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The Palace of Illusions
This enchanting and atmospheric fantasy brings readers to a Paris breathless with excitement at the dawn of the twentieth century. But for a select few there is a second, secret Paris where the magic of the City of Light is very real.
In the run up to the 1900s World’s Fair Paris is abuzz with creative energy and innovation. Audiences are spellbound by the Lumiere brothers’ moving pictures and Loie Fuller’s serpentine dance fusing art and technology. But for Clara Ironwood, a talented and pragmatic clockworker, nothing compares to the magic of her godfather’s mechanical creations, and she’d rather spend her days working on the Palace of Illusions, an intricate hall of mirrors that is one of the centerpieces of the world’s fair.
When her godfather sends Clara a hideous nutcracker for Christmas, she is puzzled until she finds a hidden compartment that unlocks a mirror-world Paris where the Seine is musical, fountains spout lemonade, and mechanical ballerinas move with human grace. The magic of her godfather’s toys was real.
As Clara explores this other Paris and begins to imbue her own creations with its magic, she soon discovers a darker side to innovation. Suspicious men begin to approach her outside of work, and she could swear a shadow is following her. There’s no ignoring the danger she’s in, but Clara doesn't know who to trust. The magic of the two Parises are colliding and Clara must find the strength within herself to save them both.
In the run up to the 1900s World’s Fair Paris is abuzz with creative energy and innovation. Audiences are spellbound by the Lumiere brothers’ moving pictures and Loie Fuller’s serpentine dance fusing art and technology. But for Clara Ironwood, a talented and pragmatic clockworker, nothing compares to the magic of her godfather’s mechanical creations, and she’d rather spend her days working on the Palace of Illusions, an intricate hall of mirrors that is one of the centerpieces of the world’s fair.
When her godfather sends Clara a hideous nutcracker for Christmas, she is puzzled until she finds a hidden compartment that unlocks a mirror-world Paris where the Seine is musical, fountains spout lemonade, and mechanical ballerinas move with human grace. The magic of her godfather’s toys was real.
As Clara explores this other Paris and begins to imbue her own creations with its magic, she soon discovers a darker side to innovation. Suspicious men begin to approach her outside of work, and she could swear a shadow is following her. There’s no ignoring the danger she’s in, but Clara doesn't know who to trust. The magic of the two Parises are colliding and Clara must find the strength within herself to save them both.
480 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 2025
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July 7, 2025
The nitty-gritty: The Palace of Illusions is a unique Nutcracker retelling with magic, charm and sparkling characters.
The Palace of Illusions was a breath of fresh air in a crowded pool of “retellings,” and I was in love from the first page. In this case, Rowenna Miller takes on the story of the beloved Christmas ballet the Nutcracker. In a creative twist, she sets her story in 1900 Paris at the Exposition Universelle, a historical event that celebrated the amazing technological advances of the time. She also adds a wonderful magical element by adding a hidden, alternate Paris that can only be reached through use of a special key. Finally, we have Clara, a plucky young woman who isn’t concerned with the social norms of the era, but sets out to achieve her dreams instead.
Clara Ironwood has just left her home in Wisconsin and moved to Paris to work on the Palace of Illusions, one of the many displays of technical wonder that will be part of the upcoming Exposition. Her apprenticeship with her Godfather Christian Elias Thrushman, a brilliant clockmaker, has prepared her for the technical and design work necessary for the display, and she’s thrilled to be on her own. Clara begins to make new friends, including her neighbor Annabelle, a dancer, and her boss Fritz Krieger. But she does have moments of homesickness, especially since the Christmas season is almost here.
One day she receives an early Christmas gift from her Godfather, and she’s surprised when she unwraps it to discover her Godfather’s ugly old nutcracker. She can’t imagine why he’d send her such a gift, until she examines it more closely and discovers a hidden compartment. Inside is a beautiful magnifying glass, and when Clara puts it up to her eye, she’s shocked when the world around her dissolves and changes into a different version of the Paris she’s become familiar with.
Clara has just discovered the anderwelt, a secret, magical place where artisans and craftsmen and women can go to stretch their creativity. Everything created there takes on a different form in the real world, and each “handwerker” has a unique key that allows them to travel back and forth at will. But as Clara also finds out, someone is trying to sabotage the anderwelt by creating blights, sections of darkness and shadow that also affect the real Paris. With the help of her Godfather’s nephew Nathanael Nussbaum, who has an interesting history with Godfather and the anderwelt, she sets out to stop the person responsible for the blight and save the anderwelt—and the grand opening of the Exposition.
Miller uses just enough of the familiar Nutcracker elements to entice the reader while making the story her own. First, the story is set around Christmastime, which immediately calls to mind the joy and wonder of the famous ballet. We also see little touches throughout the story like an army of magical mice who act as the eyes and ears of Nathanael, tin soldiers, the appearance of dancers like Annabelle and a clockwork ballerina named Olympia, and of course, the iconic characters of Clara and the nutcracker. Miller’s story is a celebration of artistic creativity, as her main characters are all artisans who have the unique opportunity to let their imaginations fly—when they are in the anderwelt—and their creations appear in different forms in the real world, but they are just as wondrous. I loved the joyful, upbeat feel of the story, and you can tell that Rowenna Miller herself loves the process of crafting art in all its various forms.
Miller adds lots of little historical details of the time period as well. The story includes the Lumière Brothers, the French inventors who created an early version of the motion picture camera. Electricity is also a big deal at the Exposition, as it’s a fairly new invention for that time, and Clara incorporates electric lights in the Palace of Illusions display.
Interspersed among the chapters are stories written by Elias to Clara and her sister Louise when they were children, and I absolutely loved the inclusion of these tales. Each is written in such a way as to appear to be fiction, but in fact Elias is actually trying to tell them that the stories might in fact be true.
The setting and world-building are certainly the star attractions of The Palace of Illusions, but the characters are just as good. Readers will love Clara, who is much more focused on her work and learning about the anderwelt than romance, and I loved seeing a turn-of-the-century female character with a modern sensibility (although there is a romance, but it doesn't take center stage). She also cares deeply for the people in her life, including her sister Louise, who shows up at her Paris apartment unexpectedly with the excuse that Clara needs watching over (she doesn’t). Things are very tense between the sisters for a while, but gradually Louise fits herself into Clara’s new life and even discovers her own artistic abilities. All of the side characters add flavor to the story, even the bad guys who are trying to destroy the anderwelt.
While the middle section drags in some parts, Miller raises the stakes near the end with some thrilling action and danger. The feel good ending made me smile and wish I could go along with Clara and her friends on their next adventure.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
The Palace of Illusions was a breath of fresh air in a crowded pool of “retellings,” and I was in love from the first page. In this case, Rowenna Miller takes on the story of the beloved Christmas ballet the Nutcracker. In a creative twist, she sets her story in 1900 Paris at the Exposition Universelle, a historical event that celebrated the amazing technological advances of the time. She also adds a wonderful magical element by adding a hidden, alternate Paris that can only be reached through use of a special key. Finally, we have Clara, a plucky young woman who isn’t concerned with the social norms of the era, but sets out to achieve her dreams instead.
Clara Ironwood has just left her home in Wisconsin and moved to Paris to work on the Palace of Illusions, one of the many displays of technical wonder that will be part of the upcoming Exposition. Her apprenticeship with her Godfather Christian Elias Thrushman, a brilliant clockmaker, has prepared her for the technical and design work necessary for the display, and she’s thrilled to be on her own. Clara begins to make new friends, including her neighbor Annabelle, a dancer, and her boss Fritz Krieger. But she does have moments of homesickness, especially since the Christmas season is almost here.
One day she receives an early Christmas gift from her Godfather, and she’s surprised when she unwraps it to discover her Godfather’s ugly old nutcracker. She can’t imagine why he’d send her such a gift, until she examines it more closely and discovers a hidden compartment. Inside is a beautiful magnifying glass, and when Clara puts it up to her eye, she’s shocked when the world around her dissolves and changes into a different version of the Paris she’s become familiar with.
Clara has just discovered the anderwelt, a secret, magical place where artisans and craftsmen and women can go to stretch their creativity. Everything created there takes on a different form in the real world, and each “handwerker” has a unique key that allows them to travel back and forth at will. But as Clara also finds out, someone is trying to sabotage the anderwelt by creating blights, sections of darkness and shadow that also affect the real Paris. With the help of her Godfather’s nephew Nathanael Nussbaum, who has an interesting history with Godfather and the anderwelt, she sets out to stop the person responsible for the blight and save the anderwelt—and the grand opening of the Exposition.
Miller uses just enough of the familiar Nutcracker elements to entice the reader while making the story her own. First, the story is set around Christmastime, which immediately calls to mind the joy and wonder of the famous ballet. We also see little touches throughout the story like an army of magical mice who act as the eyes and ears of Nathanael, tin soldiers, the appearance of dancers like Annabelle and a clockwork ballerina named Olympia, and of course, the iconic characters of Clara and the nutcracker. Miller’s story is a celebration of artistic creativity, as her main characters are all artisans who have the unique opportunity to let their imaginations fly—when they are in the anderwelt—and their creations appear in different forms in the real world, but they are just as wondrous. I loved the joyful, upbeat feel of the story, and you can tell that Rowenna Miller herself loves the process of crafting art in all its various forms.
Miller adds lots of little historical details of the time period as well. The story includes the Lumière Brothers, the French inventors who created an early version of the motion picture camera. Electricity is also a big deal at the Exposition, as it’s a fairly new invention for that time, and Clara incorporates electric lights in the Palace of Illusions display.
Interspersed among the chapters are stories written by Elias to Clara and her sister Louise when they were children, and I absolutely loved the inclusion of these tales. Each is written in such a way as to appear to be fiction, but in fact Elias is actually trying to tell them that the stories might in fact be true.
The setting and world-building are certainly the star attractions of The Palace of Illusions, but the characters are just as good. Readers will love Clara, who is much more focused on her work and learning about the anderwelt than romance, and I loved seeing a turn-of-the-century female character with a modern sensibility (although there is a romance, but it doesn't take center stage). She also cares deeply for the people in her life, including her sister Louise, who shows up at her Paris apartment unexpectedly with the excuse that Clara needs watching over (she doesn’t). Things are very tense between the sisters for a while, but gradually Louise fits herself into Clara’s new life and even discovers her own artistic abilities. All of the side characters add flavor to the story, even the bad guys who are trying to destroy the anderwelt.
While the middle section drags in some parts, Miller raises the stakes near the end with some thrilling action and danger. The feel good ending made me smile and wish I could go along with Clara and her friends on their next adventure.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
June 10, 2025
2.5⭐ | 0🌶️
Set in early 1900s Paris, this novel follows Clara, a young clockmaker invited to design the Palace of Illusions for a prestigious exhibition. It’s a story that blends invention with wonder, rooted in a world that slowly reveals its magical underside. When Clara’s mentor disapproves of her decision to go, they part on bad terms—though not before he leaves her with a mysterious object, a key to the Otherworld.
This book had everything to draw me in: a compelling premise, historical flair, and a heroine chasing her ambition. But the execution fell flat for me.
While the prose occasionally captured the magic of discovery, I struggled with the pacing and character logic. Clara is presented as logical and grounded, yet her choices often felt impulsive and confusing. Her reactions, especially toward someone who clearly holds answers she seeks, lacked coherence and left me frustrated. The story reminded me at times of Alice in Wonderland but Clara’s internal voice didn’t carry the same charm or consistency.
The inclusion of French and German throughout the text, while perhaps meant to add texture, disrupted the flow and added unnecessary friction. As someone fluent in French, even I stumbled at times, which made me wonder how others might fare.
Much of the conflict hinges on miscommunication or an unwillingness to communicate at all, and key moments felt artificially delayed to serve the plot. I also found the final act cluttered with events that didn’t add much, and I wish the Otherworld had been explored more deeply instead.
Despite a few endearing side characters, I never connected with Clara—and that made it hard to stay emotionally invested. I genuinely wanted to love this book, but in the end, it was a heavy read I had to push myself to finish.
___
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Set in early 1900s Paris, this novel follows Clara, a young clockmaker invited to design the Palace of Illusions for a prestigious exhibition. It’s a story that blends invention with wonder, rooted in a world that slowly reveals its magical underside. When Clara’s mentor disapproves of her decision to go, they part on bad terms—though not before he leaves her with a mysterious object, a key to the Otherworld.
This book had everything to draw me in: a compelling premise, historical flair, and a heroine chasing her ambition. But the execution fell flat for me.
While the prose occasionally captured the magic of discovery, I struggled with the pacing and character logic. Clara is presented as logical and grounded, yet her choices often felt impulsive and confusing. Her reactions, especially toward someone who clearly holds answers she seeks, lacked coherence and left me frustrated. The story reminded me at times of Alice in Wonderland but Clara’s internal voice didn’t carry the same charm or consistency.
The inclusion of French and German throughout the text, while perhaps meant to add texture, disrupted the flow and added unnecessary friction. As someone fluent in French, even I stumbled at times, which made me wonder how others might fare.
Much of the conflict hinges on miscommunication or an unwillingness to communicate at all, and key moments felt artificially delayed to serve the plot. I also found the final act cluttered with events that didn’t add much, and I wish the Otherworld had been explored more deeply instead.
Despite a few endearing side characters, I never connected with Clara—and that made it hard to stay emotionally invested. I genuinely wanted to love this book, but in the end, it was a heavy read I had to push myself to finish.
___
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
February 17, 2025
I’ve been looking for a retelling of the nutcracker. This one used all the elements but placed them in such a way that it formed a completely new story out of it.
I loved the stories within the story, the fairytales Clara’s Godfather told her growing up and the truths they concealed. I loved all the details, like castles made out of marzipan, sugarplums, and the descriptions of Paris.
But the story itself didn’t draw me in. Clara is an interesting enough character, but the plot dragged and the end felt hollow to me. I’ll give it credit for its creativity, but the execution was lacking.
(Thanks to Netgalley for the arc)
I loved the stories within the story, the fairytales Clara’s Godfather told her growing up and the truths they concealed. I loved all the details, like castles made out of marzipan, sugarplums, and the descriptions of Paris.
But the story itself didn’t draw me in. Clara is an interesting enough character, but the plot dragged and the end felt hollow to me. I’ll give it credit for its creativity, but the execution was lacking.
(Thanks to Netgalley for the arc)
January 4, 2026
For such a smart woman, Clara sure had some questionable ideas.
It was very magical, but rushed in parts. And if I hear "anderwelt" one more time..
Nonetheless, it was a nice start to 2026 (and I aspire to have personal development like Louise did)
It was very magical, but rushed in parts. And if I hear "anderwelt" one more time..
Nonetheless, it was a nice start to 2026 (and I aspire to have personal development like Louise did)
February 21, 2026
Clara Ironwood is a clockworker, and is in Paris, working for the 1900 World's Fair. She's employed to engineer the complicated arrangement of mirrors in the Palace of Illusions.
Clara came to Paris after having a terrible argument with her godfather, a master clockworker, who told her she would be wasting her talents working for the World's Fair. Furious, she left her comfortable life in the US and has been working long hours, crafting a marvel for the Palace, and keeping to herself.
One day, she receives a present from her estranged godfather. It's his ugly nutcracker, but when she opens a hidden compartment within it, she is shocked and dazzled by a gloriously beautiful mirror Paris. It's then that Clara realizes that all of her godfather's unusual and gorgeous clockwork toys were essentially pale imitations of what she sees in this other Paris.
As Clara begins exploring this other world, she begins to realize that there are others who seek to use it for their own selfish means, and she must determine whether the people she meets who know of this mirror world are friends or are dangerous. She also discovers that improper use of the mirror world creations (people like her, engineers, artists, etc. can create fantastic things while in this other place) can cause terrible damage to the place, as well as leave an imprint in the actual world.
As Clara learns more, she realizes that someone is attempting to bring part of the other world into actual Paris, and that this will have a catastrophic effect on the mirror world: the magic keeping the real and mirror worlds accessible to one another will be irreparably harmed.
I enjoyed this story a lot, but it is not fast-moving. The measured pace allows author Rowenna Miller to develop Clara's character, and give us a sense, first of the wonder of the mirror world, then gradually tease out how things work there, and then how it is at risk. The pacing frequently slows down when we move to the mirror world, and Clara's discovery of its charms and attributes. But Miller is also slow to tease out the threats to this wonderland.
At the same time, I was charmed by this story, and the careful work Miller does on Clara's characterization, with her initial standoffishness and rigidity, but also her keen analytical brain, and her relaxing and getting to know others, and to make friends. And eventually how she transitions to wanting to fight to protect the mirror world.
Miller's descriptions of the mirror world had me wanting to find my own way there to see the gorgeous colours and explore the possibilities. I also loved the in-novel stories Miller had crafted, as told by Clara's godfather, to explain the workings of the mirror world. They have the feel of dark fairy tales, which in many ways this novel felt like.
I greatly liked how Miller, inspired by the Nutcracker, crafted her own dark, beautiful fairy tale set in vibrant 1900 Paris.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Orbit Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Clara came to Paris after having a terrible argument with her godfather, a master clockworker, who told her she would be wasting her talents working for the World's Fair. Furious, she left her comfortable life in the US and has been working long hours, crafting a marvel for the Palace, and keeping to herself.
One day, she receives a present from her estranged godfather. It's his ugly nutcracker, but when she opens a hidden compartment within it, she is shocked and dazzled by a gloriously beautiful mirror Paris. It's then that Clara realizes that all of her godfather's unusual and gorgeous clockwork toys were essentially pale imitations of what she sees in this other Paris.
As Clara begins exploring this other world, she begins to realize that there are others who seek to use it for their own selfish means, and she must determine whether the people she meets who know of this mirror world are friends or are dangerous. She also discovers that improper use of the mirror world creations (people like her, engineers, artists, etc. can create fantastic things while in this other place) can cause terrible damage to the place, as well as leave an imprint in the actual world.
As Clara learns more, she realizes that someone is attempting to bring part of the other world into actual Paris, and that this will have a catastrophic effect on the mirror world: the magic keeping the real and mirror worlds accessible to one another will be irreparably harmed.
I enjoyed this story a lot, but it is not fast-moving. The measured pace allows author Rowenna Miller to develop Clara's character, and give us a sense, first of the wonder of the mirror world, then gradually tease out how things work there, and then how it is at risk. The pacing frequently slows down when we move to the mirror world, and Clara's discovery of its charms and attributes. But Miller is also slow to tease out the threats to this wonderland.
At the same time, I was charmed by this story, and the careful work Miller does on Clara's characterization, with her initial standoffishness and rigidity, but also her keen analytical brain, and her relaxing and getting to know others, and to make friends. And eventually how she transitions to wanting to fight to protect the mirror world.
Miller's descriptions of the mirror world had me wanting to find my own way there to see the gorgeous colours and explore the possibilities. I also loved the in-novel stories Miller had crafted, as told by Clara's godfather, to explain the workings of the mirror world. They have the feel of dark fairy tales, which in many ways this novel felt like.
I greatly liked how Miller, inspired by the Nutcracker, crafted her own dark, beautiful fairy tale set in vibrant 1900 Paris.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Orbit Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
May 11, 2025
The Palace of Illusions by Rowena Miller is a whimsical, atmospheric retelling of The Nutcracker set in a dazzling, magical version of 1900s Paris. It beautifully blends innovation, art, and enchantment into a story that’s both creative and captivating.
Clara Ironwood, a talented clockworker, discovers a hidden mirror-world Paris where fountains spout lemonade, the Seine sings, and mechanical ballerinas dance with lifelike grace. Rowena Miller’s vivid imagery makes this world feel dreamlike and immersive—it’s pure magic on the page.
As Clara’s journey unfolds, danger creeps in. The boundaries between the real and magical Parises begin to blur, and the tension builds. While the pacing dragged in a few spots, the overall experience was enchanting and imaginative.
This is a unique, richly detailed read perfect for fans of historical fantasy, fairy tale retellings, and stories with a touch of whimsy. I received this from NetGalley as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Clara Ironwood, a talented clockworker, discovers a hidden mirror-world Paris where fountains spout lemonade, the Seine sings, and mechanical ballerinas dance with lifelike grace. Rowena Miller’s vivid imagery makes this world feel dreamlike and immersive—it’s pure magic on the page.
As Clara’s journey unfolds, danger creeps in. The boundaries between the real and magical Parises begin to blur, and the tension builds. While the pacing dragged in a few spots, the overall experience was enchanting and imaginative.
This is a unique, richly detailed read perfect for fans of historical fantasy, fairy tale retellings, and stories with a touch of whimsy. I received this from NetGalley as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2025
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2025/06/18/...
Heading into The Palace of Illusions, I actually didn’t realize it was inspired by The Nutcracker, which made discovering those connections along the way even more of a delightful surprise. A loose reimagining it may be, but it did draw upon the spirit and imagery of the classic ballet while forging its own way, and I really enjoyed the direction Rowenna Miller took with the plot.
The story follows Clara Ironwood, a gifted clockworker who has traveled to Paris from her native Wisconsin to assist in constructing the Palace of Illusions for the 1900 World’s Fair. Fresh from her apprenticeship under her beloved godfather, a legendary clockworker himself, Clara is determined to forge her own path, especially as her decision to leave home caused a rift between them. Rather than dwell on regrets, however, she immerses herself in her work on the Palace of Illusion’s complex house of mirrors which are designed to showcase the marvels of electricity.
Then one day, everything changes when she receives a mysterious gift from her godfather: a nutcracker which holds the key to a whole new world beneath the city. All of a sudden, Clara finds herself plunged into this hidden realm, called the “anderwelt,” an alternate version of Paris brimming with wonder and creation. Here, anything you imagine can come to life—statues that move, houses made of candy, clockwork ballerinas that twirl and leap. But the more Clara explores this fantastical reality, adding her own mark to it in some instances, the more she gets the sense that not everything is as perfect as it seems. Along the way, she meets a host of strange and morally ambiguous characters—some who are allies, others who are hiding dangerous motives. Clara isn’t sure who she can trust, but she must figure out the mystery of the two Parises before the magic binding them can unravel.
I loved how Miller spends a great deal of time going into the ins-and-outs of the anderwelt, and in some places, it is magical realism at its finest. But although this deep exploration can be fascinating, admittedly it can also slow the story down. As our protagonist becomes increasingly obsessed with the enchanted version of the city, her efforts to uncover its origins can sometimes come at the expense of momentum. That said, what keeps the plot engaging and the reader turning the pages is the character’s personal growth as well as her meaningful relationships as the novel unfolds.
From the start, Clara’s sharp mind and analytical nature are front and center. Approaching every challenge with logic and determination, convinced that with enough time and testing that any problem can be solved, she can come across a little distant and cold, having little interest in anything outside of her work. Granted, part of that also stems from her feeling that she has something to prove, as one of the few women in her field. Despite this chip on her shoulder though, she remains generally congenial, even if she harbors some lingering resentment toward her godfather for turning his back on her. But once Clara enters the anderwelt, the transformation begins. There, she is able to set aside her rational mindset for at least a moment, allowing herself to marvel at the wondrous sights and sounds around her. She becomes more open, more emotionally vulnerable, and far more approachable—finally letting others in, and learning to accept help along the way.
Then there is the incredible duality of the worlds that the author has created. The anderwelt is practically bursting with vibrant imagery and all manner of impossible creatures, so much so that the people in the real world almost feel muted by comparison. But speaking of the characters, one of the most compelling figures is one who doesn’t even feature much in the book at all: Clara’s godfather. Yet his presence is strongly felt throughout, especially in the whimsical tales he spins, which are recalled and scattered across the narrative like little fairy tale breadcrumbs. The historical setting adds another layer of richness, with Miller’s gorgeously imagined turn-of-the-century Paris offering a charming backdrop. The Nutcracker inspiration is on full display, and I think there’s plenty that fans will enjoy.
All told, I really liked the direction Rowenna Miller took with the concept, blending magic, engineering, and history into something that felt fresh. Highly recommended for classic fairy tale lovers or readers who can appreciate a retelling that is both down-to-earth and dares to be different.
Heading into The Palace of Illusions, I actually didn’t realize it was inspired by The Nutcracker, which made discovering those connections along the way even more of a delightful surprise. A loose reimagining it may be, but it did draw upon the spirit and imagery of the classic ballet while forging its own way, and I really enjoyed the direction Rowenna Miller took with the plot.
The story follows Clara Ironwood, a gifted clockworker who has traveled to Paris from her native Wisconsin to assist in constructing the Palace of Illusions for the 1900 World’s Fair. Fresh from her apprenticeship under her beloved godfather, a legendary clockworker himself, Clara is determined to forge her own path, especially as her decision to leave home caused a rift between them. Rather than dwell on regrets, however, she immerses herself in her work on the Palace of Illusion’s complex house of mirrors which are designed to showcase the marvels of electricity.
Then one day, everything changes when she receives a mysterious gift from her godfather: a nutcracker which holds the key to a whole new world beneath the city. All of a sudden, Clara finds herself plunged into this hidden realm, called the “anderwelt,” an alternate version of Paris brimming with wonder and creation. Here, anything you imagine can come to life—statues that move, houses made of candy, clockwork ballerinas that twirl and leap. But the more Clara explores this fantastical reality, adding her own mark to it in some instances, the more she gets the sense that not everything is as perfect as it seems. Along the way, she meets a host of strange and morally ambiguous characters—some who are allies, others who are hiding dangerous motives. Clara isn’t sure who she can trust, but she must figure out the mystery of the two Parises before the magic binding them can unravel.
I loved how Miller spends a great deal of time going into the ins-and-outs of the anderwelt, and in some places, it is magical realism at its finest. But although this deep exploration can be fascinating, admittedly it can also slow the story down. As our protagonist becomes increasingly obsessed with the enchanted version of the city, her efforts to uncover its origins can sometimes come at the expense of momentum. That said, what keeps the plot engaging and the reader turning the pages is the character’s personal growth as well as her meaningful relationships as the novel unfolds.
From the start, Clara’s sharp mind and analytical nature are front and center. Approaching every challenge with logic and determination, convinced that with enough time and testing that any problem can be solved, she can come across a little distant and cold, having little interest in anything outside of her work. Granted, part of that also stems from her feeling that she has something to prove, as one of the few women in her field. Despite this chip on her shoulder though, she remains generally congenial, even if she harbors some lingering resentment toward her godfather for turning his back on her. But once Clara enters the anderwelt, the transformation begins. There, she is able to set aside her rational mindset for at least a moment, allowing herself to marvel at the wondrous sights and sounds around her. She becomes more open, more emotionally vulnerable, and far more approachable—finally letting others in, and learning to accept help along the way.
Then there is the incredible duality of the worlds that the author has created. The anderwelt is practically bursting with vibrant imagery and all manner of impossible creatures, so much so that the people in the real world almost feel muted by comparison. But speaking of the characters, one of the most compelling figures is one who doesn’t even feature much in the book at all: Clara’s godfather. Yet his presence is strongly felt throughout, especially in the whimsical tales he spins, which are recalled and scattered across the narrative like little fairy tale breadcrumbs. The historical setting adds another layer of richness, with Miller’s gorgeously imagined turn-of-the-century Paris offering a charming backdrop. The Nutcracker inspiration is on full display, and I think there’s plenty that fans will enjoy.
All told, I really liked the direction Rowenna Miller took with the concept, blending magic, engineering, and history into something that felt fresh. Highly recommended for classic fairy tale lovers or readers who can appreciate a retelling that is both down-to-earth and dares to be different.
May 4, 2025
I’ve never read a retelling of The Nutcracker and found this one interesting.
I do think this was whimsically and magical. I found the imagery wonderful and creative. I liked the plot and how they went from reality to the “other world”. It was a cool concept but I do feel like it dragged a bit for me until the ending. I feel like the ending was a little underwhelming though.
All that said; I did like this book and I do think others will too.
I do think this was whimsically and magical. I found the imagery wonderful and creative. I liked the plot and how they went from reality to the “other world”. It was a cool concept but I do feel like it dragged a bit for me until the ending. I feel like the ending was a little underwhelming though.
All that said; I did like this book and I do think others will too.
December 29, 2025
More thoughts later - despite a bit of a mushy middle, this was a fun jaunt through the story of the nutcracker by way of the World Fair in early 1900s Paris.
3.5 stars!
3.5 stars!
May 25, 2025
The Palace of Illusions is a loosely based on The Nutcracker. You can certainly see the key themes and points, but this is not a step-by-step retelling but rather an original story inspired by the classic tale. The story caught my interest from the very beginning and I liked Clara as a narrator. There were one or two moments when I would have liked to have known more, but for the most part the world building was nicely handled, the reader learning new information along with Clara. A couple of the secondary characters were not so well fleshed out, but most of them came across well and added to the story and events. The blend of turn-of-the-century Paris and the magical parallel world created a fun atmosphere and great visual interest for the setting, all of which the author described well without being too wordy. Overall, I would recommend this book to fans of fantasy retellings in historical settings. I am giving it 4.5 stars.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2025
Ahh, This was fun! I enjoyed the first book from this writer so I was very hopeful about this one, too. I was lucky enough to get a copy from Netgalley for review early so win! :-)
I loved the setting and the characters were lovable as well. Nice setup for a new world to explore, with a solid adventure to boot. I had a good time reading this one. The MC does make a few stupid decisions for being supposedly such a brilliant character but she has been dropped into something completely unfamiliar to her that keeps getting bigger as the novel continues. I liked how her relationship with her sister progresses as well as getting to know her new friends and opening up to the world she's found herself.
I loved the setting and the characters were lovable as well. Nice setup for a new world to explore, with a solid adventure to boot. I had a good time reading this one. The MC does make a few stupid decisions for being supposedly such a brilliant character but she has been dropped into something completely unfamiliar to her that keeps getting bigger as the novel continues. I liked how her relationship with her sister progresses as well as getting to know her new friends and opening up to the world she's found herself.
December 28, 2025
And is the nutcracker retelling in the room with us? The last 70 or so pages are a jumbled mess of newly introduced mechanics into this magical world that already makes little sense. A guy whose whole life revolves around making things has to have his hand amputated and it almost seems like he doesn’t give a fuck. I’ve seen lots of reviews praising the authors prose, and I agree there’s certainly times where it’s nice, but I also found some descriptions lacking/confusing and a lot of scenes had non existent or clunky transitions. Anyway now I regret not seeing the nutcracker this year
June 24, 2025
This one really hit the spot for me at the right time. I’m always looking for more fantasy standalones because I’m already in the middle of so many series so I was excited to get another one from Rowenna Miller after enjoying one of hers in the past.
Historical fiction is often hard for me to enjoy. I like having completely new worlds to get lost in (fantasy) or interesting technology to learn about (scifi). This book gave me a bit of both to some extent. The other world the MC discovered has the fantastical elements I love and while the technology used in this book wasn’t anywhere near the scifi tech I love, the characters’ own excitement over it filled in really well for that. It combined for a whimsical, awe-inspiring, and exciting mixture that kept me engaged throughout the entire book.
While the start of the book did feel a bit slow, overall the story had a steady pace throughout the entire book that matched the story well. The awe and the fear of the MC introduced exciting elements and while the darker aspects of the story took up more and more space the closer we got to the end, the book never lost its whimsical magic that made me fall in love with the world in the first place.
This was set in Paris so of course there was a little bit of romance. Spice-averse readers, have no fear though. While this was really sweet, it didn’t actually take up a lot of page time and the intimacy on page was emotional rather than physical. It worked well for this story, though the beginnings of their emotional involvement did feel a little rushed after their unconventional first interactions.
Is this a book for every reader? No. While the stakes were high for the characters, I do think the slower pace and whimsical feel of it won’t be for everyone. Did I enjoy it immensely myself and think it’ll work for many people anyways? Yes, definitely. The historical fiction, cozy whimsy, fantastical elements, and sweet romance should appeal to plenty of readers that can also get a taste of a genre they might not otherwise think to explore.
Historical fiction is often hard for me to enjoy. I like having completely new worlds to get lost in (fantasy) or interesting technology to learn about (scifi). This book gave me a bit of both to some extent. The other world the MC discovered has the fantastical elements I love and while the technology used in this book wasn’t anywhere near the scifi tech I love, the characters’ own excitement over it filled in really well for that. It combined for a whimsical, awe-inspiring, and exciting mixture that kept me engaged throughout the entire book.
While the start of the book did feel a bit slow, overall the story had a steady pace throughout the entire book that matched the story well. The awe and the fear of the MC introduced exciting elements and while the darker aspects of the story took up more and more space the closer we got to the end, the book never lost its whimsical magic that made me fall in love with the world in the first place.
This was set in Paris so of course there was a little bit of romance. Spice-averse readers, have no fear though. While this was really sweet, it didn’t actually take up a lot of page time and the intimacy on page was emotional rather than physical. It worked well for this story, though the beginnings of their emotional involvement did feel a little rushed after their unconventional first interactions.
Is this a book for every reader? No. While the stakes were high for the characters, I do think the slower pace and whimsical feel of it won’t be for everyone. Did I enjoy it immensely myself and think it’ll work for many people anyways? Yes, definitely. The historical fiction, cozy whimsy, fantastical elements, and sweet romance should appeal to plenty of readers that can also get a taste of a genre they might not otherwise think to explore.
June 4, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
The Palace of Illusions by Rowenna Miller is a third person-POV historical fantasy reimagining of The Nutcracker set in Paris before the 1900 World Fair. Clara and her sister Louise have come from America and arrived in Paris for Clara to assist in the construction of the Palace of Illusions. But a mysterious nutcracker sent from her godfather allows Clara to enter a magical world and for her to start putting some of the magic into her own creations.
I would definitely put this as a reimagining as it contains a lot of elements of The Nutcracker, such as the gift of a nutcracker and ballerinas that are references to the Land of Sweets, but they aren’t used in a way that follows the storyline closely enough for me to think of it as a retelling. I think some of this might be that I have always interpreted The Nutcracker as something of a romance because my first real exposure to it was an animated film that focused on the relationship between Clara and the Nutcracker. But taken purely from the ballet itself, I would still call this a reimagining because the features that I would associate with the Lane of Sweets came sooner than I remember them being in the ballet.
One thing I really liked is that Clara and Louise are German-American so they aren’t super familiar with all of the nuances of Paris and faith in Europe but they have retained certain parts of their Germanic heritage, such as still being Lutheran. It creates this dynamic where Clara knows some things, parts of Paris are familiar to her in some ways, but other parts are very new and she lacks the background to understand everything she’s told. It’s a very realistic depiction of being the child of an immigrant.
The pacing is on the slower side, but the worldbuilding and character aspects were balanced so nicely that I felt the book flew by. There’s a decent amount of worldbuilding and maybe I’m just very familiar with The Nutcracker, but I never found it overwhelming. I loved the balance of the fantastical and the historical in how it’s all built and would love to see that even more because I feel like historical fantasy usually takes the historical and makes it fantastical instead of building both the historical and the fantastical and they are sometimes one and the same and sometimes they are very separate. It was cool.
I would recommend this to fans of historical fantasy that are also reimaginings and readers of fantasy looking for something set in Europe in the turn of the twentieth century.
The Palace of Illusions by Rowenna Miller is a third person-POV historical fantasy reimagining of The Nutcracker set in Paris before the 1900 World Fair. Clara and her sister Louise have come from America and arrived in Paris for Clara to assist in the construction of the Palace of Illusions. But a mysterious nutcracker sent from her godfather allows Clara to enter a magical world and for her to start putting some of the magic into her own creations.
I would definitely put this as a reimagining as it contains a lot of elements of The Nutcracker, such as the gift of a nutcracker and ballerinas that are references to the Land of Sweets, but they aren’t used in a way that follows the storyline closely enough for me to think of it as a retelling. I think some of this might be that I have always interpreted The Nutcracker as something of a romance because my first real exposure to it was an animated film that focused on the relationship between Clara and the Nutcracker. But taken purely from the ballet itself, I would still call this a reimagining because the features that I would associate with the Lane of Sweets came sooner than I remember them being in the ballet.
One thing I really liked is that Clara and Louise are German-American so they aren’t super familiar with all of the nuances of Paris and faith in Europe but they have retained certain parts of their Germanic heritage, such as still being Lutheran. It creates this dynamic where Clara knows some things, parts of Paris are familiar to her in some ways, but other parts are very new and she lacks the background to understand everything she’s told. It’s a very realistic depiction of being the child of an immigrant.
The pacing is on the slower side, but the worldbuilding and character aspects were balanced so nicely that I felt the book flew by. There’s a decent amount of worldbuilding and maybe I’m just very familiar with The Nutcracker, but I never found it overwhelming. I loved the balance of the fantastical and the historical in how it’s all built and would love to see that even more because I feel like historical fantasy usually takes the historical and makes it fantastical instead of building both the historical and the fantastical and they are sometimes one and the same and sometimes they are very separate. It was cool.
I would recommend this to fans of historical fantasy that are also reimaginings and readers of fantasy looking for something set in Europe in the turn of the twentieth century.
March 29, 2025
Retellings of The Nutcracker are some of my favorite retellings to read. The combination of the Christmas elements and fantasy is very appealing to me, and I’m always intrigued by how Drosselmeyer will be portrayed since he’s a very mysterious character in the original story and the ballet.
This was a slightly different retelling since Clara learned from Drosselmeyer and has brought her skills to Paris to work on the Palace of Illusions, an upcoming exhibit at the world’s fair.
The beginning started out very Christmassy and I loved that, but most of the story takes place after Christmas. This definitely has more fantasy than the original and I liked seeing Clara explore the other world. Both the descriptions of the real Paris and the corresponding mirror world were lush and vivid and really came to life in my head. There are also quite a few mysterious characters introduced so I was never sure who was actually after Clara and who wanted to help her which made for some interesting twists and turns.
I did think the middle dragged a little bit and the resolution of the conflict happened kind of quickly — and then the book just ended, but overall I enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend it for fans of The Nutcracker. 3.5 stars
This was a slightly different retelling since Clara learned from Drosselmeyer and has brought her skills to Paris to work on the Palace of Illusions, an upcoming exhibit at the world’s fair.
The beginning started out very Christmassy and I loved that, but most of the story takes place after Christmas. This definitely has more fantasy than the original and I liked seeing Clara explore the other world. Both the descriptions of the real Paris and the corresponding mirror world were lush and vivid and really came to life in my head. There are also quite a few mysterious characters introduced so I was never sure who was actually after Clara and who wanted to help her which made for some interesting twists and turns.
I did think the middle dragged a little bit and the resolution of the conflict happened kind of quickly — and then the book just ended, but overall I enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend it for fans of The Nutcracker. 3.5 stars
August 27, 2025
I was really excited for this book. A steampunk, Jules Verne-esque take on The Nutcracker? Say less. I've been obsessed with the ballet and story since childhood.
The story was good, well-written. There are characters and elements of inspiration from the original story/ballet and the book is a fun bit of steampunk scifi mixed with a bit of fantasy and suspense. The characters are fun, a few of the story points are a bit confusing, the main mystery is a bit clunky and the bad guy is exactly who it appears to be all along (even though the author keeps trying to misdirect, she doesn't do it very well), not to mention the ending feels a tiny bit rushed. Other than that, I think I was really hoping for something a little stranger and darker and while this book was a good book, it just wasn't what I hoped. That said, I'm not sorry I read it.
I would definitely give other stories by the author a chance as well, and I'll share this book with friends. 3.5 rounded up to 4.
The story was good, well-written. There are characters and elements of inspiration from the original story/ballet and the book is a fun bit of steampunk scifi mixed with a bit of fantasy and suspense. The characters are fun, a few of the story points are a bit confusing, the main mystery is a bit clunky and the bad guy is exactly who it appears to be all along (even though the author keeps trying to misdirect, she doesn't do it very well), not to mention the ending feels a tiny bit rushed. Other than that, I think I was really hoping for something a little stranger and darker and while this book was a good book, it just wasn't what I hoped. That said, I'm not sorry I read it.
I would definitely give other stories by the author a chance as well, and I'll share this book with friends. 3.5 rounded up to 4.
June 19, 2025
an interesting take on the nutcracker for sure! this one starts pretty slowly but picks up after the halfway mark. i had trouble getting attached to some of the side characters, but the 'other Paris' was very beautifully described + i enjoyed the prose!
i liked the 'fairytale' stories that were from Clara's godfather, the author is pretty good at writing fable-type stories that fit well with nutcracker canon :)
i liked the 'fairytale' stories that were from Clara's godfather, the author is pretty good at writing fable-type stories that fit well with nutcracker canon :)
July 1, 2025
A magical tour of Paris and, of course, Milwaukee, where contrasts abound. Not just geographically, Midwest vs. City of Lights, but two versions of Paris that we can immerse ourselves in. Rowenna brings us a talented heroine that seems, over and over again, in over her head, yet shows us unequivocally that she’s up to the task. Family plays a big part in the novel, along with her newly adopted allies in Paris that become her second clan. Toss in a mouse army and keys to the otherworld and you get a wide-ranging story that imagines wonders that carry you along speedily.
Only the occasional f-bombs dropped by an eccentric German detracted from the brilliance of this writing. Magda was tough and ornery enough without the jarring epithets. But I highly recommend this fantastic story from a fellow Hoosier. Patiently awaiting more from this author!
Only the occasional f-bombs dropped by an eccentric German detracted from the brilliance of this writing. Magda was tough and ornery enough without the jarring epithets. But I highly recommend this fantastic story from a fellow Hoosier. Patiently awaiting more from this author!
April 6, 2025
3.5/5 stars!
So whimsical and mysterious!
While I did struggle to stay invested until about halfway through, I did thoroughly enjoy the story and absolutely love any book that transports you to a magical land! I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a calmer, less anxiety inducing fantasy!
Soft romance, no spice.
So whimsical and mysterious!
While I did struggle to stay invested until about halfway through, I did thoroughly enjoy the story and absolutely love any book that transports you to a magical land! I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a calmer, less anxiety inducing fantasy!
Soft romance, no spice.
June 4, 2025
This was such a unique book, inspired by The Nutcracker and taking place in early 1900's Paris with glimpses into a magical other world overlaid onto it.
The descriptions of the other world were so whimsical and wonderful, I was always so excited to see new places just to see what incredible things would be there!
The FMC was a very different main character which I enjoyed. Bad with people, completely obsessed with her work, and lacking a lot of fun in her life. Watching how she opened up but still stayed true to herself during her adventures was lovely.
While this was a slower-paced book I still found the plot exciting, trying to figure out what was happening to the other world while also preparing for the world's fair exposition.
Overall this was a fun read that somehow felt nostalgic to me, like reading a whimsical book from my childhood.
Thanks to the publisher for the copy.
The descriptions of the other world were so whimsical and wonderful, I was always so excited to see new places just to see what incredible things would be there!
The FMC was a very different main character which I enjoyed. Bad with people, completely obsessed with her work, and lacking a lot of fun in her life. Watching how she opened up but still stayed true to herself during her adventures was lovely.
While this was a slower-paced book I still found the plot exciting, trying to figure out what was happening to the other world while also preparing for the world's fair exposition.
Overall this was a fun read that somehow felt nostalgic to me, like reading a whimsical book from my childhood.
Thanks to the publisher for the copy.
December 3, 2025
3 stars
A lovely/early Christmas Eve gift from my mom, who managed to find a book I’d never heard of but seemed to be written for me. (Paris! The Nutcracker! The 1900 World’s Fair!) The idea behind this book is 5 stars and wonderfully unique, though the execution is, at times, lacking. Miller’s universe doesn’t follow its own rules if it advances the plot. Overall I still enjoyed this, though.
A lovely/early Christmas Eve gift from my mom, who managed to find a book I’d never heard of but seemed to be written for me. (Paris! The Nutcracker! The 1900 World’s Fair!) The idea behind this book is 5 stars and wonderfully unique, though the execution is, at times, lacking. Miller’s universe doesn’t follow its own rules if it advances the plot. Overall I still enjoyed this, though.
February 3, 2026
Imaginative, well-written loose re-telling of The Nutcracker! I listened to the audio book and while the narrator was wonderful, I think I would have preferred reading an actual copy of the book.
Content considerations: a few f-bombs. Mild sensuality.
Content considerations: a few f-bombs. Mild sensuality.
February 7, 2026
It was pretty slow at the beginning, and I was relieved when it started to pick up once Clara got to the anderwelt. I will say the book seems to be more inspired by Sandman rather than The Nutcracker.
February 14, 2026
3 stars
🌟🌟🌟
It felt like it dragged on a bit, especially in the middle and end. Although I enjoyed a couple of the characters, they became quite repetitive in their personalities, not as in depth as I hoped.
The plotline is fun but just not executed the way I had hoped.
🌟🌟🌟
It felt like it dragged on a bit, especially in the middle and end. Although I enjoyed a couple of the characters, they became quite repetitive in their personalities, not as in depth as I hoped.
The plotline is fun but just not executed the way I had hoped.
June 29, 2025
probably should have known this is a Nutcracker retelling....I was more excited about Paris before the 1900 World's Fair. decent story, just not what I expected
September 20, 2025
Sweet and fun but simplistic. Wanted more depth and nuance.
November 20, 2025
3.5
It was good, I’m waiting for it to be great
It was good, I’m waiting for it to be great
January 7, 2026
This was an utterly delightful read! Much better, in my opinion, than the original novella on which it was based. I loved Clara as a main character, and all the supporting characters were wonderful as well, especially Magda. The sister subplot warmed my heart. My only complaint (if it can even be called a complaint) is that Clara went from being absolutely terrified of Nathanael to being in love with him far too quickly.
July 20, 2025
Entertaining but should have been shorter
August 13, 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Rowenna Miller for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Palace of Illusions coming out June 10, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I enjoyed the setting. I think it was fantastical. It was a little long for me, but I enjoyed the characters. I’d check out more books by this author.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I enjoyed the setting. I think it was fantastical. It was a little long for me, but I enjoyed the characters. I’d check out more books by this author.
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