This Year's Best New Fantasy Books Will Fill Your Days With Magic

Just in time for the holiday season comes "The Kingdom of Sweets," Erika Johansen's dark riff on "The Nutcracker." Sisters Clara and Natasha are "cursed" by their powerful godfather Drosselmeyer: one, Clara, to be the favorite and a source of light; the other, Natasha, to grow in the shadows. When Drosselmeyer arrives one Christmas with his gift of a magical Nutcracker, Natasha seizes her moment for revenge. She follows Clara into the Kingdom of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy offers her all she desires — even as Natasha slowly uncovers the truth about her destiny and that of her sister.

Release date: Nov. 28