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A review by zeporaza
The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore
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!