Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
An incredible story with a satisfying ending, beginning a series. A Russian fairytale with all of the attendant creatures, spirits, deals, magic, and threats. I usually tire of tomboy characters in historical fiction (they're not like other girls?) but this main character is so vibrant and her characterization is so consistent that it really didn't feel strained.
Oh my god!!!! I loved this book!!!!! To be honest it was slow to start. And that might be because my bestie had already read this book and told me all about it and said that I had to read it. So I came in already known what was going to happen which is why I kept reading it with such a slow start. And I’m soo happy that I did cause this book was amazing. The world building was just fantastic. It was very El Laberinto Del Fauno (Pan’s Labyrinth) one of my favorite movies. And Vasya was a really good character. So yeah I was very very happy with this book.
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
ReRead - 3-stars
The first time I read this book I gave it 3.5 stars, bumped up to 4. (And apparently didn't write a review. Bad past self!)
On this audio re-read, I think I'd end up bumping it down to 3 instead.
I mentioned in on my of notes that I'd forgotten how slow the setup of the book is. At least the first 25% of the book is just set up, and I feel like it could've easily been condensed, because not much of real consequence happens.
And, honestly, the meet of the story all happens in the last 25%, so that leaves the middle 50% as more wandering about the place.
I wouldn't mind a good wander if I felt like spending that time deepened our understanding of the characters, except most of the characters, including Vasya, tbh, don't really seem that deep? And they don't really change much as the story progresses.
All that time did was remind me how infuriating I found the people in this book. Everyone is kind of awful, with the exception of Vasya and Dunya (sp?). Ok, and I guess Irina and the younger brother aren't bad - but, again, there's not all that much to them.
I won't say the misogyny wasn't realistic, but, my gods, I wanted to scream so often.
Vasya, girl, the people of this village do not deserve you trying to save them. Seriously, they're just the worst.
I did like the bits towards the end of Vasya and Morozko, though. They were the clear highlights of the book.
The first time I read this book I gave it 3.5 stars, bumped up to 4. (And apparently didn't write a review. Bad past self!)
On this audio re-read, I think I'd end up bumping it down to 3 instead.
I mentioned in on my of notes that I'd forgotten how slow the setup of the book is. At least the first 25% of the book is just set up, and I feel like it could've easily been condensed, because not much of real consequence happens.
And, honestly, the meet of the story all happens in the last 25%, so that leaves the middle 50% as more wandering about the place.
I wouldn't mind a good wander if I felt like spending that time deepened our understanding of the characters, except most of the characters, including Vasya, tbh, don't really seem that deep? And they don't really change much as the story progresses.
All that time did was remind me how infuriating I found the people in this book. Everyone is kind of awful, with the exception of Vasya and Dunya (sp?). Ok, and I guess Irina and the younger brother aren't bad - but, again, there's not all that much to them.
I won't say the misogyny wasn't realistic, but, my gods, I wanted to scream so often.
Vasya, girl, the people of this village do not deserve you trying to save them. Seriously, they're just the worst.
I did like the bits towards the end of Vasya and Morozko, though. They were the clear highlights of the book.
Written like a fairy tale with lyrical, evocative prose. I haven't read any books about medieval Russia and Russian folklore before so it was very captivating to learn all about the creatures, myths, and day to day living of that time.
It did drag a little in the beginning and so much of who was first mentioned, never was again. I'm hoping maybe they have some relevance in the second and third books or else it would seem silly to spend so much time on those characters.
It kind of felt like it could have ended, so I'm interested to see where the next books take us.
It did drag a little in the beginning and so much of who was first mentioned, never was again. I'm hoping maybe they have some relevance in the second and third books or else it would seem silly to spend so much time on those characters.
It kind of felt like it could have ended, so I'm interested to see where the next books take us.
adventurous
dark
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced