• 5 Star Reads
  • Audiobooks
  • Books on Screen
  • Children’s Books
  • Christian
  • Fiction
  • Giveaways

5 Minutes For Books

  • Home
  • About
    • Who Are We? Reviewer Bios
    • 5 Star Reads
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
  • Join In
    • 5 Minutes for Books Bookclub
    • Children’s Classics
    • Kids’ Picks
    • What’s on Your Nightstand
  • Link To Us
  • Contact
    • Advertise

Midnight in Everwood

February 15, 2022 by Elizabeth

5M4B disclosure

Nottingham, 1906. Marietta loves to dance more than anything. When she rises en pointe or glissades across the floor, she feel her spirit come alive. But her father is not at all convinced that it’s a proper pastime for his only daughter. He will allow her one last performance on Christmas Eve, and then no more. Marietta schemes with her brother, Frederick, who urges caution, but Marietta is determined to escape her gilded prison. Meanwhile her mother has schemes of her own, as she invites the town’s eligible bachelors to dine.

One in particular intrigues the whole family–the mysterious Dr Drosselmeier, a former docto, now toymaker, who has moved in across the street. Marietta’s parents approve the match and the doctor is certainly willing, but Marietta is uncertain. On Christmas Eve while fleeing his advances, she finds herself in another world, a world full of sugared enchantments and danger.

I’m sure you’ve guessed already that Midnight in Everwood is a retelling of the Nutcracker, one for adults, with a darker magic at its core. Marietta’s time in Everwood is not mere enchantment, but contains moments of danger and terror. It also serves as a metaphor for a marriage and life she does not want and does not choose.

Everwood has its moments of enchantment however. One is the close relationship Marietta develops with her 2 fellow prisoners. Another is the description of the gowns and foods, stuffed with magic, although everything was so sweet it almost make my teeth hurt, and I longed for the inhabitants to get to eat or drink something savory! However, the book itself is not so saccharine. It has a good blend of light and dark, sweetness and terror, love and obsession. A well-rounded fairy tale to warm your winter night!

Filed Under: Elizabeth, Fiction

« Shapeshifting
The School for Good Mothers »

Comments

  1. Sara Strand says

    February 18, 2022 at 8:46 pm

    Thank you for being on this tour! Sara @ TLC Book Tours

Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Welcome to 5 Minutes for Books. We are a team blog dedicated to sharing reviews and information about children's lit, fiction, memoir, and more. Read More…

Reviews

5 Minutes for Books

Jennifer Donovan
Managing Editor

MEET OUR TEAM



Connect With Us


Pinterest

Community

Cybils Logo Draft 3

Disclosure:

Find out about our relationships with publishers and affiliate networks in our full disclosure statement.

Recent Posts

  • Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
  • The House of Eve
  • Bright and Deadly Things
  • Long Story Short
  • Stone Cold Fox

Categories

Privacy Policy    |     Disclosure Policy
Terms & Conditions
© 5 Minutes for Mom

Let’s Socialize

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Pinterest is Our FAVORITE!

Find and Follow Us at
pinterest.com/5min4books

Copyright © 2023 · Tasteful theme by Restored 316