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andra_mihaela_s's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was an interesting reading experience π§..due to the holiday rush ( cleaning, baking, hanging out with friends), I read this book in 2 sittings that were days apart!π€£π π€·ββοΈ...thankfully, it didn't affect my opinion on it!π
We follow Vasya and her family as they live at the edge of the Russian wilderness, where winters last most of the year and the snowdrifts grow taller than houses.
After our MC's mother dies, her father goes to Moscow and brings home a new wife. Fiercely devout, the stepmother forbids her family from honoring the household spirits, but Vasya, sensing that more is hinged upon these rituals, refuses to give them up!
CW: gore, death, murder, horror ( supernatural) and other triggers specific to fairy tales π
This book is first and foremost a tribute to Russian folklore with lots of atmosphere and beautiful descriptions.
The action takes place before the fall of Constantinople and is very focused on the human experience : custom, role of men and women in society, food, beliefs, dress and conduct, the struggle between responsibility / duty and dreams....and finally...the role of religion π
I truly enjoyed the characters in this novel! Both Vasya and Anna were very dear to me, as they mirror each other and give you both perspectives on something essentially ingrained in the way of life : myths / folklore.
As always, discussion on religion/ beliefs are a weakness of mine and Konstantin pov was appreciated.
The author manages to bring you sufficiently close to each character ( according to their importance to the plot) while maintaining a distance specific to fairy tales.
I also enjoyed reading from the perspective of Pyotr, Alyosha, Konstantin and Morozko, and I strongly believe that getting only Vasya 's pov would have been a mistake βΊοΈ
All this personalities coupled with different circumstances, getting into the same 'pot' to cook while the sauce is wintery....perfection π₯°π
Soooo..if you love retellings energy with magical realism and character based plot...I highly recommend you try this one!
Graphic: Death and Gore
Moderate: Murder and Classism
scifi_rat's review against another edition
Moderate: Misogyny, Violence, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Grief, Physical abuse, Death, and Mental illness
Minor: Bullying, Classism, Animal death, Blood, Pregnancy, Cursing, and Adult/minor relationship
lisa_m's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
I really enjoyed the discussion of religion and missionary work, but what really sold me was all the russian folklore! I love mythology and I want to read more retellings / mythology inspired books about different parts of the world.
I have to say that someone told me that this book is an enemies to lovers story and that is just not true? There is no romance, or at least it's not a main focus at all! I actually really liked that about this book. Also I am a big fan of the 'wild girl' trope :)
The ending was bittersweet but I really liked it. I didn't cry though, which made me realise, that I wasn't truly connecting with the characters. That is normally a big dealbreaker but this time I didn't actually mind that much. I guess the book is a 'vibes before plot' kind of book and it's very slow paced as well (but it's also quite short).
I am so excited for the other two books in the trilogy though I'm surprised it is a trilogy at all. This book could have been a standalone as well. I am interested to return to this world though and there are a lot of things I still want to hear more about.
Moderate: Classism, Death, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Bullying, Violence, Grief, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Pregnancy, and Rape
saintyeehaw's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Colonisation, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexism, Violence, and Vomit
reddeddy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Death of parent, Violence, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Classism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, Mental illness, Sexual content, Child abuse, Gore, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Blood, and Animal death
Minor: Body horror, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Pedophilia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Body shaming
beccam22's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The family is so full of love and a great story for younger girls finding their place in life. It is a story most of us know, either Greek names or European names, Russian or Spanish, there is a version of it in most languages. But the writing is so beautiful and if its not winter where you are you will feel the cold while reading it.
Below my original review:
It took me two tries to get into this book, yes it is a slow start but I would have been more willing to push through the first time if I knew it was so similar to Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik. Any fans of her writing and that story will LOVE this one.
Graphic: Grief, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, and Colonisation
Moderate: Mental illness, Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Pregnancy, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Sexual harassment, Animal death, and Blood