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.

The overall story was good. There were definitely scenes i enjoyed, and i especially liked the character of Erik (the antagonist).

The reason i rated this 3/5 is due to a few factors. The first is that a lot of descriptions were clumsy, especially around the middle of the book. It made things a little cluttered or distracting.

Secondly, the tone of the book shifted especially around the first third/middle of the story, as though trying to become more of a comedy - which ruined the flow of the story for me at those points. It made the characters seem to have different personalities too, acting silly when it seemed out of character for them, and was a bit off-putting when characters like the prince had previously said he wanted to be taken seriously and was trying to prove himself. This shift especially almost made me just give up on the book.

However, the start of the book and from the point where the villain's backstory is revealed are the redeeming features of this book which bring back the structure and tone that make it enjoyable. If the whole book had been written like those chapters i have no doubt i'd have given this book 4 or 5 stars. I would strongly recommend a revision to the middle of the book - especially without the forced scenes trying to be funny, as this book could be a great read with some alterations.

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.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 out of 5 stars.

Since I'm still rather new to NetGalley and don't quite have the numbers to get approved for every book I request, I was excessively surprised and intensely grateful to get an ARC of Enchanted Sonata.

My husband works for the city, and he gets tickets to the ArtSA showing of The Nutcracker every year. I have become quite taken with it, and when Gregory Maguire's Hiddensee came out, I bought it, hoping for a beautiful, magical retelling. Unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed.

Then the trailer came out for The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. While I still plan to see it soon, the reviews have me concerned that it will not be as fantastic as I hope.

I was kind of wary of reading this book, afraid it would break off another chip in my Nutcracker obsession.

It starts kind of rough, with awkward dialogue, and the author seems to be quite taken with using onomatopoeias. I was feeling, for the first chapter, that I was in for another disappointment.

However, it quickly faded as I was whisked away to Imperia and lost in the story. And a beautiful story it was. The reviews liken it not only to Thr Nutcracker, but also to the tale of The Pied Piper. I'd also like to add that it had the wistful, dreamlike quality of The Labyrinth. It was quite enchanting.

Clara is a pianist, like her father who, heartbreakingly, died of sickness a few years before we come upon this tale. Clara has shifted her focus to a famous pianist, Johann, and forms an obsession around him and his music.

The night before her debut alongside Johann, also the night before Christmas, Clara finds a gift under the tree - a nutcracker and a book with her name on it. So begins the fantastic journey between worlds, with giant rats and children turned to toys, a candy shop that will go down in history, and music enough to make any music lover, player, or composer just jittery with glee.

Music, magic, hilarity, love, hate, and snow. While there were still some parts that felt disjointed or like the author was not quite used to writing dialogue, I can't hold it against the book in my review, for I am certain that once the final version is released, it will flow smoothly.

I am so happy to have been given the opportunity to review this book. It made my Nutcracker obsession shine a little brighter.

I received this ebook from Netgalley, in return for an honest review.

I absolutely love The Nutcracker, so I had high hopes for this book. And it didn't disappoint! I absolutely loved "The Enchanted Sonata"!

I loved all of the characters! The nuns where a hoot! Who couldn't love the fairies and all of their mystery? The nutcracker was endearing! I even loved Clara when she was complaining!

I loved the story! I couldn't put the book down! Is it too much to ask to have this made into a movie? (Just in time for the holidays!)

I've never been a fan of the Nutcracker ballet....mainly because I need dialogue. This book has been described as The Nutcracker meets The Pied Piper. The cover was beautiful and I found the description very interesting. This was beautifully written with magic and adventure! A wonderful read to get in the holiday mood!

First of all, I would like to thank Netgalley and Smith Publicity for providing me with a copy of this for review purposes.
The Enchanted Sonata is a magical, whimsical book filled with gripping adventure and lovable characters. It is referred to as a retelling of The Nutcracker, which I have not read (so I am unable to draw on any comparisons between the two but will focus my attention solely on this retelling).
The synopsis follows the protagonist, Clara, as she finishes her preparation for the most important piano performance of her life and meeting with pianist, Johann, who she fantasies about marrying. On Christmas Eve, she receives a nutcracker and a book, and soon later, she is whisked away to an enchanted empire which is filled with magic. Little does she know, Clara has been purposely placed in this fantasy world called Imperia, to assist the Nutcracker (who is the prince), to fight against an evil magician who has placed a terrible curse upon the people in the land. It claims to be a retelling of The Nutcracker and The Pied Piper.

I often lean towards retellings of classic tales as I love being immersed into imaginative, fairy tale lands and this is exactly what this book does to the reader. As you read through the pages, the author has created such a stunning, descriptive world where you feel like you are captivated within the story. While it is historical fiction and written at the conclusion of the 19th Century, I could see the parallels between Clara and modern 15 year old girls. She was infatuated with Johann to the point it was almost a bit cringe-worthy all in innocent fun as she idolised him and his music. I feel like parallels can certainly be drawn between 15 year old girls in the modern time and how they may idolise a public figure.
I really loved being situated in the fantasy world of Imperia which reminded me of Russia, which it was clearly based upon. The landscape was described in such detail that it made you wish you were there. The snow filled city, the grand palace, the vast and ever-changing terrain made the adventure even more exciting as you did not know what to expect next. My favourite part of the book would have been the growing relationship between Clara and Nikolai. At first, Clara was quite hesitant towards the Nutcracker and was unsure how to take him. But as the plot progressed and as Clara realised her importance in the story, their relationship began to blossom as her trust of him also grew. Each of the relationships within the pages of this book are well thought out and while the book was short, they were each extremely well developed and you were able to come to love each and every one of the characters too. I also thought the inclusion of the villain’s story into the narrative gave his character more depth. You could come to understand why he was the way he was through these insights into his personal life and how certain situations caused him extreme grief. These interconnections with the overall plot were so well done and make you more aware of the history.
Something else that I adored was the use of the magical book. When Clara receives the book on Christmas Eve, she quietly begins reading its pages but little does she know that it is writing her story as she is situated within it. As events begin to play out, the book fills its pages with the adventures that she is subject to. I’m unsure whether this is part of the original story but I enjoyed reading every time she opened the book, how the plot had developed within it and her place within the story. Magic was such a central element to this book and it was strongly intertwined within the pages
Overall, this book was a glittery, magical, wintery ball of adventure and I would recommend it to people of all ages. It is a short book, but it encompasses so much within the pages and at no time was I bored or did the plot slow down. It was well paced in regards to both the world building, plot development and character development. It is beautifully written, with well-rounded characters who encompass a wide range of personalities and a complex yet well-developed plot! I really hope that there is a sequel, while the author wrapped it up, I could see that a sequel could certainly be added!
I rated this: 4 stars
This book can be purchased from Amazon (US in paperback or e-book) and is available within Australia from the Amazon store as an e-book

The Nutcracker is such a Christmas tradition in the UK, so I know the story well. This is the first time I've come across a retelling, and I loved what the author did with it. The blending with The Pied Piper of Hamlin worked well, and I actually stayed up late last night to finish reading, because I only had fifty pages to go and wanted to see how it would end. I enjoyed the way the romance part of the plot didn't overshadow the rest of the action, and there were plenty of thrills and daring adventures along the way. The role of music in the piece was nicely handled, and I was definitely caught up in the magic of it all. There were a few typos and some issues with the formatting of special characters, but I was reading from an ARC, so they may well have been fixed by now. Plus, the tale was so captivating, they didn't bother me unduly. I hear the author plans to continue the story in another book, so I would be interested to see where she takes it next. This is a strong 4.5 stars for me, which for the purposes of rating, I am rounding up to a five.

When Clara receives a nutcracker and a book for Christmas her carefully planned out life is irrevocably changed forever. She finds herself on a magical adventure to save a kingdom. I loved this retelling of the nutcracker. I loved the way Clara and Nikolai's stories intertwine. Wallwork created a beautiful tale that is solid and wonderful. I really don't have anything negative to say about this book. I think 4 stars is appropriate, the only complaint I would have is just that I personally wasn't into the book as much as I would have liked to be. That is no fault of the author, but rather a mood thing. Which is also why this review is very short. I just don't have a lot to say about the book.

Whether a fan of The Nutcracker or not, this is an engaging take on the theme. Magic, music, adventure, danger, and love. Who could ask for more? Simply delightful.

The Enchanted Sonata
Actual Rating 3 stars

The Enchanted Sonata was a very cute and light read perfect for fans of Disney. I think that just about anyone that likes a quick read will like this novel.

I found this novel to be very entertaining. I loved Clara and I loved the Nutcracker. They were cute characters but I must admit that at times they could be a bit cheesy (but that is okay)
Clara was my favorite character. I admired her dedication to her music and I enjoyed seeing her character develop as the story progressed. There were times when I thought that she could be a bit self-centered but then again aren’t all teenagers a bit self-centered. As for Nutcracker I loved him. I thought that his need to prove himself to his country and its people was completely believable and understandable. His loyalty to his country and Clara was beautiful and honest. I also enjoyed seeing his character develop from a young man into a true prince.

The plot was also enjoyable. At times I found it to be slightly cheesy but it was cute nonetheless. I loved the story of the musical magician and the chaos that he created, I loved the secondary characters (especially the nuns), and I loved the fact that in the world of the Nutcracker there were giant rats that threatened the countries way of life.

Overall I found this novel to be very cute. I think that young readers would enjoy this book just as much as adult readers. I think that this book is the perfect quick read for the up and coming holiday season.

DISCLAIMER: Ebook provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

4 stars

Clara Stahlbaum has her future all planned out: marry the charming pianist with whom she has fallen so deeply in love, and lead a life full of joy and music. But on Christmas Eve, when Clara is anonymously gifted with an intriguingly enchanting nutcracker, everything changes.

Suddenly, Clara is thrust into a world full of magic, war, and a terrifying force of evil that must be brought down. When Clara finds the fate of the Nutcracker (and his empire) in her hands, she must find a way to defeat this mysterious evil before it's too late.

Sorry about that mediocre synopsis. If you've read my previous reviews, you'll know that I'm absolutely awful when it comes to writing summaries of books. Oh well. What can you do when you're an unskilled blogger like me? Womp, womp, womp...

Anyway, getting back to the point, this book was pretty dang good.

In the beginning, I was skeptical. Clara, our MC, was 100% head over heels for Julien, our macho, manly musician (talk about alliteration!) / love interest dude. This kind of bothered me because it was yet another example of a young woman swooning over some random guy that she doesn't even know (*facepalm*). But fortunately, as I continued to read the story, I soon realized that Clara wasn't genuinely in love with Julien. She was simply using him to fill the hole that (SPOILER ALERT) her father's death had left in its wake.

Yes, the Enchanted Sonata did have its cheesy moments, but it was still a pretty great read. The pacing was perfect and I found myself falling in love with the dazzling, fantastical setting. 

My only complaint was that Clara seemed like a rather bland protagonist. She didn't have much of a personality, and (though I hate to say this) her character was kind of boring. I would have appreciated it if she was more fleshed out.

Overall, I'm glad I read the Enchanted Sonata. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, magical book to enjoy during the holidays! 

Thank you to Heather Dixon Wallwork and Smith Publicity for supplying me with this ARC!