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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
I've thought about this one for several days now and I still am not entirely sure what to make of it. A reviewer on GoodReads described this book as "Harry Potter written by Kafka" and I think that's a pretty apt description.
This novel (which is part one in a trilogy set in the same world, but only this first one has been translated so far) is thematically "dark academia," and yeah, I'd say this is pretty dark. The book was originally written in Ukrainian, and the Dyachenkos are pretty well-known in their own country, having written about twenty sci-fi/fantasy books and even won awards. I had never heard of them until this book club.
Vita Nostra was a bit tough to read, as my interest level waxed and waned during the course of the book, but even when I was really confused, much like the characters in the book, I resolved to concentrate and see what happened next.
The ending was pretty abrupt and not having the second book at the ready to see what happens was a bit disappointing.
It's difficult to explain the plot without giving too much away, but the magic study of Hogwarts is fluffy clouds and rainbows compared to what these students go through.
This novel (which is part one in a trilogy set in the same world, but only this first one has been translated so far) is thematically "dark academia," and yeah, I'd say this is pretty dark. The book was originally written in Ukrainian, and the Dyachenkos are pretty well-known in their own country, having written about twenty sci-fi/fantasy books and even won awards. I had never heard of them until this book club.
Vita Nostra was a bit tough to read, as my interest level waxed and waned during the course of the book, but even when I was really confused, much like the characters in the book, I resolved to concentrate and see what happened next.
The ending was pretty abrupt and not having the second book at the ready to see what happens was a bit disappointing.
It's difficult to explain the plot without giving too much away, but the magic study of Hogwarts is fluffy clouds and rainbows compared to what these students go through.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This novel defies genre and after reading it, I don't even know what the hell I just read. And I really enjoyed that. Minus one star because my brain cannot comprehend some of the concepts, which is totally a me-thing and not a book-thing.
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexism, Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read for the 2025 Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt 14. A book about a nontraditional education
I… what… what is this?? I’m so confused. I loved it tho. I have so many thoughts about this book but it’s completely unexplainable and weird. The translation is absolutely gorgeous and I have no doubt very little is actually lost in translation which means this book is absolutely obscure and confusing. And yet I’m pretty sure it’s going to be one of the best of the year and it’s only January. This book is in 3 parts and part one is the best for sure and part three the most confusing. If everything was based on part three I would have given up. But that being said, I’m absolutely reading the next books.
I… what… what is this?? I’m so confused. I loved it tho. I have so many thoughts about this book but it’s completely unexplainable and weird. The translation is absolutely gorgeous and I have no doubt very little is actually lost in translation which means this book is absolutely obscure and confusing. And yet I’m pretty sure it’s going to be one of the best of the year and it’s only January. This book is in 3 parts and part one is the best for sure and part three the most confusing. If everything was based on part three I would have given up. But that being said, I’m absolutely reading the next books.
Confusing, yes, but compelling and fun to think about after you read it.
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
There was a lot to appreciate about this book but not a lot to actually enjoy
Honestly, it was so slow moving that I just didn't care
Things I loved:
The mystery is truly compelling and it draws you in from the very beginning.
The book is somewhat self aware so it's sort of winking at you as it descends into certain fantasy tropes.
At least in my reading experience, the plot and the world building is unique.
Everything about the book that can be real seems very real (relationships, self-discovery, etc)
Things that took me out of it:
Sometimes, the fantastical elements and concepts in the book were a little too cerebral. That is to say they went over my head.
There was at least one obvious solution to a problem that I figured out many pages before the characters did (so I went over the book's head).
The protagonist keeps making the same mistake over and over, which got a little annoying (but it's also the definition of addiction, which the book admits is her problem).
It probably couldn't be helped, but there are some moments where the translation seems to falter.
Those lists seem even, but let me clarify that I loved this book way more than I didn't. I can't wait for the next book in the (reportedly loosely connected) series to be translated.
The mystery is truly compelling and it draws you in from the very beginning.
The book is somewhat self aware so it's sort of winking at you as it descends into certain fantasy tropes.
At least in my reading experience, the plot and the world building is unique.
Everything about the book that can be real seems very real (relationships, self-discovery, etc)
Things that took me out of it:
Sometimes, the fantastical elements and concepts in the book were a little too cerebral. That is to say they went over my head.
There was at least one obvious solution to a problem that I figured out many pages before the characters did (so I went over the book's head).
The protagonist keeps making the same mistake over and over, which got a little annoying (but it's also the definition of addiction, which the book admits is her problem).
It probably couldn't be helped, but there are some moments where the translation seems to falter.
Those lists seem even, but let me clarify that I loved this book way more than I didn't. I can't wait for the next book in the (reportedly loosely connected) series to be translated.