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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
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
Sometimes we need books that find us here in the mundane and transport us bodily into their world and their story. Uprooted did that for me. Agnieska, an engagingly empathic and messy witch (with, of course, unplumbed depths of power and agency) must face multiple trials before she can confront a foe a mythic proportions, The Wood. Novik manages a beautiful fusion of myth and fairy tale with a story that is engaging enough to demand that you stay up an hour or two past bedtime in order to find out what happens.
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
I enjoyed Novik's dreamy writing style and the fairytale premise of this book. It felt unique, but also familiar and comforting (it draws slightly from existing folklore, which adds to that feeling). My favorite parts were Agnieszka's tangible descriptions of how it feels to use her magic. I also liked the personification of the Wood, the neighboring village's relationship with the Wood, and the description of how the Wood came to be near the end of the book. Another highlight was Agniezka's relationship with Kasia and the way this book illuminated the complexities of jealousy and resentment in a friendship. In my head, the story was divided into three acts and I found the second to be the weakest part.
By the end, I thought the romance was sweet enough, but mostly in a fairytale kind of way (i.e., not sure where it came from and would've found it even more problematic for several reasons if the story didn't have a mythical quality to it). Yes, I appreciated the way the characters grew together and Agnieszka came into her own; however, I think this this story would have greatly benefited if the romance element had been removed altogether, and I can see why it would turn readers off from this book.
By the end, I thought the romance was sweet enough, but mostly in a fairytale kind of way (i.e., not sure where it came from and would've found it even more problematic for several reasons if the story didn't have a mythical quality to it). Yes, I appreciated the way the characters grew together and Agnieszka came into her own; however, I think this this story would have greatly benefited if the romance element had been removed altogether, and I can see why it would turn readers off from this book.
I'm a total fantasy junky! I haven't read one in a while and this book reminded me of why I love them so much! Great read. I loved all the strong female characters in the story. Though there's an infatuation, Agnieszka clearly doesn't let that spoil what she thinks is right and what she has to do.
I read this two years ago so I am not completely sure anymore, but I can remember how I envisioned everything in my head and the storyline, so that is a good sign haha. Although I believe I think it was a bit to gruesome and focused on pain for my liking.
2/18/25
You know what, no, five stars actually. Rereading this made me appreciate it even more than my first read through. There are things that still bother me about the story, but I think they’re meant to bother readers. It’s not a clear cut fairy tale of a heroine and her victory won; it’s complicated and messy and sometimes uncomfortable. Going into that knowingly this time around helped me lean into the complexity. I enjoyed it before, don’t get me wrong, but it was even more interesting on the second try.
12/24/22
Four stars. Overall, I really enjoyed this. I thought the writing style was sort of winding and fairytale-esque, I loved the references to Eastern European folklore, I loved the friendship between Kasia and our MC. When I started reading it, I thought that I’d found an all time favorite new book. And it is a good one! The reason it didn’t make five stars is because the pacing lost me a bit about halfway through, and a couple of events occurred (and then were never really addressed again?) that I found sort of jarring. Also, while I know some people ADORE The Dragon, I was not that into the romance that was going on. I wish they’d just been friends, and I’m usually looking for romance everywhere, so that’s really saying something.
So, what you should know:
First, this is NOT a teen book. It’s marketed for YA a bit it seems, but it does contain mature themes and scenes.
Second, if you like this author’s writing style, interesting/unique magic systems, fairytales, spooky forests, or strong friendships (again, I LOVED Kasia and she was probably my favorite out of them all) pick this up! I do think it was one of the more impressive books I’ve read lately. I have already picked up the next installment and intend on reading more from the author in the future :)
You know what, no, five stars actually. Rereading this made me appreciate it even more than my first read through. There are things that still bother me about the story, but I think they’re meant to bother readers. It’s not a clear cut fairy tale of a heroine and her victory won; it’s complicated and messy and sometimes uncomfortable. Going into that knowingly this time around helped me lean into the complexity. I enjoyed it before, don’t get me wrong, but it was even more interesting on the second try.
12/24/22
Four stars. Overall, I really enjoyed this. I thought the writing style was sort of winding and fairytale-esque, I loved the references to Eastern European folklore, I loved the friendship between Kasia and our MC. When I started reading it, I thought that I’d found an all time favorite new book. And it is a good one! The reason it didn’t make five stars is because the pacing lost me a bit about halfway through, and a couple of events occurred (and then were never really addressed again?) that I found sort of jarring. Also, while I know some people ADORE The Dragon, I was not that into the romance that was going on. I wish they’d just been friends, and I’m usually looking for romance everywhere, so that’s really saying something.
So, what you should know:
First, this is NOT a teen book. It’s marketed for YA a bit it seems, but it does contain mature themes and scenes.
Second, if you like this author’s writing style, interesting/unique magic systems, fairytales, spooky forests, or strong friendships (again, I LOVED Kasia and she was probably my favorite out of them all) pick this up! I do think it was one of the more impressive books I’ve read lately. I have already picked up the next installment and intend on reading more from the author in the future :)