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hello_lovely13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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
3.25
The beginning was very slow, and for the first quarter or so of the book, half of it was not that prevalent to the book’s plot, but rather setting up for future books in the series. I was not particularly fond of this choice. The writing was very atmospheric, which I liked, but I didn’t feel the need to keep picking up the book to continue reading, so that’s why I can’t rate it too highly. I found the topics surrounding religious bigotry interesting, what with the prideful, fear-mongering priest and what not, as well as the consequences of actions persuaded by fear and the topic of offerings. However, I do not wish we got more vengeance bestowed on the priest in the end. The irony of how he acted in the bear’s name, believing it to be God, as well as the fear of death Vasilisa put in him at the end, was quite good, though. I am not sure whether I will continue the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Misogyny, and Child death
Minor: Sexual assault and Blood
araowl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This book has exactly the kind of writing I look for. Atmospheric and descriptive, the writing style just absolutely immerses you in this world. I found the characters to be multi-faceted and complex. I thought the main character what a bit of a stereotypical chosen one at first, but I think the author did a good job of making her much more layered than that. Overall this was a beautiful book with a very immersive setting, layered characters, and compelling themes. I would only say that the character of stepmother felt a bit flat to me, and it seemed like the beginning was quite slow and the ending sort of rushed. But I'm really excited to read the next in the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Child death, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Blood, Misogyny, and Animal death
raptorq's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Forced institutionalization and Child death
juniormrsmini's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, and Death of parent
itspronouncedtessa's review against another edition
2.75
I want to love this book so bad. It's beautifully written, the fairy tale is strong and the Slavic folklore is fascinating. It could have easily been a 5 star read.
But.
Do modern writers understand they're writing fiction? An untrue story, something they, in fact, made up? Even if it's "grounded in the realities of rural life at the time", it's still fiction.
The author admitted she'd fudged with the ages of actual historical figures to better fit the story, but when it comes to the fictional characters, she just has to, needs to, have a middle-aged man (who we are supposed to root for) marry and rape a child? Repeatedly? And describe him longing for her "tight body"?
Why? It did not serve the plot and absolutely nothing would have been different if the ages had been changed. If there had been a smidgen of consent.
"But it's historically accurate"
Motherfucker, it's a fairy tale. There are demons and winter gods roaming your forest. But no, a grown woman being okay with sharing her new husband's bed, that's too unbelievable.
I won't be reading the sequels.
But.
Do modern writers understand they're writing fiction? An untrue story, something they, in fact, made up? Even if it's "grounded in the realities of rural life at the time", it's still fiction.
The author admitted she'd fudged with the ages of actual historical figures to better fit the story, but when it comes to the fictional characters, she just has to, needs to, have a middle-aged man (who we are supposed to root for) marry and rape a child? Repeatedly? And describe him longing for her "tight body"?
Why? It did not serve the plot and absolutely nothing would have been different if the ages had been changed. If there had been a smidgen of consent.
"But it's historically accurate"
Motherfucker, it's a fairy tale. There are demons and winter gods roaming your forest. But no, a grown woman being okay with sharing her new husband's bed, that's too unbelievable.
I won't be reading the sequels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual assault
Moderate: Rape, Child abuse, and Child death
saskiajva's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
It was definitely an interesting book and i am curious about the next one! I do think there are some things the author can hone; i wasn’t a fan of the political or marriage plot lines as it didn’t really capture my interest, and I would love to see some higher stakes. I highly recommend googling the creatures discussed while you read as it adds a lot to the book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Death, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, Blood, Animal death, Body horror, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Forced institutionalization
taylorwells149's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Child death and Misogyny
lisa_m's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
This book was a perfect mix of mythology, fantasy and realism. I didn't know anything about this book before starting to read it and I think that was the best way I could have read it.
I really enjoyed the discussion of religion and missionary work, but what really sold me was all the russian folklore! I love mythology and I want to read more retellings / mythology inspired books about different parts of the world.
I have to say that someone told me that this book is an enemies to lovers story and that is just not true? There is no romance, or at least it's not a main focus at all! I actually really liked that about this book. Also I am a big fan of the 'wild girl' trope :)
The ending was bittersweet but I really liked it. I didn't cry though, which made me realise, that I wasn't truly connecting with the characters. That is normally a big dealbreaker but this time I didn't actually mind that much. I guess the book is a 'vibes before plot' kind of book and it's very slow paced as well (but it's also quite short).
I am so excited for the other two books in the trilogy though I'm surprised it is a trilogy at all. This book could have been a standalone as well. I am interested to return to this world though and there are a lot of things I still want to hear more about.
I really enjoyed the discussion of religion and missionary work, but what really sold me was all the russian folklore! I love mythology and I want to read more retellings / mythology inspired books about different parts of the world.
I have to say that someone told me that this book is an enemies to lovers story and that is just not true? There is no romance, or at least it's not a main focus at all! I actually really liked that about this book. Also I am a big fan of the 'wild girl' trope :)
The ending was bittersweet but I really liked it. I didn't cry though, which made me realise, that I wasn't truly connecting with the characters. That is normally a big dealbreaker but this time I didn't actually mind that much. I guess the book is a 'vibes before plot' kind of book and it's very slow paced as well (but it's also quite short).
I am so excited for the other two books in the trilogy though I'm surprised it is a trilogy at all. This book could have been a standalone as well. I am interested to return to this world though and there are a lot of things I still want to hear more about.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Death, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Bullying, Violence, Grief, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Pregnancy, and Rape
bannedfrombookclub's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.25
This was very immersive and Arden has such a strong and engaging voice for this story set in medieval Russia where the fairytales are real. Characters push the edges of their folklore archetypes to become more real and grounded. Themes include the battle between old and new gods, family, the question of sacrificing one for the good of the many, the lot of women at this time, and low-key romantic tension with a winter demon.
I picked this up at total random from a library shelf and getting to the end I was like - hmm some of these character threads and set ups haven't been resolved - but it's a trilogy, a completed trilogy. So we can all relax.
Also this is great but it is not a cozy fantasy. It's not grimdark fantasy either. I'd say it's norm-core level of fantasy sad/badness.
I picked this up at total random from a library shelf and getting to the end I was like - hmm some of these character threads and set ups haven't been resolved - but it's a trilogy, a completed trilogy. So we can all relax.
Also this is great but it is not a cozy fantasy. It's not grimdark fantasy either. I'd say it's norm-core level of fantasy sad/badness.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Child death
Minor: Blood
mengzhenreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
Obsessed with the atmosphere and setting of the book, I loved the wintery medieval Russian setting and the pastoral, quaint, and lyrical writing style. It was giving very much folk tale, very much warm and cosy, and I was just fascinated by the world and magic that the author created.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, and Death
Moderate: Child death, Animal death, and Sexism
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault