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Prince Dustin and Clara #2
Secrets of the Black Forest
Time is running out! Prince Dustin and Clara only have three days to save the kingdoms deep in the Black Forest. They must journey even deeper into the woods, a mystical and perilous realm of magic, enchantment and monstrous creatures. Clara soon discovers why those that travel to this faraway land seldom return to tell their tales. They never suspect that Clara's uncle, Herr Drosselmeyer, a powerful wizard, has a dark secret that becomes their biggest challenge.
The thrilling adventure continues for 12-year old Clara and Prince Dustin, as Clara returns to the Land of Legends, a magical place of creatures and animals; a brave prince, fairy tale princesses, and a Snow Queen.
Prince Dustin and Clara ... a classic tale of fantasy and adventure!
The thrilling adventure continues for 12-year old Clara and Prince Dustin, as Clara returns to the Land of Legends, a magical place of creatures and animals; a brave prince, fairy tale princesses, and a Snow Queen.
Prince Dustin and Clara ... a classic tale of fantasy and adventure!
202 pages, Hardcover
Published August 29, 2019
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 2, 2020
Beautiful scenery sets the stage for an adventure full of tension, deception, magic and a sprinkle of fairy tale hope.
Note: This is the 2nd book in the series but can be read as a stand alone. I would, however, recommend reading the first book as it does add to the depth of the characters and situation.
Prince Dustin and Clara find themselves hurrying against the clock to save the fantastical kingdoms hidden within the Black Forest, but time isn't their own problem. They must journey into the darkest corners, there where even Clare has never heard tales about. The creatures they face are deadly, but the true evil behind everything poses the biggest threat.
This is a retelling of the Nutcracker and what a magical tale it is! The author sets the entire book in one of the most beautiful and mystical places in Europe, the Black Forest. Here, fairy tales come true and the most evil and sinister creatures lurk in the shadows. It's the perfect setting and very well described. The story itself is a lovely spin on the Nutcracker. It offers quite a bit of adventure and unexpected twists and turns the entire way through. While it does have it's sweet and magical moments, it carries just as many sinister ones. There's a bit of mystery thrown in and a wonderful sense of urgency.
Clara is quite the heroine and offers a more solid personality the one often portrayed in the ballet. She grows as the situation requires but doesn't only try to depend on herself. Her friendship with Prince Dustin and others help her along as she tries to discover the truth. Young readers will enjoy rooting for her and dreaming of their own magical adventure.
Note: This is the 2nd book in the series but can be read as a stand alone. I would, however, recommend reading the first book as it does add to the depth of the characters and situation.
Prince Dustin and Clara find themselves hurrying against the clock to save the fantastical kingdoms hidden within the Black Forest, but time isn't their own problem. They must journey into the darkest corners, there where even Clare has never heard tales about. The creatures they face are deadly, but the true evil behind everything poses the biggest threat.
This is a retelling of the Nutcracker and what a magical tale it is! The author sets the entire book in one of the most beautiful and mystical places in Europe, the Black Forest. Here, fairy tales come true and the most evil and sinister creatures lurk in the shadows. It's the perfect setting and very well described. The story itself is a lovely spin on the Nutcracker. It offers quite a bit of adventure and unexpected twists and turns the entire way through. While it does have it's sweet and magical moments, it carries just as many sinister ones. There's a bit of mystery thrown in and a wonderful sense of urgency.
Clara is quite the heroine and offers a more solid personality the one often portrayed in the ballet. She grows as the situation requires but doesn't only try to depend on herself. Her friendship with Prince Dustin and others help her along as she tries to discover the truth. Young readers will enjoy rooting for her and dreaming of their own magical adventure.
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June 3, 2021The prologue of Secrets of the Black Forest alludes toward something bad or ominous about to happen. Herr Drosselmeyer and Queen Nordika, the Snow Queen are concerned with visions of upcoming danger. In the beginning chapters, The Mouse King, Egon has kidnapped the Sugar Plum Fairy and a valiant rescue team was assembled. Following their departure, the action begins to take off. I really like that Nicholson set the story in the Black Forest of Germany. I'm picturing densely wooded areas, mountain ranges and the site of many of Grimm's fairytales. As Prince Dustin and Clara make their way through the Black Forest, they encounter many magical creatures. Some kind of silly, like the Knuddeligs , a baby bear-like creature who seems to want to snuggle. And others that are helpful like the Schmetterling or butterflies. Yet, the Black Forest maintains its image as a dark place, a place that is best not to venture into. When the group encounters the Lovely Ladies of Tanzer Lake Island, I never thought they would be able to escape. So definitely a story filled with action and adventuring. I'm curious if there are plans for another story in the series and hope to read the first book in the future. Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 11, 2019
Reviewed by Alyvia (age 11) for Reader Views Kids (10/19)
“Prince Dustin and Clara: Secrets of the Black Forest” by Daniel Lee Nicholson is the second book in the Secrets of the Black Forest Series.
The world the author created is wonderful with dark scary creatures, really evil wizards and a Mouse King. Which yes, is along the same story line of the” Nutcracker,” but so much better.
Prince Dustin, Bronson, a beaver, the General, which is a Sheppard dog of the royal guard, and Clara must find Princess Sugar Plum before Egon the Mouse King does something horrible to her. The group of friends find themselves going through the black forest with all these terrifying creatures they barely escape from, and the Ladies of Tanzer Lake which were not friendly and very scary on their journey to the castle where Princess Sugar Plum is being kept by Egon and Clara’s Uncle Herr Drosselmeyer . Who by the way has a dark secret, that you would never have expected.
I think my favorite character in the book would be, Clara, who is so fun, brave and adventurous. She wants to help her friends no matter what.
My two favorite parts were finding out Clara’s Uncle Herr Drosselmeyer’s secret and when the group was chased through the Black Forest by the scorpion type creatures. I really think it was kinda gross that the Mouse King would have eaten them if he could. I guess that showed the reader how evil the Mouse King was.
Even though this is a standalone book, I feel you would know more about the current situation of this story and the characters better if you had read the first book as well.
“Prince Dustin and Clara: Secrets of the Black Forest” by Daniel Lee Nicholson is an epic adventure that once you start reading, you can’t put down. I loved everything about the story, from the magical kingdoms to the brave characters and even the really scary creatures. The part when they were in the water and the creatures were swimming around them in the fog, was super creepy. This is a great adventure story for kids ages nine and up.
“Prince Dustin and Clara: Secrets of the Black Forest” by Daniel Lee Nicholson is the second book in the Secrets of the Black Forest Series.
The world the author created is wonderful with dark scary creatures, really evil wizards and a Mouse King. Which yes, is along the same story line of the” Nutcracker,” but so much better.
Prince Dustin, Bronson, a beaver, the General, which is a Sheppard dog of the royal guard, and Clara must find Princess Sugar Plum before Egon the Mouse King does something horrible to her. The group of friends find themselves going through the black forest with all these terrifying creatures they barely escape from, and the Ladies of Tanzer Lake which were not friendly and very scary on their journey to the castle where Princess Sugar Plum is being kept by Egon and Clara’s Uncle Herr Drosselmeyer . Who by the way has a dark secret, that you would never have expected.
I think my favorite character in the book would be, Clara, who is so fun, brave and adventurous. She wants to help her friends no matter what.
My two favorite parts were finding out Clara’s Uncle Herr Drosselmeyer’s secret and when the group was chased through the Black Forest by the scorpion type creatures. I really think it was kinda gross that the Mouse King would have eaten them if he could. I guess that showed the reader how evil the Mouse King was.
Even though this is a standalone book, I feel you would know more about the current situation of this story and the characters better if you had read the first book as well.
“Prince Dustin and Clara: Secrets of the Black Forest” by Daniel Lee Nicholson is an epic adventure that once you start reading, you can’t put down. I loved everything about the story, from the magical kingdoms to the brave characters and even the really scary creatures. The part when they were in the water and the creatures were swimming around them in the fog, was super creepy. This is a great adventure story for kids ages nine and up.
November 5, 2019
Clara is a 12-year-old ballerina who lives in her “hometown” and can be brought to the Nutcracker world by Prince Dustin, a Nutcracker. They go on a journey to save Princess Sugar Plum, Prince Dustin’s adopted fairy sister who was captured by the horrible Egon. They then realize that they must save the whole Nutcracker realm from Egon. Herr Drosselmeyer, Clara’s uncle, who is a wizard, is helping Egon. Clara is very confused as to why her uncle is helping Egon. Will Prince Dustin and Clara be able to save Princess Sugar Plum? Will they be able to save the kingdoms in the Nutcracker realm? Or will Egon take over?
Opinion:
Prince Dustin and Clara: Secrets of the Black Forest was a very engaging book. I have never read a book that is a retelling of the Nutcracker. Even though this book was a sequel, it can be read as a standalone. The end of each chapter usually had a cliffhanger that left me on the edge of my seat. The author did an amazing job hooking the reader in the story to keep them reading more. I like the fantasy elements, such as the animals could talk. I will definitely buy the first one to read more about this world. I would recommend this book for ages 10 and up.
Opinion:
Prince Dustin and Clara: Secrets of the Black Forest was a very engaging book. I have never read a book that is a retelling of the Nutcracker. Even though this book was a sequel, it can be read as a standalone. The end of each chapter usually had a cliffhanger that left me on the edge of my seat. The author did an amazing job hooking the reader in the story to keep them reading more. I like the fantasy elements, such as the animals could talk. I will definitely buy the first one to read more about this world. I would recommend this book for ages 10 and up.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews