I’m not sure how to classify Kasper Mützenmacher’s Cursed Hat, it is at the same time so many different things. Based on the title, one would guess a fantasy novel about the ‘cursed hat’ which is also a teleportation device. Based on the cover, a second world war novel about Nazi Germany. But in the end, it was more than even a combination of those two.

Spanning most of the lifetime of Kasper Mützenmacher, the story for me fell apart to several distinct pieces. First there is Kasper and Isana, then Kasper as a single father (with Rosamund), then America. They all felt like really different pieces for most of the time. I liked the story best when they were still in Germany, the American part felt rushed, with certain things that just happened so quick that it didn’t feel synchronised with the rest of the story (although some of it is explained through the -plot convenient-  curse).

While I enjoyed the book, and am certainly curious towards the rest of series (not in the least because I’m wondering what it will be about as this seemed a rather closed story), there were some things I didn’t like. One was the ending, it was rather absurd and I didn’t think it gave a good closure to the Klaus plot. Another was the curse placed upon the Lux women, because I didn’t get why they would have to be cursed as well. Seemed Apollo sure liked to curse families until eternity…

This book is probably quite different from the rest you’ve read this year. Would recommend to those who like to read something else for a change.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!