Marietta, at 20, has turned down suitor after suitor, preferring ballet and living with her parents to marriage. But her father has warned her that when she turns 21, she will stop dancing and marry. When the mysterious and charismatic Dr Drosselmeier moves into a nearby townhouse, Marietta’s parents think he will be the answer to their prayers. The toymaker seems to have an eye for Marietta and tries to charm her with snow domes that change and seem to come alive. There is something very dark about her admirer.

Her final performance will be at home, where Drosselmeier creates the setting for her last performance on Christmas eve. But when the performance ends and the clock strikes twelve, she finds that she is in a snowy, frozen world. Time and time again, she is asked if she would like to leave, but she chooses to go to the Sugar Palace.

The sugar palace is a far cry from Nottingham in 1906. King Gelum gives her the option to leave, but she refuses. There is so much to indulge in, but everything has a price. The sweet, sugar-coated palace is not what it first appears to be, as Marietta is soon to discover.

The king is like a two-year-old in a tantrum if he doesn’t get what he wants, but he has terrible ways to make sure that all his demands are met. If she is to survive living there, she must trust others around her that are prisoners too.

I liked that the characters were of different worlds and had some unusual talents themselves. There are new friendships to be made and plans to be forged if she is to escape her fate at the palace. It is a brilliant story perfect for Christmas.

I wish to thank the publisher and Net Galley for an e-copy of this book, which I have reviewed honestly.

It was definitely the cover of this gorgeous wintery treat that caught my eye and when I read that it was a retelling of The Nutcracker, I was even more intrigued. I vaguely know the story of The Nutcracker, so I was curious to see how many parallells I’d be able to pick up on.

Nottingham, 1906. Marietta Stelle’s life revolves around ballet but now her family are keen for her to give it all up and find a suitable husband. When enigmatic Dr Drosselmeier moves into the neighbourhood, Marietta’s parents are eager to make the match between them. When he builds a beautiful, intricate set for Marietta’s final ballet performance, Marietta discovers that Drosselmeier’s work contains a special kind of magic. A magic that transports her into a whole different world, full of sweets, snow and a tyrannical king. The air in Everwood is brimming with rebellion and romance but how will Marietta navigate the tricks and traps of this strange realm?

Marietta’s life is full of restrictions and expectations, so it’s no wonder that she finds immense freedom in dance. It’s the only way that she knows how to be happy, confident and fulfilled and my heart broke at the thought of her having to give it up for marriage. As a headstrong, determined woman, I knew she would find a way to keep dancing and I couldn’t wait to cheer her on while she did that.

For an Edwardian woman, Marietta’s mindset is ahead of her time. Perhaps it’s because she is holding on tight to a dream that she knows she is expected to let go. She makes no bones about confronting her traditional parents and insisting that she will follow her own path in life. I was really inspired by her and I know that anyone who is set on following their dreams no matter what other people think will be too.

Drosselmeier has a certain charisma and I was very taken in by him at the start. Then he switches and takes on a more sinister vibe that chilled me to the bone. I knew immediately that he wasn’t of earthly origin and that is definitely what gives him his charm. I suppose that Drosselmeier acts as a warning that glittery, mysterious whimsy isn’t always a light that you should walk into.

Everwood is a place within a world called Celesta. I would love to spend a bit of time in Everwood but not a long time. I imagine it would get intoxicating and possibly a bit headachy after a while! The idea of multiple worlds existing alongside each other is a notion that I’ve always loved and I like the idea that there is potential for Kuzniar to write further books set in adjacent worlds to Celesta. Perhaps they can all be inspired by classic stories like this one?

I loved the female friendship aspect of the novel and I liked how this resonated long after the final page. Marietta learns how powerful close female bonds can be and it’s ultimately her connections with Pirlipata and Dellara that enables her to escape the dangers she finds herself in. All three women are fierce, brave and smart and that’s quite rare for a book set in the early 1900s.

The romance is slow-burning, gentle and believable. It is doomed from the start but for some reason, that didn’t stop me from rooting for it. Towards the end, it gets deeper and I wasn’t expecting that. At the time, I felt it was a bit out of character but perhaps that’s part of Marietta’s development.

Midnight in Everwood is a spellbinding retelling of a story that I’ve not seen revisited before. It’s romantic, magical and decadent with wonderful writing, endless charm and a whimsical aura of folklore. The bright lights, delicious sugary sweets and stunning balls have put me firmly in the Christmas mood, so be sure to add it to your festive wishlist!

Midnight in everwood
The 14 chapters it took to get into the actual nutcracker part of the story i feel were unnecessary and drawn out.
Though I can definitely see this book being loved by readers, it sadly wasn’t for me.
Many thanks to the author, the publishers and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
#netgalley  #midnightineverwood

Midnight in Everwood by M.A Kuzniar is a truly enchanting read. This cover is gorgeous and I have been seeing it all over twitter, major book envy! I was lucky enough for HQ to allow me a copy in order to be part of the book tour. Massive thanks to HQ!
I sat down and was swept away in this magical world.
We follow Marietta, a woman who is finding life is not what she wants. She just wants to carry on ballet dancing while her parents expect her to make a good match. This is what people such as her family did at the turn of the twentieth century, not keep on dancing but marry well.
With the arrival of a new neighbour who is skilled in inventing totally incredible things, she finds herself attempting to avoid his unwanted advances and falls through a door into another world - Everwood a magical place. While there she has to help her new friends she finds their and try to get back to her own world, while she can.
Such intricate and rich descriptions of this place and even the food, had me right there by Marietta's side all the way. The food made me hungry too! I wished I could try everything myself.
I adored how Marietta grew in confidence as the story developed, and came to the conclusion she could follow her dreams and dance. This along with the the female friendships within the book was beautiful to read about.
This is an enthralling and gorgeous read that I would love to find under my Christmas tree this year!
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley

I absolutely loved this book. It was so whimsical. I loved the plot, the characters, the setting. EVERYTHING. It's the perfect winter read!

Set in the early 1900s Marietta is desperate to be a ballerina, but her fancy family want her to give up all of her dreams to get married and be a good wife. Although living a life of luxury, Marietta feels trapped and suffocated and wants more than what her family wish of her.

A mysterious suitor comes along, but soon Marietta finds herself forced into a magical world a very long way from home in a sweet, but sticky situation!! Trapped once again as a prisoner of the King she must find her true strength to fight for her life once more.

I really loved this book! This is a Nutcracker retelling and it's so well done. I instantly fell for Marietta and her determination to be more than the world planned for her.
The whole story is so beautifully written and the descriptions of the glorious dresses and scenery were just magical.
I loved the friendships and the sense of finding yourself against adversity and for me the ending was really refreshing. I felt strong feminist vibes in this book which I am totally here for.

This is a perfect winter read to get truly lost into, it was like a warm hug!
4.5🌟s

Midnight in Everwood by M. A. Kuzniar - Book Review & HQ Stories Tour

In the darkness of night, magic awaits…
Nottingham, 1906

Marietta Stelle longs to be a ballerina but, as Christmas draws nearer, her dancing days are numbered – she must marry and take up her place in society in the New Year. But, when a mysterious toymaker, Dr Drosselmeier, purchases a neighbouring townhouse, it heralds the arrival of magic and wonder in Marietta’s life.

After Drosselmeier constructs an elaborate theatrical set for her final ballet performance on Christmas Eve, Marietta discovers it carries a magic all of its own – a magic darker than anyone could imagine. As the clock chimes midnight, Marietta finds herself transported from her family’s ballroom to a frozen sugar palace, silent with secrets, in a forest of snow-topped fir trees. She must find a way to return home before she’s trapped in Everwood’s enchanting grip forever.

In the darkness of night, magic awaits and you will never forget what you find here…

My Review

Highlighted as a retelling of The Nutcracker, but offering a new story in its own right, it has everything you want in a book! Beautiful prose, wonderful story-telling, mystical magical elements, a mysterious toymaker and a wonderful protagonist in a young ballerina called Marietta 📚😍 The latter is held back from fulfilling her dreams to be a ballerina by a controlling father who expects her to marry, settle down and become a dutiful wife. Enter the mysterious Dr Drosselmeier, toy maker extraordinaire with tempting magical talents beyond your wildest dreams! He's a charmer and used to getting his way...

Set to star in her last allowed ballet performance on Christmas Eve, Marietta soon finds herself trapped in the clutches of Everwood! I was captivated by this beautiful magical world of sugar and spice and all things nice, balanced with things a little darker and deadly.

There's gorgeous gingerbread apartments ,a decadent palace held within iced sugar walls sure to please the biggest sweet tooth! Marietta is now able to pirouette her way through all the dances and balls held in Everland! This all sounds marvellous except for an evil controlling King (Gelum - the villain I loved to hate) with an army of faceless soldiers and the dangerous shadowy paths surrounding Everwood! Despite this we see a strong female sisterhood form between Marietta and the other women held captive. Marietta also finds herself falling in love against all odds and learns that she's braver than she thought possible! What happens when the fallen take a stand? Can a ruthless ruler be stopped? Can Marietta get back to her world? Would she want to? These were questions I was asking myself as I wondered how this story would end, and although it came too soon, it was the perfect ending with a cherry on top 😍

I adored this whimsical dark and gothic historical fantasy! Set in a winter backdrop on Christmas Eve, it's the perfect winter read (for any time of year but especially colder months) ❄️

It's a full 5 stars from me!

I received an arc from HQ stories (thank you). The view are my own views and opinions about the book. I loved it so much I purchased the Waterstones edition.

This was an interesting twist to the original story. Though there were enough nods to The Nutcracker I feel the author added enough twists and turns that I had genuinely no idea where they would take it. Making Marietta an aspiring ballet dancer helped connect the story with its original ballet roots (though it was a book originally) But the author expands on it and the wider social issues women faced in the 1900s. Where a respectable woman in high society only had one option open to her: to marry well and to marry young. The conflict between her dreams and her parents wishes causes tension, but Marietta had a quiet resilience in her that is admirable. Despite the odds stacked against her, she doesnt let go of her dream. Marietta's time in Everwood opens her eyes to a world of possibilities and in helping her new friends fight the opression in their lands, she finally finds the courage to stand up once and for all for her own desires and ambitions.
The story conveys the Edwardian times beautifully but it also touches upon the hardships of women and prevading homophobic beliefs that made it hard for people to live their true, authentic selves. This is an enchanting, whimisical story with dark undertones, filled with fairies and princesses and villianous of villains! Along with its beautiful descriptive writing of the frosty Everwood and delicious confectionary it is the perfect read for this time of year.

Midnight in Everwood is a retelling of The Nutcracker and it is stunning! I like The Nutcracker, its never been a favourite though, Kuznair has made me fall in love with the story in a way I never have before. Everything about this, from the writing to the setting of Everwood is beautiful, enticing and downright unputdownable! I would go as far as to say its my favourite retelling I’ve read in a very long time.

Set in Nottingham, 1906, the book follows Marietta, an aspiring ballerina. When Drosselmeier arrives in Nottingham and takes up residence opposite Marietta’s family home, her world is turned upside down. Finding herself in a world she never knew existed, trapped in King Gelum’s palace, Marietta must find a way to escape the King’s clutches and return home. I loved every second of this book, I’m in awe of Kuznair’s writing style and ability to instantly transport readers to a world of magic. I couldn’t stop reading once I had started, captivated and enchanted in equal measure. This will definitely be a book I gift this Christmas.

Thank you to HQ books for the opportunity to read this book. This isn’t my usual choice of genre but I must admit that I was intrigued by all the hype surrounding the book.

The first part of the book introduces us to Marietta, who is desperate to become a ballet dancer rather than a wife of a rich man. Sadly her neighbour, Dr Drosselmeier seems determined to persuade her parents to be allowed to marry her.

When Marietta dares to say no to Dr Drosselmeier, she suddenly finds herself in the world of Everwood. Despite being warned to stay away from the Palace, Marietta finds herself dancing for the King and invited to stay. However, she soon finds herself in a gilded prison rather than with the freedom to dance that she sort.

As the story continues, Marietta has to find a way to escape, from the clutches of the evil King and his faceless guards. This is a much darker story than I initially expected, featuring mind control, torture and execution. The pace of the storytelling speeds up as Marietta finds herself in Everwood and then found herself in danger.

The book is full of magic, friendship and hope. I’m sure that this book will be flying up the book charts over the next few weeks, as more readers enjoy the superb storytelling by M. A. Kuzniar and share their thoughts.

The Nutcracker meets Alice in Wonderland and The Chronicles of Narnia is this beguiling wintry fairytale from M.A. Kuzniar. Whether it's the twinkling Tchaikovsky soundtrack, the magical nostalgia of seeing Christmas through a child's eyes or the curiously enchanted sugar plum fairies and Mouse Kings, there is just something ensorcelling about the tale of the Nutcracker in all of its numerous variations. I was blown away as to how Kuzniar has taken the most magical elements of this charming story and breathed fresh life and purpose into her reimagining.

I'm a huge fan of novels which craft a world I can imagine leaping into with my 'literary worlds passport' and the world-building in this novel is so on point, it's exquisite! From frozen sugar castles, moose pulled sleighs, miniature reindeers, marzipan alleyways and ballet stage sets with mechanical moving mice, the whole creation of Everwood appealed to every single sense in my body. There was so much attention to detail in everything from what the characters ate to the elaborate costumes they wore to balls. Kuzniar's language and descriptions were an absolute confectionary delight of storytelling which is one of the main reasons I had to give this book 5/5 stars.

The characters are truly endearing. Mariette starts off as a determined yet naive society girl who just wants to dance rather than settle down into an arranged marriage. Upon her arrival in Everwood, she gets beguiled by all of the enchantments and possibilities of that new world. When the rose-tinted glow of that kingdom finally wears off and she develops strong friendships with Dellara and Pirlipata, Mariette emerges as a fierce, confident woman who has the courage to stand up for what she believes in and follow her dreams.

Dr. Drosselmeier appears as the perfect sinister, morally grey villain. He tries so hard to ensnare her into his magical world, yet ends up providing her with the exact tools and experiences she needs to overcome him. His parody within the world of Everwood keeps you guessing as to whether his character resides within that magical world or if he is just the great orchestrator from the outside.

Captain Legat offers up the forbidden romance element of the novel and I was totally there for it! I loved all of his and Mariette's interactions. I also liked the way he was able to stand up and be recognised as his own character within the story and even though it fell slightly into the 'trope/predictable' element of fantasy romances, there was certainly nothing wrong with a little indulgence.

Mariette's friendships with Dellara and Pirlipata showcased strong females and added to the vibes of women overcoming the dominance of patriarchal suppression. This was a classic case of women uplifting other women and I really like how Kuzniar has paved the way for these characters to take up stories of their own in possible companion novels.

With background references to the suffragette movement and forbidden homosexuality in Edwardian England, Kuzniar does well to address these issues whilst keeping the narratives of the main characters as the focus in the plot.

Every little thing in this novel points to the small yet highly significant details. <meta charset="utf-8">The deeper I look within this story and the more I research around the original tale and its ballet heritage, the more symbols, foreshadowings and allusions I pick up about how much work has gone into this masterful creation and reader, I wholly appreciate it!

Even the naming of these characters was special with Mariette linking back to the original character of Marie, whilst also sounding like a marionette. As Mariette is forced to dance for the evil King Gelum, I couldn't help but think of her as a puppet or as the girl from the Anderson fairytale The Red Shoes. Dellara's fairylike symbolism can be seen to take it's influences from Antonietta Dell’Era, the original Sugar Plum Fairy. Even Captain Legat could be a reference to the Russian principal dancer Nikolai Gustavovich Legat. These are the kind of references that I absolutely live for in fiction and Kuzniar has done such a stellar job at weaving all of these references into her ode to the world of The Nutcracker.

I could probably wax lyrical about this book for ages and I'm sure there are a multitude of little pop culture / ballet references which I am yet to discover. Either way, this is truly a spectacular work of fiction. Kuzniar has taken the basis of a much loved winter fairytale and turned it into her own magical world brimming full of stories and adventure. Needless to say, if you're a fan of the Nutcracker then you'll probably adore this book just as much as me. However, if you're also a fan of the types of adventures where characters visit strange, new worlds, such as Alice in Wonderland and The Chronicles of Narnia then add this extraordinary, enchanting novel to your list - it may well become a new favourite!

Why Should I Read This?
> For the incredible attention to detail in each and every page. This is a purposefully thought-through tale which shows how much of a beloved story and world this is to the author.
> For the amazing world-building which I could have literally eaten off the page; this really deserves to be one of those scratch-and-sniff books!
> For the perfect wintry fairytale to set you up for the forthcoming festive season.

When the nights start drawing in and there’s a chill in the air, is there anything better than curling up with a good book? If you are looking for a recommendation, you could do a lot worse than M.A. Kuzniar’s delightful Midnight in Everwood.

If the title sounds like the stuff of fairytales, you wouldn’t be wrong for Midnight in Everwood is an engaging reimagining of The Nutcracker, aimed at a YA and more mature readership. Kuzniar weaves that enduring Christmas classic into a deft confection of ballet, fantasy and empowerment.

Starting in Nottingham in 1906, Marietta Stelle’s whole world is about to change – against her will. She lives to dance and longs to be a ballerina but her parents have decreed that, as soon as she turns 21, she must give up her dream. The only path route to her is find a husband and take her expected place in Edwardian society.

The arrival of enigmatic Doctor Drosselmeier as their affluent new neighbour sets tongue wagging across town. When this mysterious toymaker charms the Stelle family, Marietta begin to wonder if he might offer another path for her future…

[Skip this paragraph if you don’t want any more plot revealed] Drosselmeier constructs an elaborate theatrical set for one final ballet performance from Marietta on Christmas Eve. But all is not what it seems and our heroine as she discovers when she unwittingly enters a door that transports her to the enchanting (but perilous) Everwood – a sugar-coated, twinkling, magical kingdom that is hiding its own secrets. Think Narnia but constructed by Willy Wonka – a frosted landscape of gingerbread houses and hot chocolate streams.

Midnight in Everwood takes a Jane Austen-esque heroine and places her into a fairytale narrative to weave a coming-of-age story that has charm and a sense of wonder but also a clear underlying feminist impulse.

M.A. Kuzniar, in this her first novel aimed at adults, has some lovely turns of phrase that perfectly suit this world of enchantment:: “His jacket sleeve was silky, scented with peppermint and secrets”.

Because this is a reimagining of The Nutcracker, and as Marietta embodies the trope of an intelligent Edwardian heroine resisting the patriarchal conventions and restrictions, there’s a familiarity to the story beats. Whether this tips Midnight in Everwood into predictability or adds a cosy identifiability, will depend how much innovation you expect from the retelling of a fairytale.

If your idea of a seasonal treat is settling down with a warm drink and a good book filled with hibernal delights, The Recs certainly is happy to suggest Midnight in Everwood to you.

Midnight in Everwood by M.A. Kuzniar, published by HQ, is published on 28 October 2021

Such a beautiful story. A real feel-good tale with wonderful characters.
A fairy tale for adults. Just perfect.

What a gorgeous book, and not only the cover, I wanted to read it because I saw it was based on the Nutcracker ballet and wanted to see how that panned out in a story form. It doesn’t disappoint. An absolutely wonderful story with great leading characters.
Curl up with a warm drink and a blanket and enjoy!

My thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review

This just didn't live up to the expectations I had for it. Overly expressive prose. The idea and thought behind it was there but executed badly. So disappointing.

I received Midnight in Everwood for free by HQ Stories on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much for my advanced copy!

WOW what a delightfully enchanting read! I’ve been seeing this book all over Twitter and I loved the look of it so much, it was definitely one of my anticipated reads of the year so when I saw it on NetGalley I requested it immediately! I was swept up into the most magical world and I think I’ve found my new Christmas favourite!

We follow our protagonist Marietta who is feeling disenchanted with her regular life and wants to pursue her dream of dancing. However, when trying to avoid the unwanted advances of the strange newcomer Dr. Drosselmeier she falls through a door to another world - the magical Everwood. Now she must help her new friends and try to escape back to her world before she’s trapped forever.

The descriptions throughout this story was absolutely INCREDIBLE! I loved the amount of rich detail that went into the worldbuilding, I felt like I was walking right next to Marietta throughout the whole book! Plus the descriptions of the food were absolutely sensational! I have a massive sweet tooth and wanted to try every single treat that was mentioned - I’m a terrible baker but I might have to try and make some!

Another element that I thought was fantastic was the focus on female friendships! They formed such strong bonds and it is so important to see! I also really enjoyed seeing Marietta’s confidence grow as she became more sure of herself and determined to follow her passions.

Midnight in Everwood is entrancing, beautiful and full of wonderful adventure - a must read for the Christmas season!

Multilayered and magical, this is a festive adult fairytale full of adventure, darkness and self-discovery. It explores Edwardian social history and how women began to challenge society's expectations of them. Marietta is a young woman, expected to marry and leave her dance career behind. She rails against the injustice but initially fails to understand the direction of life is in her hands.

The world of Everwood is intricately created, full of vivid imagery and insidious darkness that threatens Marietta and that she must overcome. There are classic elements in the story for those familiar with the original inspiration to enjoy.

An engaging read if you enjoy dance, history and magic.

I received a copy of this book from HQ in return for an honest review.

Midnight in Everwood is not my normal type of book at all but when I read that it is a retelling of The Nutcracker I wanted to give it a try. I don't know the story of The Nutcracker so I don't know how alike the stories are but Midnight in Everwood was a beautifully written, enchanting story which I loved.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for my ARC.

I was enchanted by this book. It was magical and beautifully written. It was an excelling rewriting, or updating, the Nutcracker. I read this in one day. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Hot chocolate and this book match made in heaven.

I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

If you're after a "Nutcracker" retelling with teeth then this is the seasonal book for you!

Marietta feels free when she dances ballet, free from corsets, luncheons, society, suitors and the shackles of her wealthy parents expectations. It is 1906 and the world is changing, Marietta just wishes her world would change with it.

It is Christmas and Marietta is due to give her final ballet performance. As she nears 21 Marietta is expected to give up her dreams to become a wife, and the arrival of a mysterious Doctor into the neighbourhood only accelerates Marietta's free fall towards a life she has never wanted.

When an enchanted ballet set provides an unexpected escape from a dangerous situation and thrusts Marietta into the magical town of Everwood, will this prima ballerina finally find the life she has been looking for? Or has the danger only just begun?


Marietta is a captivating yet flawed protagonist. You find yourself sympathising with her predicament and then screaming at some of her life choices. Her journey from spoilt debutante into strong, independent woman is as enchanting as her magical surroundings.

Kuzniar's writing is as sugar-sweet as the gingerbread Everwood houses, with "macaroon-sweet" memories and thoughts "slow, sticky as caramel" being just two examples from an entire book of extremely descriptive prose.
This is a style that would normally cause me to lose interest but it fits in so well with the epic world building of Everwood: it adds to the chocolate box atmosphere that this novel creates.


An adult Nutcracker tale, with powerful female friendships, a chilling villain and a woman fighting for her right to reclaim her own future. Midnight in Everwood is gorgeous, magical and a perfect seasonal read.