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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
A really refreshing book in a genre that sometimes feels stale fast. It was fun going for the ride with characters to understand what it even was they were doing here. Dark fantasy, very like the magician in genre, which I loved. Probably more 4.5/5 but honestly bonus points for being so refreshingly different.
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Indescribable (any more than other reviewers), I kept annoying family members as I read sections out loud, trying to convey my reactions, this is a book to read, discuss and re-read, fascinating!
This isn't the weirdest book I've ever read but it's definitely weird. I'm very conflicted because, while it's odd, doesn't have the best structure, just doesn't explain anything ever, its also beautiful and intriguing.
If you're able to suspend reality and just accept what is happening as truth, you should give this book a read.
If you're able to suspend reality and just accept what is happening as truth, you should give this book a read.
4.5 stars. This was really up my alley. Another reviewer called this "Harry Potter as written by Kafka" and that's not a bad comparison actually. There is a pervading sense of unease here, a sense of hidden hands pulling strings and shadowy plots larger than human comprehension, a hopelessness and a futility in doing anything but acceding to plans made for you long in advance. I don't know if it's accurate, but I also think this book might fit "cosmic horror" too, especially in its descriptions of how the world "really is".
All of this kept me compelled to read and understand what was happening, who held the strings and what those plans really were, what it is exactly that our protagonist is learning. I enjoyed learning along with her, drinking in the descriptions of what was revealed, and sharing her struggles to come to terms with her situation. I wasn't completely sold on the ultimate reveal, and the very ending confused me (perhaps this was deliberate) but I forgive this just because it is an inventive story, well-told.
However, so much happens in vague metaphor and allusion, in our protagonist's mind, that I can see this being a frustrating and unsatisfying read for others. I'm not surprised at the divided reviews.
Still, I ate it up. Great stuff.
All of this kept me compelled to read and understand what was happening, who held the strings and what those plans really were, what it is exactly that our protagonist is learning. I enjoyed learning along with her, drinking in the descriptions of what was revealed, and sharing her struggles to come to terms with her situation. I wasn't completely sold on the ultimate reveal, and the very ending confused me (perhaps this was deliberate) but I forgive this just because it is an inventive story, well-told.
However, so much happens in vague metaphor and allusion, in our protagonist's mind, that I can see this being a frustrating and unsatisfying read for others. I'm not surprised at the divided reviews.
Still, I ate it up. Great stuff.
This book is incredible. The writing, the world building, the mind bending. Def the Russian Harry Potter. Dark, psychologically taut, distinctly Russian.
Please, please translate the remaining books in the trilogy.
Please, please translate the remaining books in the trilogy.
I really wanted to love this as I've been seeing quite a bit of hype for it. Unfortunately, this just wasn't for me.
slow-paced
To discuss this book is difficult It is a whirlwind of ideas concepts and structure. It is magical metaphysical and fantasy It is also deeply rooted in christian orthodox ideas of fear, suffering, life and death, sprinkled with classical philosophy (I was thinking Plato’s cave) Combined with recognizable ingredients - the train/school a in Harry Potter The changing as in Kafka’s metamorphosis as well as a bildung from a young girl.
It took me a while to let this book fully sink in and to fully appreciate it. It had to grown on me. As Sasha is being pulled into a path that she did not choose but was chosen for her and accepts and starts to be come engrossed in the subject, I was pulled into this book following her journey.
The book starts almost too simple as a run of the mill Yong Adult fiction book. However it quickly becomes more it becomes dark, it becomes weird and yet recognisable. Quickly it became a book that went from an easy read in bed story a book that made that I went to bed earlier to read a bit more and longer. A book that I really wanted to read further. So much so that I have put it on my to re-read shelf as well I need to rad this again knowing what I know now about the ending to gain new insights into what i happening:
Sasha grows initially from a young girl toward a woman, but the path is not standard Her path is that of freeing herself from expectations Expectations of family friends, but also the expectation of fellow students, teachers and the paths decided or expectations by others for her.
The backbone from a novel perspective is classic All people help her to become who (?) and what (?) she is. They teach and mentor and try to shape her board their idea of what she should be. She embraces the ideas that others teach and taught her but takes what is best for her and ultimately rejects the parts she does not agree withand becomes her true self. Her environment finds that hard to accept. In that aspect it is a classical bildung But to be honest to describe the book only like that is not doing it any justice. The writers in the epilogue do refer to their own daughter growing up during the writing of the book and as such I can see the parental struggle of letting go of a loved child to adulthood written into it and I found that both endearing and enlightening
The book itself though has a certain darkness which is surrounding it all the intriguing not knowing where the path goes the concepts of using words and grammar as a metaphysical hyperbole are fascinating to the extend that I ended up googling grammar rules again!
In the end the book makes complete sense, provided that the reader has a some concept of the biblical orthodoxy with using language and words to describe the metaphysical creation. I found a review describing it as Harry Potter as if it would be written by Tolstoy. I like the analogy but it is more and deeper than Harry Potter ever was/is and the ending is more positive than Tolstoy.
And there in the end the book has made me ramble and happy. Perfect!
It took me a while to let this book fully sink in and to fully appreciate it. It had to grown on me. As Sasha is being pulled into a path that she did not choose but was chosen for her and accepts and starts to be come engrossed in the subject, I was pulled into this book following her journey.
The book starts almost too simple as a run of the mill Yong Adult fiction book. However it quickly becomes more it becomes dark, it becomes weird and yet recognisable. Quickly it became a book that went from an easy read in bed story a book that made that I went to bed earlier to read a bit more and longer. A book that I really wanted to read further. So much so that I have put it on my to re-read shelf as well I need to rad this again knowing what I know now about the ending to gain new insights into what i happening:
Sasha grows initially from a young girl toward a woman, but the path is not standard Her path is that of freeing herself from expectations Expectations of family friends, but also the expectation of fellow students, teachers and the paths decided or expectations by others for her.
The backbone from a novel perspective is classic All people help her to become who (?) and what (?) she is. They teach and mentor and try to shape her board their idea of what she should be. She embraces the ideas that others teach and taught her but takes what is best for her and ultimately rejects the parts she does not agree withand becomes her true self. Her environment finds that hard to accept. In that aspect it is a classical bildung But to be honest to describe the book only like that is not doing it any justice. The writers in the epilogue do refer to their own daughter growing up during the writing of the book and as such I can see the parental struggle of letting go of a loved child to adulthood written into it and I found that both endearing and enlightening
The book itself though has a certain darkness which is surrounding it all the intriguing not knowing where the path goes the concepts of using words and grammar as a metaphysical hyperbole are fascinating to the extend that I ended up googling grammar rules again!
In the end the book makes complete sense, provided that the reader has a some concept of the biblical orthodoxy with using language and words to describe the metaphysical creation. I found a review describing it as Harry Potter as if it would be written by Tolstoy. I like the analogy but it is more and deeper than Harry Potter ever was/is and the ending is more positive than Tolstoy.
And there in the end the book has made me ramble and happy. Perfect!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated