Reviews

Babayaga by Toby Barlow

krisrid's review

1.0

I don't mind a little weirdness in a book, I don't even mind a little more weirdness, but this book was over-the-top in its weirdness quotient, and it was just too much for me. I didn't enjoy this.

Without giving spoilers it is a little difficult to be specific about what didn't work for me about this book, but I can say it was fairly gross, not to mention downright bizarre in the the witchy stuff the Babayagas as part of casting their spells. The violence included in the plot was also very bizarre and while I can't say it didn't make sense in relation to the story, it was just too freaky to be enjoyable for me.

I will say that the characters are interesting, and some of them are quite likeable. I did want to find out what happened to them, so while I finished the book, I confess that I skipped large chunks of the book. That was another aspect I didn't care for - WAY too much unnecessary detail. Again, I don't mind details and description if they are necessary and add to the story, but this book could have been 100 pages shorter without taking away from telling the actual story. I found myself more than once going: "Geez! Could we just get to the next plot-point already?!"

This was just too out there for me ultimately. It definitely has some good bones [pun intended!] so if you like really [and I mean REALLY!] weird mythology-esque, Russian folklore-ish freak-shows, this could be right up your alley. Unfortunately, I didn't get it.

dictatorofturtles's review

4.0

This book is probably closer to a three for me because its really out of my generation but hell if I could walk away from it for a long period of time. I wasn't super obsessed or into it but I wanted to know what happened.

taliesinrex's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Highly intriguing and playful, with a great concept and setting. Not every idea presented in Babayaga had the best optics, or came out fully realized, but I fully enjoyed it nonetheless. The juxtaposition between the keen and observant nature of most characters and Will's sometimes oblivious way about him, allowing him to just sort of stumble into the rest of the plot in a way that felt admittedly quite natural, was a highlight of how Barlowe wove all the plot threads together. Normally, a protagonist who falls into trouble by crazy random happenstance can be quite frustrating, but in Will's case, his disenchantment with his position coupled with his genuine well-meaning disposition managed to sidestep that irritation for me. Overall, the different ruminations on love and various relationships were some of the most interesting part of the book, and often reflected a certain empathy for the female characters involved in them. The ending, in particular, felt acutely aware of the potential for love to manifest as violence for one or both parties - even in the context of the best of intentions - which really struck me and felt like an excellent note to end on.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Racial slurs

Minor: Animal death

ksparks's review against another edition

4.0

I'm a little puzzled as to why I enjoyed this book as much as I did. It has a unlikely mix of plot ingredients--murdering witches, spies, Paris, Detroit, advertising, poetry. One of the characters, a French detective named Vidot is turned into a flea for most of the book. But every time I picked it up, I found it difficult to put down. I think what it comes down to is I enjoy his writing style--so many times I found myself stopping to appreciate his sentences. Underneath the wacko plot there is a seriousness, and depth, and a sweetness. I don't think it was entirely successful book--but I'll definitely be watching for his next book.

nafpaktitism's review against another edition

2.0

Tried to be too many things at once, somehow, and didn't do any of them amazingly.

nettropolis's review against another edition

1.0

When all is said and done, this just isn't a good book. The writing is boring and overwrought, and never rises above disappointing. Save yourself the time and instead of reading this, read literally anything else about Baba Yaga that's not written by a man. I was hoping for something with depth and imagination, and instead was left with something bland and unappetizing. The title had me interested - I'll give a chance to anything connected to Baba Yaga, but she's merely used as a prop for a sagging story. The plot is all over the place and suffers from overused stereotypes and contradictions in tone. There's not much depth to this book, or the characters in it. By the end, there's little to care about.

keetha's review against another edition

Witches in 1950s Paris, a police officer turned into a flea, the Cold War - several interesting elements for a novel. Could have done with more editing.

dynahthirst's review against another edition

Boring. Don't care about the characters or what happens to them.

abetterjulie's review against another edition

2.0

I didn't like the time period or the setting. I was disappointed by every single character's outcome. The writing was tedious at times, usually during the back story parts. I liked the idea of the chorus. I really enjoyed the parts with magic.

spoth's review

2.0

Good things about this book: urban fantasy novel set not in London, for once, but in Paris! Also, the flea. The bits about the flea are the best part, hands down. Also, to a lesser extent, the chicken. Unfortunately, most of the book was about other stuff.