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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
9/12/23
Somehow even better than the first time!
Katherine Arden is a fantastic author!
Absolutely gorgeous.
5 stars
Somehow even better than the first time!
Katherine Arden is a fantastic author!
Absolutely gorgeous.
5 stars
I couldn't get on with the writing style.
*** 4.5
i went into this book with pretty low expectations— it certainly blew those completely out of the water.
this had some gorgeous writing and characters. the strength of the fmc was *chefs kiss* and i wasn’t even mad that she was so young because it MADE SENSE. we watched her grow and it was fantastic. basically every single character had amazing characterization, to the point where even the characters i absolutely detested, i completely understood. that’s good writing!
plot wise, she COOKED. like that was FIREEEE.
i could say sm more but im excited to read book 2 but im nervous… i really hope i enjoy it even mostly as much as this one.
i went into this book with pretty low expectations— it certainly blew those completely out of the water.
this had some gorgeous writing and characters. the strength of the fmc was *chefs kiss* and i wasn’t even mad that she was so young because it MADE SENSE. we watched her grow and it was fantastic. basically every single character had amazing characterization, to the point where even the characters i absolutely detested, i completely understood. that’s good writing!
plot wise, she COOKED. like that was FIREEEE.
i could say sm more but im excited to read book 2 but im nervous… i really hope i enjoy it even mostly as much as this one.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Content Warnings
Minor: Pedophilia, Religious bigotry
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Complicated
This book can have a really deep discussion on the aspects of human societies that it highlights. But since I read it as fantasy I didn't delve deep into those topics. The book is set in the fairy tales of russia and russian demons, so the names were pretty unfamiliar. But the plot building was good and the book really connects the dots at the very end it connects the story from the very first chapter to the entire book and made me go "ohhhh okayyy". The story for the most part takes place in the wild and woods.
The magic is really subtle and not crazy like spells but natural magic without casting. Also the book uses the concept of alternate subrealities existing at the same time and the person deciding and controlling which reality they want to see.
There were many topics in the book which can be pointed out such as
- How religion's primary moving factor is fear instead of love.
- Marriage for the reason of gaining power and fame or to maintain it.
- Forced Marriage
- Gender discrimination
...and many other
The best thing about the book is that it can be a topic of serious discussion or a light weekend read depending on what the reader wnats to see in same way it is in the book.
The magic is really subtle and not crazy like spells but natural magic without casting. Also the book uses the concept of alternate subrealities existing at the same time and the person deciding and controlling which reality they want to see.
There were many topics in the book which can be pointed out such as
- How religion's primary moving factor is fear instead of love.
- Marriage for the reason of gaining power and fame or to maintain it.
- Forced Marriage
- Gender discrimination
...and many other
The best thing about the book is that it can be a topic of serious discussion or a light weekend read depending on what the reader wnats to see in same way it is in the book.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
No
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Fantasy is a broad genre, and I can't stand parts of it, but this was definitely from the part that I really liked. I was familiar with some of the Russian mythology (mostly from C. J. Cherryh books), but this brought me in. Despite the fact that I was reading this in warm summer, I remember being cold while reading it, that's how into it I was. I immediately got the next one and devoured it too.
3.25 Stars: Although the beginning was quite slow and I found it quite easy to disengage, I thought the character development, especially the main characters, was fantastic. They were dynamic and came off the page.
Every moment of this book felt magical. The magic felt old and lost to our modern world.