Clara Staglbaum has her future perfectly planned to marry the handsome pianist Johann Kahler and settle down to a life full of music. But all that changes on Christmas Eve, When Clara receives a mysterious and magical nutcracker, Whisked away to his world an enchanted empire of beautiful palaces, fickle fairies, enormous rats, and a prince. Clara must face a magician who uses music as spells and the future she thought she wanted. The Enchanted Sonata, a retelling of the Nutcracker Ballet with a dash of the Pied Piper, will captivate readers of all ages.

What a delightful magical story! I love how this book completely transported me. This book will appeal to a wide audience. Thanks so much to the author, publisher, and netgalley for this ARC.

I always enjoyed the story of the Nutcracker and was curious how the author would bring this tale to life in a different way. The blending with The Pied Piper of Hamlin worked well, and I actually stayed up late into the night to finish reading, because I simply had to see how it would end.

I adore the concept that music has not only power, but also magic. And the idea that playing piano pieces can create silences, transport us to magical places, and bring back childhood memories. Is there no more true power than listening to a piece of music?

This is the basis of Wallwork's beautiful and enchanting novel, The Enchanted Sonata. Matching the gorgeous cover, The Enchanted Sonata is full of gorgeous writing. You can not only practically hear the music, but feel the thrumming under your skin. That out of body moment we feel when we are transported by a piece of music. When it causes us to fall in love, when it evokes memories, and when we can't get it out of our head.

As always, the cover caught my eye, while the blurb got me curious, so I knew I had to read it.

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it! It's absolutely enchanting.

A story within a story. Clara is a talented piano player and she has this major crush on another piano player, whom she wants to impress with her talent. She already has everything planned out - what she would be wearing, how she would perform, how Johann would fall in love with her.

But we don't always get what we want. Sometimes, we get exactly what we need and what could turn out to be better than what we wanted. Such is Clara's case.

With the help of some fairies and magic, she becomes part of a story, having to help out a prince who may or may not become Emperor, if he manages to save his people and his country from a villain who uses music and magic to prevent that from happening.

I don't want to say more, just this: read it. I laughed, I cried and I swooned. I will definitely reread it.

4.5 - 5 stars. I voluntarily agreed to read an early copy of this book via Netgalley.

I loved the concept of this book, 'The Nutcracker' meets 'The Pied Piper', and the idea of music as magic. However, I felt the idea of the story was better than the execution, as the story often felt very slow and laboured, and the writing, at times, was verging on awkward. I also thought the dialogue to description ratio was very off, and the characters, particularly Clara, felt very juvenile. I enjoyed it, however I feel that a younger teen audience would appreciate it more, especially now in the run up to Christmas.

Overall rating: 3.5 stars

I was enchanted...by the cover art and synopsis for this book.

The main character, Clara, is a super talented pianist with a serious crush on a fellow pianist, Johann (like, she carries around a photo of him in a locket - it's obsession level crushing). Clara has been chosen to perform one of her original pieces at the huge Christmas Concert on Christmas Day, where she hopes to impress Johann and make her recently deceased musician father proud. However, on Christmas Eve she receives a mysterious gift that transports her into a strange world where disaster has recently stuck the inhabitants. Can she use her magical music abilities to save this world and bring the perpetrator of this catastrophe to justice?

Well, I won't answer that question and ruin the entire story but I will say that The Enchanted Sonata is a fun story with the perfect atmosphere for a cozy winter's evening. There are certain lagging points where things start to become a little muddled and some wading through is necessary, but it doesn't totally hinder the effect of the tale.

There were points where I was a little thrown off about who the audience WAS for this story - some of the writing is middle grade level yet I'm pretty sure this book is marketed for at least young adults. The content is mild with very few instances of violence and the romance is super tame. The plot was fairly predictable. I was impressed with the antagonist of the story, Erik, who had the most complex and interesting storyline.

If you're looking for a quick, wintery read that will make you crave snow, chilly nights, candy, and beautiful orchestra music then The Enchanted Sonata would be a satisfying pick. Just don't expect much a deeper connection than that.

I was excited to read this, however upon finishing the book I found I was left....quite unsatisfied. The book had excellent parts, from the description of the music and the world. However a lot felt... unnecessary.

If I had read it like a fairy tale then perhaps it would have been different. The story wasn't strong enough to carry on and while it had good world building it had me questioning aspects of it.

Thank you for a copy of Enchanted Sonata.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover this little gym of a book. It was a quick read, but packed quite the adventure in just under 300 pages. Who would have thought a nutcracker retelling could be so much fun? The author created a magical setting with lovable characters and the conclusion was nicely done. Lastly, I will mention the appreciation I give to the author for taking the time to give a backstory
on the villain. It was interesting and beneficial to understand the reason the villain became who he was in the story.

This was a sweet book. I loved the musical aspects of the story, and the characters were positively delightful. Heather Wallwork did a nice job of weaving magic, music, and fairy tails into an intresting plotline. Even the bad guy wasn’t all that bad; he had his reasons for having a rat inside of him. And the ending for the main characters! Positively swoon worthy.

Heather Dixon Wallwork is one of my absolute favourite authors of all time. She wrote Entwined, a 12 Dancing Princesses retelling which I have never reviewed here on the blog because the book is just too precious and the review would basically consist of my screaming for ten minutes. She also wrote Illusionarium, which was definitely not a fairytale retelling, but which I still loved because I adore her writing so much. So I was so incredibly happy when DW announced she had returned to retellings in this indie-published title The Enchanted Sonata!

The Enchanted Sonata is a The Nutcracker retelling with a bit of The Pied Piper thrown in, which might sound a little odd but trust me, it works. This book has all of the wit and wonder I have come to expect of DW, from her wonderful use of onomatopoeia, to the complete adorableness of every character, to the charming villain and his sadistic revenge. The main character, Clara, is a pianist, (which is great because music is literally magic in this book) and from the intimate way DW writes about music I just know it's not just research, it's a lived experience of music. In so many books about music or performance I have read, the authors are charmed by the notion but haven't lived the experiences. DW definitely convinces me she has played the piano for many years, and I would know, because I tried piano lessons for two years and could never quite get the hang of playing with two hands.

DW writes with authority on the subject of music, and she also loves using italics to make sure you know exactly where the right emphasis should be placed. She has a slightly quirky but very original writing style an voice that seems almost a throwback to her Disney animator days, and I love it. There's also an insult, 'pancake-head', which I found adorably PG (I pretty much found the whole thing adorable, okay?). I loved the way the story was framed and found it an interesting and original use of that device and, to be honest, I have been wanting to read a book that does this device very well but have been unimpressed, until now. The pace was fast but not breathtaking, with almost the entire book taking place over the course of only a few days.

I don't want to give away any spoilers since I went into this book basically blind, having only read the blurb, but I can guarantee if you've read and loved Entwined as much as I did, you'll adore this retelling as well. I don't even really know the story of the Nutcracker: it's not a story that has ever interested me, although my interested was piqued a little when I read a ballet book that had a performance of it. I've always loved the music, but I'm not quite sure of the story. That being said, there's enough originality in this book that even if you don't know The Nutcracker and can't identify aspects of its story, you can still enjoy this one as an amazing fantasy in its own right.

I will say that there is a romance and it's just as completely adorable as I have come to expect from DW, with no instalove and a definite build there between the characters that goes from respect, to affection, to genuine feelings. I will also add that DW comes from a Disney background, and this book wouldn't be out of place in a Disney library, so take from that what you will. I know there is a Disney film The Nutcracker and the Four Realms coming out this Christmas season, but they really should have taken this book and made a film from it.

I will also add that this book is not, as one might expect, London-based.

The whole thing was just absolutely lovely, like a fine European chocolate that melts luxuriously on your tongue, but you know, in book form. I will be very proud to add the hardcover to my existing collection of Dixon-Wallwork books.

As soon as I read the synopsis for this book, I knew I would love it and I'm pleased to say it was a pleasure to read. The book is marketed as a 'retelling of The Nutcracker Ballet with a dash of The Pied Piper', I was only familiar with the latter tale but I liked that it had elements I was familiar with in this sense.

The Enchanted Sonata is a captivating story and it took me back to the stories I loved when I was younger. I remember reading The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson and falling in love with this fantastic setting and story - not to be corny, it definitely enchanted me in the same way.

The writing style was so descriptive and everything is so vivid, you could honestly picture the streets of Imperia, with it's stunning palaces and quaint streets. Not to mention the amazing Pollichinelle Candy Emporium which had me craving some treats - it was so immersive. The settings in the novel have a uniquely European charm - and I loved them so much.

There is plenty of action in the story and while I'm not the biggest fan of rats anyway, the rats in this story are actually monstrous and are part of the wild landscape of Imperia. They pose a real threat, and used by Erik - the pied piper of sorts - Clara and Nikolai (the Nutcracker) must battle multiple enemies.

Music is integral throughout the novel, and rightly so. It adds another dimension to the story and enriches it - Clara's love for music comes from her father and every time she plays the piano, it is a touching reminder of him. The villain in the story: Erik, uses his music to transform all of the kingdoms children into toys and curses the prince too. This focus on music is also present in the writing itself, as it is so lyrical - I wonder if this is intentional? Either way, it ties it all together beautifully.

Another great element of the book was the focus on grief - many of the characters in the novel; Clara, Nikolai as well as Erik, have faced the loss of a loved one. This is a recurring theme and I think this is a really good portrayal of how grief can affect people in different ways. For Clara, the memory of her father is revisited each time she plays music, but Erik becomes bitter and enraged.

While the romance which develops in the story isn't central to the plot, it's a nice addition and while I predicted it happening - it was still very sweet and I enjoyed the development Wallwork provides. I believe the ending certainly leaves it open for a sequel and if this does happen, I'd definitely be interested in reading it.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to any reader who enjoys a charming story with a sweet budding romance, plenty of action and musical elements.

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a fan of the Nutcracker so when I saw that this was a retelling and had music, I was excited to read it.

Overall the story was fun and enjoyable, it definitely brought me out from the month long reading slump I was in.

The biggest thing on Clara's mind is the beautiful pianist, Johann Kahler - until she receives a nutcracker that whisks her away to a magical empire where someone is turning children into toys.

First of all, look at that cover! It's gorgeous and reminds me a lot of The Night Circus. Secondly, I enjoyed the beginning of the novel. I was very interested in Clara's life and music.

However, once the narrative shifted to Nikolai and the empire, I started to lose interest. I mean, yes, I was really intrigued by the idea of someone turning children into toys and wanted to know more. But the villain was quickly introduced and felt more like a caricature without a real reason for being evil. The description of battling giant rats the size of wolves or bears also made me snort - why couldn't there just be wolves or some other giant made-up creature? I imagine rats might be connected to the retelling of Nutcracker, but it seemed a bit silly to me.

I think if I was closer in age to Clara (she's 15) or a bit younger, I would have enjoyed this story. As it is, I couldn't get into it. If you enjoy the Nutcracker with a bit of the Pied Piper thrown in, I'd recommend this story.

Clara Stahlbaum has her future perfectly planned: marry the handsome pianist, Johann Kahler, and settle down to a life full of music. But all that changes when Clara receives a mysterious and magical nutcracker.
Whisked away to his world--an enchanted empire of beautiful palaces, fickle fairies, enormous rats, and a prince--Clara must face a magician who uses music as magic...and the future she thought she wanted.

The Enchanted Sonata by Heather Dixon Wallwork is retelling of the Nutcracker, which has been my all time favorite story, so of course I had to read it! It's perfect since the Christmas season is coming up soon too. It was well written, full of whimsical, musical magic... Plus the cover art is great! I absolutely loved this book!

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC of #TheEnchantedSonata
Pub Date: 23 Oct 2018

I received this book as an ARC from Amazon in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Before reading The Enchanted Sonata, I am a die hard fan of the Nutcracker. The story, the music, and the dancing all of it. That immediately sparked my interest in reading The Enchanted Sonata as if it were a modern twist on the nutcracker minus the dancing and music by Tchaikovsky. After reading this book, I can easily connect to Clara and the struggle of planning for her future and then getting her world turned upside down by the magical Nutracker transporting her to a whole new world with a new beginning. This book also got me excited to see the new Disney Nutcracker and the Four Realms, because I enjoyed ever page of this book so now after reading this rendition of the Nutcracker, my curiosity has sparked for another version. Our patrons are sure to love this book and I can just hear the opinions and questions coming right now.

We will consider adding this book to our YFantasy collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

I've always loved the Nutcracker ballet and the music of Tchaikovsky so the idea of a fictionalized story and the cover sold me! It seemed more of a middle grade story than YA as Clara is only 14-15, but that suits with the original story I know. Overall, I enjoyed the story as a fun fairytale/Christmas-y story, but it was mostly descriptive sentences, lacking in dialogue quite a bit.

I was provided an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in return for my honest review.

The Enchanted Sonata It is a retelling of the story The Nutcracker, which I have read many times and loved.
I have to say that this book is so beautifully written my imagination was in overdrive and I loved it.

I enjoyed literally everything about this book. The villain had to be my favourite character and I loved the fact there was such an amazing backstory for the villain.
I was so sad it wasn’t longer but While the book is not exactly huge page wise it has a huge plot that gets better and better!
I read it all in one sitting and found it very hard to put down.

Overall, I couldn’t have enjoyed this book more and would highly recommend to anyone who loves books about retellings.

Wonderful retelling of the Nutcracker. I found myself wondering what was happening next even though this is a story I am familiar with. Exciting twists and new characters make this a brand new classic.

Clara Stahlbaum has been practicing her Johann Kahler Sonata for two years. On Christmas Day she will play it at the concert hall, attract the attention of handsome pianist Johann Kahler, and finally have her happily ever after. But when a strange Nutcracker shows up on her piano, she finds herself whisked away to the fantastical country of Imperia where the children have all been turned into toys by an evil magician. Clara's gift of music is the only thing that can save the country--and the Nutcracker prince--but will she get home in time to play her sonata for Johann?

Prince Nikolai Volkonsky is more capable than everyone thinks he is. The common people think he's a pancake-head and General Drosselmeyer (Regent of Imperia since his father's death) won't give him any responsibilities.  When the spite of an evil magician turns Nikolai into a walking, talking Nutcracker weeks before his coronation, he must prove that he can avert the crisis and be a true Emperor of Imperia. With the help of a beautiful visitor named Clara, he must stop the rat army's invasion, defeat the magician, save the children, and convince Clara that her heart would be cherished better by a Nutcracker Prince than by an ambitious concert pianist. 

This story brings together the plot of the Nutcracker with the Pied Piper folk tale. The Mouse King of the original becomes a vengeful magician named Erik Zolokov with an interesting backstory of his own. Clara and Nikolai are utterly delightful, and the book has humorous bits both for those who know the Nutrcracker story and those who don't. The magical power of music is explored as Zolokov's flute and Clara's piano-playing continually transmute characters into other shapes, teleport them from place to place, and reveal the truth about ourselves that we refuse to admit. The author is clearly a musician as well as a wordsmith, and the musical terms that sprinkle the page are as much a treat as Polichinelles' chocolates. While this book is listed as young adult, it could also be enjoyed by middle grade students. Recommended. 

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.