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jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
Middle Grade Graphic novel: Quick, fun, modern fairy tale...
Baba Yaga is from Russian folklore and is witch who flies around at night looking for children to steal and EAT. In this story, Masha is upset that her father is getting remarried so goes off to seek a new like as Baba Yaga's assistant.
What to listen to while reading...
Russian folk music!
Baba Yaga is from Russian folklore and is witch who flies around at night looking for children to steal and EAT. In this story, Masha is upset that her father is getting remarried so goes off to seek a new like as Baba Yaga's assistant.
What to listen to while reading...
Russian folk music!
x_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
Masha thinks becoming Baba Yaga's assistant has to be better than staying around for a new step-mother and step-sister. After all, her grandmother did it, so why can't she? Bright, expressive artwork brings the story to life. The tale jumps between the past and the present to give context to Masha's feelings.
ametcalf's review
adventurous
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
Re-read 2024: High time to re-read this one and I was in the mood for a graphic novel to re-read. This was such a fun read again, though again Dani/Danielle can just shove off. I get that she wasn't happy that her mom remarried but to bite someone, kick them, hit them, no fuck no. I really loved the other parts though, seeing Masha discover her magic and find home. It was oodles of fun and I love the magic! The ending was a fun surprise and made me smile. Go Masha, that is the right decision! Gorgeous art!
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A magical story about a girl finding her place in the world!
I was thinking it would be only about Baba Yaga and her new assistant, as that is what the title and the blurb implies. Let me tell you this, it is indeed about that, but also about so much more. It is about families, about mourning, about death, about finding a place you belong, yes, the book made me sad, it made me happy, it made me feel a whole lot. The pieces with Baba Yaga were terrific and I loved to find out more about Baba Yaga (and see another side to her, since everyone is saying she is oh so evil), to read the stories about Baba Yaga (and how lots of girls seem to have escaped her, which teaches a wise lesson to those who wish to be an assistant of the witch).
The parts about Masha, about her family, about her life, about what happened to her life that made her run away to Baba Yaga were sad, heartbreaking, but also really beautiful and it gave Masha something special and gave her more dimension. It made me like this girl. I felt sorry for her, sorry that her life was like this. Sure, it wasn't all that bad, she still had family, but after a while that fell away. I can say that I truly disliked the dad. Dear Lord, bad parenting much? Never did he seem to care about his daughter, and when he found someone new he totally dumped her. Wth is up with that? She is your daughter, she should be your first priority, not your second or even third or even last. You shouldn't avoid her or not even care to stand up for her. *shakes fist at the dad*
I loved Masha's wit and the things she said, she is a really clever girl who isn't afraid to say what is on her mind.
Dani/Danielle dear Lord, what a terrible little fucking brat that was. Sorry, but as soon as she was introduced I just knew this one would be trouble and would cause a whole lot of hurt. Bleh bleh bleh.
The story was really fun, and I loved how we switched between the now and the then. There were little hints scattered here and there about Masha's family when Masha and the Baba Yaga talked. I really liked those, just like I liked all the other little things that you could see in the house.
The tests were really fun, and I loved to see what Masha would do, what she would cook up to finish those tests.
The illustrations are gorgeous, I loved how the characters were drawn. Baba Yaga was seriously spooky and at times creeped me out, but I could also see other sides to her that were cleverly drawn. A wink of an eye here, a smile there. It was great. The backgrounds were gorgeous. Emily Caroll really has a way to make you get sucked into the book and not let go until the book is over.
All in all, great story, wonderful illustrations, and I would highly, highly recommend this book to everyone!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
-----------------------------
A magical story about a girl finding her place in the world!
I was thinking it would be only about Baba Yaga and her new assistant, as that is what the title and the blurb implies. Let me tell you this, it is indeed about that, but also about so much more. It is about families, about mourning, about death, about finding a place you belong, yes, the book made me sad, it made me happy, it made me feel a whole lot. The pieces with Baba Yaga were terrific and I loved to find out more about Baba Yaga (and see another side to her, since everyone is saying she is oh so evil), to read the stories about Baba Yaga (and how lots of girls seem to have escaped her, which teaches a wise lesson to those who wish to be an assistant of the witch).
The parts about Masha, about her family, about her life, about what happened to her life that made her run away to Baba Yaga were sad, heartbreaking, but also really beautiful and it gave Masha something special and gave her more dimension. It made me like this girl. I felt sorry for her, sorry that her life was like this. Sure, it wasn't all that bad, she still had family, but after a while that fell away. I can say that I truly disliked the dad. Dear Lord, bad parenting much? Never did he seem to care about his daughter, and when he found someone new he totally dumped her. Wth is up with that? She is your daughter, she should be your first priority, not your second or even third or even last. You shouldn't avoid her or not even care to stand up for her. *shakes fist at the dad*
I loved Masha's wit and the things she said, she is a really clever girl who isn't afraid to say what is on her mind.
Dani/Danielle dear Lord, what a terrible little fucking brat that was. Sorry, but as soon as she was introduced I just knew this one would be trouble and would cause a whole lot of hurt. Bleh bleh bleh.
The story was really fun, and I loved how we switched between the now and the then. There were little hints scattered here and there about Masha's family when Masha and the Baba Yaga talked. I really liked those, just like I liked all the other little things that you could see in the house.
The tests were really fun, and I loved to see what Masha would do, what she would cook up to finish those tests.
The illustrations are gorgeous, I loved how the characters were drawn. Baba Yaga was seriously spooky and at times creeped me out, but I could also see other sides to her that were cleverly drawn. A wink of an eye here, a smile there. It was great. The backgrounds were gorgeous. Emily Caroll really has a way to make you get sucked into the book and not let go until the book is over.
All in all, great story, wonderful illustrations, and I would highly, highly recommend this book to everyone!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
gabalodon's review against another edition
5.0
Delightful, sweet, classic Baba Yaga esque shenanigans, I would like to be her assistant, please.
bookiss's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
danileighta's review against another edition
Quick read. It's a fun Baba Yaga tale that shows a softer side to the old bat.
bree_of_the_woods's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hannahthemartian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
lunaballz's review against another edition
4.0
Baba Yaga's Assistant is a sweet graphic novel about a girl who feels unloved in her family so answers Baba Yaga's ad for an assistant. The main character is clever and independent, and I'm sure in a situation relatable to a lot of kids.
Even though the target audience is probably fairly young, this is compelling enough for older readers as well.
Even though the target audience is probably fairly young, this is compelling enough for older readers as well.