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katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Unexpected themes and characters - contemporary look at Russian fairytale staples.
I just loved it. I really hope the themes don't stop parents from buying this for children, as it looks at death in a very child-centric way, with maturity and consideration.
If you know the story of Baba Yaga, as I do from childhood, you'll know the scary woman in the woods, in a magic house with magic animals, ready to eat and chase children. The Baba Yaga here is much more realistic, and she has an apprentice - Marinka.
Marinka and Baba Yaga work as guides, moving around the world in a house with legs and settling in places where they help the recently dead to move through to the spirit world. A fulfilling and pivotal role, and Baba Yaga thrives on meeting and aiding the dispossessed, and condensing their experiences and trials into the primary purpose and essence of their lives.
Her 12-year old apprentice however, feels uninspired and has itchy feet for something more...
In a story that travels the world, that has one (chicken) foot in our world and one in the hereafter, Marinka is the reader's guide to an adolescent's searching for her own purpose and role.
The protagonist is winning, a youth with yearnings we all know, who doesn't want to be pigeon-holed but feels beholden.
It's a fascinating look at 'end of life' celebrations, at European fairy tale traditions, and at the same time is a modern-enough-feeling young person trying to suss out their own future and push against the old-fashioned previous generations.
I loved the fact that the House is a character itself, with a personality, one of my favourite aspects of the book. I would LOVE to see this with adequate special effects put onto the screen.
It isn't as dark as it sounds, despite the subject matter. I hope readers discover the original Baba Yaga tales after this, and appreciate the insight into the character and figure.
Wonderful story, great characters, just magical, uplifting and hard to forget. One for ages 9-13.
With thanks to the publisher for the sample reading copy.
I just loved it. I really hope the themes don't stop parents from buying this for children, as it looks at death in a very child-centric way, with maturity and consideration.
If you know the story of Baba Yaga, as I do from childhood, you'll know the scary woman in the woods, in a magic house with magic animals, ready to eat and chase children. The Baba Yaga here is much more realistic, and she has an apprentice - Marinka.
Marinka and Baba Yaga work as guides, moving around the world in a house with legs and settling in places where they help the recently dead to move through to the spirit world. A fulfilling and pivotal role, and Baba Yaga thrives on meeting and aiding the dispossessed, and condensing their experiences and trials into the primary purpose and essence of their lives.
Her 12-year old apprentice however, feels uninspired and has itchy feet for something more...
In a story that travels the world, that has one (chicken) foot in our world and one in the hereafter, Marinka is the reader's guide to an adolescent's searching for her own purpose and role.
The protagonist is winning, a youth with yearnings we all know, who doesn't want to be pigeon-holed but feels beholden.
It's a fascinating look at 'end of life' celebrations, at European fairy tale traditions, and at the same time is a modern-enough-feeling young person trying to suss out their own future and push against the old-fashioned previous generations.
I loved the fact that the House is a character itself, with a personality, one of my favourite aspects of the book. I would LOVE to see this with adequate special effects put onto the screen.
It isn't as dark as it sounds, despite the subject matter. I hope readers discover the original Baba Yaga tales after this, and appreciate the insight into the character and figure.
Wonderful story, great characters, just magical, uplifting and hard to forget. One for ages 9-13.
With thanks to the publisher for the sample reading copy.
laurenbaggy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Bullying
littlelifeofbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This book is when you look at a steaming bowl of borscht for the first time. It looks questionable but actually is decently yummy and comforting!
biblioleah's review against another edition
this was painfully repetitive. and not in the way children’s books can be, but more so repeating the same information on nearly every page as if the reader has no capability for remembering or thinking??? incredibly dull too for a concept that sounded so interesting!
inaa_'s review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
albycarnaby's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
christiana's review against another edition
2.0
You know that email forward about how a person complained about the cross they had to bear and Jesus was like "cool, set it down in this room and pick a different one" and all the other ones were huge except one so they were like "I WANT THAT ONE" and Jesus was like "yeah, ok, but that's the cross you came in with"? This is a retelling of that story but with Baba Yaga.