Scan barcode
mari_etha's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Beautiful
neelamreadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
It’s been a long time since I read a story that actually felt like a fairytale/folklore. I really enjoyed this book. I wasn’t a fan of how many nicknames each character had. Each character was referred to with a minimum of 3 names and the author just expects that you keep up with remembering who’s who. The ages of the characters are also hazy and vague which makes some of the relationships questionable. Gonna go ahead and give the author the benefit and assume everyone is at least at a consenting age.
bluechew's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
clouddhart's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
3.75
wowzer!! i absolutely fell in love with the prose and the atmosphere in this, and i wish we could've kept the slow paced, more family focused storytelling to the end.
to all the men in this book, i have only one thing to say: GET A JOB, STAY AWAY FROM HER
to all the men in this book, i have only one thing to say: GET A JOB, STAY AWAY FROM HER
nixyzen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
nooya'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
jlvwolf's review
4.5
I really liked how atmospheric it was and vanja. It also has an interesting theme that plays with magic vs the church/old traditions vs new beliefs. I wish the magical creatures and the winter king were a more explored. I also thought the ending was really fast.
mahovina's review against another edition
5.0
what a wonderfull book!!!
immensely grateful to my Darja for recommending this one to me ❤️
immensely grateful to my Darja for recommending this one to me ❤️
dowryofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars
5/6/21 Update: Dropping my rating from a 5 star to a 4 star because I just finished reading the second book, and it is on a whole other level. I still absolutely adore this first book though.
Reading this simultaneously felt like traveling back in time to a harsh wintery Russian climate and like someone reading me old fairytales for the first time.
-
Vasya grew up on many fairytales, including the one of Morozko (the frost demon, who is feared among the village). Vasya is gifted. She can see and communicate with the different creatures who live in their village and in the forest. Honoring the spirits with offerings is said to keep the village safe and prospering.
A priest comes to the village, influencing people to stop leaving offerings for the spirits, because they are demons. Without offerings, the spirits are no longer able to keep the village safe and a harsh winter descends on the village. The people believe that Vasya's witchcraft is at play, but there is really something much darker.
-
Everyone describes this as being a slow read, so I went into it thinking I'd be reading it for a while. I got so wrapped up in the story I finished it in less than 24 hours. I'm finding it hard to put into words how much I enjoyed every page of this- just know that I did.
Vasya is one of my new all time favorite female characters. Defying gender roles in a time where women were only raised to be married off and produce more children. I'm a sucker for strong sibling relationships so of course I loved the scenes with Vasya and Alyosha. I feel like the two of them were closer with each other than their other siblings.
I mean this book has a little bit of everything: demons, spirits, strong characters, an evil stepmom, mythology, dark religious themes, witchcraft, kings, gods, magical horses, lots of snow, a dark forest. I just love love love it all.
I'm glad I waited for the winter months to start this trilogy, because it's definitely well suited for it. Hopefully there is more Morozko in the next one, I enjoyed him a lot. I'm excited to see where Vasya's story goes.
5/6/21 Update: Dropping my rating from a 5 star to a 4 star because I just finished reading the second book, and it is on a whole other level. I still absolutely adore this first book though.
“Now hear me. Before the end, you will pluck snowdrops at midwinter, die by your own choosing, and weep for a nightingale.”
Reading this simultaneously felt like traveling back in time to a harsh wintery Russian climate and like someone reading me old fairytales for the first time.
-
Vasya grew up on many fairytales, including the one of Morozko (the frost demon, who is feared among the village). Vasya is gifted. She can see and communicate with the different creatures who live in their village and in the forest. Honoring the spirits with offerings is said to keep the village safe and prospering.
A priest comes to the village, influencing people to stop leaving offerings for the spirits, because they are demons. Without offerings, the spirits are no longer able to keep the village safe and a harsh winter descends on the village. The people believe that Vasya's witchcraft is at play, but there is really something much darker.
-
Everyone describes this as being a slow read, so I went into it thinking I'd be reading it for a while. I got so wrapped up in the story I finished it in less than 24 hours. I'm finding it hard to put into words how much I enjoyed every page of this- just know that I did.
Vasya is one of my new all time favorite female characters. Defying gender roles in a time where women were only raised to be married off and produce more children. I'm a sucker for strong sibling relationships so of course I loved the scenes with Vasya and Alyosha. I feel like the two of them were closer with each other than their other siblings.
I mean this book has a little bit of everything: demons, spirits, strong characters, an evil stepmom, mythology, dark religious themes, witchcraft, kings, gods, magical horses, lots of snow, a dark forest. I just love love love it all.
I'm glad I waited for the winter months to start this trilogy, because it's definitely well suited for it. Hopefully there is more Morozko in the next one, I enjoyed him a lot. I'm excited to see where Vasya's story goes.