leahsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
CONTENT WARNING: mention of death of a parent, misogyny, blood, off-page harm to animals, grief, murder, gore, mention of torture, mention of rape, war
I was absolutely heartbroken when I got denied for this on NetGalley (side-eyes NetGalley), so my next step was obviously to enter a giveaway the author was running on Instagram. I didn’t win that, but my comment about how I felt when I was denied on NG must have struck a chord, because next thing I know, she slid right into my DMs and offered me a PHYSICAL ARC, which was even better than an NG copy, since now I have this beauty on my shelves for all time. I mean, I was primed to love this book from when I had first heard about it, but after reading it? I’m on a whole new level.
Baba Yaga is a folktale that many have heard of, and it’s been resurrected time and time again, yet this story manages to keep it fresh and somehow completely unique.
While many of us have heard the old Baba Yaga tale of her having the house on chicken legs, flying through the air in her mortar and pestle, and tricking children into her house so she can shove them into her oven and eat them, decorating her house with their skulls, Gilmore completely divorces the story from those elements. She keeps the house on chicken legs, but gives us more of Yaga as a person. I loved getting to know more about Yaga, her backstory, and the ways that she connects with people, allowing me to see her on a more human level.
During this story, we learn not just who Yaga is and where she comes from, but also how she connects to the land she’s from. Throughout the story, Russia is more than just a country, it’s almost like a family member in need of protection. Many of the characters are willing to lay down their lives to protect Russia, who is always referred to as “her,” and as having a long memory. The people of Russia survive not only brutal weather and living conditions, but also fight for their lands and their way of life. Despite clearly being a fantasy book, it’s also very much a historical fiction story, taking place not long after Russia came to be a country in it’s own right, but it still isn’t a very stable place.
When Yaga is called upon by her old friend, Anastasia, for help in curing her of a mysterious illness, Yaga doesn’t feel like she can say no. Especially not knowing that Anastasia is the balancing element on her husband, the unpredictable Tsar Ivan. He is the one man keeping Russia from teetering into all-out chaos, and Yaga is going to do everything in her power to make sure she keeps her friend healthy and protect Russia.
“Rumor had it that marriage had tamed the tsar’s naturally violent ways, that his tsaritsa restrained his worst impulses. Her intelligence and faith guided him. If something were to happen to her, it would not just be her sons who suffered. It would be Russia and her people.”
Yaga is also torn by the way Christianity has supplanted the old gods. Yaga herself is the daughter of one of the old gods, and it’s frustrating to her to see the worship wither away in favor of the new god.
“My usual reaction to icons was a stab of jealousy. This god was exalted, celebrated in resplendent wealth; my gods were forgotten, prayed to in shameful, guilt-ridden secrecy. He had triumphed while my gods had lost.”
Once Yaga reaches Moscow, what she discovers is so much worse than she even expected. She comes face to face with enemies and tricks at every turn, and it kept me on the edge of my seat. She’s forced to rely on all of her magic, her smarts, and her knowledge of people for stakes that are higher than ever.
“Here was a tsar whose crown had made him into a tragedy, a suspicious and vindictive man, volatile and unpredictable. He loved today only to hate tomorrow.”
Overall, this was a subversive and feminist story that pulled me in from start to finish. Instead of Yaga being the villain, she was the hero, fighting against her traditional antihero, Koshey Bessmertney (the Deathless), but also the system that dictates only one path for women, and working with a range of people to save a Russia that they all love. I loved seeing a lesbian couple featured prominently, especially during this time period, and the romance included in the book was beautifully done, capturing my heart without overwhelming the story. If you’re going to read one Baba Yaga retelling, THIS IS IT.
CONTENT WARNING: mention of death of a parent, misogyny, blood, off-page harm to animals, grief, murder, gore, mention of torture, mention of rape, war
I was absolutely heartbroken when I got denied for this on NetGalley (side-eyes NetGalley), so my next step was obviously to enter a giveaway the author was running on Instagram. I didn’t win that, but my comment about how I felt when I was denied on NG must have struck a chord, because next thing I know, she slid right into my DMs and offered me a PHYSICAL ARC, which was even better than an NG copy, since now I have this beauty on my shelves for all time. I mean, I was primed to love this book from when I had first heard about it, but after reading it? I’m on a whole new level.
Baba Yaga is a folktale that many have heard of, and it’s been resurrected time and time again, yet this story manages to keep it fresh and somehow completely unique.
While many of us have heard the old Baba Yaga tale of her having the house on chicken legs, flying through the air in her mortar and pestle, and tricking children into her house so she can shove them into her oven and eat them, decorating her house with their skulls, Gilmore completely divorces the story from those elements. She keeps the house on chicken legs, but gives us more of Yaga as a person. I loved getting to know more about Yaga, her backstory, and the ways that she connects with people, allowing me to see her on a more human level.
During this story, we learn not just who Yaga is and where she comes from, but also how she connects to the land she’s from. Throughout the story, Russia is more than just a country, it’s almost like a family member in need of protection. Many of the characters are willing to lay down their lives to protect Russia, who is always referred to as “her,” and as having a long memory. The people of Russia survive not only brutal weather and living conditions, but also fight for their lands and their way of life. Despite clearly being a fantasy book, it’s also very much a historical fiction story, taking place not long after Russia came to be a country in it’s own right, but it still isn’t a very stable place.
When Yaga is called upon by her old friend, Anastasia, for help in curing her of a mysterious illness, Yaga doesn’t feel like she can say no. Especially not knowing that Anastasia is the balancing element on her husband, the unpredictable Tsar Ivan. He is the one man keeping Russia from teetering into all-out chaos, and Yaga is going to do everything in her power to make sure she keeps her friend healthy and protect Russia.
“Rumor had it that marriage had tamed the tsar’s naturally violent ways, that his tsaritsa restrained his worst impulses. Her intelligence and faith guided him. If something were to happen to her, it would not just be her sons who suffered. It would be Russia and her people.”
Yaga is also torn by the way Christianity has supplanted the old gods. Yaga herself is the daughter of one of the old gods, and it’s frustrating to her to see the worship wither away in favor of the new god.
“My usual reaction to icons was a stab of jealousy. This god was exalted, celebrated in resplendent wealth; my gods were forgotten, prayed to in shameful, guilt-ridden secrecy. He had triumphed while my gods had lost.”
Once Yaga reaches Moscow, what she discovers is so much worse than she even expected. She comes face to face with enemies and tricks at every turn, and it kept me on the edge of my seat. She’s forced to rely on all of her magic, her smarts, and her knowledge of people for stakes that are higher than ever.
“Here was a tsar whose crown had made him into a tragedy, a suspicious and vindictive man, volatile and unpredictable. He loved today only to hate tomorrow.”
Overall, this was a subversive and feminist story that pulled me in from start to finish. Instead of Yaga being the villain, she was the hero, fighting against her traditional antihero, Koshey Bessmertney (the Deathless), but also the system that dictates only one path for women, and working with a range of people to save a Russia that they all love. I loved seeing a lesbian couple featured prominently, especially during this time period, and the romance included in the book was beautifully done, capturing my heart without overwhelming the story. If you’re going to read one Baba Yaga retelling, THIS IS IT.
wisecraic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.5
sadpandareads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
barbistull's review against another edition
4.0
I was familiar with the folklore of Baba Yaga, but toss in Princess Anastasia and Ivan the Terrible?! Count me in--I'm ready to read it! Historical fiction is quickly becoming one of my favorite genres and Olesya Salnikova Gilmore did not disappoint!
I did have a little trouble connecting with the characters at the beginning of the book, but after a bit I wanted to know more about where Yaga was headed. I appreciated the frequent references to Baba Yaga being a decrepit old hag and realizing that Yaga was indeed young and beautiful appearing. Yaga being half goddess and half mortal made her strong and allowed her the ability to reach beyond what other witches might have. Despite the slow start, I quickly finished this book and really enjoyed it.
4 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing (Ace) and NetGalley for an e-arc for review.
I did have a little trouble connecting with the characters at the beginning of the book, but after a bit I wanted to know more about where Yaga was headed. I appreciated the frequent references to Baba Yaga being a decrepit old hag and realizing that Yaga was indeed young and beautiful appearing. Yaga being half goddess and half mortal made her strong and allowed her the ability to reach beyond what other witches might have. Despite the slow start, I quickly finished this book and really enjoyed it.
4 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing (Ace) and NetGalley for an e-arc for review.
jbird7's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
zeporaza's review against another edition
4.0
Although I am giving this book four stars, I personally did not like it that much. Despite the author mentioning years pass in a matter of just a few paragraphs, the book moved terribly slow. For some reason, I just felt as though nothing was really happening, despite the war, atrocities, and families progressing in the background. But I think that was it — all of the story happened in the background, with Yaga herself not actively participating until the very end. She does come across as independent, intelligent, and wise, but if you remove her from the middle Russia’s turmoil, nothing would be different until the end.
So why does this book earn four stars? Because I think my lack of enjoyment and boredom does not discount Gilmore’s work. She paints Russia in the 1500s in such vivid images, and gives the readers a story grounded in many real-life events that it becomes educational. All of this is to be commended. And her story that did not inspire me might be satisfying for others!
So why does this book earn four stars? Because I think my lack of enjoyment and boredom does not discount Gilmore’s work. She paints Russia in the 1500s in such vivid images, and gives the readers a story grounded in many real-life events that it becomes educational. All of this is to be commended. And her story that did not inspire me might be satisfying for others!
sandraselvas's review against another edition
4.0
As a former child who developed an obsession with Russian folklore and history, I couldn't pass on this premise and cover. The Witch and the Tsar reimagines the mythical Baba Yaga as just Yaga, a half-goddess possessing magic who has had her fair share of heartbreak due to her entanglement with mortals. The story unfolds over a number of years, mostly through Yaga's point-of-view but occasionally through "interludes" where we're introduced to her main non-Ivan antagonists (although never in much depth.) Oleysa Salnikova Gilmore weaved a gorgeous, intricate and rich tapestry of Russian mythology and history where Yaga reclaims her power and finds her true purpose as a goddess, a witch and a woman.
clmckinney's review against another edition
4.0
This is a re-telling of a character from Russian mythology. In this narrative, there is a feminist slant given to her persona. She is a witch during the years of Ivan The Terrible. I found the historical elements interesting, much as I recently enjoyed the facts of the book, Glory. I also liked the magical aspects of the story. It is essentially about good vs evil, but the battle is over Russia. What I didn't like so much is the one dimensional people in the tale. It seemed they were mostly good or evil, which made the tale a bit superficial. As well, she did this thing where she would be looking for someone and suddenly run into that person, and I just found this a bit trite. It took away from the believability of the novel, and its premise. I give this one a 4/5.
fireflyklt's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for an ARC.
A beautiful blending of Russian folklore and history. I only know the bare bones of Russian folklore, so this was a lovely exploration and sent me down the most delightful rabbit hole, wanting to learn more about the legends that inspired this tale. The writing is lyrical and gorgeous and leaves you wanting to know more about Russian culture and legends. Absolutely gorgeous book.
A beautiful blending of Russian folklore and history. I only know the bare bones of Russian folklore, so this was a lovely exploration and sent me down the most delightful rabbit hole, wanting to learn more about the legends that inspired this tale. The writing is lyrical and gorgeous and leaves you wanting to know more about Russian culture and legends. Absolutely gorgeous book.