something completely unfamiliar to her that keeps getting bigger as the novel continues. I liked how her relationship with her sister progresses as well as getting to know her new friends and opening up to the world she's found herself.
May 4, 2025
I’ve never read a retelling of The Nutcracker and found this one interesting.
I do think this was whimsically and magical. I found the imagery wonderful and creative. I liked the plot and how they went from reality to the “other world”. It was a cool concept but I do feel like it dragged a bit for me until the ending. I feel like the ending was a little underwhelming though.
All that said; I did like this book and I do think others will too.
I do think this was whimsically and magical. I found the imagery wonderful and creative. I liked the plot and how they went from reality to the “other world”. It was a cool concept but I do feel like it dragged a bit for me until the ending. I feel like the ending was a little underwhelming though.
All that said; I did like this book and I do think others will too.
June 24, 2025
This one really hit the spot for me at the right time. I’m always looking for more fantasy standalones because I’m already in the middle of so many series so I was excited to get another one from Rowenna Miller after enjoying one of hers in the past.
Historical fiction is often hard for me to enjoy. I like having completely new worlds to get lost in (fantasy) or interesting technology to learn about (scifi). This book gave me a bit of both to some extent. The other world the MC discovered has the fantastical elements I love and while the technology used in this book wasn’t anywhere near the scifi tech I love, the characters’ own excitement over it filled in really well for that. It combined for a whimsical, awe-inspiring, and exciting mixture that kept me engaged throughout the entire book.
While the start of the book did feel a bit slow, overall the story had a steady pace throughout the entire book that matched the story well. The awe and the fear of the MC introduced exciting elements and while the darker aspects of the story took up more and more space the closer we got to the end, the book never lost its whimsical magic that made me fall in love with the world in the first place.
This was set in Paris so of course there was a little bit of romance. Spice-averse readers, have no fear though. While this was really sweet, it didn’t actually take up a lot of page time and the intimacy on page was emotional rather than physical. It worked well for this story, though the beginnings of their emotional involvement did feel a little rushed after their unconventional first interactions.
Is this a book for every reader? No. While the stakes were high for the characters, I do think the slower pace and whimsical feel of it won’t be for everyone. Did I enjoy it immensely myself and think it’ll work for many people anyways? Yes, definitely. The historical fiction, cozy whimsy, fantastical elements, and sweet romance should appeal to plenty of readers that can also get a taste of a genre they might not otherwise think to explore.
Historical fiction is often hard for me to enjoy. I like having completely new worlds to get lost in (fantasy) or interesting technology to learn about (scifi). This book gave me a bit of both to some extent. The other world the MC discovered has the fantastical elements I love and while the technology used in this book wasn’t anywhere near the scifi tech I love, the characters’ own excitement over it filled in really well for that. It combined for a whimsical, awe-inspiring, and exciting mixture that kept me engaged throughout the entire book.
While the start of the book did feel a bit slow, overall the story had a steady pace throughout the entire book that matched the story well. The awe and the fear of the MC introduced exciting elements and while the darker aspects of the story took up more and more space the closer we got to the end, the book never lost its whimsical magic that made me fall in love with the world in the first place.
This was set in Paris so of course there was a little bit of romance. Spice-averse readers, have no fear though. While this was really sweet, it didn’t actually take up a lot of page time and the intimacy on page was emotional rather than physical. It worked well for this story, though the beginnings of their emotional involvement did feel a little rushed after their unconventional first interactions.
Is this a book for every reader? No. While the stakes were high for the characters, I do think the slower pace and whimsical feel of it won’t be for everyone. Did I enjoy it immensely myself and think it’ll work for many people anyways? Yes, definitely. The historical fiction, cozy whimsy, fantastical elements, and sweet romance should appeal to plenty of readers that can also get a taste of a genre they might not otherwise think to explore.
June 4, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
The Palace of Illusions by Rowenna Miller is a third person-POV historical fantasy reimagining of The Nutcracker set in Paris before the 1900 World Fair. Clara and her sister Louise have come from America and arrived in Paris for Clara to assist in the construction of the Palace of Illusions. But a mysterious nutcracker sent from her godfather allows Clara to enter a magical world and for her to start putting some of the magic into her own creations.
I would definitely put this as a reimagining as it contains a lot of elements of The Nutcracker, such as the gift of a nutcracker and ballerinas that are references to the Land of Sweets, but they aren’t used in a way that follows the storyline closely enough for me to think of it as a retelling. I think some of this might be that I have always interpreted The Nutcracker as something of a romance because my first real exposure to it was an animated film that focused on the relationship between Clara and the Nutcracker. But taken purely from the ballet itself, I would still call this a reimagining because the features that I would associate with the Lane of Sweets came sooner than I remember them being in the ballet.
One thing I really liked is that Clara and Louise are German-American so they aren’t super familiar with all of the nuances of Paris and faith in Europe but they have retained certain parts of their Germanic heritage, such as still being Lutheran. It creates this dynamic where Clara knows some things, parts of Paris are familiar to her in some ways, but other parts are very new and she lacks the background to understand everything she’s told. It’s a very realistic depiction of being the child of an immigrant.
The pacing is on the slower side, but the worldbuilding and character aspects were balanced so nicely that I felt the book flew by. There’s a decent amount of worldbuilding and maybe I’m just very familiar with The Nutcracker, but I never found it overwhelming. I loved the balance of the fantastical and the historical in how it’s all built and would love to see that even more because I feel like historical fantasy usually takes the historical and makes it fantastical instead of building both the historical and the fantastical and they are sometimes one and the same and sometimes they are very separate. It was cool.
I would recommend this to fans of historical fantasy that are also reimaginings and readers of fantasy looking for something set in Europe in the turn of the twentieth century.
The Palace of Illusions by Rowenna Miller is a third person-POV historical fantasy reimagining of The Nutcracker set in Paris before the 1900 World Fair. Clara and her sister Louise have come from America and arrived in Paris for Clara to assist in the construction of the Palace of Illusions. But a mysterious nutcracker sent from her godfather allows Clara to enter a magical world and for her to start putting some of the magic into her own creations.
I would definitely put this as a reimagining as it contains a lot of elements of The Nutcracker, such as the gift of a nutcracker and ballerinas that are references to the Land of Sweets, but they aren’t used in a way that follows the storyline closely enough for me to think of it as a retelling. I think some of this might be that I have always interpreted The Nutcracker as something of a romance because my first real exposure to it was an animated film that focused on the relationship between Clara and the Nutcracker. But taken purely from the ballet itself, I would still call this a reimagining because the features that I would associate with the Lane of Sweets came sooner than I remember them being in the ballet.
One thing I really liked is that Clara and Louise are German-American so they aren’t super familiar with all of the nuances of Paris and faith in Europe but they have retained certain parts of their Germanic heritage, such as still being Lutheran. It creates this dynamic where Clara knows some things, parts of Paris are familiar to her in some ways, but other parts are very new and she lacks the background to understand everything she’s told. It’s a very realistic depiction of being the child of an immigrant.
The pacing is on the slower side, but the worldbuilding and character aspects were balanced so nicely that I felt the book flew by. There’s a decent amount of worldbuilding and maybe I’m just very familiar with The Nutcracker, but I never found it overwhelming. I loved the balance of the fantastical and the historical in how it’s all built and would love to see that even more because I feel like historical fantasy usually takes the historical and makes it fantastical instead of building both the historical and the fantastical and they are sometimes one and the same and sometimes they are very separate. It was cool.
I would recommend this to fans of historical fantasy that are also reimaginings and readers of fantasy looking for something set in Europe in the turn of the twentieth century.
March 29, 2025
Retellings of The Nutcracker are some of my favorite retellings to read. The combination of the Christmas elements and fantasy is very appealing to me, and I’m always intrigued by how Drosselmeyer will be portrayed since he’s a very mysterious character in the original story and the ballet.
This was a slightly different retelling since Clara learned from Drosselmeyer and has brought her skills to Paris to work on the Palace of Illusions, an upcoming exhibit at the world’s fair.
The beginning started out very Christmassy and I loved that, but most of the story takes place after Christmas. This definitely has more fantasy than the original and I liked seeing Clara explore the other world. Both the descriptions of the real Paris and the corresponding mirror world were lush and vivid and really came to life in my head. There are also quite a few mysterious characters introduced so I was never sure who was actually after Clara and who wanted to help her which made for some interesting twists and turns.
I did think the middle dragged a little bit and the resolution of the conflict happened kind of quickly — and then the book just ended, but overall I enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend it for fans of The Nutcracker. 3.5 stars
This was a slightly different retelling since Clara learned from Drosselmeyer and has brought her skills to Paris to work on the Palace of Illusions, an upcoming exhibit at the world’s fair.
The beginning started out very Christmassy and I loved that, but most of the story takes place after Christmas. This definitely has more fantasy than the original and I liked seeing Clara explore the other world. Both the descriptions of the real Paris and the corresponding mirror world were lush and vivid and really came to life in my head. There are also quite a few mysterious characters introduced so I was never sure who was actually after Clara and who wanted to help her which made for some interesting twists and turns.
I did think the middle dragged a little bit and the resolution of the conflict happened kind of quickly — and then the book just ended, but overall I enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend it for fans of The Nutcracker. 3.5 stars
August 27, 2025
I was really excited for this book. A steampunk, Jules Verne-esque take on The Nutcracker? Say less. I've been obsessed with the ballet and story since childhood.
The story was good, well-written. There are characters and elements of inspiration from the original story/ballet and the book is a fun bit of steampunk scifi mixed with a bit of fantasy and suspense. The characters are fun, a few of the story points are a bit confusing, the main mystery is a bit clunky and the bad guy is exactly who it appears to be all along (even though the author keeps trying to misdirect, she doesn't do it very well), not to mention the ending feels a tiny bit rushed. Other than that, I think I was really hoping for something a little stranger and darker and while this book was a good book, it just wasn't what I hoped. That said, I'm not sorry I read it.
I would definitely give other stories by the author a chance as well, and I'll share this book with friends. 3.5 rounded up to 4.
The story was good, well-written. There are characters and elements of inspiration from the original story/ballet and the book is a fun bit of steampunk scifi mixed with a bit of fantasy and suspense. The characters are fun, a few of the story points are a bit confusing, the main mystery is a bit clunky and the bad guy is exactly who it appears to be all along (even though the author keeps trying to misdirect, she doesn't do it very well), not to mention the ending feels a tiny bit rushed. Other than that, I think I was really hoping for something a little stranger and darker and while this book was a good book, it just wasn't what I hoped. That said, I'm not sorry I read it.
I would definitely give other stories by the author a chance as well, and I'll share this book with friends. 3.5 rounded up to 4.
December 28, 2025
And is the nutcracker retelling in the room with us? The last 70 or so pages are a jumbled mess of newly introduced mechanics into this magical world that already makes little sense. A guy whose whole life revolves around making things has to have his hand amputated and it almost seems like he doesn’t give a fuck. I’ve seen lots of reviews praising the authors prose, and I agree there’s certainly times where it’s nice, but I also found some descriptions lacking/confusing and a lot of scenes had non existent or clunky transitions. Anyway now I regret not seeing the nutcracker this year
June 19, 2025
an interesting take on the nutcracker for sure! this one starts pretty slowly but picks up after the halfway mark. i had trouble getting attached to some of the side characters, but the 'other Paris' was very beautifully described + i enjoyed the prose!
i liked the 'fairytale' stories that were from Clara's godfather, the author is pretty good at writing fable-type stories that fit well with nutcracker canon :)
i liked the 'fairytale' stories that were from Clara's godfather, the author is pretty good at writing fable-type stories that fit well with nutcracker canon :)
July 1, 2025
A magical tour of Paris and, of course, Milwaukee, where contrasts abound. Not just geographically, Midwest vs. City of Lights, but two versions of Paris that we can immerse ourselves in. Rowenna brings us a talented heroine that seems, over and over again, in over her head, yet shows us unequivocally that she’s up to the task. Family plays a big part in the novel, along with her newly adopted allies in Paris that become her second clan. Toss in a mouse army and keys to the otherworld and you get a wide-ranging story that imagines wonders that carry you along speedily.
Only the occasional f-bombs dropped by an eccentric German detracted from the brilliance of this writing. Magda was tough and ornery enough without the jarring epithets. But I highly recommend this fantastic story from a fellow Hoosier. Patiently awaiting more from this author!
Only the occasional f-bombs dropped by an eccentric German detracted from the brilliance of this writing. Magda was tough and ornery enough without the jarring epithets. But I highly recommend this fantastic story from a fellow Hoosier. Patiently awaiting more from this author!
April 6, 2025
3.5/5 stars!
So whimsical and mysterious!
While I did struggle to stay invested until about halfway through, I did thoroughly enjoy the story and absolutely love any book that transports you to a magical land! I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a calmer, less anxiety inducing fantasy!
Soft romance, no spice.
So whimsical and mysterious!
While I did struggle to stay invested until about halfway through, I did thoroughly enjoy the story and absolutely love any book that transports you to a magical land! I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a calmer, less anxiety inducing fantasy!
Soft romance, no spice.
June 4, 2025
This was such a unique book, inspired by The Nutcracker and taking place in early 1900's Paris with glimpses into a magical other world overlaid onto it.
The descriptions of the other world were so whimsical and wonderful, I was always so excited to see new places just to see what incredible things would be there!
The FMC was a very different main character which I enjoyed. Bad with people, completely obsessed with her work, and lacking a lot of fun in her life. Watching how she opened up but still stayed true to herself during her adventures was lovely.
While this was a slower-paced book I still found the plot exciting, trying to figure out what was happening to the other world while also preparing for the world's fair exposition.
Overall this was a fun read that somehow felt nostalgic to me, like reading a whimsical book from my childhood.
Thanks to the publisher for the copy.
The descriptions of the other world were so whimsical and wonderful, I was always so excited to see new places just to see what incredible things would be there!
The FMC was a very different main character which I enjoyed. Bad with people, completely obsessed with her work, and lacking a lot of fun in her life. Watching how she opened up but still stayed true to herself during her adventures was lovely.
While this was a slower-paced book I still found the plot exciting, trying to figure out what was happening to the other world while also preparing for the world's fair exposition.
Overall this was a fun read that somehow felt nostalgic to me, like reading a whimsical book from my childhood.
Thanks to the publisher for the copy.
December 3, 2025
3 stars
A lovely/early Christmas Eve gift from my mom, who managed to find a book I’d never heard of but seemed to be written for me. (Paris! The Nutcracker! The 1900 World’s Fair!) The idea behind this book is 5 stars and wonderfully unique, though the execution is, at times, lacking. Miller’s universe doesn’t follow its own rules if it advances the plot. Overall I still enjoyed this, though.
A lovely/early Christmas Eve gift from my mom, who managed to find a book I’d never heard of but seemed to be written for me. (Paris! The Nutcracker! The 1900 World’s Fair!) The idea behind this book is 5 stars and wonderfully unique, though the execution is, at times, lacking. Miller’s universe doesn’t follow its own rules if it advances the plot. Overall I still enjoyed this, though.
June 29, 2025
probably should have known this is a Nutcracker retelling....I was more excited about Paris before the 1900 World's Fair. decent story, just not what I expected
September 20, 2025
Sweet and fun but simplistic. Wanted more depth and nuance.
November 20, 2025
3.5
It was good, I’m waiting for it to be great
It was good, I’m waiting for it to be great
July 20, 2025
Entertaining but should have been shorter
August 13, 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Rowenna Miller for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Palace of Illusions coming out June 10, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I enjoyed the setting. I think it was fantastical. It was a little long for me, but I enjoyed the characters. I’d check out more books by this author.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I enjoyed the setting. I think it was fantastical. It was a little long for me, but I enjoyed the characters. I’d check out more books by this author.
July 6, 2025
Very cool story line and imagination. Descriptions done really well. However, the story started to lack and confuse a bit. It felt like so much more could have been done with the concept. It felt like a quick wrap up ending. Disappointed. Fact of losing a hand or arm and moving on? It was a bit hurried and lacking. I felt like the alternative world could have created his arm/ hand. Again, so much more could have been done. It's like author was cutting it close to deadline and needed a quick wrap up. Or someone else finished it for author or bad editing? Not sure. But it had do much potential..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2025
***Thank you to Orbit Books for providing an advanced copy of the book. My review contains my honest thoughts about my reading experience.***
I’m so glad that I decided to pick up The Palace of Illusions despite DNFing some of the author’s previous work. I loved every second I spent with this book. It wasn’t perfect, but it was so enchanting that I savored every word.
The setting of The Palace of Illusions was probably my favorite thing about the book. I loved exploring the construction of the world’s fair, as well as the streets of Paris in 1900. Even better, the Otherworld version of Paris was beautiful, magical, and had an ethereal quality to it. I really liked the idea of a parallel world where dreams come to life and the only limit is one’s imagination. The author’s writing did a wonderful job of bringing both worlds to life in vivid and breathtaking detail.
I also really enjoyed getting to know the main character of The Palace of Illusions, Clara. Her experience was such an interesting one to follow. She was obsessed with her work and felt like an outsider because of it. The story did a good job of exploring the difficulties of being the only woman engineer at the world’s fair in a time when women were excluded from such professional endeavors. I loved seeing her become more confident in herself outside of her work. She also learned the significance of relying on others at times and built some great relationships with several other pretty awesome characters.
The weakest thing about The Palace of Illusions for me was the plot. It had its moments of excitement, and the author did a great job of making me suspect some of my favorite characters were the villain. However, the pacing just wasn’t great. It was often incredibly slow, especially in the beginning. Many of the plot points felt a bit too contrived, as well, and things happened later in the story that left me wondering why they just didn’t do those things 200 pages ago. lol.
I also struggled to see how some of the actions of the villain fit with their supposed motivations. By the end, the villain felt a bit too cartoonish, and the way it all played out left me wondering if they should have just given him what he wanted all along and waited for him to be arrested. Strangely, though, none of these issues took away from my enjoyment of the story. I just loved the setting, premise, and characters that much.
The last thing I want to briefly discuss about The Palace of Illusions is the themes. Specifically, I really liked how the imagery highlights the drawbacks of the commercialization of imagination and creation. The villain clearly sees the Otherworld and its magnificent power as something to be harnessed and used for gain. Even when the selfish actions of taking the creations for profit begin destroying the very essence of imagination itself, the villain keeps pushing forward. It just made me think of how the focus on creating for trends, the use of AI, and other aspects of the automation/commercialization of imaginative endeavors can actually stifle originality and potentially harm the creativity of whole swaths of people.
All in all, The Palace of Illusions won’t be for everyone, but it was definitely for me. The setting was wonderful, and I loved the characters. If you don’t mind some pacing issues and a plot with a few too many contrivances, there’s a lot to enjoy in this historical fantasy. Therefore, I rate the book 4 out of 5 stars.
I’m so glad that I decided to pick up The Palace of Illusions despite DNFing some of the author’s previous work. I loved every second I spent with this book. It wasn’t perfect, but it was so enchanting that I savored every word.
The setting of The Palace of Illusions was probably my favorite thing about the book. I loved exploring the construction of the world’s fair, as well as the streets of Paris in 1900. Even better, the Otherworld version of Paris was beautiful, magical, and had an ethereal quality to it. I really liked the idea of a parallel world where dreams come to life and the only limit is one’s imagination. The author’s writing did a wonderful job of bringing both worlds to life in vivid and breathtaking detail.
I also really enjoyed getting to know the main character of The Palace of Illusions, Clara. Her experience was such an interesting one to follow. She was obsessed with her work and felt like an outsider because of it. The story did a good job of exploring the difficulties of being the only woman engineer at the world’s fair in a time when women were excluded from such professional endeavors. I loved seeing her become more confident in herself outside of her work. She also learned the significance of relying on others at times and built some great relationships with several other pretty awesome characters.
The weakest thing about The Palace of Illusions for me was the plot. It had its moments of excitement, and the author did a great job of making me suspect some of my favorite characters were the villain. However, the pacing just wasn’t great. It was often incredibly slow, especially in the beginning. Many of the plot points felt a bit too contrived, as well, and things happened later in the story that left me wondering why they just didn’t do those things 200 pages ago. lol.
I also struggled to see how some of the actions of the villain fit with their supposed motivations. By the end, the villain felt a bit too cartoonish, and the way it all played out left me wondering if they should have just given him what he wanted all along and waited for him to be arrested. Strangely, though, none of these issues took away from my enjoyment of the story. I just loved the setting, premise, and characters that much.
The last thing I want to briefly discuss about The Palace of Illusions is the themes. Specifically, I really liked how the imagery highlights the drawbacks of the commercialization of imagination and creation. The villain clearly sees the Otherworld and its magnificent power as something to be harnessed and used for gain. Even when the selfish actions of taking the creations for profit begin destroying the very essence of imagination itself, the villain keeps pushing forward. It just made me think of how the focus on creating for trends, the use of AI, and other aspects of the automation/commercialization of imaginative endeavors can actually stifle originality and potentially harm the creativity of whole swaths of people.
All in all, The Palace of Illusions won’t be for everyone, but it was definitely for me. The setting was wonderful, and I loved the characters. If you don’t mind some pacing issues and a plot with a few too many contrivances, there’s a lot to enjoy in this historical fantasy. Therefore, I rate the book 4 out of 5 stars.
June 15, 2025
Book review: 3.75/5 ⭐️
Genre: magical realism,
Themes: imagination, otherworldly, clockwork
📖 Read if you like: The Enchanted Lies of Celeste Artois, The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door, Ten Thousand Doors of January
This book lies somewhere between dreams and reality, that space where imagination takes hold and ideas can come to life. This loosely based reimagining of The Nutcracker was slower paced, but created an immersive story about the creative process, the cost of progress and an otherworld where artisans can discover magic and turn it into reality. It was creative and all the clockwork creations were so fascinating. It was decidedly atmospheric and I enjoyed bouncing between the anderwelt and Paris, which holds equal amounts of magic in my opinion.
Synopsis: The 1900s World’s Fair in Paris has brought innovation and creative energy to the city, as artisans and engineers from around the world put together pavilions to showcase new wonders to the people. Clara Ironwood is one such individual. A brilliant clockworker with an eye for mechanics, Clara moved from America to work on the Palace of Illusions for the fair. Tutored under her enigmatic and mercurial godfather with whom she has had a falling out, as a peace offering he send her a hideous nutcracker for the holidays. Clara is amazed to find this nutcracker holds the secret she could never have imagined. A literal key that unlocks a mirror-world where fountains sprout lemonade, the Seine is musical and automations move and think like humans. The anderwelt is a magical place of spun sugar and creation that can provide the seed of innovation in the real world. As Clara begins to explore this new world she also becomes the interest of several parties. Followed by shadows and strange men alike, she discovers a dark plot is underfoot to strip the anderwelt of its creations, thereby destroying the place itself. She must work in both worlds to uncover their secrets and stop the destruction before it is too late.
Having the Lumiere brothers moving pictures and Loie Fuller’s dance art feature in the plot kept the story rooted in historical realism, while highlighting the fantastical at the same time. It wasn’t so hard to believe that an otherworld could exist that would inspire the age of enlightenment in Paris. Things within the anderwelt aren’t truly alive, but they are imbued with the creative potential of the ideas and that breathes life into them. This concept was both intriguing and made for such a whimsical landscape. This version of Paris turned inside out is one I would love to explore. It had some pacing issues in the middle and I think there needed to be a bit more motivation and fear around the Sandmann, but it really allowed you to savour the place. It is a great read if you enjoy fairytales retold, historical fantasy and the art of creation.
Thank you to Orbit Books and Netgalley for an early eARC of this book for review.
Genre: magical realism,
Themes: imagination, otherworldly, clockwork
📖 Read if you like: The Enchanted Lies of Celeste Artois, The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door, Ten Thousand Doors of January
This book lies somewhere between dreams and reality, that space where imagination takes hold and ideas can come to life. This loosely based reimagining of The Nutcracker was slower paced, but created an immersive story about the creative process, the cost of progress and an otherworld where artisans can discover magic and turn it into reality. It was creative and all the clockwork creations were so fascinating. It was decidedly atmospheric and I enjoyed bouncing between the anderwelt and Paris, which holds equal amounts of magic in my opinion.
Synopsis: The 1900s World’s Fair in Paris has brought innovation and creative energy to the city, as artisans and engineers from around the world put together pavilions to showcase new wonders to the people. Clara Ironwood is one such individual. A brilliant clockworker with an eye for mechanics, Clara moved from America to work on the Palace of Illusions for the fair. Tutored under her enigmatic and mercurial godfather with whom she has had a falling out, as a peace offering he send her a hideous nutcracker for the holidays. Clara is amazed to find this nutcracker holds the secret she could never have imagined. A literal key that unlocks a mirror-world where fountains sprout lemonade, the Seine is musical and automations move and think like humans. The anderwelt is a magical place of spun sugar and creation that can provide the seed of innovation in the real world. As Clara begins to explore this new world she also becomes the interest of several parties. Followed by shadows and strange men alike, she discovers a dark plot is underfoot to strip the anderwelt of its creations, thereby destroying the place itself. She must work in both worlds to uncover their secrets and stop the destruction before it is too late.
Having the Lumiere brothers moving pictures and Loie Fuller’s dance art feature in the plot kept the story rooted in historical realism, while highlighting the fantastical at the same time. It wasn’t so hard to believe that an otherworld could exist that would inspire the age of enlightenment in Paris. Things within the anderwelt aren’t truly alive, but they are imbued with the creative potential of the ideas and that breathes life into them. This concept was both intriguing and made for such a whimsical landscape. This version of Paris turned inside out is one I would love to explore. It had some pacing issues in the middle and I think there needed to be a bit more motivation and fear around the Sandmann, but it really allowed you to savour the place. It is a great read if you enjoy fairytales retold, historical fantasy and the art of creation.
Thank you to Orbit Books and Netgalley for an early eARC of this book for review.
August 5, 2025
I’m a sucker for a Nutcracker retelling, and I thoroughly enjoyed the new world Rowena Miller thrust Clara in.
A good fairytale retelling, in my opinion, keeps the heart of a beloved story and reexamines themes and characters in new dimensions. Rowenna Miller takes the beloved nutcracker story and reimagines it as a blend of fantasy and feminism in the early 20th century.
Clara is an American who has landed an exciting contract to build clockwork creations in the lead up to the 1900 world fair in Paris, France. This is the first time she’s left her small town in the midwest behind, and she’s thrust into a whole new world at the turn of the century where men and women’s roles and lives are changing rapidly. As she builds an independent lift for herself, she is pulled back into her godfather’s mysterious world when he sends her a christmas gift.
Clara discovers there’s a whole other world that lives along ours. Called The Anderwelt, it’s our world, but influenced by the creation of makers. It’s a fascinating world that Clara rightly gets obsessed with. However, there’s danger there as well as beauty, and Clara begins to be followed in both worlds by danger.
Clara has a scientific mind, and is practical before all else. While she’s thrust into this other world, she’s reminded of her love of imagination as a child. Throughout her adventures, she is forced to meet new people and make friends, including her boss, the charming Fritz, her bohemian dancing neighbour Annabelle, Clara’s sister Louise and the mysterious Nathanael. This exploration in Clara’s identity is the root of the book. Can she be a serious woman, praised for her skills in a man’s world, and still be a woman, make time for fun and frivolity, and love? Clara’s exploration into living is because of her godfather’s mechanical creations and her own talent, and while those come to life, so does she. I loved the themes in this book and focus on Clara learning to let people in, both platonically and romantically.
The book is slower paced and a little heavy on world building details at times, but the whimsy and joy makes up for it. This is a book I think I would have also enjoyed more reading in the winter – it’s set at christmas and it felt odd reading it in June. Perhaps it’s because I think of the Nutcracker as such an essential part of my holiday experience?
If you want a delightful take on The Nutcracker, you should read The Palace of Illusions – but it’s best saved for when the snow falls.
Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
A good fairytale retelling, in my opinion, keeps the heart of a beloved story and reexamines themes and characters in new dimensions. Rowenna Miller takes the beloved nutcracker story and reimagines it as a blend of fantasy and feminism in the early 20th century.
Clara is an American who has landed an exciting contract to build clockwork creations in the lead up to the 1900 world fair in Paris, France. This is the first time she’s left her small town in the midwest behind, and she’s thrust into a whole new world at the turn of the century where men and women’s roles and lives are changing rapidly. As she builds an independent lift for herself, she is pulled back into her godfather’s mysterious world when he sends her a christmas gift.
Clara discovers there’s a whole other world that lives along ours. Called The Anderwelt, it’s our world, but influenced by the creation of makers. It’s a fascinating world that Clara rightly gets obsessed with. However, there’s danger there as well as beauty, and Clara begins to be followed in both worlds by danger.
Clara has a scientific mind, and is practical before all else. While she’s thrust into this other world, she’s reminded of her love of imagination as a child. Throughout her adventures, she is forced to meet new people and make friends, including her boss, the charming Fritz, her bohemian dancing neighbour Annabelle, Clara’s sister Louise and the mysterious Nathanael. This exploration in Clara’s identity is the root of the book. Can she be a serious woman, praised for her skills in a man’s world, and still be a woman, make time for fun and frivolity, and love? Clara’s exploration into living is because of her godfather’s mechanical creations and her own talent, and while those come to life, so does she. I loved the themes in this book and focus on Clara learning to let people in, both platonically and romantically.
The book is slower paced and a little heavy on world building details at times, but the whimsy and joy makes up for it. This is a book I think I would have also enjoyed more reading in the winter – it’s set at christmas and it felt odd reading it in June. Perhaps it’s because I think of the Nutcracker as such an essential part of my holiday experience?
If you want a delightful take on The Nutcracker, you should read The Palace of Illusions – but it’s best saved for when the snow falls.
Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
June 7, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!
1900s Paris, Magical Realism, a destructive mystery, and The Nutcracker
3.5 rounded up
In this retelling of The Nutcracker Clara's titular gift from her godfather unlocks a magical realm where the "City of Lights" is even more dazzling. A place where magic is real!
Inventors and artisans from all walks of life have pulled out all the innovation and wonder they can in preparation for the Parisian World Fair. However Clara's godfather has them all beat; a gifted nutcracker has produced a gateway to another Paris, one where illusions are commonplace and magic is everywhere you look. The wonders of the hall of mirrors—Clara's own contribution to the fair—make the Palace of Illusions feel quaint rather than awe-inspiring.
Yet exploring this fascinating mirror Paris has its own share of dangers, as ominous figures begin to stalk the young woman in both worlds. There are some who want the magic all for themselves and have little qualms in violent acts that serve this end. Clara must be brave and witty to not only survive what is to come, but ensure both versions of Paris remain standing. Part exploration of a magical secret society of crafters, part mystery pertaining to the greed of modern industrialism.
This is a story about stories. About dreams and pursuing them no matter what society at large feels about them. About finding joy in the little things to inspire more grandiose designs. About legacies and the continuation of wonders while making up for past mistakes.
If you enjoyed the whimsy of The Night Circus and how the magic system grounds itself in the practical, you'll likely enjoy your time here. This is a bit of a slower read, focused on lush descriptions of the other world and musings on Paris during the lead up to the World's Fair. This fantasy is certainly historical and has elements of mystery and wonder. If you want a cozy read with moments of darkness, perhaps give this reimaging a chance!!
This book is long and a bit slower paced than I would have preferred, hence the lower rating. However I don't believe it's poorly crafted by any means. This just isn't the perfect time for me to want to delve into a story quite like this, a pitfall of ARC deadlines/book release dates.
1900s Paris, Magical Realism, a destructive mystery, and The Nutcracker
3.5 rounded up
In this retelling of The Nutcracker Clara's titular gift from her godfather unlocks a magical realm where the "City of Lights" is even more dazzling. A place where magic is real!
Inventors and artisans from all walks of life have pulled out all the innovation and wonder they can in preparation for the Parisian World Fair. However Clara's godfather has them all beat; a gifted nutcracker has produced a gateway to another Paris, one where illusions are commonplace and magic is everywhere you look. The wonders of the hall of mirrors—Clara's own contribution to the fair—make the Palace of Illusions feel quaint rather than awe-inspiring.
Yet exploring this fascinating mirror Paris has its own share of dangers, as ominous figures begin to stalk the young woman in both worlds. There are some who want the magic all for themselves and have little qualms in violent acts that serve this end. Clara must be brave and witty to not only survive what is to come, but ensure both versions of Paris remain standing. Part exploration of a magical secret society of crafters, part mystery pertaining to the greed of modern industrialism.
This is a story about stories. About dreams and pursuing them no matter what society at large feels about them. About finding joy in the little things to inspire more grandiose designs. About legacies and the continuation of wonders while making up for past mistakes.
If you enjoyed the whimsy of The Night Circus and how the magic system grounds itself in the practical, you'll likely enjoy your time here. This is a bit of a slower read, focused on lush descriptions of the other world and musings on Paris during the lead up to the World's Fair. This fantasy is certainly historical and has elements of mystery and wonder. If you want a cozy read with moments of darkness, perhaps give this reimaging a chance!!
This book is long and a bit slower paced than I would have preferred, hence the lower rating. However I don't believe it's poorly crafted by any means. This just isn't the perfect time for me to want to delve into a story quite like this, a pitfall of ARC deadlines/book release dates.
February 28, 2025
*4.5 stars*
The Palace of Illusions is a beautiful, glittering retelling of The Nutcracker that both captures the nostalgic magic of the original tale and gives the reader an entirely new story. I’ve loved The Nutcracker since I was small; my Nana had a lovely illustrated edition of the book she would read to me, and when I was old enough, she took me to see the ballet live. There is a specific kind of awe and beauty that The Nutcracker brings, a truly magical feeling that lives on in your imagination long after you have read the book or seen the ballet; and this feeling is something I chase in every Nutcracker retelling. I think this book came the closest of any retelling to reaching that magical feeling of the original for me.
Clara is a talented clockmaker working on an intricate mirror exhibit for the Paris World Fair. When she discovers an enchanting alternate Paris hidden behind her city, she finds that magic is real, and she can use it in her mechanical inventions. But where this is light, there is also darkness, and as Clara explores the boundaries of her new power, danger lurking in the glittering, magical city begins to leak across the border into her own world.
My favorite thing about this book was the beautiful, dreamy writing style, and the atmospheric settings; I was drawn into the story from the very first page, and although it’s not a short book, it never felt long. (In fact, I wouldn’t have minded it being a little longer; I think the ending could have been extended a little without the story suffering.) The settings felt so magical, and there was a childlike sense of wonder I experienced along with Clara as she explored the alternate Paris. The characters are well-written, though I felt the villain’s character and motivations could have been a little more fleshed out. Overall, I loved this book; the author is very talented, and I’m excited to see what she writes next.
I would recommend The Palace of Illusions to fans of The Nutcracker, as well as to readers who enjoy historical fantasy, magical worlds with vaguely steampunk leanings, and atmospheric writing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the arc! All thoughts & opinions in the review are my own.
The Palace of Illusions is a beautiful, glittering retelling of The Nutcracker that both captures the nostalgic magic of the original tale and gives the reader an entirely new story. I’ve loved The Nutcracker since I was small; my Nana had a lovely illustrated edition of the book she would read to me, and when I was old enough, she took me to see the ballet live. There is a specific kind of awe and beauty that The Nutcracker brings, a truly magical feeling that lives on in your imagination long after you have read the book or seen the ballet; and this feeling is something I chase in every Nutcracker retelling. I think this book came the closest of any retelling to reaching that magical feeling of the original for me.
Clara is a talented clockmaker working on an intricate mirror exhibit for the Paris World Fair. When she discovers an enchanting alternate Paris hidden behind her city, she finds that magic is real, and she can use it in her mechanical inventions. But where this is light, there is also darkness, and as Clara explores the boundaries of her new power, danger lurking in the glittering, magical city begins to leak across the border into her own world.
My favorite thing about this book was the beautiful, dreamy writing style, and the atmospheric settings; I was drawn into the story from the very first page, and although it’s not a short book, it never felt long. (In fact, I wouldn’t have minded it being a little longer; I think the ending could have been extended a little without the story suffering.) The settings felt so magical, and there was a childlike sense of wonder I experienced along with Clara as she explored the alternate Paris. The characters are well-written, though I felt the villain’s character and motivations could have been a little more fleshed out. Overall, I loved this book; the author is very talented, and I’m excited to see what she writes next.
I would recommend The Palace of Illusions to fans of The Nutcracker, as well as to readers who enjoy historical fantasy, magical worlds with vaguely steampunk leanings, and atmospheric writing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the arc! All thoughts & opinions in the review are my own.
June 7, 2025
***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
Everyone is in preparation for the 1900s World’s Fair in Paris. There are the Lumiere brothers’ moving pictures and Loie Fuller’s serpentine dance fusing art and technology. Clara Ironwood, a very talented clockworker, is there as well, working on the Palace of Illusions, an intricate hall of mirrors that is one of the centerpieces of the world’s Fair. Clara, who had been an apprentice to her Godfather before this, receives a hideous nutcracker from him for Christmas, Upon further examination she finds a key - a key that unlocks a secret, second Paris, where the Seine is musical, fountains spout lemonade, and mechanical ballerinas move with human grace. However, danger soon follows - and Clara doesn't know who to trust. Suspicious men begin to approach her outside of work, and she could swear a shadow is following her. The magic of the two Parises are colliding and Clara must find the strength within herself to save them both.
This book was delightful. The author did such an excellent job with word-building and character development, that I felt like I was truly there. This book reminded me in so many ways of the Christmas movie we watch every year "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms", only with a bit of a darker spin to it. I adored Clara and how courageous and intelligent she was. She was a bit stuffy until her friend across the hall, Annabelle, got her loosened up and having a bit of fun. When Clara's sister Louise came to stay with her, I didn't care for her at all at first, but she mellowed out by the end of the book. Then of course there is Nathanael, another handwerker like Clara. At first Clara was convinced he was out to steal her key but by the end, she knew better and was in love with him. I also loved the stories scattered throughout told by her Godfather. They read like a bedtime story. If you love fantasy fiction, or even just a really good story, then you should definitely check this out.
Everyone is in preparation for the 1900s World’s Fair in Paris. There are the Lumiere brothers’ moving pictures and Loie Fuller’s serpentine dance fusing art and technology. Clara Ironwood, a very talented clockworker, is there as well, working on the Palace of Illusions, an intricate hall of mirrors that is one of the centerpieces of the world’s Fair. Clara, who had been an apprentice to her Godfather before this, receives a hideous nutcracker from him for Christmas, Upon further examination she finds a key - a key that unlocks a secret, second Paris, where the Seine is musical, fountains spout lemonade, and mechanical ballerinas move with human grace. However, danger soon follows - and Clara doesn't know who to trust. Suspicious men begin to approach her outside of work, and she could swear a shadow is following her. The magic of the two Parises are colliding and Clara must find the strength within herself to save them both.
This book was delightful. The author did such an excellent job with word-building and character development, that I felt like I was truly there. This book reminded me in so many ways of the Christmas movie we watch every year "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms", only with a bit of a darker spin to it. I adored Clara and how courageous and intelligent she was. She was a bit stuffy until her friend across the hall, Annabelle, got her loosened up and having a bit of fun. When Clara's sister Louise came to stay with her, I didn't care for her at all at first, but she mellowed out by the end of the book. Then of course there is Nathanael, another handwerker like Clara. At first Clara was convinced he was out to steal her key but by the end, she knew better and was in love with him. I also loved the stories scattered throughout told by her Godfather. They read like a bedtime story. If you love fantasy fiction, or even just a really good story, then you should definitely check this out.
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