I think the part of this story I liked the most was that it’s a Nutcracker retelling, and the author did a pretty good job of incorporating the key elements of the story popularised in Tchaikovsky’s world-famous ballet. The only character from the original cast who is excluded here is Drosselmeyer. Most of the plot points also wove in elements from the folktale so it’s a pretty good reworking of a less commonly retold tale and I appreciated that a lot.
I also enjoyed how Clara, the main character displays a disability similar to dyslexia. Having a character who can’t read (not for want of trying though) and who has other unusual abilities that seem to be connected was unexpected. I felt it was portrayed well enough and turns what would otherwise be a very simplistic story into an interesting one that I enjoyed.
Some of the side characters were a little simplistic and two-dimensional for my liking and the plot was quite predictable, but all in all it’s a fun and short read to while away some time.
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