EXCLUSIVE Nutcracker of Crystalfall - Hardcover

Such a beautiful world Mrs. Moody has created. In the land of Crystafall the trees are made of golden trunks and pretty flowers. Clara is a puzzle solver who needs a way out of an arranged marriage. Revyn is the Nutcracker man from the Christmas party. There is Magic, Pixies, Trolls and Fae. Highly recommend for a good short read!

This standalone novella is an entertaining addition to the Fae and Crystal Thorns series. It’s always fun to return to the enchanting world of Faerie, and Clara’s story captivated me from the beginning. She is a strong and brave protagonist who is weighed down by a secret her parents have forced her to keep. Ugh! Her parents are awful! The shame they make her feel for something totally out of her control is so wrong. Even worse is the man they have betrothed her to. The arrogance and entitlement and viciousness he exudes make him the perfect antagonist and antithesis to Clara, who is kind, caring, and selfless.

When Clara meets a mysterious man named Revyn at her parent’s Christmas party, her life is irrevocably changed. She chooses to go with Revyn to Faerie to escape her fate and find adventure on her terms. There are so many great messages about acceptance, friendship, and taking control of your future, which I loved.

Revyn’s story is interesting too, as he is fighting to rescue his brother. And the love story between Revyn and Clara is sweet and magical. There’s one dance scene that had my heart melting. And there’s a surprise revelation at the end that I adored.

The story also has a ton of action. It’s a fast-paced read filled with danger, magic, trolls, pixies, fae, and more. If you read the other books in the series, you’ll love this one, and if you haven’t, this is a great one to start with! Special thanks to Kay L. Moody for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Love Christmas stories but this was even more than that. It’s a great retelling that ties in beautifully to the world in the other books. Definitely was not disappointed.

“she’d rather fight trolls than marry Fritz.” Twas the night before a wedding, and all through the house, Fritz was a-fretting and being a louse.

Unfortunately, this princess was too insecure to run away. Her parents were set on the marriage, and her father was equally uncaring. Clara had spent months creating a special gift that he destroyed within seconds. However, despite her demoralization, Clara finds a way to save the Nutcracker with a most humble skill. This gives her the motivation to escape her loveless home.

This is a coming of age story about a girl with an impediment who learns her strengths. For Clara, she cannot read or write; her skills are better in measurements [spacial analysis and math]. By asking Revyn to visit faerie, she finally finds her voice. And by helping him an some save a golden tree from harm, she shows her true spirit, as she says: her honor.

Well, I have to admit, Clara’s welcome from the pixies is a funny mix of impractical braids, silk dress, and comfortable golden slippers that somehow are warm enough for snow. Let me know when those are invented, please.

👯The fairy dancing and revels are so fun to experience, but fraught with perils. Then Clara finds that her arch nemesis, that hateful Fritz with whom she was supposedly engaged was here trying to take the magic for himself. In his efforts, he had made bargains with a troll tribe and with a king. The king wanted power too, over this kingless place, and the trolls wanted to..destroy. Clara’s fights with the trolls reminded me of whack-a-mole, and I was so amused.

If you want a fun, uplifting story of overcoming obstacles and finding love, this will really get you in the holiday spirit. Let the snow, jewels, and golden tree light your way.

• Young love
• Fairies, tinsel, and a tree
• A sword
• And a pixie in a pear tree (Hah!)

I fell into this tale headfirst and LOVED it! I do love Christmas, and the Nutcracker, but this was something even better. Like fairytale retellings, but the Fae and magic are even more fun. It brings you into a whole new world for a short time. Great, quick read!