thereadinghammock_mserinv's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
I loved the integration of traditional Russian folklore. The house spirits, the forest sprites, the monsters. I appreciated how the village began with such a lovely integration of the Old Ways and Christianity, sharing reverence for both in equal measure. Yes, the village still side-eyed the idea of a witch, but everyone still left offerings for their Domovoy and the Vasila, out of respect.
Vasyia simultaneously wise beyond her years and a petulant child in the way only a teenage girl made to grow up a bit too fast must be. Alyosha was such a wonderful brother, and though he may not have fully understood what was going on, was ride-or-die for his sister and wanted nothing more than to keep her safe. Anna and Father Constantine were characters I loved to hate, but also felt for the struggles they went through as their own hopes and dreams were dashed by the will of another.
Moderate: Misogyny, Death, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Death of parent
Minor: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Death, and Grief
mmefish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
And to think that it's a debut novel!
Graphic: Blood, Death, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Gore, and Sexual assault
Minor: Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Pedophilia, and Rape
laurenw's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/injury detail
Minor: Child death
kappafrog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Violence, Death, Blood, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Grief, Injury/injury detail, Child abuse, Body horror, Domestic abuse, and Gore
Moderate: Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, War, Forced institutionalization, Ableism, Child death, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Sexual violence
Minor: Vomit, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, and Animal cruelty
emfass's review against another edition
- 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
Kathleen Gati does a beautiful job as narrator, capturing the characters, the dialects, the world of medieval Rus.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Blood, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Animal death, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cannibalism, Child death, Sexual assault, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Self harm
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, and Rape
saintyeehaw's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Colonisation, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Injury/injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexism, Violence, and Vomit
reddeddy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Death of parent, Violence, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Classism, Death, Injury/injury detail, and Misogyny
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, Mental illness, Sexual content, Child abuse, Gore, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Blood, and Animal death
Minor: Body horror, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Pedophilia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Body shaming
sarahaf712's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Injury/injury detail, Sexual harassment, Self harm, and Misogyny
Moderate: Mental illness, Ableism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Vomit
katreadswaytoomuch's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
At first glance, I assumed this was a cross between Cinderella and Beauty & the Beast. It’s so much more than that though. There’s definitely elements of both, but it doesn’t follow a predictable plot.
I listened to this on audio. First, great choice in narrator. Kathleen Gati really puts the reader in the story. Second, it felt like an oral tradition — a story being told on a cold winter night in front of the fire just waiting for spring to come. Just beautiful
Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, Child death, Child abuse, Religious bigotry, Death, and Physical abuse
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Blood, Violence, Pregnancy, Misogyny, and Fire/Fire injury