“The light unfurled toward the center of the glass again, softly warming like the horizon before the sunrise- a dramatic change from darkness, but not painful to look at. It drew tight toward the middle of the glass, an eye closing swiftly, and as the light coalesced it suddenly flared so strongly that Clara clamped her eyes shut.
The Palace of Illusions by Rowenna Miller
When she opened them, the world had turned inside out.”
The Palace of Illusions by Rowenna Miller is a completely gorgeous novel that is set in Paris just before the 1900’s world fair. Clara had moved to Paris from Wisconsin to work on the world’s fair, something her Godfather disapproved of. Her Godfather, a toy maker, had taken Clara under his wing and she took everything she learned to work on one of the exhibits for the world fair. It’s not easy work, but Clara enjoys it, toiling away day after day at it. She spends more time working than most of her coworkers (she reminded me a bit of Sophie at the beginning of Howl’s Moving Castle). While she befriends her coworker, Fritz and his sister, Clara mostly keeps to herself.
Then one day, for Christmas, her Godfather sends her an old nutcracker. At first, she doesn’t understand the meaning of the gift or why he is sending it to her. It is only when she discovers a small lens and the power it carries that her world is changed forever. It unlocks a mirror version of Paris where the toys and items created by toy makers and inventors are alive.
Clara begins to explore this other Paris while continuing her work, but the longer she spends going back and forth between worlds, the more she realizes both worlds are in danger, and it’s up to her and the people she befriends to stop it.
This book is utterly gorgeous and a nod to the classic Nutcracker story (though I quite prefer this version). I loved the setting and the time period, I don’t think I have read many fantasy novels set historically, but every time I do, I am swept away. Rowenna Miller’s prose is beautiful. Clara is an amazing character with strength, courage and creativity. I adored her, and I adored watching her become more and more sure of herself. This book is definitely one you don’t want to miss. Massive thanks to Orbit for sending this my way, The Palace of Illusions releases June 2025.
Of Worlds Forgotten 
I didn’t realize this was a Nutcracker retelling, but now I’m even more excited to read it. I’m so glad you enjoyed it😁
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