A review by partiallyanika
The Kingdom of Sweets by Erika Johansen

dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

I just decided that there is actually not a long review left in me because I am so done with this book. It tries to do too much.
Why was there so much half hearted political subplot in the last third? Why was Rasputin suddenly there??

I cared for none of the characters and frankly I find the story confusing at best.

The "nutcracker retelling" element really only matters for the first third of the book and there are absolutely no christmas-y feelings to be gained from it. Also the main character is very much a "not like other girls" girl and there is a strong femininity shaming undertone to all of it.

I will give the author one thing and that is that her writing is very vivid. She does know how to craft scenery but the entire time I was reading it I thought that maybe she should try writing an art-house horror movie instead of whatever this wanted to be at the end.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings