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A review by thatpreciousplot
The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
The Witch and the Tsar is a beautiful reimagining of the tale, the myth, the legend that is 'Baba Yaga'.
The book itself takes places around the 16th century in Russia, where Yaga living in the woods in her house on chicken legs is summoned by her friend Anastasia, the wife of the Tsar of Russia who is gravely ill and fears she is being poisoned and will soon die. Yaga must bring herself out of her isolation, from the comfort of her forest, to go to her friend in her time of need.
What follows is a magical and beautifully written story of Yaga and her life and the changes in Russia around her. I won't say much more about the plot itself as I went in knowing very little and I think it added even more to my enjoyment.
The book is beautifully written, if a little slow in the middle, and the author manages to capture the magical world surround Yaga and the old gods so well. I was honestly so amazed that this is a debut novel, I cannot wait to see what else this author has to offer in future if this is anything to go by!
Overall: 3.75 stars
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The book itself takes places around the 16th century in Russia, where Yaga living in the woods in her house on chicken legs is summoned by her friend Anastasia, the wife of the Tsar of Russia who is gravely ill and fears she is being poisoned and will soon die. Yaga must bring herself out of her isolation, from the comfort of her forest, to go to her friend in her time of need.
What follows is a magical and beautifully written story of Yaga and her life and the changes in Russia around her. I won't say much more about the plot itself as I went in knowing very little and I think it added even more to my enjoyment.
The book is beautifully written, if a little slow in the middle, and the author manages to capture the magical world surround Yaga and the old gods so well. I was honestly so amazed that this is a debut novel, I cannot wait to see what else this author has to offer in future if this is anything to go by!
Overall: 3.75 stars
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.