The Kingdom of Back

January 27, 2020
Lu (Rebel) deftly layers fantastical elements and historical fiction to craft an expansive tale of rivalry based on two Mozart siblings, both talented pianists and composers. In 1759 Salzburg, eight-year-old Marianne “Nannerl” Mozart is poised to play in front of royalty, but the audience she must first impress is distracted when her younger brother, the nearly four-year-old Wolfgang “Woferl,” enters the room, leading to a small error in her playing. Blaming Woferl for the mistake and fearful of his burgeoning talent, Nannerl makes a wish that is heard by a magical entity, Hyacinth; he promises to help Nannerl achieve immortality through her music if she helps him regain his crown in the Kingdom of Back. Initially the siblings are intrigued, enjoying adventures in the
fantastical kingdom, where they explore magical grottos and outsmart a witch, but when things take a darker turn, Nannerl begins to understand that she has entered a Faustian pact. Carefully constructing a magical kingdom while crafting the historical cities of Europe where the Mozarts played as children, Lu shows her knack for creating detailed worlds while seamlessly building a complicated sibling relationship with a balance of rivalry and love. Ages 12–up. Agent: Kristin Nelson, Kristin Nelson Literary Agency.

Narrator Lauren Ezzo will surprise and delight listeners with her dynamic portrayal of Mozart's sister, Nannerl, as she discovers how far she will go to challenge eighteenth-century stereotypes of womanhood, break down gender barriers, and make unimaginable decisions that will change her future. Ezzo's lyrical voice is the perfect pairing for this beautiful story of music, magic, and the connection between siblings. In this truly enchanting work, listeners are simply haunted by Nannerl's pursuit of music, a future seemingly out of reach, and the lengths to which she must contemplate journeying to make her dreams a reality. Prepare to be whisked away to a world unlike any other, rich with imaginative characters, especially the rarely acknowledged Nanneri. J.O. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine