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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
This book had a lot of promise and some genuinely intriguing elements, but ultimately, it fell short for me. I was drawn in by the imaginative worldbuilding--especially the delightful and whimsical touch of the orange, chicken-legged house--and I enjoyed the overall premise of the story. There's a good foundation here, and for readers who enjoy folklore-infused fantasy, this book might have its charms.
However, several issues stood out. The pacing was a major problem for me. The first two-thirds of the book dragged with not much happening, and then the final quarter had so much going on in it that there was barely any time to breathe. I also found myself wishing for a deeper exploration of the koldunic arts, which seemed like such an important part of the world but didn't get enough attention. The story hints at the characters learning powerful things, but we as the readers rarely get to understand how it all works.
The characters didn't quite come alive for me either. Marisha felt inconsistent and two-dimensional, and while Olena had a bit more substance, she too lacked real depth. None of the characters' motivations felt fully fleshed out--I never quite understood why they were so desperate or what truly drove them. The writing, too, left something to be desired. While some descriptions were nicely done, overall the prose felt unpolished and amateur, and the action scenes in particular were confusing and hard to follow.
If the premise speaks to you and these critiques aren't deal breakers, House of Frost and Feathers might still be worth checking out. But for me, it didn't quite live up to its potential.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the chance to review this eARC.
However, several issues stood out. The pacing was a major problem for me. The first two-thirds of the book dragged with not much happening, and then the final quarter had so much going on in it that there was barely any time to breathe. I also found myself wishing for a deeper exploration of the koldunic arts, which seemed like such an important part of the world but didn't get enough attention. The story hints at the characters learning powerful things, but we as the readers rarely get to understand how it all works.
The characters didn't quite come alive for me either. Marisha felt inconsistent and two-dimensional, and while Olena had a bit more substance, she too lacked real depth. None of the characters' motivations felt fully fleshed out--I never quite understood why they were so desperate or what truly drove them. The writing, too, left something to be desired. While some descriptions were nicely done, overall the prose felt unpolished and amateur, and the action scenes in particular were confusing and hard to follow.
If the premise speaks to you and these critiques aren't deal breakers, House of Frost and Feathers might still be worth checking out. But for me, it didn't quite live up to its potential.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the chance to review this eARC.
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
This is the perfect cozy read for cold weather season. I really liked how much we got to see in this world through traveling in the Baba Yaga house. While this was a very cozy read, there was a lot of action and intricacies to the story that really helped hold my attention.
DNF @ 50% with 2.5 stars. This did not need to be 500 pages.
Overarchingly, this was inspired by Baba Yaga. It has overtures of it and I did like those similarities. I also loved the disability rep with Olena and how it made her a better kodulna because of it. I liked Marisha and her bullheadedness. I even liked Baba Zima and her theatrics.
But oh my heaven does it drag in the middle. So much that I don't even care who the big bad is anymore, what caused the sleeping curse, how to break said curse, or even what happened to Baba Serafima. I also don't like the hints of budding romance based on nothing but watching a guy sleep? Creepy.
If you like slow paced plots paired with slice-of-life domesticity you'll probably like this one better than me.
Overarchingly, this was inspired by Baba Yaga. It has overtures of it and I did like those similarities. I also loved the disability rep with Olena and how it made her a better kodulna because of it. I liked Marisha and her bullheadedness. I even liked Baba Zima and her theatrics.
But oh my heaven does it drag in the middle. So much that I don't even care who the big bad is anymore, what caused the sleeping curse, how to break said curse, or even what happened to Baba Serafima. I also don't like the hints of budding romance based on nothing but watching a guy sleep? Creepy.
If you like slow paced plots paired with slice-of-life domesticity you'll probably like this one better than me.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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:
No
I love a retelling/reimagining of folklore and fairytales. House of Frost and Feathers felt like Baba Yaga meets Howl's Moving Castle with dark curses and a magical moving cottage.
In a world where a sleeping plague is sweeping over the land, Marisha finds herself searching for a job and potentially a cure to save her family when she comes upon a posting for a koldunya's apprentice (pretty much a sorcerer/healer). Accepting the job she joins a cast of odd characters including the mysterious Baba Zima and her apprentice Olena.
I loved Olena and Marisha's banter and journey from begrudgingly having to deal with each other to actually becoming friends. I thought their relationship would become more than friends but it looks like even with all their chemistry, it's a strictly platonic friendship.
While I loved the imagery of this book and the cast of characters, I feel like this is one of those novels that could have benefited from being a little shorter. At around 500 pages, there's a lot to take in but there were sections I felt could have been more concise. Overall, a great debut and I look forward to reading more from this author!
In a world where a sleeping plague is sweeping over the land, Marisha finds herself searching for a job and potentially a cure to save her family when she comes upon a posting for a koldunya's apprentice (pretty much a sorcerer/healer). Accepting the job she joins a cast of odd characters including the mysterious Baba Zima and her apprentice Olena.
I loved Olena and Marisha's banter and journey from begrudgingly having to deal with each other to actually becoming friends. I thought their relationship would become more than friends but it looks like even with all their chemistry, it's a strictly platonic friendship.
While I loved the imagery of this book and the cast of characters, I feel like this is one of those novels that could have benefited from being a little shorter. At around 500 pages, there's a lot to take in but there were sections I felt could have been more concise. Overall, a great debut and I look forward to reading more from this author!
Not the right vibe for right now
I enjoyed the beginning of this, but I ended up DNFing about 37% in. The set up for this book was enjoyable, but it got so repetitive and dull after about 20% that I was dreading listening to it. I finally realized that I just didn't care to put another 10 hours in. If this book had been shorter, I think I would have powered through, but the plot was not moving along enough to keep me interested.
Thank you to HarperAudio Adult and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to HarperAudio Adult and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated