You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I definitely had fun reading this book, which is why I'm giving it a high rating. That being said, I did have issues with it. Novik has very beautiful prose throughout the book, and I love her use of elaborate metaphors and imagery to describe things. However, I think she sometimes gets so into writing all these metaphors for magic and whatnot that it takes over the actual narrative. There were many points in the book with paragraphs and paragraphs of metaphors that I forgot what was actually going on.
I really like the plot for the most part in this book. I think the villain is very unique and is unlike any other fantasy I've ever read. I do think near the middle of the book once they left the tower the story started to drag a little. I think their time spent in the kingdom could've been shortened and still convey everything that needed conveyed for the narrative.
My biggest gripe with this book is the "romance" (if you can even call it that). First of all, the main character is 17 and the love interest is 100-something. Now, I get that aging is different for the main characters, and in this world it seems like in this world that 17 year olds are basically already treated as adults anyway. But I do wish the main character was at least a bit older for my own peace of mind.
Second of all, there really is no love or romance between the two characters. It's just lust. I literally had to put the book down and roll my eyes at the two (and there's really only two in the whole book) romance scenes between the two characters because it just came out of nowhere at felt like an afterthought for the author. I wish the characters (especially love interest guy, not saying because of spoilers) got more character development throughout the novel. That would've been nice in general, but it also would've helped readers see why the main character fell for the love interest. Honestly, it would've made more sense based on what I did see if she just ended up with Kasia instead.
I really like the plot for the most part in this book. I think the villain is very unique and is unlike any other fantasy I've ever read. I do think near the middle of the book once they left the tower the story started to drag a little. I think their time spent in the kingdom could've been shortened and still convey everything that needed conveyed for the narrative.
My biggest gripe with this book is the "romance" (if you can even call it that). First of all, the main character is 17 and the love interest is 100-something. Now, I get that aging is different for the main characters, and in this world it seems like in this world that 17 year olds are basically already treated as adults anyway. But I do wish the main character was at least a bit older for my own peace of mind.
Second of all, there really is no love or romance between the two characters. It's just lust. I literally had to put the book down and roll my eyes at the two (and there's really only two in the whole book) romance scenes between the two characters because it just came out of nowhere at felt like an afterthought for the author. I wish the characters (especially love interest guy, not saying because of spoilers) got more character development throughout the novel. That would've been nice in general, but it also would've helped readers see why the main character fell for the love interest. Honestly, it would've made more sense based on what I did see if she just ended up with Kasia instead.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
Naomi Novik is just the best: my ultimate comfort food. She always delivers a great story, intriguing historical setting, layered yet lovable characters, and just enough to think / feel about, all while executing the fantasy elements with a deft touch. I hope these standalones become a long phase for her. I think I liked this one even better than Spinning Silver! I was especially pleased by the (ahem) adult scene in this one. (Sorry, Mom).
I loved getting caught up in the vivid & imaginative style of Novik's writing. The story's world and its magic system felt deep and vast and lovingly constructed and explored.
Novik did not hold back with the plot; there was enough story here that I think most authors would have needed 2 or 3 books to do it justice, but somehow Novik managed it in one book that was immersive and detailed, but neither rushed along nor dragged. As the plot kept unfolding and unfolding, I found myself marveling (and rejoicing) that I still had a lot of book left after all that had already happened.
No book is without its flaws, but I thoroughly enjoyed and was inspired by Uprooted.
Novik did not hold back with the plot; there was enough story here that I think most authors would have needed 2 or 3 books to do it justice, but somehow Novik managed it in one book that was immersive and detailed, but neither rushed along nor dragged. As the plot kept unfolding and unfolding, I found myself marveling (and rejoicing) that I still had a lot of book left after all that had already happened.
No book is without its flaws, but I thoroughly enjoyed and was inspired by Uprooted.
I'm really not big into fantasy, but this book caught my interest. I definitely enjoyed it, thought the first 40% just felt like leaping from one life-threatening adventure to another. It needed some depth, some thought, some... Learning? She really glossed over ALL the magical learning. The MC just didn't get magic until *boom* she does it her own way? No, even naturals have to spend some time actually working on things and screwing up a bunch.
Big beef: love story is shallow, unnecessary and more than slightly abusive. Sex scene had no purpose whatsoever. When you get to the part where the MC is going to the Dragon's room just skip a few pages. He's really a jerk.
Big beef: love story is shallow, unnecessary and more than slightly abusive. Sex scene had no purpose whatsoever. When you get to the part where the MC is going to the Dragon's room just skip a few pages. He's really a jerk.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The romance in this really did not work for me, but the story itself was worth the read
Proper review to come. Need to figure out how to form my thoughts into coherent sentences. I received an ARC of Uprooted at NYCC14 in exchange for an honest review.
+ Not focused on romance
+ Strong friendship between Agnieszka and Kasia
- There is an attempt rape scene
- Romance is a bit awkward, can be seen as Stockholm Syndrome
- Mild sex scene
Spoiler
+ Naomi Novik's world building+ Not focused on romance
+ Strong friendship between Agnieszka and Kasia
- There is an attempt rape scene
- Romance is a bit awkward, can be seen as Stockholm Syndrome
- Mild sex scene
Pure fantasy enjoyment! Every once in a while you have to really escape. Uprooted did that for me, with witches, princes, mysterious evil, magic and fast-paced battles. And it was tied neatly up in a bow. Very much recommended.
