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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
tense
*first of all, if you read this, go in blind… the synopsis gives away a little more than it should*
My main take away: I wish this was longer. She could have had more world building, explanation of the magic system, and a deeper dive into the relationships and I would have gave it a 5 star.
I am curious to see what questions book two will answer, but I definitely needed more from this.
What I read about the magic system and world was interesting. It was an urban fantasy infused with Slavic folklore set in modern day Chicago where there are humans and creatures. The story follows Dymitr who is on a quest to find Baba Yaga to ask for her help completing a major task. Along the way he enlists the help of a zmora named Ala. In this world there are humans and creatures. The creatures feed off of human emotions (& kill the humans? This part wasn’t quite clear. Did they kill them because they depleted them, or just because?) There are also knights (humans) that hunt the monsters. Their abilities are also a wee bit confusing to me, but they have bone swords that they use to kill the monsters. I’ll leave the other info about the bone swords up to you reading, but I will say the process is interesting and gorg lol
I did really enjoy the gained friendship between the characters, but was a little confused by the relationship. I don’t know if I missed it, but I didn’t really see it developing until the seconds before they kissed. That might just be me though. I’m curious to see where the relationship/friendships will go in the next book!
My main take away: I wish this was longer. She could have had more world building, explanation of the magic system, and a deeper dive into the relationships and I would have gave it a 5 star.
I am curious to see what questions book two will answer, but I definitely needed more from this.
What I read about the magic system and world was interesting. It was an urban fantasy infused with Slavic folklore set in modern day Chicago where there are humans and creatures. The story follows Dymitr who is on a quest to find Baba Yaga to ask for her help completing a major task. Along the way he enlists the help of a zmora named Ala. In this world there are humans and creatures. The creatures feed off of human emotions (& kill the humans? This part wasn’t quite clear. Did they kill them because they depleted them, or just because?) There are also knights (humans) that hunt the monsters. Their abilities are also a wee bit confusing to me, but they have bone swords that they use to kill the monsters. I’ll leave the other info about the bone swords up to you reading, but I will say the process is interesting and gorg lol
I did really enjoy the gained friendship between the characters, but was a little confused by the relationship. I don’t know if I missed it, but I didn’t really see it developing until the seconds before they kissed. That might just be me though. I’m curious to see where the relationship/friendships will go in the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
I liked the world, but the pacing felt off. The book was a bit repetitive despite it being so short. I found it hard to care about the characters. I think the atmosphere and action were written well.
honestly, this book made me want to understand more about my heritage. and that’s really neat.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
Wow. If you love folkloric creatures, modern magical settings, and secret societies, this is the novella for you! I kind of wish the story was longer so I could have had more book to enjoy, but it was also a perfect story at exactly this length.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
REALLY GOOD! quick, deft, full to bursting. very well woven and all tied up together. so beautiful. very fun, very mysterious, just the right amount of dark and thrilling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Blood, Murder
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
dark
fast-paced