Reviews
"An absorbing tale of adventure, invention, family loyalty, and sly humor. . . . Bursting with unforgettable characters." - School Library Journal , starred review "Men and mice engage in mortal conflict in this multilayered retelling . . . . A fast-paced adventure." - Kirkus Reviews "An inventive fantasy." - Booklist "Smith manages to tease out the darker elements of her inspiration, the Nutcracker, while still maintaining a sense of whimsy, resulting in a story that blends wonder, melancholy, and adventure." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "Exceedingly well done, this is a great fantasy novel and is highly recommended for middle grade readers, fans of fantasy, and lovers of The Nutcracker ." - VOYA "Smith's usage of elements from Hoffmann, Dumas's later adaptation, and the perennially popular Nutcracker ballet is extremely clever." -- Publishers Weekly "Smith threads a wondrous tale which salutes The Nutcracker stories and ballet while carrying readers off on enchanting new adventures. " -- School Library Connection
