Possible Spoilers:
This book is a unique twist on The Nutcracker, blending fairy tales, romance, and an otherworldly adventure. The story follows sisters Clara and Louisa, whose lives are upended after the death of their strict father. They move in with their eccentric godfather, Drosselmeyer, who lives in a mansion filled with peculiar wooden dolls and holds lavish, mysterious parties. Soon, the sisters discover these “dolls” are actually cursed fairies, and they embark on a daring journey into the fairy realm to break the spell.

Clara, the reserved and organized artist, finds herself drawn to Fin, the wild, mischievous sugarplum fairy with pink hair. Meanwhile, Louisa, the free-spirited and boy-crazy sister, is paired with Lir, the uptight and regal nutcracker prince. Both romances are believable, with well-rounded characters who grow and change throughout the story, including Drosselmeyer, who has his own arc.

The fairies are written as morally gray characters, which adds depth to the story. Fin, with his mischievous yet soft-hearted personality, stood out as my favorite character. In contrast, the Rat King serves as the book’s one truly evil presence, which keeps the stakes high.

The world-building is surreal and vivid, drawing on traditional folklore about fairies. The depiction of Fairyland is rich with details. 

There’s plenty of adventure and spice in this story, making it an engaging read for fans of dark fantasy romance. While I enjoyed the character growth and intricate setting, I’m rating this 3.5 stars because some parts felt a bit predictable. Still, it’s a promising start to the series and leaves me curious about what’s next.