skitch41's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Blood
alba_marie's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 stars
I think I would have been more receptive to this book if Russia wasn't currently being a prick and instigating a war in Ukraine, or if the story of the Baba Yaga was set in a different Eastern European location.
It was the tale of the Baba Yaga that drew me to this book. I used to live in Poland and heard tales of the infamous witch, the Baba Yaga. I love retellings and fairytales, and enjoy a good feminist retelling. I was intrigued to read a feminist version of this Slavic witch. However, I'm not sure Gilmore's Baba Yaga really lived up to my expectations...
I expected a good old fashioned redemption story. I am a sucker for both redemption stories and a villain's backstory. In fact, these are among my favourite tropes. Often the bad buy with the secret heart of gold is my favourite character, and tales that surround them fascinate me (think Lucifer, Crowley from Supernatural, Damon, Regina the Evil Queen...). So this one seemed very much my thing.
But then I read it, and Baba Yaga was just... Yaga. There was no redemption, at least not for her. There was no backstory. There was no "and this is all the bad shit that happened to me to get me here" or "this is who I really am but I'm misunderstood because of XYZ." Yaga was just nice. Nothing like the stories that cast her as a dark witch.
God after god was thrown at the reader, as were human characters, real and imagined. Every character had at least two or even three names. So many folkloric places were also included. So complex was it that she had to include a glossary – too bad it was at the end and I didn't realise it was there until I was halfway through. It was hard to keep track of it all. It was like Gilmore didn't know if she wanted to be Neil Gaiman in American Gods or Madeline Miller's Greek retellings, and in trying to do both, she succeeded in neither one.
The slightly whimsical purple prose did not allow me to be immersed as much as I'd want, and felt like the story was constantly keeping me at a distance. Plus, the Russian setting didn't add any favours. Over all, I really wanted to like it, and while I didn't dislike it, it wasn't the Baba Yaga story I was looking for.
I think I would have been more receptive to this book if Russia wasn't currently being a prick and instigating a war in Ukraine, or if the story of the Baba Yaga was set in a different Eastern European location.
It was the tale of the Baba Yaga that drew me to this book. I used to live in Poland and heard tales of the infamous witch, the Baba Yaga. I love retellings and fairytales, and enjoy a good feminist retelling. I was intrigued to read a feminist version of this Slavic witch. However, I'm not sure Gilmore's Baba Yaga really lived up to my expectations...
I expected a good old fashioned redemption story. I am a sucker for both redemption stories and a villain's backstory. In fact, these are among my favourite tropes. Often the bad buy with the secret heart of gold is my favourite character, and tales that surround them fascinate me (think Lucifer, Crowley from Supernatural, Damon, Regina the Evil Queen...). So this one seemed very much my thing.
But then I read it, and Baba Yaga was just... Yaga. There was no redemption, at least not for her. There was no backstory. There was no "and this is all the bad shit that happened to me to get me here" or "this is who I really am but I'm misunderstood because of XYZ." Yaga was just nice. Nothing like the stories that cast her as a dark witch.
God after god was thrown at the reader, as were human characters, real and imagined. Every character had at least two or even three names. So many folkloric places were also included. So complex was it that she had to include a glossary – too bad it was at the end and I didn't realise it was there until I was halfway through. It was hard to keep track of it all. It was like Gilmore didn't know if she wanted to be Neil Gaiman in American Gods or Madeline Miller's Greek retellings, and in trying to do both, she succeeded in neither one.
The slightly whimsical purple prose did not allow me to be immersed as much as I'd want, and felt like the story was constantly keeping me at a distance. Plus, the Russian setting didn't add any favours. Over all, I really wanted to like it, and while I didn't dislike it, it wasn't the Baba Yaga story I was looking for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Death
Moderate: Murder, Pregnancy, and Blood
cookiecat73's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Blood, Pregnancy, War, Xenophobia, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Classism, Infertility, Toxic relationship, Body horror, Death of parent, Acephobia/Arophobia, Animal cruelty, Grief, Sexism, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Misogyny, Vomit, Self harm, Sexual content, Animal death, and Child abuse
tamara_joy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Genocide
Moderate: Blood, Death, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Miscarriage, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Grief, Murder, Religious bigotry, and Violence
pvbobrien's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Religious bigotry, Blood, Pregnancy, War, and Grief
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Misogyny
whatiskatelynreading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Blood, Murder, and War
eegekay's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, War, Death, Death of parent, Violence, Child death, Blood, and Murder
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
A powerfully poignant and compelling debut that delves into the rich tapestry of Russian Folklore and presents a fascinatingly refreshing (and feminist) exploration into the oft-vilified witch of legend, Baba Yaga. Presenting us with a wise and courageous woman willing to defy the gods (and Ivan the Terrible) in order to save her people from tyranny.
As a half goddess in possession of magic, Yaga is used to being alone, especially when her previous encounters with mortals led to nothing but betrayal and heartbreak. Now she lives in the safety of her hut in the woods, where only those in need of her healing magic can seek her out—even if they do spread falsehoods about her wielding dark magic and wicked intent.
However, when an old friend Anastasia (now the wife of the Tsar) shows up with symptoms of a strange illness and begging for help, Yaga descends back into the world of mortals once more. For the kindhearted Tsaritsa’s life seems linked to the very fate of Russia itself—and Yaga is determined to do anything to protect it.
But, in travelling to Moscow Yaga realises the city’s on the brink of chaos and destruction. Tsar Ivan (the soon to be dubbed Ivan the Terrible) grows more volatile and violent by the day, as Yaga believes the tsaritsa’s illness is linked to poisoning. What Yaga can’t know is that Ivan is being manipulated by beings far older than Yaga could’ve imagined, and they’re plan rests solely on the tsar’s increasingly violent tendencies.
This was such an immersive read, and much like Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint have done with their feminist reimaginings of maligned and oft-ignored women in Greek mythology, Olesya Salnikova Gilmore has presented us with a bright, courageous and compelling woman whose story I didn’t want to put down!
I loved how very different this portrayal of Yaga was compared to the malicious, child eating witch of legend and really enjoyed the vulnerability and emotional complexity that is woven in her character. I also loved her sharp wit and how easily she manages to take control of a situation—especially when she manages to intimidate and send even the most hardened of soldiers scurrying. But, it was Yaga’s softer side that really endeared her to me, and made her feel all the more real (and human) to me.
In fact, most of the characters we encounter alongside Yaga are multifaceted, flawed and full of an incredible depth that I really enjoyed. Even Koshey the Deathless (the villain of many a folktale himself) was embued with an endearing dose of humanity and tragedy that had me sympathising with him a little by the end.
The world building was also impressively detailed and perfectly blends history and mythology to create a rich and sweepingly immersive experience that truly captures the essence of life in 16th C Russia.
The folkloric fantasy elements were especially well done and, when paired with real historical events and places, really brought the vast culture and traditions of Russia, it’s history and the vast folkloric heritage of the region to life.
I especially liked to duality of light and dark that plays a vital role in the narrative (good and evil, life and death, light and dark) and is symbolic for the complex and dual nature of being human.
Overall, a delicately woven and gorgeously enchanting debut that historical fiction lovers, fans of fierce and loveable warrior witches or Madeline Miller and Elizabeth Arden are bound to enjoy.
Though, I do warn that given the rather brutal themes and events (which involve war, violence and death-some of which is based on actual events) I do advise checking out the TWs before picking this up.
Also, a huge thank you to Random Things Tours and Harper Voyager UK for this absolutely gorgeous finished copy.
As a half goddess in possession of magic, Yaga is used to being alone, especially when her previous encounters with mortals led to nothing but betrayal and heartbreak. Now she lives in the safety of her hut in the woods, where only those in need of her healing magic can seek her out—even if they do spread falsehoods about her wielding dark magic and wicked intent.
However, when an old friend Anastasia (now the wife of the Tsar) shows up with symptoms of a strange illness and begging for help, Yaga descends back into the world of mortals once more. For the kindhearted Tsaritsa’s life seems linked to the very fate of Russia itself—and Yaga is determined to do anything to protect it.
But, in travelling to Moscow Yaga realises the city’s on the brink of chaos and destruction. Tsar Ivan (the soon to be dubbed Ivan the Terrible) grows more volatile and violent by the day, as Yaga believes the tsaritsa’s illness is linked to poisoning. What Yaga can’t know is that Ivan is being manipulated by beings far older than Yaga could’ve imagined, and they’re plan rests solely on the tsar’s increasingly violent tendencies.
This was such an immersive read, and much like Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint have done with their feminist reimaginings of maligned and oft-ignored women in Greek mythology, Olesya Salnikova Gilmore has presented us with a bright, courageous and compelling woman whose story I didn’t want to put down!
I loved how very different this portrayal of Yaga was compared to the malicious, child eating witch of legend and really enjoyed the vulnerability and emotional complexity that is woven in her character. I also loved her sharp wit and how easily she manages to take control of a situation—especially when she manages to intimidate and send even the most hardened of soldiers scurrying. But, it was Yaga’s softer side that really endeared her to me, and made her feel all the more real (and human) to me.
In fact, most of the characters we encounter alongside Yaga are multifaceted, flawed and full of an incredible depth that I really enjoyed. Even Koshey the Deathless (the villain of many a folktale himself) was embued with an endearing dose of humanity and tragedy that had me sympathising with him a little by the end.
The world building was also impressively detailed and perfectly blends history and mythology to create a rich and sweepingly immersive experience that truly captures the essence of life in 16th C Russia.
The folkloric fantasy elements were especially well done and, when paired with real historical events and places, really brought the vast culture and traditions of Russia, it’s history and the vast folkloric heritage of the region to life.
I especially liked to duality of light and dark that plays a vital role in the narrative (good and evil, life and death, light and dark) and is symbolic for the complex and dual nature of being human.
Overall, a delicately woven and gorgeously enchanting debut that historical fiction lovers, fans of fierce and loveable warrior witches or Madeline Miller and Elizabeth Arden are bound to enjoy.
Though, I do warn that given the rather brutal themes and events (which involve war, violence and death-some of which is based on actual events) I do advise checking out the TWs before picking this up.
Also, a huge thank you to Random Things Tours and Harper Voyager UK for this absolutely gorgeous finished copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and War
Moderate: Murder, Religious bigotry, and Grief
Minor: Animal death and Death of parent
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.0
One of my most anticipated releases this year, I'm disappointed.
This failed to engage me from almost the get-go. The plot and tension never got off the ground. The characters weren't believable, it didn't feel authentic or connected to a rich history of storytelling and history, and it just bummed me out to keep trying to find something exciting, complex, or unique about it.
The last third was skim read with displeasure.
This failed to engage me from almost the get-go. The plot and tension never got off the ground. The characters weren't believable, it didn't feel authentic or connected to a rich history of storytelling and history, and it just bummed me out to keep trying to find something exciting, complex, or unique about it.
The last third was skim read with displeasure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, Fire/Fire injury, and Violence
Moderate: Colonisation, Murder, and Religious bigotry
Anti-paganism / anti-witchcraftkearstenkeepsreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for providing an arc for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book! Olesya Salnikova Gilmore writes a debut novel that is a beautifully compelling feminist reimagining of the infamous Baba Yaga. She brings you into this intense world of old gods and the new God and the fight between light and darkness, good and evil. Gilmore truly blends the rich beautiful culture of Russia with a beautiful mythical reimagining of Baba Yaga that draws you in from the beginning.
This book is steeped in lore and magic and history. You are taken on a journey of love, betrayal, hurt and joy. The book does move on the slower side because it is focused on Yaga and her journey to realizing balance in her own life. At first clinging to her immortality and separation from mortals to embracing her mortal half fully and then having to find that balance to save not only the ones she loves but Russia herself.
If you love historical fantasy and feminist reimagining's then do yourself a favor and read this book. It is now a favorite of mine and I cannot wait to see what else Gilmore writes in the future!
I absolutely loved this book! Olesya Salnikova Gilmore writes a debut novel that is a beautifully compelling feminist reimagining of the infamous Baba Yaga. She brings you into this intense world of old gods and the new God and the fight between light and darkness, good and evil. Gilmore truly blends the rich beautiful culture of Russia with a beautiful mythical reimagining of Baba Yaga that draws you in from the beginning.
This book is steeped in lore and magic and history. You are taken on a journey of love, betrayal, hurt and joy. The book does move on the slower side because it is focused on Yaga and her journey to realizing balance in her own life. At first clinging to her immortality and separation from mortals to embracing her mortal half fully and then having to find that balance to save not only the ones she loves but Russia herself.
If you love historical fantasy and feminist reimagining's then do yourself a favor and read this book. It is now a favorite of mine and I cannot wait to see what else Gilmore writes in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Death of parent