The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu

Reviewed by Alina

out of 5 stars

The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu

The Kingdom of Back is a fantasy and historical fiction novel. The story centers on Nannerl Mozart, the elder sister of famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Nannerl is a gifted musician who wishes to write her own music and gain recognition for her abilities. But as she lives in a society that prioritizes men over women, her dream is an uphill battle. And so with the help of a fairy prince, Hyacinth, who offers to make her dreams come true, Nannerl is transported to a magical world where she is free to fully express her musical skills. However, as the story progresses, Nannerl starts to understand that Hyacinth's intentions may not be entirely noble and that there is a price to pay for achieving her goals in the magical world. 

 

I was rooting for Nannerl as she strove to be acknowledged for her musical talents despite facing many obstacles in her way. Reading about the magical kingdom was fun as I experienced the magical world with Nannerl as she explored and learned in it. The fact that Nannerl and Wolfgang encouraged and inspired each other's musical abilities and had a deep love and respect for one another was very wholesome. I would recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, fantasy, and particularly those curious about the lives of classical musicians and the challenges experienced by women pursuing their passions in a male-dominated culture.