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bookishchef 's review for:
Uprooted
by Naomi Novik
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There's a few tropes in here that I am not the biggest fan of
- Ancient creature x barely legal teenager romance.
I know that there is no equivalent to this irl so I should stfu, but it still makes me uncomfortable, even if it is later revealed that the MC is immortal as well. It is even mentioned within the text by Sarkan that this has weird undertones (right before he has sex with the MC anyway, so he obviously was not too concerned).
- Best friend character that should have been the love interest instead but is not because heteronormativity says no.
I did not dislike Sarkan as a love interest. Gloomy, grumpy, bookish boys are a weak spot of mine. But Kasia x Agnieszka would have been immaculate. Super strong sword fighter girl x witch? I want that story dammit!
- Ancient magical objects and places getting a thorough explanation instead of staying mysterious.
Stories with fairy tale vibes do not need to explain everything. Why can the bears in Goldilocks talk? Because they can. Why do they eat porridge? Because they do. Not everything needs an explanation in fairy tales. And for me explaning why The Woods existed felt a bit unnecessary.
It is an enjoyable read nonetheless! And there was much I did enjoy!
- Uneasy allies to lovers
- Well written friendship
- A fairy tale esque feeling
- Female characters calling men out for their bullshit
- "Being strong" not being linked to violence or traditionally masculine tasks and features
- Eastern european influences (Baba Jaga, the food, the names of the characters, hell maybe even the Woods itself)
- Everything about the Summoning
- That singular smut scene
I don't love the ending of the book either, but somehow it did not take away from the rest of the story for me. There is just too much to enjoy here.
- Ancient creature x barely legal teenager romance.
I know that there is no equivalent to this irl so I should stfu, but it still makes me uncomfortable, even if it is later revealed that the MC is immortal as well. It is even mentioned within the text by Sarkan that this has weird undertones (right before he has sex with the MC anyway, so he obviously was not too concerned).
- Best friend character that should have been the love interest instead but is not because heteronormativity says no.
I did not dislike Sarkan as a love interest. Gloomy, grumpy, bookish boys are a weak spot of mine. But Kasia x Agnieszka would have been immaculate. Super strong sword fighter girl x witch? I want that story dammit!
- Ancient magical objects and places getting a thorough explanation instead of staying mysterious.
Stories with fairy tale vibes do not need to explain everything. Why can the bears in Goldilocks talk? Because they can. Why do they eat porridge? Because they do. Not everything needs an explanation in fairy tales. And for me explaning why The Woods existed felt a bit unnecessary.
It is an enjoyable read nonetheless! And there was much I did enjoy!
- Uneasy allies to lovers
- Well written friendship
- A fairy tale esque feeling
- Female characters calling men out for their bullshit
- "Being strong" not being linked to violence or traditionally masculine tasks and features
- Eastern european influences (Baba Jaga, the food, the names of the characters, hell maybe even the Woods itself)
- Everything about the Summoning
- That singular smut scene
I don't love the ending of the book either, but somehow it did not take away from the rest of the story for me. There is just too much to enjoy here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Animal death, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, War