The Kingdom of Back Book Review

Hello friends! It’s been a really busy week so far for me, but today I’m posting my The Kingdom of Back Book Review! This historical fiction/magical realism was such a good read, I hope you enjoy!

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Title: The Kingdom of Back

Author: Marie Lu

Rating: 5 Stars

Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy

Content Warnings: Disease

Format: Physical Copy

Publisher: Putnam via Penguin Random House South Africa

Date Published: 3 March 2020

Goodreads Description: 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 eighteenth-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.

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.

I received a review copy from Penguin Random House South Africa. All opinions are my own.

The Kingdom of Back Book Review

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I have been reading a lot of mediocre, two or three-star books and I was tired of it. Luckily Marie Lu came to my rescue with this amazing historical fiction/fantasy book about Mozart.

Characters

I’m going to be honest, I wasn’t planning on reading this book. The premise didn’t exactly intrigue me, I’m not a historical fiction fan or a Mozart fan. Good thing I was wrong.

This is one of the few books I’ve read this year with a first-person narrator, and though I usually prefer third, I didn’t feel like I was missing part of the story. This is Nannerl’s story and she should be the one telling it. I didn’t think I would care this much about a woman who lived over 300 years ago, but here I am. I was completely enraptured by her story and her character.

The other prominent character in the story is Wolfgang, and the story is at its core about the relationship between the brother and sister. It was such a sweet relationship and I loved the interactions between them.

Characters = 8

Atmosphere

The atmosphere is THE best part of this book, and Marie Lu does a superb job of creating it. Not only was I entranced by the scenes of 18th century Europe, but the Kingdom scenes were pure magic. The shift between the real world and the Kingdom happens so subtly, but once you’re there it just takes your breath away. The descriptions of the scenery truly transport you into a different world.

This is a masterpiece of fantasy and I need you to read this book so you can experience the wonder and beauty of the Kingdom.

Atmosphere = 10

Writing

It goes without saying that Marie Lu is a fantastic writer. I could not put this book down and could have finished it in one session if I didn’t have a masters thesis breathing down my neck. She writes beautiful descriptions that transport you into the book completely. I loved every moment of it.

Writing = 10

Plot

Who doesn’t want to be immortal? Or if not immortal, at least significant (by society’s standards at least. You are very significant). Nannerl’s desire to be something more in a world where a man tells her she cannot be anything made my heart ache for her.

The whole story is beautifully put together. At first, I thought it might be dull to read about two people composing. I know nothing about music, but the terminology is used sparsely and the music is conveyed through feelings rather than technical terms. The book was very easy to understand and the plot moved relatively fast. There were even a few action scenes here and there to keep the tempo up.

I just enjoyed everything about this.

Plot = 9

Intrigue

I was sobbing by the end of the book because I just felt so incredibly sad for Nannerl. I’m going to quote a paragraph from Marie Lu’s author note here: “What beautiful creations were lost to us forever because Nannerl was a woman? How many other countless talents were silenced by history, whether for their gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socio-economic circumstances?”

I’m sobbing. This book once again reminded me that humans are both endlessly cruel to those who might be slightly different from them and that humans are capable of great kindness.

I’m incredibly sad that today voices are still silenced today. Never give up on your dreams, and if they want to silence you, scream louder. Someone will listen.

Intrigue = 9

Logic

Obviously, with historical fantasy, you have to suspend some disbelief. However, it’s not really necessary in this book. The transitions to the fantasy world happen so smoothly you’d think it really was part of our world.

I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s amazing how things never are what they seem in The Kingdom of Back.

Logic = 9

Enjoyment

The best word I can use to describe this book is magical. I felt so many feelings. I was angry and sad and happy alongside Nannerl and it was just amazing to read her story. At the end she got her wish after all.

Enjoyment = 9

CAWPILE = 9.1

Stars = 5

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