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esmeem's review
5.0
This book reminded me so much of all the things I loved about The Night Circus, and the entire book felt very magical. Also, Vika had a bit of a Lila Bard vibe going on, and some parts of the book gave me similar feels as one of my favourite books of all time, A Gathering of Shadows, did. So yeah, it's safe to say this is definitely a new favourite.
ameyawarde's review against another edition
4.0
I'm really glad I read this book despite all the 1 & 2 star reviews on here. I wish I hadn't read all the bad reviews, as I feel like it did make me more critical of it than I would have been otherwise, yet I still really enjoyed it. The writing may not have felt super sophisticated (for lack of a better word) but I still certainly didn't think it was bad. And most importantly, I enjoyed reading a story set somewhere I've never read about before (Russia!) It's always refreshing to read fantasy that doesn't use the same western European base for their ideas about magic (and mythology, and monarchy, etc etc). I'm looking forward to the next book!
tallyhotel's review
3.0
Maybe it's just me, but if I were in a game where I had to prove to the Czar that I was the more useful enchanter to help Russia, I wouldn't be crafting fripperies! I'd craft armor, or defenses, or scientific advances, food production methods, improved roads, travel....useful things! Both of them trained for years to THINK and protect themselves, use defenses, etc. - yet they never thought to demonstrate this to the Czar?
The only reason I gave the book 3 stars over 2, is because I liked the character development, and I LOVED the narrator on the audio.
The only reason I gave the book 3 stars over 2, is because I liked the character development, and I LOVED the narrator on the audio.
nicolemhewitt's review
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
To start off, I have to tell you that I had very high expectations for this book. I fell in love with Evelyn’s writing two years ago when I read her short story in an anthology – I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind since. I’ve been anxiously awaiting something more from her ever since. But, honestly, I was nervous. What if I didn’t love this one? What if I’d set my expectations so incredibly sky high that it was impossible to live up to them? Apparently, I had nothing to worry about. Why? Read on …
What Fed My Addiction:
The gorgeous writing.
From the first few pages of this book, I was pulled in and I knew my soaring expectations were going to be met. Evelyn’s writing is everything I remembered it to be – beautiful and haunting and utterly captivating. Go. Read it and experience it for yourself!
Russian fantasy worldbuilding.
This was definitely my number one reason for flailing over this book. So often, you read a fantasy novel and it’s set in a somewhat washed out version of a past or future culture – that was not the case with this book at all. There is a TON of magic in this book, but it’s almost closer to historical fiction than it is to fantasy (I guess maybe it’s magical realism?). The setting is perfectly Russia in the semi-distant past (I’m horrible with history, so I don’t know exactly when it matches up). Evelyn says in her author notes that she studied Russia in college, and that definitely shines through in her writing. There’s an incredible amount of detail to the rich worldbuilding – right down to the foods the characters eat. Yet, the worldbuilding never feels tedious at all (something that can happen for me if it gets too detailed or verbose). Evelyn tied all those little details in so beautifully that you almost weren’t aware of them … except you were. (I know, I make no sense – just go read the book please.)
The magic!
I absolutely loved the magical scenes in this book. The very first scene shows off Vika’s spectacular magical prowess, and I adored every moment of it. Nikolai’s magic was a bit more subdued, possibly more controlled, but no less impressive. Since Nikolai and Vika had to compete with each other and impress the Tsar, there were plenty of fantastic magical scenes. And since the price of losing was death, the stakes were very high! I loved that the magic in the book didn’t necessarily play itself out in huge epic battles but it left such a strong impression on me that I can still picture each enchanter’s turn in the competition in my mind’s eye (and it’s been a couple of months since I actually read the book!).
The characters.
I was so wrapped up in Vika and Nikolai’s stories and the incredible stakes that I found myself rooting for both of them and desperately wondering how it was all going to turn out! Then there was Pasha, the future Tsar and Nikolai’s best friend. He was the type of ruler who truly seems to love his people and want what’s best for them, so I couldn’t help but love him as well! Toward the end of the book, some major things shift for these characters, making it all SO much more complicated – and therefore even more exciting!
What Left Me Wanting More:
The romance.
Honestly, I didn’t feel like the romance was the central element to this book. It was really a side plot because everyone was so concerned with staying alive (which is as it should have been), but I do have to admit that, because of this, the romance felt a bit like instalove – and there was even a bit of triangle instalove to make it harder to swallow. (Those of you who truly hate instalove or love triangles have been forewarned.) There just wasn’t enough focus on the romance to allow me to truly connect to it. Since the romance wasn’t a major focus, I was actually mostly okay with this, though. I just let myself get carried away with the rest of the story instead. Still, certain plot points might have had more of an emotional impact on me if I’d been more invested in this aspect of the story.
As you’ve probably figured out by now, I highly recommend you read this book. If you’re a fan of fantasy and you think you’d appreciate the Russian backdrop, you will not be disappointed. I easily give this book 4.5/5 stars!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
To start off, I have to tell you that I had very high expectations for this book. I fell in love with Evelyn’s writing two years ago when I read her short story in an anthology – I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind since. I’ve been anxiously awaiting something more from her ever since. But, honestly, I was nervous. What if I didn’t love this one? What if I’d set my expectations so incredibly sky high that it was impossible to live up to them? Apparently, I had nothing to worry about. Why? Read on …
What Fed My Addiction:
The gorgeous writing.
From the first few pages of this book, I was pulled in and I knew my soaring expectations were going to be met. Evelyn’s writing is everything I remembered it to be – beautiful and haunting and utterly captivating. Go. Read it and experience it for yourself!
Russian fantasy worldbuilding.
This was definitely my number one reason for flailing over this book. So often, you read a fantasy novel and it’s set in a somewhat washed out version of a past or future culture – that was not the case with this book at all. There is a TON of magic in this book, but it’s almost closer to historical fiction than it is to fantasy (I guess maybe it’s magical realism?). The setting is perfectly Russia in the semi-distant past (I’m horrible with history, so I don’t know exactly when it matches up). Evelyn says in her author notes that she studied Russia in college, and that definitely shines through in her writing. There’s an incredible amount of detail to the rich worldbuilding – right down to the foods the characters eat. Yet, the worldbuilding never feels tedious at all (something that can happen for me if it gets too detailed or verbose). Evelyn tied all those little details in so beautifully that you almost weren’t aware of them … except you were. (I know, I make no sense – just go read the book please.)
The magic!
I absolutely loved the magical scenes in this book. The very first scene shows off Vika’s spectacular magical prowess, and I adored every moment of it. Nikolai’s magic was a bit more subdued, possibly more controlled, but no less impressive. Since Nikolai and Vika had to compete with each other and impress the Tsar, there were plenty of fantastic magical scenes. And since the price of losing was death, the stakes were very high! I loved that the magic in the book didn’t necessarily play itself out in huge epic battles but it left such a strong impression on me that I can still picture each enchanter’s turn in the competition in my mind’s eye (and it’s been a couple of months since I actually read the book!).
The characters.
I was so wrapped up in Vika and Nikolai’s stories and the incredible stakes that I found myself rooting for both of them and desperately wondering how it was all going to turn out! Then there was Pasha, the future Tsar and Nikolai’s best friend. He was the type of ruler who truly seems to love his people and want what’s best for them, so I couldn’t help but love him as well! Toward the end of the book, some major things shift for these characters, making it all SO much more complicated – and therefore even more exciting!
What Left Me Wanting More:
The romance.
Honestly, I didn’t feel like the romance was the central element to this book. It was really a side plot because everyone was so concerned with staying alive (which is as it should have been), but I do have to admit that, because of this, the romance felt a bit like instalove – and there was even a bit of triangle instalove to make it harder to swallow. (Those of you who truly hate instalove or love triangles have been forewarned.) There just wasn’t enough focus on the romance to allow me to truly connect to it. Since the romance wasn’t a major focus, I was actually mostly okay with this, though. I just let myself get carried away with the rest of the story instead. Still, certain plot points might have had more of an emotional impact on me if I’d been more invested in this aspect of the story.
As you’ve probably figured out by now, I highly recommend you read this book. If you’re a fan of fantasy and you think you’d appreciate the Russian backdrop, you will not be disappointed. I easily give this book 4.5/5 stars!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
oreolover15's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, especially after about chapter 20. I think the hard to read names and Russian made it hard to get into at first but once I made it become more familiar I was able to better immerse myself in the story and I loved it!
elanor90's review
2.0
Exciting idea, great magic and a beautiful setting (imperial Russia). But the characters - quite boring actually. And the romance? Instalove. Once again. Geez.
slavic_bookworm's review
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0