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latveria's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, Grief, Infidelity, and Sexual content
lasbrumas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A short review for this one.
It should be noted for anyone reading this for the first time, there are times this book gets mildly NSFW (spoilered for that content)with some mild BSDM-like scenes and one scene where Marya has sex on a desk though its not extremely explicit. There are at least 3 instances I can think of, though there may be more. I was surprised to come across it so be warned!
The prose was excellent, so I couldn't find complaints there. I will say that based on others' reviews and stuff I saw on Tumblr, I went in expecting a much different book, though. Despite that, I wasn't disappointed, really? The way the book is written is much more reminiscent of fairy tales than any standard novel with a hero's journey or similar plot. There's a sort of circularness to the plot and a timelessness, despite the book's events being set during WWII. I could tell Valente really did her research into both the fairytales and the culture and setting of Russia during that time period. Even the tiniest detail felt like Valente had worked on getting it as accurate as possible. I'm not Russian though, so I would be interested to see what others from there think.
Honestly, the only reason this isn't a five is because the book didn't blow me away. It was written well and culturally rich, but in the end the plot was just okay. The characters I can't say I liked? But more in a sense that I would never want to be their friends. They're all pretty terrible people, but that's the point. They are as mean and nasty as they can be kind when it comes to it.
Overall, would I recommend it? Yes. Would I call it the greatest thing I read last year (even if I only just finished it this year)? Not really. I much preferred the immersiveness of other books. But in the end, it's not a bad book.
It should be noted for anyone reading this for the first time, there are times this book gets mildly NSFW (spoilered for that content)
The prose was excellent, so I couldn't find complaints there. I will say that based on others' reviews and stuff I saw on Tumblr, I went in expecting a much different book, though. Despite that, I wasn't disappointed, really? The way the book is written is much more reminiscent of fairy tales than any standard novel with a hero's journey or similar plot. There's a sort of circularness to the plot and a timelessness, despite the book's events being set during WWII. I could tell Valente really did her research into both the fairytales and the culture and setting of Russia during that time period. Even the tiniest detail felt like Valente had worked on getting it as accurate as possible. I'm not Russian though, so I would be interested to see what others from there think.
Honestly, the only reason this isn't a five is because the book didn't blow me away. It was written well and culturally rich, but in the end the plot was just okay. The characters I can't say I liked? But more in a sense that I would never want to be their friends. They're all pretty terrible people, but that's the point. They are as mean and nasty as they can be kind when it comes to it.
Overall, would I recommend it? Yes. Would I call it the greatest thing I read last year (even if I only just finished it this year)? Not really. I much preferred the immersiveness of other books. But in the end, it's not a bad book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Vomit, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual content
stwriter92's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was…a very interesting one to end the year out with. When people asked me to describe this book, I told them it was very much a dark retelling of Alice in Wonderland set in Stalin’s Russia. The entire story had a distinct fairy tale quality, even down to the basic structure. However, this isn’t your Disney-fied fairy tale. No, this was more like the fairy tales of yore with gore, sex, and human evil.
One thing this book showed me was how little I know of Russian folklore and history. I had to constantly look up new information, which (in my humble opinion) was one of the best parts. Learning new information and applying it to my understanding of the story was like watching a 10,000 piece puzzle slowly come together. The writing in this story was so heartbreakingly poetic. I could feel my chest getting tight just from reading the words on the page. As a reader, this is one of my favorite feelings. It is a sign that I have truly fallen completely and under the story’s spell.
My thoughts are still a bit scrambled, so I’m going to actually link to some amazing analyses of this book. Beware, they are analyses and are therefore NOT SPOILER FREE. I suggest reading the book with little to no prior knowledge of it and then learning as you go.
If you are a fan of dark stories, Russian folklore, and the true embodiment of beautiful storytelling, I highly recommend this book.
Analyses
Analysis 1 mostly focusing on the ending part in Yaichka: https://gatheringbones.tumblr.com/post/131312671780
Analysis 2 Another Understanding of the ending: https://mashamorevna.tumblr.com/post/85789279318/reply-to-anon-questions-i-got-about-the-deathless
Postscript:
This book took me ages to read not through any fault of its own. I’ve been in a reading slump that I have managed to claw myself out of at the eleventh hour of this godforsaken year. I think I will be ringing in 2021 by reading the hell out of another book. Toodles.
One thing this book showed me was how little I know of Russian folklore and history. I had to constantly look up new information, which (in my humble opinion) was one of the best parts. Learning new information and applying it to my understanding of the story was like watching a 10,000 piece puzzle slowly come together. The writing in this story was so heartbreakingly poetic. I could feel my chest getting tight just from reading the words on the page. As a reader, this is one of my favorite feelings. It is a sign that I have truly fallen completely and under the story’s spell.
My thoughts are still a bit scrambled, so I’m going to actually link to some amazing analyses of this book. Beware, they are analyses and are therefore NOT SPOILER FREE. I suggest reading the book with little to no prior knowledge of it and then learning as you go.
If you are a fan of dark stories, Russian folklore, and the true embodiment of beautiful storytelling, I highly recommend this book.
Analyses
Analysis 1 mostly focusing on the ending part in Yaichka: https://gatheringbones.tumblr.com/post/131312671780
Analysis 2 Another Understanding of the ending: https://mashamorevna.tumblr.com/post/85789279318/reply-to-anon-questions-i-got-about-the-deathless
Postscript:
This book took me ages to read not through any fault of its own. I’ve been in a reading slump that I have managed to claw myself out of at the eleventh hour of this godforsaken year. I think I will be ringing in 2021 by reading the hell out of another book. Toodles.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Torture, and Sexual content
bluedilly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Death
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