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maddydactyl's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I loved this book so much. The development of feelings between the different love stories was completely brilliant - one set falling harder and faster, and the other set fighting it every step of the way. Rat King was truly terrifying, and I loved the use of magic throughout. Also loved the resolution with Drosselmeyer! Did not go how I expected it to at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
I loved this book so much. The development of feelings between the different love stories was completely brilliant - one set falling harder and faster, and the other set fighting it every step of the way. Rat King was truly terrifying, and I loved the use of magic throughout. Also loved the resolution to the Drosselmeyer situation! Did not go how I expected it to at all.bookboxbabe's review
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
maybe talk or actually think about the dangerous situation you’re in instead of just screwing all the time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, and Murder
robinwritesallthethings's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What It’s About: A massively creative, very horny, much darker retelling of the Nutcracker ballet with a gender-swapped Sugar Plum Fairy.
Spice Level: Uh, I need a new scale of spice to describe this book, because it took things to levels of hot I’ve never read before.
Realism: Generally, I don’t like retellings, because I think many of them rely too heavily on the original and don’t deviate enough to make it interesting, but I have to say that this one incorporated everything from the source material and made it its own unique story. Everything fit. The plot made sense, the lore made sense. It’s just good, y’all.
Trope Alert: Enemies to lovers, slow burn, friends to lovers.
Trigger Warnings: There is some serious CNC in here, so skip it if you’re not into that. It is dark romance, so there’s some mentions of sexual assault and also some torture. And this last one isn’t really a trigger warning, but the Rat King is gross, dude.
Final Thoughts: I read this book because it was recommended to me by a Kindle achievement for their reading challenge. I decided to read it because I thought the title was a fun play on the whole fantasy Court of Blah and Blah thing that’s been so popular lately. I had no expectations, yet so many were met. Further proof that sometimes you find exactly what you were looking for even though you had no idea what that was. I will be busy trying all of Kenney’s books now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Sexual content, Torture, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
druzyquartz's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
hldrn13's review
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
darkwoodsy_moonchild's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Blood, and Murder
lauramparis's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Blood, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Rape, Slavery, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
alilbitofeveryth1ng's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual assault, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Rape
koistyfishy's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ohh this was utterly toothsome and I enjoyed it so much! A Court of Sugar and Spice was a deliciously delectable and delightful treat, that was that perfect fix of "sugar and spice" but defiantly naughty.
This dual-POV Nutcracker retelling follows two sisters, Louisa and Clara. Who after their father dies are sent to live with their Godfather Drosselmeyer. They soon find that not everything is what it seems in the house. One night following a bloody splinter, Louisa temporarily breaks the curse on a Nutcracker doll to reveal he is actually a captured and cursed Fae Prince. The sisters offer to help him break the curse completely so they journey to the Fae Realm; where they discover, in the Prince's absence, the Seelie Kingdom has been overrun by the Rat King's forces. To aid their quest and retake the kingdom, the group enlist the help of the Prince's cousin, the seductive and flirty gender-bent "Sugarplum Faerie".
The main thing that made me love this book is the worldbuilding and descriptions of the setting. It was beautiful, transcendent and gorgeous. I could so easily picture the world in its glowing and luminescent glory. It was scrumptious, filled with vivid colour, brightly coloured people, trees, and delicious smells of vanilla and cinnamon. None of this would have been possible if Rebecca Kenney did not have an amazing ability for writing. She is by far climbing to the top of my favourite Authors for a reason because I JUST LOVE HER BOOKS, WRITING AND CREATIVITY! She manages to take an idea and give it such a unique and inventive spin that I will EAT IT UP like a kid in a candy shop!
This is actually the love story of both girls so I am going to split this into the two couples
❆Clara and Fin❆
I just love them! I eat my words and distaste for insta-love with these two. While there was definitely insta-"lust" between these two characters, Clarawas sweet, demure and complicated. She had been creatively repressed by her father, forced to find shame in the fact that she wanted to paint. Then bring in Fin (probably the BEST CHARACTER IN THIS BOOK BY FAR). He was perfect and even more so, PERFECT for Clara. He was the first person to actually see who she was, not who she pretended to be. He was smart, kind, generous and unapologetically sexual, but I loved it! I found myself wanting to skim Louisa and Lir's scenes, just to get back to Clara and Fin, because whilst they were in dangerous and perilous situations, the levity Fin brought to the chapters was AMAZING!
❆Louisa and Lir❆
These two are probably the reason why I brought the rating down. I have no problem with a woman who loves sex and is proud of her sexuality and body, but when you make your entire PERSONALITY your like for sex and use this as the thing to define yourself...that is where I tend to be a little put-off. Whilst she is very quick thinking and strategic, I found myself annoyed at her more times than I could count, especially since she also tried to make herself feel better by bringing Clara down. Lir was incredibly unlikeable and I did not see his appeal or charm until the last 10% of the book. For the majority there was nothing redeeming about him as a character as he says hurtful and mean things to Louisa WHILE SHE IS HELPING HIM and then tries to excuse his behaviour for "I feel so much for you that it scares me so I am trying to push you away". No dude....If you weren't Fin's cousin I might have left you as a doll if it was me.
Let's talk about the naughty parts of this book 😏 There is A LOT of it in this book, and it starts very quickly - it ranges from light touching to consensual"running through a forest" fantasy acted out.... My only issue is...I have this awful moral catch-22 that the times when some of the scenes occurred, seemed a little strange and if I were hypothetically in the story in their place, probably would have gone "NOW, is not the best time to have sex" example: Clara and Fin are captured by the Rat King and put in his dungeon and sex is the only thing making captivity bearable???
It has some good trope moments in it too:
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ One Horse Reindeer
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ One Bed - WITH Body heat for warmth
▶ He falls first (kinda)
▶ Fae/Human Romance
Overall, this was exactly what I needed and another amazing book by Rebecca Kenney to add to my list! I cannot wait for A Court of Hearts and Hunger(Officially out 31 March 2023) where I get to spend more time with Clara and Fin ♥️♥️♥️
❆Quotes❆:
The one that sticks in my mind the most
This dual-POV Nutcracker retelling follows two sisters, Louisa and Clara. Who after their father dies are sent to live with their Godfather Drosselmeyer. They soon find that not everything is what it seems in the house. One night following a bloody splinter, Louisa temporarily breaks the curse on a Nutcracker doll to reveal he is actually a captured and cursed Fae Prince. The sisters offer to help him break the curse completely so they journey to the Fae Realm; where they discover, in the Prince's absence, the Seelie Kingdom has been overrun by the Rat King's forces. To aid their quest and retake the kingdom, the group enlist the help of the Prince's cousin, the seductive and flirty gender-bent "Sugarplum Faerie".
The main thing that made me love this book is the worldbuilding and descriptions of the setting. It was beautiful, transcendent and gorgeous. I could so easily picture the world in its glowing and luminescent glory. It was scrumptious, filled with vivid colour, brightly coloured people, trees, and delicious smells of vanilla and cinnamon. None of this would have been possible if Rebecca Kenney did not have an amazing ability for writing. She is by far climbing to the top of my favourite Authors for a reason because I JUST LOVE HER BOOKS, WRITING AND CREATIVITY! She manages to take an idea and give it such a unique and inventive spin that I will EAT IT UP like a kid in a candy shop!
This is actually the love story of both girls so I am going to split this into the two couples
❆Clara and Fin❆
I just love them! I eat my words and distaste for insta-love with these two. While there was definitely insta-"lust" between these two characters, Clarawas sweet, demure and complicated. She had been creatively repressed by her father, forced to find shame in the fact that she wanted to paint. Then bring in Fin (probably the BEST CHARACTER IN THIS BOOK BY FAR). He was perfect and even more so, PERFECT for Clara. He was the first person to actually see who she was, not who she pretended to be. He was smart, kind, generous and unapologetically sexual, but I loved it! I found myself wanting to skim Louisa and Lir's scenes, just to get back to Clara and Fin, because whilst they were in dangerous and perilous situations, the levity Fin brought to the chapters was AMAZING!
❆Louisa and Lir❆
These two are probably the reason why I brought the rating down. I have no problem with a woman who loves sex and is proud of her sexuality and body, but when you make your entire PERSONALITY your like for sex and use this as the thing to define yourself...that is where I tend to be a little put-off. Whilst she is very quick thinking and strategic, I found myself annoyed at her more times than I could count, especially since she also tried to make herself feel better by bringing Clara down. Lir was incredibly unlikeable and I did not see his appeal or charm until the last 10% of the book. For the majority there was nothing redeeming about him as a character as he says hurtful and mean things to Louisa WHILE SHE IS HELPING HIM and then tries to excuse his behaviour for "I feel so much for you that it scares me so I am trying to push you away". No dude....If you weren't Fin's cousin I might have left you as a doll if it was me.
Let's talk about the naughty parts of this book 😏 There is A LOT of it in this book, and it starts very quickly - it ranges from light touching to consensual"running through a forest" fantasy acted out.... My only issue is...I have this awful moral catch-22 that the times when some of the scenes occurred, seemed a little strange and if I were hypothetically in the story in their place, probably would have gone "NOW, is not the best time to have sex" example: Clara and Fin are captured by the Rat King and put in his dungeon and sex is the only thing making captivity bearable???
It has some good trope moments in it too:
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ One Horse Reindeer
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ One Bed - WITH Body heat for warmth
▶ He falls first (kinda)
▶ Fae/Human Romance
Overall, this was exactly what I needed and another amazing book by Rebecca Kenney to add to my list! I cannot wait for A Court of Hearts and Hunger(Officially out 31 March 2023) where I get to spend more time with Clara and Fin ♥️♥️♥️
❆Quotes❆:
The one that sticks in my mind the most
“Nowadays, people call me Sugarplum because I have the same delightful quality as these fruits. I’m deliciously flavored, and I taste different every time.”
“You—you mean your personality?”
“No.” His lashes lower, hooding his eyes. “I’m not talking about my personality. I’m talking about my cum.”
❆Clara and Fin❆
He breaks the hot torment of the kiss for a moment, and in that moment I say the words against his lips. “I love you.”
No more than a frenzied breath, but he hears me. His hand tightens on my hair, and he crushes himself against my body, his words hot and hoarse in my ear.
“Only you,” he grits out. “Only you, ever.”
❆Louisa and Lir❆
“Your scent,” he says. “It’s like nothing else I’ve ever encountered. It’s—it’s mine. It’s my scent. That’s the only way I can describe it. It’s not the way I smell, but it belongs to me, it’s—tailored to me, designed to be the one fragrance I can’t resist.
I need you—not your body, not only that, but more. I—I admire you, Louisa. I admire your confidence, your keen mind, your beautiful enthusiasm for everything, your courage in crisis. I long to be like you. I wish I could lose myself entirely in you.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual violence, Slavery, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
hannahs_library__'s review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Kidnapping, and Murder
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