blewballoon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a very creative blend of folk tales, the modern world, an exploration of generational trauma, and a story of family and magic. In some ways it reminded me of The City We Became, but with more subtlety with its messaging (despite still not being very subtle). The characters were flawed and interesting, they felt like people with layers, and it left me wanting to know more. This book is more grim than I originally anticipated, but it felt earned, and there was always an element of hope. Not sure how I feel about I listened to this on audiobook and the narration was very good, I was impressed by how distinct some of the voices were. I do not think I would have liked the book as much without the audio, I think I would have gotten more frustrated with the characters and found them more flat.
Spoiler
Bellatine's romance with a gravestone statue she brought to life by accident.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Antisemitism, Vomit, Death, Racism, Body horror, Gore, Xenophobia, and Violence
achay91's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Death, Religious bigotry, Child death, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Cursing, Genocide, Alcohol, and Stalking
Minor: Suicide
cameronreads's review against another edition
5.0
This book somehow surpassed every expectation I had of it. It was simply wonderful; from the characters to the storytelling to the powerful and important messages it contained. I’d recommend this to anyone and everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Antisemitism, Death, Self harm, Gore, Grief, Child death, Genocide, Religious bigotry, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Suicide and War
fee_nix05's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The proze is so good! I also learned a lot about russian-jewish history, without it ever feeling like reading a textbook. The main characters felt so real, and the latter portion made me cry because of how beautifully it was written. The only thing keeping me from rating this a 5-star read is that it felt a little long sometimes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, War, and Antisemitism
dybbuk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Antisemitism, Child death, and Xenophobia
phantomgecko's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Fascinating reimagining of the Baba Yaga story. I liked the magical realism.
Hugely frustrated with the main characters though. Not communicating is a stupid plot device.
Hugely frustrated with the main characters though. Not communicating is a stupid plot device.
Spoiler
Also, a romance with a construct which is simultaneously thousands of years old and also a child was an interesting choice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Xenophobia, and Antisemitism
ahntologies's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
Really beautiful dark rich modern folklore. Looking forward to more from Nethercott. There are so many incredible quotes on trauma, grief, memory. The multitude of storytelling style in this book was able to show me that folklore is humanity's way to heal and survive, no matter the culture. In that, both power is evoked and magic happens.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism, Genocide, Self harm, War, Child death, and Suicide
cyanochic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Loved this book from cover to cover!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: War, Genocide, Child death, Antisemitism, Abandonment, and Death
Minor: Alcoholism
blubonby's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I wish I had read this sooner
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Genocide
ehwilltolive's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this book was truly really incredible. It had such a physical feeling in its pages and its story and honestly, despite sadness, a pretty perfect ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism and Xenophobia