graceert's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Physical abuse, Death, and Sexual assault
Minor: Gaslighting and Religious bigotry
hiashleynine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Child abuse, Death, and Religious bigotry
olma's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
A dark, magical read set in 14th century Russia. I enjoyed the main character, Vasya, who is described as wild and frog-like.
I will say that I disliked that the step-mother was implied to be a teen. Yes, I know that’s historically accurate, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy reading it.
I will say that I disliked that the step-mother was implied to be a teen. Yes, I know that’s historically accurate, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
p1gu1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
dominika_lorazo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The vibe of this story is immaculate. It was very atmospheric. The story wasn’t very eventful but that is exactly why I liked it, because it felt like reading a real fairy tale. I really loved how the folklore and folkloric creatures were really present and elaborated on in the book
Note: As a non-native English speaker, I’d say it was hard to read at the beginning but you get used to the writing style pretty early on.
Things I liked:
-I’m glad the stepdaughter/half-sister was nice despite the fact that her mother (the step-mother of Vasya) was crazy
-vasya was a nice MC. Strong female characters are tricky nowadays because they are (in my opinion) overused. But Vasya’s strength made sense with her character and she wasn’t too OP.
Things I disliked:
- the ending felt kind of anticlimactic. I feel like the « big fight » was unnecessary and rushed. Unnecessary because a big fight isn’t really what I would expect of (hope for) a fairy tale book like this one. Rushed because the fight was almost too easy. The father died to save them but it still felt too easy in a way.
-unfortunately the ending is really giving « hero saves everyone / saves the world » . It was hinted throughout the book that she was part of something bigger and that was most definitely my least favourite part. Maybe it’s just me but I always crave a lowkey Mc when I read stories. Just a simple antagonist would have been enough (in my opinion, but that varies depending on the person). And the big bad villain was not very interesting.
Note: As a non-native English speaker, I’d say it was hard to read at the beginning but you get used to the writing style pretty early on.
Things I liked:
Spoiler
- when Dunya came back from the dead as an upyr. It was really heartbreaking in a way, especially when she tried getting in the house.-I’m glad the stepdaughter/half-sister was nice despite the fact that her mother (the step-mother of Vasya) was crazy
-vasya was a nice MC. Strong female characters are tricky nowadays because they are (in my opinion) overused. But Vasya’s strength made sense with her character and she wasn’t too OP.
Things I disliked:
Spoiler
-The book started with all of them happy in their little house in the forest and ended with most of them either gone or dead (only 2 left). It isn’t necessarily bad but it made me feel sad and empty at the end.- the ending felt kind of anticlimactic. I feel like the « big fight » was unnecessary and rushed. Unnecessary because a big fight isn’t really what I would expect of (hope for) a fairy tale book like this one. Rushed because the fight was almost too easy. The father died to save them but it still felt too easy in a way.
-unfortunately the ending is really giving « hero saves everyone / saves the world » . It was hinted throughout the book that she was part of something bigger and that was most definitely my least favourite part. Maybe it’s just me but I always crave a lowkey Mc when I read stories. Just a simple antagonist would have been enough (in my opinion, but that varies depending on the person). And the big bad villain was not very interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
Spoiler
Additional warning (briefly mentioned): dubious consent (rape? Wasn’t clear hence the dubious consent)joygarcialim's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Misogyny
vigil's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
*re-read, even better than i remember it to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, Blood, Death, Grief, Violence, Animal death, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Pregnancy
lisaandthebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
This book was a perfect mix of mythology, fantasy and realism. I didn't know anything about this book before starting to read it and I think that was the best way I could have read it.
I really enjoyed the discussion of religion and missionary work, but what really sold me was all the russian folklore! I love mythology and I want to read more retellings / mythology inspired books about different parts of the world.
I have to say that someone told me that this book is an enemies to lovers story and that is just not true? There is no romance, or at least it's not a main focus at all! I actually really liked that about this book. Also I am a big fan of the 'wild girl' trope :)
The ending was bittersweet but I really liked it. I didn't cry though, which made me realise, that I wasn't truly connecting with the characters. That is normally a big dealbreaker but this time I didn't actually mind that much. I guess the book is a 'vibes before plot' kind of book and it's very slow paced as well (but it's also quite short).
I am so excited for the other two books in the trilogy though I'm surprised it is a trilogy at all. This book could have been a standalone as well. I am interested to return to this world though and there are a lot of things I still want to hear more about.
I really enjoyed the discussion of religion and missionary work, but what really sold me was all the russian folklore! I love mythology and I want to read more retellings / mythology inspired books about different parts of the world.
I have to say that someone told me that this book is an enemies to lovers story and that is just not true? There is no romance, or at least it's not a main focus at all! I actually really liked that about this book. Also I am a big fan of the 'wild girl' trope :)
The ending was bittersweet but I really liked it. I didn't cry though, which made me realise, that I wasn't truly connecting with the characters. That is normally a big dealbreaker but this time I didn't actually mind that much. I guess the book is a 'vibes before plot' kind of book and it's very slow paced as well (but it's also quite short).
I am so excited for the other two books in the trilogy though I'm surprised it is a trilogy at all. This book could have been a standalone as well. I am interested to return to this world though and there are a lot of things I still want to hear more about.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Death, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Bullying, Violence, Grief, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Pregnancy, and Rape
bannedfrombookclub's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.25
This was very immersive and Arden has such a strong and engaging voice for this story set in medieval Russia where the fairytales are real. Characters push the edges of their folklore archetypes to become more real and grounded. Themes include the battle between old and new gods, family, the question of sacrificing one for the good of the many, the lot of women at this time, and low-key romantic tension with a winter demon.
I picked this up at total random from a library shelf and getting to the end I was like - hmm some of these character threads and set ups haven't been resolved - but it's a trilogy, a completed trilogy. So we can all relax.
Also this is great but it is not a cozy fantasy. It's not grimdark fantasy either. I'd say it's norm-core level of fantasy sad/badness.
I picked this up at total random from a library shelf and getting to the end I was like - hmm some of these character threads and set ups haven't been resolved - but it's a trilogy, a completed trilogy. So we can all relax.
Also this is great but it is not a cozy fantasy. It's not grimdark fantasy either. I'd say it's norm-core level of fantasy sad/badness.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Child death
Minor: Blood
thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Hey look, I finally read this! And then proceeded to devour the next two books immediately, so pretty safe to say I loved it.
Definitely going on my new faves list.
CW: y'all it's set in like the 14th century so
Definitely going on my new faves list.
CW: y'all it's set in like the 14th century so
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Violence, Sexism, and Blood
Moderate: Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Animal death