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haylie_burkit's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I didn't expect the ending but it was kind of unsatisfying
nicolemhewitt's review
This is a folkloric fantasy with excellent LGBT rep (the storyline involving a transgender character was definitely my favorite thread of the book). I was intrigued by the mystery of Ruby's family's gift, but unfortunately the first 50% of the book felt like backstory to me, so it was hard to truly engage with the characters. The second half of the book picked up immensely, but then the ending felt a little rushed--and if this doesn't end up with a sequel, I have a feeling the open ending will be a disappointment to many readers. Hopefully Podos will have the opportunity to continue the story to satisfy those readers who are eager to know Ruby's fate!
ashleyslibrary's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
betwixt_the_pages's review
5.0
Ruby Chernyavsky has been told the stories since she was a child: The women in her family, once possessed of great magical abilities to remake lives and stave off death itself, were forced to flee their Russian home for America in order to escape the fearful men who sought to destroy them. Such has it always been, Ruby’s been told, for powerful women. Today, these stories seem no more real to Ruby than folktales, except for the smallest bit of power left in their blood: when each of them comes of age, she will have a vision of who she will be when she dies—a destiny as inescapable as it is inevitable. Ruby is no exception, and neither is her mother, although she ran from her fate years ago, abandoning Ruby and her sisters. It’s a fool’s errand, because they all know the truth: there is no escaping one’s Time.
Until Ruby’s great-aunt Polina passes away, and, for the first time, a Chernyavsky’s death does not match her vision. Suddenly, things Ruby never thought she’d be allowed to hope for—life, love, time—seem possible. But as she and her cousin Cece begin to dig into the family’s history to find out whether they, too, can change their fates, they learn that nothing comes without a cost. Especially not hope.
Rating: 5/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: I'm sorry, give me a moment to pick my heart shards back up off the floor; LGBTQIA+ diversity for the win; Russian folklore and magical realism; purple prose; THAT ENDING THOUGH?!?!?!?!?!?!
HUGE thanks to Rebecca Podos, Balzer + Bray Publishing, Fantastic Flying Book Club, and Edelweiss for sending a complimentary egalley of this title my way! This in no format altered my read of or opinions on this book.
This was the legacy of Solnyshko, Zvyodochka, and Zerkal'tse. Deep green eyes, greatly weakened gifts, and the stories their mother--the granddaughter of the woman in the woods--told them in their beds in the old brick house. Each night, she passed along what diminished wisdom their ancestors had brought with them to their new home, this foremost: that the world has never been very kind to powerful women.
My goodness, Penguins, if this book didn't do something to my heart. I blame it entirely on Rebecca Podos's ability to slither between the bones with her colorful, richly painted prose and allow her characters to breathe from the essence of all the things that complete you. I got sucked in from the very beginning, and now I can't quite seem to find a way to suck myself back out, because THAT ENDING!!! As said a few times throughout this read, stories sometimes lie...and I can't quite make up my mind on whether or not that was entirely the point of how this story ends.
I really dig the LGBTQIA+ representation in this read. The characters are well-rounded and almost fully fleshed out, though I'll admit to being just a teensy bit overwhelmed at the beginning of this journey. It took me just a moment to fully wrap my head around the fact that I wasn't, perhaps, going to be given all the answers all at once. That I might, just maybe, be required to work a little to keep certain plot lines straight. Not for any BAD reasons, but because there are a lot of secrets hiding between these characters...and that leads to a LOT of unexpected twists (and reader whiplash) along the way.
"Stories are living things, Ruby, not just ink on a page. Stories are power. They're born, and they grow with time, and they die off if they're not cared for or fed. They exist to fulfill a purpose. They can be dangerous. And sometimes, they lie."
The Wise and the Wicked was wild from start to finish, and I am so very happy that I was given the opportunity to read it! Between the beautifully written characters, purple prose, and lush (albeit often surprising) world-building, my head was spinning by the end of this journey in all the right ways. I'd definitely recommend this read to lovers of magical realism, Russian folklore, and endings that leave a LOT of room for interpretation. You don't know what you don't know until you force yourself to learn it, Penguins...and even then, sometimes, you're not meant to.
christajls's review
3.0
Originally reviewed on @christasbooks
The Chernyavsky family is not like other families. Once wielders of powerful magic, they were forced to flee their home in Russia to escape the men who wanted to destroy them. After years of hiding out in America, many of their old traditions have been lost but one crucial one remains - when the Chernyavsky women come of age they have a vision of how they will die. Ruby has always known her Time was unavoidable, that is until her great-aunt Polina passes away and her death does not match her vision. Suddenly, Ruby has the possibility of a future she never even dreamed of before, as long as she’s willing to dig up some long-buried family secrets to get it.
This novel was a bit of a slow start for me, but the more layers were pulled back on the Chernyavsky family the more I wanted to know. I especially loved Ruby, a girl who believes in both magic and science and who is both fiercely independent but maintains strong relationships with the other women in her life. I also really enjoyed the romance. It kind of sneaks up on you but when Ruby and Dov finally connect I couldn’t imagine the story without him. However, there is a bit of a surprise cliffhanger at the end of this book and with no sequel planned it does seem like the story is unfinished and I have so many unanswered questions. I hope Podos eventually writes another installment so we can spend a little more time with the Chernyavsky clan.
The Chernyavsky family is not like other families. Once wielders of powerful magic, they were forced to flee their home in Russia to escape the men who wanted to destroy them. After years of hiding out in America, many of their old traditions have been lost but one crucial one remains - when the Chernyavsky women come of age they have a vision of how they will die. Ruby has always known her Time was unavoidable, that is until her great-aunt Polina passes away and her death does not match her vision. Suddenly, Ruby has the possibility of a future she never even dreamed of before, as long as she’s willing to dig up some long-buried family secrets to get it.
This novel was a bit of a slow start for me, but the more layers were pulled back on the Chernyavsky family the more I wanted to know. I especially loved Ruby, a girl who believes in both magic and science and who is both fiercely independent but maintains strong relationships with the other women in her life. I also really enjoyed the romance. It kind of sneaks up on you but when Ruby and Dov finally connect I couldn’t imagine the story without him. However, there is a bit of a surprise cliffhanger at the end of this book and with no sequel planned it does seem like the story is unfinished and I have so many unanswered questions. I hope Podos eventually writes another installment so we can spend a little more time with the Chernyavsky clan.
singsthewren's review
4.0
Awwwww yeah. Witches and fucking with traditional gender expectations around gender-based magic and strong family ties and characters who are every shade of grey. What's not to love?
This is my first Podos book and I absolutely loved it. The characters were rich, the magic system was fascinating, and I am eagerly awaiting book two!
This is my first Podos book and I absolutely loved it. The characters were rich, the magic system was fascinating, and I am eagerly awaiting book two!
crswit16's review
3.0
What an odd, intriguing concept. I got a little bored with all of the flashbacks and letters, but I was intrigued enough to keep going. For now, 3 stars. I need to sit on it for a bit.
jplassman's review
3.0
This is more like a 3.5 star book. I really did enjoy it, but the villain was a little too predictable.