"And there began the oldest story. Of a heart that quickened. It's owner, unaware."
A couple of winters ago, I read a wonderful novel called Midnight in Everwood, which was a retelling of the Nutcracker ballet. I enjoyed it so much, that I knew I would look out for other books by the same author, so I was delighted to receive an ARC from Harper Collins for Kuznair's new novel Upon A Frosted Star. The cover is stunningly beautiful, instantly grabbing my attention and as it is a retelling of my favourite ballet, Swan Lake, I knew I just had to read it immediately. I have spent a happy couple of days completely engrossed in this magical, wintry fairytale.
In this novel, we follow a male protagonist called Forster, an artist who has lost his passion for painting, until one evening, he sees a ballerina dancing at a party. He becomes besotted with her and begins to paint her, transferring the images in his mind onto canvas in an attempt to hold onto their brief encounter. His new paintings sell well and he decides to find out more about the mysterious ballet dancer, Detta, and the annual winter party at which she performs. But all is not as it seems, and Forster uncovers a far more dangerous and magical mystery than he ever could have anticipated.
This is a novel of star-crossed lovers, with a very unique take on a long-distance relationship! It perfectly illustrates the pain of a difficult love affair - of being separated, time and time again from the one your heart yearns for above all others. The slow and steady chipping away at the heart and soul of the lover who constantly gets left behind is expertly suggested here. Just like Swan Lake, this is an epic, heart-rending tale of magic and enchantment, love and loss.
What I most love about this author is her ability to make a novel read like a dream. She truly is a visionary author. Her prose sings off the page, the world building is just mesmerizing and fellow bookworms will appreciate the literary references made throughout the book. In this story we have glittering winter parties, invitations that fall from the sky along with the snow, rivers of chocolate cream, chocolate fountains and champagne saucers with secrets hidden in the glass. Just like Midnight in Everwood, this is a confection of a novel that will make your mouth water for champagne-fizz and dainty petite four cakes in pretty pastel colours, as Forster, Detta and their friends dance their way through 1920's London, York and Paris. When the story progressed to a castle in Wales, I did wonder if there was to be some reference to Merlin, but that connection was never made by the author.
I loved every page of this novel and I feel like I have discovered a new favourite author. I hope that she continues to write in this style and re-imagines more famous ballets in future books - Le Sylphide, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, The Firebird etc - what wonderful novels she could craft from such a rich theatrical heritage! And how wonderful would it be to have a whole collection of these stunning winter novels, each retelling a classical ballet in visionary, fairytale style, all sat together on a bookshelf? I really do think that this could be the start of a series that bibliophiles and collectors are going to go crazy for.
I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next. I find her books so enchanting, they always make me smile and I plan to re-read both her snowy novels again this coming wintertime. Upon A Frosted Star is definitely a book worth reading if you like magical realism, fantasy or fairytale re-tellings. Enjoy the wintry magic of the Lake!
Blessed Be
Marie x
AD; This book was sent to me by the publisher Harper Collins for the purposes of review. It is released on September 21st 2023 and is available for Pre-Order now in hardcover, audio and digital formats.
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