I enjoyed reading Katherine Arden's debut novel as she has woven Russian mythology and setting into this dark enchanting fantasy. It is written in a fairy tale aura where the heroine main character Vasya has gifts that make her different from her family and village. This first book tells the tale of her beginnings, family, the background of her russian world and includes her conflict with her stepmother and priest Father Konstantin, who want to make her part from her traditional beliefs as one who sees the nature spirits and is to be aided by the brother of the evil one who will pursue her.

I was enchanted from the start and appreciated the author's knowledge of russian history, myth and lands that make a spectacular set for the tale.
She includes a glossary of terms, and even questions for study as well as an interview with the author.

I found the style easy to follow and the language, addition of russian terms added to the atmosphere and time.

If you love myth and the lore of russia, you might be enchanted into her world. Wonderful descriptions that made me think I was there.

Read the sequels!

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Created Apr 30, 2019 at 7:27pm • Submit your own review...