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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
This is a book I’m kind of on the fence about as I enjoyed it but didn’t love it. I enjoyed learning about Russian fairy tales and I enjoyed the writing style within the book and the magical and whimsical atmosphere. However, I felt the book was quite slow paced and I wasn’t really able to connect with any of the characters.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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:
No
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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:
No
The most incredible thing about this book is the vivid setting brought to life by the intricate prose. You get completely immersed in the atmosphere of the world -- the folkloric elements, the beauty of the forest, the winter weather, the culture, and the mindsets of the characters. I love when historic fantasy knows its perspective so well.
I also love the themes this book explores. New religion and "order" comes into conflict with ancient cultural practices which are intrinsically tied to the land. The more our main character grows, the more she understands how much people need magic AND magic needs them -- a symbiosis that has existed for generations. This take on tradition and culture will always move me.
I adored Vasya of course. She was so woven in with the wild and rugged landscape around her. I loved how she faced her future and held onto what she wanted and believed in. I was also fascinated by Sasha and the perspective he offered into the complexity in Christianity, in contrast with the hard-hearted way the antagonists clung to their "righteous" beliefs. I really, really didn't like the priest (which was the point) and his perspective was very well written. You could see how he twisted his thoughts around and justified everything to himself while his insidious entitlement grew. The way he looked at a teenage girl and wanted to "tame" her was spine chilling.
I think this book dropped back from a full five stars for me for a couple of reasons. I found the tired "evil stepmother" trope a little hard to grapple with, especially as she was a young unwilling wife suffering from repeated marital r*pe from Vasya's father and seeing demons everywhere she looks. The narrative did offer her sympathy but she became so twisted and bitter that her presence in the book was nearly too bleak for me in a story that otherwise had a lot of feminist elements. It also has slow pacing, which can work for a folkloric novel like this, but it took a while to get to a real inciting incident.
My last note is simply that I've seen many comparisons between this and Novik's Uprooted, but I would say it feels more like Spinning Silver -- with its endless winter and strong girls interacting with ancient magical beings in the snow. Also, it's just a better book, imo.
I also love the themes this book explores. New religion and "order" comes into conflict with ancient cultural practices which are intrinsically tied to the land. The more our main character grows, the more she understands how much people need magic AND magic needs them -- a symbiosis that has existed for generations. This take on tradition and culture will always move me.
I adored Vasya of course. She was so woven in with the wild and rugged landscape around her. I loved how she faced her future and held onto what she wanted and believed in. I was also fascinated by Sasha and the perspective he offered into the complexity in Christianity, in contrast with the hard-hearted way the antagonists clung to their "righteous" beliefs. I really, really didn't like the priest (which was the point) and his perspective was very well written. You could see how he twisted his thoughts around and justified everything to himself while his insidious entitlement grew. The way he looked at a teenage girl and wanted to "tame" her was spine chilling.
I think this book dropped back from a full five stars for me for a couple of reasons. I found the tired "evil stepmother" trope a little hard to grapple with, especially as she was a young unwilling wife suffering from repeated marital r*pe from Vasya's father and seeing demons everywhere she looks. The narrative did offer her sympathy but she became so twisted and bitter that her presence in the book was nearly too bleak for me in a story that otherwise had a lot of feminist elements. It also has slow pacing, which can work for a folkloric novel like this, but it took a while to get to a real inciting incident.
My last note is simply that I've seen many comparisons between this and Novik's Uprooted, but I would say it feels more like Spinning Silver -- with its endless winter and strong girls interacting with ancient magical beings in the snow. Also, it's just a better book, imo.
dark
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
Fantasy with a Russian folklore bent. Writing was good, but some parts of the story were unfinished. What happened to the monk soldier brother? I think the author needs a little growth but definitely someone to watch
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes