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valpyre's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
i'm not super familiar with russian mythology and folklore, and i appreciated the way this wasn't just a beat for beat retelling of a fairy tale. the way magic was intertwined with the way of life in the country, and with the main character in particular, just made sense -- i never felt too overwhelmed by new information, but there is a glossary at the end for reference.
i wasn't sure how to feel when i saw that the narrative involved multiple pov's but i really appreciated them all in the end as they lent sympathy to all the characters. the chapters/sections of different pov's were also brief enough that i appreciated the information i was learning, as opposed to just wanting to get back to the main character. even the omniscience of the prose was so smoothly written that it didn't break flow for me.
i'm really interested to see the development of the mc's magic so i'm diving right into the second book!
Graphic: Animal death and Gore
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Death, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual assault
the_rabble's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Takes until about halfway through to get going, but you've been primed with so much lore you're still having a good time before some of the set up action hits.
When it does hit, it's hard to put down and stays true to the style of the book.
I'm not big on kid protagonists, but this was like if Anne of Green Gables was a horse girl who had a cadre of friends from Russian folklore and maybe
Narrator: the Kathleen Gati recording is really clean. Voice acting was good- deploys Russian accents in dialogue. The pace could have been faster at times in prose. She's got an excellent fairy tale quality to the read.
Who I Wouldn't Rec This To: Misogyny and casual domestic violence is part of the setting, so if you're not in a headspace to deal with that allll the way through, wait on reading this one.
Graphic: Sexism, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
doodeedoda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Pregnancy, Child abuse, Grief, and Misogyny
Minor: Death of parent
furreverreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Chilling, exciting, atmospheric. A perfect mix of frustrating characters, and lovable characters; villains and heroes.
Arden wrote it beautifully, incorporating the Russian language and traditions well I think. I was not ready for it to end, but do think she ended it well.
Ugh! So far definitely the best book I’ve finished in 2024.
Moderate: Bullying, Blood, and Death
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gore, and Animal death
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
4.5
Overall an exciting and interesting tale 😍 I can’t wait to continue the series and see what happens with the characters!
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexism, Grief, Gore, Animal death, and Religious bigotry
bookycnidaria's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Sexism, Violence, Mental illness, and Rape
chloebaboey's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Animal death, Death, Violence, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Blood, and Sexism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, and Rape
Minor: Animal cruelty
seekerxr's review against another edition
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault
anni_swanilda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Suicide, Body horror, Gore, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Blood, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Animal death, Child death, Death, and Violence
moonchild_cos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Animal death, Death of parent, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Child death, Body horror, Child abuse, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Grief, Pedophilia, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis