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margaret_k30'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Physical abuse, Blood, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Self harm and Toxic relationship
Minor: Pregnancy, Animal cruelty, Adult/minor relationship, and Violence
geminisoul'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Self harm, Violence, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Grief, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
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
megan_pristineprose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Misogyny, Death, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Gore and Physical abuse
Minor: Murder, Child death, and Infidelity
aksmith92'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
The setup: This tale begins with a Russian fairy tale. A few children are huddled around Dunya, a nursemaid, hearing the story of the frost-king, a mythical being who controls the winter but can also be death itself. We pivot outside the story to learn about a family living in a small town in Rus' (pre-dates Russia, my friends) where Pyotr, the patriarch, overseas this land and community. He has a wife he loves, Marina, and a handful of children. Marina becomes pregnant again and notes how important this birth will be - Marina comes from a line of magical women. Unfortunately (no spoiler!), Marina dies in childbirth, and Vasya, her daughter, is left without her birth mother.
During the novel, we follow the family as children grow up and the patriarch remarries. There is a blend of "old ways," versus the growing Orthodox religion. A common theme throughout the novel is the replacement of the old ways/chyerti (gods) and the shunning of those who still practice the old ways. In addition to that prevalent idea, there is this fantastical element of the fairy tale itself around the frost-king and Vasya being connected to this magical line. Katherine Arden poetically combines Russian folklore and history into a magical realism/fantasy novel.
What I liked: The prose and writing style differed from what I am used to, especially since Arden tried to stay realistic with Rus' language at the time. However, it made it unique and compelling. I found this writing to be atmospheric in its own way, and not only was it interesting, but I had a blast reading it. I also loved many of the characters. So many were flawed, including Pyotr, Vasya's father, and Anna, Vasya's stepmother. Each character was unique and exciting in their own way. Lastly, I loved this fairy tale retelling. I know little Russian folklore and fairy tales, but this seemed original. It was something I hadn't read much about before (except for Uprooted by Naomi Novik), and it just had the vibes of a lovely winter read.
What fell flat: Not much! But it was a bit slow (for me). There was so much character development and setup, which I usually love, but at times, it did drag just a little. Additionally, this was hard to read at times because of all the misogyny in this culture and the blatant sexism that accompanied the time period (which I have no doubt is factual). And, you know, I have to mention it even though I know this fits the "time period," but I disliked that the main female character was 15, yet she was acting older, and there may be pieces of the plot in the future books that have her doing very non-15-year-old things! I don't want to elaborate because I don't want to give anything away, but you know how I feel about teenage girls in fantasy novels!
However, this was beautiful storytelling, and I cannot wait to read the next ones in the series!
Graphic: Sexism, Death, Blood, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Gore, Animal death, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Grief, Religious bigotry, Vomit, Murder, Death of parent, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Alcohol, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Pregnancy
Sexual assault happens on page, albeit briefly - unwelcomed forced touching and kissing.sunniva174's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Religious bigotry, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Pregnancy, Sexism, and Death
Minor: War
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
vigil'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
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, Blood, Death, Grief, Violence, Animal death, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Pregnancy
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
readwithria's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I’m not gonna lie, I considered DNFing this book for most of Part 1 and about 2/3 of Part 2. I didn’t because of all of the amazing reviews that I’d seen, and I did enjoy the last 60-100 pages a lot more than the first 200, but they didn’t make up for the slow beginning.
One of the people I was buddy reading this with said this book felt like a prequel, and I could t agree more. There doesn’t seem to be much of a plot until Part 3 of the book, and that’s also when we get a better understanding of the magic system and truly meet one of the most important characters in the book. The pacing was slow, and while it felt deliberate I didn’t enjoy it.
I also, controversially, didn’t like how much this book was tied to a real-world religion. If I’d know that one of the main antoginistic characters was a literal Christian Orthodox priest I probably wouldn’t have picked this book up. I really hate having real, contemporary religions in my books of any genre, it’s one of my biggest icks. That’s definitely not a fault of the book, but if I had know I never would have read it in the first place. Give me all the ancient religions, fake religions with real world analogues, or mythology retellings!
Anyway, I think that’s also part of why o kept reading. I knew that aspect of the book was a me issue, so I was hoping something else would make up for it. Unfortunately, while I really enjoyed the ending it wasn’t enough for me to continue the trilogy. 3 stars.
Graphic: Death and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death of parent and Blood