Reviews

Un mundo helado by Naomi Novik

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odin45mp's review against another edition

5.0

Phenomenal. Novik sticks the landing here. This is a lavish retelling and mash-up of a few classic fairy tales, where a young girl manages to turn silver into gold and in doing so attracts the eye of the king of the Staryk - a fae race who embodies winter. It is also the story of a young woman whose abusive, violent father holds her family in fear, and how she and her brothers manage to escape. It is also the story of a young woman who is married off as a political tool for her father, and finds that her husband is much more than she bargained for... but she can bargain back. Rich, deep characters. Good dialogue. Multiple plots spinning in the air. This was a joy to read and a book that I will be recommending when people want something new and different in fantasy.

r3damancy's review against another edition

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3.0

!!Opt for reading rather than audio format!!

The multiple POVs offer a rich view of the story's intricacies. However, this leads to moments of disorientation, particularly for those listening to the story in audio format. I was pausing to reference chapter numbers to keep track of the shifting perspectives using the wiki.

The book is a reimagining of the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, skillfully interwoven with themes of power, identity, and the bonds of family. Novik's portrayal of Polish-Lithuanian Jewish moneylenders (usury) adds depth and authenticity to the narrative.
It envelops you in its atmospheric world—a perfect companion for cozying up with blankets and a warm cup of tea or coffee on a wintry night.

lazyeggo's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

taikafaitau's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

3.75

The writing was amazing. The story is told from the perspective of 3 girls/women. However, the author never has to explicitly indicate who is speaking because of how effectively she changes the voice, cadence, and style. It really does feel like 3 different people are telling the story.

I appreciated the feminism and world building. The storytelling was also well done. The reason why this is only a 3.75 read for me is purely my own reading preferences. The story itself didn’t grab me. It felt slow and lukewarm. I didn’t feel enough emotion.

attackofthetitans's review against another edition

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3.0

A good storyline but was slow in some parts. And some characters point of view I didn't fully understand why they were included. Definite slow build and slow parts. I listened to the audiobook and hard to keep track of the 2 different main characters.