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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Minor warning for spoilers in this review as this discusses themes rather than specific events in the book.
The beginning of this book felt long, and to be honest, I struggled to keep invested for the first 15-20%. However, this long build up is necessary as it really sets up the character relationships, social dynamics and cultural expectations for the reader (misogyny, adult-minor relationships via forced and arranged marriages, religious persecution, war, cruelty of surviving winter).
Although the beginning felt long, there was never a moment where I felt that a scene was unnecessary. Everything connects and serves a purpose.
The narration style of this book took a little getting used to at first, but it eventually grew on me and really added to the haunting tone that really adds to the dark winter themes of the book. The overall writing style carries a lot of weight with it and was brilliantly narrated by Kathleen Gati.
The characters are complex and nuanced. You come to hate the antagonists, but with their backgrounds given to us at the beginning of the book, we see why certain people act and make choices in the way they do. There are no (human) characters who are evil just for the sake of being evil.
I truly grew to care for Vasya. This girl has so much love for people
The use of Russian folklore was so rich and wonderfully narrated. It was so since to read a story that doesn't sexualize them in the way a lot of modern fantasy has been leaning towards. Vasya is not tempted or seduced or compromised at all. She maintains her own agency and integrity.
The contrast of the Orthodox Christian Church vs Folklore was a very tense but very enjoyable read. The Fear of God vs the love and nurturing of community, hearth and nature was brilliantly explored and was the driving force of the narrative and kept me in the edge of my seat.
I understand that this book is a part of a trilogy l, but I think it could also be enjoyed as a stand-alone as well, as everything wraps up quite nicely and doesn't end on any major cliffhangers. This book would be great for anyone looking for a darker winter read.
I would strongly recommend folks search trigger warnings and content warnings before reading. I have tried to add as many as I can think of to this review. This book was recommended by a friend who had said it was a "dark fantasy" and that absolutely holds up with some of the "tasteful" horror-like imagery that's described in some scenes.
I think that the dark themes explored in this story were handled with care and were written respectfully and not gratuitous. I do not like the adult-minor relationships, but can recognize that these kinds of arrangements were a part of the culture at the time, and they did serve a purpose within the story and were not at all glorified or romanticized.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Misogyny, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, War
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Fun and beautiful fairytale. The ending feels a bit abrupt and feels likes its sacrified a bit in this novel to set up for the next one, but overall its well written and enjoyable. Medieval Russia is portrayed sympathetically and in great detail and the mixing of old and new faiths is brilliantly done.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-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
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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:
Yes
I was really excited to start this series because I've heard very good things and it's widely very highly rated. I found the use of Russian folklore very fun, though I wish some of the concepts of different spirits had been explained a bit more. I have some very basic knowledge of things like rusalkas and whatnot but I did have to look some folklore up just to make sure I understood the context of what was happening.
I love the exploration of old vs new, and I think this time period in Russia is a fantastic place to explore that theme. I liked Vasya as a character but I wish she had been fleshed out a little more.
The imagery of the setting was always great, and the cold, snowy expanse of Russia is so important to this book. I really felt transported there.
This book did feel very much like setup. Not much actually happened until the last quarter. I liked the story of Vasya fighting for her independence and for what she believes is right, but it did feel like there was all this darkness and magic just looming around gearing up for something, and then not much really came of it until the end. For example,the jewel is given so much significance, and the message is that Vasya needs it immediately. She doesn't get it, and instead her grandmother holds onto it until she is "ready." But I'm not really sure what prompted her "readiness", or what the consequences were for her not getting the jewel right away. Maybe things wouldn't have been so bad at the end?
It's common for first books in series to be more of a vehicle for setting up the rest of the series, so I don't necessarily blame the author for doing this. I just wish we got a little more about all of the characters and their daily lives while this was happening. I am super excited for the next book and I have very high hopes that it'll be amazing.
I love the exploration of old vs new, and I think this time period in Russia is a fantastic place to explore that theme. I liked Vasya as a character but I wish she had been fleshed out a little more.
The imagery of the setting was always great, and the cold, snowy expanse of Russia is so important to this book. I really felt transported there.
This book did feel very much like setup. Not much actually happened until the last quarter. I liked the story of Vasya fighting for her independence and for what she believes is right, but it did feel like there was all this darkness and magic just looming around gearing up for something, and then not much really came of it until the end. For example,
It's common for first books in series to be more of a vehicle for setting up the rest of the series, so I don't necessarily blame the author for doing this. I just wish we got a little more about all of the characters and their daily lives while this was happening. I am super excited for the next book and I have very high hopes that it'll be amazing.
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So well-written and unique. I loved learning about the culture and the new to me world.