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theespressoedition's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Death, Body horror, and Blood
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Murder, Violence, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Suicide
chasinggrace's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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
5.0
This is a stunning, cozy book. The Polish folklore was detailed, the sentient house was whimsical, and the characters’ personalities were palpable. While slow-paced, I was never bored. This is 5⭐️ not because it’s action-packed or never-before-seen, but because it’s heartfelt and beautiful.
the only thing I would change is I’d give this story a happier ending 😭 I was in tears at the end and the epilogue did NOT help. When did cozy fantasy = death and heartbreak?? In my head Eliasz is alive in the House Under the Rowan Tree, idc.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Death, Blood, Death of parent, Bullying, and Grief
sarah_royal04's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Blood
katievallin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
3.5
I liked the vibes: the sentient forest and house, the feeling of home, the found-family, the gradual romance. I liked the characters and the very obvious similarities to Beauty and the Beast.
I didn't like the body horrorand human sacrifice. Those definitely made it seem more dark and evil than it started off being. I also feel conflicted about the clash between the church and paganism. Also the climax was very sad, and I did not appreciate that.
I didn't like the body horror
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Grief, Murder, Religious bigotry, Blood, Violence, Body horror, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Medical content
Minor: Animal death and Sexual content
attolis's review against another edition
3.75
A lovely YA fantasy with a bit of a fairytale feel in a similar vein as Beauty and the Beast, Howl's Moving Castle and Novik's Uprooted. The first 2/3 or so are a bit slow but it all comes together pretty well by the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Animal death, and Violence
Minor: Domestic abuse and Sexual content
r1vana's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
”Why pretend you're not human at all?"
"If I look like a monster, then no one will be surprised when I do monstrous things.”
Liska Radost runs away from her village in search of the fern flower that can fulfill her wish to be free of her magic in an effort to dispel rumors that she is a witch. When she gets to the Driada, she comes face to face to antlered and man-looking named Leszy. At the point when the Leszy gets Liska endeavoring to pick the flamelike blossom. Instead of the flower, he offers her a deal that makes her options easier:“serve me for a year, and when you are done, I will grant your wish.”
She moves into his manor named "the House Under the Rowan Tree". Where she learns that there is more to magic then darkness. She will also uncovers secrets about the Leszy aka Eliasz and finds that there are animals startling to such an extent that even an evil spirit fears them. Those secrets were buried deep because he doesn't want anyone to know about. Practically forgetting about it. With a sarcastic spirited cat as a companion and a little adorable orphan boy, she will meet obstacles that seems to be challenging her own magic.
The story is filled with beings that fills this magic world that humans fear. Enchanted forest; sirens, magical deer, trees with eyes, et cetera. I really enjoyed the author's writing style; very easy to understand and the eerie vibe is really a kick.
Both have to join hands in order to get ride of this old evil god. A main portion of the story is Liska attempting to manage the trauma(from childhood) she has from having sorcery in a general public that considers it evil. She is shown that magic doesn't have to be a bad thing by the Leszy. He will do his best to help her get through this. As he helps her, their close proximity will bring out their attraction for one another. But it is a slow burn, since magic is what brought them together, it will be their first priority.
the author wrapped up the story.
The cover itself already got my full attention.
Read if you like?
-witch FMC x demon MMC
-500+ year old MMC
-howl moving castle vibes
-beauty and the beast vibes
-polish folklore
-phantom sarcastic cat
-found family
-enchanted manor
-unique magic
-somewhat grumpy x sunshine
Releases on February 26, 2024!
"If I look like a monster, then no one will be surprised when I do monstrous things.”
Liska Radost runs away from her village in search of the fern flower that can fulfill her wish to be free of her magic in an effort to dispel rumors that she is a witch. When she gets to the Driada, she comes face to face to antlered and man-looking named Leszy. At the point when the Leszy gets Liska endeavoring to pick the flamelike blossom. Instead of the flower, he offers her a deal that makes her options easier:“serve me for a year, and when you are done, I will grant your wish.”
She moves into his manor named "the House Under the Rowan Tree". Where she learns that there is more to magic then darkness. She will also uncovers secrets about the Leszy
The story is filled with beings that fills this magic world that humans fear. Enchanted forest; sirens, magical deer, trees with eyes, et cetera. I really enjoyed the author's writing style; very easy to understand and the eerie vibe is really a kick.
Both have to join hands in order to get ride of this old evil god. A main portion of the story is Liska attempting to manage the trauma(from childhood) she has from having sorcery in a general public that considers it evil. She is shown that magic doesn't have to be a bad thing by the Leszy. He will do his best to help her get through this. As he helps her, their close proximity will bring out their attraction for one another. But it is a slow burn, since magic is what brought them together, it will be their first priority.
the author wrapped up the story.
The cover itself already got my full attention.
Read if you like?
-witch FMC x demon MMC
-500+ year old MMC
-howl moving castle vibes
-beauty and the beast vibes
-polish folklore
-phantom sarcastic cat
-found family
-enchanted manor
-unique magic
-somewhat grumpy x sunshine
Releases on February 26, 2024!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Grief
creolelitbelle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
I love dark fantasy stories and fairy tale/legend/folklore retellings; this book does those aspects great justice. Prior to reading it, I was unfamiliar with Slavic tales aside from Baba Yaga, about who I recently checked out a modernized retelling. The gods of Leszy and Veles (spelled Weles in the book) feature prominently, and the protagonist's name, Liska (Czech or Slavic for "fox") epitomizes her character and physical traits. Throughout my reading, I found myself looking up concepts like Kupala Night and those various Slavic names to better understand the foundation of the novel, but knowing the background is not necessary to enjoying the narrative. I do think that the book could be enhanced with a little information at the end about the Slavic culture and how it relates to the plot and characters. For those who want to discover more about the originating culture, having that resources handy would be super convenient.
Liska's motivations entirely understandable, even if she diverts almost immediately off the forest path, a foreboding act in any dark fantasy or fairy tale, going back to "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Hansel and Gretel". The Leszy is harsh but mysterious and kind enough that I kept wanting to discover more about him and the house with Liska. Actions are committed rashly at times, but that is to be expected for a teenager and by superstitious villagers that run high on emotions regarding magic and witchcraft. The ending left me wanting more, wishing for one more page, but the note it dropped on provides hope. I loved how well multiple pieces of Slavic culture were woven into the book without my feeling lost or overwhelmed. I definitely recommend. This could be a wonderful book for spooky fall vibes.
Liska's motivations entirely understandable, even if she diverts almost immediately off the forest path, a foreboding act in any dark fantasy or fairy tale, going back to "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Hansel and Gretel". The Leszy is harsh but mysterious and kind enough that I kept wanting to discover more about him and the house with Liska. Actions are committed rashly at times, but that is to be expected for a teenager and by superstitious villagers that run high on emotions regarding magic and witchcraft. The ending left me wanting more, wishing for one more page, but the note it dropped on provides hope. I loved how well multiple pieces of Slavic culture were woven into the book without my feeling lost or overwhelmed. I definitely recommend. This could be a wonderful book for spooky fall vibes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Gore
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Death, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
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