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arlamont13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ketutar's review against another edition
4.0
This is a story of a little girl living in the Russian countryside, in a small village. There's magic in this world and... hmm... magical creatures, dragons, rusalkas, etc. Magic has been outlawed, but people still use it.
Now, Anya is a bit different from other little girls in the village, she's Jewish. The book does a good job showing this by including the Jewish traditions and ways to the story of her life.
One day a family arrives to the village. It's a family of the Czar's fools, in the village to look for a dragon. All the dragons in the country are to be taken to the Czar. The family has several sons, and they are all named Ivan. Ivan the second, fourth, seventh and so on. The father is also Ivan, Ivan the first :-D
Ivan the Eight and Anya become friends and they find the dragon. It's not what they thought it would be.
Now, Anya is a bit different from other little girls in the village, she's Jewish. The book does a good job showing this by including the Jewish traditions and ways to the story of her life.
One day a family arrives to the village. It's a family of the Czar's fools, in the village to look for a dragon. All the dragons in the country are to be taken to the Czar. The family has several sons, and they are all named Ivan. Ivan the second, fourth, seventh and so on. The father is also Ivan, Ivan the first :-D
Ivan the Eight and Anya become friends and they find the dragon. It's not what they thought it would be.
arydberg's review
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
clarabooksit's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Antisemitism, and Violence
Moderate: Xenophobia, Animal cruelty, and Grief
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail
bickie's review against another edition
5.0
Takes place in 10th century Kievan Rus' which includes much of today's Ukraine and Belarus. Anya is Jewish through her mother's side; her grandmother, referred to as Babulya, speaks Juhuri (Persian/Hebrew), and her mother was born in Sarkel. Anya's father and grandfather are referred to as "Slavists," which would be called Slavic pagans now.
While this is primarily an adventure/quest story, there are many Jewish traditions mentioned, and at one point, Anya and her grandmother discuss the idea of killing the world by killing one life as well as saving the world by saving one life.
Some older readers would enjoy this as well, picking up on the larger themes. Younger could also enjoy reading with an adult.
CW: antisemitism, battle violence,
While this is primarily an adventure/quest story, there are many Jewish traditions mentioned, and at one point, Anya and her grandmother discuss the idea of killing the world by killing one life as well as saving the world by saving one life.
Some older readers would enjoy this as well, picking up on the larger themes. Younger could also enjoy reading with an adult.
CW: antisemitism, battle violence,
Spoiler
attempted murder (twice) of children by a chillingly cold-blooded dragon-huntermomreads's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This book was delightful. Anya is brave and inspiring. A very heartwarming story. As soon as I finished it I wanted to read it again. So glad I already own book two.
rakoerose's review against another edition
4.0
This was just incredibly sweet and wholesome. I needed a feel-good book and this fit the bill perfectly.
”I’m the seventh son, the eighth Ivan, so I’m Ivan Vosmyorka. Number Eight.”
Anya blinked. “Are you all called Ivan?”
“Yes.” He grinned, then continued up the stairs.
Anya and Ivan go on a very intense adventure to find and then protect a dragon! Throughout, there is a lot of explanation for other magical concepts and creatures that I felt like I was swimming in a sea of new mythos to love. The world is so rich and colorful in every aspect, I adored it.
Anya and Ivan are both endlessly endearing. They read perfect for their ages and get into all the hijinks I expect from their age as well. Ivan’s quiet but smart demeanor and desire to learn more about everything with an open heart makes me glad he’s available as a role model. He is inquisitive and excited to learn more about Anya and her way of life, and doesn’t get mad when she proves something he once thought to be right instead is wrong. Their friendship is literally magic.
The idea of Ivan’s family being fool magicians who can only do magic by not doing magic was so cool. That fate has a hand in their work is fascinating. I enjoyed the subplot for Ivan and his water magic; where he felt different and lesser than his other relatives, and yet his Mama is a talented water magician and his hero is one as well. It’s a wonderful message that you can be great just the way you are! Honestly, all the messages surrounding family just made me feel really warm and fuzzy.
”Why are you awake so early, my little dummy?” She said “dummy” so nicely, like she was calling him “sweetheart” instead.
I really liked exploring Anya’s world in this book and I’m excited to see what comes next!
”I’m the seventh son, the eighth Ivan, so I’m Ivan Vosmyorka. Number Eight.”
Anya blinked. “Are you all called Ivan?”
“Yes.” He grinned, then continued up the stairs.
Anya and Ivan go on a very intense adventure to find and then protect a dragon! Throughout, there is a lot of explanation for other magical concepts and creatures that I felt like I was swimming in a sea of new mythos to love. The world is so rich and colorful in every aspect, I adored it.
Anya and Ivan are both endlessly endearing. They read perfect for their ages and get into all the hijinks I expect from their age as well. Ivan’s quiet but smart demeanor and desire to learn more about everything with an open heart makes me glad he’s available as a role model. He is inquisitive and excited to learn more about Anya and her way of life, and doesn’t get mad when she proves something he once thought to be right instead is wrong. Their friendship is literally magic.
The idea of Ivan’s family being fool magicians who can only do magic by not doing magic was so cool. That fate has a hand in their work is fascinating. I enjoyed the subplot for Ivan and his water magic; where he felt different and lesser than his other relatives, and yet his Mama is a talented water magician and his hero is one as well. It’s a wonderful message that you can be great just the way you are! Honestly, all the messages surrounding family just made me feel really warm and fuzzy.
”Why are you awake so early, my little dummy?” She said “dummy” so nicely, like she was calling him “sweetheart” instead.
I really liked exploring Anya’s world in this book and I’m excited to see what comes next!
nuttytwitchy22's review against another edition
4.0
I surprisingly enjoyed this book quite a bit! At first it was a little slow but one I got into it, I didn't want to put it down. I look forward to reading more.
sindri_inn_arsaeli's review against another edition
4.0
This had me so invested throughout, and I loved the book, but it fell just short of full five stars only because it didn't quite live up to all my excited expectations I formed while reading some of the middle. I'll break my review in to the no spoilers beginning, and then some spoilers after I give fair warning.
I Loved the presentation of the story in the same casual, assumptive way that "mainstream" mythical creatures get presented. There was no pause to describe a cultural creature or practice because it wasn't Anglo- American, it was just given a name and just enough description in the natural unfolding of the story that you could figure out it's purpose. The idea of strings of magic was creative, and very well displayed. And I really, really loved Anya's babushka, and her ethical and theological comments throughout.
SPOILERS AFTER THIS POINT.
On that note, that was my one disappointment; Anya and her babushka had such a wonderful discussion of the commandment to never kill, and what this meant practically. That the commandment did not say never kill unless someone is trying to kill you. And then Anya is handed a weapon which only kills With Intent. Which she uses in a very clever way to, in fact, save a life through the deception of seeming to kill, but not wanting to. AND YET. She still kills Sigurd. That's the only explanation for his death. The dragon blood clearly didn't kill him. An adult didn't kill him. And he was not simply subdued. He dies, from Anya's weapon. Which must have malice, or at least intent, to kill. So Anya kills him. This was a let down after the ethical build up of the earlier discussion. Had Sigurd died somehow by his own hand, through over reaction or something, I would have been much happier.
Still going to read the sequel once it's out, though!!!
I Loved the presentation of the story in the same casual, assumptive way that "mainstream" mythical creatures get presented. There was no pause to describe a cultural creature or practice because it wasn't Anglo- American, it was just given a name and just enough description in the natural unfolding of the story that you could figure out it's purpose. The idea of strings of magic was creative, and very well displayed. And I really, really loved Anya's babushka, and her ethical and theological comments throughout.
SPOILERS AFTER THIS POINT.
On that note, that was my one disappointment; Anya and her babushka had such a wonderful discussion of the commandment to never kill, and what this meant practically. That the commandment did not say never kill unless someone is trying to kill you. And then Anya is handed a weapon which only kills With Intent. Which she uses in a very clever way to, in fact, save a life through the deception of seeming to kill, but not wanting to. AND YET. She still kills Sigurd. That's the only explanation for his death. The dragon blood clearly didn't kill him. An adult didn't kill him. And he was not simply subdued. He dies, from Anya's weapon. Which must have malice, or at least intent, to kill. So Anya kills him. This was a let down after the ethical build up of the earlier discussion. Had Sigurd died somehow by his own hand, through over reaction or something, I would have been much happier.
Still going to read the sequel once it's out, though!!!
michellehenriereads's review against another edition
5.0
Anya and the Dragon has exactly what I love in middle grade. Themes include friendship and family.
Anya has genuine problems and fears. And yet, she tackles her problems and will do anything to help her family. Her father has been forcibly conscripted into the Tsar's army. Her grandmother has forbidden magic, and her grandfather has animal magic. The entire village looks on Anya and her family with distrust because they're Jewish. I love how there is an undertone to accept others. We need more of this in the world!
Ivan and his family are a great cast of characters-rumble tumble acrobats. Ivan doesn't fit in with his family either and is looked down upon because of his magical talent. He is loyal and brave and trustworthy.
The setting in an alternate Russia is amazing and reminds me of the short time I spent there. I can picture their houses so clearly. The fantasy creatures in this setting are perfect. I love, love, love the dragon! He isn't what I expected at all. (I won't say more because I don't want to spoil it for you.) Also the house domovoi, a type of house spirit who reflects what is happening in their home, is delightful. When he doesn't get to eat what he wants, I feel for him. If only I had a domovoi.
The ending was so satisfying! I didn't know how Pasternack was going to pull it off without it getting too violent or too tame, but she did it.
Would I recommend this book? You betcha! We need more stories like this! I can hardly wait to share it with my family. I recommend you pick it up today!
5 stars out of 5 stars
Anya has genuine problems and fears. And yet, she tackles her problems and will do anything to help her family. Her father has been forcibly conscripted into the Tsar's army. Her grandmother has forbidden magic, and her grandfather has animal magic. The entire village looks on Anya and her family with distrust because they're Jewish. I love how there is an undertone to accept others. We need more of this in the world!
Ivan and his family are a great cast of characters-rumble tumble acrobats. Ivan doesn't fit in with his family either and is looked down upon because of his magical talent. He is loyal and brave and trustworthy.
The setting in an alternate Russia is amazing and reminds me of the short time I spent there. I can picture their houses so clearly. The fantasy creatures in this setting are perfect. I love, love, love the dragon! He isn't what I expected at all. (I won't say more because I don't want to spoil it for you.) Also the house domovoi, a type of house spirit who reflects what is happening in their home, is delightful. When he doesn't get to eat what he wants, I feel for him. If only I had a domovoi.
The ending was so satisfying! I didn't know how Pasternack was going to pull it off without it getting too violent or too tame, but she did it.
Would I recommend this book? You betcha! We need more stories like this! I can hardly wait to share it with my family. I recommend you pick it up today!
5 stars out of 5 stars