Book Review: The Palace of Illusions by Rowenna Miller

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

The Palace of Illusions by Rowenna Miller

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Redhook (June 10, 2025)

Length: 480 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Heading into The Palace of Illusions, I actually didn’t realize it was inspired by The Nutcracker, which made discovering those connections along the way even more of a delightful surprise. A loose reimagining it may be, but it did draw upon the spirit and imagery of the classic ballet while forging its own way, and I really enjoyed the direction Rowenna Miller took with the plot.

The story follows Clara Ironwood, a gifted clockworker who has traveled to Paris from her native Wisconsin to assist in constructing the Palace of Illusions for the 1900 World’s Fair. Fresh from her apprenticeship under her beloved godfather, a legendary clockworker himself, Clara is determined to forge her own path, especially as her decision to leave home caused a rift between them. Rather than dwell on regrets, however, she immerses herself in her work on the Palace of Illusion’s complex house of mirrors which are designed to showcase the marvels of electricity.

Then one day, everything changes when she receives a mysterious gift from her godfather: a nutcracker which holds the key to a whole new world beneath the city. All of a sudden, Clara finds herself plunged into this hidden realm, called the “anderwelt,” an alternate version of Paris brimming with wonder and creation. Here, anything you imagine can come to life—statues that move, houses made of candy, clockwork ballerinas that twirl and leap. But the more Clara explores this fantastical reality, adding her own mark to it in some instances, the more she gets the sense that not everything is as perfect as it seems. Along the way, she meets a host of strange and morally ambiguous characters—some who are allies, others who are hiding dangerous motives. Clara isn’t sure who she can trust, but she must figure out the mystery of the two Parises before the magic binding them can unravel.

I loved how Miller spends a great deal of time going into the ins-and-outs of the anderwelt, and in some places, it is magical realism at its finest. But although this deep exploration can be fascinating, admittedly it can also slow the story down. As our protagonist becomes increasingly obsessed with the enchanted version of the city, her efforts to uncover its origins can sometimes come at the expense of momentum. That said, what keeps the plot engaging and the reader turning the pages is the character’s personal growth as well as her meaningful relationships as the novel unfolds.

From the start, Clara’s sharp mind and analytical nature are front and center. Approaching every challenge with logic and determination, convinced that with enough time and testing that any problem can be solved, she can come across a little distant and cold, having little interest in anything outside of her work. Granted, part of that also stems from her feeling that she has something to prove, as one of the few women in her field. Despite this chip on her shoulder though, she remains generally congenial, even if she harbors some lingering resentment toward her godfather for turning his back on her. But once Clara enters the anderwelt, the transformation begins. There, she is able to set aside her rational mindset for at least a moment, allowing herself to marvel at the wondrous sights and sounds around her. She becomes more open, more emotionally vulnerable, and far more approachable—finally letting others in, and learning to accept help along the way.

Then there is the incredible duality of the worlds that the author has created. The anderwelt is practically bursting with vibrant imagery and all manner of impossible creatures, so much so that the people in the real world almost feel muted by comparison. But speaking of the characters, one of the most compelling figures is one who doesn’t even feature much in the book at all: Clara’s godfather. Yet his presence is strongly felt throughout, especially in the whimsical tales he spins, which are recalled and scattered across the narrative like little fairy tale breadcrumbs. The historical setting adds another layer of richness, with Miller’s gorgeously imagined turn-of-the-century Paris offering a charming backdrop. The Nutcracker inspiration is on full display, and I think there’s plenty that fans will enjoy.

All told, I really liked the direction Rowenna Miller took with the concept, blending magic, engineering, and history into something that felt fresh. Highly recommended for classic fairy tale lovers or readers who can appreciate a retelling that is both down-to-earth and dares to be different.