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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
Aside from the difficult to pronounce words and names I loved this book. Vasya is such a captivating woman and character and the peek into Russian lore was a unique treat!
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
No sabía nada del libro antes de leerlo y fue una sorpresa lo mucho que me gustó, si sufrí por el contexto histórico (como mujer, sentí cada momento en que Vasia no estana conforme con su destino), pero no quitó que lo pudiera disfrutar y sinceramente el final me dejo con ganas de leer mucho más.
Al principio el papá de Vasia no me agradó pero bueno, las cosas cambian 😗
Al principio el papá de Vasia no me agradó pero bueno, las cosas cambian 😗
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Death of parent
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved loved LOVED this book, this fairytale, this story! Thanks to my brother for putting this series on my radar. Russian folk tales + smidge of magic + strong female character = LOVE IT.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
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
What I Liked
The story is told in an almost lyrical way that ensnared my interest in it right away. The descriptions of the Russian winter are lovely the way a tiger is beautiful. Majestic but can kill you with a swipe of her paw lol Reminded me of Valente's Deathless and Keturah and Lord Death
by Martine Leavitt. Both are books that I really liked.
The way the protagonist's family are with each other. They frustrate each other and fight but there's also a lot of love.
How the story ended. Usually, the other is always punished, especially if she's a woman. But I liked that this wasn't the case here.
What I Didn't Like
The Big Bad was built into this huge deal throughout the book. Turned out, it was quite easy to defeat him.
The story's been done before and the heroine WAS a snowflake, so there's that.
What I Don't Know
Whether the book needed a sequel?
The story is told in an almost lyrical way that ensnared my interest in it right away. The descriptions of the Russian winter are lovely the way a tiger is beautiful. Majestic but can kill you with a swipe of her paw lol Reminded me of Valente's Deathless and Keturah and Lord Death
by Martine Leavitt. Both are books that I really liked.
The way the protagonist's family are with each other. They frustrate each other and fight but there's also a lot of love.
How the story ended. Usually, the other is always punished, especially if she's a woman. But I liked that this wasn't the case here.
What I Didn't Like
The Big Bad was built into this huge deal throughout the book. Turned out, it was quite easy to defeat him.
The story's been done before and the heroine WAS a snowflake, so there's that.
What I Don't Know
Whether the book needed a sequel?
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This is an amazing Russian style fairy tale set into a trilogy. It is full of villains and heroes, love and loss. I cannot suggest this book enough.
However, there seem to be a lot of negative reviews on here. Mostly, it seems people that are giving a negative review do not understand that this is influenced greatly by historical and cultural norms of medieval Russia. It was a very dark time with a lot of conflict. It also, was a time where Christianity was coming in to Russia and the old ways were being set aside for the pomp and posturing of the Christian god.
So here are your content warnings I guess.
Read this book if you love:
Heroes
Strong sense of family
Strong sense of honor
Fairy Tales
Villains and their demise
Do not read if you can't handle:
Non-Westernized culture
Historically inspired depictions of Christianity
The idea of a villain being a Christian
Chyerti - the spirits of medieval Russian folklore/belief
and finally, don't read it if you can't check your ego at the introduction. Not every tale told will conform to your ideals and world view, but that is the joy of reading. You get to explore a new culture or a new idea.
I truly enjoyed this book and I think others will as well. So give it a try!
However, there seem to be a lot of negative reviews on here. Mostly, it seems people that are giving a negative review do not understand that this is influenced greatly by historical and cultural norms of medieval Russia. It was a very dark time with a lot of conflict. It also, was a time where Christianity was coming in to Russia and the old ways were being set aside for the pomp and posturing of the Christian god.
So here are your content warnings I guess.
Read this book if you love:
Heroes
Strong sense of family
Strong sense of honor
Fairy Tales
Villains and their demise
Do not read if you can't handle:
Non-Westernized culture
Historically inspired depictions of Christianity
The idea of a villain being a Christian
Chyerti - the spirits of medieval Russian folklore/belief
and finally, don't read it if you can't check your ego at the introduction. Not every tale told will conform to your ideals and world view, but that is the joy of reading. You get to explore a new culture or a new idea.
I truly enjoyed this book and I think others will as well. So give it a try!