Upon a Frosted Star is the second novel by M.A. Kuzniar. With its blend of fantasy, romance, and a touch of mystery, the story reimagines the classic ballet Swan Lake with a modern twist.
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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…
Upon a Frosted Star Book Review
I had mixed opinions about M.A. Kuzniar’s debut novel, Midnight in Everwood, but the premise to Upon a Frosted Star intrigued me.
I liked the beginning of the book but unfortunately, it started to drag and I began to feel a bit bored as the story went on.
The Gatsby-esque lavish parties, mysterious invitations that appear with the first snowfall, and a host who performs a ballet dance before vanishing promised a magical experience. Unfortunately it just fell a little flat.
The setting and the wintery atmosphere was so immersive, it felt like I was right there. The lavish parties were brought to life in such detail and the lyrical prose showcased the author’s talent for creating a rich and vivid world.
However, I felt there was too much emphasis on description and not enough on plot. The story moved very slowly and felt repetitive, which was surprising considering it’s a story about magic and curses.
The book is told from Forster’s point of view, but he wasn’t the most engaging character. His main traits seemed to be his love for Detta and his role as an artist. The shift to Detta’s point of view halfway through added some depth, but it wasn’t enough to fully capture my interest.
The insta-love and pining between the characters felt excessive, which didn’t help my engagement with the story. The ending, while intended to be impactful, felt anticlimactic and I was left feeling quite underwhelmed.
Overall, while the book had some promising elements and a beautiful setting, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.