The Kingdom of Sweets by Erika Johansen was recommended and sent to me from Book of the Month. The author takes us on a dark and sinister retelling of the beloved Christmas ballet The Nutcracker. Beware this Christmas story has no sweet and sappy Christmas vibes. Johansen introduces us to twin sisters Clara and Natasha, born on Christmas Eve. They are both cursed on their christening day by Mr. Drosselmeyer, their own Godfather. Drosselmeyer placed one hand on each of the twins' foreheads in the old pagan sign of blessing Clara received “light” and Natasha “dark”.
Natasha the narrator throughout the novel, grows up in Clara’s shadow. She believes her to be naive to the real world and the problems around her. While Natasha sees things how they truly are the world is a cruel place and so are the people that inhabit it. One Christmas Eve night Clara takes from Natasha the one matter she cares for the most. Natasha is blindsided and hurt that her twin could do such a thing. The twins have their first real fight that night and nothing will be the same after.
The twins enter a dream-like state unannounced to each other that they are both there. Natasha notices right away this dream is catered to Clara’s fantasies. They are in the “Sugar Plum Land”. The “Sugar Plum Prince” takes Clara all around the land as Natasha follows closely behind. Eventually, the path ends at “Sugar Plum Fairies” Castel where she is hosting a ball for her main guest Clara. No one in the land knows of her twin Natasha, but she is brought in as well on the opposite side of the grand ballroom. Soon Natasha notices not all of the ball’s guests are fascinated with Clara, most around her are not happy at all. She senses something dark is going on. As soon as her dark senses are tingling the “Sugar Plum Fairy” reveals herself to Natasha. Natasha has a million questions but when she brings up Mr. Drosselmeyer the “Sugar Plum Fairy” gets furious. After much discussion, the “Sugar Plum Fairy” gives Natasha an ultimatum. Do what she asks of her or she will be the “Sugar Plum Fairy” captive forever. Can Natashado what the “Sugar Plum Fairy” asks of her? You will have to read the book to find out!
Being a dancer myself growing up and doing the Nutcracker I knew I had to give this book a chance. I’m glad I did, I ended up genuinely liking it. I loved how the author broke up the sections of the book into acts just like the ballet and kept with most of the same characters as the ballet. It’s the little details. There are many different characters throughout the storyline that you must keep track of to understand fully. I would not say it is a fast-paced or easy read for that and other reasons. I give the novel a 4-star rating, recommending it to any gothic fantasy or nutcracker retelling readers.