stan2827's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
gothicshelf's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? No
4.5
grapie_deltaco's review
5.0
4.5⭐️
In a beautiful and mystical Russian fairytale-esque story of magic, strength, and family, we follow a young witch in a small village.
Vasya wants nothing more than to keep her family safe and happy. She wants nothing more than to be given the freedom to choose her own life. She wants nothing more than to speak to the magical creatures that protect the home that only she can see.
Vasya's village has very recently encountered a priest and the Christian influence and we see the tension between the community and witchcraft grow in strength.
There are multiple villains in this story with the stepmother acting in true fairytale fashion, a priest that's very reminiscent of the one in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and the god called The Bear who feeds on the fear of man.
The story took a while to pick up as the first 2/3 of the story are slow in their build up of conflict and detailed character building but the final third of the story is what hooks you into committing to this trilogy (in my opinion).
Also the relationship between Vasya and Morozko is such a fascinating one that begins with courage and curiosity, follows all throughout with gentleness, and grows to become friendship and mentorship. It's a dynamic I'm very eager to see more of in future books.
CW: religious persecution, forced marriage, death, grief
In a beautiful and mystical Russian fairytale-esque story of magic, strength, and family, we follow a young witch in a small village.
Vasya wants nothing more than to keep her family safe and happy. She wants nothing more than to be given the freedom to choose her own life. She wants nothing more than to speak to the magical creatures that protect the home that only she can see.
Vasya's village has very recently encountered a priest and the Christian influence and we see the tension between the community and witchcraft grow in strength.
There are multiple villains in this story with the stepmother acting in true fairytale fashion, a priest that's very reminiscent of the one in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and the god called The Bear who feeds on the fear of man.
The story took a while to pick up as the first 2/3 of the story are slow in their build up of conflict and detailed character building but the final third of the story is what hooks you into committing to this trilogy (in my opinion).
Also the relationship between Vasya and Morozko is such a fascinating one that begins with courage and curiosity, follows all throughout with gentleness, and grows to become friendship and mentorship. It's a dynamic I'm very eager to see more of in future books.
CW: religious persecution, forced marriage, death, grief
sumnoah's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
ruthie_the_librarian's review
4.0
Although it took me two attempts to start this book, once I did start I really enjoyed it! It's a grown-up fairytale, set in old Russia, that looks at magic and mystery, witches and demons, religion and fear. Though it stumbles in places, running a little slowly where the book could have moved along much faster, it is still a good read, and I enjoyed the character of Vasya.
whatjanereads's review
DNF @30%
I tried to read this two times and I think this isn’t for me.
If you like atmospheric books, without a lot of action and books that remind you of fairy tales: this is absolutely for you! It’s not bad, but it’s simply too boring for me and since I didn’t care about any of the characters it couldn’t keep my attention.
I tried to read this two times and I think this isn’t for me.
If you like atmospheric books, without a lot of action and books that remind you of fairy tales: this is absolutely for you! It’s not bad, but it’s simply too boring for me and since I didn’t care about any of the characters it couldn’t keep my attention.
dance64's review
3.0
It was okay. I like books that are based off mythology or fairy tales, but this one was a bit confusing. Ironically enough I just read the fairy tale this book is based off of, so it was pretty interesting to see this take on it. But for me there were way too many characters to keep track of. I was constantly confused about who was who and who did this and who said that and I was starting to get frustrated. Also, I was going to scream if Konstantin was called beautiful one more time. We get it. He's alluring. Cool. I don't care anymore.
Overall just an okay read. I would be interested enough to pick up the second one, but I'm in no rush.
Spoiler
He also reminds me of the priest dude in Hunchback of Notre Dame. Anyone? Just me? Okay.Overall just an okay read. I would be interested enough to pick up the second one, but I'm in no rush.
renery's review against another edition
3.0
Bu seriye başlamayı sürekli erteliyordum, nihayet son kitap da çıkınca okumaya başladım. Rus folklor unsurlarıyla örülmüş güzel bir hikâye fakat galiba yüksek bir beklentiyle başladığım için kitaptan istediğimi alamadım. Serinin diğer kitaplarından umutluyum ama.
olosta's review
5.0
4.7*, for the somewhat slow beginning with complicated and a bit clumsy sentences. The writing style improved vastly in the course of this book.
Otherwise, I have only praise for this tale. Based on Slavic mythology, I was very pleased to read for once a properly researched books with properly incorporated slavic folklore & history, without bewildering the reader with too much information. The characters are well developed, engaging. The main heroine is absolutely magnificient, just like I like to read them. There is a lot of tension built up in the course of the story, and it culminates before it get's overdone.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes mythology and fairytale retellings, for anyone who does not rely only on the plot to move the story forward, but can appreciate also a nice writing style and the chance to learn something about Slavic mythology.
Otherwise, I have only praise for this tale. Based on Slavic mythology, I was very pleased to read for once a properly researched books with properly incorporated slavic folklore & history, without bewildering the reader with too much information. The characters are well developed, engaging. The main heroine is absolutely magnificient, just like I like to read them. There is a lot of tension built up in the course of the story, and it culminates before it get's overdone.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes mythology and fairytale retellings, for anyone who does not rely only on the plot to move the story forward, but can appreciate also a nice writing style and the chance to learn something about Slavic mythology.