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meshuganush's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
This book is a stunning masterpiece. I have so many words for it and yet they will not be enough. The writing is just astounding, the way the story is woven and the characters developed is just masterful. It is also one of the most uniquely and unapologetically Jewish books I have ever read. It doesn't stop to explain itself it just exists with Jewish customs, ideas and themes at the forefront. This was a stunning story that I will never forget and will sing it's praises to anyone who can't run away from me fast enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Antisemitism, and Murder
thegillbird's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and War
Moderate: Antisemitism and Fire/Fire injury
mtripz9's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Antisemitism
ashtheaudiomancer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
4.75
I could swear this book was on my To Read list for longer than just two years. It feels like something that has existed for generations. Maybe that's the time dilation we're all experiencing with the pandemic, but in any case, this modern fable is well worth your time.
I've been intrigued by the Baba Yaga myth for as long as I can remember. Pieces of the story came to me in disarray, but I kept coming back, wanting to know more. Considering one of the themes here is the power of stories, especially how they evolve in the telling over the years, I find that interesting.
It's also the second book in as many years that to some degree is about the family puppeteering business, and the way it affects the adult children. (The other being "How To Sell A Haunted House" by Grady Hendix; this was much better.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Antisemitism, and War
Moderate: Abandonment
The backstory is about the pogram in Russia, so the content warnings are also central to the overarching theme.hey_al's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-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
5.0
This story took me a while to get into, but it is worth the trek to the end. If you love spooky folktales and history of eastern European Jews, this one's for you. I don't reread books ever but I might reread this one. The way Nethercott writes about trauma is so beautiful and heartbreaking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Antisemitism
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Death, Genocide, Grief, Alcohol, and Colonisation
loscamp4lyf's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
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
4.0
I really enjoyed it! The author is also a poet, which explains the more purpley prose, but for me (and the audio book) i thought it added to the story. My only true gripe is the yaga siblings parents - why were they not involved/informed of any of this?? i figured the mom would at least be helpful but instead they're weirdly distant/specifically not helpful. thought that was weird and that it mightve been better for the parents to have been dead than distant, but alas.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Hate crime, Violence, Xenophobia, and Antisemitism
Minor: Self harm
hannah16's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Self harm, and Grief
Minor: Antisemitism
clynns's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Self harm, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Grief, and War
clairelisebella's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very slow start for me, but the last 80 pages or so had me entranced. There were at least two chapters that are among the best chapters I ever read. I wish all of them were that strong!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Suicide, Violence, Antisemitism, Grief, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Vomit
spooky_simon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
Anytime I read a good Jewish book, I wanna do shabbat more often
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Genocide, and Antisemitism