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orchidlilly's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Overall, subpar. The magic and world building are far more interesting than any of the characters could ever dream of being, which is a shame because we don't get to see much of it. The premise was interesting, the plot was an actual plot, but it could have been fleshed out so much better if it only had a bit more time. The ending was a semi-refreshing subversion of the expected romance ending, but it felt a bit rushed. The romance part itself was, in my opinion, wholly unnecessary and a bit unpleasant. The main romantic interest is an immortal while our mc is... 17-ish. Not to mention the attempted rape scene.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Grief, Kidnapping, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Bullying, Fatphobia, Gore, and War
Moderate: Mental illness, Death, Sexual harassment, Blood, Body horror, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Alcohol, Animal death, and Confinement
saintyeehaw's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I kept rooting for this book and it kind of kept letting me down, sadly. I fell in love with the magic system, the visualizations of spell casting, the descriptions of reading the Summoning, and the dark horror of the Wood. Unfortunately, Sarkan's never ending verbal abuse toward Nieshka, her being 17 to his 150, the weird sympathetic framing of a rapist, and the inclusion of only one explicitly black character just to have her be the daughter of a slave really soured me on the whole thing.
I'll just rant here. The fact that Sarkan chooses specifically girls (never explained why boys aren't chosen if everyone with the gift must be trained) and expects them to cook all his meals for him for ten years was already irredeemable in my eyes. His constant berating of Nieshka literally left her EXPECTING abuse multiple times throughout the book which left me feeling sick at its romanticization. Truly, Sarkan's only traits were that he liked cleanliness and that he was mean. Their hideous age gap (of literally a child and a very old man) being framed as his excuse to momentarily hesitate from sex with her? yikes. Why did she need to be 17? I would have much preferred reading about an adult woman and her ages old immortal boyfriend. Lastly, the rape scene was handled unbelievably poorly and just made Sarkan even more monstrous to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Body horror, Classism, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War
Minor: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Child death, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Murder, and Vomit
astoryofpages's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book was a pleasant surprise. I wasn't sure what to expect other than a story inspired by Slavic folklore (which I don't know very well, so I couldn't dwell on it too much). I was very startled by Naomi Novik's writing. I felt like I was reading a fairy tale. Look out, not a children's story, and that I want to clarify quickly. I saw the book classified in YA, but for me, this book is Adult, or maybe New Adult. I had a little trouble with some very described scenes (I don't want to know how the blood is spurting). So even if the story seems gentle and soft, be aware of that.
I appreciated the worldbuilding: even if I'd have preferred to have a map because, without one, I couldn't locate the kingdoms, cities and towns. The magic system is interesting, with this mystery around Jaga, who is, in fact, Baba Jaga. I would have liked to know a little more about wizards in general, like Alosha, I think, from whom we could have learned a lot.
The plot was a little radical at times. Writers often have this "weakness" of wanting to kill their characters all the time to solve the problem (sometimes, I found myself not understanding some reversals). Nevertheless, this whole idea of The Wood, which is almost a living and threatening entity, was all fascinating, and I think it was rather well. It's an element that wasn't put aside, and I loved the end, which remains slightly open. I liked how Agnieszka's adventure ends.
The characters were enjoyable. I loved Kasia and her journey, which is quite incredible. She is truly a role model, very courageous and believes in her values. Agnieszka left me a little more unmoved. I struggled to grasp her personality at first. She seemed a little empty to me. I think she does become someone at the very end, which is a bit sad since I would have liked it done earlier. As for the Dragon, just like the other wizards, he lacked details and depth. Wizards remain very superficial, sadly. I don't have much to say about relationships other than maybe I would have preferred there to be no romantic relationship (if it's love) because I think it comes kind of out of nowhere. Or to get just a glimpse of it at the very end, just a suggestion for readers who wanted to see one, while the others had nothing since they didn't want to see anything between these two characters.
I appreciated the worldbuilding: even if I'd have preferred to have a map because, without one, I couldn't locate the kingdoms, cities and towns. The magic system is interesting, with this mystery around Jaga, who is, in fact, Baba Jaga. I would have liked to know a little more about wizards in general, like Alosha, I think, from whom we could have learned a lot.
The plot was a little radical at times. Writers often have this "weakness" of wanting to kill their characters all the time to solve the problem (sometimes, I found myself not understanding some reversals). Nevertheless, this whole idea of The Wood, which is almost a living and threatening entity, was all fascinating, and I think it was rather well. It's an element that wasn't put aside, and I loved the end, which remains slightly open. I liked how Agnieszka's adventure ends.
The characters were enjoyable. I loved Kasia and her journey, which is quite incredible. She is truly a role model, very courageous and believes in her values. Agnieszka left me a little more unmoved. I struggled to grasp her personality at first. She seemed a little empty to me. I think she does become someone at the very end, which is a bit sad since I would have liked it done earlier. As for the Dragon, just like the other wizards, he lacked details and depth. Wizards remain very superficial, sadly. I don't have much to say about relationships other than maybe I would have preferred there to be no romantic relationship (if it's love) because I think it comes kind of out of nowhere. Or to get just a glimpse of it at the very end, just a suggestion for readers who wanted to see one, while the others had nothing since they didn't want to see anything between these two characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Violence, Sexual violence, Blood, and Mental illness
monsterperi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
medium-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
5.0
If you like Howl's Moving Castle, you should read this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and War
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
jenny_librarian's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Interesting world, boring-as-hell characters.
I had zero emotional attachment for the characters in this book. At most, I can say that Agnieska and Kasia's relationship had some potential, but the way it's tackled, Kasia's just a pawn to further Agnieska's development. As for the "love interest", well Sarkan has all the red flags of a horrible partner (calls her an idiot constantly, doesn't display any kind of warmth towards her except when they're sleeping together, etc.) without any chemistry with Agnieska whatsoever. I might call them f**k buddies at best, but there's no love there -- or a very unhealthy kind.
The Wood itself was a great concept and pretty much the only reason I kept reading, until the end when I got so bored I skimmed the last 50-or-so pages. Take all the sexism, patriarchy and shitty relationships and there might have been something worth 435 pages. As it stands, it was just okay.
Seriously, though, what is it with fantasy writers who can't ever let go of patriarchy and sexism? You create a whole-ass world with magic, but you can't be bothered to stop objectifying women and seeing them as currency? There was no need for the near-rape scene and the passive misogyny in every single chapter.
I had zero emotional attachment for the characters in this book. At most, I can say that Agnieska and Kasia's relationship had some potential, but the way it's tackled, Kasia's just a pawn to further Agnieska's development. As for the "love interest", well Sarkan has all the red flags of a horrible partner (calls her an idiot constantly, doesn't display any kind of warmth towards her except when they're sleeping together, etc.) without any chemistry with Agnieska whatsoever. I might call them f**k buddies at best, but there's no love there -- or a very unhealthy kind.
The Wood itself was a great concept and pretty much the only reason I kept reading, until the end when I got so bored I skimmed the last 50-or-so pages. Take all the sexism, patriarchy and shitty relationships and there might have been something worth 435 pages. As it stands, it was just okay.
Seriously, though, what is it with fantasy writers who can't ever let go of patriarchy and sexism? You create a whole-ass world with magic, but you can't be bothered to stop objectifying women and seeing them as currency? There was no need for the near-rape scene and the passive misogyny in every single chapter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, War, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, and Body horror
Minor: Animal death, Rape, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
antjeliest's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Vomit
Minor: Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, and Religious bigotry
starlightsong's review against another edition
the romance in this book--between the 17 year old main character and hundreds of years old Dragon--is super abusive and gross to the point where i just couldn't stand to finish it. the main character is constantly called ugly and stupid, horsefaced and slovenly, the dirtiest thing in the tower, useless, mentally defective and all manner of insults by the dragon, and when she's nearly raped by another man, he blames it on her because of the dress she was wearing. she somehow seems to forget all of this and goes on an adventure with the almost-rapist and falls in love with the dragon, who calls her a raving lunatic before suddenly kissing her. the prose is beautiful but i wish i had read the goodreads reviews, which are much more honest about the fact that this book is a beauty and the beast retelling in which the beast character does inexcusably awful things and this is never properly addressed, with agnieszka somehow falling for him because... why? i'm honestly not sure, it was so poorly developed. i can't understand why the reviews on this site are so positive. DNFed after chapter 11 in which it became clear that the Dragon is somehow our romantic lead rather than our villain. the plot involving the wood also feels super ableist to me in suggesting that physical and mental disabilities are caused by supernatural evil. i wish I'd never tried to read this tbh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Rape, and Sexism
debra_reads_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Dear Uprooted,
Let me start this letter by saying I am glad that I pushed through and kept going,. You were a fantastical story of magic, an adult fairy tale. But you were long winded and overly detailed. I started by listening to you, and it somehow took me 5 hours (and several days) to listen to 160 pages of you. I am not sure if it is the accent the book is read in, or the speed of the reader's voice, but you were a struggle for me to enjoy listening to. So, I picked up the physical book, and your pace was better. But there was much of the story and details that were drawn out and longer then necessary. You felt much longer then a 400 page book. I did love getting to watch Agnieszka learn her craft and discover her brand of magic, and grow into the witch she became, but there was not a lot of character development either, which is something that made you tough for me. You also are have your own issues within the characters; the Dragon is deeply flawed and often abusive and hurtful to Agnieszka. The "rules" of magic and the nature of the Woods did not seem to follow any rules of magic as I am familiar with either. The wizards seem to have unending wells of magic, and don't require much of a cost from it's casters. Ultimately, you fall short of the goal of suspension of disbelief and escapism that I enjoy in a fairy tale.
Let me start this letter by saying I am glad that I pushed through and kept going,. You were a fantastical story of magic, an adult fairy tale. But you were long winded and overly detailed. I started by listening to you, and it somehow took me 5 hours (and several days) to listen to 160 pages of you. I am not sure if it is the accent the book is read in, or the speed of the reader's voice, but you were a struggle for me to enjoy listening to. So, I picked up the physical book, and your pace was better. But there was much of the story and details that were drawn out and longer then necessary. You felt much longer then a 400 page book. I did love getting to watch Agnieszka learn her craft and discover her brand of magic, and grow into the witch she became, but there was not a lot of character development either, which is something that made you tough for me. You also are have your own issues within the characters; the Dragon is deeply flawed and often abusive and hurtful to Agnieszka. The "rules" of magic and the nature of the Woods did not seem to follow any rules of magic as I am familiar with either. The wizards seem to have unending wells of magic, and don't require much of a cost from it's casters. Ultimately, you fall short of the goal of suspension of disbelief and escapism that I enjoy in a fairy tale.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
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