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valegbecerra's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
A hard read. Good environment but no character development, slow and boring prose, underwhelming friendship arc, a magic system conveniently designed to make the protagonist win every battle without having to give structure to the book and a weird pedophile 0 chemistry love story with a 150 man with nothing but audacity and a bad attitude.
The writing was bizarre, the name of the protagonist must have been said every 3 words.
The writing was bizarre, the name of the protagonist must have been said every 3 words.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, War, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual assault
charlottehe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Finally finished this after wanting to read it for years!
Ok here are my thoughts. It’s unique and beautiful. As far as the prose, it could be a little weird at times around the beginning when she’s first in the tower figuring things out, but I was easily able to visualize the story and action, which has been difficult for some other fantasy novels I’ve read recently.
I was looking at other ppl’s thoughts, and I noticed they had a problem with the romance? The novel was not focused on the romance of it, and I don’t mind the grumpy dark-haired love interest because Agnieska can stand her ground and voice her desires. That’s what was important about her character and arc.
To be honest, I was a little iffy about a third way into the story. It slowed a bit for my liking, and I get the world-building. It paid off, I must admit. The magic system still is a little confusing to me, and sometimes the magic Sarkan and Agnieska were performing felt a little bit too silly, for a book that gets really serious lol. Idk otherwise I thought the magic was fine.
Overall, my favorite parts were the battle and fight scenes OMG they are one of the best I have ever read! The third act of the book had me wanting to know what happens next. But yeah loved the book it exceeded my expectations.
Ok here are my thoughts. It’s unique and beautiful. As far as the prose, it could be a little weird at times around the beginning when she’s first in the tower figuring things out, but I was easily able to visualize the story and action, which has been difficult for some other fantasy novels I’ve read recently.
I was looking at other ppl’s thoughts, and I noticed they had a problem with the romance? The novel was not focused on the romance of it, and I don’t mind the grumpy dark-haired love interest because Agnieska can stand her ground and voice her desires. That’s what was important about her character and arc.
To be honest, I was a little iffy about a third way into the story. It slowed a bit for my liking, and I get the world-building. It paid off, I must admit. The magic system still is a little confusing to me, and sometimes the magic Sarkan and Agnieska were performing felt a little bit too silly, for a book that gets really serious lol. Idk otherwise I thought the magic was fine.
Overall, my favorite parts were the battle and fight scenes OMG they are one of the best I have ever read! The third act of the book had me wanting to know what happens next. But yeah loved the book it exceeded my expectations.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Violence
kaitrates's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
There's something about the way Naomi Novik writes tension that just gets me. 🥵
Uprooted is spooky, atmospheric, tension-filled fairytale involving a creepy sentient wood, a mysterious lord (and wizard) called The Dragon, and a heroine who was never supposed to be picked.
The less you know going in, the more fun this one is IMO.
The battle scenes had my heart pounding, the romantic subplot was paced and executed to perfection (in other words: i was giggling and fanning myself and kicking my feeties in delight), the writing was immersive AF, and I never knew what was coming 'round the bend.
The weakest part of the book is after a location change. Novik's settings always feel so real but when she changes them (*coughGoldenEnclavescough*), it never feels like it actually serves the story. Add in a dose of court politics and this section dragged. Thankfully, its quite short.
I devoured this one and couldn't put it down. It felt like the very pages were imbued with magic luring me in and urging me on until the end.
One note about the content warnings: there is an attempted SA but it is brief and not completed.
Uprooted is spooky, atmospheric, tension-filled fairytale involving a creepy sentient wood, a mysterious lord (and wizard) called The Dragon, and a heroine who was never supposed to be picked.
The less you know going in, the more fun this one is IMO.
The battle scenes had my heart pounding, the romantic subplot was paced and executed to perfection (in other words: i was giggling and fanning myself and kicking my feeties in delight), the writing was immersive AF, and I never knew what was coming 'round the bend.
The weakest part of the book is after a location change. Novik's settings always feel so real but when she changes them (*coughGoldenEnclavescough*), it never feels like it actually serves the story. Add in a dose of court politics and this section dragged. Thankfully, its quite short.
I devoured this one and couldn't put it down. It felt like the very pages were imbued with magic luring me in and urging me on until the end.
One note about the content warnings: there is an attempted SA but it is brief and not completed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Adult/minor relationship, and War
Minor: Sexual assault
SA is attempted and brief.k_fry's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Blood, Death, Confinement, Death of parent, Genocide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Violence, War, Fire/Fire injury, and Gore
Moderate: Miscarriage
taliesinrex's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Another great read from Naomi Novik. I just love the way she writes women and the way she writes about women - Agnieszka's inner world feels so fully fleshed-out from the start and Novik throws you right into it in all Agnieszka's insecurity, fear, and anger. Her portrayal of female characters and how they navigate their world never feels trite or preachy or flat to me, and the worlds in question are immersive with a real sense of both beauty and danger.
While I did love this book and don't feel quite right comparing it to Spinning Silver, I can't help but note that I think I did enjoy Spinning Silver just a little more, as sometimes the pacing of Uprooted had me a little perplexed. I felt myself flagging towards the end through the siege of the Dragon's tower - while it was a well-written segment it did run a little long and I felt a bit overwhelmed. While I also loved Kasia I would have loved even more if we got more development or insight into her character; her relationship with Agnieszka was a real highlight of the book and I think the story would have been made all the better by having her be slightly more active in some of the scenes she was in, though I also acknowledge the potential difficulty in portraying that without straying from the story truly belonging to Agnieszka.
Lastly, the romance - just like in Spinning Silver, you maybe wouldn't anticipate it working due to the bitter distaste Agnieszka and the Dragon have for one another but Novik expertly sets them up to challenge one another intellectually and emotionally. It pays off so well in the end. The tension is palpable between them and the open-ended but undeniably tender ending had me grinning like an idiot and reading the encounter three times over.
While I did love this book and don't feel quite right comparing it to Spinning Silver, I can't help but note that I think I did enjoy Spinning Silver just a little more, as sometimes the pacing of Uprooted had me a little perplexed. I felt myself flagging towards the end through the siege of the Dragon's tower - while it was a well-written segment it did run a little long and I felt a bit overwhelmed. While I also loved Kasia I would have loved even more if we got more development or insight into her character; her relationship with Agnieszka was a real highlight of the book and I think the story would have been made all the better by having her be slightly more active in some of the scenes she was in, though I also acknowledge the potential difficulty in portraying that without straying from the story truly belonging to Agnieszka.
Lastly, the romance - just like in Spinning Silver, you maybe wouldn't anticipate it working due to the bitter distaste Agnieszka and the Dragon have for one another but Novik expertly sets them up to challenge one another intellectually and emotionally. It pays off so well in the end. The tension is palpable between them and the open-ended but undeniably tender ending had me grinning like an idiot and reading the encounter three times over.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Animal death
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual assault
the sexual assault is attempted but does not escalate before the offending party is knocked outrlider's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content
deinol's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
gbreedlove's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
laynerinke's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, War, Blood, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Kidnapping, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
nicoreads333's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
This is the 2nd book I’ve read by Naomi Novik, and I have to say she is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I admire her unique writing style and ability to weave complex, yet gripping stories that keep the reader engaged and curious until the end. It’s a rare quality, and she showcased beautifully in uprooted.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and War
Minor: Sexual assault