The Nutcracker is a story that I grew up on. This book brought all the childhood feels back and I really enjoyed this retelling. It was such a sweet story and I loved the world the author builds. I gave it four stars because at times it was cheesy. Some of the conflicts were resolved very quickly but it is the Nutcracker, and that comes with the territory. Overall, cute story and I think its appropriate for any age which is a plus. Even young, young adults can read it too.

I thought that I was the one reading the fairy-book! Once I started reading “The Enchanted Sonata” I found myself in that world with Clara and Nik… The Nutcracker. I found myself near the end of the book far too soon and am so glad that Heather Dixon Wallwork plans on turning this into a trilogy! I was easily swept up in the story and how easily the plot merged together two different fairy-tales and it didn’t seem stilted at all. Also, I must admit that I felt an uncontrollable urge to rewatch Barbie and the Nutcracker, as well as pull out and fondly look at my old ticket stubs to the Russian Ballet of The Nutcracker.

I did, however, get the impression that the author wasn’t too fond on a lot of dialogue. A lot of the story was just story, and there were a few places where I feel that my understanding or my excitement over the book could have been enhanced by some conversation. It would have helped especially during dramatic and tense scenes to show the characters thought instead of there being a slight climax and then falling again.

This book is a great read and a great choice or those who wish to just read a christmasy book, even just a fairy-tale retelling should definitely consider reading ‘The Enchanted Sonata’.

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I received this novel from net galley and the publisher. Thank you!
I always enjoyed the story of the Nutcracker and was curious how the author would bring this tale to life in a different way. I enjoyed it immensely. Clara Stahlbaum is a talented pianist who believes herself in love with Johann Kahler, another pianist whom she has never met. She dreams of what their life would be like together. She is performing a song she created at the Christmas concert, where Johann is also performing. However, on Christmas Eve, she received a gift, a toy Nutcracker, who is more than he appears to be. Prince Nikolai Volkonsky and his people have been placed under a spell by a magician who uses music as spells. There is Nikolai's backstory as to how he became the Nutcracker, the dangers of rats would try to run over his kingdom, and of course the fairies whose good intentions are difficult to understand. Clara is transported with the Nutcracker to Imperia, where they work together to gather those not under the spell to stop the magician and the rats. Clara and Nikolai try to figure out how to reverse the magician's spells so Clara can return home and Nikolai can become the Emperor his people need him to be.

4/5 stars!

Keep in mind that this is a retelling of The Nutcracker, with a bit of Pied Piper in it, taking place in late-1800s. The writing was actually pretty nice for what it was, and I loved the tie in with music. I was a bit conflicted when I started reading this book. It was a bit slow for about the first 3rd. I kept reading because I felt that SOMETHING had to happen soon. At this point, we have already met Prince Nikolai and understood the conflict. I was waiting for the book to pick up more pace, and thankfully it did. Once you get past the first 3rd that has a lot of exposition and background, the book goes from 2.5 stars and just skyrockets up.

I'm really glad I kept reading, as I begun to actually care about Clara, Nikolai, and just the whole situation. I even found myself actually smiling or giggling at points. By the end, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I ended up enjoying the book! I even found myself saying "Noooo I want an epilogue!" That was enough for me to realize I liked this more than I did at first.

The obsession that Clara had over Johann just freaked me out and made me dislike it. She was head over heels in insta-love with this guy! The backstory she had with her love of music and her father, including the year this was set in, made me a bit more understanding though. I still hated every time Johann would come up throughout the book. Without spoiling, I am glad with how this developed as the book went on. I even laughed at one point. It just felt so good!

The character development for Clara and Nikolai was just great! I found myself liking them more and more as time went on. I didn't care much for Clara at first, and felt she was quite selfish. Nikolai I liked since the first few chapters of the storybook, as I felt he really wanted to do his best for his people and not disappoint anyone. By the end, I fell in love with them, although it was a bit of a rushed love, but wasn't insta-love which was nice. It didn't bother me in the slightest.

Overall, I actually enjoyed this book by the end! Once you get through a sorta slow start things pick up and I was glued to the pages! I really loved the idea of musical magic and thought it was executed really well! I've decided that I need to get a hardcover copy of this book! Heather Wallwork is on my radar now for future books. I'm looking forward to see what else she writes.

All thoughts and opinions stated are completely my own. ARC was gratefully provided to me by the publisher for free in exchange for my honest review.

I finished this book in one day because it was so captivating I didn't want to put it down. I loved how the author incorporated a bit of the Pied Piper into this story. I think the two stories fit together very well. There was a nice slow build romance and great character development for the main character. The world building was well done and the imagery made it so easy to fall into this book. I love the Nutcrackers personality and how he felt he needed to prove himself worthy of such a privileged life. We also get a happy ending for the side characters and we get to see what motivates the villain. I highly recommend this book, especially if you love retellings and/or music.