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whatsshwereading 's review for:
Uprooted
by Naomi Novik
What makes Uprooted a remarkably brilliant read is that Novik takes the man vs. nature to a whole, new, unimaginable level.
First off, the description is quite misleading. One would expect to read a new-age beauty and the beast retelling with some candy-fluff sorcery (the sort that appeals to teenagers) happening. What you get instead is so much better and scary. In fact, the book gave me some nightmares.
Secondly, there isn't a thing about this book that I didn't love. Agneiszka makes for an interesting protagonist, blundering and coming into her own much like Harry and Katniss. Then there's Dragon (I suppose my only disappointment is that Dragon is not a real dragon. Just a wizard named Dragon :/), a powerfully competent wizard and a grudging master. Kasia - the warrior. In fact the best thing about the book is how Kasia's character shaped up. Hands down best character development ever! And the Woods - unlike Frost's woods which are lovely, dark, and deep, Novik's are unapologetically caliginous and malevolent. Until the big reveal in the climax and then everything seems justified.
And finally, the language. Novik's prose is the stuff lilting lyrics are made of. The world she builds, fantastic yet imaginable. There's a sense of urgency and the suspense never dies down what with a lot happening in the book. It doesn't let you stop and take a breath.
One of the major complaints people had regarding this book was it was too long and should have been a trilogy. But I didn't think so. I am glad Novik wrote a stand-alone fantasy. Frankly, at this point I don't think I could survive another trilogy.
Fianl word - if you love all things chimerical, read this book!
First off, the description is quite misleading. One would expect to read a new-age beauty and the beast retelling with some candy-fluff sorcery (the sort that appeals to teenagers) happening. What you get instead is so much better and scary. In fact, the book gave me some nightmares.
Secondly, there isn't a thing about this book that I didn't love. Agneiszka makes for an interesting protagonist, blundering and coming into her own much like Harry and Katniss. Then there's Dragon (I suppose my only disappointment is that Dragon is not a real dragon. Just a wizard named Dragon :/), a powerfully competent wizard and a grudging master. Kasia - the warrior. In fact the best thing about the book is how Kasia's character shaped up. Hands down best character development ever! And the Woods - unlike Frost's woods which are lovely, dark, and deep, Novik's are unapologetically caliginous and malevolent. Until the big reveal in the climax and then everything seems justified.
And finally, the language. Novik's prose is the stuff lilting lyrics are made of. The world she builds, fantastic yet imaginable. There's a sense of urgency and the suspense never dies down what with a lot happening in the book. It doesn't let you stop and take a breath.
One of the major complaints people had regarding this book was it was too long and should have been a trilogy. But I didn't think so. I am glad Novik wrote a stand-alone fantasy. Frankly, at this point I don't think I could survive another trilogy.
Fianl word - if you love all things chimerical, read this book!