Midnight in Everwood by M.A. Kuzinar, Book Review

 Book Summary:

There’s nothing Marietta Stelle loves more than ballet, but after Christmas, her dreams will be over as she is obligated to take her place in Edwardian society. While she is chafing against such suffocating traditions, a mysterious man purchases the neighbouring townhouse. Dr Drosselmeier is a charming but calculating figure who wins over the rest of the Stelle family with his enchanting toys and wondrous mechanisms.

When Drosselmeier constructs an elaborate set for Marietta’s final ballet performance, she discovers it carries a magic all of its own. On the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, she is transported to a snowy forest, where she encounters danger at every turn: ice giants, shadow goblins and the shrieking mist all lurk amidst the firs and frozen waterfalls and ice cliffs. After being rescued by the butterscotch-eyed captain of the king’s guard, she is escorted to the frozen sugar palace. At once, Marietta is enchanted by this glittering world of glamorous gowns, gingerbread houses, miniature reindeer and the most delicious confectionary.

But all is not as it seems and Marietta is soon trapped in the sumptuous palace by the sadistic King Gelum, who claims her as his own. She is confined to a gilded prison with his other pets; Dellara, whose words are as sharp as her teeth, and Pirlipata, a princess from another land. Marietta must forge an alliance with the two women to carve a way free from this sugar-coated but treacherous world and back home to follow her dreams. Yet in a hedonistic world brimming with rebellion and a forbidden romance that risks everything, such a path will never be easy.

My Review:

Midnight in Everwood drew me in first and foremost by the beautiful cover! How entrancing is it? Author Kuzniar slowly builds the background of the story and about one-third of the way in, Marietta's entire world turns upside down. And I could not stop reading it!!! It was completely captivating. Kuzinar paints a picture that the reader sees just a like movie on the big screen. From the snow laden forest to the beautiful pointe dancing of Marietta, I felt like I was there seeing it all for myself. My favorite part of the story was the friendship between Marietta, Dellara, and Pilipata. The bond they forged was a beautiful thing. There is definitely some dark parts to the story but I felt that they were just right. I do wish that there were more questions answered; I finished the book wondering about a lot of things. Kuzinar does a fantastic job creating a world that comes to life right before the readers' eyes. A creative retelling of the Nutcracker, Midnight in Everwood will bring the chill of winter right into your home. I received a copy of this book for free; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

You can pick up your own copy via Amazon.