Language : English
Hardcover : 384 pages
ISBN-10 : 0008450714
ISBN-13 : 978-0008450717
Book Blurb
The invitations always arrive the same way – without warning, appearing around the city on the first snowfall of the year, simply inscribed with ‘Tonight.’
When struggling artist, Forster, finds an invitation, he’s bewitched by the magic of the evening, swept up in the glamour of this notorious annual party and intrigued as to who is behind them.
Determined to find out more about the mysterious host, Forster discovers an abandoned manor house silent with secrets and a cursed woman who is desperate to be free.
My Review
Last December I treated myself to M.A. Kuzniar’s debut novel Midnight in Everwood a beautiful yet dark retelling of The Nutcracker which is one of my favourite ballets. In September I was excited to see she had written another book, again inspired by another of my favourite ballets, Swan Lake. I kept Upon A Frosted Star to read over Christmas as a treat for myself and what a treat it was! This is a wonderful reimagining of the classic fairytale about a beautiful young woman cursed to be a swan for most of the year, but when in human form she hosts the most amazing themed parties which are invitation only. This is a love story that is both beautiful and intense, a story of living in the moment as no one knows how long we have together.
In Once Upon A Frosted Star M.A. Kuzniar has created another exquisite and enchanting book that keeps the darkness of the original tale. Set in the 1920’s M.A.Kuzniar has a touch of the Great Gatsby in the book as it starts at one of the hedonistic parties thrown once year at an abandoned house. These parties are vividly described, a feast for the senses as the author paints a glorious picture in her words that made me feel I was there among them, part of the magic. M. A. Kuzniar certainly has a wonderful imagination and is able to convey the different settings that are in this book, from the extravagent parties, to Paris and the cold frosted landscape of the abandoned house. I loved the magic she imbued into the book, sometimes dark and sometimes exciting, and all the time keeping the reader engaged on the love story at the centre of the book.
The two central characters are Forster and Odette/Detta. Forster is an artist starting his life in London after a family disagreement leaves him very much on his own. He has the artistic temprement, full of self doubt, locking himself away, and without his house mate Marvin would be a hermit. It is not surprising that after seeing Detta he finds his muse, becomes obsessed with finding her after she seems to disappear after each party, and the house is left abandoned. As well as Odette, M.A. Kuziar also keeps the origional name of the magician/sorcer Rothbart who curses her to life as a swan. Detta is a decedant and vivacious character, living in the moment as she has no idea how long she will be a human, a trait she brings to her parties and realationship with Forster. Their story was romantic, beautifully imagined yet underpinned with a juxtaposition of hope and a darkness that wraps itself around them. The intensity in their relationship is palpable, their need to shut out the world, and it was this that kept me reading page after page; I was completely hooked and invested in the outcome.
Upon A Frosted Star is an enchanting and magical tale that keeps the sinister edge from the origional story. Beautifully written this reimagining had me totally gripped, following the tragedy of Detta’s story, her pain and longing that is underpinned with the hope that the curse can be broken. A wonderful mixture of fun and frivolity, dark magic and an intense love affair this is an exceptional read, truely enchanting.
