Book of The Month discussion

Bestselling author of the Queen of the Tearling series, Erika Johansen, journeys to a new kingdom in this brilliant stand-alone novel—a darkly magical take on The Nutcracker where two sisters, cursed from birth, are forever changed one memorable Christmas. . . .

Light and dark—this is the destiny placed upon Natasha and Clara, the birthright bestowed by their godfather, the mysterious sorcerer Drosselmeyer. Clara, the favorite, grows into beauty and ease, while Natasha is cursed to live in her sister’s shadow. But one fateful Christmas Eve, Natasha gets her chance at revenge. For Drosselmeyer has brought the Nutcracker, an enchanted present that offers entry into a deceptively beautiful world: the Kingdom of Sweets.

In this land of snow and sugar, Natasha is presented with a power far greater than Drosselmeyer: the Sugar Plum Fairy, who is also full of gifts . . . and dreadful bargains. As Natasha uncovers the dark destiny laid before her birth, she must reckon with powers both earthly and magical, and decide to which world she truly belongs.

Part 1

well (view spoiler)[ I'm a little bummed they didn't have the scene where everyone runs around and follows their string. I love that part of the finding!

hmmm. . .I'm not sure what to make of the godfather and why he's testing the two

and her sister kind of sucks (hide spoiler)]

Part 2

(view spoiler)[ wow, the things the fairy showed her, the things that the family did to her. that was just awful

but. . .she killed her sister and took her life? I think she'll find it wasn't as rosy as she thought it was

I wonder if she will really give the fairy the Godfather (hide spoiler)]

Part 3

I'm not sure why, but I am struggling with this one

(view spoiler)[ hmmm. . .she "fed" her Godfather to the spade fairy (is that what she said her name was?) Yikes
and the boys disappearing. . .and now she owns it all. I wonder why the Godfather kicked this off so long ago

Like Natasha, have I missed a clue that was in the story? Something that would reveal it? (hide spoiler)]

Part 4

(view spoiler)[wow, so she didn't die but has been alive and. . .hidden this whole time. I wonder how she's a little girl now (or whatever she was when she found her in the alley)

I wonder where this goes from here. what the nutcracker will do (hide spoiler)]

Done
this one didn't work for me

(view spoiler)[ ho hum. the ending just felt like it kept going
Clara didn't forgive her but she set her up to live a life away from her
and I love that she made it to New York
but meh, I didn't feel the magic of the nutcracker or the rat king in this re-telling, like I'd hoped (hide spoiler)]