Book Review: Winterdream by Chantal Gadoury

It's Christmas Eve, and Clara is shocked when the Nutcracker she received from her Uncle Drosselmeyer comes to life and she finds herself helping him fight a battle against the Mouse King. They escape to his land, Winterdream, where Clara learns she just might be the key to breaking his curse and saving the kingdom.

Title: Winterdream

Author: Chantal Gadoury

Genre: Christmas, Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Holidays, Retelling, The Nutcracker Retelling, Young Adult

Pages: 294

My Rating: 3 Stars

More Info: Goodreads, Amazon, Publisher

Review:

*I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher. This has not influenced my review.*

This was a nice Nutcracker retelling even though it didn’t blow me away.

It felt like younger YA to me, even though there were some older aspects, like the main character being 18 and worrying about having to marry someone she didn’t like out of duty, as well as a couple scenes of violence, so that threw me off a bit. I also felt like the writing kind of skimmed the surface. The characters and romance didn’t have as much depth as I would’ve liked.

As for what I liked, I believe this was based on the ballet rather than the E.T.A. Hoffman story, and all the retelling elements—the mice, the cursed Nutcracker, the fantasy land—were fun. The main character was one you could root for. She wasn’t one to sit on the sidelines when others needed help.

Overall, this isn’t a bad read, especially if you’re looking for something winter-y or vaguely Christmas-y to enjoy around the holidays or any time of the year!

Recommended For:

Anyone who likes young adult and Nutcracker retellings.

You Can Also Find My Review Here:

Goodreads | Amazon

Book Tags:

Basic Info

Book Author: Chantal Gadoury
Publisher: The Parliament House
Genre: Christmas, Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Holidays, Retelling, The Nutcracker Retelling, Young Adult
My Rating: 3
Series/Standalone: Standalone

More Info (Possible Spoilers)

Relationships/Sex: M/F Romance, No Explicit Sex

10 thoughts on “Book Review: Winterdream by Chantal Gadoury”

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Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy 07/26/2019 at 9:31 AM

I’m having trouble figuring out what’s on the cover, which throws me off a little. Not sure I’d pick this up, since I’m not a big fan of Nutcracker retellings.
1. Kristen Burns 07/26/2019 at 9:04 PM
  
  I have never been able to figure out what is going on on that cover lol. I’ve had some people say they like the cover, but I’m still just so confused.
Nicci @ Sunny Buzzy Books 07/27/2019 at 11:19 AM

Oooh, a nutcracker retelling! I’ve never read one of those. I really like the cover too but don’t quite know what I’m looking at, lol.
1. Kristen Burns 07/28/2019 at 4:52 PM
  
  Nutcracker retellings are fun, especially around the holidays. Idk what I’m looking at either lol.
Erica Metcalf 07/27/2019 at 2:32 PM

Ooh! That cover is really cool
1. Kristen Burns 07/27/2019 at 11:28 PM
  
  Tbh I still can’t figure out what’s happening on it, but lots of people seem to like it!
Crystal @ Lost in Storyland 07/27/2019 at 3:14 PM

I like the ambiance to the cover! I haven’t read this book, but I’ve enjoyed Nutcracker retellings in the past. I love when an author takes the familiar and adds a creative spin to it.
1. Kristen Burns 07/29/2019 at 10:21 PM
  
  I agree, that’s why I love retellings!
Karen Alderman 07/29/2019 at 4:11 PM

I’m going to have to tell my niece about this one. She is a ballerina and dances in The Nutcracker every year.

Karen @ For What It’s Worth
1. Kristen Burns 07/30/2019 at 4:00 AM
  
  She might enjoy this then!