Format: E-ARC
Publisher: Fossil Mountain Publishing
Number of pages: 280
Publishing: September 17th, 2021
Source: Publisher
Opening Lines: It was a hazy, humid day many, many years ago. In a magical land of fairies and sorcerers, a stone castle stood tall on the horizon."
Legends Of The Black Forest is the third book in the Prince Dustin and Clara series, written as a homage to the original creators of The Nutcracker. The latest book includes a foreword by Silvino Da Silva from the Ruth Page Center for the Arts.
Clara and Fritz Stahlbaum are enjoying some long awaited fun at Camp Lache Lake, Clara is preparing to audition for the lead in a dance recital, while the boys skip rocks and play with the frogs in the lake. Meanwhile, at Castle Zauberin, Serihilda is dealing with some uninvited guests and making plans to rule all of the Black Forest. Wizard Herr Drosselmeyer's evil twin, Drachenmeyer is still imprisoned within a high tower of Niedertrachtig Castle, held by the enchantment's of Merlin's magical stones. However, unbeknown to Wizard Drosselmeyer the spell holding his twin is beginning to weaken, and is soon to be completely broken when Serihilda casts a spell causing snow to once again fall in the Land of Snow. Once Queen Nordika is alerted to the spell being lifted, she requests help from Clara, Prince Dustin and Princess Sugar Plum. The trio must reach Zauberin Castle before midnight and defeat Serihilda before she can release all of the Dark Forces upon the Black Forest.
I love all the little details in the prologue, it beautifully sets the scene and makes for a lovely image of this fairytale castle nestled within the forest. I especially love this passage, "white velvet snow capped the tops of each peak like a sprinkling of marshmallows on hot chocolate." Doesn't that just sound like a cozy wintery read, especially with music from The Nutcracker ballet playing in the background? Then in one fell swoop two trolls are demolished when they get caught somewhere they're not supposed to be. Those scenes alone had me laughing out loud. Lot's of amusing moments like that and coupled with lots of action.
I enjoyed how the story is written in three acts, beginning with Castle Zauberin and then has the trio beginning their adventure into the enchanted Black Forest, passing through the land of the tree fairies, and on into the swamplands before reaching Castle Zauberin. Along the way they encounter many hazards everything from trolls to tornado's are thrown at them by Serihilda making for a fun adventure. I didn't even mind when each act ended on a small cliff hanger, it seemed to really hook you into wanting to read a little bit further. But most of all I loved the setting of the Black Forest, it just lends itself to this mysterious place with dangers lurking in the shadows. I'd be remise if I didn't mention the lovely black and white illustrations and cover, Luke Ahearn created the interior artwork and cover design and Niele Diel, a German artist created the cover illustration. Overall, I have really enjoyed reading this fantasy re-imagining of the Nutcracker ballet, getting to know Clara, Prince Dustin and follow along with their adventures. With it's general themes of good versus evil I can easily see this as a fun family read. ** A huge thank you to Danielle at Fossil Mountain Publishing for the E-ARC**
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