Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
When I first read the premise of this book, I didn't think I'd enjoy reading it. But after seeing the rave review that Gavin from Youtube give it, I decided to give it a try.
Boy was I wrong in thinking that it was going to be boring!
This book was soooooo good! I think my favorite part of it was the descriptions of the environment. I felt like I was there with the characters in every scene. And the characters themselves? So much fun! I laughed, cried, was angry along with Marinka through this whole book.
Five stars all the way!
Trigger warning: Death of a loved one.
Boy was I wrong in thinking that it was going to be boring!
This book was soooooo good! I think my favorite part of it was the descriptions of the environment. I felt like I was there with the characters in every scene. And the characters themselves? So much fun! I laughed, cried, was angry along with Marinka through this whole book.
Five stars all the way!
Trigger warning: Death of a loved one.
This was quite possibly the most beautiful depiction of death I have ever read and could certainly rival the likes of A Monster Calls or The Book Thief in it's ability to humanise death, which was gorgeously written. I like the exploration of the destiny versus choice dichotomy, grief and sorry but most importantly death. It took mortality and removed terror, pain and fear of the unknown and replaced it with the need for grief but also the need to let go, it explained death as a celebration of life and displayed it as a necessary part of the cycle of life.
I found Marinka to have been written as an unlikeable character a good choice as in spite of her behaviour you can completely understand why she behaves the way she does, which is no easy feet for a writer to accomplish so well. The balance between me as a mother wanting to tell her off and myself reminiscing of how I would have/ could have behaved was also so well crafted. The other characters including Jack, Benji and the house but especially Baba, Tatyana and Benjamin were well thought out and brought so much more to the story. Even reading about the two girls form the village or Nina added so much to the narrative and Marinka's arc.
An amazingly well constructed novel that is something for all readers from all walks of life, not just it's target audience. Because death is universal and I hope one day to be greeted by a Yaga.
I found Marinka to have been written as an unlikeable character a good choice as in spite of her behaviour you can completely understand why she behaves the way she does, which is no easy feet for a writer to accomplish so well. The balance between me as a mother wanting to tell her off and myself reminiscing of how I would have/ could have behaved was also so well crafted. The other characters including Jack, Benji and the house but especially Baba, Tatyana and Benjamin were well thought out and brought so much more to the story. Even reading about the two girls form the village or Nina added so much to the narrative and Marinka's arc.
An amazingly well constructed novel that is something for all readers from all walks of life, not just it's target audience. Because death is universal and I hope one day to be greeted by a Yaga.
3.5 stars.
First off, I FLEW through this book; read the whole thing in about 4 hours and there is a decided charm to a book that can make me do that. The cover is also stunning, and the illustrations inside are wonderful.
The whimsical aspects of this book were beautifully written. I have a giant soft spot for sentient houses and Marinka's house was such a delightful character. I'm such a sucker for a cozy environment and/or cleaning/cooking sequence so I was LIVING for those scenes. Also Old Yaga is a treasure to be protected at all costs.
However, some parts of this book were really frustrating to me. I understand that Marinka is a very young character and thus can't be expected to make sound decisions all the time, and I also understand that this books deals a lot with grief and the non-linear aspect of it. My main problem with both of these parts of the story is that it was written in such a repetitive way; Marinka's inner monologue contained all the same phases throughout the book. Even after she would have a realization about another perspective or way to see things, the inner voice we got wouldn't have shifted at all, and it made me feel like those life experiences were a waste. Selfish decision after selfish decision with instant regret yet no change in choice pattens got a bit tiring after a while. Thus, I knocked off a few stars.
Overall, I think this was a charming story that will do a great job of connecting it's intended middlegrade audience with it's themes. And I would EAT UP a sequel of an older Marinka and her adventures with her house.
First off, I FLEW through this book; read the whole thing in about 4 hours and there is a decided charm to a book that can make me do that. The cover is also stunning, and the illustrations inside are wonderful.
The whimsical aspects of this book were beautifully written. I have a giant soft spot for sentient houses and Marinka's house was such a delightful character. I'm such a sucker for a cozy environment and/or cleaning/cooking sequence so I was LIVING for those scenes. Also Old Yaga is a treasure to be protected at all costs.
However, some parts of this book were really frustrating to me. I understand that Marinka is a very young character and thus can't be expected to make sound decisions all the time, and I also understand that this books deals a lot with grief and the non-linear aspect of it. My main problem with both of these parts of the story is that it was written in such a repetitive way; Marinka's inner monologue contained all the same phases throughout the book. Even after she would have a realization about another perspective or way to see things, the inner voice we got wouldn't have shifted at all, and it made me feel like those life experiences were a waste. Selfish decision after selfish decision with instant regret yet no change in choice pattens got a bit tiring after a while. Thus, I knocked off a few stars.
Overall, I think this was a charming story that will do a great job of connecting it's intended middlegrade audience with it's themes. And I would EAT UP a sequel of an older Marinka and her adventures with her house.
I cried. Touching and so very imaginative. Marinka experienced a lot of growth and there’s nothing I love more than a fairy tale with Baba Yaga.
3.5 rounded down. This is a cute story. It just felt too long. And stories that are so focused around whiny teen girls and bad communication drive me crazy. Otherwise I liked the premise. It reminded me of Under the Whispering Door.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
My kids (16 and 10) and I listened to this on a roadtrip. I didn’t get super into it, but my kids loved it and were eager to listen to it even when we got out of the car.
A sweet story, that somehow didn’t seem to pack the intended emotional punch for me. The story touched on themes of attachment, but didn’t connect the broader ideas of life and death to any meaningful thesis. The book felt like it dissolved into side quests that never amounted to anything, even though an appreciation of life is important
A sweet story, that somehow didn’t seem to pack the intended emotional punch for me. The story touched on themes of attachment, but didn’t connect the broader ideas of life and death to any meaningful thesis. The book felt like it dissolved into side quests that never amounted to anything, even though an appreciation of life is important