I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
If you are looking for a book to read for this Christmas holiday, The Enchanted Sonata is the answer to your prayer. Based on the beloved Christmas story, The Nutcrackers, with a little bit of The Pied Piper thrown in it, The Enchanted Sonata delivers a twist to the story of Clara and The Nutcracker.
The book follows the journey of a young pianist called Clara who was thrown into a place called Imperia where chaos were happening. Crown Prince Nikolai of Imperia was 18 years old and going to be coronated after his father death 5 years ago. However, a certain someone called Erik Zolokov turned the planned event to chaos when he used his music to turned the kids and soldiers in Imperia into toys. Not only that, he also turned the Crown Prince into a wooden toy we all know as The Nutcracker and gave him one day to break the curse. Enters Clara and soon, The Nutcracker and Clara were swept into the crazy adventure of saving Imperia.
Music caused all these spells – so music can break them – Clara
My description above definitely doesn’t do the book any justice. The Enchanted Sonata has it all, loveable main characters, substantial secondary characters, and of course, misunderstood villain. It’s actually impossible to hate any of these characters. I have to say that the three main characters; Clara, Nikolai, and Erik are complex characters and we were introduced to the different layers of their personalities throughout the book. With complex characters, lyrical writing, and amazing world-building, The Enchanted Sonata delivers a beautiful and magical story. It was an unexpected retelling of The Nutcracker and I don’t think I’ve ever imagined I’d ever read a retelling of The Nutracker the way the author writes The Enchanted Sonata.
If you are a hopeless romantic, there is definitely romance in this book. The romance between Clara and The Nutcracker was so slow you’d probably be annoyed. Like, just-get-together-already kind of annoyed. I guess this one is for you out there who hates love-at-first-sight romance.
Honestly, this is a book that you wouldn’t want to put down once you start reading. I haven’t read many books that I deemed as magical since I read The Night Circus 7 years ago. Wow, time flies. If you love magic, music, and cute, slow-burning romance, grab The Enchanted Sonata. It will be a beautiful companion for your Christmas and winter.
Ps. Thank you to Smith Publicity and Heather Dixon Waterwall for the book! x
The Enchanted Sonata by Heather Dixon Wallwork
Clara Stahlbaum has her future perfectly planned: marry the handsome pianist, Johann Kahler (ah!), 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.
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