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nikkikeist's review against another edition
2.0
It reads like a fairy tale, which at first is intriguing and mysterious, but eventually falls flat. Fairy tales are characteristically surface-level and told very simply, which doesn’t translate well to a novel.
The characters’ personalities can all be reduced to a couple words and the plot points were presented without background or explanation. (ex. A man lives in a forest grove. Time doesn’t really exist there. Why? How? We’re never told. It’s just a fairy tale.)
The novel had an interesting premise but didn’t follow through with the depth it needed to bring it to life.
I was also disappointed that there was basically no discussion on the marital and statutory rape of Anna, the new step-mother to Vasya, who is 14 when she’s wed to Vasya’s father. The father was still seen as a great man despite raping her and the author had no discussion on this in the book, just passing over it as if it were normal for this to happen and was nothing to be concerned about. Not to mention that the Priest (a grown man) also desired Vasya, who was 15. I understand historical accuracy, but can we not have a fairy tale in a made-up world where girls aren’t being raped, especially without repercussion or even moral judgement from the author?
The characters’ personalities can all be reduced to a couple words and the plot points were presented without background or explanation. (ex. A man lives in a forest grove. Time doesn’t really exist there. Why? How? We’re never told. It’s just a fairy tale.)
The novel had an interesting premise but didn’t follow through with the depth it needed to bring it to life.
I was also disappointed that there was basically no discussion on the marital and statutory rape of Anna, the new step-mother to Vasya, who is 14 when she’s wed to Vasya’s father. The father was still seen as a great man despite raping her and the author had no discussion on this in the book, just passing over it as if it were normal for this to happen and was nothing to be concerned about. Not to mention that the Priest (a grown man) also desired Vasya, who was 15. I understand historical accuracy, but can we not have a fairy tale in a made-up world where girls aren’t being raped, especially without repercussion or even moral judgement from the author?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexism
The father is pressured/forced to marry a 14 year old girl who becomes the main character’s step-mother. Theres brief descriptions of the girl crying and being afraid of the father before becoming comfortable. No other discussion is present but the girl remains a secondary character.galactic_gigi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I picked this book up not knowing what I was getting into. And I couldn’t stop. I was glad that I had nothing else to do today, because I kept reading until I finished the book. The new year is just hours away and the cold air outside set the mood perfectly.
Normally I don‘t really read slow-paced books, but this one is special. It‘s like being transported into a cold winter night to the hearth of a home and listening to nearly forgotten tales.
I don‘t know how to describe this feeling but it was whimsical and nostalgic all the while keeping me entranced to this glorious piece of storytelling. I‘m completely speechless. I wasn’t expecting much and now I‘m left overwhelmed with the urgent need to get my hands on the next book.
It’s nearly 3 a.m. and I should probably go to sleep but I can still see the snow falling silently in a long winter’s night. Have you ever watched Narnia as a kid? I’m inbetween the trees and the coats and haven’t yet fully recovered my sense of reality.
So in case you are like me and can’t wait to be transported into a different universe, you should definitely go and read this book!
(While I‘m going to sleep)
Normally I don‘t really read slow-paced books, but this one is special. It‘s like being transported into a cold winter night to the hearth of a home and listening to nearly forgotten tales.
I don‘t know how to describe this feeling but it was whimsical and nostalgic all the while keeping me entranced to this glorious piece of storytelling. I‘m completely speechless. I wasn’t expecting much and now I‘m left overwhelmed with the urgent need to get my hands on the next book.
It’s nearly 3 a.m. and I should probably go to sleep but I can still see the snow falling silently in a long winter’s night. Have you ever watched Narnia as a kid? I’m inbetween the trees and the coats and haven’t yet fully recovered my sense of reality.
So in case you are like me and can’t wait to be transported into a different universe, you should definitely go and read this book!
(While I‘m going to sleep)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Rape, Body shaming, and Child death
fiveredhens's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
folkloric winter horror horse girl book
the first third of the book was p slow but it kicked off in the second half. kinda petered out at the end but still really good
the first third of the book was p slow but it kicked off in the second half. kinda petered out at the end but still really good
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death of parent, Gore, Physical abuse, and Self harm
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Minor: Ableism, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Vomit, and Adult/minor relationship
woolgathering_jane's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Very beautifully written fairytale, that's definitely not for kids. On the surface, it's a simple story but if you look close, it actually has a hidden meaning that's very current in our world right now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Rape
soaphest's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Amazing, brilliant & gorgeous. Just everything about this book is perfect, from the gorgeous cover art to the incredibly immersive storytelling. I’ve never been happier to learn that this is the first part of a trilogy so that I still have two more books to enjoy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Religious bigotry, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death of parent, and Misogyny
Minor: Gore, Grief, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Rape
The misogyny, rape and adult/minor relationship cw warnings are very period-typical as it (sadly) was the norm for that time. It’s the whole *hand wavy gesture* women being treated as objects with little to no agency over their lives and futures & teens being arranged to marry men twice their age thing. Also I wasn’t sure whether to tag for psychosis as Anna wasn’t really delusional, but her attacks were pretty intense (as were how she was treated by those around her) so that’s why I still chose to.gay_wizard's review against another edition
Could not finish. Once Pyotr married Anna and raped her every night I was so disgusted. She didn't consent and cried afterwards every night. Some people may be able to excuse this with the time this was set in, but this is fiction and therefore MADE-UP so it doesn't need to be included. It didn't add to the story. I don't read fantasy for this kind of sh*t.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, and Sexual assault
peachbrain's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
First off, the prose is beautiful and really pulls the reader into the environment. This is important because this is a world where the characters day-to-day life is deeply affected by their natural surroundings. Next, the folklore elements are intriguing and add a sense of mystery to the everyday life of the people. Overall, you can get the sense for the brutally cold and ancient atmosphere that Arden was going for. Throughout the book you get a good feel for the characters and you come to understand their motivations for good or bad. The main antagonists are a great example of this as their actions are equally as terrible as they are understandable, they aren’t bad for the sake of the plot.
Some cons:
The pacing felt slow in the first two thirds of the book after which the plot is thrust to the forefront which can give you whiplash. But with that being said, I felt the climax and conclusion to be intense and satisfying so I didn’t personally mind. On a personal note, there were many Russian terms I was not familiar with that were dotted throughout the story and I found myself having to google them often which was mildly annoying but I eventually became familiar enough with the vernacular. This is still an amazing book and the rest of the series gets even better and is well worth a read!
First off, the prose is beautiful and really pulls the reader into the environment. This is important because this is a world where the characters day-to-day life is deeply affected by their natural surroundings. Next, the folklore elements are intriguing and add a sense of mystery to the everyday life of the people. Overall, you can get the sense for the brutally cold and ancient atmosphere that Arden was going for. Throughout the book you get a good feel for the characters and you come to understand their motivations for good or bad. The main antagonists are a great example of this as their actions are equally as terrible as they are understandable, they aren’t bad for the sake of the plot.
Some cons:
The pacing felt slow in the first two thirds of the book after which the plot is thrust to the forefront which can give you whiplash. But with that being said, I felt the climax and conclusion to be intense and satisfying so I didn’t personally mind. On a personal note, there were many Russian terms I was not familiar with that were dotted throughout the story and I found myself having to google them often which was mildly annoying but I eventually became familiar enough with the vernacular. This is still an amazing book and the rest of the series gets even better and is well worth a read!
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
pades's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Misogyny
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Physical abuse
Minor: Rape
liteartha's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
this book really takes its time and only amps up plot and action-wise in the last third, which i didn't love. that said, it definitely finishes strong and sets itself up well for the next instalment. i was a fan of the folklore and overall fable-like way this story was told, i really enjoyed the sibling bonds, and i think i quite liked vasya as a protagonist? i'm just not sure how well i got to know her, but i'll grant that she was rather young throughout this book. on that note: why the fuck did morozko kiss her. why the fuck. why is that always a thing in these stories. like? keep these immortal dudes away from teenagers' lips and bodies? i mean?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Sexual assault, Sexism, Religious bigotry, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Child abuse, Gore, Self harm, Rape, Pedophilia, and Child death
mitzireads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I felt transported while reading this. The layer upon layer that was given to the story was phenomenal.
I haven't read a book like this before and it honestly took my breath away. The details described give the characters such depth that even by the middle of the book you feel like you have know them your whole life.
I haven't read a book like this before and it honestly took my breath away. The details described give the characters such depth that even by the middle of the book you feel like you have know them your whole life.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Sexism, Self harm, Religious bigotry, Rape, Misogyny, and Mental illness