“Blood does matter, but it isn’t a saint’s pardon for all sins… though the blood of twins might be a different matter.”
Erika Johansen, bestselling author of the Queen of the Tearling series, returns with a fresh and dark twist of The Nutcracker in this new standalone novel. This enchantingly bitter and grim retelling brings to life a story of vengeance between sisters cursed since birth whose lives will not be the same after receiving an enchanted doll one memorable Christmas Eve.
The Kingdom of Sweets is a dark, gothic retelling of the Nutcracker centring around twin sisters, Clara and Natasha, who where cursed at birth by their godfather, the sorcerer Drosselmeyer. Clara, bathed in light and grace, has lived an easy life, while Natasha has been forced to live in her sister’s shadow. On a fateful Christmas Eve, a magical nutcracker doll gifted by their godfather transports them to the Kingdom of Sweets. Contrary to its name, the kingdom is a decaying, dark place that tests the sisters and changes their futures forever. A place where Natasha is presented with a chance to get revenge; she meets the Sugar Plum Fairy who brings dreadful bargains to her. Natasha will have to uncover the dark destiny she was given and lean on the power offered to her to decide which of the worlds she belongs to.
The book is largely about the sister’s contrasting lives and the jealousy that arises between them. Their relationship is a tangled and filled with bitterness and spite. They can’t see past themselves and their problems, which in turn make their decisions and actions be self-centred and careless causing disastrous repercussions to others.
On another note, the narrative is filled with vivid descriptions that bring the Kingdom of Sweets to life. However, the story can feel slow and drag at times; and the characters, despite being complex and engaging, are not particularly likable. The book ends with a twist, introducing real-world events and places that can be a bit confusing to the reader and even pull them out of the story since from the beginning the setting feels more like a fairytale land in a faraway kingdom from long long ago. This makes for a bitter-sweet read.
With themes of jealousy, betrayal, love, hate, and vengeance, as well as the moral failings and complexities of the sisters, The Kingdom of Sweets is perfect for those who appreciate morally grey characters and dark, atmospheric retellings.
The Kingdom of Sweets is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of November 28th, 2023.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Bestselling author of the Queen of the Tearling series, Erika Johansen, journeys to a new kingdom in this brilliant stand-alone novel—a darkly magical take on The Nutcracker where two sisters, cursed from birth, are forever changed one memorable Christmas. . . .
Light and dark—this is the destiny placed upon Natasha and Clara, the birthright bestowed by their godfather, the mysterious sorcerer Drosselmeyer. Clara, the favorite, grows into beauty and ease, while Natasha is cursed to live in her sister’s shadow. But one fateful Christmas Eve, Natasha gets her chance at revenge. For Drosselmeyer has brought the Nutcracker, an enchanted present that offers entry into a deceptively beautiful world: the Kingdom of Sweets.
In this land of snow and sugar, Natasha is presented with a power far greater than Drosselmeyer: the Sugar Plum Fairy, who is also full of gifts . . . and dreadful bargains. As Natasha uncovers the dark destiny laid before her birth, she must reckon with powers both earthly and magical, and decide to which world she truly belongs.
