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A review by goblinhearted
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
3.0
The blurb for this novel feels a bit misleading. It correctly sets up the initial premise—a young woman, Agnieszka, is taken from her village by a bitter, centuries-old wizard known as the Dragon—but it doesn’t quite capture the rest of the novel, which is where my issues with the book begin. It feels like Uprooted is unsure of what it wants to be. The first part is character-driven and explores the tense, compelling dynamic between Agnieszka and the Dragon, and I loved this section for a lot of reasons. The prose is immersive, the vibes are immaculate, and it reads like a dark fairy tale set in haunted, enchanted woods. The imagery is strong and consistent, painting a vivid picture of a simple valley of farmers and woodcutters. There’s a lovely attention to detail which reinforces the book’s rustic aesthetic.
A little before the halfway point, the story shifts. It shifts focus from the dark fairy tale aesthetic and the dynamic between Agnieszka and the Dragon, moving into a political subplot as Agnieszka navigates a court of the rich and powerful. This is where my interest started to wane. The book strays from its initial concept, and becomes more about court intrigue, which feels dry and disconnected from the story’s earlier magic. The Dragon, who I felt was one of the more compelling characters, fades completely to the background, which was a disappointment.
The third part of the book turns into an extended battle sequence. I’m not a big fan of action scenes, and seeing one stretch out for multiple chapters was difficult to push through. Everything becomes very external, with events simply happening one after another, making it feel mechanical and disengaged.There’s also a sex scene near the end that felt completely out of left field.
I did enjoy the final chapters, where the story finally returns to its fairy tale roots, drawing heavily on the theme of Baba Jaga. If more of the book had followed this tone, it could have been one of my favorites. I adored the concept of a haunted wood and the way Baba Jaga mythology was woven into the plot. The magic system, though less developed than typical fantasy fare, didn’t bother me at all. I loved the little flourishes, like how Agnieszka’s unconventional magic mirrors her messy, spontaneous nature. Her friend Kasia was another highlight—one of the coolest, most badass characters in the book—but it felt like she was sidelined as a mere plot device rather than being given the fleshed-out role she deserved.
The relationship between Agnieszka and the Dragon would have captivated a younger me, trained on enemies-to-lovers fanfiction. As of now, I didn’t mind it terribly. Many readers are uncomfortable with how borderline abusive the Dragon is toward Agnieszka, but I felt this added some tension and left room for character growth—though, unfortunately, that growth never really materialized. When I am forced to read romance, I prefer that romance feels earned, and while this dynamic had the potential for that, it fell flat in the end.
This isn’t the type of book I usually gravitate toward. I tend to avoid YA, as it often isn’t my style, but Uprooted surprised me with its more mature prose that felt like adult fiction. I also shy away from romance, and thankfully, less than 10% of this book could be considered romantic.
All said, I really liked about 25% of this book. It stirred enough conflicting feelings in me that I’ve clearly written more than I expected, and in a way, I appreciate that. I want books to make me feel something, even if it’s frustration or conflicted admiration. Uprooted certainly did that.
A little before the halfway point, the story shifts. It shifts focus from the dark fairy tale aesthetic and the dynamic between Agnieszka and the Dragon, moving into a political subplot as Agnieszka navigates a court of the rich and powerful. This is where my interest started to wane. The book strays from its initial concept, and becomes more about court intrigue, which feels dry and disconnected from the story’s earlier magic. The Dragon, who I felt was one of the more compelling characters, fades completely to the background, which was a disappointment.
The third part of the book turns into an extended battle sequence. I’m not a big fan of action scenes, and seeing one stretch out for multiple chapters was difficult to push through. Everything becomes very external, with events simply happening one after another, making it feel mechanical and disengaged.
I did enjoy the final chapters, where the story finally returns to its fairy tale roots, drawing heavily on the theme of Baba Jaga. If more of the book had followed this tone, it could have been one of my favorites. I adored the concept of a haunted wood and the way Baba Jaga mythology was woven into the plot. The magic system, though less developed than typical fantasy fare, didn’t bother me at all. I loved the little flourishes, like how Agnieszka’s unconventional magic mirrors her messy, spontaneous nature. Her friend Kasia was another highlight—one of the coolest, most badass characters in the book—but it felt like she was sidelined as a mere plot device rather than being given the fleshed-out role she deserved.
The relationship between Agnieszka and the Dragon would have captivated a younger me, trained on enemies-to-lovers fanfiction. As of now, I didn’t mind it terribly. Many readers are uncomfortable with how borderline abusive the Dragon is toward Agnieszka, but I felt this added some tension and left room for character growth—though, unfortunately, that growth never really materialized. When I am forced to read romance, I prefer that romance feels earned, and while this dynamic had the potential for that, it fell flat in the end.
This isn’t the type of book I usually gravitate toward. I tend to avoid YA, as it often isn’t my style, but Uprooted surprised me with its more mature prose that felt like adult fiction. I also shy away from romance, and thankfully, less than 10% of this book could be considered romantic.
All said, I really liked about 25% of this book. It stirred enough conflicting feelings in me that I’ve clearly written more than I expected, and in a way, I appreciate that. I want books to make me feel something, even if it’s frustration or conflicted admiration. Uprooted certainly did that.