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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
"When among crows, you must caw as one"
I have been wanting to read this since it came out as Baba Yaga is my favourite folklore character and, well, obviously the title was alluring! šš¦āā¬ I finally read it last month which is perfect timing really because the sequel releases this month from @titanbooks - so if you haven't read it yet, now is the time!
Beginning with the blooming of a rare and magical flower, it is an intriguing, well written, dark, complex and layered urban fantasy novella inspired by all manner of creatures from Polish folktales. Obviously Baba Yaga is one of the characters and is just as magical and tricksy as you would expect:
"You have spent too much time with mortals if you expect magic to move in a straight line."
Other main characters are Dymitr, Ala and Niko and honestly Niko was definitely my favourite and I am looking forward to reading the sequel and seeing where the tale leads.
I think those of you who enjoyed The God and the Gumiho will like this one, except it's darker and more serious - I actually enjoyed it a lot more!
A solid 4 stars
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I actually really liked this. Canāt wait for the sequel.
āWhen among crows, you must caw as oneā
āWhen among crows, you must caw as oneā
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
All the Polish folklore and Polish language in it was very cool
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
fast-paced
Roth requires the reader to dive into the story and piece together the magic and world as the story evolves. Typically this is my favourite way to be introduced to a world and she does it well, however any reader without a background in slavic folktales and creatures might find the story difficult to follow, especially on the audiobook.
The story is quite short for a fantasy setting. This is neither here nor there as to the quality of the story. It doesn't feel like anything is missing and there is a depth to the story even though the author does not spend a lot of time on background, or waste time with side plots or romance arcs.
The connections between the three protagonists might come off a bit rushed, but their interaction feels genuine and not coerced.
My biggest disappointment is the YA feel to the book. the motivations of the characters are very surface level and unnuanced. There is obvious a good side and bad side, the characters make choices that are good, although we are supposed to understand that they live life as a struggle as adults only have black and white feelings. The young characters are left to navigate a world left to them by those who are too set in their ways to understand.
In this way I'm glad the story is short as I would be bored by this.
I have been given the opportunity for an ARC of the sequel, which is why I picked up the first book. If I was not committed to the 2nd installment I'm not sure if I would have continued to read the series.
The story is quite short for a fantasy setting. This is neither here nor there as to the quality of the story. It doesn't feel like anything is missing and there is a depth to the story even though the author does not spend a lot of time on background, or waste time with side plots or romance arcs.
The connections between the three protagonists might come off a bit rushed, but their interaction feels genuine and not coerced.
My biggest disappointment is the YA feel to the book. the motivations of the characters are very surface level and unnuanced. There is obvious a good side and bad side, the characters make choices that are good, although we are supposed to understand that they live life as a struggle as adults only have black and white feelings. The young characters are left to navigate a world left to them by those who are too set in their ways to understand.
In this way I'm glad the story is short as I would be bored by this.
I have been given the opportunity for an ARC of the sequel, which is why I picked up the first book. If I was not committed to the 2nd installment I'm not sure if I would have continued to read the series.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This little novella is excellently written, the characters intriguing, and the adventure they go on is exciting. Itās all just too short, too surface-level here. This felt like a long prologue to a bigger epic novel, one I probably would have adored. Iāll definitely check out the sequel and hope that it gives a little bit more substance.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2025: 4.5
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Demorei, mas finalmente li e amei. HistĆ³ria bem contada e fantasia bem construĆda, relacionamentos claros e profundos mesmo que desenvolvidos rapidamente. Gostei bastante mesmo.