The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu - Restarting July 21st 2023

[HeatherH]

Two siblings. Two brilliant talents. But only one Mozart.

Born with a gift for music, Nannerl Mozart has just one wish--to be remembered forever. But even as she delights audiences with her masterful playing, she has little hope she'll ever become the acclaimed composer she longs to be. She is a young woman in 18th century Europe, and that means composing is forbidden to her. She will perform only until she reaches a marriageable age--her tyrannical father has made that much clear.

And as Nannerl's hope grows dimmer with each passing year, the talents of her beloved younger brother, Wolfgang, only seem to shine brighter. His brilliance begins to eclipse her own, until one day a mysterious stranger from a magical land appears with an irresistible offer. He has the power to make her wish come true--but his help may cost her everything.

In her first work of historical fiction, #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu spins a lush, lyrically-told story of music, magic, and the unbreakable bond between a brother and sister.

[Blue Butterfly]

I can't wait to read this!

[HeatherH]

Same, super excited to jump into it this weekend!

[Karen]

Seems like a very different route for Lu, but I'm curious to see how she does this.

[Katie]

I just started this one, and only was about to read the first 3 chapters... I think? It was around page 30... Being a music education major/band teacher, I'm really interested to read this book!!

[HeatherH]

I've only managed the first chapter today. We spent a good chunk of the day cleaning and I don't have this on audio lol. I'm curious to see where the story goes for sure!

[Bea (Books And Bees of Bea)]

I'm very hesitant to read this since historical fiction is not a genre I always read. BUT. Marie Lu wrote this and I love her books. I'm curious if I'll like this one. I've read the first two chapters, so far, I'm liking it especially the lyrical writing.

[HeatherH]

Bea (Books And Bees of Bea) wrote: "I'm very hesitant to read this since historical fiction is not a genre I always read. BUT. Marie Lu wrote this and I love her books. I'm curious if I'll like this one. I've read the first two chapt..."

I'm very hit and miss on historical. A lot seems to depend on the writer's style for sure.

[Alex]

Started yesterday and managed to go through the first two chapters. I am listening to this on audible so my experience is going to be a bit different.
I like the narrator but she sounds kind of funny when she changes to the other characters - almost mocking.


(view spoiler)[The father is a bit annoying and the performance episode was both sad and frustrating to experience. (hide spoiler)]

The writing style is great, I like Marie Lu as much as always. Super excited to see where this is going.

[Bea (Books And Bees of Bea)]

HeatherH wrote: "I'm very hit and miss on historical. A lot seems to depend on the writer's style for sure.
"

I agree. The pacing is also an issue for me. Most YA historical books that I've read have slow pacing. (view spoiler)[ This book included. But the character descriptions and the world-building is well done. So I'm kinda fine with it, I guess. (hide spoiler)]


UPDATE
Up to The Secret Page
(view spoiler)[ At the start of the book, I could already tell that Nannerl's father is somewhat off . He is putting a lot of pressure on Nannerl's. Moreover, some of his comments were sexist, like how a girl should act and that she needs a husband, etc. It kind of makes sense that there are thoughts like this in the book since this a historical fiction. Women were not given equal amounts of freedom and rights as compared to men. Which is sad. Also, I do not know that women were frowned upon when they were making their own compositions. I don't know if it's real or just fiction. I will search on that later on.
(hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

@ALex M. - you definitely made me glad I did not go with the audio version for this one!

[Alex]

@ Bea (view spoiler)[ Women were definitely frowned upon when writing their own music. Unfortunately, they had a hard time making themself known and appreciated through their work and art as men expected them to be... well, housewives and mothers. (hide spoiler)]

@HeatherH - I am happy for you. I already regret choosing the audio version and I'm starting to get annoyed with the narrator, making it hard to listen to more than 30 minutes at a time. : (

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[ I love little Wolfgang, he is a sweety and when he started playing the piano I gasped. Such a smart little kid.

I hope this is not going to transform into a romance, I like the premise and where the story is going but I really really don't want a typical love story.

It was a bit slow at the beginning but now it's starting to go somewhere. Hopefully.
(hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Page 120- (view spoiler)[ I loved how this book introduced little facts about Wolfgang about his musical genius gifts. Such as playing before he could read, his perfect pitch, his ability to memorize something after seeing it one time, and the ability to "see" and "hear" the music in his head before he would compose it.

I loved Marie Lu's Legend series, but this one seems VERY different so far. It's starting to pick up for me with the quests and tasks they are being asked to do in Kingdom of Back. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Bea (Books And Bees of Bea)]

@Alex M. (view spoiler)[ I have similar thoughts regarding the "romance" in this book. I don't ship Nannerl with anyone at all. I just want to see the sibling bond of Wolfgang and Nannerl, to be honest. (hide spoiler)]

@Katie (view spoiler)[ I'm enjoying the quests of Hyacinth for Nannerl and Wolfgang. And I completely agree that this book is way different to Marie Lu's sci-fi/dystopian novels. (hide spoiler)]

UPDATE
Up to The Arrow
(view spoiler)[ I'm not a fan of the romantic developments in the book. I don't ship Nannerl & Johann and Nannerl & Hyacinth. I also believe that Hyacinth is not really the prince of the Kingdom of Back. It was pretty obvious, I guess. (hide spoiler)]

[Bea (Books And Bees of Bea)]

I'm almost done with the book!

UPDATE
Up to The Return to Vienna
(view spoiler)[ Welp. I'm right. Hyacinth is not the real prince of the kingdom. Good thing is that Nannerl's coming to her senses now. Unfortunately, Nannerl did lots of tasks for Hyacinth. Who knows what the consequences are? I'm afraid that something bad will happen to the Mozart family.

Also, I really don't like their father. He knows that Nannerl was composing her own music and he did not even give her the credit she deserves. He even asked Nannerl to ghostwrite for her brother. I can't believe the audacity. (hide spoiler)]

[Bea (Books And Bees of Bea)]

UPDATE
Finished the book!

(view spoiler)[ I swear I love Wolfgang, especially when he signed the oratorio with Mozart only. He did not fully took the credit in writing it. This book was very refreshing to read since it's not romance-centric, unlike most of YA books. And it has a happy ending that makes me so soft. (hide spoiler)]

Make sure to read the Author's Note. (view spoiler)[ I like reading the author's note at the end of historical fiction since this mostly helps the readers to delineate what's real and what's not. I thought the Kingdom of Back was purely fictional. I guess there was some truth to it. (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Bea (Books And Bees of Bea) wrote: "@Alex M. [spoilers removed]

@Katie [spoilers removed]

UPDATE
Up to The Arrow
[spoilers removed]"

@ Bea- I agree with the romance. (view spoiler)[ I'm also a bit confused on the romance in this book...she's like 12?? (One tiny complaint I have, is that I'm having a hard time knowing what year it is, or how old they are...I know it starts in 1759, but then there was a comment about her starting her period, and now I don't know if she's like 12, 14, or even 16??) I understand that it's a different time period, but I honestly keep forgetting/knowing her age in this book. Hyacinth seems to be hiding things, and I loved that Nannerl repeated her mother's line about that flower being poisonous. (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Page 284- (view spoiler)[ I LOVE that Wolfgang signed the music "Mozart" for the both of them! I really do love how the sibling relationship is written in this book!

Now for the ending!! I bet Hyacinth will get what's coming to him! (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Finished- (view spoiler)[ I really enjoyed this! More than I thought I would, and I was very much looking forward to this! Enjoyed the happy ending, and of course the decision Nannerl made to save his brother. (hide spoiler)]


Looking forward to reading everyone else's thoughts on this one!


Thanks for the note to read the author's note, Bea!

[Karen]

Bea (Books And Bees of Bea) wrote: "HeatherH wrote: "I'm very hit and miss on historical. A lot seems to depend on the writer's style for sure.
"

I agree. The pacing is also an issue for me. Most YA historical books that I've read h..."

(view spoiler)[ I don't have an issue with the pacing - it seems to fit with the need to create a particular time in history. However, the frustration felt by Nannerl is tough to read. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Alex M. wrote: "@ Bea [spoilers removed]

@HeatherH - I am happy for you. I already regret choosing the audio version and I'm starting to get annoyed with the narrator, making it hard to listen to more than 30 mi..."

(view spoiler)[ I thought Nannerl's reaction to her brother was well done her. She delights in his skill and talent, but is also able to see how it will limit the possibilities open to her. (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Glad you're reading this one Karen! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

[Karen]

Up to ch11. This is a really curious mix of magical/fantasy and historical. Is Hyacinth real, or a manifestation of Nannerl’s dreams? I can’t help but read this with a sense of sadness at how much has been lost over time because of social conventions or expectations.

[Karen]

A few of you have mentioned the romance. The moment he talks about valuing her music, you can see why she’s interested in Johann.

[Karen]

Bea (Books And Bees of Bea) wrote: "@Alex M. [spoilers removed]

@Katie [spoilers removed]

UPDATE
Up to The Arrow
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Think Hyacinth's deception was pretty obvious, but for me it was more about when Nannerl became aware of it and the choices she made. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Bea (Books And Bees of Bea) wrote: "I'm almost done with the book!

UPDATE
Up to The Return to Vienna
Welp. I'm right. Hyacinth is not the real prince of the kingdom. Good thing is that Nannerl's coming to her senses now. U..."

(view spoiler)[ That scene where Nannerl talks with her father about the compositions he's agreed will be made had me so cross. He knew her help was pivotal in the family surviving, but his attitude was so ingrained he couldn't even acknowledge Nannerl's role in private. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Katie wrote: "Page 284- I LOVE that Wolfgang signed the music "Mozart" for the both of them! I really do love how the sibling relationship is written in this book!

Now for the ending!! I bet Hyacinth will get..."

(view spoiler)[ The relationship between the brother and sister was, for me, the biggest thing here. I'm so pleased that she came to realise how much he admired her. But was it enough? Should that ever be a position someone has to accept? (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Finished. Review on home page. Not at all what I expected, but great once I got fully underway.

[izzy]

Karen wrote: "Bea (Books And Bees of Bea) wrote: "I'm almost done with the book!

UPDATE
Up to The Return to Vienna
Welp. I'm right. Hyacinth is not the real prince of the kingdom. Good thing is that Nanne..."

I was shocked to when I found out about Hyacinth

[izzy]

First 100 pages
(view spoiler)[ nannrel and wolferl are siblings. Nannrel is taught music by her father mostly to play the clavier. She has to be perfect. She does not want to be forgotten.
One day, she dreams of a vast land which her brother calls the kingdom of back.
Wolfrerl has a special ability and it has paved way for them to sing in front of the emperor which dey are about to do. (hide spoiler)]

[izzy]

Up to 200 pages
(view spoiler)[
Nannrel and Wolferl are popular now. Hyacinth wants them to get a flower. Though it came with instructions which Nannrel did not follow through. Wolferl fell sick and almost died. He survived though.
Nannrel has completed two tasks so far for Hyacinth. We don't know what to expect next. What if Hyacinth is evil? (hide spoiler)]

[izzy]

Up to 300 pages
(view spoiler)[ Hyacinth is evil,very cunning and wicked. What a pity that Nannrel has fallen prey,she has been deceived.
I wonder how Wolferl will cope and restore his kingdom. (hide spoiler)]

[izzy]

Up to the final page
(view spoiler)[ I was already seeing Nannrel as weak and it annoyed me but thank God she overcame (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

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Date changed. Restarting July 18th 2022. Happy Reading ☺

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[Maddie]

45% (view spoiler)[Why does this feel like Hyacinth's totally playing her and it's super toxic. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

60% (view spoiler)[Is this romantic interest Johann Strauss the other composer? I'd love it if it was!

NOTE: Just did some research into time periods and it doesn't seem to be :( (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I just love the whimsical vibe and how it flows so well between fantasy and reality!

[Maddie]

65% (view spoiler)[Oh wow I'd be SO MAD, someone stealing the music! How doesn't Woferl know that's her music? (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I finished!

Review: I liked how slow the story was and how real it felt, and how it was based off a proper story they made up as they were touring. It just worked seamlessly and it still astounds me how women couldn't be composers.

[Aaron]

25%
(view spoiler)[ This all seems really frustrating for Nannerl. I’d definitely resent Woferl more than she seems to. Im not sure where this is going plot wise but it’s Marie Lu so I trust it’ll be good. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Maddie wrote: "45% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I agree. He definitely has some kind of motive that hasn’t been revealed. I hope he isn’t too dangerous. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Maddie wrote: "I just love the whimsical vibe and how it flows so well between fantasy and reality!"

It is really cool. Im at 60% and it’s getting quite eerie in parts. The atmosphere the writing creates is impressive.

[Maddie]

Aaron wrote: "25%
[spoilers removed]"

Yeah it didn't feel very plot-driven but that's part of historical fiction haha

[Aaron]

Done. I normally struggle with these kinds of books since I prefer plot driven books but I was pleasantly surprised with this one. It felt really well written and it was really interesting.

[Maddie]

Yeah I enjoyed it too! I prefer fast-paced but it's what I expected what with it being around music

[Maddie]

It was a lot less music-driven than I thought as well

[Aaron]

Yeah. I’m kinda glad it was more relationship/ fantasy world based since we know they made music and there’s only so much talking about making music I can listen to.

[Maddie]

Haha I was hoping it was more musical, I'm a musician, but I really enjoyed it

[stu]

Maddie wrote: "45% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I agree I do hope that it doesn’t end up too bad (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

stu wrote: "Maddie wrote: "45% [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Hope you like it!