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cameronreads's review against another edition
5.0
This book somehow surpassed every expectation I had of it. It was simply wonderful; from the characters to the storytelling to the powerful and important messages it contained. I’d recommend this to anyone and everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Antisemitism, Death, Self harm, Gore, Grief, Child death, Genocide, Religious bigotry, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Suicide and War
asainspace's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A clever, complicated fantasy about memory and trauma - I recommend for people who like Neil Gaiman or Terry Pratchett.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, Antisemitism, Animal death, and Xenophobia
bellesunbridled's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Animal death, Antisemitism, Child death, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Vomit, Violence, Religious bigotry, Death, Child death, Genocide, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Antisemitism, and Self harm
Minor: War, Sexual assault, Murder, and Violence
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
A dark and and gripping retelling of the Baba Yaga tale, one that follows the results and causing of generational trauma but with silver lining of hope and determination.
This was such an incredible read, I was sucked in from the very first page, it has been a hot minute since I have had the pleasure to read such an amazing book. The writing, the prose, the seamless change in narrator from each character, and how the writing style subtly but effectively switches to reflect that was perfectly done. I surprised myself by how much I came to love and enjoy the perspective of Thistle the most, it was like little threads that began to weave together the mystery of the past.
You guys I almost forgot to mention but we get a truly sweet and delightful queer romance between Bellatine and a very lovely lady. This was such a welcome respite, a breath air of happiness in a darker overall story. I don't think I was truly prepared for how dark this story got, my only real complaint is that there were no content warnings. (You guys it gets really dark a few times, especially when referencing pogroms and other events of that nature)
The concept of fear/bigotry being used to turn people into a weapon is always such an interesting trope that really makes me think about the book long after I finish reading it. I think this stems from the fact that this issue is so extremely prevalent in our culture and society today. There are so many people who have become so twisted and blinded by fear that they will attempt to justify their morally reprehensible actions as logical and sound. (And they believe that they are in fact, morally logical and sound)
Generational trauma is a relatively new concept to many people and the way it was shown in Thistlefoot was both beautifully and tragically depicted. Even if the mind forgets, or never knows, there is something in the body, in the dna, that effect's how a person will act and grow. "Generations pass, and suddenly, we forget. Our descendants are born yearning and they do not know why, for they have forgotten. Their hands are full of fire. Their legs are trembling to flee. The body remembers."Bellatine and Isaac each represent different aspects of this trauma and how it has shaped their entire personalities. One, afraid to touch and grow to close to someone, and the other afraid to stop running. I didn't even realize until halfway through the book maybe that Isaac wasn't a complete asshat, and in fact was struggling just as Tiny was.
If you are a fan of houses that are alive, a chameleon who can't stop running, and a girl with magic in her hands then this is perfect for you. (Even if you aren't, you should read this anyway! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!)
This was such an incredible read, I was sucked in from the very first page, it has been a hot minute since I have had the pleasure to read such an amazing book. The writing, the prose, the seamless change in narrator from each character, and how the writing style subtly but effectively switches to reflect that was perfectly done. I surprised myself by how much I came to love and enjoy the perspective of Thistle the most, it was like little threads that began to weave together the mystery of the past.
You guys I almost forgot to mention but we get a truly sweet and delightful queer romance between Bellatine and a very lovely lady. This was such a welcome respite, a breath air of happiness in a darker overall story. I don't think I was truly prepared for how dark this story got, my only real complaint is that there were no content warnings. (You guys it gets really dark a few times, especially when referencing pogroms and other events of that nature)
The concept of fear/bigotry being used to turn people into a weapon is always such an interesting trope that really makes me think about the book long after I finish reading it. I think this stems from the fact that this issue is so extremely prevalent in our culture and society today. There are so many people who have become so twisted and blinded by fear that they will attempt to justify their morally reprehensible actions as logical and sound. (And they believe that they are in fact, morally logical and sound)
Generational trauma is a relatively new concept to many people and the way it was shown in Thistlefoot was both beautifully and tragically depicted. Even if the mind forgets, or never knows, there is something in the body, in the dna, that effect's how a person will act and grow. "Generations pass, and suddenly, we forget. Our descendants are born yearning and they do not know why, for they have forgotten. Their hands are full of fire. Their legs are trembling to flee. The body remembers."
If you are a fan of houses that are alive, a chameleon who can't stop running, and a girl with magic in her hands then this is perfect for you. (Even if you aren't, you should read this anyway! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Animal death, Genocide, Suicidal thoughts, Gore, Grief, War, Murder, Religious bigotry, Self harm, and Violence
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Sexual assault
kimberlynann's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Antisemitism, Violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, and War
deetabz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, War, Animal death, Body horror, Grief, Hate crime, Murder, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Genocide, Antisemitism, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol and Vomit
virago's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
I'm not sure my review for this book will be very eloquent, but I only just finished it and am in my feels. So this may be a more stream of consciousness review. I went into this read, having not heard [or remembered hearing] anything about it, be it positive or negative. It left me hesitant, but I can honestly say this was not what I expected in the best way.
This story was amazingly bizarre. Or bizarrely amazing. I'm not sure which.
This story is about time, trauma, massacres, living, dying, and never being forgotten.
We followed multiple protagonists from different time periods who are all commected by blood and trauma; both literally and figuratively. It's told in "present day" and a centry prior, not to mention the side stories that all added up to an incredible ending, that was very bittersweet
Perhaps it's just the mood I'm in, but this book really got to me. It hit me hard. It was dark and traumatic and sad. Some of the stories just broke me. All of the characters are beautifully flawed. The stories were so darkly whimsical. This was just beautiful to me.
This story was amazingly bizarre. Or bizarrely amazing. I'm not sure which.
This story is about time, trauma, massacres, living, dying, and never being forgotten.
We followed multiple protagonists from different time periods who are all commected by blood and trauma; both literally and figuratively. It's told in "present day" and a centry prior, not to mention the side stories that all added up to an incredible ending, that was very bittersweet
Perhaps it's just the mood I'm in, but this book really got to me. It hit me hard. It was dark and traumatic and sad. Some of the stories just broke me. All of the characters are beautifully flawed. The stories were so darkly whimsical. This was just beautiful to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Antisemitism
zghutcheson01's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
The ending was a little rushed and cheesy but overall the book was wonderful. It has the winding, broken aspect of a tale told by your grandparents who are remembering new parts as the telling goes on and it's absolutely beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Antisemitism, Death, and Hate crime
Moderate: Gore, Animal death, Genocide, Racism, Body horror, Xenophobia, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, and Violence
winifreddie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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 almost felt like it was custom written for me. It is an incredible story rooted in a folktale I grew up loving, well paced and satisfying, even if devastating at times. I’ve already purchased it so I can own it forever. This book is the first time I’ve experienced a celebration of my ancestors and their survival, and has reaffirmed my desire to reconnect with that lost heritage. Something tells me that this book will have a lasting impact on my life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Antisemitism, and Child death
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: War, Murder, and Body horror
elizafiedler's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I love a good Baba Yaga story! This one is a really cool weaving together of magic and the mundane and the power of the arts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Violence, Racism, and Genocide
Moderate: Death, Murder, Hate crime, and Toxic relationship